As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 28, 2017 |
Registration No.333-148723 |
Registration No.811-22172 |
UNITED STATES |
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION |
Washington, D.C. 20549 |
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 | [X] | |
Pre-Effective Amendment No. |
[ ] | |
Post-Effective Amendment No. (268) |
[X] | |
and/or | ||
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 | [X] | |
Amendment No. (269) |
[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):
[X] | immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b); | |
[ ] | On _____________ pursuant to paragraph (b); | |
[ ] | 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1); | |
[ ] | on (date) 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 28, 2017
CLASS A SHARES
Ticker: OURAX
INVESTOR CLASS SHARES
Ticker:
OURLX
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS SHARES
Ticker: OURIX
CLASS Z SHARES
Ticker: OURZX
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.
TABLE OF CONTENTS | PAGE | ||
Fund Summary | 3 | ||
Investment Objective | 3 | ||
Fees and Expenses |
3 | ||
Principal Investment Strategies |
5 | ||
Principal Risks |
7 | ||
Performance Information |
13 | ||
Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser | 13 | ||
Portfolio Managers |
13 | ||
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares |
13 | ||
Tax Information |
14 | ||
Payments to Broker Dealers and other |
|||
Financial Intermediaries |
14 | ||
Additional Information About Fund Investments | 15 | ||
Additional Information About Risk | 15 | ||
The Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser | 23 | ||
The Portfolio Managers | 26 | ||
How to Buy Shares | 29 | ||
How to Sell Shares | 35 | ||
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes | 39 | ||
Net Asset Value | 41 | ||
Fair Value Pricing | 42 | ||
Frequent Trading | 43 | ||
General Information | 45 | ||
Distribution Arrangements | 47 | ||
Financial Highlights | 47 | ||
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.
(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.
|
||
(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
|
3
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.
|
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 35.44% 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.
4
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 markets 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 markets bonds) and (iii) other income producing securities. 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 investments in options would be limited to those tied to ETFs following large, broad-based equity indices such as SPY (S&P 500 ® Index) and EFA (MSCI EAFE Index). The primary purpose of investing in such options would be for hedging purposes and may include both purchase and writing of options (for covered positions only). Writing of naked options is not being contemplated.
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. When the Fund invests in ETFs, it will consider the underlying investments in the ETFs for purposes of its 80% policy.
The Fund may also invest directly in equity securities.
The Funds investment philosophy is focused on the three facets of investing that Auour (pronounced our) Investments, LLC (Auour or the Sub-Adviser) believes will drive performance: market participation, asset allocation, and total cost minimization.
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 Sub-Advisers 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 reduce exposure to equity and fixed income markets through the use of cash positions, with the potential of a 100% cash position in extreme instances.
5
The Auour Regime Model TM (ARM TM , 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.
Based upon ARM TM , market risk is categorized into one of five risk regimes with each regime having an asset allocation that optimizes to those factors that perform favorably in that particular regime. As an example, in the most aggressive risk regime, the Fund will have a higher percentage (relative to the Funds benchmark)
6
of its assets in smaller company ETFs and emerging market funds. In certain extreme conditions, the Fund has the flexibility to move 100% into investment grade short term fixed income securities or money market instruments.
Though the ARM model is updated daily, the Sub-Adviser aims to rebalance on a monthly basis, or as market conditions warrant.
The Fund will normally hold between 10 and 20 securities primarily ETFs, which the Sub-Adviser believes offer a broad exposure to the global equity markets. The allocation to any one security or 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.
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.
|
Equity
Risk.
To the extent the Fund invests directly in equity securities or in ETPs
that invest in 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.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
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
|
7
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.
|
||
|
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.
|
|
|
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
regulaatory standards, less liquidity and increased volatility, taxes and adverse
social or political developments.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
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.
|
8
|
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.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
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 income because the income that REITs
receive is primarily rent and interest income.
|
|
|
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
|
9
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.
|
||
|
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. Through its investments in options, including the following, 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.
|
|
|
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 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
|
10
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.
|
||
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).
|
||
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.
|
||
|
Preferred
Securities Risk.
A companys preferred stock generally pays dividends only
after the company makes required payments to holders of its bonds and other debt.
For this reason, the value of preferred stock will usually react more strongly than
bonds and other debt to actual or perceived changes in the companys financial
condition or prospects.
|
|
|
Convertible
Securities Risk
. Convertible securities may subordinate to other securities.
The total return for a convertible security depends, in part, upon the performance
of the underlying security into which it can be converted. The value of convertible
securities tends to decline as interest rates increase.
Convertible securities generally offer lower interest or dividend yields than non-convertible securities of similar quality.
|
11
|
Leverage
Risk
. To the extent the Fund invests in underlying funds that are subject to
leverage risk, the Fund will also be more sensitive to movement in the value of
those instruments. In particular, investments in options and derivative instruments
may provide the economic effect of financial leverage by creating additional investment
exposure such that increases or decreases in the value of the Funds portfolio
will be magnified. In addition, the credit quality of securities held by underlying
funds, and in turn the Fund, may be lowered if an issuers financial condition
changes.
|
|
|
Investing
in Loans Risk.
To the extent the Fund invests in underlying funds that invest
in bank loans the Fund will be subject to additional risk. In addition to being
subject to risks generally associated with debt instruments, such as credit, market,
interest rate, liquidity and derivative risk, bank loans are also subject to the
risk that the value of the collateral securing a loan may decline, be insufficient
to meet the obligations of the borrower or be difficult to liquidate. An underlying
funds access to collateral may be limited by bankruptcy, other insolvency
laws or by the type of loan purchased. Loans and other forms of indebtedness may
be structured such that they are not securities under securities laws. As such,
it is unclear whether loans and other forms of direct indebtedness offer securities
law protections, such as those against fraud and misrepresentation.
|
|
|
Market
or Interest Rate Risk
. The price of most fixed income securities move in the
opposite direction of the change in interest rates. For example, as interest rates
rise, the price of fixed income securities fall. If a fixed income security is held
to maturity, the change in its price before maturity may have little impact on Fund
performance; however, if a Fund or underlying fund sells a fixed income security
before the maturity date, an increase in interest rates could result in a loss to
the Fund. The Fund primarily focuses on equity investments with very limited exposure
to fixed income securities through ETFs in which it invests. The current interest
rate environment of rising rates will have little to no effect on the value of the
holdings of the Fund. In a rising interest rate environment, ETFs with exposure
to fixed income securities may suffer losses due to the decrease in the prices of
the underlying bonds as rates rise. The Funds current exposure to fixed income
is minimal and the ETFs that it owns generally invest in short duration U.S. government
securities with maturities of 3 months or less to mitigate the risk associated with
rising interest rates.
|
|
|
New
Adviser Risk
. Neither the Advisor nor the Sub-Adviser has previously managed
a mutual fund.
|
12
Performance Information
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
13
established this option on your account. The minimum initial purchase or exchange into the Fund is $1,000 for Investor Class Shares and Class A Shares, $100,000 for Institutional Class Shares, and $10,000,000 for the Class Z Shares. Subsequent investments must be in amounts of $100 for all share classes. 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.
14
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 markets 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 markets 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 may invest directly in equity securities.
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
15
affecting the general economy; overall market changes; local, regional or global political, social or economic instability; and currency, interest rate and 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 directly in equity securities or in ETPs that invest in equity securities, it is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over
16
short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity markets have moved in cycles, and the value of an 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.
17
Emerging Markets Securities Risk. To the extent that Fund invests in ETPs that 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.
Duration Risk . Prices of fixed income securities with longer effective maturities are more sensitive to interest rate changes than those with shorter effective maturities.
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.
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.
18
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 employing such strategies. Successful use by an ETP of derivatives will be subject
19
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.
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.
Prepayment risk . This is the risk that the issuers of bonds owned by the ETPs will prepay them at a time when interest rates have declined. Because interest rates have declined, the ETPs may have to reinvest the proceeds in bonds with lower interest rates, which can reduce the ETPs and the Funds returns.
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.
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 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.
20
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 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
21
Fund is 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.
Preferred Securities Risk. A companys preferred stock generally pays dividends only after the company makes required payments to holders of its bonds and other debt. For this reason, the value of preferred stock will usually react more strongly than bonds and other debt to actual or perceived changes in the companys financial condition or prospects.
Convertible Securities Risk . Convertible securities may subordinate to other securities. The total return for a convertible security depends, in part, upon the performance of the underlying security into which it can be converted. The value of convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates increase. Convertible securities generally offer lower interest or dividend yields than non-convertible securities of similar quality.
Leverage Risk . To the extent the Fund invests in underlying funds that are subject to leverage risk, the Fund will also be more sensitive to movement in the value of those instruments. In particular, investments in options and derivative instruments may provide the economic effect of financial leverage by creating additional investment exposure such that increases or decreases in the value of the Funds portfolio will be magnified. In addition, the credit quality of securities held by underlying funds, and in turn the Fund, may be lowered if an issuers financial condition changes.
Investing in Loans Risk. To the extent the Fund invests in underlying funds that invest in bank loans the Fund will be subject to additional risk. In addition to being subject to risks generally associated with debt instruments, such as credit, market, interest rate, liquidity and derivative risk, bank loans are also subject to the risk that the value of the collateral securing a loan may decline, be insufficient to meet the obligations of the borrower or be difficult to liquidate. An underlying funds access to collateral may be limited by bankruptcy, other insolvency laws or by the type of loan purchased. Loans and other forms of indebtedness may be structured such that they are not securities under securities laws. As such, it is unclear whether loans and other forms of direct indebtedness offer securities law protections, such as those against fraud and misrepresentation.
New Adviser Risk. Neither the Adviser nor the Sub-Adviser (Auour Investments, LLC) has previously managed a mutual fund.
22
THE INVESTMENT ADVISER AND SUB-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). As of November 30, 2017, the Adviser had approximately $12.6 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 $200 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 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
23
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 a separate agreement between the Advisor and the Sub-Adviser dated October 2, 2017, 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.
You should note that historical performance of the accounts similar to the Fund is not indicative of future performance of 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 Composite consisted of 199 advisory accounts. As of this date, the total assets of the Composite were approximately $48.6 million. The Composite is presented net of all fees and expenses and reflects the reinvestment of dividends and distributions.
The Funds performance results may be lower than those of the Composite because private advisory accounts are not subject to certain investment limitations, diversification requirements and other restrictions imposed on mutual funds by the Investment Company Act of 1940 or the Internal Revenue Code which, if applicable, could have adversely affected the performance of those accounts.
24
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
25
(Annualized) | ||||||
Trailing 1 Year | Trailing 3 Year | |||||
Instinct Global Equity Composite (Net)* | 14.1% | 6.6% | ||||
Instinct Global Equity Composite (Gross)** | 15.2% | 7.6% | ||||
MSCI ACWI | 17.1% | 6.2% |
* Returns are net of all fees and transaction costs. |
** Returns are gross of management fees but include transaction and underlying vehicle fees. |
*** As of August 31, 2017 |
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. Prior to joining Auour, Ken was a private investor. From 2006 to 2009 he was a Senior Portfolio Manager Mid/SMid-Cap Growth and Head of Quantitative Research for Evergreen Investments Fundamental Equity Group. From 2005 through 2006, 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 in 2004, a subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan, managing the 2100 Capital Endeavour Fund, a market neutral equity hedge fund. From 2000 through 2003, Ken 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 (2010 2013), Babson Capital (2003 2009), Putnam Investments
26
(2000 2003), and Independence Investment Associates (IIA) (1995 2000. 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.
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, from 2005 2013, 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, from 2001 2005, a private equity investment firm focused on the middle market, and, from 1996 2001, 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
27
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.
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.
28
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.
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
29
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.
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.
30
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 $100,000 | 4.50% | 4.71% | 3.75% | |||||||
$100,000 but less than $250,000 | 3.50% | 3.63% | 2.75% | |||||||
$250,000 but less than $500,000 | 2.50% | 2.56% | 2.00% | |||||||
$500,000 but less than $1,000,000 | 2.00% | 2.04% | 1.75% | |||||||
$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 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.
31
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:
(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;
|
32
(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.
Small Account Balances. If the value of your account falls below the minimum account balance of $1,000, 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
33
your Financial Intermediary concerning required minimum account balances. You should note that should such a redemption occur with regards to a non-retirement account, such redemption would be subject to taxation. Please refer to the section entitled Dividends, Distributions and Taxes below.
Minimum Investments. The minimum initial investment for Class A Shares and Investor Class Shares is $1,000; $100,000 for Institutional Class Shares; and $10,000,000 for Class Z Shares. Subsequent investments must be in amounts of $100 or more for any share class. 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) 673-550 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 described above. Be sure to include your name and account number in the wire instructions you provide your bank.
34
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 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
35
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 permit the Fund to verify the identity of the person redeeming the shares and to eliminate the need for backup withholding.
36
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 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
37
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.
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.
38
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.
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.
39
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 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
40
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 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.
41
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 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.
42
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 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
43
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.
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,
44
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 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 or
45
Sub-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 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.
46
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 7, 2017, the Fund was managed by a different investment adviser and sub-adviser and, therefore, the financial information presented for periods prior to November 7, 2017 reflect performance achieved by a different investment adviser and sub-adviser. The Funds shareholders approved the contracts with the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser on December 28, 2017. The financial highlights for the periods presented (other than the semi-annual period) 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 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.
47
GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME FUND |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS |
SELECTED PER SHARE DATA THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD |
(1) |
Per share
amounts calculated using the average shares outstanding throughout the period.
|
(2) |
Total return
does not reflect applicable sales charges.
|
* |
Annualized
|
** |
Not annualized
|
48
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
49
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:
OURAX
INVESTOR CLASS SHARES
Ticker: OURLX
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS SHARES
Ticker: OURIX
CLASS Z SHARES
Ticker:
OURZX
December 28, 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 28, 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.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
THE TRUST | 1 | |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES | 1 | |
DESCRIPTION OF PERMITTED INVESTMENTS | 2 | |
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS | 11 | |
INVESTMENT ADVISER AND SUB-ADVISER | 13 | |
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS | 15 | |
SERVICE PROVIDERS | 17 | |
TRUSTEES & OFFICERS OF THE TRUST | 19 | |
BOARD OF TRUSTEES | 22 | |
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL SECURITIES HOLDERS | 24 | |
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE | 25 | |
DISTRIBUTION | 25 | |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PURCHASES AND SALES | 26 | |
ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS TO FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES | 28 | |
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES | 28 | |
TAXES | 29 | |
BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES | 42 | |
DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES HOLDINGS | 44 | |
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES | 47 | |
PROXY VOTING | 48 | |
CODES OF ETHICS | 48 | |
FINANCIAL INFORMATION | 49 | |
EXHIBIT A (PROXY VOTING POLICIES OF SUB-ADVISER) | 50 | |
EXHIBIT B (WORLD FUNDS TRUST PROXY VOTING POLICIES | 53 | |
EXHIBIT C (NOMINATING AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE CHARTER) | 55 |
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 December 28, 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 December 28, 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,
1
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. Accordingly, 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.
2
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.
3
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
4
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
5
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 Partnerships (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.
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.
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 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.
7
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.
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;
8
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 transactions may result in an Underlying Funds net asset value being more sensitive to changes in the value of the related investment.
9
Futures Contracts . 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 Underlying 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. 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 Adviser.
10
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.
|
|
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.
|
11
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 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
12
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 on August 22, 2017 and became registered as an investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission in November of 2017. As of November 30, 2017, the Adviser had approximately $12,600,000 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 entitled 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 28, 2017, shareholders of the Fund approved the Advisory Agreement and that agreement became effective on December 29, 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 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.
13
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 29, 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 Sub-Advisory Agreement) to serve as sub-adviser to the Fund. The Sub-Adviser is controlled by
14
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 28, 2017, shareholders of the Fund approved the Sub-Advisory Agreement and that agreement became effective on December 29, 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 interim 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.
Agreement between the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser. As noted above, per the terms of the Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser, the Sub-Adviser is responsible for the day-to-day investment management responsibilities for the Fund. In addition, the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser contemplate an on-going relationship between the parties pursuant to a separate agreement wherein, among other things: (i) the Adviser agrees to recommend to the Board that the Sub-Adviser continue to serve as sub-adviser for the Fund subject to Board approval and other conditions, insofar as recommendation is consistent with the Advisers and Boards fiduciary duties; (ii) the Sub-Adviser agrees not to provide advisory or sub-advisory services to other open-end investment management companies with similar investment objectives to that of the Fund without providing advance notice to the Adviser; (iii) the Sub-Adviser makes certain concessions related to the expense limitation arrangements (as described in the Funds Prospectus) for the Fund; and (iv) the Sub-Adviser agrees to share in certain expenses that are absorbed by the Adviser related to marketing and distribution. To the extent the Sub-Adviser does not provide advisory or sub-advisory services to other open-end investment management companies with similar investment objectives to that of the Fund that the Adviser deems to be a competitive conflict, and otherwise complies with the conditions of the separate agreement, the Sub-Adviser will be entitled to portion of any sales proceeds resulting from any future sale of the Adviser. Nothing in the separate agreement or any other arrangement between the Adviser and Sub-Adviser contemplate any future sale of the Adviser at this time. The separate agreement also contemplates a degrees of marketing support to be provided by the Sub-Adviser to the Adviser, non-solicitation of employees, and the right of the Sub-Adviser to recoup fees that it may waive.
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 29, 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.
15
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.
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 | 653 | $190 |
Accounts where compensation is based upon account performance | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 |
Robert Z. Kuftinec | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 | 653 | $190 |
Accounts where compensation is based upon account performance | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 |
Kenneth J. Doerr | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 | 653 | $190 |
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 their 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.
16
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 their 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 |
Joseph B. Hosler | None |
Robert Z. Kuftinec | None |
Kenneth J. Doerr | None |
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
17
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 7, 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 November 7, 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, acted as the custodian of the Funds securities and cash and as the Funds accounting services agent. The following table provides information regarding accounting services paid by the Fund to BBH during the periods indicated.
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 | $33,011 |
2015 | $30,000 | $58,522 | $45,449 |
2014 | $41,695 | $68,050 | $49,357 |
* Fees paid to CFS (and/or its affiliates/predecessors)
** Fees paid to BBH
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
18
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 | ||||
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
19
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 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. | 57 | None |
20
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 |
Mary Lou H.
Ivey (59) Trustee |
Indefinite,
Since June 2010 |
Accountant, Harris, Hardy & Johnstone, P.C., accounting firm, since 2008. | 57 | None |
Theo H. Pitt,
Jr.
(81) Trustee |
Indefinite;
Since August 2013 |
Senior Partner, Community Financial Institutions Consulting (bank consulting) 1997 to present. | 57 | 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). |
OFFICERS WHO ARE NOT TRUSTEES
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
(54) 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 |
21
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 |
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
22
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:
Name of
Person/ Position |
Aggregate
Compensation From Fund |
Pension
or Retirement
Benefits Accrued As Part of Funds Expenses |
Estimated
Annual
Benefits upon Retirement |
Total
Compensation From
Fund and Fund Complex Paid To Trustees (*) (1) |
David J.
Urban, Trustee Mary Lou H. Ivey, Trustee Theo H. Pitt, Jr., Trustee |
$1,290
$1,290 $1,290 |
$0
$0 $0 |
$0
$0 $0 |
$22,000
$22,000 $22,000 |
(1) The Fund Complex consists of the Trust, which is comprised of the 57 Funds.
23
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.
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 November 30, 2017, the following persons were record owners (or to the knowledge of the Trust, beneficial owners) of 5% or more of Class A shares of the Fund.
Shareholder Name and Address | Percentage of Class | Type of Ownership |
Charles Schwab
& Co. Inc.
101 Montgomery St. San Francisco, CA 94104 |
18.72% | Record |
24
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 the 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 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.
25
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 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.
26
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.
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.
27
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 offers 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 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.
28
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 Adviser manages 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 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.
29
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:
|
a citizen
or individual resident of the United States (including certain former citizens and
former long-term residents);
|
||
|
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;
|
||
|
an estate,
the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its
source; or
|
||
|
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.
|
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.
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
30
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 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
31
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 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.
32
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 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).
33
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, 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
34
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:
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).
35
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 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
36
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).
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.
37
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 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
38
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.
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.
39
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%.
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
40
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.
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.
41
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 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.
42
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.
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.
43
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, 2016, 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 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:
44
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 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.
45
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 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.
46
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, 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.
47
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 proxy voting policies and procedures of the Sub-Adviser are included as Exhibit A 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 .
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, Sub-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 .
48
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 incorporated 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 29, 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
49
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, or sub-advisor of the Fund, as applicable (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.
|
||
2. |
The Committee
shall review this Charter at least annually and recommend any changes to the full
Board of Trustees.
|
Adopted: August 2, 2013
55
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.
|
56
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.
42
|
|
|
|
|
(a)(2) |
Certificate
of Amendment dated January 7, 2008 to the Registrants Certificate of Trust
dated April 9, 2007.
42
|
|
|
|
|
(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.
42
|
|
|
|
|
(d)(5) |
Investment
Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Dalton, Greiner, Hartman, Maher &
Co., LLC with respect to the DGHM V2000 SmallCap Value Fund.
42
|
|
(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).
42
|
|
(d)(9) |
Investment
Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Mission Institutional Advisors, LLC
dba Mission Funds Advisors with respect to the Mission-Auour Risk-Managed Global
Equity Fund (formerly known as the Global Strategic Income Fund). (to be filed by amendment)
|
|
(d)(10) |
Investment
Sub-Advisory Agreement between Mission Institutional Advisors, LLC and Auour Investment,
LLC with respect to the Mission-Auour Risk-Managed Global Equity Fund (formerly
known as the Global Strategic Income Fund). (to be filed by amendment)
|
|
(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.
42
|
|
(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.
43
|
|
(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
®
Enhance and Buffer Fund. (filed herewith)
|
|
(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) |
Amended
Schedule A dated November 14, 2017 to the Principal Underwriter Agreement between
the Registrant and First Dominion Capital Corp. with respect to the Mission-Auour
Risk-Managed Global Equity Fund (formerly known as the Global Strategic Income Fund).
(filed herewith)
|
|
(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.
43
|
|
(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
®
Enhance
and Buffer Fund. (filed herewith)
|
|
(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.
42
|
|
|
|
|
(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.
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.
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 June 15, 2008 between
the Registrant and UMB Bank, N.A., to include the Select Value Real Estate Securities
Fund.
43
|
|
(g)(10) |
Amended
Appendix B and revised Appendix C to the Custody Agreement dated June 15, 2008 between
the Registrant and UMB Bank, N.A., to include the Strategic Global Long/Short Fund.
43
|
|
(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. (filed herewith)
|
|
(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) |
Fund Services
Agreement dated September 20, 2017 between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund
Services, Inc. on behalf of the Mission-Auour Risk-Managed Global Equity Fund (formerly
known as the Global Strategic Income Fund). (filed herewith)
|
|
(h)(6) |
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)(7) |
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.
43
|
|
(h)(8) |
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)(9) |
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)(10) |
Amended
Fund Services Agreement dated March 1, 2017 between the Registrant and Commonwealth
Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the DGHM Funds.
37
|
|
(h)(11) |
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)(12) |
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)(13) |
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)(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
®
Enhance
and Buffer Fund. (filed herewith)
|
|
(h)(15) |
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)(16) |
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)(17) |
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)(18) |
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)(19) |
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)(20) |
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)(21) |
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)(22) |
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. (filed herewith)
|
|
(h)(23) |
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.
42
|
|
|
|
|
(h)(24) |
Expense
Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and Perkins Capital Management, Inc.
with respect to shares of the Perkins Discovery Fund.
40
|
|
|
|
|
(h)(25) |
Expense
Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and Dalton, Greiner, Hartman, Maher
& Co., LLC with respect to the DGHM Funds.
37
|
|
(h)(26) |
Expense
Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and Dalton, Greiner, Hartman, Maher
& Co., LLC with respect to the DGHM MicroCap Value Funds.
24
|
|
|
|
|
(h)(27) |
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)(28) |
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)(29) |
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)(30) |
Amended
Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and Toreador Research &
Trading, LLC with respect to the Toreador Funds.
42
|
|
(h)(31) |
Expense
Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and Mission Institutional Advisors,
LLC with respect to the Mission-Auour Risk-Managed Global Equity Fund (formerly
known as the Global Strategic Income Fund. (to be filed by amendment)
|
|
(h)(32) |
Expense
Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and Strategic Asset Management, Ltd.
with respect to the Strategic Global Long/Short Fund.
19
|
|
(h)(33) |
Expense
Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and CBOE Vest Financial LLC, with respect
to the CBOE Vest Funds.
27
|
|
(h)(34) |
Expense
Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and CBOE Vest Financial LLC, with respect
to the CBOE Vest Enhanced Growth Funds.
28
|
|
(h)(35) |
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)(36) |
Expense
Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and CBOE Vest Financial LLC, with respect
to the Cboe Vest S&P 500
®
Enhance and Buffer Fund. (filed herewith)
|
(h)(37) |
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)(38) |
Expense
Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and Systelligence, LLC, with respect
to The E-Valuator Funds.
29
|
|
(h)(39) |
Expense
Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and Secure Investment Management, LLC,
with respect to The SIM Funds. (to be filed by amendment)
|
|
(h)(40) |
Shareholder
Services Plan, dated August 2, 2013 as amended April 21, 2016, with respect to Investor
Class Shares of the DGHM Funds.
24
|
|
(h)(41) |
Shareholder
Services Plan, dated April 21, 2016, with respect to the CBOE Vest Funds Class A
Shares and Class C Shares.
27
|
|
(h)(42) |
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)(43) |
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)(44) |
Amended
Shareholder Services Plan, dated July 14, 2017, with respect to the Cboe Vest S&P 500
®
Enhance and Buffer Fund Class A Shares, Class C Shares, Institutional
Class Shares, and Investor Class Shares. (filed herewith)
|
|
(h)(45) |
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)(46) |
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)(47) |
Shareholder
Services Plan, dated April 21, 2016, with respect to The E-Valuator Funds Investor
Class Shares and Institutional Class Shares.
23
|
|
(h)(48) |
Shareholder
Services Plan, dated September 20, 2017, with respect to the Mission-Auour Risk-Managed
Global Equity Fund Class A Shares, Institutional Shares and Investor Shares. (filed
herewith)
|
|
(i)(1) |
Opinion
and Consent of Legal Counsel for Union Street Partners Value Fund.
42
|
|
(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.
42
|
|
(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.
42
|
|
(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 Mission-Auour Risk-Managed Global Equity Fund formerly
known as the Global Strategic Income Fund). (filed herewith)
|
|
(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.
42
|
|
(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.
43
|
|
(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
®
Enhance and
Buffer Fund.
44
|
|
(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 Mission-Auour Risk-Managed
Global Equity Fund (formerly known as the Global Strategic Income Fund). (filed
herewith)
|
|
(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 Mission-Auour Risk-Managed Global Equity Fund (formerly known as
the Global Strategic Income Fund).(filed herewith)
|
|
(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
®
Enhance and Buffer Fund. (filed herewith)
|
|
(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 Mission-Auour Risk-Managed Global Equity Fund (formerly
known as the Global Strategic Income Fund). (filed herewith)
|
|
(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
®
Enhance
and Buffer Fund. (filed herewith)
|
|
(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.
42
|
|
(p)(3) |
Code of
Ethics for McGinn Investment Management, Inc.
5
|
|
|
|
|
(p)(4) |
Code of
Ethics for Perkins Capital Management, Inc.
42
|
|
|
|
|
(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.
42
|
|
(p)(7) |
Code of
Ethics for Toreador Research & Trading, LLC.
8
|
|
|
|
|
(p)(8) |
Code of
Ethics for Mission Institutional Advisors, LLC dba Mission Funds Advisors. (filed
herewith)
|
|
(p)(9) |
Code of
Ethics for Auour Investments, LLC. (filed herewith)
|
|
(p)(10) |
Code of
Ethics for Dalton, Greiner, Hartman, Maher & Co., LLC.
42
|
|
(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.
44
|
|
(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.
42
|
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).
|
|
42.
|
Incorporated
by reference to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on October
4, 2017. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).
|
|
43.
|
Incorporated
by reference to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on October
24, 2017. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).
|
|
44.
|
Incorporated
by reference to Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on November
7, 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 |
Mission Institutional Advisors, LLC dba Mission Funds Advisors |
801-111759 |
Auour Investments, LLC |
801-80544 |
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) |
Mission
Institutional Advisors, LLC dba Mission Funds Advisors, 2651 North Harwood Street,
Suite 525, Dallas, Texas 75201 (records relating to its function as the investment
adviser to the Mission-Auour Risk-Managed Global Equity Fund).
|
|
k) |
Auour Investments,
LLC, 162 Main Street, Suite 2, Wenham, Massachusetts 01984 (records relating to
its function as sub-adviser to the Mission-Auour Risk-Managed Global Equity 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 Place, 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 certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this registration statement under Rule 485(b) of the Securities Act and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 268 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 28 th day of December, 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. 268 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
*Attorney-in-fact pursuant to Powers of Attorney
EXHIBITS
(d)(20) |
Investment
Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and CBOE Vest Financial LLC, with respect
to the Cboe Vest S&P 500® Enhance and Buffer Fund.
|
|
(e)(7) |
Amended
Schedule A dated November 14, 2017 to the Principal Underwriter Agreement between
the Registrant and First Dominion Capital Corp. with respect to the Mission-Auour
Risk-Managed Global Equity Fund (formerly known as the Global Strategic Income Fund).
|
|
(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® Enhance and Buffer
Fund.
|
|
(g)(12) |
Amended
Exhibit A to the Custody Agreement between the Registrant and Fifth Third Bank on
behalf of certain portfolio series.
|
|
(h)(5) |
Fund Services
Agreement dated September 20, 2017 between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund
Services, Inc. on behalf of the Mission-Auour Risk-Managed Global Equity Fund (formerly
known as the Global Strategic Income Fund).
|
|
(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® Enhance and Buffer
Fund.
|
|
(h)(22) |
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.
|
|
(h)(28) |
Expense
Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and Real Estate Management Services
Group, LLC with respect to the REMS International Real Estate Value-Opportunity
Fund.
|
|
(h)(36) |
Expense
Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and CBOE Vest Financial LLC, with respect
to the Cboe Vest S&P 500® Enhance and Buffer Fund.
|
|
(h)(45) |
Amended
Shareholder Services Plan, dated July 14, 2017, with respect to the Cboe Vest S&P 500® Enhance and Buffer Fund Class A Shares, Class C Shares, Institutional
Class Shares, and Investor Class Shares.
|
|
(h)(49) |
Shareholder
Services Plan, dated September 20, 2017, with respect to the Mission-Auour Risk-Managed
Global Equity Fund Class A Shares, Institutional Shares and Investor Shares.
|
|
(i)(16) |
Consent
of Legal Counsel for the Mission-Auour Risk-Managed Global Equity Fund (formerly
known as the Global Strategic Income Fund).
|
|
(j)(9) |
Consent
of Independent Registered Public Accounting firm for the Mission-Auour Risk-Managed
Global Equity Fund (formerly known as the Global Strategic Income Fund).
|
(m)(6) |
Distribution
Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1, dated August 15, 2014, for the Class A Shares and Class
C Shares of the Mission-Auour Risk-Managed Global Equity Fund (formerly known as
the Global Strategic Income Fund).
|
|
(m)(16) |
Amended
Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1, dated July 14, 2017 for the Cboe Vest
S&P 500® Enhance and Buffer Fund.
|
|
(n)(5) |
Rule 18f-3
Multiple Class Plan for the Mission-Auour Risk-Managed Global Equity Fund (formerly
known as the Global Strategic Income Fund).
|
|
(n)(12) |
Amended
Rule 18f-3 Multiple Class Plan for the Cboe Vest S&P 500® Enhance and Buffer
Fund.
|
|
(p)(8) |
Code of
Ethics for Mission Institutional Advisors, LLC dba Mission Funds Advisors.
|
|
(p)(9) |
Code of
Ethics for Auour Investments, LLC.
|
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
THIS INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT (the Agreement) is 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 CBOE Vest Financial LLC (the Adviser), a Delaware limited liability company with its principal place of business in McLean, Virginia. This Agreement is made effective as to each Fund (defined below) as of the date set forth on the set of schedules to this Agreement identified as Schedule A and then numerically designated (e.g., Schedule A-1) attached hereto as of the Effective Date noted on each Schedule A with respect to each of the Funds.
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees (the Board) of the Trust has selected the Adviser to act as investment adviser to the series portfolios of the Trust set forth on Schedule A to this Agreement (each, a Fund and collectively, the Funds, 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.
|
|
(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 selecting each
Funds portfolio securities and performing the Advisers obligations hereunder,
the Adviser shall use its best efforts to cause the Fund to comply
|
1
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.
|
||
(c) |
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.
|
|
(d) |
Holdings
Information and Pricing
. The Adviser shall provide regular reports regarding
Fund holdings, and shall, on its own initiative, furnish the Trust and its Board
from time to time with whatever information the Adviser believes is appropriate
for this purpose, and at the request of the Board, such information and reports
requested by the Board. 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.
|
|
(e) |
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.
|
|
(f) |
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.
|
2. |
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
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 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
|
2
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.
|
3. |
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.
|
(a) |
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.
|
|
(b) |
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.
|
|
(c) |
Transaction
Information
. The Adviser shall furnish to the Trust such information concerning
portfolio transactions as may be 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.
|
4. | BROKERAGE. |
(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.
|
|
(b) |
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
|
3
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.
|
5. |
CUSTODY
. Nothing in this Agreement shall permit the Adviser to take or receive physical
possession of cash, securities or other investments of a Fund.
|
|
6. |
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.
|
|
7. |
REPRESENTATIONS,
WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS
.
|
(a) |
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.
|
|
(b) |
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.
|
|
(c) |
Fund
Disclosure Documents
. The Adviser has reviewed and will in the future 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 (collectively the Disclosure Documents) and represents and warrants 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 contain or will contain,
as of the date thereof, no untrue statement of any material fact and do not 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.
|
|
(d) |
Use
of the Names Vest and CBOE
. The Adviser has the right
to use the names Vest and CBOE 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 Vest and CBOE in connection with the management and operation
of each Fund. The Adviser is not aware of any actions, claims, litigation or proceedings
existing or
|
4
threatened
that would adversely affect or prejudice the rights of the Adviser or the Trust
to use the name Vest and CBOE that it has not otherwise
disclosed to the Board
|
||
(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.
|
|
(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.
|
|
(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.
|
|
(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 the quarterly
compliance report required by Section 3(a), whether or not specifically referenced
in such report.
|
8. |
THE
NAMES VEST AND CBOE.
The Adviser grants to the Trust
a license to use the names Vest and CBOE (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.
|
|
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.
|
5
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). 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.
|
|
12. | DURATION AND TERMINATION . |
(a) |
This Agreement shall become effective as of the date executed with respect to a particular
Fund 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 with respect
to a particular Fund 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 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.
|
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 8300 Greensboro Drive, Suite 800,
McLean, Virginia 22102, Attention: President.
|
|
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.
|
6
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 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.
|
|
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 |
7 |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed on their behalf by their duly authorized officers as of the dates noted on the Schedule As attached hereto.
WORLD FUNDS TRUST | ||
/s/ John Pasco III | ||
Signature | ||
By: John Pasco III | ||
Title: President and Principal Executive Officer | ||
CBOE VEST FINANCIAL LLC | ||
/s/ J. Steven Neamtz | ||
Signature | ||
By: J. Steven Neamtz | ||
Title: Senior Managing Director |
8
SCHEDULE A-1
Investment
Advisory Agreement
between
World Funds Trust (the Trust) and
CBOE Vest
Financial LLC (the Adviser)
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 | Effective Date |
CBOE Vest
S&P 500
®
Buffer Protect Strategy Funds*
*CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Buffer Protect Strategy Funds include: CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Buffer Protect 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 CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Buffer Protect Strategy (December) Fund |
$0 - $249,999,999.99
$250,000,000 - $749,999,999.99 $750,000,000 - $1,499,999,999.99 $1,500,000,000 - $4,999,999,999.99 >$5,000,000,000 |
0.75%
0.65% 0.60% 0.55% 0.50% |
July 6, 2016 |
CBOE Vest Defined Distribution Strategy Fund |
$0 - $249,999,999.99
$250,000,000 - $749,999,999.99 $750,000,000 - $1,499,999,999.99 $1,500,000,000 - $4,999,999,999.99 >$5,000,000,000 |
0.75%
0.65% 0.60% 0.55% 0.50% |
July 6, 2016 |
WORLD FUNDS TRUST | ||
/s/ John Pasco III | ||
Signature | ||
By: John Pasco III | ||
Title: President and Principal Executive Officer | ||
CBOE VEST FINANCIAL LLC | ||
/s/ J. Steven Neamtz | ||
Signature | ||
By: J. Steven Neamtz | ||
Title: Senior Managing Director |
9
SCHEDULE A-2
Investment
Advisory Agreement
between
World Funds Trust (the Trust) and
CBOE Vest
Financial LLC (the Adviser)
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 | Effective Date |
CBOE Vest
S&P 500
®
Enhanced Growth Strategy Funds*
*CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Enhanced Growth Strategy Funds include: 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 |
$0 - $249,999,999
$250,000,000 - $749,999,999 $750,000,000 - $1,499,999,999 $1,500,000,000 - $4,999,999,999 >$5,000,000,000 |
0.75%
0.65% 0.60% 0.55% 0.50% |
August 24, 2016 |
WORLD FUNDS TRUST | ||
/s/ John Pasco III | ||
Signature | ||
By: John Pasco III | ||
Title: President and Principal Executive Officer | ||
CBOE VEST FINANCIAL LLC | ||
/s/ J. Steven Neamtz | ||
Signature | ||
By: J. Steven Neamtz | ||
Title: Senior Managing Director |
10
SCHEDULE A-3
Investment
Advisory Agreement
between
World Funds Trust (the Trust) and
CBOE Vest
Financial LLC (the Adviser)
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 | Effective Date |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Dividend Aristocrats Target Income Fund |
$0 - $249,999,999.99
$250,000,000 - $749,999,999.99 $750,000,000 - $1,499,999,999.99 $1,500,000,000 - $4,999,999,999.99 >$5,000,000,000 |
0.75%
0.65% 0.60% 0.55% 0.50% |
July 14, 2017 |
WORLD FUNDS TRUST | ||
/s/ John Pasco III | ||
Signature | ||
By: John Pasco III | ||
Title: President and Principal Executive Officer | ||
CBOE VEST FINANCIAL LLC | ||
/s/ J. Steven Neamtz | ||
Signature | ||
By: J. Steven Neamtz | ||
Title: Senior Managing Director |
11
SCHEDULE A-4
Investment Advisory Agreement
between
World Funds Trust (the Trust) and
CBOE Vest Financial LLC (the
Adviser)
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 | Effective Date |
Cboe Vest S&P 500 ® Enhance and Buffer Fund |
$0 - $249,999,999.99
$250,000,000 - $749,999,999.99 $750,000,000 - $1,499,999,999.99 $1,500,000,000 - $4,999,999,999.99 >$5,000,000,000 |
0.75%
0.65% 0.60% 0.55% 0.50% |
November 3, 2017 |
WORLD FUNDS TRUST | ||
/s/ David A. Bogaert | ||
Signature | ||
By: David A. Bogaert | ||
Title: President and Principal Executive Officer | ||
CBOE VEST FINANCIAL LLC | ||
/s/ J. Steven Neamtz | ||
Signature | ||
By: J. Steven Neamtz | ||
Title: Senior Managing Director |
12
Schedule A
To the
Underwriter Agreement
Amended December 28, 2017
Funds
Mission-Auour Risk-Managed Global Equity Fund
First Dominion Capital Corp. | World Funds Trust 1 |
August 24, 2016
Amended as of July 14, 2017
THIS AGREEMENT, dated as of the date(s) noted above, by and between the World Funds Trust, an open-end management investment company (the Trust), and First Dominion Capital Corp., a Virginia corporation (FDCC),
WHEREAS , FDCC is a broker-dealer registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), formerly known as the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the NASD); and
WHEREAS , the Trust is registered as a diversified, open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the Act); and
WHEREAS , the Trust is authorized to offer shares of beneficial interest (the Shares) in one or more separate series (each a Fund and together the Funds), each with one or more separate classes of Shares; and
WHEREAS , the Trust wishes to retain FDCC to provide statutory principal underwriting services to the Funds listed in Schedule A and FDCC is willing to furnish such services; and
WHEREAS , the Board of Trustees of the Trust has approved such engagement:
NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the promises and agreements of the parties contained herein, and for good consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is acknowledged by both parties, the parties, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
1. | Appointment. | |
The Trust
hereby engages FDCC as the Funds exclusive agent for the distribution of the
Shares, and FDCC hereby accepts such appointment under the terms of this Agreement.
The services that FDCC will perform pursuant to this appointment are described more
specifically in Schedule B. While this Agreement is in force, the Trust shall not
sell any Shares, except on the terms set forth in this Agreement. Notwithstanding
any other provision hereof, the Trust may terminate, suspend or withdraw the offering
of Shares whenever, in each entitys sole discretion, it deems such action
to be desirable.
|
2. | Sale and Repurchase of Shares. |
(a) |
FDCC will
have the right, as agent for the Funds, to enter into agreements with brokers, dealers
and other financial intermediaries (generally, Financial Intermediary)
against orders therefore at the public offering price (as defined in subparagraph
2(d) hereof) stated in each Funds currently effective Registration Statement
on Form N-1A under the Act and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, including
the then current prospectus and statement of additional information (the Registration
Statement). Upon receipt of an order to purchase Shares from a Financial Intermediary
with whom FDCC has a agreement, FDCC will promptly cause such order to be filled
by the appropriate Fund.
|
||
(b) |
FDCC will
also have the right, as agent for the Funds, to sell such Shares to the public against
orders therefor at the public offering price.
|
||
(c) |
FDCC will
also have the right to take, as agent for the Funds, all actions which, in FDCCs reasonable judgment, are necessary to carry into effect the distribution
of the Shares.
|
||
(d) |
The public
offering price for the Shares of each Fund shall be the respective net asset value
of the Shares of that Fund then in effect, plus any applicable sales charge determined
in the manner set forth in the Registration Statement or as permitted by the Act
and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder. In no event
shall any applicable sales charge exceed the maximum sales charge permitted by the
Rules of the FINRA.
|
First Dominion Capital Corp. | World Funds Trust 1 |
(e) |
The net asset
value of the Shares of each Fund shall be determined in the manner provided in the
Registration Statement, and when determined shall be applicable to transactions
as provided for in the Funds Registration Statement. The net asset value of
the Shares of each Fund shall be calculated by the applicable Fund or its authorized
designee on behalf of the Fund. FDCC shall have no duty to inquire into or liability
for the accuracy of the net asset value per Share as calculated.
|
||
(f) |
On every sale,
the applicable Fund shall receive the applicable net asset value of the Shares promptly,
but in no event later than the third business day following the date on which FDCC
shall have received an order for the purchase of the Shares.
|
||
(g) |
Upon receipt
of purchase instructions, FDCC will transmit such instructions to the applicable
Fund or its authorized transfer agent
for registration of the Shares purchased.
|
||
(h) |
Nothing in
this Agreement shall prevent FDCC or any affiliated person (as defined in the Act)
of FDCC from acting as principal underwriter or distributor for any other person,
firm or corporation (including other investment companies) or in any way limit or
restrict FDCC or any such affiliated person from buying, selling or trading any
securities for its or their own account or for the accounts of others from whom
it or they may be acting; provided, however, that FDCC expressly represents that
it will undertake no activities which, in its reasonable judgment, will adversely
affect the performance of its obligations to the Funds under this Agreement.
|
||
(i) |
FDCC, as agent
of and for the account of the Funds, may repurchase the Shares at such prices and
upon such terms and conditions as shall be specified in the Registration Statement.
|
3. | Sale of Shares by the Fund. | |
Each Fund
reserves the right to issue any Shares at any time directly to the holders of Shares
(Shareholders), to sell Shares to its Shareholders or to other persons at not
less than net asset value and to issue Shares in exchange for substantially all
the assets of any corporation or trust or for the shares of any corporation or trust.
|
4. | Basis of Sale of Shares. | |
This Agreement
is not a firm commitment underwriting and, as a result, FDCC does not agree to sell
any specific number of Shares. FDCC, as agent for the Funds, undertakes to sell
Shares on a best efforts basis only against orders therefor.
|
5. | Rules of FINRA, etc. |
(a) |
FDCC will
conform its activities to the Rules of FINRA and the securities laws of the Commission
and any jurisdiction in which it sells, directly or indirectly, any Shares.
|
||
(b) |
FDCC will
require each Financial Intermediaries with whom FDCC has a agreement to conform
to the applicable provisions hereof and the Registration Statement with respect
to the public offering price of the Shares, and neither FDCC nor any such Financial
Intermediaries shall withhold the placing of purchase orders so as to make a profit
thereby.
|
||
(c) |
The Trust
agrees to furnish to FDCC sufficient copies of any agreements, plans or other materials
it intends to use in connection with any sales of Shares in reasonably adequate
time for FDCC, on behalf of any applicable Fund, to file and clear them with the
proper authorities before they are put in use, and not to use them until so filed
and cleared.
|
||
(d) |
FDCC, at its
own expense, will qualify as dealer or broker, or otherwise, under all applicable
state or federal laws required in order that Shares may be sold in such states as
may be mutually agreed upon by the parties.
|
||
(e) |
FDCC shall
not make, or permit any representative or any Financial Intermediaries to make,
in connection with any sale or solicitation of a sale of the Shares, any representations
or statement (whether orally or in writing) concerning the Shares except those contained
in the then current prospectus and statement of additional information or as may
otherwise be permitted under applicable law covering the Shares. Copies of the then
effective prospectus and statement
of additional information and any such printed supplemental information will be
supplied to FDCC in reasonable quantities upon request.
|
First Dominion Capital Corp. | World Funds Trust 2 |
6. | Records to be Supplied by the Trust | |
The Funds
shall furnish to FDCC copies of all information, financial statements and other
papers which FDCC may reasonably request for use in connection with the distribution
of the Shares, and this shall include, but shall not be limited to, one certified
copy, upon request by FDCC, of all financial statements prepared for the Funds by
independent public accountants.
|
7. | Fees and Expenses. |
(a) |
For its services
as principal underwriter for the Funds, FDCC shall be entitled to receive the fees
set forth in Schedule C.
|
||
(b) |
FDCC is authorized
to collect the gross proceeds derived from the sale of the Shares, remit the net
asset value thereof to the Funds upon receipt of the proceeds and retain the sales
charge, if any.
|
||
(c) |
FDCC may receive
from each Fund a distribution fee and/or service fee at the rates under terms of
and conditions of any distribution plans (Plans) adopted by each class
of a Fund, as such Plans are in effect from time to time, and subject to any further
limitations of such fees as the Trusts Board of Trustees may impose. In circumstances
described in the foregoing sentence, FDCC shall not be entitled to receive the amount
payable under the Plans. This provision shall not limit the Trust from entering
into an agreement with a financial intermediary directly, regardless of whether
FDCC is also a party to such agreement, pursuant to which the Trust compensates
the financial intermediary with fees payable pursuant to the Plans
|
||
(d) |
FDCC shall
reallow any or all of the sales charge, distribution fee and service fee that it
has received under this Agreement to a Financial Intermediary as it may from time
to time determine in accordance with a schedule set forth in the Registration Statement
of the Fund or as otherwise negotiated by FDCC. Payment of any sales charge shall
be the sole obligation of FDCC. Notwithstanding the foregoing, FDCC may not reallow
to any financial intermediary for shareholder services an amount in excess of 0.25%
of the average annual net asset value of the shares with respect to which said intermediary
provides shareholder services
|
||
(e) |
FDCC may from
time to time employ or associate with such person or persons as may be appropriate
to assist FDCC in the performance of this Agreement. Such person or persons may
be officers, employees other agents who are employed or designated as officers by
FDCC, the Fund, and/or affiliated entities of the Funds. To the extent that FDCC
employs or retains such persons, FDCC shall pay the compensation of such person
or persons for such employment, and no obligation will be incurred by or on behalf
of the Fund in such respect unless specifically approved by the Board of Trustees.
Persons who become associated with FDCC as registered representatives or in like
fashion shall not be compensated by FDCC other than pursuant to a separate agreement,
if any.
|
8. | Indemnification of the Funds. | |
FDCC agrees
to indemnify and hold harmless the Funds and each person who has been, is, or may
hereafter be a trustee, officer, employee, shareholder or control person of the
Trust against any loss, damage or expense (including the reasonable costs of investigation)
reasonably incurred by any of them in connection with any claim or in connection
with any action, suit or proceeding to which any of them may be a party, which arises
out of or is alleged to arise out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact, or the omission or alleged omission to state
a material fact necessary to make the statements not misleading, on the part of
FDCC or any agent or employee of FDCC or any other person for whose acts FDCC is
responsible, unless such statement or omission was made in reliance upon written
information furnished by the Fund. FDCC likewise agrees to indemnify and hold harmless
each Fund and each such person in connection with any claim or in connection with
any action, suit or proceeding which arises out of or is alleged to arise out of
FDCCs failure to exercise reasonable care and diligence with respect to its
services, if any, rendered in connection with investment, reinvestment, automatic
withdrawal and other plans for Shares. The term expenses for purposes of this
and the next paragraph includes amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments or in
|
First Dominion Capital Corp. | World Funds Trust 3 |
settlements
which are made with FDCCs consent. The foregoing rights of indemnification
shall be in addition to any other rights to which the Funds or each such person
may be entitled as a matter of law.
|
||
9. | Indemnification of FDCC. | |
Each Fund
agrees to indemnify and hold harmless FDCC and each person who has been, is, or
may hereafter be a director, officer, employee, shareholder or control person of
FDCC against any loss, damage or expense (including the reasonable costs of investigation)
reasonably incurred by any of them in connection with the matters to which this
Agreement relates, including clerical errors and mechanical failures, except a loss
resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence, on the part of any
of such persons in the performance of FDCCs duties or from the reckless disregard
by any of such persons of FDCCs obligations and duties under this Agreement,
for all of which exceptions FDCC shall be liable to each Fund.
|
||
In order that
the indemnification provisions contained in this Paragraph 9 shall apply, it is
understood that if in any case a Fund may be asked to indemnify FDCC or any other
person or hold FDCC or any other person harmless, such Fund shall be fully and promptly
advised of all pertinent facts concerning the situation in question, and it is further
understood that FDCC will use all reasonable care to identify and notify a Fund
promptly concerning any situation which presents or appears likely to present the
probability of such a claim for indemnification against a Fund. The Funds shall
have the option to defend FDCC and any such person against any claim which may be
the subject of this indemnification, and in the event that either party so elects,
it will so notify FDCC, and thereupon the Trust shall take over complete defense
of the claim, and neither FDCC nor any such person shall in such situation initiate
further legal or other expenses for which it shall seek indemnification under this
Paragraph 9. FDCC shall in no case confess any claim or make any compromise in any
case in which a Fund will be asked to indemnify FDCC or any such person except with
the appropriate Funds written consent.
|
||
Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Agreement, FDCC shall be entitled to receive and act
upon advice of counsel (who may be counsel for the Funds or its own counsel) and
shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or thing reasonably done
pursuant to such advice, provided that such action is not in violation of applicable
federal or state laws or regulations.
|
||
10. | Termination and Amendment of this Agreement. | |
This Agreement
shall continue in effect for a period no more than two years from the date of its
execution with respect to each Fund, only so long as such continuance is specifically
approved at least annually by the Board of Trustees or by vote of a majority of
the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. This Agreement will terminate automatically,
without the payment of any penalty, in the event of its assignment. Either the Trust
or FDCC may at any time terminate this Agreement on ninety (90) days written
notice delivered or mailed by registered mail, postage prepaid, to the other party.
This Agreement may be amended only if such amendment is approved by the parties
hereto and in a manner consistent with applicable law.
|
||
11. | Effective Period of this Agreement. | |
This Agreement
shall take effect on the date referenced above, and shall remain in full force and
effect until for a period of two (2) years thereafter (unless terminated automatically
as set forth in Paragraph 10), and shall continue from year to year thereafter,
subject to annual approval as required by the Act.
|
||
12. | New Funds. | |
The terms
and provisions of this Agreement shall become automatically applicable to any additional
Funds of the Trust established during the initial or renewal term of this Agreement.
|
||
13. | Successor Investment Fund. | |
Unless this
Agreement has been terminated in accordance with Paragraph 10, the terms and provisions
of this Agreement shall become automatically applicable to any investment company
which is a successor to the Trust as a result of reorganization, recapitalization
or change of domicile.
|
First Dominion Capital Corp. | World Funds Trust 4 |
14. | Limitation of Liability. | |
It is expressly
agreed that the obligations of the Trust hereunder shall not be binding upon any
of the Trustees, shareholders, nominees, officers, agents or employees of the Funds,
personally, but bind only the trust property of the Funds. The execution and delivery
of this Agreement have been authorized by the Trust and signed by an officer of
each Fund, acting as such, and neither such authorization by such Trustees nor such
execution and delivery by such officer shall be deemed to have been made by any
of them individually or to impose any liability on any of them personally, but shall
bind only the trust property of the Funds.
|
||
15. | Severability. | |
In the event
any provision of this Agreement is determined to be void or unenforceable, such
determination shall not affect the remainder of this Agreement, which shall continue
to be in force.
|
||
16. | Questions of Interpretation. |
(a) |
This Agreement
shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware.
|
||
(b) |
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 Act shall be resolved by
reference to such term or provision of the Act and to interpretation thereof, if
any, by the United States courts or in the absence of any controlling decision of
any such court, by rules, regulations or orders of the Securities and Exchange Commission
issued pursuant to said Act. In addition, where the effect of a requirement of the
Act, reflected in any provision of this Agreement is revised by rule, regulation
or order of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such provision shall be deemed
to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.
|
17. | Notices. | |
Any notices
under this Agreement shall be in writing, addressed and delivered or mailed postage
paid to the other party, with a copy to the Funds counsel, at such address
as such other party may designate for the receipt of such notice. Such notice will
be effective upon receipt. Until further notice to the other party, it is agreed
that the address of each party for this purpose shall be:
|
(a) | If to the Funds, to: | |||
World Funds Trust | ||||
8730 Stony Point Pkwy, Suite 205 | ||||
Richmond, VA 23235 | ||||
Attn: President | ||||
(b) | If to FDCC, to: | |||
First Dominion Capital Corp. | ||||
8730 Stony Point Pkwy, Suite 205 | ||||
Richmond, VA 23235 | ||||
Attn: President |
18. | Execution. | |
This Agreement
may be executed by one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original,
but all of which together will constitute one in the same instrument.
|
First Dominion Capital Corp. | World Funds Trust 5 |
19. | AML and Privacy. | |
FDCC represents
that it is in compliance in all material respects, and will continue to so comply,
with all applicable laws and regulations relating to guarding against terrorism
and money laundering, and FDCC agrees to comply with the Trusts anti-money
laundering program to the extent applicable. FDCC also agrees to comply with the
Trusts privacy policies with respect to all information obtained pursuant
to this Agreement.
|
||
20. | Headings. | |
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 Agreement requires.
|
||
21. | Entire Agreement. | |
This Agreement
constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto and supersedes all prior
agreements, understandings and arrangements with respect to the subject matter hereof.
|
SIGNATURES
IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Trust and FDCC have each caused this Agreement to be signed in duplicate on their behalf, all as of the day and year first above written.
WORLD FUNDS TRUST | ||||
By: | /s/ Karen M. Shupe | Date: July 14, 2017 | ||
Print Name: Karen M. Shupe | ||||
Title: Treasurer | ||||
FIRST DOMINION CAPITAL CORP. | ||||
By: | /s/ John Pasco, III | Date: July 14, 2017 | ||
Print Name: John Pasco, III | ||||
Title: President |
First Dominion Capital Corp. | World Funds Trust 6 |
Schedule A
To the
Underwriter Agreement
Amended As of July 14, 2017
CBOE Vest S&P 500
®
Buffer Protect 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
CBOE Vest S&P 500
®
Buffer
Protect Strategy (December) Fund
CBOE Vest Defined Distribution Strategy Fund
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
CBOE Vest S&P 500
®
Dividend Aristocrats Target Income Fund
Cboe Vest S&P 500
®
Enhance and Buffer Fund
CBOE Vest Digital Coin Fund
First Dominion Capital Corp. | World Funds Trust 7 |
Schedule B
To the
Underwriter Agreement
Services
First Dominion Capital Corp. | World Funds Trust 8 |
Schedule C
To the
Underwriter Agreement
First Dominion Capital Corp. | World Funds Trust 9 |
Dated: September 20, 2017
EXHIBIT A
TO THE CUSTODY AGREEMENT
BETWEEN WORLD FUNDS TRUST
AND FIFTH THIRD BANK
April 22, 2015
Amended as of September
20, 2017
Name of Fund | Date | |
Toreador Core Fund | April 22, 2015 | |
Toreador Explorer Fund | April 22, 2015 | |
Clifford Capital Partners Fund | November 10, 2015 | |
Toreador Select Fund | April 21, 2016 | |
DGHM MicroCap Value Fund | April 21, 2016 | |
DGHM All-Cap Value Fund | April 21, 2016 | |
DGHM V2000 SmallCap Value Fund | April 21, 2016 | |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Buffer Protect Strategy Fund | April 21, 2016 | |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Buffer Protect Strategy (January) Fund | April 21, 2016 | |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Buffer Protect Strategy (February) Fund | April 21, 2016 | |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Buffer Protect Strategy (March) Fund | April 21, 2016 | |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Buffer Protect Strategy (April) Fund | April 21, 2016 | |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Buffer Protect Strategy (May) Fund | April 21, 2016 | |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Buffer Protect Strategy (June) Fund | April 21, 2016 | |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Buffer Protect Strategy (July) Fund | April 21, 2016 | |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Buffer Protect Strategy (August) Fund | April 21, 2016 | |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Buffer Protect Strategy (September) Fund | April 21, 2016 | |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Buffer Protect Strategy (October) Fund | April 21, 2016 | |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Buffer Protect Strategy (November) Fund | April 21, 2016 | |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Buffer Protect Strategy (December) Fund | April 21, 2016 | |
CBOE Vest Defined Distribution Strategy Fund | April 21, 2016 | |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Enhanced Growth Strategy Fund | August 24, 2016 | |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Enhanced Growth Strategy (January) Fund | August 24, 2016 | |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Enhanced Growth Strategy (February) Fund | August 24, 2016 | |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Enhanced Growth Strategy (March) Fund | August 24, 2016 | |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Enhanced Growth Strategy (April) Fund | August 24, 2016 | |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Enhanced Growth Strategy (May) Fund | August 24, 2016 | |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Enhanced Growth Strategy (June) Fund | August 24, 2016 | |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Enhanced Growth Strategy (July) Fund | August 24, 2016 | |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Enhanced Growth Strategy (August) Fund | August 24, 2016 | |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Enhanced Growth Strategy (September) Fund | August 24, 2016 | |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Enhanced Growth Strategy (October) Fund | August 24, 2016 | |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Enhanced Growth Strategy (November) Fund | August 24, 2016 | |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Enhanced Growth Strategy (December) Fund | August 24, 2016 | |
The E-Valuator Very Conservative RMS Fund | April 21, 2016 | |
The E-Valuator Conservative RMS Fund | April 21, 2016 | |
The E-Valuator Tactically Managed RMS Fund | April 21, 2016 | |
The E-Valuator Moderate RMS Fund | April 21, 2016 | |
The E-Valuator Growth RMS Fund | April 21, 2016 | |
The E-Valuator Aggressive Growth RMS Fund | April 21, 2016 | |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Dividend Aristocrats Target Income Fund | July 14, 2017 | |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Enhance and Buffer Fund | July 14, 2017 | |
Mission-Auour Global Risk Managed Equity Fund | September 20, 2017 |
SIM U.S. Core Managed Volatility Fund | September 20, 2017 | |
SIM Global Core Managed Volatility Fund | September 20, 2017 | |
SIM Global Moderate Managed Volatility Fund | September 20, 2017 | |
SIM Global Growth Fund | September 20, 2017 | |
SIM Income Balanced Fund | September 20, 2017 |
Signatures:
WORLD FUNDS TRUST | ||
By: /s/ David A Bogaert | ||
Name: David A Bogaert | ||
Its: President and Principal Executive Officer | ||
FIFTH THIRD BANK | ||
By: /s/ Ryan Henrich | ||
Name: Ryan Henrich | ||
Its: Vice President |
Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc.
FUND SERVICES AGREEMENT
Accounting Services
Administration Services
Transfer Agency Services
Between
Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc.
and
World Funds Trust
September 20, 2017
Exhibit A Series Portfolios |
Exhibit B Administrative Services |
Exhibit C Accounting Services |
Exhibit D Transfer Agency Services |
Exhibit E Fees and Expenses |
FUND SERVICES AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT (this Agreement), dated as of September 20, 2017, between Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc., a corporation organized in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia (CFS) and World Funds Trust, a statutory trust organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the Trust).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Trust is registered as an open-end, management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act) and consists of one more series portfolios listed on Exhibit A (the Funds), each of which may consist of one or more classes of shares of beneficial interest; and
WHEREAS, the Trust wishes to retain CFS to provide certain transfer agent, fund accounting, administration, dividend disbursing, anti-money laundering and other general services (the Services) with respect to the Funds and CFS is willing to furnish such Services;
NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants contained herein, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
Section 1. Appointment .
The Trust hereby appoints CFS as transfer agent, fund accountant, administrator, dividend disbursing agent and anti-money laundering agent for the Trust on the terms and conditions set forth in this agreement, and CFS hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to perform the Services as set forth in this Agreement. The Services of CFS shall be confined to those matters expressly set forth herein or as may be agreed to from time to time, and no implied duties are assumed by or may be asserted against CFS hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent the Trust determines that it would be appropriate to engage another service provider (either directly or through CFS) as the sub-transfer agent, sub-fund accountant, sub-administrator, or, sub-dividend disbursing agent, CFS responsibilities with respect to such function shall be confined to overseeing such function any such relationship shall be noted and described in Exhibit E to this Agreement.
Section 2. Representations and Warranties of CFS .
CFS hereby represents and warrants to the Trust that:
(a) It is a corporation duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia;
(b) It is duly qualified to carry on its business in the Commonwealth of Virginia;
(c) It is empowered under applicable laws and by its By-Laws to enter into this Agreement and perform its duties under this Agreement;
(d) All requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into this
Agreement and perform its duties under this Agreement;
(e) It has access to the necessary facilities, equipment, and personnel to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement;
(f) This Agreement, when executed and delivered, will constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of CFS, enforceable against CFS in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and securities parties; and
(g) It is registered as a transfer agent under Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Section 3. Representations and Warranties of the Trust .
The Trust hereby represents and warrants to CFS that:
(a) It is a statutory trust duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of Delaware;
(b) It is empowered under applicable laws and by its organizational documents to enter into this Agreement and perform its duties under this Agreement;
(c) All requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into this Agreement and perform its duties under this Agreement;
(d) It is an open-end management investment company registered under the 1940 Act;
(e) This Agreement, when executed and delivered, will constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Trust, enforceable against the Trust in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and secured parties; and
(f) A registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, is currently effective and will remain effective, and appropriate state securities laws filings have been made and will continue to be made, with respect to all shares of the Funds and any classes thereof being offered for sale.
Section 4. Trust Reports to CFS Delivery of Documents and Other Materials .
The Trust shall furnish or otherwise make available to CFS such copies of each Funds prospectus, statement of additional information, financial statements, proxy statements, shareholder reports, each current plan of distribution or similar document adopted by the Trust under Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, each current shareholder services plan or similar document adopted by the Fund, each Funds net asset value per share, declaration, record and payment dates, amounts of any dividends or income, special actions relating to each Funds securities and other information relating to the Trusts business and affairs as CFS may, at any time or from time to time, reasonably require in order to discharge its obligations under this
Agreement. CFS shall maintain such information as required by regulation and as agreed upon between the Trust and CFS. The Trust will complete all necessary prospectus and compliance reports, as well as monitoring the various limitations and restrictions.
Prior to commencement of CFSs responsibilities under this Agreement, if applicable, the Trust shall deliver or cause to be delivered to CFS (i) an accurate list of shareholders of the Trust, showing each shareholders address of record, number of shares owned and whether such shares are represented by outstanding share certificates and (ii) all shareholder records, files, and other materials necessary or appropriate for proper performance of the functions assumed by CFS under this Agreement.
Section 5. Services Provided by CFS .
(a) CFS will provide, or supervise the performance of others, the Services described herein subject to the direction and supervision of the Trusts Board of Trustees (the Board), and in compliance with the objectives, policies and limitations set forth in the Trusts currently effective Registration Statement, Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, applicable laws and regulations, and all resolutions, policies and procedures adopted by the Board, and further subject to CFSs policies and procedures as in effect from time to time. CFS shall be responsible for all necessary office space, equipment, personnel, and facilities necessary for it to perform its obligations under this Agreement. CFS may sub-contract with third parties to perform certain of the Services to be performed by CFS hereunder; provided, however, that CFS shall remain principally responsible to the Trust for the acts and omissions of such other entities and provided further that CFS shall be responsible for the payment of such third parties unless the Board approves such payment in a separate agreement or otherwise approves passing the costs associated with such third party onto the Funds as an out-of-pocket expense of CFS.
Except with respect to CFSs duties as set forth in this Agreement, and except as otherwise specifically provided herein, the Trust assumes all responsibility for ensuring that each Fund complies with all applicable requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the 1940 Act, the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, and any other laws, rules and regulations, or interpretations thereof, of governmental authorities with jurisdiction over each Fund.
(i) | Administrative Services set forth in Exhibit B. | |
(ii) | Fund Accounting Services set forth in Exhibit C. | |
(iii) | Transfer Agency Services set forth in Exhibit D. |
CFS shall be responsible for promptly communicating any conflicts between its policies and procedures in effect from time to time and the resolutions, policies and procedures adopted by the Board.
(b) CFS shall keep records relating to the Services to be performed hereunder in the form and manner, and for such period, as it may deem advisable and is agreeable to the Trust, but not inconsistent with the rules and regulations of appropriate government authorities, in particular, Section 31 of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder. CFS agrees that all such records
prepared or maintained by CFS relating to the Services to be performed by CFS hereunder are the property of the Trust and will be preserved, maintained, and made available in accordance with such applicable sections and rules of the 1940 Act and will be promptly surrendered to the Trust or its designee on and in accordance with its request. The Trust and the Trusts authorized representatives shall have access to CFSs records relating to the Services under this Agreement at all times during CFSs normal business hours. Upon the reasonable request of the Trust, copies of any such records shall be provided promptly by CFS to the Trust or the Trusts authorized representatives.
(c) In case of any requests or demands for the inspection of shareholder records of the Trust, CFS will endeavor to notify the Trust and to secure instructions from an authorized officer of the Trust as to such inspection. CFS shall abide by the Trusts instructions for granting or denying the inspection; provided however, that CFS may grant the inspection regardless of the Trusts instructions if CFS is advised by counsel to CFS that failure to do so will result in liability to CFS.
Section 6.
Compensation and Expenses
(a) Compensation. The Trust agrees to pay CFS as compensation for its services according to the fee schedule set forth in Schedule E hereto. Fees will begin to accrue for each Fund on the later of the date of this Agreement or the date of commencement of operations of the Fund. If fees begin to accrue in the middle of a month or if this Agreement terminates before the end of any month, all fees for the period from that date to the end of that month or from the beginning of that month to the date of termination, as the case may be, shall be prorated according to the proportion that the period bears to the full month in which the effectiveness or termination occurs. Upon the termination of this Agreement with respect to a Fund, the Fund shall pay to CFS such compensation as shall be payable prior to the effective date of termination.
In addition, the Trust shall reimburse CFS from the assets of each Fund certain reasonable expenses incurred by CFS on behalf of each Fund individually in connection with the performance of this Agreement. Such out-of-pocket expenses shall include, but not be limited to: documented fees and costs of obtaining advice of Fund counsel or accountants in connection with its services to each Fund; postage; long distance telephone; special forms required by each Fund; any economy class travel which may be required in the performance of its duties to each Fund; and any other extraordinary expenses it may incur in connection with its services to each Fund, provided that such extraordinary expenses must be approved by the Board prior to any reimbursement.
In connection with the services provided by CFS pursuant to this Agreement, the Trust, on behalf of each Fund, agrees to reimburse CFS for expenses set forth in Schedule E hereto. In addition, the Trust, on behalf of the applicable Fund, shall reimburse CFS for all reasonable expenses and employee time (at 150% of salary) attributable to any review of the Trusts accounts and records by the Trusts independent accountants or any regulatory body outside of routine and normal periodic reviews.
(b) Taxes. Except as required by applicable law or as otherwise provided in this Agreement, CFS shall not be liable for any taxes, assessments or governmental charges that may be levied or assessed on any basis whatsoever in connection with the Trust or any customer, excluding taxes, if any, assessed against CFS related to its income or assets.
(c) Invoices/Billing . All fees and reimbursements are payable in arrears on a monthly basis and the Trust, on behalf of the applicable Fund, agrees to pay all fees and reimbursable expenses within five (5) business days following receipt of the respective billing notice. Without prejudice to CFSs other rights, CFS reserves the right to charge interest on overdue amounts (except to the extent the amount is subject to a bona fide dispute) from the due date until actual payment at an annual rate equal to the sum of the overnight Fed Funds rate as in effect from time to time plus 2 percentage points.
Section 7. Confidentiality .
CFS 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 CFS 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 CFS 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.
The Trust acknowledges that the databases, computer programs, screen formats, report formats, interactive design techniques, and documentation manuals maintained by CFS on databases under the control and ownership of CFS or a third party constitute copyrighted, trade secret, or other proprietary information (collectively, Proprietary Information) of substantial value to CFS or the third party. The Trust agrees to treat all Proprietary Information as proprietary to CFS and further agrees that it shall not divulge any Proprietary Information to any person or organization except as may be provided under this Agreement.
Upon termination of this Agreement, CFS shall return to the Trust all copies of confidential or non-public personal information received from the Trust hereunder, other than materials or information required to be retained by CFS under applicable laws or regulations. CFS hereby agrees to dispose of any consumer report information, as such term is defined in Regulation S-P.
Section 8. Standard of Care / Limitation of Liability .
(a) Responsibility for Losses. CFS shall be under no duty to take any action on behalf of a Fund except as necessary to fulfill its duties and obligations as specifically set forth herein or as may be specifically agreed to by CFS in writing. CFS shall at all times act in good faith and agrees to use its best efforts within reasonable limits to ensure the accuracy of all services performed under this Agreement, but assumes no responsibility for any loss arising out of any act or omission in carrying out its duties hereunder, except a loss resulting from CFS, its employees or its agents willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of CFSs
duties under this Agreement, or by reason of reckless disregard of CFS, its employees or its agents obligations and duties hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the limitation on CFSs liability shall not apply to the extent any loss or damage results from any fraud committed by CFS or any intentionally bad or malicious acts (that is, acts or breaches undertaken purposefully under circumstances in which the person acting knows or has reason to believe that such act or breach violates such persons obligations under this Agreement or can cause danger or harm) of CFS.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing or of any other provision of this Agreement, (i) CFS shall not be liable for losses beyond its control, provided that CFS has acted in accordance with the standard of care set forth above; and (ii) CFS shall not be liable for (A) the validity or invalidity or authority or lack thereof of any oral or written instructions provided by the Fund, notice or other instrument which conforms to the applicable requirements of this Agreement, and which CFS reasonably believes to be genuine; or (B) subject to Section 15, delays or errors or loss of data occurring by reason of circumstances beyond CFSs control, including fire, flood, catastrophe, acts of God, insurrection, war, riots or failure of the mails, transportation, communication or power supply.
(b) | Limitations on Liability. | ||
(i) |
CFS is
responsible for the performance of only those duties as are expressly set forth
herein and in the Exhibits and Schedules as they may be amended from time to time.
CFS will have no implied duties or obligations. Each party to the Agreement shall
mitigate damages for which the other party may become responsible hereunder.
|
||
(ii) |
CFS shall
have no responsibility to review, confirm or otherwise assume any duty with respect
to the accurateness or completeness of any instruction or any other information
it receives from a Fund, and shall be without liability for any loss or damage suffered
by a Fund or any of a Funds customers as a result of CFSs reasonable
reliance on and utilization of any such instruction or other such information. For
the avoidance of doubt, CFS shall not be liable and shall be indemnified by the
Trust for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith in reliance on any instruction
believed by it in good faith to have been authorized by an authorized person.
|
||
(iii) |
CFS shall
have no responsibility and shall be without liability for any loss or damage caused
by the failure of the Trust to provide CFS with any information.
|
||
(iv) |
CFS is
not responsible for the acts, omissions, defaults or insolvency of any third party
including, but not limited to, any investment advisers, custodians, intermediaries
or non-discretionary subcontractors.
|
(v) |
CFS shall
have no responsibility for the management of the investments or any other assets
of the Trust or its customers, and CFS shall have no obligation to review, monitor
or otherwise ensure compliance by a Fund with the policies, restrictions, guidelines
or disclosures applicable to the Fund or any other term or condition of the original
documents, operating documents, policies and procedures or registration statement.
Further, CFS shall have no liability to the Trust for any loss or damage suffered
by the Trust as a result of any breach of the investment policies, objectives, guidelines
or restrictions applicable to the Trust or any misstatement or omission in the registration
statement.
|
||
(vi) |
Except
as set forth in the exhibits hereto, the Trust acknowledges that the reporting obligations
of CFS do not constitute a duty to monitor compliance and CFS shall not be liable
for any failure of the Fund to comply with any laws, regulations or other applicable
requirements thereof.
|
||
(vii) |
CFS shall
not be liable for the errors of other service providers of the Trust, including
the errors of pricing services (other than to pursue all reasonable claims against
the pricing service based on the pricing services standard contracts entered
into by CFS) and errors in information provided by an investment adviser to a Fund
custodian (including prices and pricing formulas and untimely transmission of trade
information).
|
||
(viii) |
With respect
to a Fund that does not value its assets in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the
1940 Act (a money market fund), notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this
Agreement, CFS shall not be liable to the Trust or any shareholder of the Trust
for (i) any loss to the Trust if a NAV Difference
(defined below)
for which
CFS would otherwise be liable under this Agreement is less than $0.01 per Fund share
or (ii) any loss to a shareholder of the Trust if the NAV Difference for which CFS
would otherwise be liable under this Agreement is less than or equal to 0.005 (1/2
of 1%) or if the loss in the shareholders account with the Trust is less than
or equal to $10. Any loss for which CFS is determined to be liable hereunder shall
be reduced by the amount of gain which inures to shareholders, whether to be collected
by the Trust or not.
|
||
For purposes
of this Agreement: (i) the NAV Difference shall mean the difference between the
NAV at which a shareholder purchase or redemption should have been effected (Recalculated
NAV) and the NAV at which the purchase or redemption is effected; (ii) NAV
Differences and any CFS or other responsible party liability therefrom are to be
calculated each time a Funds (or classs) NAV is calculated; (iii) in
calculating any NAV Difference for which CFS would otherwise be liable under this
Agreement for a particular NAV error, Fund losses and gains shall be netted; and
(iv) in calculating any NAV Difference for which CFS
|
would otherwise
be liable under this Agreement for a particular NAV error that continues for a period
covering more than one NAV determination, Fund losses and gains for the Funds
fiscal year shall be netted.
|
|||
(ix) |
CFS will
not be responsible or liable for any loss or damage arising from the misuse or sharing
of online access by any authorized person of the Trust who has been issued a User
ID by CFS.
|
||
(x) |
Except
as expressly provided in this Agreement, CFS hereby disclaims all representations
and warranties, express or implied, made to the Trust or any other person, including,
without limitation, any warranties regarding quality, suitability or otherwise (irrespective
of any course of dealing, custom or usage of trade), of any services or any goods
provided incidental to services provided under this Agreement. CFS disclaims any
warranty of title or non-infringement except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement.
|
(c) Mutual Exclusion of Consequential Damages. Except for any liquidated damages agreed to by the parties to this Agreement related to an unexcused termination of this Agreement, under no circumstances will either party be liable to the other party for special or punitive damages, or consequential loss or damage, or any loss of profits, goodwill, business opportunity, business, or revenue or anticipated savings, in relation to this Agreement, whether or not the relevant loss was foreseeable, or the party was advised of the possibility of such loss or damage or that such loss was in contemplation of the other party.
(d) Limited Recourse. CFS hereby acknowledges that a Funds obligations hereunder with respect to the Fund are binding only on the assets and property belonging to the Fund. The obligations of the parties hereunder shall not be binding upon any of the Trustees, shareholders, nominees, officers, agents or employees of the Fund personally, but shall bind only the property of the Fund. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by such officers shall not be deemed to have been made by any of them individually or to impose any liability on any of them personally, but shall bind only the Funds property.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the parties agree that the assets and liabilities of each Fund of the Trust are separate and distinct from the assets and liabilities of each other series portfolios of the Trust and that no series shall be liable or shall be charged for any debt, obligation or liability of any other Fund, whether arising under this Agreement or otherwise.
Section 9. Indemnification .
Indemnification by the Funds. Each Fund shall indemnify CFS and hold it harmless from and against any and all losses, damages and expenses, including reasonable attorneys fees and expenses, incurred by CFS that result from: (i) any claim, action, suit or proceeding in
connection with CFSs entry into or performance of this Agreement with respect to such Fund; or (ii) any action taken or omission to act committed by CFS in the performance of its obligations hereunder with respect to such Fund; or (iii) any action of CFS upon instructions believed in good faith by it to have been executed by a duly authorized officer or representative of the Trust with respect to such Fund; (iv) the offer or sale of shares of the Funds in violation of federal or state securities laws or regulations requiring that such shares be registered or in violation of any stop order or other determination or ruling by any federal or any state agency with respect to the offer or sale of such shares; (v) the processing of any checks or wires, including without limitation for deposit into the Trusts demand deposit account maintained by CFS; (vi) the breach of any representation or warranty set forth in Section 3 above; or (vii) any error, omission, inaccuracy or other deficiency of any information provided to CFS by the Trust, or the failure of the Trust to provide or make available any information requested by CFS knowledgeably to perform its functions hereunder; provided, that CFS shall not be entitled to such indemnification in respect of actions or omissions constituting gross negligence, bad faith or willful misfeasance in the performance of its duties, or by reckless disregard of such duties, on the part of CFS or its employees, agents or contractors.
The reliance upon, and any subsequent use of or action taken or omitted, by CFS, or its agents or subcontractors on: (i) the materials or any other information, records, documents, data, stock certificates or services, which are received by CFS or its agents or subcontractors by machine readable input, facsimile, CRT data entry, electronic instructions or other similar means authorized by a Fund, and which have been prepared, maintained or performed by the Trust or any other person or firm on behalf of the Trust; (ii) any instructions or requests of the Trust or any of its officers; (iii) any instructions or opinions of legal counsel with respect to any matter arising in connection with the services to be performed by CFS under this Agreement which are provided to CFS after consultation with such legal counsel; or (iv) any paper or document, reasonably believed to be genuine, authentic, or signed by the proper person or persons;
(a) Indemnification by CFS. CFS shall indemnify each Fund and hold it harmless from and against any and all losses, damages and expenses, including reasonable attorneys fees and expenses, incurred by such Fund which result from: (i) CFSs failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement with respect to such Fund; or (ii) CFSs bad faith or willful misfeasance in performing its obligations hereunder with respect to such Fund; or (iii) CFSs gross negligence or misconduct or that of its employees, agents or contractors in connection herewith with respect to such Fund.
In order that the indemnification provisions contained in this Section 9 shall apply, upon the assertion of an indemnification claim, the party seeking the indemnification shall promptly notify the other party of such assertion, and shall keep the other party advised with respect to all developments concerning such claim. The Trust shall have the option to participate with CFS in the defense of such claim or to defend against said claim in its own name or that of CFS. The party seeking indemnification shall in no case confess any claim or make any compromise in any case in which the other party may be required to indemnify it except with the indemnifying partys written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
Section 10. Term and Termination .
This Agreement shall remain in effect with respect to a Fund from the Effective Date until the End Date, each as set forth in Exhibit A to this Agreement (the Initial Term); thereafter, this Agreement shall automatically renew for a period of one year and continue in effect from year to year thereafter (the initial and any subsequent such periods are referred to as Term).
This Agreement may be terminated by either party at any time, without the payment of a penalty upon at least ninety (90) days written notice to other party prior to the end of the then current Term. Any termination shall be effective as of the date specified in the notice or upon such later date as may be mutually agreed upon by the parties. Upon notice of termination of this Agreement by either party, CFS shall promptly transfer to the successor administrator the original or copies of all books and records maintained by CFS under this Agreement including, in the case of records maintained on computer systems, copies of such records in machine-readable form, and shall cooperate with, and provide reasonable assistance to, the successor administrator in the establishment of the books and records necessary to carry out the successor administrators responsibilities. If this Agreement is terminated by the Trust, the Trust shall be responsible for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses or costs associated with the movement of records and materials to the successor administrator. Additionally, CFS reserves the right to charge for any other reasonable expenses associated with such termination.
Section 11. Notices .
(a) Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given and effective when delivered in person or by certified mail, return receipt requested, at the following address (or such other address as a party may specify by notice to the other):
(i) | If to the Trust, to: | |
World Funds Trust | ||
8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205 | ||
Richmond, Virginia 23235 | ||
Attention: President | ||
With copy to: | ||
The Law Offices of John H. Lively | ||
A member firm of The 1940 Act Law Group TM | ||
11300 Tomahawk Creek Parkway, Suite 310 | ||
Leawood, Kansas 66211 | ||
Attention: John H. Lively |
(ii) | If to CFS, to: | |
Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. | ||
8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205 | ||
Richmond, Virginia 23235 | ||
Attention: President |
(b) Notice also shall be deemed given and effective upon receipt by any party or other person at the preceding address (or such other address as a party may specify by notice to the other) if sent by regular mail, private messenger, courier service, telex, facsimile, or otherwise, if such notice bears on its first page in 14 point (or larger) bold type the heading Notice Pursuant to Fund Services Agreement.
Section 12. Assignment .
No party may assign or transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the others prior written consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. This Agreement shall insure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns. For the avoidance of doubt, a transaction involving a merger or sale of substantially all of the assets of a Fund shall not require the written consent of CFS.
Section 13. Holidays .
Except as required by laws and regulations governing investment companies, nothing contained in this Agreement is intended to or shall require CFS, in any capacity hereunder, to perform any functions or duties on any holiday or other day of special observance on which CFS is closed. Functions or duties normally scheduled to be performed on such days shall be performed on, and as of, the next business day on which both the Trust and CFS are open. CFS will be open for business on days when the Trust is open for business and/or as otherwise set forth in each Funds prospectus(es) and Statement(s) of Additional Information.
Section 14. Waiver .
Any term or provision of this Agreement may be waived at any time by the party entitled to the benefit thereof by written instrument executed by such party. No failure of either party hereto to exercise any power or right granted hereunder, or to insist upon strict compliance with any obligation hereunder, and no custom or practice of the parties with regard to the terms of performance hereof, will constitute a waiver of the rights of such party to demand full and exact compliance with the terms of this Agreement.
Section 15. Force Majeure .
In the event either party is unable to perform its obligations under the terms of this Agreement because of acts of God, acts of war or terrorism, strikes, equipment or transmission failure or damage reasonably beyond its control, or other causes reasonably beyond its control, such party shall not be liable for damages to the other for any damages resulting from such
failure to perform or otherwise from such causes; provided, however, that this provision shall not imply that CFS is excused from maintaining reasonable business continuity plans to address potential service outages.
Section 16. Amendments .
This Agreement may be modified or amended from time to time by mutual written agreement between the parties. No provision of this Agreement may be changed, discharged or terminated verbally, but only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the change, discharge or termination is sought. The compensation stated in Schedule E attached hereto may be adjusted from time to time by the execution of a new schedule signed by the parties thereto.
Section 17. Severability .
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.
Section 18. Headings .
Titles to clauses of this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and will be disregarded in construing the language contained in this Agreement.
Section 19. Counterparts .
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
Section 20. No Strict Construction .
The language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties hereto to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction shall be applied against any party.
Section 21. Entire Agreement; Governing Law .
This Agreement, the Exhibits and Schedules hereto, and any subsequent amendments of the foregoing embody the entire understanding between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all prior negotiations and agreements between the parties relating to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed to be in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, without reference 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 Commonwealth of Virginia, or any of the provisions herein, conflict with the applicable provision of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control.
Section 22. Services Not Exclusive .
The services of CFS to the Trust are not deemed exclusive, and CFS shall be free to render similar services to others, to the extent that such service does not affect CFSs ability to perform its duties and obligations hereunder.
Section 23. Special or Consequential Damages .
Neither party to this Agreement shall be liable to the other party for special or consequential damages under any provision of this Agreement.
Section 24. Reliance on Trust Instructions and Experts .
CFS may rely upon the written advice of the Trust and upon statements of the Trusts legal counsel, accountants and other person believed by it in good faith to be expert in matters upon which they are consulted, and CFS shall not be liable for any actions taken in good faith upon such statements.
Section 25. Survival .
The obligations of Sections 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 17, 21, 23, 24 and this 25 shall survive any termination of this Agreement.
* * * * * * * * | ||||||
Signature Page Follows | ||||||
* * * * * * * * | ||||||
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Fund Services Agreement to be signed by their respective duly authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.
COMMONWEALTH FUND SERVICES, INC.
By: /s/ Karen M. Shupe | Date: September 20, 2017 | ||
Print Name: Karen M. Shupe | |||
Title: Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer |
WORLD FUNDS TRUST
WITH RESPECT TO THE FUNDS IDENTIFIED ON EXHIBIT A
By: /s/ David A. Bogaert | Date: September 20, 2017 | ||
Print Name: David A. Bogaert | |||
Title: President and Principal Executive Officer |
EXHIBIT A
to
Fund Services Agreement
List of Funds
Fund Name | Effective Date | End Date of Initial Term |
Mission-Auour Risk-
Managed Global Equity Fund |
November 7, 2017 | November 30, 2020 |
EXHIBIT B
To
Fund Services Agreement
Administrative Services
1. |
Subject to the direction and control of the Board of Trustees (the Board)
of the Trust, CFS shall manage all aspects of each Funds operations with respect
to each Fund except those that are the specific responsibility of any other service
provider hired by the Trust, all in such manner and to such extent as may be authorized
by the Board.
|
|
2. |
Oversee the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to each
Fund by others, including its custodian, fund accounting agent, transfer agent and
dividend disbursing agent as well as legal, auditing, shareholder servicing and
other services performed for each Fund, including:
|
|
(a) |
The preparation
and maintenance by each Funds custodian, transfer agent, dividend disbursing
agent and fund accountant in such form, for such periods and in such locations as
may be required by applicable law, of all documents and records relating to the
operation of each Fund required to be prepared or maintained by the Trust or its
agents pursuant to applicable law.
|
|
(b)
|
The reconciliation
of account information and balances among each Funds custodian, transfer agent,
dividend disbursing agent and fund accountant.
|
|
(c)
|
The transmission
of purchase and redemption orders for shares.
|
|
(d)
|
The performance
of fund accounting, including the accounting services agents calculation of
the net asset value (NAV) of each Funds shares.
|
|
3. | For new series or classes, obtain CUSIP numbers, as necessary, and estimate organizational costs and expenses and monitor against actual disbursements. | |
4. | Assist each Funds investment adviser in monitoring fund holdings for compliance with prospectus investment restrictions and limitations and assist in preparation of periodic compliance reports, as applicable. | |
5. | Prepare and assist with reports for the Board as may be mutually agreed upon by the parties. | |
6. | Prepare quarterly and annual Code of Ethics forms for: (i) disinterested Board members; and (ii) officers of the Trust, if any, that are also employees of CFS, including a review of returned forms against portfolio holdings and reporting to the Board. | |
7. | Prepare and mail annual Trustees and Officers questionnaires. |
8. |
Maintain
general Board calendars and regulatory filings calendars.
|
9. |
As mutually
agreed to by the parties, prepare updates to and maintain copies of the Trusts
trust instrument and by-laws.
|
10. |
Coordinate
with insurance providers, including soliciting bids for Trustees & Officers/Errors
& Omissions insurance and fidelity bond coverage, coordinate the filing of
fidelity bonds with the SEC and make related Board presentations.
|
11. |
Prepare
selected management reports for performance and compliance analyses agreed upon
by the Trust and CFS from time to time.
|
12. |
Advise
the Trust and the Board on matters concerning each Fund and its affairs.
|
13. |
With the
assistance of the counsel to the Trust, the investment adviser, officers of the
Trust and other relevant parties, prepare and disseminate materials for meetings
of the Board on behalf of each Fund, and any committees thereof, including agendas
and selected financial information as agreed upon by the Trust and CFS from time
to time; attend and participate in Board meetings to the extent requested by the
Board.
|
14. |
Provide
assistance to each Funds independent public accountants in order to determine
income and capital gains available for distribution and calculate distributions
required to meet regulatory, income and excise tax requirements.
|
15. |
Assist
each Funds independent public accountants with the preparation of each Funds federal, state and local tax returns. The tax returns will be reviewed by
each Funds independent public accountants.
|
16. |
Prepare
and maintain each Funds operating expense budget to determine proper expense
accruals to be charged to each Fund in order to calculate its daily NAV.
|
17. |
In consultation
with counsel for the Trust, assist in and oversee the preparation, filing, printing
and where applicable, dissemination to shareholders of the following:
|
(a) |
Amendments
to each Funds Registration Statement on Form N-1A.
|
|
(b) |
Periodic
reports to each Funds shareholders and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
(the SEC), including but not limited to annual reports and semi-annual
reports.
|
|
(c) |
Notices
pursuant to Rule 24f-2.
|
|
(d) |
Proxy materials.
|
|
(e) |
Reports
to the SEC on Form N-SAR, Form N-CSR, Form N-Q and Form N-PX.
|
18. |
Coordinate
each Funds annual or SEC audit by:
|
(a) |
Assisting
each Funds independent auditors, or, upon approval of each Fund, any regulatory
body in any requested review of each Funds accounts and records.
|
|
(b) |
Providing
appropriate financial schedules (as requested by each Funds independent public
accountants or SEC examiners); and
|
|
(c) |
Providing
office facilities as may be required.
|
19. |
Assist
the Trust in the handling of routine regulatory examinations and work closely with
the Trusts legal counsel in response to any non-routine regulatory matters.
|
20. |
After consultation
with counsel for the Trust and the investment adviser, assist the investment adviser
to determine the jurisdictions in which shares of each Fund shall be registered
or qualified for sale; register, or prepare applicable filings with respect to,
the shares with the various state and other securities commissions, provided that
all fees for the registration of shares or for qualifying or continuing the qualification
of each Fund shall be paid by each Fund.
|
21. |
Monitor
sales of shares, ensure that the shares of the Trust are validly issued under the
laws of the State of Delaware and properly and duly registered with the SEC.
|
22. |
Oversee
the calculation of performance data for dissemination to information services covering
the investment company industry, for sales literature of each Fund and other appropriate
purposes.
|
23. |
Prepare,
or cause to be prepared, expense and financial reports, including Fund budgets,
expense reports, pro-forma financial statements, expense and profit/loss projections
and fee waiver/expense reimbursement projections on a periodic basis.
|
24. |
Authorize
the payment of Fund expenses and pay, from Fund assets, all bills of each Fund.
|
25. |
Provide
information typically supplied in the investment company industry to companies that
track or report price, performance or other information with respect to investment
companies.
|
26. |
Assist
each Fund in the selection of other service providers, such as independent accountants,
law firms and proxy solicitors; and perform such other recordkeeping, reporting
and other tasks as may be specified from time to time in the procedures adopted
by the Board; provided that CFS need not begin performing any such task except upon
65 days notice and pursuant to mutually acceptable compensation agreements.
|
27. |
Provide
assistance to each Fund in the servicing of shareholder accounts, which may include
telephone and written conversations, assistance in redemptions, exchanges,
|
transfers
and opening accounts as may be required from time to time. CFS shall, in addition,
provide such additional administrative non-advisory management services as CFS and
the Trust may from time to time agree.
|
|
28. |
Assist
the Trusts Chief Compliance Officer with issues regarding the Trusts
compliance program (as approved by the Board in accordance with Rule 38a-1 under
the 1940 Act) as reasonably requested.
|
29. |
Perform
certain compliance procedures for the Trust which will include, among other matters,
monitoring compliance with personal trading guidelines by the Trusts Board.
|
30. |
Assist
the Trust with its obligations under Section 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002 and Rule 30a-2 under the 1940 Act, including the establishment and maintenance
of internal controls and procedures that are reasonably designed to ensure that
information prepared or maintained in connection with administration services provided
hereunder is properly recorded, processed, summarized, or reported by CSS or its
affiliates on behalf of the Trust so that it may be included in financial information
certified by the Trusts officers on Form N-CSR and Form N-Q.
|
31. |
Prepare
and file any claims in connection with class actions involving portfolio securities,
handle administrative matters in connection with the litigation or settlement of
such claims, and prepare a report to the Board regarding such matters.
|
32. |
CFS shall
provide such other services and assistance relating to the affairs of each Fund
as the Trust may, from time to time, reasonably request pursuant to mutually acceptable
compensation agreements.
|
EXHIBIT C
to
Fund Services Agreement
Accounting Services
1. |
Subject
to the direction and control of the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the Board), CFS shall perform all accounting services with respect to each Fund except
those that are the specific responsibility of any other service provider hired by
the Trust, all in such manner and to such extent as may be authorized by the Board.
|
2. |
CFS shall
maintain and keep current the following Accounts and Records relating to the business
of the Trust, in such form as may be mutually agreed to between the Trust and CFS
and as may be required by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940
Act):
|
(a) |
Cash Receipts
Journal
|
|
(b) |
Cash Disbursements
Journal
|
|
(c) |
Dividends
Paid and Payable Schedule
|
|
(d) |
Purchase
and Sales Journals - Portfolio Securities
|
|
(e) |
Subscription
and Redemption Journals
|
|
(f) |
Security
Ledgers - Transaction Report and Tax Lot Report
|
|
(g) |
Broker
Ledger - Commission Report
|
|
(h) |
Daily Expense
Accruals
|
|
(i) |
Daily Interest
Accruals
|
|
(j) |
Daily Trial
Balance
|
|
(k) |
Portfolio
Interest Receivable and Income Journal
|
|
(l) |
Listing
of Portfolio Holdings showing cost, market value and percentage of portfolio comprised
of each security.
|
3. |
CFS shall
perform ministerial calculations necessary to calculate the Trusts net asset
value daily, in accordance with the Trusts registration statement and as follows:
|
(a) |
Portfolio
investments for which market quotations are available to CFS by use of an automated
financial service (a Pricing Service) shall be valued based on the closing
prices of the portfolio investment reported by such Pricing Service, except where
the Trust has given or caused to be given specific instructions to utilize a different
value.
|
|
(b) |
Notwithstanding
any information obtained from a Pricing Service, all portfolio securities shall
be given such values as the Trust shall direct by instructions from the Trusts
Pricing Committee, including all restricted securities and other securities requiring
valuation not readily ascertainable solely by the use of such a Pricing Service.
|
4. |
CFS will
supply the Transfer Agent with daily NAVs for each portfolio.
|
5. |
It is the
responsibility of CFS to be reconciled to the Custodian. CFS will report any discrepancies
to the Custodian, and shall report any unreconciled items to the Trust.
|
EXHIBIT
D
to
Fund Services Agreement
Transfer Agency Services
GENERAL:
1. |
Issuance
and Transfer of Shares
: CFS shall make original issues of Shares of each Fund
and Class thereof in accordance with the Funds Prospectus only upon receipt
of (i) instructions requesting the issuance, (ii) a certified copy of a resolution
of the Board authorizing the issuance, (iii) necessary funds for the payment of
any original issue tax applicable to such Shares, and (iv) an opinion of the Funds counsel as to the legality and validity of the issuance, which opinion may
provide that it is contingent upon the filing by the Fund of an appropriate notice
with the SEC, as required by Section 24 of the 1940 Act or the rules thereunder.
If the opinion described in (iv) above is contingent upon a filing under Section
24 of the 1940 Act, the Fund shall indemnify CFS for any liability arising from
the failure of the Fund to comply with that section or the rules thereunder.
|
Transfers
of Shares of each Fund and Class thereof shall be registered on the Shareholder
records maintained by CFS. In registering transfers of Shares, CFS may rely upon
the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of Virginia or any other statutes
that, in the opinion of CFSs counsel, protect CFS and the Fund from liability
arising from (i) not requiring complete documentation, (ii) registering a transfer
without an adverse claim inquiry, (iii) delaying registration for purposes of such
inquiry or (iv) refusing registration whenever an adverse claim requires such refusal.
As transfer agent, CFS will be responsible for delivery to the transferor and transferee
of such documentation as is required by the Uniform Commercial Code.
|
|
2. |
Share
Certificates
: To the extent the Trust determines for a particular Fund to issue
share certificates, the Trust shall furnish to CFS a supply of blank share certificates
of each Fund and Class thereof and, from time to time, will renew such supply upon
CFSs request. Blank share certificates shall be signed manually or by facsimile
signatures of officers of the Trust authorized to sign by the Organizational Documents
of the Trust and, if required by the Organizational Documents, shall bear the Trusts seal or a facsimile thereof. Unless otherwise directed by the Trust, CFS
may issue or register share certificates reflecting the manual or facsimile signature
of an officer who has died, resigned or been removed by the Trust.
|
New share
certificates shall be issued by CFS upon surrender of outstanding share certificates
in the form deemed by CFS to be properly endorsed for transfer and satisfactory
evidence of compliance with all applicable laws relating to the payment or collection
of taxes. CFS shall forward share certificates in non-negotiable form
by first-class or registered mail, or by whatever means CFS deems equally reliable
and expeditious. CFS shall not mail share certificates in negotiable
form unless requested in writing by the Trust and fully indemnified by the Trust
to CFSs satisfaction.
|
In the
event that the Trust informs CFS that any Fund or Class thereof does not issue share
certificates, CFS shall not issue any such share certificates and the provisions
of this Agreement relating to share certificates shall not be applicable with respect
to those Funds or Classes thereof.
|
|
3. |
Share Purchases
:
Shares shall be issued in accordance with the terms of the Prospectus after CFS
or its agent receives either:
|
(a) | The following | ||
i. |
an instruction
directing investment in a Fund or Class,
|
||
ii. |
a check
(other than a third party check) or a wire or other electronic payment in the amount
designated in the instruction; and
|
||
iii. |
in the
case of an initial purchase, a completed account application;
|
||
or | |||
(b) | the information required for purchases pursuant to a selected dealer agreement, processing organization agreement, or a similar contract with a financial intermediary. |
4. |
Eligibility to Receive Redemptions
: Shares issued in a Fund after receipt
of a completed purchase order shall be eligible to receive distributions of the
Fund at the time specified in the Prospectus pursuant to which the Shares are offered.
Shareholder payments shall be considered Federal Funds no later than on the day
indicated below unless other times are noted in the Prospectus of the applicable
Class or Fund:
|
|
(a) |
(a) for a wire
received, at the time of the receipt of the wire;
|
|
(b) |
for a check
drawn on a member bank of the Federal Reserve System, on the next Fund business
day following receipt of the check; and
|
|
(c) |
for a check
drawn on an institution that is not a member of the Federal Reserve System, at such
time as CFS is credited with Federal Funds with respect to that check.
|
|
SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED : | ||
1. | CFS agrees that in accordance with procedures established from time to time by agreement between the Trust on behalf of each of the Funds, as applicable, and CFS, CFS will perform the following services: | |
(a) provide
the services of a transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and, as relevant, agent
in connection with accumulation, open-account or similar plans (including without
limitation any periodic investment plan or periodic withdrawal program) that are
customary for open-end management investment companies including: (A) maintaining
all Shareholder accounts, (B) preparing Shareholder meeting lists, (C) mailing proxies
and related materials to Shareholders, (D) mailing Shareholder reports and prospectuses
|
to current
Shareholders, (E) withholding taxes on U.S. resident and non-resident alien accounts,
(F) preparing and filing U.S. Treasury Department Forms 1099 and other appropriate
forms required by federal authorities with respect to distributions for Shareholders,
(G) preparing and mailing confirmation forms and statements of account to Shareholders
for all purchases and redemptions of Shares and other confirmable transactions in
Shareholder accounts, (H) preparing and mailing activity statements for Shareholders,
and (I) providing Shareholder account information;
|
|
(b) receive
for acceptance orders for the purchase of Shares and promptly deliver payment and
appropriate documentation therefore to the custodian of the applicable Fund (the
Custodian) or, in the case of Funds operating in a master-feeder or
fund of funds structure, to the transfer agent or interestholder recordkeeper for
the master portfolios in which the Fund invests;
|
|
(c) pursuant
to purchase orders, issue the appropriate number of Shares and hold such Shares
in the appropriate Shareholder account;
|
|
(d) receive
for acceptance redemption requests and deliver the appropriate documentation therefore
to the Custodian or, in the case of Funds operating in a master- feeder structure,
to the transfer agent or interestholder recordkeeper for the master fund in which
the Fund invests;
|
|
(e) as
and when it receives monies paid to it by the Custodian with respect to any redemption,
pay the redemption proceeds as required by the Prospectus pursuant to which the
redeemed Shares were offered and as instructed by the redeeming Shareholders;
|
|
(f) effect
transfers of Shares upon receipt of appropriate instructions from Shareholders;
|
|
(g) prepare
and transmit to Shareholders (or credit the appropriate Shareholder accounts) payments
for all distributions declared by the Fund with respect to Shares;
|
|
(h) issue
share certificates and replacement share certificates for those share certificates
alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed upon receipt by CFS of indemnification
satisfactory to CFS and protecting CFS and the Fund and, at the option of CFS, issue
replacement certificates in place of mutilated share certificates upon presentation
thereof without requiring indemnification;
|
|
(i) receive
from Shareholders or debit Shareholder accounts for sales commissions, including
contingent deferred, deferred and other sales charges, and service fees (
i.e
., wire redemption charges) and prepare and transmit payments, as appropriate, to
the underwriter for commissions and service fees received;
|
|
(j) track
shareholder accounts by financial intermediary source and otherwise as reasonably
requested by the Fund and provide periodic reporting to the Fund or its
|
administrator
or other agent;
|
|
(k) maintain
records of account for and provide reports and statements to the Trust and Shareholders
as to the foregoing;
|
|
(l) record
the issuance of Shares of each Fund and maintain pursuant to Rule 17Ad-10(e) under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (1934 Act) a record
of the total number of Shares of the Trust, each Fund and each Class thereof, that
are authorized, based upon data provided to it by the Trust, and are issued and
outstanding and provide the Trust on a regular basis a report of the total number
of Shares that are authorized and the total number of Shares that are issued and
outstanding;
|
|
(m) provide
a system that will enable the Trust to calculate the total number of Shares of each
Fund and Class thereof sold in each State;
|
|
(n) provide
necessary information to the Trust to enable the Trust to monitor and make appropriate
filings with respect to the escheatment laws of the various states and territories
of the United States;
|
|
(o) oversee
the activities of proxy solicitation firms, if requested by the Trust;
|
|
(p) monitor
transactions in each Fund for market timing activity in accordance with the Trusts policies and procedures, which may be amended from time to time; and
|
|
(q) account
for and administer all shareholder account fees as provided in each Funds
Prospectus.
|
|
2. |
CFS shall
receive and tabulate proxy votes, coordinate the tabulation of proxy and shareholder
meeting votes and perform such other additional services as may be specified from
time to time by the Fund, all pursuant to mutually acceptable compensation and implementation
agreements.
|
3. |
The Trust
or its administrator or other agent (i) shall identify to CFS in writing those transactions
and assets to be treated as exempt from reporting for each state and territory of
the United States and for each foreign jurisdiction (collectively States)
and (ii) shall monitor the sales activity with respect to Shareholders domiciled
or resident in each State. The responsibility of CFS for the Trusts state
registration status is solely limited to the reporting of transactions to the Trust,
and CFS shall have no obligation, when recording the issuance of Shares, to monitor
the issuance of such Shares or to take cognizance of any laws relating to the issue
or sale of such Shares, which functions shall be the sole responsibility of the
Trust or its administrator or other agent.
|
4. |
CFS shall
establish and maintain facilities and procedures reasonably acceptable to the Trust
for the safekeeping, control, preparation and use of share certificates, check forms,
and facsimile signature imprinting devices. CFS shall establish and maintain facilities
and
|
procedures
reasonably acceptable to the Trust for safekeeping of all records maintained by
CFS pursuant to this Agreement.
|
|
5. |
CFS shall
cooperate with each Funds independent public accountants and shall take reasonable
action to make all necessary information available to the accountants for the performance
of the accountants duties.
|
6. |
Anti-Money
Laundering (AML) Delegation. The Trust has elected to delegate to CFS
certain AML duties under this Agreement and the parties have agreed to such duties
and terms as stated in the attached schedule (Schedule B entitled AML Delegation), which may be changed from time to time subject to mutual written agreement
between the parties. CFS has adopted the necessary policies and procedures, which
are reasonably designed to carry out the AML Delegation, and will provide a copy
of such policies and procedures to the Trust prior to the commencement of this Agreement
and will promptly provide the Trust with any material amendments thereto. CFS will
strictly adhere to its anti-money laundering procedures and controls.
|
AML DELEGATION | |
1. |
Delegation
. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Trust
hereby delegates to CFS those aspects of the Trusts Anti-Money Laundering
Program (the AML Program) that are set forth in Section 4 below (the
Delegated Duties). The Delegated Duties set forth in Section 4 may be
amended, from time to time, by mutual agreement of the Trust and CFS upon the execution
by such parties of a revised Schedule B bearing a later date than the date hereof.
|
(a) CFS
agrees to perform such Delegated Duties, with respect to the Fund shareholders for
which CFS maintains the applicable shareholder information, subject to and in accordance
with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
|
|
2. |
Consent
to Examination
. In connection with the performance by CFS of the Delegated Duties,
CFS understands and acknowledges that the Fund remains responsible for assuring
compliance with the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 (USA PATRIOT Act) and the
laws implementing the USA PATRIOT Act and that the records CFS maintains for the
Fund relating to the AML Program may be subject, from time to time, to examination
and/or inspection by federal regulators in order that the regulators may evaluate
such compliance. CFS hereby consents to such examination and/or inspection and agrees
to cooperate with such federal regulators in connection with their review. For purposes
of such examination and/or inspection, CFS will use its best efforts to make available,
during normal business hours and on reasonable notice, all required records and
information for review by such regulators.
|
3. |
Limitation
on Delegation
. The Fund acknowledges and agrees that in accepting the delegation
hereunder, CFS is agreeing to perform only the Delegated Duties, as may be amended
from time to time, and is not undertaking and shall not be responsible for any other
aspect of the AML Program or for the overall compliance by the Fund with the
|
USA PATRIOT
Act or for any other matters that have not been delegated hereunder. Additionally,
the parties acknowledge and agree that CFS shall only be responsible for performing
the Delegated Duties with respect to the accounts for which CFS maintains the applicable
shareholder information.
|
|
4. |
Delegated
Duties
.
|
4.1 | Consistent with the services provided by CFS and with respect to the applicable shareholder information maintained by CFS, CFS shall: | ||
i. |
Submit
all new account and registration maintenance transactions through the Office of
Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) database and such other lists or databases
of trade restricted individuals or entities as may be required from time to time
by applicable regulatory authorities;
|
||
ii. |
Submit
special payee checks through OFAC database;
|
||
iii. |
Review
redemption transactions that occur within thirty (30) days of account establishment
or maintenance;
|
||
iv. |
Review
wires sent pursuant to instructions other than those already on file with CFS;
|
||
v. |
Review
accounts with small balances followed by large purchases;
|
||
vi. |
Review
accounts with frequent activity within a specified date range followed by a large
redemption;
|
||
vii. |
On a daily
basis, review purchase and redemption activity per tax identification number (TIN) within each Fund to determine if activity for that TIN exceeded the $100,000
threshold on any given day;
|
||
viii. |
Compare
all new accounts and registration maintenance through the Known Offenders database
and notify the Trust of any match.
|
||
ix. |
Monitor
and track cash equivalents under $10,000 for a rolling twelve-month period and file
any required reports with the IRS and issue the Shareholder notices required by
the IRS;
|
||
x. |
Determine
when a suspicious activity report (SAR) should be filed as required
by regulations applicable to mutual funds and prepare and file the SAR. Provide
the Trust with a copy of the SAR within a reasonable time after filing; notify the
Trust if any further communication is received from U.S. Department of the Treasury
or other law enforcement agencies regarding the SAR;
|
xi. |
Compare
account information to any FinCEN request received by the Trust and provided to
CFS pursuant to USA PATRIOT Act Sec. 314(a). Provide the Trust with documents/information
necessary to respond to requests under USA PATRIOT Act Sec. 314(a) within required
time frames;
|
|
xii. |
(i) Verify
the identity of any person seeking to open an account with each Fund, (ii) maintain
records of the information used to verify the persons identity in accordance
with applicable regulations, (iii) determine whether the person appears on any lists
of known or suspected terrorists or terrorist organizations provided to the Trust
by any government agency, and (iv) perform enhanced due diligence with respect to
any investor that CFS has reason to believe presents high risk factors with regard
to money laundering or terrorist financing, prior to accepting an investment from
such investor; and
|
|
xiii. |
(i) Monitor
for any suspected money laundering activity with respect to correspondent accounts
for foreign financial institutions and private banking accounts and report any such
conduct required by applicable regulations, and (ii) conduct due diligence on private
banking accounts in the event that one or more Funds changes its line of business
in a manner that would involve the establishment or maintenance of such accounts.
|
4.2 |
In the
event that CFS detects activity as a result of the foregoing procedures, CFS shall
timely file any required reports, promptly notify appropriate government agencies
and also immediately notify the Fund, unless prohibited by applicable law.
|
|
4.3 |
Recordkeeping.
CFS shall keep all records relating to the Delegated Duties for an appropriate period
of time and, at a minimum, the period of time required by applicable law or regulation.
CFS will provide the Trust with access to such records upon reasonable request.
|
|
4.4 |
AML Reporting
to the Fund
|
(a) |
On a quarterly
basis, CFS shall provide a report to the Fund on its performance of the AML Delegated
Duties, among other compliance items, which report shall include information regarding
the number of: (i) potential incidents involving cash and cash equivalents or unusual
or suspicious activity, (ii) any required reports or forms that have been filed
on behalf of the Fund, (iii) outstanding customer verification items, (iv) potential
and confirmed matches against the known offender and OFAC databases and (v) potential
and confirmed matches in connection with FinCen requests. Notwithstanding anything
in this Section 4.3(a) to the contrary, CFS reserves the right to amend and update
the form of its AML reporting from time to time to comply with new or amended requirements
of applicable law.
|
|
(b) |
At least
annually, CFS will arrange for independent testing (an audit) of the AML services
it provides to its clients on an organization-wide basis by a
|
qualified
independent auditing firm. CFS will provide the AML compliance officer of the Fund
with the results of the audit and testing, including any material deficiencies or
weaknesses identified and any remedial steps that will be taken or have been taken
by CFS to address such material deficiencies or weaknesses.
|
||
(c) |
On an annual
basis, CFS will provide the Fund with a written certification that, among other
things, it has implemented its AML Program and has performed the Delegated Duties.
|
EXHIBIT
E
to
Mutual Fund Services Agreement
Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc.
FUND SERVICES AGREEMENT |
Accounting Services |
Administration Services |
Transfer Agency Services |
Between |
Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. |
and |
World Funds Trust |
Exhibit A Series Portfolios |
Exhibit B Administrative Services |
Exhibit C Accounting Services |
Exhibit D Transfer Agency Services |
Exhibit E Fees and Expenses |
FUND SERVICES AGREEMENT |
August 24, 2016 |
Amended as of July 14, 2017 |
AGREEMENT (this Agreement), dated as of the date(s) noted above between Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc., a corporation organized in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia (CFS) and World Funds Trust, a statutory trust organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the Trust).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Trust is registered as an open-end, management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act) and consists of one more series portfolios listed on Exhibit A (the Funds), each of which may consist of one or more classes of shares of beneficial interest; and
WHEREAS, the Trust wishes to retain CFS to provide certain transfer agent, fund accounting, administration, dividend disbursing, anti-money laundering and other general services (the Services) with respect to the Funds and CFS is willing to furnish such Services;
NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants contained herein, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
Section 1. Appointment .
The Trust hereby appoints CFS as transfer agent, fund accountant, administrator, dividend disbursing agent and anti-money laundering agent for the Trust on the terms and conditions set forth in this agreement, and CFS hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to perform the Services as set forth in this Agreement. The Services of CFS shall be confined to those matters expressly set forth herein or as may be agreed to from time to time, and no implied duties are assumed by or may be asserted against CFS hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent the Trust determines that it would be appropriate to engage another service provider (either directly or through CFS) as the sub-transfer agent, sub-fund accountant, sub-administrator, or, sub-dividend disbursing agent, CFS responsibilities with respect to such function shall be confined to overseeing such function any such relationship shall be noted and described in Exhibit E to this Agreement.
Section 2. Representations and Warranties of CFS .
CFS hereby represents and warrants to the Trust that:
(a) It is a corporation duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia;
(b) It is duly qualified to carry on its business in the Commonwealth of Virginia;
(c) It is empowered under applicable laws and by its By-Laws to enter into this Agreement and perform its duties under this Agreement;
(d) All requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into this Agreement and perform its duties under this Agreement;
(e) It has access to the necessary facilities, equipment, and personnel to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement;
(f) This Agreement, when executed and delivered, will constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of CFS, enforceable against CFS in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and securities parties; and
(g) It is registered as a transfer agent under Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Section 3. Representations and Warranties of the Trust .
The Trust hereby represents and warrants to CFS that:
(a) It is a statutory trust duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of Delaware;
(b) It is empowered under applicable laws and by its organizational documents to enter into this Agreement and perform its duties under this Agreement;
(c) All requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into this Agreement and perform its duties under this Agreement;
(d) It is an open-end management investment company registered under the 1940 Act;
(e) This Agreement, when executed and delivered, will constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Trust, enforceable against the Trust in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and secured parties; and
(f) A registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, is currently effective and will remain effective, and appropriate state securities laws filings have been made and will continue to be made, with respect to all shares of the Funds and any classes thereof being offered for sale.
Section 4. Trust Reports to CFS Delivery of Documents and Other Materials .
The Trust shall furnish or otherwise make available to CFS such copies of each Funds prospectus, statement of additional information, financial statements, proxy statements, shareholder reports, each current plan of distribution or similar document adopted by the Trust under Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, each current shareholder services plan or similar document adopted by the Fund, each Funds net asset value per share, declaration, record and
payment dates, amounts of any dividends or income, special actions relating to each Funds securities and other information relating to the Trusts business and affairs as CFS may, at any time or from time to time, reasonably require in order to discharge its obligations under this Agreement. CFS shall maintain such information as required by regulation and as agreed upon between the Trust and CFS. The Trust will complete all necessary prospectus and compliance reports, as well as monitoring the various limitations and restrictions.
Prior to commencement of CFSs responsibilities under this Agreement, if applicable, the Trust shall deliver or cause to be delivered to CFS (i) an accurate list of shareholders of the Trust, showing each shareholders address of record, number of shares owned and whether such shares are represented by outstanding share certificates and (ii) all shareholder records, files, and other materials necessary or appropriate for proper performance of the functions assumed by CFS under this Agreement.
Section 5. Services Provided by CFS .
(a) CFS will provide, or supervise the performance of others, the Services described herein subject to the direction and supervision of the Trusts Board of Trustees (the Board), and in compliance with the objectives, policies and limitations set forth in the Trusts currently effective Registration Statement, Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, applicable laws and regulations, and all resolutions, policies and procedures adopted by the Board, and further subject to CFSs policies and procedures as in effect from time to time. CFS shall be responsible for all necessary office space, equipment, personnel, and facilities necessary for it to perform its obligations under this Agreement. CFS may sub-contract with third parties to perform certain of the Services to be performed by CFS hereunder; provided, however, that CFS shall remain principally responsible to the Trust for the acts and omissions of such other entities and provided further that CFS shall be responsible for the payment of such third parties unless the Board approves such payment in a separate agreement or otherwise approves passing the costs associated with such third party onto the Funds as an out-of-pocket expense of CFS.
Except with respect to CFSs duties as set forth in this Agreement, and except as otherwise specifically provided herein, the Trust assumes all responsibility for ensuring that each Fund complies with all applicable requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the 1940 Act, the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, and any other laws, rules and regulations, or interpretations thereof, of governmental authorities with jurisdiction over each Fund.
(i) | Administrative Services set forth in Exhibit B. | ||
(ii) | Fund Accounting Services set forth in Exhibit C. | ||
(iii) | Transfer Agency Services set forth in Exhibit D. |
CFS shall be responsible for promptly communicating any conflicts between its policies and procedures in effect from time to time and the resolutions, policies and procedures adopted by the Board.
(b) CFS shall keep records relating to the Services to be performed hereunder in the form and manner, and for such period, as it may deem advisable and is agreeable to the Trust, but not inconsistent with the rules and regulations of appropriate government authorities, in particular, Section 31 of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder. CFS agrees that all such records prepared or maintained by CFS relating to the Services to be performed by CFS hereunder are the property of the Trust and will be preserved, maintained, and made available in accordance with such applicable sections and rules of the 1940 Act and will be promptly surrendered to the Trust or its designee on and in accordance with its request. The Trust and the Trusts authorized representatives shall have access to CFSs records relating to the Services under this Agreement at all times during CFSs normal business hours. Upon the reasonable request of the Trust, copies of any such records shall be provided promptly by CFS to the Trust or the Trusts authorized representatives.
(c) In case of any requests or demands for the inspection of shareholder records of the Trust, CFS will endeavor to notify the Trust and to secure instructions from an authorized officer of the Trust as to such inspection. CFS shall abide by the Trusts instructions for granting or denying the inspection; provided however, that CFS may grant the inspection regardless of the Trusts instructions if CFS is advised by counsel to CFS that failure to do so will result in liability to CFS.
Section 6. Compensation and Expenses
(a) Compensation. The Trust agrees to pay CFS as compensation for its services according to the fee schedule set forth in Schedule E hereto. Fees will begin to accrue for each Fund on the later of the date of this Agreement or the date of commencement of operations of the Fund. If fees begin to accrue in the middle of a month or if this Agreement terminates before the end of any month, all fees for the period from that date to the end of that month or from the beginning of that month to the date of termination, as the case may be, shall be prorated according to the proportion that the period bears to the full month in which the effectiveness or termination occurs. Upon the termination of this Agreement with respect to a Fund, the Fund shall pay to CFS such compensation as shall be payable prior to the effective date of termination.
In addition, the Trust shall reimburse CFS from the assets of each Fund certain reasonable expenses incurred by CFS on behalf of each Fund individually in connection with the performance of this Agreement. Such out-of-pocket expenses shall include, but not be limited to: documented fees and costs of obtaining advice of Fund counsel or accountants in connection with its services to each Fund; postage; long distance telephone; special forms required by each Fund; any economy class travel which may be required in the performance of its duties to each Fund; and any other extraordinary expenses it may incur in connection with its services to each Fund, provided that such extraordinary expenses must be approved by the Board prior to any reimbursement.
In connection with the services provided by CFS pursuant to this Agreement, the Trust, on behalf of each Fund, agrees to reimburse CFS for expenses set forth in Schedule E hereto. In addition, the Trust, on behalf of the applicable Fund, shall reimburse CFS for all reasonable expenses and employee time (at 150% of salary) attributable to any review of the Trusts accounts and records by the Trusts independent accountants or any regulatory body outside of routine and normal periodic reviews.
(b) Taxes. Except as required by applicable law or as otherwise provided in this Agreement, CFS shall not be liable for any taxes, assessments or governmental charges that may be levied or assessed on any basis whatsoever in connection with the Trust or any customer, excluding taxes, if any, assessed against CFS related to its income or assets.
(c) Invoices/Billing . All fees and reimbursements are payable in arrears on a monthly basis and the Trust, on behalf of the applicable Fund, agrees to pay all fees and reimbursable expenses within five (5) business days following receipt of the respective billing notice. Without prejudice to CFSs other rights, CFS reserves the right to charge interest on overdue amounts (except to the extent the amount is subject to a bona fide dispute) from the due date until actual payment at an annual rate equal to the sum of the overnight Fed Funds rate as in effect from time to time plus 2 percentage points.
Section 7. Confidentiality .
CFS 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 CFS 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 CFS 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.
The Trust acknowledges that the databases, computer programs, screen formats, report formats, interactive design techniques, and documentation manuals maintained by CFS on databases under the control and ownership of CFS or a third party constitute copyrighted, trade secret, or other proprietary information (collectively, Proprietary Information) of substantial value to CFS or the third party. The Trust agrees to treat all Proprietary Information as proprietary to CFS and further agrees that it shall not divulge any Proprietary Information to any person or organization except as may be provided under this Agreement.
Upon termination of this Agreement, CFS shall return to the Trust all copies of confidential or non-public personal information received from the Trust hereunder, other than materials or information required to be retained by CFS under applicable laws or regulations. CFS hereby agrees to dispose of any consumer report information, as such term is defined in Regulation S-P.
Section 8. Standard of Care / Limitation of Liability .
(a) Responsibility for Losses. CFS shall be under no duty to take any action on behalf of a Fund except as necessary to fulfill its duties and obligations as specifically set forth herein or as may be specifically agreed to by CFS in writing. CFS shall at all times act in good faith and agrees to use its best efforts within reasonable limits to ensure the accuracy of all services
performed under this Agreement, but assumes no responsibility for any loss arising out of any act or omission in carrying out its duties hereunder, except a loss resulting from CFS, its employees or its agents willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of CFSs duties under this Agreement, or by reason of reckless disregard of CFS, its employees or its agents obligations and duties hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the limitation on CFSs liability shall not apply to the extent any loss or damage results from any fraud committed by CFS or any intentionally bad or malicious acts (that is, acts or breaches undertaken purposefully under circumstances in which the person acting knows or has reason to believe that such act or breach violates such persons obligations under this Agreement or can cause danger or harm) of CFS.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing or of any other provision of this Agreement, (i) CFS shall not be liable for losses beyond its control, provided that CFS has acted in accordance with the standard of care set forth above; and (ii) CFS shall not be liable for (A) the validity or invalidity or authority or lack thereof of any oral or written instructions provided by the Fund, notice or other instrument which conforms to the applicable requirements of this Agreement, and which CFS reasonably believes to be genuine; or (B) subject to Section 15, delays or errors or loss of data occurring by reason of circumstances beyond CFSs control, including fire, flood, catastrophe, acts of God, insurrection, war, riots or failure of the mails, transportation, communication or power supply.
(b) | Limitations on Liability. | |||
(i) |
CFS is responsible
for the performance of only those duties as are expressly set forth herein and in
the Exhibits and Schedules as they may be amended from time to time. CFS will have
no implied duties or obligations. Each party to the Agreement shall mitigate damages
for which the other party may become responsible hereunder.
|
|||
(ii) |
CFS shall
have no responsibility to review, confirm or otherwise assume any duty with respect
to the accurateness or completeness of any instruction or any other information
it receives from a Fund, and shall be without liability for any loss or damage suffered
by a Fund or any of a Funds customers as a result of CFSs reasonable
reliance on and utilization of any such instruction or other such information. For
the avoidance of doubt, CFS shall not be liable and shall be indemnified by the
Trust for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith in reliance on any instruction
believed by it in good faith to have been authorized by an authorized person.
|
|||
(iii) |
CFS shall
have no responsibility and shall be without liability for any loss or damage caused
by the failure of the Trust to provide CFS with any information.
|
(iv) |
CFS is not
responsible for the acts, omissions, defaults or insolvency of any third party including,
but not limited to, any investment advisers, custodians, intermediaries or non-discretionary
subcontractors.
|
||
(v) |
CFS shall
have no responsibility for the management of the investments or any other assets
of the Trust or its customers, and CFS shall have no obligation to review, monitor
or otherwise ensure compliance by a Fund with the policies, restrictions, guidelines
or disclosures applicable to the Fund or any other term or condition of the original
documents, operating documents, policies and procedures or registration statement.
Further, CFS shall have no liability to the Trust for any loss or damage suffered
by the Trust as a result of any breach of the investment policies, objectives, guidelines
or restrictions applicable to the Trust or any misstatement or omission in the registration
statement.
|
||
(vi) |
Except as
set forth in the exhibits hereto, the Trust acknowledges that the reporting obligations
of CFS do not constitute a duty to monitor compliance and CFS shall not be liable
for any failure of the Fund to comply with any laws, regulations or other applicable
requirements thereof.
|
||
(vii) |
CFS shall
not be liable for the errors of other service providers of the Trust, including
the errors of pricing services (other than to pursue all reasonable claims against
the pricing service based on the pricing services standard contracts entered
into by CFS) and errors in information provided by an investment adviser to a Fund
custodian (including prices and pricing formulas and untimely transmission of trade
information).
|
||
(viii) |
With respect
to a Fund that does not value its assets in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the
1940 Act (a money market fund), notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this
Agreement, CFS shall not be liable to the Trust or any shareholder of the Trust
for (i) any loss to the Trust if a NAV Difference
(defined below)
for which
CFS would otherwise be liable under this Agreement is less than $0.01 per Fund share
or (ii) any loss to a shareholder of the Trust if the NAV Difference for which CFS
would otherwise be liable under this Agreement is less than or equal to 0.005 (1/2
of 1%) or if the loss in the shareholders account with the Trust is less than
or equal to $10. Any loss for which CFS is determined to be liable hereunder shall
be reduced by the amount of gain which inures to shareholders, whether to be collected
by the Trust or not.
|
||
For purposes
of this Agreement: (i) the NAV Difference shall mean the difference between the
NAV at which a shareholder purchase or redemption should have been effected (Recalculated
NAV) and the NAV at which the purchase or redemption is effected; (ii) NAV
Differences and any CFS or other responsible party liability therefrom are
|
to be calculated
each time a Funds (or classs) NAV is calculated; (iii) in calculating
any NAV Difference for which CFS would otherwise be liable under this Agreement
for a particular NAV error, Fund losses and gains shall be netted; and (iv) in calculating
any NAV Difference for which CFS would otherwise be liable under this Agreement
for a particular NAV error that continues for a period covering more than one NAV
determination, Fund losses and gains for the Funds fiscal year shall be netted.
|
|||
(ix) |
CFS will not
be responsible or liable for any loss or damage arising from the misuse or sharing
of online access by any authorized person of the Trust who has been issued a User
ID by CFS.
|
||
(x) |
Except as
expressly provided in this Agreement, CFS hereby disclaims all representations and
warranties, express or implied, made to the Trust or any other person, including,
without limitation, any warranties regarding quality, suitability or otherwise (irrespective
of any course of dealing, custom or usage of trade), of any services or any goods
provided incidental to services provided under this Agreement. CFS disclaims any
warranty of title or non-infringement except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement.
|
(c) Mutual Exclusion of Consequential Damages. Except for any liquidated damages agreed to by the parties to this Agreement related to an unexcused termination of this Agreement, under no circumstances will either party be liable to the other party for special or punitive damages, or consequential loss or damage, or any loss of profits, goodwill, business opportunity, business, or revenue or anticipated savings, in relation to this Agreement, whether or not the relevant loss was foreseeable, or the party was advised of the possibility of such loss or damage or that such loss was in contemplation of the other party.
(d) Limited Recourse. CFS hereby acknowledges that a Funds obligations hereunder with respect to the Fund are binding only on the assets and property belonging to the Fund. The obligations of the parties hereunder shall not be binding upon any of the Trustees, shareholders, nominees, officers, agents or employees of the Fund personally, but shall bind only the property of the Fund. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by such officers shall not be deemed to have been made by any of them individually or to impose any liability on any of them personally, but shall bind only the Funds property.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the parties agree that the assets and liabilities of each Fund of the Trust are separate and distinct from the assets and liabilities of each other series portfolios of the Trust and that no series shall be liable or shall be charged for any debt, obligation or liability of any other Fund, whether arising under this Agreement or otherwise.
Section 9. Indemnification .
Indemnification by the Funds. Each Fund shall indemnify CFS and hold it harmless from and against any and all losses, damages and expenses, including reasonable attorneys fees and expenses, incurred by CFS that result from: (i) any claim, action, suit or proceeding in connection with CFSs entry into or performance of this Agreement with respect to such Fund; or (ii) any action taken or omission to act committed by CFS in the performance of its obligations hereunder with respect to such Fund; or (iii) any action of CFS upon instructions believed in good faith by it to have been executed by a duly authorized officer or representative of the Trust with respect to such Fund; (iv) the offer or sale of shares of the Funds in violation of federal or state securities laws or regulations requiring that such shares be registered or in violation of any stop order or other determination or ruling by any federal or any state agency with respect to the offer or sale of such shares; (v) the processing of any checks or wires, including without limitation for deposit into the Trusts demand deposit account maintained by CFS; (vi) the breach of any representation or warranty set forth in Section 3 above; or (vii) any error, omission, inaccuracy or other deficiency of any information provided to CFS by the Trust, or the failure of the Trust to provide or make available any information requested by CFS knowledgeably to perform its functions hereunder; provided, that CFS shall not be entitled to such indemnification in respect of actions or omissions constituting gross negligence, bad faith or willful misfeasance in the performance of its duties, or by reckless disregard of such duties, on the part of CFS or its employees, agents or contractors.
The reliance upon, and any subsequent use of or action taken or omitted, by CFS, or its agents or subcontractors on: (i) the materials or any other information, records, documents, data, stock certificates or services, which are received by CFS or its agents or subcontractors by machine readable input, facsimile, CRT data entry, electronic instructions or other similar means authorized by a Fund, and which have been prepared, maintained or performed by the Trust or any other person or firm on behalf of the Trust; (ii) any instructions or requests of the Trust or any of its officers; (iii) any instructions or opinions of legal counsel with respect to any matter arising in connection with the services to be performed by CFS under this Agreement which are provided to CFS after consultation with such legal counsel; or (iv) any paper or document, reasonably believed to be genuine, authentic, or signed by the proper person or persons;
(a) Indemnification by CFS. CFS shall indemnify each Fund and hold it harmless from and against any and all losses, damages and expenses, including reasonable attorneys fees and expenses, incurred by such Fund which result from: (i) CFSs failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement with respect to such Fund; or (ii) CFSs bad faith or willful misfeasance in performing its obligations hereunder with respect to such Fund; or (iii) CFSs gross negligence or misconduct or that of its employees, agents or contractors in connection herewith with respect to such Fund.
In order that the indemnification provisions contained in this Section 9 shall apply, upon the assertion of an indemnification claim, the party seeking the indemnification shall promptly notify the other party of such assertion, and shall keep the other party advised with respect to all developments concerning such claim. The Trust shall have the option to participate with CFS in the defense of such claim or to defend against said claim in its own name or that of CFS. The
party seeking indemnification shall in no case confess any claim or make any compromise in any case in which the other party may be required to indemnify it except with the indemnifying partys written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
Section 10. Term and Termination .
This Agreement shall remain in effect with respect to a Fund from the Effective Date until the End Date, each as set forth in Exhibit A to this Agreement (the Initial Term); thereafter, this Agreement shall automatically renew for a period of one year and continue in effect from year to year thereafter (the initial and any subsequent such periods are referred to as Term).
This Agreement may be terminated by either party at any time, without the payment of a penalty upon at least ninety (90) days written notice to other party prior to the end of the then current Term. Any termination shall be effective as of the date specified in the notice or upon such later date as may be mutually agreed upon by the parties. Upon notice of termination of this Agreement by either party, CFS shall promptly transfer to the successor administrator the original or copies of all books and records maintained by CFS under this Agreement including, in the case of records maintained on computer systems, copies of such records in machine-readable form, and shall cooperate with, and provide reasonable assistance to, the successor administrator in the establishment of the books and records necessary to carry out the successor administrators responsibilities. If this Agreement is terminated by the Trust, the Trust shall be responsible for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses or costs associated with the movement of records and materials to the successor administrator. Additionally, CFS reserves the right to charge for any other reasonable expenses associated with such termination.
Section 11. Notices .
(a) Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given and effective when delivered in person or by certified mail, return receipt requested, at the following address (or such other address as a party may specify by notice to the other):
(i) | If to the Trust, to: | ||
World Funds Trust | |||
8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205 | |||
Richmond, Virginia 23235 | |||
Attention: President | |||
With copy to: | |||
The Law Offices of John H. Lively | |||
A member firm of The 1940 Act Law Group TM | |||
11300 Tomahawk Creek Parkway, Suite 310 | |||
Leawood, Kansas 66211 | |||
Attention: John H. Lively | |||
(ii) | If to CFS, to: | ||
Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. | |||
8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205 | |||
Richmond, Virginia 23235 | |||
Attention: President |
(b) Notice also shall be deemed given and effective upon receipt by any party or other person at the preceding address (or such other address as a party may specify by notice to the other) if sent by regular mail, private messenger, courier service, telex, facsimile, or otherwise, if such notice bears on its first page in 14 point (or larger) bold type the heading Notice Pursuant to Fund Services Agreement.
Section 12. Assignment .
No party may assign or transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the others prior written consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. This Agreement shall insure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns. For the avoidance of doubt, a transaction involving a merger or sale of substantially all of the assets of a Fund shall not require the written consent of CFS.
Section 13. Holidays .
Except as required by laws and regulations governing investment companies, nothing contained in this Agreement is intended to or shall require CFS, in any capacity hereunder, to perform any functions or duties on any holiday or other day of special observance on which CFS is closed. Functions or duties normally scheduled to be performed on such days shall be performed on, and as of, the next business day on which both the Trust and CFS are open. CFS will be open for business on days when the Trust is open for business and/or as otherwise set forth in each Funds prospectus(es) and Statement(s) of Additional Information.
Section 14. Waiver .
Any term or provision of this Agreement may be waived at any time by the party entitled to the benefit thereof by written instrument executed by such party. No failure of either party hereto to exercise any power or right granted hereunder, or to insist upon strict compliance with any obligation hereunder, and no custom or practice of the parties with regard to the terms of performance hereof, will constitute a waiver of the rights of such party to demand full and exact compliance with the terms of this Agreement.
Section 15. Force Majeure .
In the event either party is unable to perform its obligations under the terms of this Agreement because of acts of God, acts of war or terrorism, strikes, equipment or transmission failure or damage reasonably beyond its control, or other causes reasonably beyond its control, such party shall not be liable for damages to the other for any damages resulting from such failure to perform or otherwise from such causes; provided, however, that this provision shall not imply that CFS is excused from maintaining reasonable business continuity plans to address potential service outages.
Section 16. Amendments .
This Agreement may be modified or amended from time to time by mutual written agreement between the parties. No provision of this Agreement may be changed, discharged or terminated verbally, but only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the change, discharge or termination is sought. The compensation stated in Schedule E attached hereto may be adjusted from time to time by the execution of a new schedule signed by the parties thereto.
Section 17. Severability .
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.
Section 18. Headings .
Titles to clauses of this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and will be disregarded in construing the language contained in this Agreement.
Section 19. Counterparts .
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
Section 20. No Strict Construction .
The language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties hereto to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction shall be applied against any party.
Section 21. Entire Agreement; Governing Law .
This Agreement, the Exhibits and Schedules hereto, and any subsequent amendments of the foregoing embody the entire understanding between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all prior negotiations and agreements between the parties relating to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed to be in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, without reference 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 Commonwealth of Virginia, or any of the provisions herein, conflict with the applicable provision of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control.
Section 22. Services Not Exclusive.
The services of CFS to the Trust are not deemed exclusive, and CFS shall be free to render similar services to others, to the extent that such service does not affect CFSs ability to perform its duties and obligations hereunder.
Section 23. Special or Consequential Damages.
Neither party to this Agreement shall be liable to the other party for special or consequential damages under any provision of this Agreement.
Section 24. Reliance on Trust Instructions and Experts.
CFS may rely upon the written advice of the Trust and upon statements of the Trusts legal counsel, accountants and other person believed by it in good faith to be expert in matters upon which they are consulted, and CFS shall not be liable for any actions taken in good faith upon such statements.
Section 25. Survival.
The obligations of Sections 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 17, 21, 23, 24 and this 25 shall survive any termination of this Agreement.
* * * * * * * * | ||
Signature Page Follows | ||
* * * * * * * * |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Fund Services Agreement to be signed by their respective duly authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.
COMMONWEALTH FUND SERVICES, INC. | |
By: /s/ David A. Bogaert Date: July 14, 2017 | |
Print Name: David A. Bogaert | |
Title: Managing Director, Business Development | |
WORLD FUNDS TRUST | |
WITH RESPECT TO THE FUNDS IDENTIFIED ON EXHIBIT A | |
By: /s/ John Pasco III Date: July 14, 2017 | |
Print Name: John Pasco III | |
Title: President and Principal Executive Officer |
EXHIBIT A |
to |
Fund Services Agreement |
List of Funds |
Amended as of July 14, 2017 |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Enhanced Growth Strategy (August) Fund | November 1, 2016 | July 31, 2019 |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Enhanced Growth Strategy (September) Fund | November 1, 2016 | July 31, 2019 |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Enhanced Growth Strategy (October) Fund | November 1, 2016 | July 31, 2019 |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Enhanced Growth Strategy (November) Fund | November 1, 2016 | July 31, 2019 |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Enhanced Growth Strategy (December) Fund | November 1, 2016 | July 31, 2019 |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Dividend Aristocrats Target Income Fund | August 1, 2017 | July 31, 2019 |
Cboe Vest S&P 500 ® Enhance and Buffer Fund | November 3, 2017 | July 31, 2019 |
CBOE Vest Digital Coin Fund | August 1, 2017 | July 31, 2019 |
EXHIBIT B |
To |
Fund Services Agreement |
Administrative Services |
1. |
Subject to the direction and control of the Board of Trustees (the Board)
of the Trust, CFS shall manage all aspects of each Funds operations with respect
to each Fund except those that are the specific responsibility of any other service
provider hired by the Trust, all in such manner and to such extent as may be authorized
by the Board.
|
|||
2. |
Oversee the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to each
Fund by others, including its custodian, fund accounting agent, transfer agent and
dividend disbursing agent as well as legal, auditing, shareholder servicing and
other services performed for each Fund, including:
|
|||
(a) |
The preparation
and maintenance by each Funds custodian, transfer agent, dividend disbursing
agent and fund accountant in such form, for such periods and in such locations as
may be required by applicable law, of all documents and records relating to the
operation of each Fund required to be prepared or maintained by the Trust or its
agents pursuant to applicable law.
|
|||
(b) |
The reconciliation
of account information and balances among each Funds custodian, transfer agent,
dividend disbursing agent and fund accountant.
|
|||
(c) |
The transmission
of purchase and redemption orders for shares.
|
|||
(d) |
The performance
of fund accounting, including the accounting services agents calculation of
the net asset value (NAV) of each Funds shares.
|
|||
3. |
For new series or classes, obtain CUSIP numbers, as necessary, and estimate organizational
costs and expenses and monitor against actual disbursements.
|
|||
4. |
Assist each Funds investment adviser in monitoring fund holdings for compliance
with prospectus investment restrictions and limitations and assist in preparation
of periodic compliance reports, as applicable.
|
|||
5. |
Prepare and assist with reports for the Board as may be mutually agreed upon by the
parties.
|
|||
6. |
Prepare quarterly and annual Code of Ethics forms for: (i) disinterested Board members;
and (ii) officers of the Trust, if any, that are also employees of CFS, including
a review of returned forms against portfolio holdings and reporting to the Board.
|
|||
7. |
Prepare and mail annual Trustees and Officers questionnaires.
|
8. |
Maintain general Board calendars and regulatory filings calendars.
|
|||
9. |
As mutually agreed to by the parties, prepare updates to and maintain copies of the
Trusts trust instrument and by-laws.
|
|||
10. |
Coordinate with insurance providers, including soliciting bids for Trustees &
Officers/Errors & Omissions insurance and fidelity bond coverage, coordinate
the filing of fidelity bonds with the SEC and make related Board presentations.
|
|||
11. |
Prepare selected management reports for performance and compliance analyses agreed
upon by the Trust and CFS from time to time.
|
|||
12. |
Advise the Trust and the Board on matters concerning each Fund and its affairs.
|
|||
13. |
With the assistance of the counsel to the Trust, the investment adviser, officers
of the Trust and other relevant parties, prepare and disseminate materials for meetings
of the Board on behalf of each Fund, and any committees thereof, including agendas
and selected financial information as agreed upon by the Trust and CFS from time
to time; attend and participate in Board meetings to the extent requested by the
Board.
|
|||
14. |
Provide assistance to each Funds independent public accountants in order to
determine income and capital gains available for distribution and calculate distributions
required to meet regulatory, income and excise tax requirements.
|
|||
15. |
Assist each Funds independent public accountants with the preparation of each
Funds federal, state and local tax returns. The tax returns will be reviewed
by each Funds independent public accountants.
|
|||
16. |
Prepare and maintain each Funds operating expense budget to determine proper
expense accruals to be charged to each Fund in order to calculate its daily NAV.
|
|||
17. |
In consultation with counsel for the Trust, assist in and oversee the preparation,
filing, printing and where applicable, dissemination to shareholders of the following:
|
|||
(a) | Amendments to each Funds Registration Statement on Form N-1A. | |||
(b) |
Periodic reports
to each Funds shareholders and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
(the SEC), including but not limited to annual reports and semi-annual
reports.
|
|||
(c) |
Notices pursuant
to Rule 24f-2.
|
|||
(d) | Proxy materials. | |||
(e) |
Reports to
the SEC on Form N-SAR, Form N-CSR, Form N-Q and Form N-PX.
|
18. | Coordinate each Funds annual or SEC audit by: | |||
(a) |
Assisting
each Funds independent auditors, or, upon approval of each Fund, any regulatory
body in any requested review of each Funds accounts and records.
|
|||
(b) |
Providing
appropriate financial schedules (as requested by each Funds independent public
accountants or SEC examiners); and
|
|||
(c) | Providing office facilities as may be required. | |||
19. |
Assist the Trust in the handling of routine regulatory examinations and work closely
with the Trusts legal counsel in response to any non-routine regulatory matters.
|
|||
20. |
After consultation with counsel for the Trust and the investment adviser, assist
the investment adviser to determine the jurisdictions in which shares of each Fund
shall be registered or qualified for sale; register, or prepare applicable filings
with respect to, the shares with the various state and other securities commissions,
provided that all fees for the registration of shares or for qualifying or continuing
the qualification of each Fund shall be paid by each Fund.
|
|||
21. |
Monitor sales of shares, ensure that the shares of the Trust are validly issued under
the laws of the State of Delaware and properly and duly registered with the SEC.
|
|||
22. |
Oversee the calculation of performance data for dissemination to information services
covering the investment company industry, for sales literature of each Fund and
other appropriate purposes.
|
|||
23. |
Prepare, or cause to be prepared, expense and financial reports, including Fund budgets,
expense reports, pro-forma financial statements, expense and profit/loss projections
and fee waiver/expense reimbursement projections on a periodic basis.
|
|||
24. |
Authorize the payment of Fund expenses and pay, from Fund assets, all bills of each
Fund.
|
|||
25. |
Provide information typically supplied in the investment company industry to companies
that track or report price, performance or other information with respect to investment
companies.
|
|||
26. |
Assist each Fund in the selection of other service providers, such as independent
accountants, law firms and proxy solicitors; and perform such other recordkeeping,
reporting and other tasks as may be specified from time to time in the procedures
adopted by the Board; provided that CFS need not begin performing any such task
except upon 65 days notice and pursuant to mutually acceptable compensation
agreements.
|
|||
27. |
Provide assistance to each Fund in the servicing of shareholder accounts, which may
include telephone and written conversations, assistance in redemptions, exchanges,
|
transfers
and opening accounts as may be required from time to time. CFS shall, in addition,
provide such additional administrative non-advisory management services as CFS and
the Trust may from time to time agree.
|
||
28. |
Assist the
Trusts Chief Compliance Officer with issues regarding the Trusts compliance
program (as approved by the Board in accordance with Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act)
as reasonably requested.
|
|
29. |
Perform certain
compliance procedures for the Trust which will include, among other matters, monitoring
compliance with personal trading guidelines by the Trusts Board.
|
|
30. |
Assist the
Trust with its obligations under Section 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002 and Rule 30a-2 under the 1940 Act, including the establishment and maintenance
of internal controls and procedures that are reasonably designed to ensure that
information prepared or maintained in connection with administration services provided
hereunder is properly recorded, processed, summarized, or reported by CSS or its
affiliates on behalf of the Trust so that it may be included in financial information
certified by the Trusts officers on Form N-CSR and Form N-Q.
|
|
31. |
Prepare and
file any claims in connection with class actions involving portfolio securities,
handle administrative matters in connection with the litigation or settlement of
such claims, and prepare a report to the Board regarding such matters.
|
|
32. |
CFS shall
provide such other services and assistance relating to the affairs of each Fund
as the Trust may, from time to time, reasonably request pursuant to mutually acceptable
compensation agreements.
|
EXHIBIT C |
to |
Fund Services Agreement |
Accounting Services |
1. |
Subject to the direction and control of the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the Board), CFS shall perform all accounting services with respect to each
Fund except those that are the specific responsibility of any other service provider
hired by the Trust, all in such manner and to such extent as may be authorized by
the Board.
|
|||
2. |
CFS shall maintain and keep current the following Accounts and Records relating to
the business of the Trust, in such form as may be mutually agreed to between the
Trust and CFS and as may be required by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
(the 1940 Act):
|
|||
(a) |
Cash Receipts
Journal
|
|||
(b) | Cash Disbursements Journal | |||
(c) | Dividends Paid and Payable Schedule | |||
(d) | Purchase and Sales Journals - Portfolio Securities | |||
(e) | Subscription and Redemption Journals | |||
(f) | Security Ledgers - Transaction Report and Tax Lot Report | |||
(g) | Broker Ledger - Commission Report | |||
(h) | Daily Expense Accruals | |||
(i) | Daily Interest Accruals | |||
(j) | Daily Trial Balance | |||
(k) | Portfolio Interest Receivable and Income Journal | |||
(l) |
Listing of
Portfolio Holdings showing cost, market value and percentage of portfolio comprised
of each security.
|
|||
3. |
CFS shall perform ministerial calculations necessary to calculate the Trusts
net asset value daily, in accordance with the Trusts registration statement
and as follows:
|
|||
(a) |
Portfolio
investments for which market quotations are available to CFS by use of an automated
financial service (a Pricing Service) shall be valued based on the closing
prices of the portfolio investment reported by such Pricing Service, except where
the Trust has given or caused to be given specific instructions to utilize a different
value.
|
|||
(b) |
Notwithstanding
any information obtained from a Pricing Service, all portfolio securities shall
be given such values as the Trust shall direct by instructions from the Trusts
Pricing Committee, including all restricted securities and other securities requiring
valuation not readily ascertainable solely by the use of such a Pricing Service.
|
4. |
CFS will supply
the Transfer Agent with daily NAVs for each portfolio.
|
|
5. |
It is the
responsibility of CFS to be reconciled to the Custodian. CFS will report any discrepancies
to the Custodian, and shall report any unreconciled items to the Trust.
|
EXHIBIT D |
to |
Fund Services Agreement |
Transfer Agency Services |
GENERAL : | ||
1. |
Issuance
and Transfer of Shares
: CFS shall make original issues of Shares of each Fund
and Class thereof in accordance with the Funds Prospectus only upon receipt
of (i) instructions requesting the issuance, (ii) a certified copy of a resolution
of the Board authorizing the issuance, (iii) necessary funds for the payment of
any original issue tax applicable to such Shares, and (iv) an opinion of the Funds counsel as to the legality and validity of the issuance, which opinion may
provide that it is contingent upon the filing by the Fund of an appropriate notice
with the SEC, as required by Section 24 of the 1940 Act or the rules thereunder.
If the opinion described in (iv) above is contingent upon a filing under Section
24 of the 1940 Act, the Fund shall indemnify CFS for any liability arising from
the failure of the Fund to comply with that section or the rules thereunder.
|
|
Transfers
of Shares of each Fund and Class thereof shall be registered on the Shareholder
records maintained by CFS. In registering transfers of Shares, CFS may rely upon
the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of Virginia or any other statutes
that, in the opinion of CFSs counsel, protect CFS and the Fund from liability
arising from (i) not requiring complete documentation, (ii) registering a transfer
without an adverse claim inquiry, (iii) delaying registration for purposes of such
inquiry or (iv) refusing registration whenever an adverse claim requires such refusal.
As transfer agent, CFS will be responsible for delivery to the transferor and transferee
of such documentation as is required by the Uniform Commercial Code.
|
||
2. |
Share Certificates
: To the extent the Trust determines for a particular Fund to issue share certificates,
the Trust shall furnish to CFS a supply of blank share certificates of each Fund
and Class thereof and, from time to time, will renew such supply upon CFSs
request. Blank share certificates shall be signed manually or by facsimile signatures
of officers of the Trust authorized to sign by the Organizational Documents of the
Trust and, if required by the Organizational Documents, shall bear the Trusts
seal or a facsimile thereof. Unless otherwise directed by the Trust, CFS may issue
or register share certificates reflecting the manual or facsimile signature of an
officer who has died, resigned or been removed by the Trust.
|
|
New share
certificates shall be issued by CFS upon surrender of outstanding share certificates
in the form deemed by CFS to be properly endorsed for transfer and satisfactory
evidence of compliance with all applicable laws relating to the payment or collection
of taxes. CFS shall forward share certificates in non-negotiable form
by first-class or registered mail, or by whatever means CFS deems equally reliable
and expeditious. CFS shall not mail share certificates in negotiable
form unless requested in writing by the Trust and fully indemnified by the Trust
to CFSs satisfaction.
|
In the event that the Trust informs CFS that any Fund or Class thereof does not issue
share certificates, CFS shall not issue any such share certificates and the provisions
of this Agreement relating to share certificates shall not be applicable with respect
to those Funds or Classes thereof.
|
|||||
3. |
Share Purchases
: Shares shall be issued in accordance with the terms of the Prospectus
after CFS or its agent receives either:
|
||||
(a) | The following | ||||
i. | an instruction directing investment in a Fund or Class, | ||||
ii. |
a check (other
than a third party check) or a wire or other electronic payment in the amount designated
in the instruction; and
|
||||
iii. | in the case of an initial purchase, a completed account application; | ||||
or | |||||
(b) |
the information required for purchases pursuant to a selected dealer agreement, processing
organization agreement, or a similar contract with a financial intermediary.
|
||||
4. |
Eligibility to Receive Redemptions
: Shares issued in a Fund after receipt of a completed
purchase order shall be eligible to receive distributions of the Fund at the time
specified in the Prospectus pursuant to which the Shares are offered. Shareholder
payments shall be considered Federal Funds no later than on the day indicated below
unless other times are noted in the Prospectus of the applicable Class or Fund:
|
||||
(a) |
for a wire received, at the time of the receipt of the wire;
|
||||
(b) |
for a check drawn on a member bank of the Federal Reserve System, on the next Fund
business day following receipt of the check; and
|
||||
(c) |
for a check drawn on an institution that is not a member of the Federal Reserve System,
at such time as CFS is credited with Federal Funds with respect to that check.
|
||||
SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED: | |||||
1. |
CFS agrees that in accordance with procedures established from time to time by agreement
between the Trust on behalf of each of the Funds, as applicable, and CFS, CFS will
perform the following services:
|
||||
(a) provide the services of a transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and, as relevant,
agent in connection with accumulation, open-account or similar plans (including
without limitation any periodic investment plan or periodic withdrawal program)
that are customary for open-end management investment companies including: (A) maintaining
all Shareholder accounts, (B) preparing Shareholder meeting lists, (C) mailing proxies
and related materials to Shareholders, (D) mailing Shareholder reports and prospectuses
|
to current
Shareholders, (E) withholding taxes on U.S. resident and non-resident alien accounts,
(F) preparing and filing U.S. Treasury Department Forms 1099 and other appropriate
forms required by federal authorities with respect to distributions for Shareholders,
(G) preparing and mailing confirmation forms and statements of account to Shareholders
for all purchases and redemptions of Shares and other confirmable transactions in
Shareholder accounts, (H) preparing and mailing activity statements for Shareholders,
and (I) providing Shareholder account information;
|
|
(b) receive
for acceptance orders for the purchase of Shares and promptly deliver payment and
appropriate documentation therefore to the custodian of the applicable Fund (the
Custodian) or, in the case of Funds operating in a master-feeder or
fund of funds structure, to the transfer agent or interestholder recordkeeper for
the master portfolios in which the Fund invests;
|
|
(c) pursuant
to purchase orders, issue the appropriate number of Shares and hold such Shares
in the appropriate Shareholder account;
|
|
(d) receive
for acceptance redemption requests and deliver the appropriate documentation therefore
to the Custodian or, in the case of Funds operating in a master-feeder structure,
to the transfer agent or interestholder recordkeeper for the master fund in which
the Fund invests;
|
|
(e) as and
when it receives monies paid to it by the Custodian with respect to any redemption,
pay the redemption proceeds as required by the Prospectus pursuant to which the
redeemed Shares were offered and as instructed by the redeeming Shareholders;
|
|
(f) effect
transfers of Shares upon receipt of appropriate instructions from Shareholders;
|
|
(g) prepare
and transmit to Shareholders (or credit the appropriate Shareholder accounts) payments
for all distributions declared by the Fund with respect to Shares;
|
|
(h) issue
share certificates and replacement share certificates for those share certificates
alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed upon receipt by CFS of indemnification
satisfactory to CFS and protecting CFS and the Fund and, at the option of CFS, issue
replacement certificates in place of mutilated share certificates upon presentation
thereof without requiring indemnification;
|
|
(i) receive
from Shareholders or debit Shareholder accounts for sales commissions, including
contingent deferred, deferred and other sales charges, and service fees (
i.e
., wire redemption charges) and prepare and transmit payments, as appropriate, to
the underwriter for commissions and service fees received;
|
|
(j) track
shareholder accounts by financial intermediary source and otherwise as reasonably
requested by the Fund and provide periodic reporting to the Fund or its administrator
or other agent;
|
(k) maintain
records of account for and provide reports and statements to the Trust and Shareholders
as to the foregoing;
|
||
(l) record
the issuance of Shares of each Fund and maintain pursuant to Rule 17Ad-10(e) under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (1934 Act) a record
of the total number of Shares of the Trust, each Fund and each Class thereof, that
are authorized, based upon data provided to it by the Trust, and are issued and
outstanding and provide the Trust on a regular basis a report of the total number
of Shares that are authorized and the total number of Shares that are issued and
outstanding;
|
||
(m) provide
a system that will enable the Trust to calculate the total number of Shares of each
Fund and Class thereof sold in each State;
|
||
(n) provide
necessary information to the Trust to enable the Trust to monitor and make appropriate
filings with respect to the escheatment laws of the various states and
|
||
territories of the United States; | ||
(o) oversee
the activities of proxy solicitation firms, if requested by the Trust;
|
||
(p) monitor
transactions in each Fund for market timing activity in accordance with the Trusts policies and procedures, which may be amended from time to time; and
|
||
(q) account
for and administer all shareholder account fees as provided in each Funds
Prospectus.
|
||
2. |
CFS shall
receive and tabulate proxy votes, coordinate the tabulation of proxy and shareholder
meeting votes and perform such other additional services as may be specified from
time to time by the Fund, all pursuant to mutually acceptable compensation and implementation
agreements.
|
|
3. |
The Trust
or its administrator or other agent (i) shall identify to CFS in writing those transactions
and assets to be treated as exempt from reporting for each state and territory of
the United States and for each foreign jurisdiction (collectively States)
and (ii) shall monitor the sales activity with respect to Shareholders domiciled
or resident in each State. The responsibility of CFS for the Trusts state
registration status is solely limited to the reporting of transactions to the Trust,
and CFS shall have no obligation, when recording the issuance of Shares, to monitor
the issuance of such Shares or to take cognizance of any laws relating to the issue
or sale of such Shares, which functions shall be the sole responsibility of the
Trust or its administrator or other agent.
|
|
4. |
CFS shall
establish and maintain facilities and procedures reasonably acceptable to the Trust
for the safekeeping, control, preparation and use of share certificates, check forms,
and facsimile signature imprinting devices. CFS shall establish and maintain facilities
and procedures
reasonably acceptable to the Trust for safekeeping of all records maintained by
CFS pursuant to this Agreement.
|
5. |
CFS shall
cooperate with each Funds independent public accountants and shall take reasonable
action to make all necessary information available to the accountants for the performance
of the accountants duties.
|
|
6. |
Anti-Money
Laundering (AML) Delegation. The Trust has elected to delegate to CFS
certain AML duties under this Agreement and the parties have agreed to such duties
and terms as stated in the attached schedule (Schedule B entitled AML Delegation), which may be changed from time to time subject to mutual written agreement
between the parties. CFS has adopted the necessary policies and procedures, which
are reasonably designed to carry out the AML Delegation, and will provide a copy
of such policies and procedures to the Trust prior to the commencement of this Agreement
and will promptly provide the Trust with any material amendments thereto. CFS will
strictly adhere to its anti-money
laundering procedures and controls.
|
|
AML DELEGATION | ||
1. |
Delegation
. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Trust
hereby delegates to CFS those aspects of the Trusts Anti-Money Laundering
Program (the AML Program) that are set forth in Section 4 below (the
Delegated Duties). The Delegated Duties set forth in Section 4 may be
amended, from time to time, by mutual agreement of the Trust and CFS upon the execution
by such parties of a revised Schedule B bearing a later date than the date hereof.
|
|
(a) CFS agrees
to perform such Delegated Duties, with respect to the Fund shareholders for which
CFS maintains the applicable shareholder information, subject to and in accordance
with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
|
||
2.
|
Consent
to Examination
. In connection with the performance by CFS of the Delegated Duties,
CFS understands and acknowledges that the Fund remains responsible for assuring
compliance with the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 (USA PATRIOT Act) and the
laws implementing the USA PATRIOT Act and that the records CFS maintains for the
Fund relating to the AML Program may be subject, from time to time, to examination
and/or inspection by federal regulators in order that the regulators may evaluate
such compliance. CFS hereby consents to such examination and/or inspection and agrees
to cooperate with such federal regulators in connection with their review. For purposes
of such examination and/or inspection, CFS will use its best efforts to make available,
during normal business hours and on reasonable notice, all required records and
information for review by such regulators.
|
|
3. |
Limitation
on Delegation
. The Fund acknowledges and agrees that in accepting the delegation
hereunder, CFS is agreeing to perform only the Delegated Duties, as may be amended
from time to time, and is not undertaking and shall not be responsible for any other
aspect of the AML Program or for the overall compliance by the Fund with the
|
USA PATRIOT Act or for any other matters that have not been delegated hereunder.
Additionally, the parties acknowledge and agree that CFS shall only be responsible
for performing the Delegated Duties with respect to the accounts for which CFS maintains
the applicable shareholder information.
|
|||||
4. | Delegated Duties. | ||||
4.1 |
Consistent with the services provided by CFS and with respect to the applicable shareholder
information maintained by CFS, CFS shall:
|
||||
i. |
Submit all
new account and registration maintenance transactions through the Office of Foreign
Assets Control (OFAC) database and such other lists or databases of
trade restricted individuals or entities as may be required from time to time by
applicable regulatory authorities;
|
||||
ii. | Submit special payee checks through OFAC database; | ||||
iii. |
Review redemption
transactions that occur within thirty (30) days of account establishment or maintenance;
|
||||
iv. |
Review wires
sent pursuant to instructions other than those already on file with CFS;
|
||||
v. |
Review accounts
with small balances followed by large purchases;
|
||||
vi. |
Review accounts
with frequent activity within a specified date range followed by a large redemption;
|
||||
vii. |
On a daily
basis, review purchase and redemption activity per tax identification number (TIN) within each Fund to determine if activity for that TIN exceeded the $100,000
threshold on any given day;
|
||||
viii. |
Compare all
new accounts and registration maintenance through the Known Offenders database and
notify the Trust of any match.
|
||||
ix. |
Monitor and
track cash equivalents under $10,000 for a rolling twelve-month period and file any
required reports with the IRS and issue the Shareholder notices required by the
IRS;
|
||||
x. |
Determine
when a suspicious activity report (SAR) should be filed as required
by regulations applicable to mutual funds and prepare and file the SAR. Provide
the Trust with a copy of the SAR within a reasonable time after filing; notify the
Trust if any further communication is received from U.S. Department of the Treasury
or other law enforcement agencies regarding the SAR;
|
xi. |
Compare account
information to any FinCEN request received by the Trust and provided to CFS pursuant
to USA PATRIOT Act Sec. 314(a). Provide the Trust with documents/information necessary
to respond to requests under USA PATRIOT Act Sec. 314(a) within required time frames;
|
|||
xii. |
(i) Verify
the identity of any person seeking to open an account with each Fund, (ii) maintain
records of the information used to verify the persons identity in accordance
with applicable regulations, (iii) determine whether the person appears on any lists
of known or suspected terrorists or terrorist organizations provided to the Trust
by any government agency, and (iv) perform enhanced due diligence with respect to
any investor that CFS has reason to believe presents high risk factors with regard
to money laundering or terrorist financing, prior to accepting an investment from
such investor; and
|
|||
xiii. |
(i) Monitor
for any suspected money laundering activity with respect to correspondent accounts
for foreign financial institutions and private banking accounts and report any such
conduct required by applicable regulations, and (ii) conduct due diligence on private
banking accounts in the event that one or more Funds changes its line of business
in a manner that would involve the establishment or maintenance of such accounts.
|
|||
4.2 |
In the event that CFS detects activity as a result of the foregoing procedures, CFS
shall timely file any required reports, promptly notify appropriate government agencies
and also immediately notify the Fund, unless prohibited by applicable law.
|
|||
4.3 |
Recordkeeping. CFS shall keep all records relating to the Delegated Duties for an
appropriate period of time and, at a minimum, the period of time required by applicable
law or regulation. CFS will provide the Trust with access to such records upon reasonable
request.
|
|||
4.4 | AML Reporting to the Fund | |||
(a) |
On a quarterly
basis, CFS shall provide a report to the Fund on its performance of the AML Delegated
Duties, among other compliance items, which report shall include information regarding
the number of: (i) potential incidents involving cash and cash equivalents or unusual
or suspicious activity, (ii) any required reports or forms that have been filed
on behalf of the Fund, (iii) outstanding customer verification items, (iv) potential
and confirmed matches against the known offender and OFAC databases and (v) potential
and confirmed matches in connection with FinCen requests. Notwithstanding anything
in this Section 4.3(a) to the contrary, CFS reserves the right to amend and update
the form of its AML reporting from time to time to comply with new or amended requirements
of applicable law.
|
(b) |
At least annually,
CFS will arrange for independent testing (an audit) of the AML services it provides
to its clients on an organization-wide basis by a qualified
independent auditing firm. CFS will provide the AML compliance officer of the Fund
with the results of the audit and testing, including any material deficiencies or
weaknesses identified and any remedial steps that will be taken or have been taken
by CFS to address such material deficiencies or weaknesses.
|
|||
(c) |
On an annual
basis, CFS will provide the Fund with a written certification that, among other
things, it has implemented its AML Program and has performed the Delegated Duties.
|
EXHIBIT E
to
Mutual Fund Services
Agreement
Amended and Restated
Schedule A
to
the
Fund Accounting Agreement
by and between
World Funds Trust
and
UMB Fund Services, Inc.
Intending to be legally bound, the undersigned hereby amend and restate Schedule A to the aforesaid Agreement as follows, effective as of the date set forth below.
NAMES OF FUNDS
REMS International Real Estate Value-Opportunity
Fund
Strategic Global Long/Short Fund
In witness whereof, the undersigned have executed this Amended and Restated Schedule A to the Fund Accounting Agreement between World Funds Trust and UMB Fund Services, Inc., effective as of the 29th day of February 2016.
UMB FUND SERVICES, INC. | WORLD FUNDS TRUST | |
|
|
|
Title: Executive Vice President | Title: President |
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/ David Bogaert | |
Name: David Bogaert | |
Title: President and Principal Executive Officer | |
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 | Effective Date | Expiration Date |
Operating Expense Limit | |||
REMS International Real |
0.50% | January 1, 2018 | March 31, 2018 |
Estate Value Opportunity |
|||
Fund |
5
WORLD FUNDS TRUST
EXPENSE LIMITATION AGREEMENT
THIS EXPENSE LIMITATION AGREEMENT , is made by and between CBOE Vest Financial, LLC (the Adviser) and World Funds Trust (the Trust) (Agreement), on behalf of the series of the Trust set forth in the set of schedules to this Agreement identified as Schedule A and then numerically designated (e.g., Schedule A-1) attached hereto (each a Fund, and collectively, the Funds) as of the Effective Date noted on each Schedule A with respect to each Fund.
WHEREAS, the Trust is a Delaware statutory trust, and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (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 and the Adviser have entered into an Advisory Agreement dated July 6, 2016 (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 below 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 each 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, distribution fees pursuant to Rule
12b-1 Plans, 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 each 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 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
|
1
amount no
higher than the lowest Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit applicable to a particular
class of shares of a Fund. 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 month in which the Advisory Agreement is still in effect,
the estimated aggregate Fund Operating Expenses of a class of shares of such Fund
for the fiscal month are less than the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit for
that month, 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 with respect to a particular class of
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 with respect to a particular
class, 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.a, 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 with respect to each class of a Fund at the time the Adviser
waived or reduced its advisory fees or reimburse other expenses for such class of
the Fund.
|
||
b. |
Method
of Computation
. To determine each Funds accrual (with respect to each
class), if any, to reimburse the Adviser for the Reimbursement Amount, each month
the Fund Operating Expenses of each class of shares of the Fund shall be annualized
as of the last day of the month. If the annualized Fund Operating Expenses of a
class of shares of the Fund for any month are less than the Maximum Annual Operating
Expense Limit of such class of shares of such Fund, such Fund shall accrue with
respect to the particular class into its net asset value an amount payable to the
Adviser sufficient to increase the annualized Fund Operating Expenses of that Fund
to an amount no greater than the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit of the particular
class of shares 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.
|
2
3. Term and Termination of Agreement.
a. |
This Agreement
shall continue in effect with respect to the Fund until such date as noted on each
Schedule A and shall thereafter continue in effect with respect to each Fund from
year to year for successive one-year periods provided that Agreement may be terminated
by either party hereto, without payment of any penalty, upon ninety (90) days
prior written notice to the other party at its principal place of business; provided
that, in the case of termination by the Adviser, such action shall be authorized
by resolution of a majority of the Non-Interested Trustees of the Trust or by a
vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust.
|
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 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.
|
* * * * *
3
IN WITNESS, WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed on their behalf by their duly authorized officers as of the dates noted on the Schedule as attached hereto.
WORLD FUNDS TRUST
On behalf of
the
Funds Noted on the Schedules to this Agreement
By: | /s/ David A. Bogaert | |
Name: | David A. Bogaert | |
Title: | President and Principal Executive Officer |
CBOE VEST FINANCIAL, LLC
By: | /s/ J. Steven Neamtz | |
Name: | J. Steven Neamtz | |
Title: | Senior Managing Director |
4
SCHEDULE A-1 |
to the |
EXPENSE LIMITATION AGREEMENT (the Agreement) |
between |
WORLD FUNDS TRUST (the Trust) |
and |
CBOE Vest Financial, LLC |
Fund |
Maximum
Annual Operating Expense Limit |
Effective
Date |
Expiration
Date |
CBOE Vest
Defined Distribution Fund
The following classes of shares of each of the foregoing Funds shall be subject to the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit noted in this schedule: Class A Shares Class C Shares Investor Class Shares Institutional Class Shares Class Y Shares |
1.25% 1.25% 1.25% 1.25% 0.95% |
February 18, 2016 February 18, 2016 February 18, 2016 February 18, 2016 November 17, 2017 |
February 28, 2018 February 28, 2018 February 28, 2018 February 28, 2018 February 28, 2018 |
IN WITNESS, WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed on their behalf by their duly authorized officers as of the dates noted on this Schedule.
WORLD FUNDS TRUST |
On behalf of the |
Funds noted on this Schedules to the Agreement |
By: | /s/ David A. Bogaert | |
Name: | David A. Bogaert | |
Title: | President and Principal Executive Office |
CBOE VEST FINANCIAL, LLC
By: | /s/ J. Steven Neamtz | |
Name: | J. Steven Neamtz | |
Title: | Senior Managing Director |
5
SCHEDULE A-2 |
to the |
EXPENSE LIMITATION AGREEMENT (the Agreement) |
between |
WORLD FUNDS TRUST (the Trust) |
and |
CBOE Vest Financial, LLC |
IN WITNESS, WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed on their behalf by their duly authorized officers as of the dates noted on this Schedule.
WORLD FUNDS TRUST |
On behalf of the |
Funds noted on this Schedules to the Agreement |
By: | /s/ David A. Bogaert |
Name: | David A. Bogaert |
Title: | President and Principal Executive Office |
CBOE VEST FINANCIAL, LLC
By: | /s/ J. Steven Neamtz |
Name: | J. Steven Neamtz |
Title: | Senior Managing Director |
6
SCHEDULE A-3 |
to the |
EXPENSE LIMITATION AGREEMENT (the Agreement) |
between |
WORLD FUNDS TRUST (the Trust) |
and |
CBOE Vest Financial, LLC |
IN WITNESS, WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed on their behalf by their duly authorized officers as of the dates noted on this Schedule.
WORLD FUNDS TRUST |
On behalf of the |
Funds noted on this Schedules to the Agreement |
By: | /s/ David A. Bogaert | |
Name: | David A. Bogaert | |
Title: | President and Principal Executive Office |
CBOE VEST FINANCIAL, LLC
By: | /s/ J. Steven Neamtz | |
Name: | J. Steven Neamtz | |
Title: | Senior Managing Director |
7
SCHEDULE A-4 |
to the |
EXPENSE LIMITATION AGREEMENT (the Agreement) |
between |
WORLD FUNDS TRUST (the Trust) |
and |
CBOE Vest Financial, LLC |
IN WITNESS, WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed on their behalf by their duly authorized officers as of the dates noted on this Schedule.
WORLD FUNDS TRUST |
On behalf of the |
Funds noted on this Schedules to the Agreement |
By: | /s/ David A. Bogaert | |
Name: | David A. Bogaert | |
Title: | President and Principal Executive Office |
CBOE VEST FINANCIAL, LLC
By: | /s/ J. Steven Neamtz | |
Name: | J. Steven Neamtz | |
Title: | Senior Managing Director |
8
SCHEDULE A-5 |
to the |
EXPENSE LIMITATION AGREEMENT (the Agreement) |
between |
WORLD FUNDS TRUST (the Trust) |
and |
CBOE Vest Financial, LLC |
Fund |
Maximum
Annual Operating Expense Limit |
Effective
Date |
Expiration
Date |
Cboe Vest
S&P 500
®
Enhance and Buffer Fund
The following classes of shares of each of the foregoing Funds shall be subject to the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit noted in this schedule: Class A Shares Class C Shares Investor Class Shares Institutional Class Shares Class Y Shares |
0.95% 0.95% 0.95% 0.95% 0.70% |
November 3, 2017 November 3, 2017 November 3, 2017 November 3, 2017 November 3, 2017 |
February 28, 2019 February 28, 2019 February 28, 2019 February 28, 2019 February 28, 2019 |
IN WITNESS, WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed on their behalf by their duly authorized officers as of the dates noted on this Schedule.
WORLD FUNDS TRUST |
On behalf of the |
Funds noted on this Schedules to the Agreement |
By: | /s/ David A. Bogaert | |
Name: | David A. Bogaert | |
Title: | President and Principal Executive Office |
CBOE VEST FINANCIAL, LLC
By: | /s/ J. Steven Neamtz | |
Name: | J. Steven Neamtz | |
Title: | Senior Managing Director |
9
WORLD FUNDS TRUST
AMENDED SHAREHOLDER
SERVICES PLAN
CBOE Vest Funds
WHEREAS , the World Funds Trust (the Trust) is engaged in business as a diversified, open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), and the Trust desires to compensate service providers (Service Providers) that provide the services described herein to clients (the Clients) who from time to time beneficially own shares of beneficial interest (the Shares) of any series and class of the Trust listed in Schedule A to this Shareholder Services Plan (each a Fund, and collectively, the Funds); and
WHEREAS , the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the Trustees or the Board) have determined, in the exercise of reasonable business judgment and in light of its fiduciary duties, that there is a reasonable likelihood that this Shareholder Services Plan (the Plan) will benefit the Funds and the Clients owning the Shares of such Funds;
NOW, THEREFORE , the Trustees hereby set forth the terms and conditions under which the Trust may compensate Service Providers for providing shareholder services as described herein.
Section 1. The Trust has adopted this Plan to enable the Trust to directly or indirectly bear expenses relating to the provision of certain shareholder services to certain series and classes of the Trust, as listed in Schedule A to this Plan.
Section 2. The Trust will pay Service Providers a fee, up to the amount specified in Schedule A to this Plan, with respect to the average daily net asset value of shares owned of record or beneficially by clients with whom the Service Provider has a service relationship for shareholder services. Services for which this fee may be paid include, but are not limited to, (i) maintaining accounts relating to Clients that invest in Shares; (ii) arranging for bank wires; (iii) responding to Client inquiries relating to the services performed by Service Providers; (iv) responding to inquiries from Clients concerning their investment in Shares; (v) assisting Clients in changing dividend options, account designations and addresses; (vi) providing information periodically to Clients showing their position in Shares; (vii) forwarding shareholder communications from the Funds such as proxies, shareholder reports, annual reports, and dividend distribution and tax notices to Clients; (viii) processing purchase, exchange and redemption requests from Clients and placing orders with the Funds or their service providers; (ix) providing sub-accounting with respect to Shares beneficially owned by Clients; and (x) processing dividend payments from the Funds on behalf of Clients. Service Providers may also use this fee for payments to financial institutions and intermediaries such as banks, savings and loan associations, insurance companies and investment counselors, broker-dealers, mutual fund supermarkets and the Service Providers affiliates and subsidiaries as compensation for such services as are described herein.
1
Section 3. This Plan shall, with respect to any Fund and class thereof be approved, together with any related agreements, by votes of the majority of both (i) the Trustees of the Trust and (ii) the Qualified Trustees (as defined in Section 8 herein).
Section 4. This Plan shall, unless terminated as hereinafter provided, continue in effect for a period of more than one year after it takes effect, only for so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in the manner provided in Section 3 herein for the approval of this Plan.
Section 5. During the existence of this Plan, the Trust shall require the Distributor, or any person authorized to direct the disposition of monies paid or payable by the Trust pursuant to this Plan or any related agreement, shall provide to the Trustees, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts so expended and the purposes for which such expenditures were made with respect to each Fund, and shall furnish the Trustees with such other information as the Board of Trustees may reasonably request in connection with payments made under the Plan.
Section 6. This Plan may be terminated at any time, with respect to Shares of any Fund listed in Schedule A, without payment of any penalty, at any time by the vote of a majority of the Qualified Trustees as defined in Section 8 herein.
Section 7. All agreements with any person relating to the implementation of this Plan shall be in writing, and any agreement related to this Plan shall provide (a) that such agreement may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by the vote of a majority of the Qualified Trustees (as defined in Section 8 herein), on not more than 60 days written notice to any other party to the agreement.
Section 8. As used in this Plan, (a) the term Qualified Trustees shall mean those Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust, and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or any agreements related to it, and (b) the terms assignment and interested person shall have the respective meanings specified in the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, subject to such exemptions as may be granted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Section 9. While this Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of those Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust, within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act, shall be committed to the discretion of the Trustees then in office who are not interested persons of the Trust.
Section 10. This Plan shall not obligate the Trust or any other party to enter into an agreement with any particular person.
Section 11. This Plan may be amended at any time by the Board, provided that any material amendment of this Plan shall be effective only upon approval in the manner provided in Section 3 herein.
2
Section 12. Consistent with the limitation of shareholder and trustee liability as set forth in the Trusts Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, each as amended and supplemented, any obligations assumed by the Trust, a class thereof pursuant to this Plan and any agreements related to this Plan shall be limited in all cases to the proportionate ownership of the class of the affected series and its assets, and shall not constitute obligations of any shareholder of any other class of the affected series or any other class or series of the Trust.
Section 13. If any provision of this Plan shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of the Plan shall not be affected thereby.
Dated: April 21, 2016
Amended: August 24, 2016
Amended: July 14, 2017
3
SCHEDULE A
to the SHAREHOLDER
SERVICES PLAN
Dated as of April 21, 2016
Amended as of August 24, 2016
Amended as of July 14, 2017
A-1
A-1
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Enhanced Growth Strategy (September) Fund |
Institutional, Investor, A and C Classes |
0.25% | 08-24-2016 |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Enhanced Growth Strategy (October) Fund |
Institutional, Investor, A and C Classes |
0.25% | 08-24-2016 |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Enhanced Growth Strategy (November) Fund |
Institutional, Investor, A and C Classes |
0.25% | 08-24-2016 |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Enhanced Growth Strategy (December) Fund |
Institutional, Investor, A and C Classes |
0.25% | 08-24-2016 |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Dividend Aristocrats Target Income Fund |
Institutional, Investor, A and C Classes |
0.25% | 07-14-2017 |
Cboe Vest S&P 500 ® Enhance and Buffer Fund |
Institutional, Investor, A and C Classes |
0.25% | 11-03-2017 |
CBOE Vest Digital Coin Fund |
Institutional, Investor, A and C Classes |
0.25% | 07-14-2017 |
A-1
WORLD FUNDS TRUST
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES PLAN
Mission-Auour Risk-Managed Global Equity Fund
WHEREAS , the World Funds Trust (the Trust) is engaged in business as a diversified, open- end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), and the Trust desires to compensate service providers (Service Providers) that provide the services described herein to clients (the Clients) who from time to time beneficially own shares of beneficial interest (the Shares) of any series and class of the Trust listed in Schedule A to this Shareholder Services Plan (each a Fund, and collectively, the Funds); and
WHEREAS , the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the Trustees or the Board) have determined, in the exercise of reasonable business judgment and in light of its fiduciary duties, that there is a reasonable likelihood that this Shareholder Services Plan (the Plan) will benefit the Funds and the Clients owning the Shares of such Funds;
NOW, THEREFORE , the Trustees hereby set forth the terms and conditions under which the Trust may compensate Service Providers for providing shareholder services as described herein.
Section 1. The Trust has adopted this Plan to enable the Trust to directly or indirectly bear expenses relating to the provision of certain shareholder services to certain series and classes of the Trust, as listed in Schedule A to this Plan.
Section 2. The Trust will pay Service Providers a fee, up to the amount specified in Schedule A to this Plan, with respect to the average daily net asset value of shares owned of record or beneficially by clients with whom the Service Provider has a service relationship for shareholder services. Services for which this fee may be paid include, but are not limited to, (i) maintaining accounts relating to Clients that invest in Shares; (ii) arranging for bank wires; (iii) responding to Client inquiries relating to the services performed by Service Providers; (iv) responding to inquiries from Clients concerning their investment in Shares; (v) assisting Clients in changing dividend options, account designations and addresses; (vi) providing information periodically to Clients showing their position in Shares; (vii) forwarding shareholder communications from the Funds such as proxies, shareholder reports, annual reports, and dividend distribution and tax notices to Clients; (viii) processing purchase, exchange and redemption requests from Clients and placing orders with the Funds or their service providers; (ix) providing sub-accounting with respect to Shares beneficially owned by Clients; and (x) processing dividend payments from the Funds on behalf of Clients. Service Providers may also use this fee for payments to financial institutions and intermediaries such as banks, savings and loan associations, insurance companies and investment counselors, broker-dealers, mutual fund supermarkets and the Service Providers affiliates and subsidiaries as compensation for such services as are described herein.
Section 3. This Plan shall, with respect to any Fund and class thereof be approved, together with any related agreements, by votes of the majority of both (i) the Trustees of the Trust and (ii) the Qualified Trustees (as defined in Section 8 herein).
Section 4. This Plan shall, unless terminated as hereinafter provided, continue in effect for a period of more than one year after it takes effect, only for so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in the manner provided in Section 3 herein for the approval of this Plan.
A-1
Section 5. During the existence of this Plan, the Trust shall require the Distributor, or any person authorized to direct the disposition of monies paid or payable by the Trust pursuant to this Plan or any related agreement, shall provide to the Trustees, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts so expended and the purposes for which such expenditures were made with respect to each Fund, and shall furnish the Trustees with such other information as the Board of Trustees may reasonably request in connection with payments made under the Plan.
Section 6. This Plan may be terminated at any time, with respect to Shares of any Fund listed in Schedule A, without payment of any penalty, at any time by the vote of a majority of the Qualified Trustees as defined in Section 8 herein.
Section 7. All agreements with any person relating to the implementation of this Plan shall be in writing, and any agreement related to this Plan shall provide (a) that such agreement may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by the vote of a majority of the Qualified Trustees (as defined in Section 8 herein), on not more than 60 days written notice to any other party to the agreement.
Section 8. As used in this Plan, (a) the term Qualified Trustees shall mean those Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust, and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or any agreements related to it, and (b) the terms assignment and interested person shall have the respective meanings specified in the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, subject to such exemptions as may be granted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Section 9. While this Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of those Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust, within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act, shall be committed to the discretion of the Trustees then in office who are not interested persons of the Trust.
Section 10. This Plan shall not obligate the Trust or any other party to enter into an agreement with any particular person.
Section 11. This Plan may be amended at any time by the Board, provided that any material amendment of this Plan shall be effective only upon approval in the manner provided in Section 3 herein.
Section 12. Consistent with the limitation of shareholder and trustee liability as set forth in the Trusts Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, each as amended and supplemented, any obligations assumed by the Trust, a class thereof pursuant to this Plan and any agreements related to this Plan shall be limited in all cases to the proportionate ownership of the class of the affected series and its assets, and shall not constitute obligations of any shareholder of any other class of the affected series or any other class or series of the Trust.
Section 13. If any provision of this Plan shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of the Plan shall not be affected thereby.
Dated: September 20, 2017
A-1
SCHEDULE A
to the SHAREHOLDER
SERVICES PLAN
Dated as of September 20, 2017
Fund Name | Class | Fee | Date Added |
Mission-Auour Risk-Managed Global Equity Fund |
Class A Shares, Investor Shares and Institutional Shares |
0.15% | 09-20-2017 |
A-1
|
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 27, 2017
World Funds Trust
8730 Stony Point Parkway,
Suite 205
Richmond, VA 23235
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We hereby consent 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 Mission-Auour Risk-Managed Global Equity Fund, a series portfolio of the World Funds Trust (the Trust), which is included in Post-Effective Amendment No. 268 to the Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (No. 333-148723), and Amendment No. 269 to Registration Statement under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (No. 811-22172), on Form N-1A of the Trust.
Sincerely, | |
/s/ John H. Lively | |
The Law Offices of John H. Lively & Associates, Inc. |
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the references to our firm in the Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of World Funds Trust and to the use of our report dated March 1, 2017 on the financial statements and financial highlights of the Mission-Auour Risk-Managed Global Equity Fund (formerly known as Global Strategic Income Fund). Such financial statements and financial highlights appear in the 2016 Annual Report to Shareholders which are also incorporated by reference into Statement of Additional Information.
TAIT, WELLER & BAKER LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
December 28,
2017
WORLD FUNDS TRUST
DISTRIBUTION AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICES PLAN PURSUANT TO RULE 12b-1
For Funds Advised by Mission Institutional Advisors, LLC
WHEREAS , the World Funds Trust (the Trust) a statutory trust organized and existing under the laws of the state of Delaware, engages in business as an open-end management investment company and is registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act); and
WHEREAS , the Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest (the Shares), in separate series representing the interests in separate funds of securities and other assets; and
WHEREAS , the Trust offers a series of such Shares representing interests in the Fund(s) (a Fund) listed in Schedule A attached hereto; and
WHEREAS , the Trust desires to adopt a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan (Plan) with respect to the class(es) of Shares of the Fund identified in Section 2(a) of this Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act; and
WHEREAS , the Trustees of the Trust as a whole, including the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust (as defined in the 1940 Act) and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or in any agreement relating hereto (the Non-Interested Trustees), having determined, in the exercise of reasonable business judgment and in light of their fiduciary duties under state law and under Section 36(a) and (b) of the 1940 Act, that there is a reasonable likelihood that this Plan will benefit the Fund and its shareholders, have approved this Plan by votes cast at a meeting held in person and called for the purpose of voting hereon and on any agreements related hereto;
NOW, THEREFORE , the Trust hereby adopts this Plan in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, with respect to the class(es) of Shares of the Fund identified in Section 2(a) of this Plan and on the following terms and conditions:
1. Servicing Activities. Subject to the supervision of the Trustees of the Trust, the Trust may, directly or indirectly, engage in any activities primarily intended to result in the sale of Shares of the Fund of the class(es) of Shares identified in Section 2(a) of this Plan, which activities may include, but are not limited to, the following:
(a) payments to the Trusts distributor (the Distributor) and to securities dealers and others in respect of the sale of Shares of the Fund;
(b) Subject to the limits on payments under the Plan set forth herein, or in any annual budget approved by the Trust, the Trust shall reimburse up to the amounts called for under the Plan with respect to each class of shares of the Fund. Such reimbursements shall be for all expenses incurred by such parties in the promotion and distribution of the Funds shares. For this purpose, expenses authorized under the Plan include, but are not limited to, printing of prospectuses and reports used for sales purposes, expenses of preparation of sales literature and related expenses, advertisements, salaries and benefits of employees involved in sales of shares, telephone expenses, meeting and space rental expenses, interest charges on funds used to finance activities under this Plan, and other distribution-related expenses, as well as any service fees paid to securities dealers or others who have executed an agreement with the Trust or its affiliates.
(c) formulation and implementation of marketing and promotional activities, including, but not limited to, direct mail promotions and television, radio, newspaper, magazine and other mass media advertising;
(d) preparation, printing and distribution of sales literature;
(e) preparation, printing and distribution of prospectuses and statements of additional information and reports of the Trust for recipients other than existing shareholders of the Trust;
(f) obtaining information and providing explanations to wholesale and retail distributors of contracts regarding Fund investment objectives and policies and other information about the Fund, including the performance of the Fund;
(g) obtaining such information, analyses and reports with respect to marketing and promotional activities as the Trust may, from time to time, deem advisable.
The Trust is authorized to engage in the activities listed above, and in any other activities primarily intended to result in the sale of Shares of the Fund, either directly or through other persons with which the Trust has entered into agreements related to this Plan.
2. Maximum Expenditures.
(a) The expenditures to be made by the Fund pursuant to this Plan and the basis upon which payment of such expenditures will be made shall be determined by the Trustees of the Trust, but in no event may such expenditures exceed the following:
(1) |
Investor
Shares
. For the Investor Shares of the Funds, the Funds may reimburse an amount
calculated at the rate of up to 0.25% per annum of the average daily net asset value
of the Investor Shares of the Funds for each year or portion thereof included in
the period for which the computation is being made, elapsed since the commencement
of operations of the Investor Shares to the date of such expenditures.
|
||
(2) |
Class A
Shares
. For the A Shares of the Funds, the Funds may reimburse an amount calculated
at the rate of up to 0.25% per annum of the average daily net asset value of the
A Shares of the Funds for each year or portion thereof included in the period for
which the computation is being made, elapsed since the commencement of operations
of the A Shares to the date of such expenditures.
|
(b) Allocation of Class Expenses . Only distribution expenditures properly attributable to the sale of a particular class may be used to support the distribution and shareholder services fee charged to shareholders of such class. Expenses attributable to the sale of more than one class will be allocated in a manner deemed equitable by the Board.
3. Term and Termination.
(a) This Plan shall become effective with respect to each class on the date that such class commences operation.
(b) Unless terminated as herein provided, this Plan shall continue in effect with respect to each class of the Fund for one year from the effective date of the Plan for such class and shall continue in effect for successive periods of one year thereafter, but only so long as each such continuance is
specifically approved by votes of a majority of both (i) the Trustees of the Trust and (ii) the Non-Interested Trustees, cast at an in-person meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
(c) This Plan may be terminated at any time with respect to a particular class of the Fund by a vote of a majority of the Non-Interested Trustees or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of such class of the respective Fund.
4. Amendments. No material amendment to this Plan shall be made unless: (a) it is approved in the manner provided for annual renewal of this Plan in Section 3(b) hereof; and (b) if the proposed amendment will increase materially the maximum expenditures permitted by Section 2 hereof with respect to any class, it is approved by a vote of the majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of such class.
5. Selection and Nomination of Trustees. While this Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of the Non-Interested Trustees of the Trust shall be committed to the discretion of such Non-Interested Trustees.
6. Quarterly Reports. The Trusts Distributor or Treasurer shall provide to the Trustees of the Trust and the Trustees shall review quarterly a written report of the amounts expended pursuant to this Plan and any related agreement and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.
7. Recordkeeping. The Trust shall preserve copies of this Plan and any related agreement and all reports made pursuant to Section 6 hereof, for a period of not less than six years from the date of this Plan. Any such related agreement or such reports for the first two years will be maintained in an easily accessible place.
8. Limitation of Liability. Any obligations of the Trust hereunder shall not be binding upon any of the Trustees, officers or shareholders of the Trust personally, but shall bind only the assets and property of the Trust. The term World Funds Trust means and refers to the Trustees from time to time serving under the Trusts Declaration of Trust (Declaration of Trust), which may be amended from time to time. This Plan has been authorized by the Trustees (including, the Non-Interested Trustees), acting as such and not individually, and such authorization by such Trustees shall not be deemed to have been made by any of them individually or to impose any liability on any of them personally, but shall bind only the assets and property of the Trust as provided in the Trusts Declaration of Trust.
This Plan was authorized with respect to the class(es) of Shares identified in Section 2(a) of this Plan on September 20, 2017.
SCHEDULE A
Funds
Mission-Auour Risk-Managed Global Equity Fund
WORLD FUNDS TRUST
DISTRIBUTION AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICES PLAN PURSUANT TO RULE 12b-1
For Funds Advised by CBOE Vest Financial, LLC
WHEREAS , the World Funds Trust (the Trust) a statutory trust organized and existing under the laws of the state of Delaware, engages in business as an open-end management investment company and is registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act); and
WHEREAS , the Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest (the Shares), in separate series representing the interests in separate funds of securities and other assets; and
WHEREAS , the Trust offers a series of such Shares representing interests in the fund(s) (a Fund) listed in Schedule A attached hereto; and
WHEREAS , the Trust desires to adopt a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan (Plan) with respect to the class(es) of Shares of the Fund identified in Section 2(a) of this Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act; and
WHEREAS , the Trustees of the Trust as a whole, including the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust (as defined in the 1940 Act) and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or in any agreement relating hereto (the Non-Interested Trustees), having determined, in the exercise of reasonable business judgment and in light of their fiduciary duties under state law and under Section 36(a) and (b) of the 1940 Act, that there is a reasonable likelihood that this Plan will benefit the Fund and its shareholders, have approved this Plan by votes cast at a meeting held in person and called for the purpose of voting hereon and on any agreements related hereto;
NOW, THEREFORE , the Trust hereby adopts this Plan in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, with respect to the class(es) of Shares of the Fund identified in Section 2(a) of this Plan and on the following terms and conditions:
1. Servicing Activities. Subject to the supervision of the Trustees of the Trust, the Trust may, directly or indirectly, engage in any activities primarily intended to result in the sale of Shares of the Fund of the class(es) of Shares identified in Section 2(a) of this Plan, which activities may include, but are not limited to, the following:
(a) payments to the Trusts distributor (the Distributor) and to securities dealers and others in respect of the sale of Shares of the Fund;
(b) payment of compensation to and expenses of personnel (including personnel of organizations with which the Trust has entered into agreements related to this Plan) who engage in or support distribution of Shares of the Fund or who render shareholder support services not otherwise provided by the Trusts transfer agent, administrator, or custodian, including but not limited to, answering inquiries regarding the Trust, processing shareholder transactions, providing personal services and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts, providing other shareholder liaison services, responding to shareholder inquiries, providing information on shareholder investments in the Shares of the Fund, and providing such other distribution and shareholder services as the Trust may reasonably request, arranging for bank wires, assisting shareholders in changing dividend options, account designations and addresses, providing information periodically to shareholders showing their positions in the Fund, forwarding communications from the Fund such as proxies, shareholder reports, annual reports, and dividend distribution and tax notices to shareholders, processing purchase, exchange, and redemption requests from shareholders and placing orders with the Fund or its service providers;
(c) formulation and implementation of marketing and promotional activities, including, but not limited to, direct mail promotions and television, radio, newspaper, magazine and other mass media advertising;
(d) preparation, printing and distribution of sales literature;
(e) preparation, printing and distribution of prospectuses and statements of additional information and reports of the Trust for recipients other than existing shareholders of the Trust;
(f) obtaining information and providing explanations to wholesale and retail distributors of contracts regarding Fund investment objectives and policies and other information about the Fund, including the performance of the Fund;
(g) obtaining such information, analyses and reports with respect to marketing and promotional activities as the Trust may, from time to time, deem advisable.
The Trust is authorized to engage in the activities listed above, and in any other activities primarily intended to result in the sale of Shares of the Fund, either directly or through other persons with which the Trust has entered into agreements related to this Plan.
2. Maximum Expenditures.
(a) The expenditures to be made by the Fund pursuant to this Plan and the basis upon which payment of such expenditures will be made shall be determined by the Trustees of the Trust, but in no event may such expenditures exceed the following:
(1) |
Class A
Shares
. For the Class A Shares of the Fund, the Fund may pay an amount calculated
at the rate of up to 0.25% per annum of the average daily net asset value of the
Class A Shares of the Fund for each year or portion thereof included in the period
for which the computation is being made, elapsed since the commencement of operations
of the Class A Shares to the date of such expenditures.
|
||
(2) |
Class C
Shares
. For the Class C Shares of the Fund, the Fund may pay an amount calculated
at the rate of up to 1.00% (0.25% for service fees and 0.75% for distribution fees)
per annum of the average daily net asset value of the Class C Shares of the Fund
for each year or portion thereof included in the period for which the computation
is being made, elapsed since the commencement of operations of the Class C Shares
to the date of such expenditures. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event may
expenditures paid by the Fund under, or pursuant to, this Plan as service fees with
respect to Class C Shares of the Fund exceed an amount calculated at the rate of
0.25% of the average annual net assets of such Class, nor may such expenditures
paid as service fees under, or pursuant to, this Plan to any person who sells the
Shares of the Fund exceed an amount calculated at the rate of 0.25% of the average
annual net asset value of such Shares. Payments for distribution and shareholder
servicing activities may be made directly by the Trust to other persons with which
the Trust has entered into agreements related to this Plan.
|
||
(3) |
Investor
Shares
. For the Investor Shares of the Funds, the Funds may pay an amount calculated
at the rate of up to 0.25% per annum of the average daily net asset value of the
Investor Shares of the Funds for each year or portion thereof included in the period
for which the computation is being made, elapsed since the commencement of operations
of the Investor Shares to the date of such expenditures.
|
(b) Allocation of Class Expenses . Only distribution expenditures properly attributable to the sale of a particular class may be used to support the distribution and shareholder services fee charged to shareholders of such class. Expenses attributable to the sale of more than one class will be allocated in a manner deemed equitable by the Board.
3. Term and Termination.
(a) This Plan shall become effective with respect to each class on the date that such class commences operation.
(b) Unless terminated as herein provided, this Plan shall continue in effect with respect to each class of the Fund for one year from the effective date of the Plan for such class and shall continue in effect for successive periods of one year thereafter, but only so long as each such continuance is specifically approved by votes of a majority of both (i) the Trustees of the Trust and (ii) the Non-Interested Trustees, cast at an in-person meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
(c) This Plan may be terminated at any time with respect to a particular class of the Fund by a vote of a majority of the Non-Interested Trustees or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of such class of the respective Fund.
4. Amendments. No material amendment to this Plan shall be made unless: (a) it is approved in the manner provided for annual renewal of this Plan in Section 3(b) hereof; and (b) if the proposed amendment will increase materially the maximum expenditures permitted by Section 2 hereof with respect to any class, it is approved by a vote of the majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of such class.
5. Selection and Nomination of Trustees. While this Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of the Non-Interested Trustees of the Trust shall be committed to the discretion of such Non-Interested Trustees.
6. Quarterly Reports. The Trusts Distributor or Treasurer shall provide to the Trustees of the Trust and the Trustees shall review quarterly a written report of the amounts expended pursuant to this Plan and any related agreement and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.
7. Recordkeeping. The Trust shall preserve copies of this Plan and any related agreement and all reports made pursuant to Section 6 hereof, for a period of not less than six years from the date of this Plan. Any such related agreement or such reports for the first two years will be maintained in an easily accessible place.
8. Limitation of Liability. Any obligations of the Trust hereunder shall not be binding upon any of the Trustees, officers or shareholders of the Trust personally, but shall bind only the assets and property of the Trust. The term World Funds Trust means and refers to the Trustees from time to time serving under the Trusts Declaration of Trust (Declaration of Trust), which may be amended from time to time. This Plan has been authorized by the Trustees (including, the Non-Interested Trustees), acting as such and not individually, and such authorization by such Trustees shall not be deemed to have been made by any of them individually or to impose any liability on any of them personally, but shall bind only the assets and property of the Trust as provided in the Trusts Declaration of Trust.
This Plan was first authorized with respect to the class(es) of Shares identified in Section 2(a) of this Plan on August 24, 2016 and as Amended as of July 14, 2017.
SCHEDULE A
CBOE Vest Defined Distribution Strategy
Fund
CBOE Vest S&P 500
®
Buffer Protect 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
CBOE Vest S&P 500
®
Buffer Protect Strategy (December)
Fund
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
CBOE Vest S&P 500
®
Dividend Aristocrats
Target Income Fund
Cboe Vest S&P 500
®
Enhance and Buffer Fund
CBOE Vest
Digital Coin Fund
WORLD FUNDS TRUST RULE 18F-3 MULTI-CLASS PLAN
For Funds Advised by Mission-Auour Institutional Advisors, LLC
I. Introduction.
Pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (1940 Act), this Rule 18f-3 Multi-Class Plan (Plan) sets forth the general characteristics of, and conditions under which the World Funds Trust (Trust) may offer, multiple classes of shares (each a Class of Shares and collectively Classes of Shares) of the series (each a Fund) identified on Schedule A to this Plan.
In addition, the Plan sets forth the shareholder servicing arrangements, distribution arrangements, conversion features, exchange privileges, and other shareholder services of each Class of Shares in the Fund. The Plan is intended to allow a Fund to offer multiple Classes of Shares to the fullest extent and manner permitted by Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act, subject to the requirements and conditions imposed by that rule. This Plan may be revised or amended from time to time as provided below.
Each Fund is authorized, as indicated below in the section Class Arrangements, to issue the following Classes of Shares representing interests in a Fund:
Class A Shares
Investor Shares
Institutional Shares and
Class Z Shares.
Each Class of Shares will represent interests in the same portfolio of a Fund and, except as described herein, shall have the same rights and obligations as each other Class of Shares of the Fund. Each Class of Shares shall be subject to such investment minimums and other conditions of eligibility as are set forth in a Funds prospectus (Prospectus) or statement of additional information (Statement of Additional Information), as amended from time to time.
II. Allocation of Expenses.
Pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act, the Trust shall allocate to each Class of Shares in a Fund: (i) any fees and expenses incurred by the Trust in connection with the distribution of such Class of Shares under a distribution plan (and related agreements) adopted for such Class of Shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act; and (ii) any fees and expenses incurred by the Trust under a shareholder servicing plan (and related agreements) in connection with the provision of shareholder services to the holders of such Class of Shares. In addition, pursuant to Rule 18f-3, the Trust may allocate the following fees and expenses to a particular Class of Shares in a single Fund:
(a) |
Transfer agency
fees, sub-accounting, sub-transfer agency, sub-administration, administration and
other similar fees and expenses identified by a Funds service providers as
being attributable to such Class of Shares;
|
|
(b) |
Printing and
postage expenses related to preparing and distributing materials such as shareholder
reports, notices, prospectuses, reports, and proxies to current shareholders of
such Class of Shares or to regulatory agencies with respect to such Class of Shares;
|
|
(c)
|
Blue sky registration
or qualification fees incurred by such Class of Shares;
|
(d)
|
Securities
and Exchange Commission registration fees incurred by such Class of Shares;
|
|
(e) |
The expense
of administrative and personnel services (including, but not limited to, those of
a portfolio accountant or dividend paying agent charged with calculating net asset
values or determining or paying dividends) as required to support the shareholders
of such Class of Shares;
|
|
(f)
|
Litigation
or other legal expenses relating solely to such Class of Shares;
|
|
(g)
|
Fees of the
Trustees of the Trust incurred as a result of issues particularly relating to such
Class of Shares;
|
|
(h)
|
Independent
registered public accountants fees relating solely to such Class of Shares;
and
|
|
(i)
|
Any additional
expenses, other than advisory or custodial fees or other expenses relating to the
management of a Funds assets, if such expenses are actually incurred in a
different amount with respect to a Class of Shares that are of a different kind
or to a different degree than with respect to one or more other Classes of Shares.
|
The initial determination of the class specific expenses that will be allocated by the Trust to a particular Class of Shares and any subsequent changes thereto will be reviewed by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and approved by a vote of the Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust.
Income, realized and unrealized capital gains and losses, and any expenses of a Fund not allocated to a particular Class of Shares of the Fund pursuant to this Plan shall be allocated to each Class of Shares of the Fund on the basis of the net asset value of that Class of Shares in relation to the net asset value of the Fund.
III. Dividends.
Dividends paid by the Trust with respect to each Class of Shares, to the extent any dividends are paid, will be calculated in the same manner, at the same time and will be in the same amount, except that any fees and expenses that are properly allocated to a particular Class of Shares will be borne by that Class of Shares.
IV. Voting Rights.
Each share (or fraction thereof) of a Fund entitles the shareholder of record to one vote (or fraction thereof). Each Class of Shares of a Fund will vote separately as a Class of Shares with respect to: (i) the adoption of any Rule 12b-1 distribution plan applicable to that Class of Shares and any increase in the amount paid under such distribution plan; and (ii) any other matters for which voting on a Class of Shares by Class of Shares basis is required under applicable law or interpretative positions of the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
V. Class Arrangements.
The following summarizes the front-end sales charges, contingent deferred sales charges, Rule 12b-1 fees, shareholder servicing fees, conversion features, exchange privileges, and other shareholder services applicable to each Class of Shares of a Fund. Additional details regarding such fees and services are set forth in a Funds current Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.
2
(a) | Class A Shares. | |
1. |
Maximum Initial
Sales Load (as a percentage of offering price): 5.75%.
|
|
|
||
2.
|
Maximum Contingent
Deferred Sales Charge: None for purchases less than $1 million. A 1.00% contingent
deferred sales charge will apply to redemptions effected within one year of any
purchase of $1 million or more in Class A Shares of the Fund. Additional details
on such Charge are set forth in the Funds current Prospectus and Statement
of Additional Information.
|
|
|
||
3.
|
Rule 12b-1
Distribution: Pursuant to a Plan of Distribution adopted under Rule 12b-1, Class
A Shares of the Fund may pay distribution and shareholder servicing fees of up to
0.25% per annum of the average daily net assets of any such Class A Shares.
|
|
|
||
4.
|
Conversion
Features: None.
|
|
|
||
5.
|
Redemption
Fee: None.
|
|
|
||
6.
|
Exchange Privileges:
Class A Shares of a Fund may be exchanged for Class A Shares of any other series
of the Trust advised by the same investment adviser at net asset value.
|
|
|
||
7.
|
Other Shareholder
Services: As described in the current Prospectus for the Fund.
|
|
|
||
(b) | Investor Shares | |
|
||
1.
|
Maximum Initial
Sales Load (as a percentage of offering price): None.
|
|
|
||
2.
|
Maximum Contingent
Deferred Sales Charge: None.
|
|
|
||
3.
|
Rule 12b-1
Distribution: Pursuant to a Plan of Distribution adopted under Rule 12b-1, Investor
Shares of the Fund may pay distribution and shareholder servicing fees of up to
0.25% per annum of the average daily net assets of any such Investor Shares.
|
|
|
||
4.
|
Conversion
Features: None.
|
|
|
||
5.
|
Redemption
Fee: None.
|
|
|
||
6.
|
Exchange Privileges:
Investor Shares of a Fund may be exchanged for Investor Shares of any other series
of the Trust advised by the same investment adviser at net asset value.
|
|
|
||
7.
|
Other Shareholder
Services: As described in the current Prospectus for the Fund.
|
|
|
||
(c) | Institutional Shares | |
|
||
1.
|
Maximum Initial
Sales Load (as a percentage of offering price): None
|
|
|
||
2.
|
Maximum Contingent
Deferred Sales Charge: None.
|
|
|
3
3. |
Rule 12b-1
Distribution: None.
|
|
|
||
4.
|
Conversion
Features: None.
|
|
|
||
5.
|
Redemption
Fee: None.
|
|
|
||
6.
|
Exchange Privileges:
Institutional Shares of a Fund may be exchanged for Institutional Shares of any
other series of the Trust advised by the same investment adviser at net asset value.
|
|
|
||
7.
|
Other Shareholder
Services: As described in the current Prospectus for the Fund.
|
|
|
||
(d) | Class Z Shares. | |
|
||
1.
|
Maximum Initial
Sales Load (as a percentage of offering price): None.
|
|
|
||
2.
|
Maximum Contingent
Deferred Sales Charge: None.
|
|
3.
|
Rule 12b-1
Distribution: None.
|
|
|
||
4.
|
Conversion
Features: None.
|
|
|
||
5.
|
Redemption
Fee: None.
|
|
|
||
6.
|
Exchange Privileges:
Class Z Shares of a Fund may be exchanged for Class Z Shares of any other series
of the Trust advised by the same investment adviser at net asset value.
|
|
|
||
7.
|
Other Shareholder
Services: None.
|
4
VI. Board
Review.
The Board of Trustees of the Trust shall review this Plan as frequently as they deem necessary. Prior to any material amendment(s) to this Plan, the Trusts Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees that are not interested persons of the Trust, shall find that the Plan, as proposed to be amended (including any proposed amendments to the method of allocating Class and/or Fund expenses), is in the best interest of each Class of Shares individually and in a Fund as a whole. In considering whether to approve any proposed amendment(s) to the Plan, the Trustees of the Trust shall request and evaluate such information as they consider reasonably necessary to evaluate the proposed amendment(s) to the Plan.
Adopted: September 20, 2017
5
SCHEDULE A
to the
RULE 18F-3 MULTI-CLASS PLAN
For Funds Advised by Mission Institutional Advisors, LLC
Mission-Auour Risk-Managed Global Equity Fund
6
WORLD FUNDS TRUST RULE 18F-3 MULTI-CLASS PLAN |
For Funds Advised by CBOE Vest Financial, LLC |
I. | Introduction. |
Pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (1940 Act), this Rule 18f-3 Multi-Class Plan (Plan) sets forth the general characteristics of, and conditions under which the World Funds Trust (Trust) may offer, multiple classes of shares (each a Class of Shares and collectively Classes of Shares) of the series (each a Fund) identified on Schedule A to this Plan.
In addition, the Plan sets forth the shareholder servicing arrangements, distribution arrangements, conversion features, exchange privileges, and other shareholder services of each Class of Shares in the Fund. The Plan is intended to allow a Fund to offer multiple Classes of Shares to the fullest extent and manner permitted by Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act, subject to the requirements and conditions imposed by that rule. This Plan may be revised or amended from time to time as provided below.
Each Fund is authorized, as indicated below in the section Class Arrangements, to issue the following Classes of Shares representing interests in a Fund:
Class
A Shares,
Class C Shares,
Investor Shares,
Institutional Shares, and
Class Y Shares.
Each Class of Shares will represent interests in the same portfolio of a Fund and, except as described herein, shall have the same rights and obligations as each other Class of Shares of the Fund. Each Class of Shares shall be subject to such investment minimums and other conditions of eligibility as are set forth in a Funds prospectus (Prospectus) or statement of additional information (Statement of Additional Information), as amended from time to time.
II. | Allocation of Expenses. |
Pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act, the Trust shall allocate to each Class of Shares in a Fund: (i) any fees and expenses incurred by the Trust in connection with the distribution of such Class of Shares under a distribution plan (and related agreements) adopted for such Class of Shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act; and (ii) any fees and expenses incurred by the Trust under a shareholder servicing plan (and related agreements) in connection with the provision of shareholder services to the holders of such Class of Shares. In addition, pursuant to Rule 18f-3, the Trust may allocate the following fees and expenses to a particular Class of Shares in a single Fund:
a. |
Transfer agency
fees, sub-accounting, sub-transfer agency, sub-administration, administration and
other similar fees and expenses identified by a Funds service providers as
being attributable to such Class of Shares;
|
|||
b. |
Printing and
postage expenses related to preparing and distributing materials such as shareholder
reports, notices, prospectuses, reports, and proxies to current shareholders
of such Class of Shares or to regulatory agencies with respect to such Class of
Shares;
|
c. |
Blue sky registration
or qualification fees incurred by such Class of Shares;
|
|||
d. |
Securities
and Exchange Commission registration fees incurred by such Class of Shares;
|
|||
e. |
The expense
of administrative and personnel services (including, but not limited to, those of
a portfolio accountant or dividend paying agent charged with calculating net asset
values or determining or paying dividends) as required to
|
|||
f. |
support the
shareholders of such Class of Shares;
|
|||
g. |
Litigation
or other legal expenses relating solely to such Class of Shares;
|
|||
h. |
Fees of the
Trustees of the Trust incurred as a result of issues particularly relating to such
Class of Shares;
|
|||
i. |
Independent
registered public accountants fees relating solely to such Class of
|
|||
j. | Shares; and | |||
k. |
Any additional
expenses, other than advisory or custodial fees or other expenses relating to the
management of a Funds assets, if such expenses are actually incurred in a
different amount with respect to a Class of Shares that are of a
|
|||
l. |
different
kind or to a different degree than with respect to one or more other Classes of
Shares.
|
The determination of the class specific expenses that will be allocated by the Trust to a particular Class of Shares and any subsequent changes thereto will be reviewed by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and approved and/or ratified by a vote of the Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust.
Income, realized and unrealized capital gains and losses, and any expenses of a Fund not allocated to a particular Class of Shares of the Fund pursuant to this Plan shall be allocated to each Class of Shares of the Fund on the basis of the net asset value of that Class of Shares in relation to the net asset value of the Fund.
III. | Dividends. |
Dividends paid by the Trust with respect to each Class of Shares, to the extent any dividends are paid, will be calculated in the same manner, at the same time and will be in the same amount, except that any fees and expenses that are properly allocated to a particular Class of Shares will be borne by that Class of Shares.
IV. | Voting Rights. |
Each share (or fraction thereof) of a Fund entitles the shareholder of record to one vote (or fraction thereof). Each Class of Shares of a Fund will vote separately as a Class of Shares with respect to: (i) the adoption of any Rule 12b-1 distribution plan applicable to that Class of Shares and any increase in the amount paid under such distribution plan; and (ii) any other matters for which voting on a Class of Shares by Class of Shares basis is required under applicable law or interpretative positions of the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
V. | Class Arrangements. |
The following summarizes the front-end sales charges, contingent deferred sales charges, Rule 12b-1 fees, shareholder servicing fees, conversion features, exchange privileges, and other shareholder services applicable to each Class of Shares of a Fund. Additional details regarding such fees and services are set
2
forth in a Funds current Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.
(a) | Class A Shares. | ||||
1. | Maximum Initial Sales Load (as a percentage of offering price): 5.75%. | ||||
2. | Maximum Contingent Deferred Sales Charge: None. | ||||
3. |
Rule 12b-1
Distribution/Shareholder Servicing Fees: Pursuant to a Distribution and Service
Plan adopted under Rule 12b-1 the 12b-1 Plan), Class A Shares of the
Fund may pay distribution and shareholder servicing fees of up to 0.25% per annum
of the average daily net assets of any such Class A Shares.
|
||||
4. | Conversion Features: None. | ||||
5. |
Redemption
Fee: 2.00% (as a percentage of amount redeemed within 30 days of purchase).
|
||||
6. |
Exchange Privileges: Class A Shares of a Fund may be exchanged for Class A Shares of any other series
of the Trust advised by the same investment adviser at net asset value.
|
||||
7. |
Other Shareholder Services: As described in the current Prospectus for the Fund.
|
(b) | Class C Shares. | ||||
1. | Maximum Initial Sales Load (as a percentage of offering price): None. | ||||
2. | Maximum Contingent Deferred Sales Charge: None. | ||||
3. |
Rule 12b-1
Distribution/Shareholder Servicing Fees: Pursuant to a Distribution and Service
Plan adopted under Rule 12b-1 (the 12b-1 Plan), Class C Shares of the
Fund may pay distribution and shareholder servicing fees of up to 1.00% per annum
of the average daily net assets of any such Class C Shares.
|
||||
4. | Conversion Features: None. | ||||
5. | Redemption Fee: 2.00% (as a percentage of amount redeemed within 30 days of purchase). |
3
6. |
Exchange Privileges: Class C Shares of a Fund may be exchanged for Class C Shares of any other series
of the Trust advised by the same investment adviser at net asset value.
|
||||
7. |
Other Shareholder Services: As described in the current Prospectus for the Fund.
|
||||
(c) | Investor Shares. |
1. | Maximum Initial Sales Load (as a percentage of offering price): None. | ||||
2. | Maximum Contingent Deferred Sales Charge: None. | ||||
3. |
Rule 12b-1
Distribution/Shareholder Servicing Fees: Pursuant to a Distribution and Service
Plan adopted under Rule 12b-1 the 12b-1 Plan), Investor Shares of the
Fund may pay distribution and shareholder servicing fees of up to 0.25% per annum
of the average daily net assets of any such Investor Shares.
|
||||
4. | Conversion Features: None. | ||||
5. |
Redemption
Fee: 2.00% (as a percentage of amount redeemed within 30 days of purchase).
|
||||
6. |
Exchange Privileges: Investor Shares of a Fund may be exchanged for Investor Shares of any other series
of the Trust advised by the same investment adviser at net asset value.
|
||||
7. |
Other Shareholder
Services: As described in the current Prospectus for the Fund.
|
(d) | Institutional Shares. |
1. | Maximum Initial Sales Load (as a percentage of offering price): None. | ||||
2. | Maximum Contingent Deferred Sales Charge: None. | ||||
3. | Rule 12b-1 Distribution/Shareholder Servicing Fees: None. | ||||
4. | Conversion Features: None. | ||||
5. | Redemption Fee: None. | ||||
6. | Exchange Privileges: Institutional Shares of a Fund may be exchanged for Institutional Shares of any other series of the Trust advised by the same investment adviser at net asset value. | ||||
7. | Other Shareholder Services: As described in the current Prospectus for the Fund |
(e) | Class Y Shares. |
1. | Maximum Initial Sales Load (as a percentage of offering price): None. |
4
2. | Maximum Contingent Deferred Sales Charge: None. | ||||
3. | Rule 12b-1 Distribution/Shareholder Servicing Fees: None. | ||||
4. | Conversion Features: None. | ||||
5. | Redemption Fee: None. | ||||
6. |
Exchange Privileges: Y Shares of a Fund may be exchanged for Y Shares of any other series of the Trust
advised by the same investment adviser at net asset value.
|
||||
7. |
Other Shareholder
Services: As described in the current Prospectus for the Fund
|
5
VI. | Board Review. |
The Board of Trustees of the Trust shall review this Plan as frequently as they deem necessary. Prior to any material amendment(s) to this Plan, the Trusts Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees that are not interested persons of the Trust, shall find that the Plan, as proposed to be amended (including any proposed amendments to the method of allocating Class and/or Fund expenses), is in the best interest of each Class of Shares individually and in a Fund as a whole. In considering whether to approve any proposed amendment(s) to the Plan, the Trustees of the Trust shall request and evaluate such information as they consider reasonably necessary to evaluate the proposed amendment(s) to the Plan.
Adopted: February 18, 2016 |
As amended: August 24, 2016 |
As amended: July 14, 2017 |
As amended: November 14, 2017 |
6
SCHEDULE A
to the
RULE 18F-3 MULTI-CLASS PLAN
For Funds Advised by CBOE Vest Financial, LLC
Fund | Share Class | Effective Date |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Buffer Protect Strategy Fund |
Class A, Class
C, Investor
Class, Institutional Class and Class Y |
November 14, 2017 |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Buffer Protect Strategy (January) Fund |
Class A, Class
C, Investor
Class and Institutional Class |
February 18, 2016 |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Buffer Protect Strategy (February) Fund |
Class A, Class
C, Investor
Class and Institutional Class |
February 18, 2016 |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Buffer Protect Strategy (March) Fund |
Class A, Class
C, Investor
Class and Institutional Class |
February 18, 2016 |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Buffer Protect Strategy (April) Fund |
Class A, Class
C, Investor
Class and Institutional Class |
February 18, 2016 |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Buffer Protect Strategy (May) Fund |
Class A, Class
C, Investor
Class and Institutional Class |
February 18, 2016 |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Buffer Protect Strategy (June) Fund |
Class A, Class
C, Investor
Class and Institutional Class |
February 18, 2016 |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Buffer Protect Strategy (July) Fund |
Class A, Class
C, Investor
Class and Institutional Class |
February 18, 2016 |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Buffer Protect Strategy (August) Fund |
Class A, Class
C, Investor
Class and Institutional Class |
February 18, 2016 |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Buffer Protect Strategy (September) Fund |
Class A, Class
C, Investor
Class and Institutional Class |
February 18, 2016 |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Buffer Protect Strategy (October) Fund |
Class A, Class
C, Investor
Class and Institutional Class |
February 18, 2016 |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Buffer Protect Strategy (November) Fund |
Class A, Class
C, Investor
Class and Institutional Class |
February 18, 2016 |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Buffer Protect Strategy (December) Fund |
Class A, Class
C, Investor
Class and Institutional Class |
February 18, 2016 |
CBOE Vest Defined Distribution Strategy Fund |
Class A, Class
C, Investor
Class, Institutional Class and Class Y |
February 18, 2016 |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Enhanced Growth Strategy Fund |
Class A, Class
C, Investor
Class, Institutional Class, and Class Y |
November 14, 2017 |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Enhanced Growth Strategy (January) Fund |
Class A, Class
C, Investor
Class and Institutional Class |
August 24, 2016 |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Enhanced Growth Strategy (February) Fund |
Class A, Class
C, Investor
Class and Institutional Class |
August 24, 2016 |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Enhanced Growth Strategy (March) Fund |
Class A, Class
C, Investor
Class and Institutional Class |
August 24, 2016 |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Enhanced Growth Strategy (April) Fund |
Class A, Class
C, Investor
Class and Institutional Class |
August 24, 2016 |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Enhanced Growth Strategy (May) Fund |
Class A, Class
C, Investor
Class and Institutional Class |
August 24, 2016 |
7
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Enhanced Growth Strategy (June) Fund |
Class A, Class
C, Investor
Class and Institutional Class |
August 24, 2016 |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Enhanced Growth Strategy (July) Fund |
Class A, Class
C, Investor
Class and Institutional Class |
August 24, 2016 |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Enhanced Growth Strategy (August) Fund |
Class A, Class
C, Investor
Class and Institutional Class |
August 24, 2016 |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Enhanced Growth Strategy (September) Fund |
Class A, Class
C, Investor
Class and Institutional Class |
August 24, 2016 |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Enhanced Growth Strategy (October) Fund |
Class A, Class
C, Investor
Class and Institutional Class |
August 24, 2016 |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Enhanced Growth Strategy (November) Fund |
Class A, Class
C, Investor
Class and Institutional Class |
August 24, 2016 |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Enhanced Growth Strategy (December) Fund |
Class A, Class
C, Investor
Class and Institutional Class |
August 24, 2016 |
CBOE Vest S&P 500 ® Dividend Aristocrats Target Income Fund |
Class A, Class
C, Investor
Class, Institutional Class and Class Y |
November 14, 2017 |
Cboe Vest S&P 500 ® Enhance and Buffer Fund |
Class A, Class
C, Investor
Class, Institutional Class, and Class Y |
November 14, 2017 |
CBOE Vest Digital Coins Fund |
Class A, Class
C, Investor
Class, Institutional Class and Class Y |
July 14, 2017 |
8
2 CODE OF ETHICS AND CONDUCT |
An investment
adviser is a fiduciary and owes its clients the highest duty of loyalty, relying
on each employee to avoid conduct that is or may be inconsistent with that duty.
All officers and employees of Mission Funds Advisors have responsibilities that
directly and indirectly reflect upon the reputation and successful business operation
of Mission Funds Advisors. The trust and confidence of clients and vendors is essential.
All employees will be responsible for ensuring that honesty and integrity are among
the highest priorities. It is also important for employees to avoid actions that,
while they may not actually involve a conflict of interest or an abuse of client
trust, may have the appearance of impropriety.
|
G ENERAL |
The adviser
has established and will maintain and enforce a written code of ethics. This code
of ethics sets forth policies and procedures, including the imposition of restrictions
on itself and employees, to the extent reasonably necessary to prevent certain violations
of applicable law. This Code of Ethics and Conduct (the Code) is intended to set
forth those policies and procedures and to describe the advisers broader policies
regarding its duty of loyalty to clients.
|
B
ASIC
P
RINCIPLES
|
This Code
is based on a few basic principles that should govern all investment related activities
of employees, personal as well as professional: (1) the interests of the advisers clients come before the advisers or any employees interests;
(2) each employees professional activities and personal investment activities
must be consistent with this Code and avoid any actual or potential conflict between
the interests of clients and those of the adviser or the employee; and (3) those
activities must be conducted in a way that avoids any abuse of an employees
position of trust with and responsibility to the adviser and its clients, including
taking inappropriate advantage of that position.
|
Employees
must conduct all advisory activities in compliance with applicable federal and state
securities laws, and other laws, rules and regulations, any applicable laws of foreign
jurisdictions, and adviser policies and procedures that have been adopted (or that
may in the future be adopted), as each may be amended from time to time, including
without limitation those prohibiting insider trading and front running.
|
P
ERSONAL
C
ONDUCT
|
All employees
should always be mindful of the advisers positions and reputation in the community.
Since success depends in part on public trust, employees should conduct personal
affairs so as to avoid discrediting or embarrassing the Mission Funds Advisors.
Personal behavior and appearance should be governed by common sense and good taste.
|
|
While conducting
business or representing the adviser, all employees are expected not to discriminate
on the basis of race, age, color, religion, national origin, sex, veteran status,
disability, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.
|
|
C
HIEF
C
OMPLIANCE
O
FFICER
|
Many of the
specific procedures, standards, and restrictions described in this Code involve
consultation with the Chief Compliance Officer (CCO). A senior principal of the
adviser will designate the CCO. The firms CCO is Sharon Goldberg.
|
S
ECURITY
|
For purposes
of this Code, the term security includes not only stocks, but also options, rights,
warrants, futures contracts, convertible securities or other securities in which
the advisers clients may invest or as to which the adviser may make recommendations
(sometimes also referred to as related securities).
|
C
OVERED
A
CCOUNTS
|
Many of the
procedures, standards and restrictions in this Code govern activities in Covered
Accounts. Covered Accounts consist of:
|
1.
|
Securities
accounts of which the adviser is a beneficial owner, except for investment partnerships
or other funds of which the adviser or any affiliated entity is the general partner,
investment adviser or investment manager or from which the adviser or such affiliated
entity receives fees based on capital gains.
|
|
2.
|
Each securities
account registered in an employees name and each account or transaction in
which an employee has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership interest (other
than accounts of investment limited partnerships or other investment funds not specifically
identified by the CCO as Covered Accounts)
|
B
ENEFICIAL
O
WNERSHIP
|
Beneficial
ownership of securities includes not only securities a person owns directly or
securities owned by others specifically for his or her benefit, but also (i) securities
held by his or her spouse, minor children and relatives who live full time in his
or her home, and (ii) securities held by another person if by reason of any contract,
understanding, relationship, agreement or other arrangement the employee obtains
benefits substantially equivalent to ownership.
|
P
ERSONAL
T
RADING
AND
I
NVESTMENT
A
CTIVITY
|
The adviser
imposes specific requirements related to each covered persons personal trading
and investment activity.
|
|
The adviser
considers the effects of various types of trading, including short term trading
and trading in new issues as a potential conflict of interest. Similarly, the adviser
may impose specific requirements related to investments in private placements.
|
|
The adviser
may decline any proposed trade by an employee that:
|
|
Involves a
security that is being or has been purchased or sold by the adviser on behalf of
any client account or is being considered for purchase or sale
|
|
|
Is otherwise
prohibited under any internal policies of the adviser (such as the advisers
Policy and Procedures to Detect and Prevent Insider Trading
)
|
|
|
Breaches the
employees fiduciary duty to any client
|
|
|
Is otherwise
inconsistent with applicable law, including the Advisers Act and the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA)
|
|
|
Creates an
appearance of impropriety
|
The Procedures
section addresses the advisers specific procedures for these types of investments
and trading.
|
S
ERVICE AS A
D
IRECTOR
|
No employee
may serve as a director of a publicly-held company without prior approval of the
CCO (or a senior principal) based upon a determination that service as a director
would not negatively impact the interests of any client. Whenever service is authorized,
the CCO will establish procedures to ensure an employee serving as a director will
be segregated from other employees who are involved in making decisions as to the
securities of that company, if applicable. These practices may also constitute illegal
insider trading. Some of the specific trading rules described below are also intended,
in part, to prevent front running and scalping. If an account is managed on a fully
discretionary basis by an investment adviser other than the adviser, these rules
will not apply if the employee(s) who has (have) a beneficial ownership interest
in the account does not have or exercise any discretion. Such accounts will remain
subject to the reporting requirements set forth in the next section of this Code.
|
G
IFTS AND
E
NTERTAINMENT
|
A gift of
nominal value is defined as cash, cash equivalent, physical item, service, or event
tickets with a value not to exceed $100.00. Any gifts given or received by the adviser
or any of its employees are considered in aggregate whether or not they were given/received
by the same or different people at the adviser or the other firm or party.
|
An entertainment
event includes any conference, meal or sponsored outing.
|
No employee
or member of an employees immediate family may receive any gift of more than
nominal value from any person or entity including clients and their service providers,
vendors and competitors. Gifts of nominal value are subject to disclosure requirements
as outlined in the Procedures Section below.
|
No employee
or member of an employees immediate family may send any gift of more than
nominal value to any person or entity including clients and their service providers,
vendors and competitors. Procedures for gifts of nominal value are outlined in the
Procedures Section below.
|
Advisory employees
are generally permitted to attend an approved entertainment event provided that
the purpose of the meeting is to discuss the advisers business, and provided
that the employee
AND
the vendor, service provider or client paying for the
event must be in attendance.
|
Similarly,
employees may invite clients to an event provided that the purpose of the meeting
is to discuss the advisers business, and the event has been approved by the
CCO or other advisory principal.
|
Records
of Expenses
|
Employees
must submit to the Mission Funds Advisors Administrator detailed records of the
nature and expense of business entertainment that includes the following information,
at minimum:
|
|
Date(s) of
business entertainment
|
|
|
Client or
vendor and employee names
|
|
|
Description
of the activity
|
|
|
Cost of the
activity
|
D
UTIES OF
C
ONFIDENTIALITY
|
All information
relating to clients portfolios and activities and to proposed recommendations
is strictly confidential. Transactions for a client account may not be disclosed,
except to authorized persons.
|
G
ENERAL
E
THICAL
C
ONDUCT
|
The following
are potentially compromising situations that must be avoided:
|
|
Causing the
adviser, acting as principal for its own account or for any account in which the
adviser or any person associated with the adviser to sell any security to or purchase
any security from a client in violation of any applicable law, rule or regulation
of a governmental agency
|
||
|
Communicating
any information regarding the adviser, the advisers investment products or
any client to prospective clients, journalists, or regulatory authorities that is
not accurate or fails to state a material fact
|
||
|
Engaging in
any act, practice, or course of business that is fraudulent, deceptive, or manipulative,
particularly with respect to a client or prospective client
|
||
|
Revealing
confidential information about the adviser or its clients
|
||
|
Engaging in
any conduct that is not in the best interest of the adviser or might appear to be
improper
|
||
|
Engaging in
any financial transaction with any of the advisers vendors, clients or employees
without prior CCO approval
|
||
|
Engaging in
any form of harassment
|
||
|
Improperly
using or authorizing the use of any inventions, programs, technology or knowledge
that are the proprietary information of the adviser
|
||
|
Investing
or holding outside interests or directorships in client, vendor, customer or competing
companies (including financial speculations), where such investments or directorships
might influence a decision or course of action of the adviser
|
||
|
Making any
agreement with vendors or other organizations without prior approval of the CCO
|
||
|
Unlawfully
discussing trading practices, pricing, clients, research, strategies, processes
or markets with competing companies or their employees
|
M
ISAPPROPRIATION
|
|
Misappropriating
client funds is prohibited. Examples of such acts include (1) unauthorized wire
or other transfers in and out of client accounts; (2) borrowing client funds; (3)
stealing client checks that are intended to be added or debited to existing accounts;
and (4) liquidating client securities and taking the proceeds.
|
|
I
NSIDER
T
RADING
|
|
The adviser
has adopted the following policies and procedures to detect and prevent the misuse
of material, nonpublic information by employees of the adviser.
|
|
Policy
Statement on Insider Trading
|
|
The adviser
prohibits any officer, director or employee from trading, either personally or on
behalf of others, on material nonpublic information or communicating material nonpublic
information to others in violation of the law. This conduct is frequently referred
to as insider trading. The advisers policy applies to every officer, director
and employee and extends to activities within and outside their duties. Any questions
regarding the advisers policy and procedures should be referred to the CCO.
|
The term insider
trading is not defined in the federal securities laws, but generally is used to
refer to the use of material nonpublic information to trade in securities (whether
or not one is an insider) or to communications of material nonpublic information
to others.
|
|
|
|
While the
law concerning insider trading is dynamic, it is generally understood that the law
prohibits the following:
|
|
Trading by
an insider while in possession of material nonpublic information
|
||
|
Trading by
a non-insider, while in possession of material nonpublic information, where the
information either was disclosed to the non-insider in violation of an insiders
duty to keep it confidential or was misappropriated
|
||
|
Communicating
material nonpublic information to others in violation of ones duty to keep
such information confidential
|
Insider
|
The definition
of an insider is broad. It includes officers, directors and employees of a company.
In addition, a person can be a temporary insider if he or she enters into a special
confidential relationship in the conduct of a companys affairs and as a result
is given access to information solely for the companys purposes. A temporary
insider can include certain outsiders such as, among others, a companys
attorneys, accountants, consultants, bank lending officers, and the employees of
such organizations.
|
M
ATERIAL
I
NFORMATION
|
While covered
persons are prohibited from trading on inside information, trading on inside information
is not a basis for liability unless the information is material. Information generally
is material if there is a substantial likelihood that a reasonable person would
consider it important in making his or her investment decisions, or if public dissemination
of the information is reasonably certain to have a substantial effect on the price
of a companys securities. Information that should be presumed to be material
includes, but is not limited to: dividend changes; earnings estimates; changes in
previously released earnings estimates; significant merger or acquisition proposals
or agreements; commencement of or developments in major litigation; liquidation
problems; and extraordinary management developments.
|
Questions
one might ask in determining whether information is material include:
|
|
Is this information
that a client would consider important in making his or her investment decisions?
Is this information that would substantially affect the market price of the securities
if generally disclosed?
|
||
|
Is the information
nonpublic? To whom has this information been provided? Has the information been
effectively communicated to the marketplace by being published in a recognized national
distribution agency or publication such as Reuters, The Wall Street Journal or other
such widely circulated publications?
|
Caution must
be exercised however, because material information does not necessarily have to
relate to a companys business.
|
Nonpublic
Information
|
Information
is nonpublic until it has been effectively communicated to the market place. One
must be able to point
to some fact to show that the information is generally public. For example, information
found in a report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or appearing
in Dow Jones, Reuters Economic Services, The Wall Street Journal or other publications
of general circulation would be considered public.
|
Types of
Liability
|
A non-insider
can enter into a confidential relationship with the company through which they gain
information or they can acquire a fiduciary duty to the companys shareholders
as tippees if they are aware or should have been aware that they have been given
confidential information by an insider.
|
In the tippee
situation, a breach of duty occurs only if the insider personally benefits, directly
or indirectly, from the disclosure. It is important to note that the benefit does
not have to be monetary; it can be a gift, and can even be a reputational benefit that will translate into future earnings.
|
Penalties
for Insider Trading
|
Penalties
for trading on or communicating material nonpublic information are severe, both
for individuals involved in the trading (or tipping) and their employers. A person
can be subject to some or all of the penalties below even if he or she does not
personally benefit from the violation. Penalties include:
|
|
Civil injunctions
|
||
|
Damages in
a civil suit as much as three times the amount of actual damages suffered by other
buyers or sellers
|
||
|
Disgorgement
of profits
|
||
|
Jail sentences
|
||
|
Fines for
the person who committed the violation of up to three times the profit gained or
loss avoided, whether or not the person actually benefited
|
||
|
Fines for
the employer or other controlling person of up to the greater of $1,000,000 or three
times the amount of the profit gained or loss avoided
|
||
|
Prohibition
from employment in the securities industry
|
In addition, any violation of this policy statement can be expected to result in serious disciplinary measures by the adviser, including dismissal of the persons involved.
POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS
Under Rule 206(4)-5 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, it is prohibited for an investment adviser to provide investment advisory services for compensation to a government entity within two years after a contribution to an official of the government entity is made by the investment adviser or any covered associate of the investment adviser (including a person who becomes a covered associate within two years after the contribution is made); and to provide, directly or indirectly, payment to any person to solicit a government entity for investment advisory services on behalf of such investment adviser unless such person is a regulated person or is an executive officer, general partner, managing member (or, in each case, a person with a similar status or function), or employee of the investment adviser; and to coordinate, or to solicit any person or political action committee to make, any contribution to an official of a government entity to which the investment adviser is providing or seeking to provide investment
advisory services or payment to a political party of a State or locality where the investment adviser is providing or seeking to provide investment advisory services to a government entity.
Rule 206(4)-5 does not ban or limit the amount of political contributions an adviser or its covered associates could make. The Rule permits contributions made by a covered associate (a natural person) to officials for whom the covered associate was entitled to vote at the time of the contributions and which in the aggregate do not exceed $350 to any one official, per election, or to officials for whom the covered associate was not entitled to vote at the time of the contributions and which in the aggregate do not exceed $150 to any one official, per election. These de minimis exceptions are available only for contributions by individual covered associates, not the investment adviser itself.
An official includes an incumbent, candidate or successful candidate for elective office of a government entity if the office is directly or indirectly responsible for, or can influence the outcome of, the hiring of an investment adviser or 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. Government entities include all state and local governments, their agencies and instrumentalities, and all public pension plans and other collective government funds, including participant-directed plans such as 403 (b), 457 , and 529 plans.
A contribution is defined to include a gift, subscription, loan, advance, deposit of money, or anything of value made for the purpose of influencing an election for a federal, state or local office, including any payments for debts incurred in such an election. It also includes transition or inaugural expenses incurred by a successful candidate for state or local office.
A covered associate of an investment adviser is defined as: (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 investment adviser and any person who supervises, directly or indirectly, such employee; and (iii) any political action committee controlled by the investment adviser or by any of its covered associates.
Rule 206(4)-5 generally prohibits advisers from paying third parties to solicit government entities for advisory business unless such third parties are registered broker-dealers or registered investment advisers, in each case themselves subject to pay to play restrictions.
Rule 206(4)-5 makes it unlawful for an adviser or any of its covered associates to solicit or to coordinate: (i) contributions to an official of a government entity to which the investment adviser is seeking to provide investment advisory services; or (ii) payments to a political party of a state or locality where the investment adviser is providing or seeking to provide investment advisory services to a government entity.
As it is not possible to anticipate all of the ways advisers and government officials may structure pay to play arrangements to attempt to evade the prohibitions of our rule, Rule 260(4)-5 makes it unlawful for an adviser or any of its covered associates to do anything indirectly which, if done directly, would result in a violation of the Rule.
An investment adviser to pooled investment vehicles in which a government entity invests or is solicited to invest will be treated as though the adviser were providing or seeking to provide investment advisory services directly to the government entity.
Permitted is the donation of time by an individual, provided the adviser has not solicited the individuals efforts and the advisers resources, such as office space and telephones, are not used. Similarly permitted
would be a charitable donation made by an investment adviser to an organization that qualifies for an exemption from federal taxation under the Internal Revenue Code, or its equivalent in a foreign jurisdiction, at the request of an official of a government entity.
Rule 204-2 is amended to require registered advisers that provide investment advisory services to a government entity, or to a covered investment pool in which a government entity is an investor, to make and keep records of contributions made by the adviser and covered associates to government officials (including candidates), and of payments to state or local political parties and PACs. The advisers records of contributions and payments must be listed in chronological order identifying each contributor and recipient, the amounts and dates of each contribution or payment and whether a contribution was subject to rule 206(4)-5s exception for certain returned contributions. The rule also requires an adviser that has government clients to make and keep a list of its covered associates and the government entities to which the adviser has provided advisory services in the past five years. Similarly, advisers to covered investment pools must make and keep a list of government entities that invest, or have invested in the past five years, in a covered investment pool, including any government entity that selects a covered investment pool to be an option of a plan or program of a government entity, such as a 529, 457 or 403(b) plan.
An investment adviser, regardless of whether it currently has a government client, must also keep a list of the names and business addresses of each regulated person to whom the adviser provides or agrees to provide, directly or indirectly, payment to solicit a government entity on its behalf. Rule 206(4)-5 permits an adviser to use certain third parties to solicit on its behalf. Advisers that provide or agree to provide, directly or indirectly, payment to advisers or broker-dealers that act as regulated persons under rule 206(4)-5 are required to maintain a list of the names and business addresses of each such regulated person.
Pay to
Play - Procedures
|
|
The CCO shall
be charged with the responsibility for tracking the Firms and covered
persons political contribution, monitoring any blackout periods so triggered
and maintaining all documentation required by Rule 206(4)-5. Political contribution(s)
by any employee of Mission Funds Advisors are prohibited unless approved by the
CCO or the CEO (or equivalent position) in writing even if the contribution is below
the de minimus level. The CCO shall maintain a log of all political contributions
made by Mission Funds Advisors or its covered persons that details who contributed,
date of contribution, amount of contribution, name of entity or person to whom the
contribution was made, exemption qualification, if blackout period is triggered
and any other information the CCO determines necessary to monitor the contributions
including evidence of the CCOs review. The CCO shall determine and maintain
a list of which employees/officers of Mission Funds Advisors are covered associates. The CCO shall maintain a list of governmental clients over the past five
years and a list of the covered associates complete with which governmental client
each has provided investment advice. The CCO shall maintain a list of all solicitors
or third party marketers that solicit on behalf to Mission Funds Advisors to government
entities as defined above. Annually, each employee of Mission Funds Advisors shall
attest that they have disclosed all political contributions for the period of attestation.
|
|
|
|
R
EPORTING
V
IOLATIONS OF THE
C
ODE
(W
HISTLEBLOWER
)
|
|
Knowing what
types of regulatory and compliance breaches must be reported is the job of every
associated person of the adviser. Advisory personnel are required to report any
apparent, suspect or known violation of the code to the CCO or to a partner of the
firm if the CCO is not reachable or is involved in the breach. Examples of compliance
breaches that should be reported include, but are not limited to:
|
|
Noncompliance
with applicable laws, rules, and regulations
|
|
|
Fraud or illegal
acts involving any aspect of the advisers business
|
|
|
Material misstatements
in regulatory filings, internal books and records, and client records or reports
|
|
|
Activity that
is harmful to clients
|
|
|
Deviations
from required controls and procedures that safeguard clients and the adviser
|
|
|
Customer grievances
|
|
|
Other concerns
|
Such reports will be treated confidentially to the extent permitted by law and investigated promptly and appropriately. Retaliation against an individual who reports a violation is prohibited and constitutes a further violation of the Code.
Any violation of the Code may result in disciplinary action that the adviser deems appropriate, including but not limited to a warning, fines, disgorgement, suspension, demotion, or termination of employment. In addition to sanctions, violations may result in referral to civil or criminal authorities where appropriate.
All officers, directors, employees, investment
advisory representatives, or other associated persons always retain the right to
make a report directly to the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The CCO has determined that all employees are covered by the advisers code of ethics. In the following procedures all such persons are referred to as covered persons. | ||
The CCO will assume responsibility for maintaining, in an accessible place, the following materials: | ||
1. |
Copy of this
code of ethics
|
|
2. |
Record of
any violation of these procedures for the most recent five years, and a detailed
synopsis of the actions taken in response
|
|
3. |
Copy of each
personal account transaction report submitted by each officer, director and employee of
the adviser for the most recent five years
|
|
4. |
List of all
persons who are or have been required to file personal account transaction reports
|
|
Insider Trading
In an effort to prevent insider trading, the CCO or designee will do the following: |
||
1. |
Answer questions
and document responses regarding the advisers policy and procedures
|
|
2. |
Provide an
educational program to familiarize covered persons with the advisers insider
trading policy and procedures
|
|
3. |
Require each
employee to acknowledge his or her receipt and compliance with the insider trading
policy and procedures on an annual basis, and retain acknowledgements among the
advisers central compliance records
|
|
4. |
Resolve issues
of whether information received by an employee of the adviser is material and nonpublic
and document findings
|
5. |
Review on
a regular basis and update as necessary the advisers insider trading policy
and procedures and document any resulting amendments or revisions
|
|
6. |
When it is
determined that an employee of the adviser has material nonpublic information,
implement measures to prevent dissemination of such information and if necessary,
restrict covered persons from trading in the securities
|
|
In an effort to detect insider trading, the CCO or designee will perform the following
actions:
|
||
1. |
Review the
personal account trading activity reports filed by each officer, director, and
employee of the adviser, documenting findings by initialing and dating the forms
or reports reviewed
|
|
2. |
Review the
duplicate confirmations and statements and related documentation of personal and
related accounts maintained by officers, directors and covered persons versus the
activity in the fund(s) advised by the adviser
|
|
3. |
Require officers,
directors and covered persons to submit periodic reports of personal trading activity,
and to attest to the completeness of each individuals disclosure of outside
securities accounts at the time of hiring and at least annually thereafter
|
|
To determine whether the advisers covered persons have complied with the rules
described above (and to detect possible insider trading), the CCO will have access
to and will review transactions effected in Covered Accounts within 30 days after
the end of each month, and will review duplicate trade confirmations provided pursuant
to those rules within 10 days after their receipt. The CO will compare transactions
in Covered Accounts with transactions in client accounts for transactions or trading
patterns that suggest violations of this Policy or potential front running, scalping,
or other practices that constitute or could appear to involve abuses of covered
persons positions. Annually each covered person must certify that he or she
has read and understands this Code, that he or she recognizes that this Code applies
to him or her, and that he or she has complied with all of the rules and requirements
of this Code that apply to him or her. The CO is charged with responsibility for
collection, review, and retention of the certifications submitted by covered persons.
|
||
Personal Account Securities Trading
Although covered persons are not prohibited under this policy from trading securities for their own accounts at the same time that they are involved in trading on behalf of the adviser, they must do so only in full compliance with this Policy and their fiduciary obligations. At all times, the interests of the advisers clients will prevail over the covered persons interest. No trades or trading strategies used by a covered person may conflict with the advisers strategies or the markets in which the adviser is trading. The advisers covered persons may not use the advisers proprietary trading strategies to develop or implement new strategies that may otherwise disadvantage the adviser or its clients. Personal account trading must be done on the covered persons own time without compromising his or her advisory duties. No transactions should be undertaken that are beyond the financial resources of the covered person. |
||
No employee may purchase new publicly offered issues of any securities (New Issue
Securities) or may purchase securities of a limited offering for any Covered Account
in the public offering of those securities without the prior written consent of
the CCO.
|
||
Each covered person must, at the onset of employment and immediately following subsequent
events involving the acquisition of securities (marriage, inheritance, etc.), disclose
to the CCO the identities, amounts, and locations of all securities he/she owns.
On an annual basis, each employee will be required to confirm the location of all
covered accounts. In all cases, duplicate statements
|
|
If possible,
provide clients with access to their account statements on a secure firm website
so that clients can easily verify activity in their accounts.
|
|
|
Require each
employee who has knowledge of misappropriation client funds to promptly report the
situation to the CCO.
|
|
Compliance Breach
|
||
The CCO will promptly investigate any reported compliance breach that results in
a violation of the Code. Each compliance breach will be recorded in a table or other
internal document that is to include such information as:
|
||
|
Type of breach
|
|
|
Description
of the breach including how the breach was discovered, how the breach was reported
to the firm, and the monetary impact of the breach, if any
|
|
|
Date(s) the
breach occurred
|
|
|
Advisory personnel
involved
|
|
|
Client(s)
involved
|
|
|
Status (i.e.
Pending; Resolved)
|
|
|
Description
of the resolution
|
|
Upon resolution, the CCO or designee will print a summary of the matter on MISSION
FUNDS ADVISORS letterhead, sign the summary and retain it internally among the central
compliance files along with any other supporting documentation related to the breach.
|
Auour Investments, LLC Code of Ethics
Effective Date of 10/13/2014
Revised 10/04/2016
2
2 | G ENERAL |
The Code of Ethics is predicated on the principle that Auour Advisory LLC (Auour or the firm), as well as all of the firms officers, directors, employees, and independent contractors (hereinafter collectively referred to as personnel), owes a fiduciary duty to its clients. It is the responsibility of all personnel to ensure that the firm conducts its business with the highest level of ethical standards and in keeping with its fiduciary duties to its clients.
The firm and its personnel must avoid activities, interests, and relationships that run contrary to (or appear to run contrary to) the best interests of clients. At all times, personnel will be mindful to:
| Place client interests ahead of the firms. As a fiduciary, the firm will serve in its clients best interests. In other words, neither the firm nor its personnel may benefit at the expense of its clients. | |
| Engage in personal investing that is in full compliance with the firms Code of Ethics and Insider Trading Policies. Personnel must review and abide by the firms Code of Ethics and Insider Trading Policies, copies of which are provided to all applicable personnel at the commencement of their relationship with the firm and at least annually thereafter. | |
| Avoid taking advantage of their position. Personnel must not accept investment opportunities, gifts, or other gratuities from individuals seeking to conduct business with the firm or on behalf of an advisory client, unless in compliance with the firms policies. | |
| Maintain full compliance with federal securities laws. Personnel must abide by the standards set forth in Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act and maintain full compliance with all other applicable federal securities laws. |
Any questions with respect to the firms Code of Ethics should be directed to the firms Managing Principals or Chief Compliance Officer. As discussed in greater detail below, personnel must promptly report any violations of the Code of Ethics to the Chief Compliance Officer.
3 | R ISKS |
In developing this policy and the procedures related thereto, the firm considered the potential material risks that may give rise to a conflict of interest or a breach of its fiduciary duties. This analysis included an assessment of potential issues such as the following:
| Personnel engage in an abuse of access to non-public information (e.g., trading ahead of a client; passing information to others for their personal trading use). | |
| Personnel engage in an excessive volume of personal trading (as determined by the Chief Compliance Officer) that detracts from their ability to perform services for clients. | |
| Personnel take advantage of their position by accepting excessive gifts or other gratuities (including access to IPO investments) from individuals seeking to do business with the firm. | |
| Personnel engage in personal trading activity that does not comply with certain provisions of Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act. | |
| Personnel serve as a trustee and/or director of an outside organization(s) without prior review and approval of the Chief Compliance Officer. |
3
The firm has established the following guidelines as an attempt to mitigate these risks.
4 | G UIDING P RINCIPLES AND S TANDARDS OF C ONDUCT |
All personnel will act with competence, dignity, integrity, and in an ethical manner when dealing with clients, the public, prospects, and third-party service providers. The following set of principles frames the professional and ethical conduct that the firm expects from its personnel:
| Act with competence, integrity, diligence, respect, and in an ethical manner with the public, clients, prospective clients, and personnel. | |
| Place the integrity of the investment profession, the interests of clients, and the interests of the firm above ones own personal interests. | |
| Adhere to the fundamental standard that one should not take inappropriate advantage of ones position. | |
| Avoid any actual or potential material conflict of interest. | |
| Conduct all personal securities transactions and activities in a manner consistent with this policy. | |
| Use reasonable care and exercise independent professional judgment when conducting investment analysis, making investment recommendations, taking investment actions, and engaging in other professional activities. | |
| Practice and encourage others to practice in a professional and ethical manner that will reflect favorably on them and the profession. | |
| Promote the integrity of and uphold the rules governing capital markets. | |
| Maintain and improve ones professional competence and strive to maintain and improve the competence of other investment professionals | |
| Comply with applicable provisions of federal and state securities laws and any related regulations. |
5 | P ERSONAL S ECURITY T RANSACTION P OLICY |
Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act requires all Access Persons to report, and the firms Chief Compliance Officer or designee to review, their personal securities transactions and holdings periodically as provided below. Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act defines an Access Person as any supervised person:
| who has access to nonpublic information regarding any clients purchase or sale of securities, or | |
| who is involved in making securities recommendations to clients; or | |
| who has access to such recommendations that are nonpublic; and | |
| the firms directors and officers. |
Access Persons are subject to the firms Personal Securities Transaction Policy and related procedures. Access Persons may not purchase or sell any security in which they have a beneficial interest unless the transaction complies with the Personal Securities Transaction Policy as set forth below. Access Persons are identified on Exhibit 1 to this Code of Ethics Policy.
4
5.1 T
RADE
P
RE
-C
LEARANCE
P
ROCEDURES
Access Persons shall obtain prior approval
from the manager or designee for all personal trading activity inclusive of participation
in limited offerings and initial public offerings (IPOs) that occurs
outside of accounts managed by the firm. Trade pre-clearance requests do not apply
to mutual funds or to any accounts managed
pari passu
by the firm. All pre-clearance
requests must be submitted to the manager or designee. Once clearance is granted,
the Access Person may only trade in such security for the remainder of the day.
If the Access Person wishes to transact business in that security on the following
or any other day, he/she must again obtain pre-clearance for the transaction.
5.2 R
EPORTABLE
S
ECURITIES
The firm requires its Access Persons to
provide periodic reports (see the Reporting section under this Codes of Ethics)
regarding transactions and holdings in any security, except that Access Persons
are not required to report the following exempted securities:
| Direct obligations of the government of the United States | |
| Bankers acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper, and high-quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements | |
| Shares issued by money market funds | |
| Shares issued by open-end funds | |
| Shares issued by unit investment trusts that are invested exclusively in one or more open-end fund | |
| Shares held within 529 investment plans |
5.3 D
UPLICATE
C
OPIES
To best address
the reporting requirements described below, Access Persons should have the majority
of their investable assets held within an approved custodian and arrange for their
outside brokers/custodians to furnish the firms Chief Compliance Officer with
duplicate account statements and/or brokerage confirmations.
5.4 R
EPORTING
To maintain compliance
with Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act, the firm must collect the following three
reports from its Access Persons that include transaction and holding information
regarding the personal trading activities of the Access Persons.
5.4.1 Quarterly Transaction Reports
Access Persons shall be required to report all securities transactions that they
have made in securities accounts during the quarter, as well as any new securities
accounts that they have opened during the quarter. In order to fulfill this reporting
requirement, Access Persons may instruct their broker-dealers, banks, and/or investment
companies to send to the Chief Compliance Officer duplicate trade confirmations
and/or account statements not later than 30 days after the end of each calendar
quarter.
Transaction reports must include the following information:
| The date of the transaction, the title, and as applicable the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, interest rate and maturity date, number of shares, and principal amount of each reportable security involved; |
5
| The nature of the transaction (i.e., purchase, sale, or any other type of acquisition or disposition); | |
| The price of the security at which the transaction was effected; | |
| The name of the broker, dealer or bank with or through which the transaction was effected; and | |
| The date the access person submits the report. |
Note: Access Persons are reminded that they must also report transactions and accounts of members of their immediate family, including spouse, children, and other members of the household, in accounts over which the Access Person has direct or indirect influence or control.
In lieu of quarterly reports, Access Persons may (and are encouraged to) instruct the account custodian to establish the firm as interested party for purposes of delivery of confirmations and statements.
5.4.2 Initial and Annual Holdings Reports
New Access Persons are required to report all of their securities and securities
accounts not later than 10 days after becoming an employee of the firm. All holdings
reports must contain information that is current as of a date not more than 45 days
prior to the date the person becomes an employee.
Access Persons are required to provide the Chief Compliance Officer with a complete list of securities and securities accounts on an annual basis, or on or before February 14th of each year. The report shall be current as of December 31st.
Access Persons are required to submit their brokerage/custodial statements to the Chief Compliance Officer in order to fulfill the initial and annual holding requirements or to instruct the custodian to devlier such reports directly. However, Access Persons must be certain that their brokerage/custodial statements include at a minimum:
| The title and type of security; | |
| As applicable depending on the type of security, the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, number of shares, and principal amount of each security; | |
| The name of any broker, dealer, investment company, or bank with which the Access Person maintains an account in which any security is held for the Access Persons direct or indirect benefit; and | |
| The date in which the Access Person submits the report. |
Note: Access Persons must report their beneficial interest in any securities accounts, regardless of the types of securities that are held in the securities account. The Chief Compliance Officer must be made aware of all securities accounts owned by Access Persons.
5.4.3 Exceptions from Reporting Requirements
There are limited exceptions from certain of the three reporting requirements
noted above. Specifically, Access Persons are not required to comply with the following:
| Quarterly transaction reporting for any transactions effected pursuant to an automatic investment plan. | |
| Any of the three reporting requirements with respect to securities held in securities accounts over which applicable Access Persons had no direct or indirect influence or control. Note, however, that the Chief Compliance Officer may request that the Access Person provide documentation to substantiate that such Access Person had no direct or indirect influence or control over the securities account (e.g., investment advisory agreement, etc.). |
6
The Chief Compliance Officer will determine on a case-by-case basis whether an account qualifies for either of the aforementioned exceptions.
5.5 T
RADING AND
R
EVIEW
The firms Personal Securities Transaction Policy is designed to not only ensure its
technical compliance with Rule 204A-1, but also to mitigate any potential material
conflicts of interest associated with Access Persons personal trading activities.
Accordingly, the firm will closely monitor Access Persons investment patterns
to detect abuses, which may include but is not limited to trading in companies included
on the Restricted and Watch Lists.
The firm maintains Restricted and Watch Lists that prohibit Access Persons from trading in certain securities under a variety of circumstances. The Restricted and Watch Lists consist of any securities that may pose a conflict of interest for Access Persons. The Restricted and Watch Lists are maintained and updated as necessary by the firm. Personal trading records of Access Persons are compared against the Restricted and Watch Lists, and any violations are reported to the Chief Compliance Officer.
The firm strictly forbids front-running client accounts, which is a practice generally understood to be Access Persons personally trading ahead of client accounts. If the firm discovers that one of its Access Persons is personally trading contrary to the policies set forth above, the Access Person shall meet with the Chief Compliance Officer to review the facts surrounding the transactions.
5.6 R
EPORTING
V
IOLATIONS AND
R
EMEDIAL
A
CTIONS
The firm takes the potential for conflicts of interest caused by
personal investing very seriously. As such, the firm requires its Access Persons
to promptly report any violations of the Code of Ethics to the Chief Compliance
Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer is aware of the potential matters that may
arise as a result of this requirement and shall take action against any Access Person
that seeks retaliation against another for reporting violations of the Code of Ethics.
If any violation of the firms Personal Securities Transaction Policy is determined to have occurred, the Chief Compliance Officer may impose sanctions and take such other actions including, without limitation, the following:
| Requiring that the trades in question be reversed | |
| Requiring the disgorgement of profits or gifts | |
| Issuing a letter of caution or warning | |
| Issuing a suspension of personal trading rights or suspension of employment (with or without compensation) | |
| Imposing a fine | |
| Making a civil referral to the SEC | |
| Making a criminal referral | |
| Terminating employment for cause | |
| Any combination of the foregoing |
All sanctions and other actions taken shall be in accordance with applicable employment laws and regulations. Any profits or gifts forfeited shall be paid to the applicable client(s), if any, or given to a charity, as the Chief Compliance Officer shall determine is appropriate.
7
6 | C ONFIDENTIALITY |
Access Persons are prohibited from revealing information relating to the investment intentions, activities, or portfolios of advisory clients except to persons whose responsibilities require knowledge of the information.
7 | P RIVACY OF C LIENT I NFORMATION |
Neither the firm nor any of its personnel should disclose any nonpublic personal information about a client to any nonaffiliated third party unless the client expressly gives permission to the firm to do so. All investment advisory agreements, if applicable, should include express permission to the firm to share certain nonpublic information with nonaffiliated third parties for purposes of performing the firms services and assisting in the implementation of a clients financial plan.
8 | F IRM O PPORTUNITIES |
Personnel may not take personal advantage of any opportunity properly belonging to any advisory client or the firm. This includes, but is not limited to, acquiring reportable securities for ones own account that would otherwise be acquired for an advisory client.
9 | U NDUE I NFLUENCE |
Access Persons shall not cause or attempt to cause any advisory client to purchase, sell, or hold any security in a manner calculated to create any personal benefit to such Access Person. If an Access Person stands to benefit from an investment decision for an advisory client that the Access Person is recommending or participating in, the Access Person must disclose to those persons with authority to make investment decisions for the advisory client the full nature of the beneficial interest that the Access Person has in that security, any derivative security of that security or the security issuer, where the decision could create a material benefit to the Access Person or the appearance of impropriety. The person to whom the Access Person reports the interest, in consultation with the Chief Compliance Officer, must determine whether or not the Access Person will be restricted in making investment decisions with respect to the subject security.
10 C OMPLIANCE C ERTIFICATION |
The firm is required to provide a copy of the Code of Ethics and amendments thereto to all personnel, and all personnel shall sign a certificate promptly upon becoming employed or otherwise associated with the firm, and annually thereafter, that evidences their receipt of this Code of Ethics and any amendments thereto. In addition, all Access Persons shall submit a complete report of their securities holdings. Annually all personnel will be required to re-certify compliance on the Insider Trading and Code of Ethics Certification.
8
11 R ECORDKEEPING |
The firm shall maintain a copy of its Codes of Ethics (and amendments), records of violations of the Code of Ethics, and actions taken as a result of the violations. In addition, the firm shall maintain copies of the written acknowledgments of receipt of the Code of Ethics (see Compliance Certification section above). The firm is further required to keep a record of the names of its Access Persons, the holdings and transaction reports made by Access Persons, and a record of any decisions to approve investments in IPOs and limited or private offerings. The firm must use reasonable diligence and institute procedures reasonably necessary to prevent violations of its code of ethics.
12 R ESPONSIBILITY |
The Chief Compliance Officer and/or designee(s) will be responsible for administering the Personal Securities Transaction Policy. All questions regarding the policy should be directed to the Chief Compliance Officer.
13 A CCESS P ERSONS |
The following individuals are Access Persons of the firm:
Kenneth J Doerr
Joseph B Hosler
Robert Z Kuftinec
9