As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 16, 2021 |
Securities Act Registration No. 333-234544 |
Investment Company Act Registration No. 811-23439 |
UNITED STATES |
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION |
Washington, D.C. 20549 |
FORM N-1A |
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 | ☒ |
Pre-Effective Amendment No. ____ | ☐ |
Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 | ☒ |
and/or |
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 | ☒ |
Amendment No. 10 | ☒ |
ETF OPPORTUNITIES TRUST | |
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter) | |
Karen
Shupe
Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205 Richmond, VA 23235 (804) 267-7400 |
|
(Address and Telephone Number of Principal Executive Offices) | |
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 | |
Practus, LLP | |
11300 Tomahawk Creek Parkway, Suite 310 | |
Leawood, KS 66211 |
It is proposed that this filing will become effective:
☒ | 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) | |
☐ | 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. |
Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap ETF
A
series portfolio of
ETF Opportunities Trust
PROSPECTUS
April 16, 2021
This prospectus describes the Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap ETF which is authorized to offer one class of shares by this prospectus.
Fund | Ticker |
Principal
U.S. Listing
Exchange |
Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap ETF | VSLU | NYSE Arca |
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Table of Contents
FUND SUMMARY – Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap ETF
Investment Objective
The Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap ETF (the “Fund”) seeks long-term capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. Investors purchasing shares on a national securities exchange, national securities association, or over-the-counter trading system where shares may trade from time to time (each, a “Secondary Market”) may be subject to customary brokerage commissions charged by their broker that are not reflected in the table and example set forth below.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
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Management Fee(1) | 0.49 | % |
Other Expenses(2) | 0.00 | % |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 0.49 | % |
(1) | Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, Applied Finance Advisors, LLC (the “Adviser”), at its own expense and without reimbursement from the Fund, pays all of the expenses of the Fund, excluding the advisory fees, interest expenses, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions and any other portfolio transaction related expenses and fees arising out of transactions effected on behalf of the Fund, credit facility fees and expenses, including interest expenses, and litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business. |
(2) | Other Expenses and Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are estimated for the Fund’s initial fiscal year. |
Example
This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other 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 example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Name of Fund | 1 Year | 3 Years |
Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap ETF | $50 | $157 |
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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 annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. As of the date of this Prospectus, the Fund has not yet commenced operations and therefore does not have any portfolio turnover information available.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets in equity securities of large cap companies. The Fund defines large cap companies as companies with market capitalizations of $5 billion or more, measured at the time of purchase. In choosing investments, the Adviser typically selects large cap equity securities that it believes offer superior return potential and may consider, among other factors, a company’s valuation, projected future earnings, dividends, financing activity, growth potential, recent performance, and business strategy. To select securities for the Fund, the Adviser utilizes its proprietary research and valuation models that employ the factors described above to identify appropriate securities for the Fund.
The Adviser anticipates generally holding at least 200 different positions in the Fund’s portfolio. Although the Fund generally holds at least 200 different positions across a broad spectrum of sectors, it may at times take larger positions (greater than 5%) in certain holdings and/or sectors when its research and valuation models indicate that such investments are appropriate. As a result, the Fund will operate as a “non-diversified” fund, which means it can invest in fewer securities at any one time than a diversified fund.
The Fund may also invest in small and mid-cap companies, convertible securities, preferred stocks, rights and warrants.
The Adviser will typically sell a company from the Fund’s portfolio when the Adviser believes it no longer offers superior investment potential. The Adviser may also sell positions that have grown too large relative to the overall portfolio. The Fund’s investments will be the responsibility of the Adviser and the Fund’s sub-adviser, Toroso Asset Management (the “Sub-Adviser”).
Principal Risks
As with all funds, a shareholder is subject to the risk that his or her investment could lose money. The principal risks affecting shareholders’ investments in the Fund are set forth below. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency.
Equity Securities Risk. Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity markets have moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund’s equity securities may fluctuate 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 a principal risk of investing in the Fund.
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Market Risk. The value of securities in the Fund’s overall portfolio will fluctuate and, as a result, the Fund’s share price may decline suddenly or over a sustained period.
Management Risk. The strategies used by the Adviser may fail to produce the intended result.
Large Cap Risk. Larger, more established companies may be unable to attain the high growth rates of successful, smaller companies during periods of economic expansion.
Risks of Investment Selection. The Fund’s investment success depends on the skill of the Adviser in evaluating, selecting, and monitoring the portfolio assets. If the Adviser’s conclusions about growth rates or securities values are incorrect, the Fund may not perform as anticipated.
Risk of Other Equity Securities. Other equity securities in which the Fund may invest include convertible securities, preferred securities, rights and warrants.
Convertible Securities. Convertible securities are subject to the risks and price fluctuations of the underlying stock. They may be subject to the risk that the issuer will not be able to pay interest or dividends when due and their market value may change based on changes in the issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of the issuer’s creditworthiness. Some convertible preferred stocks have a conversion or call feature that allows the issuer to redeem the stock before the conversion date, which could diminish the potential for capital appreciation on the investment.
Preferred Securities. The fixed dividend rate of preferred stocks may cause their prices to behave more like those of debt securities. If interest rates rise, the value of preferred stock having a fixed dividend rate tends to fall. Preferred stock generally ranks behind debt securities in claims for dividends and assets of the issuer in a liquidation or bankruptcy.
Rights and Warrants. The price of a warrant does not necessarily move parallel to the price of the underlying security and is generally more volatile than that of the underlying security. Rights are similar to warrants, but normally have a shorter duration. The market for rights or warrants may be very limited and it may be difficult to sell them promptly at an acceptable price. Rights and warrants have no voting rights, receive no dividends and have no rights with respect to the assets of the issuer.
Sector Risk. Sector risk is the possibility that securities within the same group of industries will decline in price due to sector-specific market or economic developments. If the Fund invests more heavily in a sector, the value of its shares may be especially sensitive to factors and economic risks that specifically affect that sector.
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Non-Diversification
Risk. The Fund is a non-diversified portfolio, which means that it has the ability to take larger positions in a smaller
number of securities than a portfolio that is “diversified.” Non-diversification increases the risk that the value of
the Fund could go down because of the poor performance of a single investment or limited number of investments.
ETF Structure Risk. The Fund is structured as an ETF and as a result is subject to special risks, including:
• Trading Issues Risk. Although it is expected that shares of the Fund will remain listed for trading on NYSE Arca (the “Exchange”), trading in Fund shares on the Exchange may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in Fund shares inadvisable, such as extraordinary market volatility. There can be no assurance that Fund shares will continue to meet the listing requirements of the Exchange or will trade with any volume. There is no guarantee that an active secondary market will develop for shares of the Fund. In stressed market conditions, the liquidity of shares of the Fund may begin to mirror the liquidity of the Fund’s underlying portfolio holdings, which can be significantly less liquid than shares of the Fund. This adverse effect on liquidity for the Fund’s shares in turn could lead to differences between the market price of the Fund’s shares and the underlying value of those Shares.
• Market Price Variance Risk. The market prices of shares of the Fund will fluctuate in response to changes in the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) and supply and demand for Fund shares and will include a “bid-ask spread” charged by the exchange specialists, market makers or other participants that trade the particular security. There may be times when the market price and the NAV vary significantly. This means that Fund shares may trade at a discount to NAV. The market price of Shares may deviate from the value of the Fund’s underlying portfolio holdings, particularly in times of market stress, with the result that investors may pay significantly more or receive significantly less than the underlying value of the shares of the Fund bought or sold.
• Authorized Participants (“APs”), Market Makers, and Liquidity Providers Risk. The Fund has a limited number of financial institutions that may act as APs. In addition, there may be a limited number of market makers and/or liquidity providers in the marketplace. To the extent either of the following events occur, shares of the Fund may trade at a material discount to NAV and possibly face delisting: (i) APs exit the business or otherwise become unable to process creation and/or redemption orders and no other APs step forward to perform these services, or (ii) market makers and/or liquidity providers exit the business or significantly reduce their business activities and no other entities step forward to perform their functions.
• Costs of Buying or Selling Shares of the Fund. Due to the costs of buying or selling shares of the Fund, including brokerage commissions imposed by brokers and bid/ask spreads, frequent trading of shares of the Fund may significantly reduce investment results and an investment in shares of the Fund may not be advisable for investors who anticipate regularly making small investments.
Mid and Small Capitalization Stock Risk. The value of mid and small capitalization company stocks may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than those of larger, more established companies or the market averages in general.
New Fund Risk. The Fund is a new ETF and has only recently commenced operations. As a new fund, there can be no assurance that the Fund will grow to or maintain an economically viable size, in which case it could ultimately liquidate. The Fund’s distributor does not maintain a secondary market in the Fund’s shares. If the Fund does not grow its assets to a viable level it may be difficult for the Adviser to implement the Fund’s investment strategies and achieve the desired portfolio diversification.
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New Adviser Risk. The Adviser has not previously managed an ETF, but the Adviser has extensive experience managing other registered investment companies. The Fund’s sub-adviser has extensive experience managing ETFs.
Performance History
The Fund does not have a full calendar year of performance history. In the future, performance information 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 Fund’s performance from year to year and by showing the Fund’s average annual returns for certain time periods as compared to a broad measure of market performance. Investors should be aware that past performance before and after taxes is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.
Updated performance information for the Fund, including its current net asset value per share, is available by calling toll-free 833-356-0909.
Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser
Applied Finance Advisors, LLC (the “Adviser”) is the investment adviser to the Fund.
Toroso Asset Management (the “Sub-Adviser”) is the sub-adviser to the Fund.
Portfolio Managers
Adviser’s Portfolio Managers: Paul Blinn, Managing Member of the Adviser and Rafael Resendes, Managing Member of the Adviser, have served as the Fund’s portfolio managers since its inception.
Sub-Adviser’s Portfolio Managers: Michael Venuto, Co-Founder and Chief Investment Officer of the Sub-Adviser and Charles A. Ragauss, CFA, Portfolio Manager and Head of Trading of the Sub-Adviser, have served as the Fund’s portfolio managers since its inception.
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund will issue (or redeem) Shares to certain institutional investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) only in large blocks of at least 25,000 Shares known as “Creation Units.” Creation Unit transactions are typically conducted in exchange for the deposit or delivery of in-kind securities and/or cash. Individual Shares may only be purchased and sold on a national securities exchange through a broker-dealer. You can purchase and sell individual Shares of the Fund throughout the trading day like any publicly traded security. The Fund’s Shares are listed on the Exchange (i.e., NYSE Arca). The price of the Fund’s Shares is based on market price, and because exchange-traded fund shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, Shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount). Except when aggregated in Creation Units, the Fund’s Shares are not redeemable securities.
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Tax Information
The Fund’s distributions will be taxed as ordinary income or capital gain, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account in which case withdrawals will be taxed.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase shares of the 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 financial intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND’S INVESTMENTS
The investment objective for the Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap ETF is to seek long-term capital appreciation. The Fund’s investment objective may be changed by the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of ETF Opportunities Trust (the “Trust”) without shareholder approval upon 60 days’ written notice to shareholders.
ETFs are funds that trade like other publicly-traded securities. Unlike shares of a mutual fund, which can be bought and redeemed from the issuing fund by all shareholders at a price based on NAV, shares of the Fund may be purchased or redeemed directly from the Fund at NAV solely by Authorized Participants and only in aggregations of a specified number of shares Creation Units. Also, unlike shares of a mutual fund, shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange and trade in the secondary market at market prices that change throughout the day.
The Fund is actively managed and does not seek to replicate an index. The Fund is classified as “non-diversified” for purposes of the 1940 Act, which means it can take larger positions in a limited number of holdings.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets in equity securities of large cap companies. The Fund defines large cap companies as companies with market capitalizations of $5 billion or more, measured at the time of purchase. In choosing investments, the Adviser typically selects large cap equity securities that it believes offer superior return potential and may consider, among other factors, a company’s valuation, projected future earnings, dividends, financing activity, growth potential, recent performance, and business strategy. To select securities for the Fund, the Adviser utilizes its proprietary research and valuation models that employ the factors described above to identify appropriate securities for the Fund
As part of the Adviser’s investment process, it will calculate an intrinsic value for companies in the Fund’s investable universe to understand their attractiveness for possible investment. This valuation process considers, among other factors, a company’s profitability, competition, growth rate and cost of capital.
The Adviser anticipates generally holding at least 200 different positions in the Fund’s portfolio. The Fund’s portfolio will primarily consist of large cap companies but, at times, it may have exposure to mid and small cap companies that the Adviser believes offer superior return potential. Although the Fund generally will hold at least 200 different positions across a broad spectrum of sectors, it may at times take larger positions (greater than 5%) in certain holdings and/or sectors when its research and valuation models indicate that such investments are appropriate. The Fund will operate as a non-diversified fund which means it can take larger positions in a limited number of holdings. The Adviser abstains from making sector bets and instead focuses its effort on identifying individual stocks that will outperform the overall market.
The Fund may also invest in convertible securities, preferred stocks and rights and warrants. A convertible security is a security that may be converted either at a stated price or rate within a specified period of time into a specified number of shares of common stock. By investing in convertible securities, the Fund seeks the opportunity, through the conversion feature, to participate in the capital appreciation of the common stock into which the securities are convertible, while investing at a better price than may be available on the common stock or obtaining a higher fixed rate of return than is available on common stock. The value of a convertible stock security is a function of its “investment value” (determined by its yield in comparison with the yields of other securities of comparable maturity and quality that do not have a conversion privilege) and its “conversion value” (the security’s worth, at market value, if converted into the underlying common stock). The Fund’s investment in preferred stocks, which are unlike common stocks, offer a stated dividend rate payable from a corporation’s earnings. Investments by the Fund in warrants and rights act in a similar manner as call options because they offer the Fund the right to purchase equity securities at a specific price during the life of the warrant and right and are valid for a specific period of time (generally 2 or more years for warrants). Rights are similar to warrants, but normally have a short duration and are distributed by the issuer to its shareholders.
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The Adviser will typically sell a company from the Fund’s portfolio when the Adviser believes it no longer offers superior investment potential. The Adviser may also sell positions that have grown too large relative to the overall portfolio.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT RISK
It is important that you closely review and understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The Fund’s 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.
Principal Risks
Equity Securities Risk. Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity markets have moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund’s equity securities may fluctuate 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 a principal risk of investing in the Fund. Investments in equity securities may be more volatile than investments in other asset classes.
Market Risk. The value of securities in the Fund’s overall portfolio will fluctuate and, as a result, the Fund’s share price may decline suddenly or over a sustained period. The Fund’s investments may decline in value due to factors affecting individual issuers (such as the results of supply and demand), or sectors within the securities markets. The value of a security or other investment also may go up or down due to general market conditions that are not specifically related to a particular issuer, such as real or perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in interest rates or exchange rates, or adverse investor sentiment generally. In addition, unexpected events, such as the spread of diseases; natural, environmental or man-made disasters; financial, political or social disruptions; terrorism and war; and other tragedies or catastrophes, can cause investor fear and panic, which can adversely affect companies, sectors, nations, regions and the market in general, in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen. During a general downturn in the securities markets, many asset classes may decline in value. When markets perform well, there can be no assurance that securities or other investments held by the Fund will participate in or otherwise benefit from the advance. A reduction in a country’s growth rate could have an adverse effect on the prices of the various stocks held by the Fund.
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Management Risk. The strategies used by the Adviser may fail to produce the intended result. The Fund will be actively managed and could experience losses (realized and unrealized) if the Adviser’s judgment about markets, interest rates or the attractiveness, relative values, liquidity, or potential appreciation of particular investments made for the Fund’s portfolio prove to be incorrect. There can be no guarantee that the investment strategies or the Adviser’s actions as it relates to investment decisions for the Fund will produce the desired results. Additionally, legislative, regulatory, or tax developments may affect the Fund’s investment strategies and therefore adversely affect the ability of the Fund to achieve its investment objective.
Large Cap Risk. Larger, more established companies may be unable to attain the high growth rates of successful, smaller companies during periods of economic expansion. Large cap companies may be less able than mid and small cap companies to adapt to changing market conditions. During different market cycles, the performance of large cap companies has trailed the overall performance of the broader securities markets.
Risks of Investment Selection. The Fund’s investment success depends on the skill of the Adviser in evaluating, selecting, and monitoring the portfolio assets. If the Adviser’s conclusions about growth rates or securities values are incorrect, the Fund may not perform as anticipated. Additionally, the Adviser may not implement the investment strategy successfully and the Fund may fail to attract sufficient assets to realize economies of scale.
Risk of Other Equity Securities. Other equity securities in which the Fund may invest include convertible securities, preferred securities, rights and warrants.
Convertible Securities. Convertible securities are subject to the risks and price fluctuations of the underlying stock. They may be subject to the risk that the issuer will not be able to pay interest or dividends when due and their market value may change based on changes in the issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of the issuer’s creditworthiness. Some convertible preferred stocks have a conversion or call feature that allows the issuer to redeem the stock before the conversion date, which could diminish the potential for capital appreciation on the investment.
Preferred Securities. The fixed dividend rate of preferred stocks may cause their prices to behave more like those of debt securities. If interest rates rise, the value of preferred stock having a fixed dividend rate tends to fall. Preferred stock generally ranks behind debt securities in claims for dividends and assets of the issuer in a liquidation or bankruptcy.
Rights and Warrants. The price of a warrant does not necessarily move parallel to the price of the underlying security and is generally more volatile than that of the underlying security. Rights are similar to warrants, but normally have a shorter duration. The market for rights or warrants may be very limited and it may be difficult to sell them promptly at an acceptable price. Rights and warrants have no voting rights, receive no dividends and have no rights with respect to the assets of the issuer.
9
Sector Risk. Sector risk is the possibility that securities within the same group of industries will decline in price due to sector-specific market or economic developments. If the Fund invests more heavily in a sector, the value of its shares may be especially sensitive to factors and economic risks that specifically affect that sector.
Non-Diversification Risk. The Fund is a non-diversified portfolio, which means that it has the ability to take larger positions in a smaller number of securities than a portfolio that is “diversified.” Non-diversification increases the risk that the value of the Fund could go down because of the poor performance of a single investment or limited number of investments.
ETF Structure Risks. The Fund is structured as an ETF and as a result is subject to special risks, including:
• Trading Issues Risk. Although it is expected that shares of the Fund will remain listed for trading on the Exchange, trading in Fund shares on the Exchange may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in Fund shares inadvisable, such as extraordinary market volatility. There can be no assurance that shares of the Fund will continue to meet the listing requirements of the Exchange or will trade with any volume. There is no guarantee that an active secondary market will develop for shares of the Fund. In stressed market conditions, the liquidity of shares of the Fund may begin to mirror the liquidity of the Fund’s underlying portfolio holdings, which can be significantly less liquid than shares of the Fund. This adverse effect on liquidity for the Fund’s shares in turn could lead to differences between the market price of the Fund’s shares and the underlying value of those Shares.
• Market Price Variance Risk. The market prices of shares of the Fund will fluctuate in response to changes in NAV and supply and demand for Fund shares and will include a “bid-ask spread” charged by the exchange specialists, market makers or other participants that trade the particular security. There may be times when the market price and the NAV vary significantly. This means that shares of the Fund may trade at a discount to NAV. The market price of Fund shares may deviate from the value of the Fund’s underlying portfolio holdings, particularly in times of market stress, with the result that investors may pay significantly more or receive significantly less than the underlying value of the shares of the Fund bought or sold.
• Authorized Participants (“APs”), Market Makers, and Liquidity Providers Risk. The Fund has a limited number of financial institutions that may act as APs. In addition, there may be a limited number of market makers and/or liquidity providers in the marketplace. To the extent either of the following events occur, shares of the Fund may trade at a material discount to NAV and possibly face delisting: (i) APs exit the business or otherwise become unable to process creation and/or redemption orders and no other APs step forward to perform these services, or (ii) market makers and/or liquidity providers exit the business or significantly reduce their business activities and no other entities step forward to perform their functions.
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• Costs of Buying or Selling Shares of the Fund. Due to the costs of buying or selling shares of the Fund, including brokerage commissions imposed by brokers and bid/ask spreads, frequent trading of shares of the Fund may significantly reduce investment results and an investment in shares of the Fund may not be advisable for investors who anticipate regularly making small investments.
Mid and Small Capitalization Stock Risk. The value of mid and small capitalization company stocks may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than those of larger, more established companies or the market averages in general. While mid and small capitalization companies may offer substantial opportunities for capital growth, they also may involve more risks than larger capitalization companies. Historically, mid and small capitalization company securities have been more volatile in price than larger company securities, especially over the short term. Among the reasons for the greater price volatility are the less certain growth prospects of mid and small capitalization companies, the lower degree of liquidity in the markets for such securities, and the greater sensitivity of mid and small capitalization companies to changing economic conditions. In addition, mid and small capitalization companies may lack depth of management, be unable to generate funds necessary for growth or development, have limited product lines or be developing or marketing new products or services for which markets are not yet established and may never become established. In addition, mid and small capitalization companies may be particularly affected by interest rate increases, as they may find it more difficult to borrow money to continue or expand operations, or may have difficulty in repaying loans, particularly those with floating interest rates.
New Fund Risk. The Fund is a new ETF and has only recently commenced operations. As a new fund, there can be no assurance that the Fund will grow to or maintain an economically viable size, in which case it could ultimately liquidate. The Fund’s distributor does not maintain a secondary market in the Fund’s shares. If the Fund does not grow its assets to a viable level it may be difficult for the Adviser to implement the Fund’s investment strategies and achieve the desired portfolio diversification. This 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.
New Adviser Risk. The Adviser has not previously managed an ETF but the Adviser has extensive experience managing other registered investment companies. The Fund’s sub-adviser has extensive experience managing ETFs.
Other Risks for the Fund
Cyber Security Risk. Failures or breaches of the electronic systems of the Fund, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser and/or the Fund’s other service providers, market makers, Authorized Participants or the issuers of securities in which the Fund invests have the ability to cause disruptions and negatively impact the Fund’s business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses to the Fund and their shareholders. While the Fund have established business continuity plans and risk management systems seeking to address system breaches or failures, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems. Furthermore, the Fund cannot control the cyber security plans and systems of the Fund’s service providers, market makers, Authorized Participants or issuers of securities in which the Fund invest.
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Health Crisis Risk. A widespread health crisis, such as a global pandemic, could cause substantial market volatility, exchange trading suspensions or restrictions and closures of securities exchanges and businesses, impact the ability to complete redemptions, and adversely impact Fund performance. An outbreak of an infectious respiratory illness, COVID-19, caused by a novel coronavirus, was first detected in China in December 2019 and spread globally. As of the date of this prospectus, this outbreak has resulted in travel restrictions, closed international borders, enhanced health screenings at ports of entry and elsewhere, disruption of and delays in healthcare service preparation and delivery, prolonged quarantines, cancellations, supply chain disruptions, disruptions in markets, lower consumer demand, layoffs, defaults and other significant economic impacts, as well as general concern and uncertainty. These types of market disruptions may adversely impact the Fund’s investments, including impairing hedging activity to the extent the Fund engages in such activity, as expected correlations between related markets or instruments may no longer apply. In addition, to the extent the Fund invests in short-term instruments that have negative yields, the Fund’s value may be impaired as a result. Any suspension of trading in markets in which the Fund invests will have an impact on the Fund and its investments and will impact the Fund’s ability to purchase or sell securities in those markets. The impact of this outbreak has adversely affected the economies of many nations and the entire global economy and may impact individual issuers and capital markets in ways that cannot be foreseen. The duration of the outbreak and its effects cannot be determined with any certainty.
In the past, governmental and quasigovernmental authorities and regulators throughout the world have responded to major economic disruptions with a variety of fiscal and monetary policy changes, including direct capital infusions into companies and other issuers, new monetary policy tools, and lower interest rates. An unexpected or sudden reversal of these policies, or the ineffectiveness of such policies, is likely to increase market volatility, which could adversely affect the Fund’s investments.
The outbreak could also impair the information technology and other operational systems upon which the Fund’s service providers rely and could otherwise disrupt the ability of employees of the Fund’s service providers to perform critical tasks relating to the Fund. Other infectious illness outbreaks that may arise in the future could have similar or other unforeseen effects. Public health crises may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social, and economic risks in certain countries or globally.
Temporary Investments
To respond to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions, the Fund may invest 100% of its total assets, without limitation, in high-quality short-term debt securities. These short-term debt securities include: money market mutual funds, treasury bills, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances, U.S. Government securities and repurchase agreements. While the Fund is in a defensive position, the opportunity to achieve its investment objective will be limited. The Fund may also invest a substantial portion of its assets in such instruments at any time to maintain liquidity or pending selection of investments in accordance with its policies. When the Fund takes such a position, it may not achieve its investment objective. It is expected that such a defensive change will be rare.
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The Investment Adviser. Applied Finance Advisors, LLC (the “Adviser”), 17806 IH 10, Suite 300, San Antonio, Texas 78257, is the investment adviser for the Fund. The Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The Adviser is a limited liability company and was organized in Delaware.
Under the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Adviser and the Trust, on behalf of the Fund (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”), the Adviser is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s investments. The Adviser also: (i) furnishes the Fund with office space and certain administrative services; (ii) provides guidance and policy direction in connection with its daily management of the Fund’s assets, subject to the authority of the Board; and (iii) is responsible for oversight of the Sub-Adviser. For its services, the Adviser is entitled to receive an annual management fee calculated daily and payable monthly, as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets, at the rate of 0.49%.
Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser has agreed, at its own expense and without reimbursement from the Fund, to pay all expenses of the Fund, except for: the fee paid to the Adviser pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, interest expenses, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions and any other portfolio transaction related expenses and fees arising out of transactions effected on behalf of the Fund, credit facility fees and expenses, including interest expenses, and litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business.
Manager-of-Managers Structure
The Adviser and the Trust have filed an application for an exemptive order from the SEC that, if granted, will allow the Fund to operate in a “manager of managers” structure whereby the Adviser, as the Fund’s investment adviser, can appoint and replace both wholly owned and unaffiliated sub-advisers, and enter into, amend and terminate sub-advisory agreements with such sub-advisers, each subject to Board approval but without obtaining prior shareholder approval (the “Manager of Managers Structure”). The Fund will, however, inform shareholders of the hiring of any new sub-adviser within 90 days after the hiring. If granted, the SEC exemptive order will provide the Fund with greater efficiency and without incurring the expenses and delays associated with obtaining shareholder approval of sub-advisory agreements with such sub-advisers.
The use of the Manager of Managers Structure with respect to the Fund will be subject to certain conditions that will be set forth in the SEC exemptive order. Under the Manager of Managers Structure, the Adviser will have the ultimate responsibility, subject to oversight by the Board, to oversee the sub-advisers and recommend their hiring, termination, and replacement. The Adviser will also, subject to the review and approval of the Board: set the Fund’s overall investment strategy; evaluate, select and recommend sub-advisers to manage all or a portion of the Fund’s assets; and implement procedures reasonably designed to ensure that each sub-adviser complies with the Fund’s investment objective, policies and restrictions. Subject to the review of the Board, the Adviser will allocate and, when appropriate, reallocate the Fund’s assets among sub-advisers and monitor and evaluate the sub-advisers’ performance.
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The Sub-Adviser. The Adviser has retained Toroso Asset Management (the “Sub-Adviser”) to serve as sub-adviser for the Fund. The Sub-Adviser is responsible for handling the day-to-day management of the Fund’s trading process, which includes Creation and/or Redemption basket processing. The Sub-Adviser does not select investments for the Fund’s portfolio. The Sub-Adviser, which has its principal office at 898 N. Broadway, Suite 2, Massapequa, New York 11758, was formed in 2012 and provides investment advisory, investment research, and portfolio construction services to ETF clients. For its services, the Sub-Adviser is paid a sub-advisory fee by the Adviser. See the Fund’s statement of additional information (“SAI”) for a description of the Sub-Adviser’s fee.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board approving the Investment Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement for the Fund will be available in the Fund’s semi-annual report for the period ending June 30, 2021, once that report is produced.
The Portfolio Managers
Adviser Portfolio Manager - Mr. Paul Blinn, portfolio manager, is jointly responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolios, including stock selection, investment monitoring and trading. Mr. Blinn joined the Adviser as a founding member in 2006 and has served as principal of the Adviser since that time. Mr. Blinn has over 25 years of capital market experience. Mr. Blinn’s background includes experience as an Executive Director at UBS, a global financial firm, and its predecessor entities from 1985 to 2000, as a Vice President of a leading option market maker, and a Senior Equity derivatives trader for a hedge fund from 2000 to 2005. Mr. Blinn graduated with honors from The University of Texas at Austin with a BBA in Finance.
Adviser Portfolio Manager - Mr. Rafael Resendes, portfolio manager, is jointly responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolios, including stock selection and investment monitoring. Mr. Resendes was a founding member of the Adviser in 2006 and has served as a principal of the Adviser since that time. Mr. Resendes was also a co-founder of The Applied Finance Group, Ltd. in 1995 and he has served as a principal of that entity since that time. Mr. Resendes has over 25 years of capital market experience and has spent the majority of those years in the areas of equity research and valuation. Mr. Resendes was an adjunct professor of finance at DePaul University in Chicago from 1998 to 1999. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from The University of California, Berkeley with a BS in Finance and received his MBA from the University of Chicago.
Sub-Adviser Portfolio Manager – Michael Venuto is a portfolio manager of the Fund. Mr. Venuto is Co-Founder and Chief Investment Officer of the Sub-Adviser. He is an ETF industry veteran with over two decades of experience in the design and implementation of ETF-based investment strategies. Mr. Venuto is the lead portfolio manager for the first actively managed ETF focused on Blockchain (BLOK) companies filed in the US. Previously, he was Head of Investments at Global X Funds where he provided portfolio optimization services to institutional clients. Before that, he was Senior Vice President at Horizon Kinetics where his responsibilities included new business development, investment strategy, Fintech private equity and strategic initiatives. In 2014, Mr. Venuto was chosen as one the ETF.COM All Stars for his research and is often quoted as an ETF expert in publications such as Reuters and Barron’s.
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Sub-Adviser Portfolio Manager – Charles A. Ragauss, CFA is a portfolio manager of the Fund. Mr. Ragauss is Portfolio Manager and Head of Trading of the Sub-Adviser. He is responsible for leading the portfolio management trading team, trading the securities held in the ETFs advised by the Sub-Adviser, as well as the SMAs managed by the Sub-Adviser. Prior to joining the Sub-Adviser, he was Chief Operating Officer and Head of Portfolio Management at CSat Investment Advisory, L.P., doing business as Exponential ETFs (“Exponential ETFs”) since April 2016. He was responsible for expanding and improving that firm’s product offerings as well as managing the day-to- day operations of client portfolios. Prior to Exponential ETFs, Mr. Ragauss was Assistant Vice President at Huntington National Bank, where he was Product Manager for the Huntington Funds and Huntington Strategy Share ETFs, a combined fund complex of almost $4 billion in asset under management. At Huntington, he led ETF development, bringing to market some of the first actively managed ETFs. Mr. Ragauss attended Grand Valley State University where he received his Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and International Business, as well as a minor in French. He holds the CFA designation.
The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers’, and the portfolio managers’ ownership in the Fund.
The Trust
The Fund is a non-diversified series of the ETF Opportunities Trust, an open-end management investment company organized as a Delaware statutory trust on March 18, 2019. The Board supervises the operations of the Fund according to applicable state and federal law, and the Board is responsible for the overall management of the Fund’s business affairs.
Portfolio Holdings
A description of the Fund’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the Fund’s SAI. Complete holdings are published on the Fund’s website on a daily basis. Please visit the Fund’s website at www.appliedfinancefunds.com. In addition, the Fund’s complete holdings (as of the dates of such reports) are available in reports on Form N-PORT and Form N-CSR filed with the SEC.
Shares of the Fund is listed for trading on the Exchange. Share prices are reported in dollars and cents per share. Shares can be bought and sold on the secondary market throughout the trading day like other publicly traded shares and shares typically trade in blocks of less than a Creation Unit. There is no minimum investment required. shares may only be purchased and sold on the secondary market when the Exchange is open for trading. The Exchange is open for trading Monday through Friday and is closed on weekends and the following holidays, as observed: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
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When buying or selling shares through a broker, you will incur customary brokerage commissions and charges, and you may pay some or all of the spread between the bid and the offered price in the secondary market on each leg of a round trip (purchase and sale) transaction.
Authorized Participants may acquire shares directly from the Fund, and Authorized Participants may tender their shares for redemption directly to the Fund, at NAV per share only in large blocks, or Creation Units, of at least 25,000 shares. Purchases and redemptions directly with the Fund must follow the Fund’s procedures, which are described in the SAI.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund will pay out redemption proceeds to a redeeming AP within two days after the AP’s redemption request is received, in accordance with the process set forth in the Fund’s SAI and in the agreement between the AP and the Fund’s distributor. However, the Fund reserves the right, including under stressed market conditions, to take up to seven days after the receipt of a redemption request to pay an AP, all as permitted by the 1940 Act. The Fund anticipates regularly meeting redemption requests primarily through in-kind redemptions. However, the Fund reserves the right to pay redemption proceeds to an AP in cash. Cash used for redemptions will be raised from the sale of portfolio assets or may come from existing holdings of cash or cash equivalents.
The Fund may liquidate and terminate at any time without shareholder approval.
Share Trading Prices
The approximate value of shares, an amount representing on a per share basis the sum of the current market price of the securities accepted by the Fund in exchange for shares and an estimated cash component will be disseminated every 15 seconds throughout the trading day through the facilities of the Consolidated Tape Association. This approximate value should not be viewed as a “real-time” update of the NAV per share because the approximate value may not be calculated in the same manner as the NAV, which is computed once a day, generally at the end of the business day. The Fund is not involved in, or responsible for, the calculation or dissemination of the approximate value of the shares, and the Fund does not make any warranty as to the accuracy of these values.
Book Entry
Shares are held in book entry form, which means that no stock certificates are issued. The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) or its nominee is the record owner of all outstanding shares and is recognized as the owner of all shares for all purposes.
Investors owning shares are beneficial owners as shown on the records of DTC or its participants. DTC serves as the securities depository for all shares. Participants in DTC include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other institutions that directly or indirectly maintain a custodial relationship with DTC. As a beneficial owner of shares, you are not entitled to receive physical delivery of stock certificates or to have shares registered in your name, and you are not considered a registered owner of shares. Therefore, to exercise any right as an owner of shares, you must rely upon the procedures of DTC and its participants. These procedures are the same as those that apply to any other securities that you hold in book entry or “street name” form.
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FREQUENT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF FUND SHARES
Shares can only be purchased and redeemed directly from the Fund in Creation Units by Authorized Participants, and the vast majority of trading in shares occurs on the secondary market. Because the secondary market trades do not directly involve the Fund, it is unlikely those trades would cause the harmful effects of market timing, including dilution, disruption of portfolio management, increases in the Fund’s trading costs and the realization of capital gains. With regard to the purchase or redemption of Creation Units directly with the Fund, to the extent effected in-kind (i.e., for securities), those trades do not cause the harmful effects that may result from frequent cash trades. To the extent trades are effected in whole or in part in cash, those trades could result in dilution to the Fund and increased transaction costs, which could negatively impact a Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. However, direct trading by Authorized Participants is critical to ensuring that shares trade at or close to NAV. The Fund also employ fair valuation pricing to minimize potential dilution from market timing. In addition, the Fund imposes transaction fees on purchases and redemptions of shares to cover the custodial and other costs incurred by the Fund in effecting trades. These fees increase if an investor substitutes cash in part or in whole for securities, reflecting the fact that a Fund’s trading costs increase in those circumstances. Given this structure, the Trust has determined that it is not necessary to adopt policies and procedures to detect and deter market timing of the Shares.
DIVIDENDS, OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
Shares are traded throughout the day in the secondary market on a national securities exchange on an intra-day basis and are created and redeemed in-kind and/or for cash in Creation Units at each day’s next calculated NAV. In-kind arrangements are designed to protect ongoing shareholders from the adverse effects on a Fund’s portfolio that could arise from frequent cash redemption transactions. However, similar to a conventional mutual fund, the Fund expects to typically satisfy redemptions in cash. This may result in the Fund selling portfolio securities to obtain cash to meet net fund redemptions which can have an adverse tax impact on taxable shareholders. These sales may generate taxable gains for the ongoing shareholders of the fund, whereas the shares’ in-kind redemption mechanism generally will not lead to a tax event for the Fund or its ongoing shareholders.
Ordinarily, dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid at least annually by the Fund. The Fund will distribute its net realized capital gains, if any, to shareholders at least annually. The Fund may also pay a special distribution at the end of a calendar year to comply with federal tax requirements.
No dividend reinvestment service is provided by the Fund. Broker-dealers may make available the DTC book-entry Dividend Reinvestment Service for use by beneficial owners of the Fund for reinvestment of their dividend distributions. Beneficial owners should contact their broker to determine the availability and costs of the service and the details of participation therein. Brokers may require beneficial owners to adhere to specific procedures and timetables. If this service is available and used, dividend distributions of both income and realized gains will be automatically reinvested in additional whole shares of the Fund purchased in the secondary market.
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Distributions in cash may be reinvested automatically in additional whole shares only if the broker through whom you purchased shares makes such option available.
Taxes
As with any investment, you should consider how your investment in shares will be taxed. The tax information in this Prospectus is provided as general information. You should consult your own tax professional about the tax consequences of an investment in shares.
Unless your investment in Shares is made through a tax-exempt entity or tax-deferred retirement account, such as an individual retirement account, you need to be aware of the possible tax consequences when:
- | A Fund makes distributions, |
- | You sell your shares listed on the Exchange, and |
- | You purchase or redeem Creation Units. |
Taxes on Distributions
Distributions from the Fund’s net investment income, including net short-term capital gains, if any, are taxable to you as ordinary income, except that the Fund’s dividends attributable to its “qualified dividend income” (i.e., dividends received on stock of most domestic and certain foreign corporations with respect to which the Fund satisfies certain holding period and other restrictions), if any, generally are subject to federal income tax for non-corporate shareholders who satisfy those restrictions with respect to their shares at the rate for net capital gain. A part of the Fund’s dividends also may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction allowed to corporations -- the eligible portion may not exceed the aggregate dividends the Fund receives from domestic corporations subject to federal income tax (excluding REITs) and excludes dividends from foreign corporations -- subject to similar restrictions. However, dividends a corporate shareholder deducts pursuant to that deduction are subject indirectly to the federal alternative minimum tax. 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 annual Fund operating expenses affect the Fund’s performance.
In general, your distributions are subject to federal income tax when they are paid, whether you take them in cash or reinvest them in the Fund (if that option is available). Distributions reinvested in additional shares through the means of a dividend reinvestment service, if available, will be taxable to shareholders acquiring the additional shares to the same extent as if such distributions had been received in cash. Distributions of net long-term capital gains, if any, in excess of net short-term capital losses are taxable as long-term capital gains, regardless of how long you have held the shares.
Distributions in excess of a Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits are treated as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of your basis in the shares and as capital gain thereafter. A distribution will reduce a Fund’s NAV per share and may be taxable to you as ordinary income or capital gain (as described above) even though, from an investment standpoint, the distribution may constitute a return of capital.
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By law, the Fund are required to withhold 24% of your distributions and redemption proceeds if you have not provided the Fund with a correct Social Security number or other taxpayer identification number and in certain other situations.
Taxes on Exchange-Listed Share Sales
Any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale of shares is generally treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year and as short-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for one year or less. The ability to deduct capital losses from sales of shares may be limited.
Taxes on Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units
An Authorized Participant who exchanges securities for Creation Units generally will recognize a gain or a loss equal to the difference between the market value of the Creation Units at the time of the exchange and the sum of the exchanger’s aggregate basis in the securities surrendered plus any Cash Component it pays. An Authorized Participant who exchanges Creation Units for securities will generally recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the exchanger’s basis in the Creation Units and the sum of the aggregate market value of the securities received plus any cash equal to the difference between the NAV of the shares being redeemed and the value of the securities. The Internal Revenue Service (“Service”), however, may assert that a loss realized upon an exchange of securities for Creation Units cannot be deducted currently under the rules governing “wash sales” or for other reasons. Persons exchanging securities should consult their own tax advisor with respect to whether wash sale rules apply and when a loss might be deductible.
Any capital gain or loss realized upon redemption of Creation Units is generally treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year and as short-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for one year or less.
If you purchase or redeem Creation Units, you will be sent a confirmation statement showing how many shares you purchased or sold and at what price. See “Tax Status” in the SAI for a description of the newly effective requirement regarding basis determination methods applicable to share redemptions and the Fund’s obligation to report basis information to the Service.
The foregoing discussion summarizes some of the possible consequences under current federal tax law of an investment in the Fund. It is not a substitute for personal tax advice. Consult your personal tax advisor about the potential tax consequences of an investment in the shares under all applicable tax laws. See “Tax Status” in the SAI for more information.
FUND SERVICE PROVIDERS
Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. (the “Administrator”) is the Fund’s administrator. The firm is primarily in the business of providing administrative services to retail and institutional mutual funds and exchange-traded funds.
Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi”) serves as the Fund’s fund accountant and transfer agent, and it provides certain other services to the Fund not provided by the Administrator. Citi is primarily in the business of providing administrative, fund accounting and transfer agent services to retail and institutional exchange traded funds and mutual funds.
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Citibank, N.A., serves as the Fund’s custodian.
Foreside Fund Services, LLC (the “Distributor”) serves as the Distributor of Creation Units for the Fund on an agency basis. The Distributor does not maintain a Secondary Market in shares.
Practus, LLP services as legal counsel to the Trust and the Fund.
Cohen & Company, Ltd. serves as the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm. The independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for auditing the annual financial statements of the Fund.
OTHER INFORMATION
Continuous Offering
The method by which Creation Units of shares are created and traded may raise certain issues under applicable securities laws. Because new Creation Units of shares are issued and sold by the Fund on an ongoing basis, a “distribution,” as such term is used in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), may occur at any point. Broker-dealers and other persons are cautioned that some activities on their part may, depending on the circumstances, result in their being deemed participants in a distribution in a manner which could render them statutory underwriters and subject them to the prospectus delivery requirement and liability provisions of the Securities Act.
For example, a broker-dealer firm or its client may be deemed a statutory underwriter if it takes Creation Units after placing an order with the Distributor, breaks them down into constituent shares and sells the shares directly to customers or if it chooses to couple the creation of a supply of new shares with an active selling effort involving solicitation of secondary market demand for shares. A determination of whether one is an underwriter for purposes of the Securities Act must take into account all the facts and circumstances pertaining to the activities of the broker-dealer or its client in the particular case, and the examples mentioned above should not be considered a complete description of all the activities that could lead to a characterization as an underwriter.
Broker-dealer firms should also note that dealers who are not “underwriters” but are effecting transactions in shares, whether or not participating in the distribution of shares, are generally required to deliver a prospectus. This is because the prospectus delivery exemption in Section 4(3) of the Securities Act is not available in respect of such transactions as a result of Section 24(d) of the 1940 Act. As a result, broker-dealer firms should note that dealers who are not “underwriters” but are participating in a distribution (as contrasted with engaging in ordinary secondary market transactions) and thus dealing with the shares that are part of an overallotment within the meaning of Section 4(3)(C) of the Securities Act, will be unable to take advantage of the prospectus delivery exemption provided by Section 4(3) of the Securities Act. For delivery of prospectuses to exchange members, the prospectus delivery mechanism of Rule 153 under the Securities Act is only available with respect to transactions on a national exchange.
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Dealers effecting transactions in the shares, whether or not participating in this distribution, are generally required to deliver a Prospectus. This is in addition to any obligation of dealers to deliver a Prospectus when acting as underwriters.
Premium/Discount Information
When available, information regarding how often the Shares of the Fund traded on the Exchange at a price above (i.e., at a premium) or below (i.e. at a discount) the NAV of the Fund will be available at www.appliedfinancefunds.com
Householding
For shareholders that have requested paper copies of the prospectus, annual and semi- annual report, the Fund will mail only one copy of each document to those addresses shared by two or more accounts. If you wish to receive individual copies of these documents, please call the Fund at 833-356-0909 on days the Fund is open for business or contact your financial institution. The Fund will begin sending you individual copies thirty days after receiving your request.
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Because the Fund has not yet commenced operations as of the date hereof, no financial highlights are available. In the future, financial highlights will be presented in this section of the Prospectus.
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You will find more information about the Fund in the following documents:
The Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports will contain more information about the Fund. The Fund’s annual report will contain a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that had a significant effect on the Fund’s performance during the last fiscal year.
For more information about the Fund, you may wish to refer to the Fund’s SAI dated April 16, 2021, 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 ETF Opportunities Trust, 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, Virginia 23235, by calling the Fund toll free at (888) 909-6030, by e-mail at: mail@ccofva.com. The Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports, prospectus and SAI are all available for viewing/downloading at www.appliedfinanceadvisors.com. General inquiries regarding the Fund may also be directed to the above address or telephone number.
Copies of these documents and other information about the Fund are available on the EDGAR Database on the Commission’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov, and copies of these documents may also be obtained, after paying a duplication fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov.
(Investment Company Act File No. 811-23439)
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Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap ETF
(the “Fund”)
A series portfolio of
ETF Opportunities Trust
ETF Opportunities Trust
8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205
Richmond, Virginia 23235
-
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Dated April 16, 2021
This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus. It should be read in conjunction with the current prospectus for the Fund dated April 16, 2021 as it may be supplemented or revised from time to time. This SAI is incorporated by reference into the Fund’s prospectus. You can obtain a free copy of the annual and semi-annual reports (once available), prospectus and SAI by writing to ETF Opportunities Trust, 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, Virginia 23235, by calling the Fund toll free at (888) 909-6030, by e-mail at: mail@ccofva.com. The Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports, prospectus and SAI are all available for viewing/downloading at www.appliedfinanceadvisors.com. General inquiries regarding the Fund may also be directed to the above address or telephone number.
Investment Adviser:
Applied Finance Advisors, LLC
17806 IH 10, Suite 300
San Antonio, Texas 78257
TABLE OF CONTENTS
General. This SAI relates to Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap ETF (the “Fund”) and should be read in conjunction with the prospectus of the Fund. This SAI is incorporated by reference into the Fund’s prospectus. No investment in shares should be made without reading the prospectus. The Fund is a non-diversified series of ETF Opportunities Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”). The Trust is registered as an open-end management investment company. The Trust is governed by its Board of Trustees (the “Board” or “Trustees”). The investment adviser to the Fund is Applied Finance Advisors, LLC (the “Adviser”) and the sub-adviser to the Fund is Toroso Asset Management (the “Sub-Adviser”).
The Fund may issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest (“Shares”). All Shares have equal rights and privileges. Each Share is entitled to one vote on all matters as to which Shares are entitled to vote. In addition, each Share is entitled to participate equally with other Shares (i) in dividends and distributions declared by the Fund and (ii) on liquidation to its proportionate share of the assets remaining after satisfaction of outstanding liabilities. Shares are fully paid, non-assessable and fully transferable when issued and have no pre-emptive, conversion or exchange rights. Fractional Shares have proportionately the same rights, including voting rights, as are provided for a full Share.
The Fund will issue and redeem Shares at net asset value (“NAV”) in aggregations of at least 25,000 Shares (each a “Creation Unit”). The Fund will issue and redeem Creation Units principally in exchange for a basket of securities (the “Deposit Securities”), together with the deposit of a specified cash payment (the “Cash Component”), plus a transaction fee. The Fund has been approved for listing on NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “Exchange”). Shares will trade on the Exchange at market prices that may be below, at, or above NAV. In the event of the liquidation of the Fund, a share split, reverse split or the like, the Trust may revise the number of Shares in a Creation Unit.
Shares may be issued in advance of receipt of Deposit Securities subject to various conditions as described herein - see the section titled “Placement of Creation Orders Outside the Clearing Process” found on page 32-33 of this SAI. In each instance of such cash creations or redemptions, transaction fees may be imposed and may be higher than the transaction fees associated with in-kind creations or redemptions. See “Additional Information About Purchase and Redemptions” below.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
The Fund’s investment objective and principal investment strategies are described in the prospectus. The Fund is “non-diversified” as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As a non-diversified fund, the Fund is permitted to invest in fewer securities at any one time than a diversified fund. 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.
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, 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. The Fund is new, so no portfolio turnover rate is available at this time.
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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 Fund’s 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. To the extent particular investment techniques or instruments are not described in the Principal Investment Strategies disclosure of the Fund’s prospectus, such investment techniques and instruments are not a part of the principal strategies and the corresponding risks are not principal risks of the Fund.
Common Stock. Common stock represents an equity or ownership interest in an issuer. In the event an issuer is liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the claims of owners of bonds and preferred stock take precedence over the claims of those who own common stock.
Preferred Stock. Preferred stock 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 stock dividends. 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 a 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 preferred stock is exchangeable for a given number of common shares and thus tends to be more volatile than non-convertible preferred, which behaves more like a fixed-income bond.
Convertible Securities. The Fund may invest in convertible securities. Traditional convertible securities include corporate bonds, notes and preferred stocks that may be converted into or exchanged for common stock or other equity securities, 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 equity securities). 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 therefore may not experience market value declines to the same extent as the underlying common 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 price of a convertible security may be greater than the value of the underlying common stock.
Warrants. The Fund may invest in warrants. Warrants are options to purchase equity securities at a specific price for a specific period of time. They do not represent ownership of the securities, but only the right to buy them. Hence, warrants have no voting rights, pay no dividends and have no rights with respect to the assets of the corporation issuing them. The value of warrants is derived solely from capital appreciation of the underlying equity securities. Warrants differ from call options in that the underlying corporation issues warrants, whereas call options may be written by anyone.
Investment Company Securities. The Fund may invest in shares of other investment companies, including open-end funds, closed-end funds, exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) and money market funds. The Fund may invest in inverse ETFs, including leveraged ETFs. Inverse ETFs seek to provide investment results that match a certain percentage of the inverse of the results of a specific index on a daily or monthly basis. The Fund also may invest in ETFs whose portfolios primarily consist of commodities.
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When the Fund invests in other investment companies, it indirectly will bear their proportionate share of any fees and expenses payable directly by the underlying funds. Therefore, the Fund will incur higher expenses, many of which may be duplicative. In addition, the Fund may be affected by losses of the underlying funds and the level of risk arising from the investment practices of the underlying funds (such as the use of leverage by the funds). The Fund has no control over the investments and related risks taken by the underlying funds in which it invests. 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.
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) the ETF’s shares may trade at a market price that is above or below its net asset value; (ii) an active trading market for an ETF’s 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 ETF’s shares may be halted if the listing exchange’s 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.
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 Fund’s investment will decrease when the index underlying the ETF’s 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.
To the extent that the Fund invests in ETFs that invest in commodities, it will be subject to additional risks. Commodities are real assets such as oil, agriculture, livestock, industrial metals, and precious metals such as gold or silver. The values of ETFs that invest in commodities are highly dependent on the prices of the related commodities. The demand and supply of these commodities may fluctuate widely based on such factors as interest rates, investors’ expectations with respect to the rate of inflation, currency exchange rates, the production and cost levels of the producing countries and/or forward selling by such producers, global or regional political, economic or financial events, purchases and sales by central banks, and trading activities by hedge funds and other commodity funds. Commodity ETFs may use derivatives, such as futures, options and swaps, which exposes them to further risks, including counterparty risk (i.e., the risk that the institution on the other side of their trade will default).
Debentures. Debentures are a general debt obligation backed only by the integrity of the borrower and documented by an agreement called an Indenture. An unsecured bond is a debenture.
Illiquid Securities. The Fund may hold up to 15% of its relative net assets in illiquid securities. For this purpose, the term “illiquid securities” means securities that the holder reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the security. 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.
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Debt Securities. The Fund may invest in debt securities. It generally will invest in debt securities rated Baa or higher by Moody’s Investor Service, Inc.(“Moody’s”) or BBB or higher by Standard & Poor’s Rating Group (“S&P”) or foreign securities not subject to standard credit ratings, which the Adviser/Sub-Adviser believes are of comparable quality. Debt securities consist of bonds, notes, government and government agency securities, zero coupon securities, convertible bonds, asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities, and other debt securities whose purchase is consistent with the Fund’s investment objectives. The Fund’s investments may include international bonds that are denominated in foreign currencies, including the European Currency Unit or “Euro.” International bonds are defined as bonds issued in countries other than the United States. The Fund’s investments may include debt securities issued or guaranteed by supranational organizations, corporate debt securities, and bank or holding company debt securities.
Foreign Securities. The Fund may invest in foreign securities. Investing in securities of foreign companies and countries involves certain considerations and risks that are not typically associated with investing in U.S. government securities and securities of domestic companies. 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. The establishment of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws or restrictions could adversely affect the payment of obligations. In addition, investing in foreign securities will generally result in higher commissions than investing in similar domestic securities.
Decreases in the value of currencies of the foreign countries in which the Fund will invest relative to the U.S. dollar will result in a corresponding decrease in the U.S. dollar value of the Fund’s assets denominated in those currencies (and possibly a corresponding increase in the amount of securities required to be liquidated to meet distribution requirements). Conversely, increases in the value of currencies of the foreign countries in which the Fund invests relative to the U.S. dollar will result in a corresponding increase in the U.S. dollar value of the Fund’s assets (and possibly a corresponding decrease in the amount of securities to be liquidated).
Depositary Receipts. Assets of the Fund may be invested on a global basis to take advantage of investment opportunities both within the United States and other countries. The Fund may buy foreign securities directly in their principal markets or indirectly through the use of depositary receipts. The Fund may invest in sponsored and unsponsored American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”), and other similar depositary receipts. ADRs are issued by an American bank or trust company and represent ownership of underlying securities of a foreign company. EDRs are issued in Europe, usually by foreign banks, and represent ownership of either foreign or domestic underlying securities. The foreign country may withhold taxes on dividends or distributions paid on the securities underlying ADRs and EDRs, thereby reducing the dividend or distribution amount received by shareholders.
Unsponsored ADRs and EDRs are issued without the participation of the issuer of the underlying securities. As a result, information concerning the issuer may not be as current as for sponsored ADRs and EDRs. Holders of unsponsored ADRs generally bear all of the costs of the ADR facilities. The depositary of an unsponsored facility frequently is under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications received from the issuer of the deposited securities or to pass through voting rights to the holders of such receipts in respect of the deposited securities. Therefore, there may not be a correlation between information concerning the issuer of the security and the market value of an unsponsored ADR.
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Borrowing. As required by the 1940 Act, the Fund must maintain continuous asset coverage (total assets, including assets acquired with borrowed funds, less liabilities exclusive of borrowings) of 300% of all amounts borrowed. If, at any time, the value of a Fund’s assets should fail to meet this 300% coverage test, the Fund, within three days (not including Sundays and holidays), will reduce the amount of the Fund’s borrowings to the extent necessary to meet this 300% coverage. Maintenance of this percentage limitation may result in the sale of portfolio securities at a time when investment considerations otherwise indicate that it would be disadvantageous to do so. Investment strategies that either obligate a Fund to purchase securities or require a Fund to segregate assets are not considered to be borrowing.
Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with qualified, creditworthy banks or non-bank dealers (“Seller”) as determined by the Adviser. In a repurchase agreement, the Fund buys from the Seller investment-grade securities at one price and the Seller agrees to repurchase these securities at a later date (usually within one to seven days) for a price equal to the original price paid by the Fund plus an agreed interest payment (“Repurchase Price”). The Seller’s obligation to repurchase the securities is secured by cash, the securities purchased, and/or certain U.S. government securities or U.S. agency guaranteed securities (“Collateral”). The Collateral is held by the Fund’s custodian or a qualified sub-custodian under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) that is a financial intermediary. The Adviser will monitor, on an ongoing basis, the current market value of the Collateral to ensure it always equals or exceeds the Repurchase Price. Each repurchase agreement must at all times be “fully collateralized” as required by Rule 5b-3 under the 1940 Act. Repurchase agreements involve risks that the Seller cannot pay the Repurchase Price (e.g., in the event of a default or insolvency of the Seller) and risks that the net liquidation value of the Collateral is less than the amount needed to repay the Repurchase Price. In addition, the Fund may invest in foreign repurchase agreements. Foreign repurchase agreements may include agreements to purchase and sell foreign securities in exchange for fixed U.S. dollar amounts, or in exchange for specified amounts of foreign currency. In the event of default by the counterparty, the Fund may suffer a loss if the value of the security purchased, i.e., the collateral, in U.S. dollars, is less than the agreed upon repurchase price, or if the Fund is unable to successfully assert a claim to the collateral under foreign laws. As a result, foreign repurchase agreements may involve greater credit risk than repurchase agreements in U.S. markets, as well as risks associated with currency fluctuations. Repurchase agreements with foreign counterparties may have more risk than with U.S. counterparties, since less financial information may be available about the foreign counterparties and they may be less creditworthy.
The Fund may engage in repurchase agreement transactions to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law.
Loans of Portfolio Securities. The Fund may make short- and long-term loans of its portfolio securities. To the extent that a lending policy is authorized by the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) and implemented by the Adviser, the Fund may make loans of its portfolio securities in response to requests of broker-dealers or institutional investors which the Adviser deems qualified. In all such cases, the borrower must agree to maintain collateral, in the form of cash or U.S. government obligations, with the Fund on a daily mark-to-market basis in an amount at least equal to 100% of the value of the loaned securities. The Fund will continue to receive dividends or interest on the loaned securities and may terminate such loans at any time or reacquire such securities in time to vote on any matter which the Board determines to be serious. With respect to loans of securities, there is the risk that the borrower may fail to return the loaned securities or that the borrower may not be able to provide additional collateral. No loan of securities will be made if, as a result, the aggregate amount of such loans would exceed 5% of the value of a Fund’s net assets.
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Strategic Transactions. The Fund may utilize a variety of investment strategies to hedge various market risks (such as interest rates, currency exchange rates, and broad specific equity or fixed-income market movements). Such strategies are generally accepted as modern portfolio management and are regularly utilized by many mutual funds and institutional investors. Techniques and instruments may change over time as new instruments and strategies develop and regulatory changes occur.
In the course of pursuing these investment strategies, the Fund may purchase and sell exchange-listed and over-the-counter put and call options on securities, fixed-income indices and other financial instruments, purchase and sell financial futures contracts and options thereon, enter into various interest rate transactions such as swaps, caps, floors or collars, and enter into various currency transactions such as currency forward contracts, currency futures contracts, currency swaps or options on currencies or currency futures (collectively, all the above are called “Strategic Transactions”).
When conducted outside of the United States, Strategic Transactions may not be regulated as rigorously as they are in the United States, may not involve a clearing mechanism and related guarantees, and are subject to the risk of governmental actions affecting trading in, or the prices of, foreign securities, currencies, and other instruments. The value of such positions could also be adversely affected by: (1) other complex foreign political, legal and economic factors, (2) lesser availability than in the United States of data on which to make trading decisions, (3) delays in a Fund’s ability to act upon economic events occurring in foreign markets during non-business hours in the United States, (4) the imposition of different exercise and settlement terms and procedures and margin requirements than in the United States, and (5) lower trading volume and liquidity.
Options. The Fund may purchase and sell options as described herein.
Put and Call Options. A put option gives the purchaser of the option, upon payment of a premium, the right to sell, and the writer the obligation to buy, the underlying security, commodity, index, currency or other instrument at the exercise price. The Fund may purchase a put option on a security to protect its holdings in the underlying instrument (or, in some cases, a similar instrument) against a substantial decline in market value by giving the Fund the right to sell such instrument at the option exercise price. Such protection is, of course, only provided during the life of the put option when the Fund can sell the underlying security at the put exercise price regardless of any decline in the underlying security’s market price. By using put options in this manner, the Fund will reduce any profit it might otherwise have realized in its underlying security by the premium paid for the put option and by transaction costs.
A call option, upon payment of a premium, gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and the seller the obligation to sell, the underlying instrument at the exercise price. The Fund’s purchase of a call option on a security, financial future, index, currency, or other instrument might be intended to protect the Fund against an increase in the price of the underlying instrument. When writing a covered call option, the Fund, in return for the premium, gives up the opportunity to profit from a market increase in the underlying security above the exercise price, but conversely retains the risk of loss should the price of the security decline. If a call option which the Fund has written expires, it will realize a gain in the amount of the premium; however, such gain may be offset by a decline in the market value of the underlying security during the option period. If the call option is exercised, the Fund will realize a gain or loss from the sale of the underlying security.
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The premium received is the market value of an option. The premium the Fund will receive from writing a call option, or, which it will pay when purchasing a put option, will reflect, among other things, the current market price of the underlying security, the relationship of the exercise price to such market price, the historical price volatility of the underlying security, the length of the option period, the general supply and demand for credit conditions, and the general interest rate environment. The premium received by the Fund for writing covered call options will be recorded as a liability in its statement of assets and liabilities. This liability will be adjusted daily to the option’s current market value, which will be the latest sale price at the time at which the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) per share is computed (currently, the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”)), or, in the absence of such sale, the latest asked price. The liability will be extinguished upon expiration of the option, the purchase of an identical option in a closing transaction, or delivery of the underlying security upon the exercise of the option.
The premium paid by the Fund when purchasing a put option will be recorded as an asset in its statement of assets and liabilities. This asset will be adjusted daily to the option’s current market value, which will be the latest sale price at the time at which the Fund’s NAV per share is computed, or, in the absence of such sale, the latest bid price. The asset will be extinguished upon expiration of the option, the selling (writing) of an identical option in a closing transaction, or the delivery of the underlying security upon the exercise of the option.
The purchase of a put option will constitute a short sale for federal tax purposes. The purchase of a put at a time when the substantially identical security held long has not exceeded the long-term capital gain holding period could have adverse tax consequences. The holding period of the long position will be cut off so that even if the security held long is delivered to close the put, short term gain will be recognized. If substantially identical securities are purchased to close the put, the holding period of the securities purchased will not begin until the closing date. The holding period of the substantially identical securities not delivered to close the short sale will commence on the closing of the short sale.
The Fund will purchase a call option only to close out a covered call option it has written. It will write a put option only to close out a put option it has purchased. Such closing transactions will be effected in order to realize a profit on an outstanding call or put option, to prevent an underlying security from being called or put, or, to permit the sale of the underlying security.
Furthermore, effecting a closing transaction will permit the Fund to write another call option, or purchase another put option, on the underlying security with either a different exercise price or expiration date or both. If the Fund desires to sell a particular security from its portfolio on which it has written a call option, or purchased a put option, it will seek to effect a closing transaction prior to, or concurrently with, the sale of the security. There is, of course, no assurance that the Fund will be able to effect such closing transactions at a favorable price. If it cannot enter into such a transaction, it may be required to hold a security that it might otherwise have sold, in which case it would continue to be at market risk on the security. This could result in higher transaction costs, including brokerage commissions. The Fund will pay brokerage commissions in connection with the writing or purchase of options to close out previously written options. Such brokerage commissions are normally higher than those applicable to purchases and sales of portfolio securities.
Options written by the Fund will normally have expiration dates between three and nine months from the date written. The exercise price of the options may be below, equal to, or above the current market values of the underlying securities at the time the options are written. From time to time, the Fund may purchase an underlying security for delivery in accordance with an exercise notice of a call option assigned to it, rather than delivering such security from its portfolio. In such cases, additional brokerage commissions will be incurred.
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The Fund will realize a profit or loss from a closing purchase transaction if the cost of the transaction is less or more than the premium received from the writing of the option; however, any loss so incurred in a closing purchase transaction may be partially or entirely offset by the premium received from a simultaneous or subsequent sale of a different call or put option. Also, because increases in the market price of a call option will generally reflect increases in the market price of the underlying security, any loss resulting from the repurchase of a call option is likely to be offset in whole or in part by appreciation of the underlying security owned by the Fund.
An American style put or call option may be exercised at any time during the option period while a European style put or call option may be exercised only upon expiration or during a fixed period prior thereto. The Fund is authorized to purchase and sell exchange-listed options and over-the-counter options (“OTC options”). Exchange-listed options are issued by a regulated intermediary such as the Options Clearing Corporation (“OCC”), which guarantees the performance of the obligations of the parties to such options. The discussion below uses the OCC as an example, but is also applicable to other financial intermediaries.
With certain exceptions, OCC issued and exchange listed options generally settle by physical delivery of the underlying security or currency, although cash settlement may become available in the future. Index options and Eurocurrency instruments are cash settled for the net amount, if any, by which the option is “in-the-money” (i.e., where the value of the underlying instrument exceeds, in the case of a call option, or is less than, in the case of a put option, the exercise price of the option) at the time the option is exercised. Frequently, rather than taking or making delivery of the underlying instrument through the process of exercising the option, listed options are closed by entering into offsetting purchase or sales transactions that do not result in ownership of the new option.
The Fund’s ability to close out its position as a purchaser or seller of an OCC or exchange-listed put or call option is dependent, in part, upon liquidity of the option market. Among the possible reasons for the absence of a liquid option market on an exchange are: (1) insufficient trading interest in certain options; (2) restrictions on transactions imposed by an exchange; (3) trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options or underlying securities including reaching daily price limits; (4) interruption of the normal operations of the OCC or an exchange; (5) inadequacy of the facilities of an exchange or OCC to handle current trading volume; or (6) a decision by one or more exchanges to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options), in which event the relevant market for that option on that exchange would cease to exist, although outstanding options on that exchange would generally continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.
The hours of trading for listed options may not coincide with the hours during which the underlying financial instruments are traded. To the extent that the option markets close before the markets for the underlying financial instruments, significant price and rate movements can take place in the underlying markets that cannot be reflected in the option markets.
OTC options are purchased from or sold to securities dealers, financial institutions, or other parties (“Counterparties”) through a direct bilateral agreement with the Counterparty. In contrast to exchange-listed options, which generally have standardized terms and performance mechanics, all of the terms of an OTC option, including such terms as method of settlement, term, exercise price, premium, guarantees and security, are set by negotiation of the parties. A Fund will only sell OTC options (other than OTC currency options) that are subject to a buy-back provision permitting the Fund to require the Counterparty to sell the option back to the Fund at a formula price within seven days.
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Although not required to do so, the Fund generally expects to enter into OTC options that have cash settlement provisions. Unless the parties provide otherwise, there is no central clearing or guaranty function in an OTC option.
As a result, if the Counterparty fails to make or take delivery of the security, currency or other instrument underlying an OTC option it has entered into with the Fund or fails to make a cash settlement payment due in accordance with the terms of that option, the Fund will lose any premium it paid for the option as well as any anticipated benefit of the transaction. Accordingly, the Fund’s Adviser must assess the creditworthiness of each such Counterparty or any guarantor or credit enhancement of the Counterparty’s credit to determine the likelihood that the terms of the OTC option will be satisfied. The Fund will engage in OTC option transactions only with United States government securities dealers recognized by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as “primary dealers,” or broker dealers, domestic or foreign banks or other financial institutions which have received (or the guarantors of the obligation of which have received) a short-term credit rating of A-1 from S&P or P-1 from Moody’s or an equivalent rating from any other nationally recognized statistical rating organization (a “NRSRO”). The staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) currently takes the position that OTC options purchased by the Fund and portfolio securities “covering” the amount of the Fund’s obligation pursuant to an OTC option sold by it (the cost of the sell-back plus the in-the-money amount, if any) are illiquid, and are subject to the Fund’s limitation on investing no more than 15% of its assets in illiquid securities.
If the Fund sells a call option, the premium that it receives may serve as a partial hedge against a decrease in the value of the underlying securities or instruments in its portfolio. The premium may also increase the Fund’s income. The sale of put options can also provide income.
The Fund may purchase and sell call options on securities, including U.S. Treasury and agency securities, mortgage-backed securities, corporate debt securities, and Eurocurrency instruments (see “Eurocurrency Instruments” below for a description of such instruments) that are traded in U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and in the over-the-counter markets, and futures contracts. The Fund may purchase and sell call options on currencies. All calls sold by the Fund must be “covered” (i.e., the Fund must own the securities or futures contract subject to the call) or must meet the asset segregation requirements described below as long as the call is outstanding. Even though the Fund will receive the option premium to help protect them against loss, a call sold by the Fund exposes the Fund during the term of the option to possible loss of opportunity to realize appreciation in the market price of the underlying security or instrument and may require the Fund to hold a security or instrument which they might otherwise have sold.
The Fund may purchase and sell put options on securities including U.S. Treasury and agency securities, mortgage-backed securities, foreign sovereign debt, corporate debt securities, convertible securities, and Eurocurrency instruments (whether or not a Fund holds the above securities in its portfolio), and futures contracts. The Fund may not purchase or sell futures contracts on individual corporate debt securities. The Fund may purchase and sell put options on currencies. The Fund will not sell put options if, as a result, more than 50% of the respective Fund’s assets would be required to be segregated to cover its potential obligations under such put options other than those with respect to futures and options thereon. In selling put options, there is a risk that the Fund may be required to buy the underlying security at a disadvantageous price above the market price. For tax purposes, the purchase of a put is treated as a short sale, which may cut off the holding period for the security. Consequently, the purchase of a put is treated as generating gain on securities held less than three months or short-term capital gain (instead of long term) as the case may be.
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Options on Securities Indices and Other Financial Indices. The Fund may also purchase and sell call and put options on securities indices and other financial indices. By doing so, the Fund can achieve many of the same objectives that they would achieve through the sale or purchase of options on individual securities or other instruments. Options on securities indices and other financial 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. For example, 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 any 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.
Futures. The Fund may enter into financial futures contracts or purchase or sell put and call options on such futures as a hedge against anticipated interest rate or currency market changes and for risk management purposes. The use of futures for hedging is intended to protect the Fund from (1) the risk that the value of its portfolio of investments in a foreign market may decline before it can liquidate its interest, or (2) the risk that a foreign market in which it proposes to invest may have significant increases in value before it invests in that market. In the first instance, the Fund will sell a future based upon a broad market index which it is believed will move in a manner comparable to the overall value of securities in that market. In the second instance, the Fund will purchase the appropriate index as an “anticipatory” hedge until it can otherwise acquire suitable direct investments in that market. As with the hedging of foreign currencies, the precise matching of financial futures on foreign indices and the value of the cash or portfolio securities being hedged may not have a perfect correlation. The projection of future market movement and the movement of appropriate indices is difficult, and the successful execution of this short-term hedging strategy is uncertain.
Regulatory policies governing the use of such hedging techniques require the Fund to provide for the deposit of initial margin and the segregation of suitable assets to meet its obligations under futures contracts. Futures are generally bought and sold on the commodities exchanges where they are listed with payment of initial and variation margin as described below. The sale of a futures contract creates a firm obligation by the Fund, as seller, to deliver to the buyer the specific type of financial instrument called for in the contract at a specific future time for a specified price (or, with respect to index futures and Eurocurrency instruments, the net cash amount). Options on futures contracts are similar to options on securities except that an option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right in return for the premium paid to assume a position in a futures contract and obligates the seller to deliver such position.
The Fund’s use of financial futures and options thereon will in all cases be consistent with applicable regulatory requirements, particularly the rules and regulations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. The Fund will use such techniques only for bona fide hedging, risk management (including duration management) or other portfolio management purposes. Typically, maintaining a futures contract or selling an option thereon requires the Fund to deposit an amount of cash or other specified assets (initial margin), which initially is typically 1% to 10% of the face amount of the contract (but may be higher in some circumstances) with a financial intermediary as security for its obligations. Additional cash or assets (variation margin) may be required to be deposited thereafter daily as the mark-to-market value of the contract fluctuates. The purchase of an option on financial futures involves payment of a premium for the option without any further obligation on the part of the Fund. If the Fund exercises an option on a futures contract, it will be obligated to post initial margin (and potential subsequent variation margin) for the resulting futures position. Futures contracts and options thereon are generally settled by entering into an offsetting transaction, but there can be no assurance that the position can be offset prior to settlement at an advantage price or that delivery will occur.
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The Fund will not enter into a futures contract or related option (except for closing transactions) if immediately thereafter, the sum of the amount of its initial margin and premiums on open futures contracts and options thereon would exceed 5% of the respective Fund’s total assets (taken at current value); however, in the case of an option that is in-the-money at the time of the purchase, the in-the-money amount may be excluded in calculating the 5% limitation. The segregation requirements with respect to futures contracts and options thereon are described below.
Currency Transactions. The Fund may engage in currency transactions with counterparties to hedge the value of portfolio holdings denominated in particular currencies against fluctuations in relative value. Currency transactions include forward currency contracts, exchange-listed currency futures, exchange-listed and OTC options on currencies, and currency swaps. A forward currency contract involves a privately negotiated obligation to purchase or sell (with delivery generally required) a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract between the parties, at a specified price. These contracts are traded in the interbank market and conducted directly between currency traders (usually large, commercial banks) and their customers. A forward foreign currency contract generally has no deposit requirement or commissions charges. A currency swap is an agreement to exchange cash flows based on the notional difference among two or more currencies. Currency swaps operate similarly to an interest rate swap (described below). The Fund may enter into currency transactions with counterparties which have received (or the guarantors of the obligations of which have received) a credit rating of A-1 or P-1 by S&P or Moody’s, respectively, or that have an equivalent rating from a NRSRO, or (except for OTC currency options) are determined to be of equivalent credit quality by the Fund’s Adviser.
Currency hedging involves some of the same risks and considerations as other transactions with similar instruments. Currency transactions can result in losses to the Fund if the currency being hedged fluctuates in value to a degree or in a direction that is not anticipated. Furthermore, there is the risk that the perceived linkage between various currencies may not be present or may not be present during the particular time the Fund is engaging in proxy hedging (see “Proxy Hedging,” below). If the Fund enters into a currency hedging transaction, it will comply with the asset segregation requirements described below. Cross currency hedges may not be considered “directly related” to the Fund’s principal business of investing in stock or securities (or options and futures thereon), resulting in gains there from not qualifying under the “less than 30% of gross income” test of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).
Currency transactions are also subject to risks different from those of other portfolio transactions. Because currency control is of great importance to the issuing governments and influences economic planning and policy, purchases and sales of currency and related instruments can be negatively affected by government exchange controls, blockages, and manipulations or exchange restrictions imposed by governments. These can result in losses to the Fund if it is unable to deliver or receive currency or funds in settlement of obligations and could also cause hedges the Fund has entered into to be rendered useless, resulting in full currency exposure and transaction costs. Buyers and sellers of currency futures are subject to the same risks that apply to the use of futures generally. Furthermore, settlement of a currency futures contract for the purchase of most currencies must occur at a bank based in the issuing nation. Trading options on currency futures is relatively new, and the ability to establish and close out positions on such options is subject to the maintenance of a liquid market which may not always be available. Currency exchange rates may fluctuate based on factors extrinsic to that country’s economy. Although forward foreign currency contracts and currency futures tend to minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged currency, they tend to limit any potential gain which might result should the value of such currency increase.
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The Fund’s dealings in forward currency contracts and other currency transactions such as futures, options on futures, options on currencies and swaps will be limited to hedging involving either specific transactions (“Transaction Hedging”) or portfolio positions (“Position Hedging”).
Transaction Hedging. Transaction Hedging occurs when the Fund enters into a currency transaction with respect to specific assets or liabilities. These specific assets or liabilities generally arise in connection with the purchase or sale of the Fund’s portfolio securities or the receipt of income there from.
The Fund may use transaction hedging to preserve the United States dollar price of a security when they enter into a contract for the purchase or sale of a security denominated in a foreign currency. The Fund will be able to protect against possible losses resulting from changes in the relationship between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies during the period between the date the security is purchased or sold and the date on which payment is made or received by entering into a forward contract for the purchase or sale, for a fixed amount of dollars, of the amount of the foreign currency involved in the underlying security transactions.
Position Hedging. Position hedging is entering into a currency transaction with respect to portfolio security positions denominated or generally quoted in that currency. The Fund may use position hedging when the Fund’s Adviser believes that the currency of a particular foreign country may suffer a substantial decline against the U.S. dollar. The Fund may enter into a forward foreign currency contract to sell, for a fixed amount of dollars, the amount of foreign currency approximating the value of some or all of its portfolio securities denominated in such foreign currency. The precise matching of the forward foreign currency contract amount and the value of the portfolio securities involved may not have a perfect correlation since the future value of the securities hedged will change as a consequence of market movements between the date the forward contract is entered into and the date it matures. The projection of short-term currency market movement is difficult, and the successful execution of this short-term hedging strategy is uncertain.
The Fund will not enter into a transaction to hedge currency exposure to an extent greater, after netting all transactions intended wholly or partially to offset other transactions, than the aggregate market value (at the time of entering into the transaction) of the securities held in their portfolio that are denominated or generally quoted in or currently convertible into such currency, other than with respect to proxy hedging as described below.
Cross Hedging. The Fund may also cross-hedge currencies by entering into transactions to purchase or sell one or more currencies that are expected to decline in value relative to other currencies to which the Fund has or expects to have portfolio exposure.
Proxy Hedging. To reduce the effect of currency fluctuations on the value of existing or anticipated holdings of portfolio securities, the Fund may also engage in proxy hedging. Proxy hedging is often used when the currency to which the Fund’s portfolio is exposed is difficult to hedge or to hedge against the U.S. dollar. Proxy hedging entails entering into a forward contract to sell a currency whose changes in value are generally considered to be linked to a currency or currencies in which some or all of the Fund’s portfolio securities are or are expected to be denominated, and buying U.S. dollars. The amount of the contract would not exceed the value of the Fund’s securities denominated in linked currencies. For example, if the Adviser considers that the Swedish krona is linked to the euro, the Fund holds securities denominated in Swedish krona and the Adviser believes that the value of Swedish krona will decline against the U.S. dollar, the Adviser may enter into a contract to sell euros and buy U.S. dollars.
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Combined Transactions. The Fund may enter into multiple transactions, including multiple options transactions, multiple futures transactions, multiple currency transactions (including forward foreign currency contracts) and multiple interest rate transactions and any combination of futures, options, currency and interest rate transactions (“component transactions”), instead of a single Strategic Transaction or when the Adviser believes that it is in the Fund’s best interest to do so. A combined transaction will usually contain elements of risk that are present in each of its component transactions. Although combined transactions are normally entered into based on the Adviser’s judgment that the combined strategies will reduce risk or otherwise more effectively achieve the desired portfolio management goal, it is possible that the combination will instead increase such risks or hinder achievement of the portfolio management objective.
Eurocurrency Instruments. The Fund may make investments in Eurocurrency instruments. Eurocurrency instruments are futures contracts or options thereon which are linked to the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or to the interbank rates offered in other financial centers. Eurocurrency futures contracts enable purchasers to obtain a fixed rate for the lending of funds and sellers to obtain a fixed rate for borrowings. The Fund might use Eurocurrency futures contracts and options thereon to hedge against changes in LIBOR and other interbank rates, to which many interest rate swaps and fixed income instruments are linked. The United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority has announced plans to discontinue supporting LIBOR and transition away from LIBOR by the end of 2021. Until then, the Fund may continue to invest in instruments that reference LIBOR due to favorable liquidity or pricing. There remains uncertainty regarding the future use of LIBOR and the nature of any replacement or alternative rate, and any potential effects of the phasing out of LIBOR on a Fund or on certain instruments in which a Fund invests can be difficult to ascertain. Various financial industry groups have begun planning for the transition away from LIBOR and certain regulators have taken actions to establish alternative reference rates (e.g., the Secured Overnight Financing Rate, which measures the cost of overnight borrowings through repurchase agreement transactions collateralized with U.S. Treasury securities and is intended to replace U.S. dollar LIBOR with certain adjustments). The transition process may involve, among other things, an increase in price volatility or illiquidity of instruments that currently rely on LIBOR, a reduction in the value of certain instruments held by the Fund, and a reduction in the effectiveness of related Fund transactions such as hedges. Any such effects, as well as other unforeseen effects, could have an adverse impact on the Fund’s performance.
Segregated and Other Special Accounts. In addition to other requirements, many transactions require the Fund to segregate liquid high-grade assets with their custodian to the extent Fund obligations are not otherwise “covered” through the ownership of the underlying security, financial instruments or currency. In general, either the full amount of any obligation by the Fund to pay or deliver securities or assets must be covered at all times by the securities, instruments or currency required to be delivered, or, subject to any regulatory restrictions, an amount of cash or liquid high-grade securities at least equal to the current amount of the obligation must be segregated with the custodian. The segregated assets cannot be sold or transferred unless equivalent assets are substituted in their place or it is no longer necessary to segregate them. For example, a call option written by the Fund will require the Fund to hold the securities subject to the call (or securities convertible into the needed securities without additional consideration) or to segregate liquid high-grade securities sufficient to purchase and deliver the securities if the call is exercised. A call option sold by the Fund on an index will require the Fund to own portfolio securities which correlate with the index or segregate liquid high grade assets equal to the excess of the index value over the exercise price industry or other on a current basis. A put option written by the Fund requires the Fund to segregate liquid, high grade assets equal to the exercise price. A currency contract which obligates the Fund to buy or sell currency will generally require the Fund to hold an amount of that currency or liquid securities denominated in that currency equal to the Fund’s obligations or to segregate liquid high-grade assets equal to the amount of the Fund’s obligation.
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OTC options entered into by the Fund, including those on securities, currency, financial instruments or indices and OCC issued and exchange-listed index options, will generally provide for cash settlement. As a result, when the Fund sells these instruments it will only segregate an amount of assets equal to its accrued net obligations, as there is no requirement for payment or delivery of amounts in excess of the net amount. These amounts will equal 100% of the exercise price in the case of a non-cash-settled put, the same as an OCC guaranteed listed option sold by the Fund, or in-the-money amount plus any sell-back formula amount in the case of a cash-settled put or call. In addition, when the Fund sells a call option on an index at a time when the in-the-money amount exceeds the exercise price, the Fund will segregate, until the option expires or is closed out, cash or cash equivalents equal in value to such excess. OCC issued and exchange-listed options sold by a Fund generally settle with physical delivery, and the Fund will segregate an amount of liquid assets equal to the full value of the option. OTC options settling with physical delivery, or with an election of either physical delivery or cash settlement will be treated the same as other options settling with physical delivery.
In the case of a futures contract or an option thereon, the Fund must deposit initial margin and possible daily variation margin in addition to segregating sufficient liquid assets. Such assets may consist of cash, cash equivalents, liquid debt securities or other liquid assets.
With respect to swaps, the Fund will accrue the net amount of the excess, if any, of its obligations over its entitlements with respect to each swap on a daily basis and will segregate an amount of cash or liquid high grade securities having a value equal to the accrued excess. Caps, floors and collars require segregation of assets with a value equal to the Fund’s net obligation, if any.
Strategic Transactions may be covered by other means when consistent with applicable regulatory policies. The Fund may also enter into offsetting transactions so that its combined position, coupled with any segregated assets, equals its net outstanding obligation in related options and Strategic Transactions. For example, the Fund could purchase a put option if the strike price of that option is the same or higher than the strike price of a put option sold by the Fund. Moreover, instead of segregating assets, if the Fund holds a futures or forward contract, it could purchase a put option on the same futures or forward contract with a strike price as high or higher than the price of the contract held. Other Strategic Transactions may also be offered in combinations.
If the offsetting transaction terminates at the time of or after the primary transaction, no segregation is required, but if it terminates prior to such time, liquid assets equal to any remaining obligation would need to be segregated.
The Fund’s activities involving Strategic Transactions may be limited by the requirements of Subchapter M of the Code for qualification as a regulated investment company.
In addition to the foregoing, the Fund is authorized to borrow money as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes in amounts not in excess of 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets. This borrowing is not subject to the foregoing 300% asset coverage requirement.
Borrowing may subject the Fund to interest costs, which may exceed the interest received on the securities purchased with the borrowed funds. The Fund may borrow at times to meet redemption requests rather than sell portfolio securities to raise the necessary cash. Borrowing can involve leveraging when securities are purchased with the borrowed money.
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Temporary Investments. The Fund may take temporary defensive measures that are inconsistent with the Fund’s normal fundamental or non–fundamental investment policies and strategies in response to adverse market, economic, political, or other conditions as determined by the Adviser. Such measures could include, but are not limited to, investments in (1) highly liquid short–term fixed income securities issued by or on behalf of municipal or corporate issuers, obligations of the U.S. Government and its agencies, commercial paper, and bank certificates of deposit; (2) repurchase agreements involving any such securities; and (3) other money market instruments. The Fund may also invest in shares of money market mutual funds to the extent permitted under applicable law. Money market mutual funds are investment companies, and the investments in those companies by the Fund are in some cases subject to certain fundamental investment restrictions. As a shareholder in a mutual fund, the Fund will bear their ratable share of their expenses, including management fees, and will remain subject to payment of the fees to the Adviser, with respect to assets so invested. The Fund may not achieve its investment objectives during temporary defensive periods.
OTHER INVESTMENTS
Initial Public Offerings. The Fund may participate in the initial public offering (“IPO”) market, and a portion of the Fund’s returns may be attributed to IPO investments; the impact on the Fund’s performance of IPO investments will be magnified if the Fund has a small asset base. Although the IPO market in recent years has been strong, there is no guarantee that it will continue to be so or that suitable IPOs will be available and, as the Fund’s assets grow, there is no guarantee that the impact of IPO investing will produce positive performance.
European Currency. Many European countries have adopted a single European currency, the Euro. On January 1, 1999, the Euro became legal tender for all countries participating in the Economic and Monetary Union (“EMU”). A new European Central Bank has been created to manage the monetary policy of the new unified region. On the same date, the exchange rates were irrevocably fixed between the EMU member countries.
Due to this change and its impact on the European capital markets in which the Fund may invest, the Fund may face additional risks. These risks, which include, but are not limited to, volatility of currency exchange rates as a result of the conversion, uncertainty as to capital market reaction, conversion costs that may affect issuer profitability and creditworthiness, and lack of participation by some European countries, may increase the volatility of the Fund’s net asset value per share.
Miscellaneous. The Board may, in the future, authorize the Fund to invest in securities other than those listed in this SAI and in the prospectus, provided that such investments would be consistent with the respective Fund’s investment objective and that such investments would not violate the respective Fund’s fundamental investment policies or restrictions.
ETF Structure Risks. The Fund is structured as an ETF and as a result is subject to special risks, including:
● | Trading Issues. Trading in Shares on the Exchange may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in Shares inadvisable, such as extraordinary market volatility. There can be no assurance that Shares will continue to meet the listing requirements of the Exchange or will trade with any volume. There is no guarantee that an active secondary market will develop for Shares of the Fund. In stressed market conditions, the liquidity of shares of the Fund may begin to mirror the liquidity of the Fund’s underlying portfolio holdings, which can be significantly less liquid than shares of the Fund. |
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● | Market Price Variance Risk. The market prices of Shares will fluctuate in response to changes in NAV and supply and demand for Shares and will include a “bid-ask spread” charged by the exchange specialists, market makers or other participants that trade the particular security. There may be times when the market price and the NAV vary significantly. This means that Shares may trade at a discount to NAV. |
● | Authorized Participants (“APs”), Market Makers, and Liquidity Providers Risk. The Fund has a limited number of financial institutions that may act as APs. In addition, there may be a limited number of market makers and/or liquidity providers in the marketplace. To the extent either of the following events occur, Shares of the Fund may trade at a material discount to NAV and possibly face delisting: (i) APs exit the business or otherwise become unable to process creation and/or redemption orders and no other APs step forward to perform these services, or (ii) market makers and/or liquidity providers exit the business or significantly reduce their business activities and no other entities step forward to perform their functions. |
● | Costs of Buying or Selling Shares of the Fund. Due to the costs of buying or selling Shares of the Fund, including brokerage commissions imposed by brokers and bid/ask spreads, frequent trading of Shares of the Fund may significantly reduce investment results and an investment in shares of the Fund may not be advisable for investors who anticipate regularly making small investments. |
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 are 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. | 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. |
2. | May not issue senior securities to others, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time. |
3. | May not underwrite securities issued by others except to the extent a Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter under the federal securities laws, in connection with the disposition of portfolio securities. |
4. | 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. |
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5. | May invest in commodities only as permitted by the 1940 Act or other governing statute, by the Rules thereunder or by the SEC or other regulatory agency with authority over the Fund. |
6. | 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. |
7. | May not invest more than 25% of the value of its net assets in the securities of one or more issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry; except that if the Fund’s principal investment objective/strategy is to target the performance of a specific index, the Fund will invest more than 25% of its total assets in securities of issuers in a particular industry to approximately the same extent that the Fund’s target index concentrates in the securities of issuers in a particular industry. The limitation against industry concentration does not apply to investments in securities of the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities. |
Further, as a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund:
shall be a “non-diversified company” as that term is defined in the 1940 Act, as interpreted or modified by regulatory authorities 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 an 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 such percentages or restrictions 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, 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 the Fund from a bank. If borrowings exceed this 300% asset coverage requirement by reason of a decline in net assets of the 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 the Fund’s 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 the 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: 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 separate series of shares and to divide those series into separate classes. The Fund currently offers one class of shares. 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.
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With respect to the Fund’s Fundamental Policy #4 as described above, the Fund will consider, to the extent practicable and consistent with applicable rules, regulations of the SEC and applicable guidance from the staff of the SEC, investments of its underlying investment companies when determining its compliance with the policy.
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.
MANAGEMENT AND OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS
Investment Adviser. Applied Finance Advisors, LLC (the “Adviser”), 17806 IH 10, Suite 300, San Antonio, Texas 78257, is the investment adviser to the Fund. The Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The Adviser is a limited liability company and was organized in Delaware.
The Adviser currently provides investment advisory services pursuant to an investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”). Under the terms of the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser manages the investment portfolio of the Fund, subject to the policies adopted by the Trust’s Board of Trustees. In addition, the Adviser: (i) furnishes office space and all necessary office facilities, equipment and executive personnel necessary for managing the assets of the Fund; (ii) provides guidance and policy direction in connection with its daily management of the Fund’s assets, subject to the authority of the Trust’s Board of Trustees; and (iii) is responsible for oversight of the Sub-Adviser. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser assumes and pays, at its own expense and without reimbursement from the Trust, all ordinary expenses of the Fund, except the fee paid to the Adviser pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, interest expenses, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions and any other portfolio transaction related expenses and fees arising out of transactions effected on behalf of the Fund, credit facility fees and expenses, including interest expenses, and litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business.
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 Fund’s average daily net assets, at the rate of 0.49%. The Adviser retains the right to use the name “Applied Finance” or any derivative thereof in connection with another investment company or business enterprise with which the Adviser is or may become associated. The Trust’s right to use the name “Applied Finance” 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 Advisory Agreement was approved by the Trustees (including all the Independent Trustees) in compliance with the 1940 Act. The Advisory Agreement will continue in force for an initial period of up to two years. Thereafter, the Advisory Agreement is renewable from year to year with respect to the Fund, so long as its continuance is approved at least annually (1) by the vote, cast in person at a meeting called for that purpose, of a majority of those Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust; and (2) by the majority vote of either the full Board or the vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund. The Advisory Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment, and is terminable at any time without penalty by the Board or by a majority of a Fund’s outstanding shares on not less than 60 days’ written notice to the Adviser, or by the Adviser on 90 days’ written notice to the Trust. The Advisory Agreement provides that the Adviser shall not be protected against any liability to the Trust or its shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence on its part in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard of its obligations or duties thereunder.
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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 institution’s services will be lower than to those shareholders who do not. The Fund may 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.
Manager-of-Managers Structure
The Adviser and the Trust have filed an application for an exemptive order from the SEC that, if granted, will allow the Fund to operate in a “manager of managers” structure whereby the Adviser, as the Fund’s investment adviser, can appoint and replace both wholly owned and unaffiliated sub-advisers, and enter into, amend and terminate sub-advisory agreements with such sub-advisers, each subject to Board approval but without obtaining prior shareholder approval (the “Manager of Managers Structure”). The Fund will, however, inform shareholders of the hiring of any new sub-adviser within 90 days after the hiring. If granted, the SEC exemptive order will provide the Fund with greater efficiency and without incurring the expenses and delays associated with obtaining shareholder approval of sub-advisory agreements with such sub-advisers.
The use of the Manager of Managers Structure with respect to the Fund will be subject to certain conditions that will be set forth in the SEC exemptive order. Under the Manager of Managers Structure, the Adviser will have the ultimate responsibility, subject to oversight by the Board, to oversee the sub-advisers and recommend their hiring, termination, and replacement. The Adviser will also, subject to the review and approval of the Board: set the Fund’s overall investment strategy; evaluate, select and recommend sub-advisers to manage all or a portion of the Fund’s assets; and implement procedures reasonably designed to ensure that each sub-adviser complies with the Fund’s investment objective, policies and restrictions. Subject to the review of the Board, the Adviser will allocate and, when appropriate, reallocate the Fund’s assets among sub-advisers and monitor and evaluate the sub-advisers’ performance.
The Sub-Adviser. The Adviser has retained Toroso Asset Management (the “Sub-Adviser”) to serve as sub-adviser for the Fund. The Sub-Adviser has its principal office at 898 N. Broadway, Suite 2, Massapequa, New York 11758. The Sub-Adviser was established in 2012 and provides investment advisory, investment research, and portfolio construction services to ETF clients. No outside companies or individuals currently own more than 25% of the Sub-Adviser’s voting rights. Over 50% of the Sub-Adviser’s voting rights are with employee-members.
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Pursuant to an Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”), the Sub-Adviser assists the Adviser in providing day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio. The Sub-Adviser is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s trading process, which includes Creation and/or Redemption basket processing. The Sub-Adviser will work directly with the Fund’s Custodian, Transfer Agent and Adviser to carry out the trading process for the Fund. The Sub-Adviser does not select investments for the Fund’s portfolio. See below for description of the services being provided by the Custodian and the Transfer Agent.
The Sub-Advisory Agreement was approved by the Trustees (including all the Independent Trustees) in compliance with the 1940 Act and by the Fund’s initial shareholder. The Sub-Advisory Agreement will continue in force for an initial period of up to two years. Thereafter, the Sub-Advisory Agreement is renewable from year to year with respect to the Fund, so long as its continuance is approved at least annually (1) by the vote, cast in person at a meeting called for that purpose, of a majority of those Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust; and (2) by the majority vote of either the full Board or the vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of a Fund. The Sub-Advisory Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment, and is terminable at any time without penalty by the Board or by a majority of each of the Fund’s outstanding shares or by the Adviser on not less than 60 days’ written notice to the Sub-Adviser, or by the Sub-Adviser on 90 days’ written notice to the Adviser and the Trust. The Sub-Advisory Agreement provides that the Sub-Adviser shall not be protected against any liability to the Trust or its shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence on its part in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard of its obligations or duties thereunder. For its services, the Sub-Adviser is paid a fee by the Adviser, which is calculated daily and payable monthly as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets, as set forth in the table below:
Threshold | Fee* | |||
First $500 million | 0.0350 | % | ||
Next $500 million | 0.0325 | % | ||
Over $1 billion | 0.0300 | % |
*Subject to $25,000 minimum per year
Portfolio Managers. As described in the prospectus, Paul Blinn, Rafael Resendes, Michael Venuto and Charles A. Ragauss, CFA serve as the Fund’s Portfolio Managers and they are responsible for the day-to-day investment management of the Fund. In addition to the Fund, the Portfolio Managers are responsible for the day-to-day management of certain other accounts, as listed below. The information below is provided as of January 31, 2021:
Portfolio Manager |
Other Registered Investment
Company
Accounts
|
Assets
Managed ($ millions)
|
Other Pooled Investment
Vehicle
Accounts |
Assets
Managed
($ millions)
|
Other
Accounts
|
Assets
Managed
($ millions)
|
Total Assets
Managed
($ millions) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Paul Blinn | 3 | 329.8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 329.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Rafael Resendes | 3 | 329.8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 329.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Michael Venuto | 23 | $ | 3,527 | 0 | 0 | 518 | $ | 280 | $ | 3,807 | ||||||||||||||||||
Charles A. Ragauss, CFA | 20 | $ | 2,945 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | $ | 2,945 |
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Conflicts of Interests. The Portfolio Managers’ management of “other accounts” may give rise to potential conflicts of interest in connection with his management of the Fund’s 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 a Portfolio Manager could favor one account over another. Another potential conflict could include a Portfolio Manager’s knowledge about the size, timing and possible market impact of Fund trades, whereby a Portfolio Manager could use this information to the advantage of other accounts and to the disadvantage of the Fund. However, the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser have established policies and procedures to ensure that the purchase and sale of securities among all accounts it manages are fairly and equitably allocated.
Compensation. Messrs. Blinn and Resendes do not receive compensation that is based upon the pre- or after-tax performance of the Fund; however, Messrs. Blinn and Resendes, on behalf of the Adviser, may receive compensation that is based upon the pre- or after-tax performance of certain private funds. Messrs. Venuto and Ragauss do not receive compensation that is based upon the pre- or after-tax performance of the Fund; however, Messrs. Venuto and Ragauss, on behalf of the Sub-Adviser, may enter into incentive fee arrangements with its other non-Fund related client accounts. The Portfolio Managers do not receive any special or additional compensation from the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser, respectively, for their services as Portfolio Managers. The Portfolio Managers compensation is based solely on the overall financial operating results of the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser, respectively. Messrs. Venuto and Ragauss may receive compensation from the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser for their respective services to each firm.
Portfolio Manager Share Ownership. As of the date of this SAI, the Portfolio Managers did not beneficially own shares of the Fund.
Administrator. Pursuant to a Fund Services Agreement, Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc., 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, VA 23235 (the “Administrator”) serves as the Fund’s administrator. In its capacity as administrator, the Administrator supervises all aspects of the operations of the Fund except those performed by the Adviser. The Administrator provides certain administrative services and facilities to the Fund, including, among other responsibilities, assisting in the preparation and filing of documents required for compliance by the Fund with applicable laws and regulations and arranging for the maintenance of books and records of the Fund. The Administrator receives 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.
Fund Accountant, Transfer Agency and Other Services. Pursuant to a Services Agreement with Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi”), located at 4400 Easton Commons, Suite 200, Columbus, OH, 43219, Citi provides certain financial administration services (other than those provided by the Administrator), transfer agency, and fund accounting services to the Fund. As financial administrator, Citi performs services including but not limited to: (1) calculating Fund expenses; (2) calculating the Fund performance data; and (3) providing certain compliance support services. As fund accountant, Citi maintains certain financial records of the Trust and provides accounting services to the Fund that include the daily calculation of the Fund’s NAV. Citi also performs certain other services on behalf of the Trust including providing financial information for the Trust’s federal and state tax returns and financial reports required to be filed with the SEC. As transfer agent, Citi issues shares of the Fund in Creation Units to fill purchase orders for the Fund’s shares, maintains records of the issuance and redemption of the Fund’s shares, and acts as the Fund’s dividend disbursing agent.
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For the financial administration and fund accounting services provided to the Trust, the Trust has agreed to pay to Citi an annual asset based fee as a percentage of the aggregate net assets of the Fund, subject to certain breakpoints and minimum fee requirements. Citi is also entitled to fees for services that it renders with respect to the filing of Form N-PORT, its services related to liquidity risk management and out-of-pocket expenses.
Custodian. Pursuant to a Custodial and Agency Services Agreement with the Trust, Citibank, N.A. (“Custodian”), located at 388 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10048, serves as Custodian for the Fund and safeguards and holds the Fund’s cash and securities, settles the Fund’s securities transactions and collects income on the Fund’s investments. Under the agreement, the Custodian also: (1) provides data required by the Adviser to determine the Fund’s Creation Basket and estimated All Cash Amount for each Business Day (this service is paid for by the Adviser directly pursuant to the Support Services Agreement between Citi and the Adviser (see “Support Services Agreement,” above)); (2) monitors the settlement of securities comprising the Creation Basket and any cash in connection with the purchase and redemption of Creation Units and requests the issuance of related Creation Units; (3) deposits securities comprising the Creation Basket and/or cash received from Authorized Participants in connection with purchases of Creation Units into the Fund’s custody and cash accounts; (4) disburses securities comprising the Creation Basket and/or cash from the Fund’s custody and cash accounts to Authorized Participants in connection with the redemptions of Creation Units; and (5) performs certain other related services, (See “Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units,” below).
Distributor and Principal Underwriter. Foreside Fund Services, LLC (the “Distributor”) the Fund’s distributor, is located at Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101. The Distributor is a broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”).
Shares will be continuously offered for sale by the Trust through the Distributor only in whole Creation Units, as described in the section of this SAI entitled “Additional Information About Purchases and Sales.” The Distributor also acts as an agent for the Trust. The Distributor will deliver a prospectus to persons purchasing Shares in Creation Units and will maintain records of both orders placed with it and confirmations of acceptance furnished by it. The Distributor has no role in determining the investment policies of the Fund or which securities are to be purchased or sold by the Fund.
The Board has not adopted a Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (“Rule 12b-1 Plan”) under the 1940 Act with respect to the Fund. No Rule 12b-1 fees are currently paid by the Fund and there are no plans to impose these fees.
The Adviser and its affiliates may, out of their own resources, pay amounts to third parties for distribution or marketing services on behalf of the Fund. The making of these payments could create a conflict of interest for a financial intermediary receiving such payments.
Legal Counsel. Practus, LLP, 11300 Tomahawk Creek Parkway, Suite 310, Leawood, KS 66211, serves as legal counsel to the Trust and the Fund.
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Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. The Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, Cohen & Company, Ltd, audits the Fund’s annual financial statements, assists in the preparation of certain reports to the SEC, and prepares the Trust’s tax returns. Cohen & Company, Ltd is located at 1350 Euclid Ave., Suite 800, Cleveland, OH 44115.
TRUSTEES AND 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 Trust’s activities, review contractual arrangements with companies that provide services to the Fund and review performance. The names, addresses and ages of the trustees and officers of the Trust, together with information as to their principal occupations during the past five years, are listed below.
Each Trustee was nominated to serve on the Board of Trustees based on their particular experiences, qualifications, attributes and skills. Generally, the Trust believes that each Trustee is competent to serve because of their individual overall merits including: (i) experience; (ii) qualifications; (iii) attributes; and (iv) skills. Mr. David J. Urban has been a Professor of Education since 1989. His strategic planning, organizational and leadership skills help the Board set long-term goals. Ms. Mary Lou H. Ivey has business experience as a practicing tax accountant since 1996 and, as such, brings tax, budgeting and financial reporting skills to the Board. Mr. Theo H. Pitt has experience as an investor, including his role as trustee of several other investment companies and business experience as Senior Partner of a financial consulting company, as a partner of a real estate partnership and as an Account Administrator for a money management firm. Mr. Kevin Farragher has experience as an executive in multiple roles in the investment management industry, including product management, mutual fund, ETF and brokerage operations, and trade supervision and compliance. The Trust does not believe any one factor is determinative in assessing a Trustee’s 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 Trust’s auditor, Chief Compliance Officer and legal counsel, stay fully informed regarding management decisions.
ETFs face a number of risks, including investment risk, compliance risk and valuation risk. The Board oversees management of the Fund’s risks directly and through its officers. While day-to-day risk management responsibilities rest with the Fund’s 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 Trust’s 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 Fund’s 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 Fund to monitor and test the compliance procedures of the Trust and its service providers; (6) receiving and reviewing reports from the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm regarding the Fund’s financial condition and the Trust’s internal controls; and (7) receiving and reviewing an annual written report prepared by the Chief Compliance Officer reviewing the adequacy of the Trust’s compliance policies and procedures and the effectiveness of their implementation. The Board has concluded that its general oversight of the investment adviser and other service providers as implemented through the reporting and monitoring process outlined above allows the Board to effectively administer its risk oversight function.
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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.
NON-INTERESTED TRUSTEES
NAME,
AGE
AND POSITION WITH THE TRUST |
TERM
OF
OFFICE AND LENGTH OF TIME SERVED |
PRINCIPAL
YEARS
|
NUMBER
OF
FUNDS IN FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY TRUSTEE |
OTHER
HELD
BY
|
David J. Urban (65)
Trustee
|
Indefinite,
Since
December, 2019 |
Dean, Jones College of Business, Middle Tennessee State University since July 2013.
|
7 | Independent Trustee of World Funds Trust for the 23 series of that trust. |
Mary Lou H. Ivey
(62)
Trustee
|
Indefinite,
Since
December, 2019 |
Accountant, Harris, Hardy & Johnstone, P.C., (accounting firm), since 2008. | 7 | Independent Trustee of World Funds Trust for the 23 series of that trust. |
Theo H. Pitt, Jr.
(84)
Trustee
|
Indefinite,
Since
December, 2019 |
Senior Partner, Community Financial Institutions Consulting (bank consulting) since 1997 to present. | 7 |
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; World Funds Trust for the 23 series of that trust; and Starboard Investment Trust for the 14 series of that trust; (all registered investment companies).
|
Kevin Farragher
|
Indefinite,
Since
December, 2019 |
Independent Consultant since 2014. | 7 | None |
24
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 Bogaert
(57)
President |
Indefinite, Since December 2019 | Managing Director of Business Development, Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. (fund administration), October 2013 – present; Senior Vice President of Business Development and other positions for Huntington Asset Services, Inc. from 1986 to 2013. | N/A | N/A |
Karen M. Shupe (56)
Treasurer and Principal Executive Officer
|
Indefinite, Since December 2019 | Managing Director of Fund Operations, Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc., 2003 to present. | N/A | N/A |
Ann T. MacDonald
(66)
Assistant Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer
|
Indefinite, Since December 2019 | Managing Director, Fund Administration and Fund Accounting, Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc., 2003 to present. | N/A | N/A |
John H. Lively
(52)
Secretary
|
Indefinite, Since December 2019 |
Attorney, Practus, LLP (law firm), May 2018 to present; Attorney, The Law Offices of John H. Lively & Associates, Inc. (law firm), March 2010 to May 2018.
|
N/A | N/A |
Holly B. Giangiulio
(59)
Assistant Secretary
|
Indefinite, Since December 2019 |
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
(52)
Chief Compliance Officer
|
Indefinite, Since December 2019 |
Managing Member of Watermark Solutions, LLC (investment compliance and consulting) since March 2007.
|
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 Fund’s 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.
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The Trust has a standing Audit Committee of the Board composed of Mr. Urban, Ms. Ivey, Mr. Pitt and Mr. Farragher. The functions of the Audit Committee are to meet with the Trust’s independent auditors to review the scope and findings of the annual audit, discuss the Trust’s accounting policies, discuss any recommendations of the independent auditors with respect to the Trust’s management practices, review the impact of changes in accounting standards on the Trust’s 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. The Trust recently commenced operations, and the Audit Committee met once during the 12-month period ended December 31, 2020
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is comprised of Mr. Urban, Ms. Ivey, Mr. Pitt and Mr. Farragher. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s 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. The Trust recently commenced operations, and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee did not meet during the 12-month period ended December 31, 2020.
The Valuation Committee is comprised of Mr. Urban, Ms. Ivey, Mr. Pitt and Mr. Farragher. 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. The Trust recently commenced operations, and the Valuation Committee did not meet during the 12-month period ended December 31, 2020.
The Qualified Legal Compliance Committee is comprised of Mr. Urban, Ms. Ivey, Mr. Pitt and Mr. Farragher. 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. The Trust recently commenced operations, and the Qualified Legal Compliance Committee did not meet during the 12-month period ended December 31, 2020.
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. Each Trustee receives a retainer fee at the annualized rate of $7,500. Additionally, each Trustee may receive a fee of $2,500 per special in person meeting and $1,500 per special telephonic meeting. Compensation to be received by each Trustee from the Trust for the Fund’s first fiscal year is estimated as follows:
Name of Person
/ Position |
Aggregate
From Fund
|
Pension or Retirement
Benefits Accrued as Part of Fund Expenses |
Estimated Annual
Benefits Upon Retirement |
Total Compensation From
Fund and Fund Complex Paid To Trustees (*)(1) |
||||||||||||
David J. Urban, Trustee | $ | 7,500 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 7,500 | ||||||||
Mary Lou H. Ivey, Trustee | $ | 7,500 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 7,500 | ||||||||
Theo H. Pitt, Jr., Trustee | $ | 7,500 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 7,500 | ||||||||
Kevin Farragher, Trustee | $ | 7,500 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 7,500 |
* | The Trust does not pay deferred compensation. |
(1) | The “Fund Complex” consists of the Fund. |
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Trustee Ownership of Fund Shares – The table below shows 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, 2020, 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 |
Kevin Farragher | 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, the Sub-Adviser or the principal underwriter and by the members of their immediate families. No front-end or deferred sales charges are applied to the purchase of Shares.
Policies Concerning Personal Investment Activities. The Fund, the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser 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 SEC’s Internet website at http://www.sec.gov.
Proxy Voting Policies. The Trust is required to disclose information concerning the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures to shareholders. The Board has delegated to Adviser the responsibility for decisions regarding proxy voting for securities held by the Fund. The Adviser will vote such proxies in accordance with its proxy policies and procedures, which have been reviewed by the Board. The proxy voting policy for the Trust can be found in Exhibit A and the proxy voting policy of the Adviser can be found in Exhibit B. 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 800-673-0550; and (2) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
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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 the Fund. A control person is one who owns, either directly or indirectly, more than 25% of the voting securities of the 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 Fund’s fundamental policies or the terms of the management agreement with the Adviser.
The Fund has not yet commenced operations as of the date of this SAI.
Calculation of Share Price
The NAV of the Fund’s shares is determined by dividing the total value of the Fund’s portfolio investments and other assets, less any liabilities, by the total number of shares outstanding of the Fund.
Generally, the Fund’s domestic securities (including underlying ETFs which hold portfolio securities primarily listed on foreign (non-U.S.) exchanges) are valued each day at the last quoted sales price on each security’s primary exchange. Securities traded or dealt in upon one or more securities exchanges for which market quotations are readily available and not subject to restrictions against resale shall be valued at the last quoted sales price on the primary exchange or, in the absence of a sale on the primary exchange, at the mean between the current bid and ask prices on such exchange. Securities primarily traded in the NASDAQ National Market System for which market quotations are readily available shall be valued using the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. If market quotations are not readily available, securities will be valued at their fair market value as determined in good faith by the Fund’s fair value committee in accordance with procedures approved by the Board and as further described below. Securities that are not traded or dealt in any securities exchange (whether domestic or foreign) and for which over-the-counter market quotations are readily available generally shall be valued at the last sale price or, in the absence of a sale, at the mean between the current bid and ask price on such over-the- counter market.
Certain securities or investments for which daily market quotes are not readily available may be valued, pursuant to guidelines established by the Board, with reference to other securities or indices. Debt securities not traded on an exchange may be valued at prices supplied by a pricing agent(s) based on broker or dealer supplied valuations or matrix pricing, a method of valuing securities by reference to the value of other securities with similar characteristics, such as rating, interest rate and maturity. Short-term investments having a maturity of 60 days or less may be generally valued at amortized cost when it approximated fair value.
Exchange traded options are valued at the last quoted sales price or, in the absence of a sale, at the mean between the current bid and ask prices on the exchange on which such options are traded. Futures and options on futures are valued at the settlement price determined by the exchange, or, if no settlement price is available, at the last sale price as of the close of business prior to when the Fund calculates NAV. Other securities for which market quotes are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board or persons acting at their direction. Swap agreements and other derivatives are generally valued daily depending on the type of instrument and reference assets based upon market prices, the mean between bid and asked prices quotations from market makers or by a pricing service or other parties in accordance with the valuation procedures approved by the Board.
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Under certain circumstances, the Fund may use an independent pricing service to calculate the fair market value of foreign equity securities on a daily basis by applying valuation factors to the last sale price or the mean price as noted above. The fair market values supplied by the independent pricing service will generally reflect market trading that occurs after the close of the applicable foreign markets of comparable securities or the value of other instruments that have a strong correlation to the fair-valued securities. The independent pricing service will also take into account the current relevant currency exchange rate. A security that is fair valued may be valued at a price higher or lower than actual market quotations or the value determined by other funds using their own fair valuation procedures. Because foreign securities may trade on days when Shares are not priced, the value of securities held by the Fund can change on days when Shares cannot be redeemed or purchased. In the event that a foreign security’s market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable (for reasons other than because the foreign exchange on which it trades closed before the Fund’s calculation of NAV), the security will be valued at its fair market value as determined in good faith by the Fund’s fair value committee in accordance with procedures approved by the Board as discussed below. Without fair valuation, it is possible that short-term traders could take advantage of the arbitrage opportunity and dilute the NAV of long-term investors. Fair valuation of the Fund’s portfolio securities can serve to reduce arbitrage opportunities available to short-term traders, but there is no assurance that it will prevent dilution of the Fund’s NAV by short-term traders. In addition, because the Fund may invest in underlying ETFs which hold portfolio securities primarily listed on foreign (non-U.S.) exchanges, and these exchanges may trade on weekends or other days when the underlying ETFs do not price their shares, the value of these portfolio securities may change on days when you may not be able to buy or sell Shares.
Investments initially valued in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are converted to U.S. dollars using exchange rates obtained from pricing services or other parties in accordance with the valuation procedures approved by the Board. As a result, the NAV of the Shares may be affected by changes in the value of currencies in relation to the U.S. dollar. The value of securities traded in markets outside the United States or denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar may be affected significantly on a day that the Exchange is closed and an investor is not able to purchase, redeem or exchange Shares.
Shares are valued at the close of regular trading on the Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) (the “Exchange Close”) on each day that the Exchange is open. For purposes of calculating the NAV, the Fund normally use pricing data for domestic equity securities received shortly after the Exchange Close and does not normally take into account trading, clearances or settlements that take place after the Exchange Close. Domestic fixed income and foreign securities are normally priced using data reflecting the earlier closing of the principal markets for those securities. Information that becomes known to the Fund or its agents after the NAV has been calculated on a particular day will not generally be used to retroactively adjust the price of the security or the NAV determined earlier that day.
When market quotations are insufficient or not readily available, the Fund may value securities at fair value or estimate their value as determined in good faith by the Board or its designees, pursuant to procedures approved by the Board. Fair valuation may also be used by the Board if extraordinary events occur after the close of the relevant market but prior to the Exchange Close.
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PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNITS
Creation Units
The Fund issues and sells Shares only in Creation Units on a continuous basis on any business day through the Distributor at the Shares’ NAV next determined after receipt of an order in proper form. The Distributor processes purchase orders only on a day that the Exchange is open for trading (a “Business Day”). The Exchange is open for trading Monday through Friday except for the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Generally, the Trust will issue and sell Creation Units at NAV for “in kind” consideration, meaning the initiator of a creation or redemption order will deposit or receive as consideration a portfolio of all or some of the securities held in the relevant Fund’s portfolio, plus a cash amount (an “In Kind Creation” and “In Kind Redemption”). At the discretion of the Adviser, the Fund may elect at any time, and from time to time, that the consideration for the purchase and redemption of Creation Units will be made entirely in a cash amount equal to the NAV of the shares that constitute the Creation Unit(s) (an “All Cash Amount”).
Creation Orders
The consideration for an In Kind Creation generally consists of the Deposit Securities for each Creation Unit constituting a substantial replication, or representation, of the securities included in the Fund’s portfolio as selected by the Adviser (“Fund Securities”) and the Cash Component computed as described below. Together, the Deposit Securities and the Cash Component constitute the “Fund Deposit,” which represents the minimum investment amount for a Creation Unit of a Fund. The Cash Component serves to compensate the Fund or the Authorized Participant, as applicable, for any differences between the NAV per Creation Unit and the Deposit Amount (as defined below). The Cash Component is an amount equal to the difference between the NAV of the Fund Shares (per Creation Unit) and the “Deposit Amount,” an amount equal to the market value of the Deposit Securities. If the Cash Component is a positive number (i.e., the NAV per Creation Unit exceeds the Deposit Amount), the Authorized Participant will deliver the Cash Component. If the Cash Component is a negative number (i.e., the NAV per Creation Unit is less than the Deposit Amount), the Authorized Participant will receive the Cash Component.
In addition, the Fund reserves the right to permit or require the substitution of an amount of cash (that is a “cash in lieu” amount) to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security which may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or that may not be eligible for transfer through the systems of DTC or the Clearing Process (discussed below) or for other similar reasons. The Fund also reserves the right to permit or require a “cash in lieu” amount where the delivery of Deposit Securities by the Authorized Participant (as described below) would be restricted under the securities laws or where delivery of Deposit Securities to the Authorized Participant would result in the disposition of Deposit Securities by the Authorized Participant becoming restricted under the securities laws, and in certain other situations.
The Custodian, through the NSCC (see the section of this SAI entitled “Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units—Procedures for Creation of Creation Units”), makes available on each Business Day, prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m. New York time), the list of the name and the required number of shares of each Deposit Security (if any) to be included in the current Fund Deposit (based on information at the end of the previous Business Day) for the Fund. This Fund Deposit is applicable, subject to any adjustments as described below, to orders to effect creations of Creation Units of the Fund until such time as the next-announced composition of the Deposit Securities is made available, or unless the Adviser elects to receive an All Cash Amount in connection with the creation of Creation Units.
30
The identity and number of shares of the Deposit Securities required for a Fund Deposit for the Fund changes as rebalancing adjustments and corporate action events are reflected within the Fund from time to time by the Adviser, with a view to the investment objective of the Fund. In addition, the Fund reserves the right to permit the substitution of an amount of cash – i.e., a “cash in lieu” amount – to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security that may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or that may not be eligible for transfer through the systems of DTC or the Clearing Process (discussed below), or which might not be eligible for trading by an Authorized Participant (as defined below) or the investor for which it is acting or other relevant reason. In addition to the list of names and number of securities constituting the current Deposit Securities of a Fund Deposit, the Custodian, through the NSCC, also makes available on each Business Day the estimated Cash Component, effective through and including the previous Business Day, per outstanding Creation Unit of the Fund.
The process for a creation order involving an All Cash Amount will be the same as the process for an In Kind Creation, except that the Cash Component will be the entirety of the amount deposited as consideration for the Creation Unit(s).
Procedures for Creation of Creation Units
All orders to create Creation Units must be placed with the Distributor either (1) through Continuous Net Settlement System of the NSCC (“Clearing Process”), a clearing agency that is registered with the SEC, by a “Participating Party,” i.e., a broker-dealer or other participant in the Clearing Process; or (2) outside the Clearing Process by a DTC Participant. In each case, the Participating Party or the DTC Participant must have executed an agreement with the Distributor with respect to creations and redemptions of Creation Units (“Participant Agreement”); such parties are collectively referred to as “APs” or “Authorized Participants.” Investors should contact the Distributor for the names of Authorized Participants. All Fund Shares, whether created through or outside the Clearing Process, will be entered on the records of DTC for the account of a DTC Participant.
“The Distributor will process orders to purchase Creation Units received by the closing time of the regular trading session on the Exchange (“Closing Time”).If an order to purchase Creation Units is received in proper form by Closing Time, then it will be processed that day. Purchase orders received in proper form after Closing Time will be processed on the following Business Day and will be priced at the NAV determined on that day. Custom orders must be received by the Distributor no later than 3:00 p.m. New York time on the trade date. In the case of an In Kind Creation, a custom order may be placed by an Authorized Participant in the event that the Trust permits the substitution of an amount of cash to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security which may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or which may not be eligible for trading by such Authorized Participant or the investor for which it is acting or other relevant reason. The date on which an order to create Creation Units (or an order to redeem Creation Units, as discussed below) is placed is referred to as the “Transmittal Date.” Orders must be transmitted by an Authorized Participant by telephone or other transmission method acceptable to the Distributor pursuant to procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement, as described below in the sections entitled “Placement of Creation Orders Using the Clearing Process” and “Placement of Creation Orders Outside the Clearing Process.”
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All orders to create Creation Units from investors who are not Authorized Participants shall be placed with an Authorized Participant in the form required by such Authorized Participant. In addition, the Authorized Participant may request the investor to make certain representations or enter into agreements with respect to the order, e.g., to provide for payments of cash, when required. Investors should be aware that their particular broker may not have executed a Participant Agreement and, therefore, orders to create Creation Units of the Fund have to be placed by the investor’s broker through an Authorized Participant that has executed a Participant Agreement. In such cases there may be additional charges to such investor. At any given time, there may be only a limited number of broker-dealers that have executed a Participant Agreement.
Those placing orders for Creation Units through the Clearing Process should afford sufficient time to permit proper submission of the order to the Distributor prior to the Closing Time on the Transmittal Date. Orders for Creation Units that are effected outside the Clearing Process are likely to require transmittal by the DTC Participant earlier on the Transmittal Date than orders effected using the Clearing Process. Those persons placing orders outside the Clearing Process should ascertain the deadlines applicable to DTC and the Federal Reserve Bank wire system by contacting the operations department of the broker or depository institution effectuating such transfer of the Fund Deposit. For more information about Clearing Process and DTC, see the sections below entitled “Placement of Creation Orders Using the Clearing Process” and “Placement of Creation Orders Outside the Clearing Process.”
Placement of Creation Orders Using the Clearing Process
The Clearing Process is the process of creating or redeeming Creation Units through the Continuous Net Settlement System of the NSCC. All Fund Deposits and/or Cash Component, as applicable, made through the Clearing Process must be delivered through a Participating Party that has executed a Participant Agreement. The Participant Agreement authorizes the Distributor or transfer agent to transmit through the Custodian to NSCC, on behalf of the Participating Party, such trade instructions as are necessary to effect the Participating Party’s creation order. Pursuant to such trade instructions to NSCC, the Participating Party agrees to deliver the requisite Fund Deposits and/or Cash Component, as applicable, to the Fund, together with such additional information as may be required by the Distributor. An order to create Creation Units through the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Distributor or transfer agent on the Transmittal Date if (1) such order is received by the Distributor not later than the Closing Time on such Transmittal Date and (2) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed.
Placement of Creation Orders Outside the Clearing Process
All Fund Deposits and/or Cash Component, as applicable, made outside the Clearing Process must be delivered through a DTC Participant that has executed a Participant Agreement. A DTC Participant who wishes to place an order creating Creation Units to be effected outside the Clearing Process does not need to be a Participating Party, but such orders must state that the DTC Participant is not using the Clearing Process and that the creation of Creation Units will instead be effected through a transfer of cash and securities directly through DTC. The Fund Deposit transfer must be ordered by the DTC Participant on the Transmittal Date in a timely fashion so as to ensure the delivery of the requisite number of Deposit Securities through DTC to the account of the Fund by no later than 11:00 a.m. New York time on the next Business Day following the Transmittal Date (“DTC Cut-Off-Time”).
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All questions as to the amount of an All Cash Amount, the number of Deposit Securities to be delivered, or the amount of a Cash Component, and the validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt) for the deposit of any tendered securities, will be determined by the Fund, whose determination shall be final and binding. The amount of cash equal to the Cash Component (including All Cash Amounts) must be transferred directly to the Custodian through the Federal Reserve Bank wire transfer system in a timely manner so as to be received by the Custodian no later than 2:00 p.m. New York time on the next Business Day following the Transmittal Date. An order to create Creation Units outside the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Distributor on the Transmittal Date if (1) such order is received by the Distributor not later than the Closing Time on such Transmittal Date and (2) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. However, if the Custodian does not receive both the requisite Deposit Securities and the Cash Component or the All Cash Amount, as applicable, by 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., respectively, on the next Business Day following the Transmittal Date, such order will be canceled. Upon written notice to the Distributor, such canceled order may be resubmitted the following Business Day using the Fund Deposits and/or Cash Components as newly constituted to reflect the then-current Deposit Securities and Cash Component, or the All Cash Amount, as applicable. The delivery of Creation Units so created will occur no later than the third Business Day following the day on which the purchase order is deemed received by the Distributor.
Additional transaction fees may be imposed with respect to transactions effected through a DTC participant outside the Clearing Process and in the limited circumstances in which any cash can be used in lieu of Deposit Securities to create Creation Units. See the section of this SAI entitled “Purchase and Sale of Creation Units—Creation Transaction Fee.”
Creation Units of an In-Kind Creation may be created in advance of receipt by the Fund of all or a portion of the applicable Deposit Securities. In these circumstances, the initial deposit will have a value greater than the NAV of the Fund Shares on the date the order is placed in proper form since, in addition to available Deposit Securities, cash must be deposited in an amount equal to the sum of (1) the Cash Component plus (2) 125% of the then-current market value of the undelivered Deposit Securities (“Additional Cash Deposit”). The order shall be deemed to be received on the Business Day on which the order is placed provided that the order is placed in proper form prior to Closing Time and funds in the appropriate amount are deposited with the Custodian by 11:00 a.m. New York time the following Business Day. If the order is not placed in proper form by Closing Time or funds in the appropriate amount are not received by 11:00 a.m. the next Business Day, then the order may be deemed to be canceled and the Authorized Participant shall be liable to the Fund for losses, if any, resulting therefrom. An additional amount of cash shall be required to be deposited with the Fund, pending receipt of the undelivered Deposit Securities to the extent necessary to maintain the Additional Cash Deposit with the Trust in an amount at least equal to 125% of the daily marked-to-market value of the undelivered Deposit Securities. To the extent that undelivered Deposit Securities are not received by 1:00 p.m. New York time on the third Business Day following the day on which the purchase order is deemed received by the Distributor, or in the event a marked-to-market payment is not made within one Business Day following notification by the Distributor that such a payment is required, the Trust may use the cash on deposit to purchase the undelivered Deposit Securities. Authorized Participants will be liable to the Fund for the costs incurred by the Fund in connection with any such purchases. These costs will be deemed to include the amount by which the actual purchase price of the Deposit Securities exceeds the market value of such Deposit Securities on the day the purchase order was deemed received by the Distributor plus the brokerage and related transaction costs associated with such purchases. The Fund will return any unused portion of the Additional Cash Deposit once all of the undelivered Deposit Securities have been properly received by the Custodian or purchased by the Fund and deposited into the Fund’s custodial account. In addition, a transaction fee will be charged in all cases. See the section below entitled “Creation Transaction Fee.” The delivery of Creation Units so created will occur no later than the third Business Day following the day on which the purchase order is deemed received by the Distributor.
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Acceptance of Orders for Creation Units
The Fund reserves the absolute right to reject a creation order transmitted to it by the Distributor if: (1) the order is not in proper form; (2) if the Cash Component paid is incorrect; (3) the investor(s), upon obtaining the Fund Shares ordered, would own 80% or more of the currently outstanding Shares of the Fund; (4) the Deposit Securities delivered are not as disseminated for that date by the Custodian, as described above; (5) acceptance of the Deposit Securities would have certain adverse tax consequences to the Fund; (6) acceptance of the Fund Deposit would, in the opinion of counsel, be unlawful; (7) acceptance of the Fund Deposit would otherwise, in the discretion of the Fund or the Adviser, have an adverse effect on the Fund or the rights of beneficial owners; or (8) there exist circumstances outside the control of the Fund, the Custodian, transfer agent, the Distributor and the Adviser that make it for all practical purposes impossible to process creation orders. Examples of such circumstances include acts of God; public service or utility problems such as fires, floods, extreme weather conditions and power outages resulting in telephone, telecopy and computer failures; market conditions or activities causing trading halts; systems failures involving computer or other information systems affecting the Fund, the Adviser, the Distributor or transfer agent, DTC, NSCC, the Custodian or sub-custodian or any other participant in the creation process and similar extraordinary events. The Distributor shall notify a prospective creator of a Creation Unit and/or the Authorized Participant acting on behalf of such prospective creator of its rejection of the order. The Fund, the Custodian, any sub-custodian, the transfer agent and the Distributor are under no duty, however, to give notification of any defects or irregularities in the delivery of Fund Deposits nor shall any of them incur any liability for the failure to give any such notification. All questions as to the number of shares of each security in the Deposit Securities and the validity, form, eligibility and acceptance for deposit of any securities to be delivered shall be determined by the Trust and the Trust’s determination shall be final and binding.
Creation Units typically are issued on a “T+2 basis” (that is, two Business Days after trade date).
To the extent contemplated by an Authorized Participant’s agreement with the Distributor, the Fund will issue Creation Units of an In Kind Creation to such Authorized Participant notwithstanding the fact that the corresponding Portfolio Deposits have not been received in part or in whole, in reliance on the undertaking of the Authorized Participant to deliver the missing Deposit Securities as soon as possible, which undertaking shall be secured by such Authorized Participant’s delivery and maintenance of collateral having a value equal to 110%, which the Adviser may change from time to time, of the value of the missing Deposit Securities in accordance with the Trust’s then-effective procedures. Such collateral must be delivered no later than 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the contractual settlement date. The only collateral that is acceptable to the Fund is cash in U.S. Dollars or an irrevocable letter of credit in form, and drawn on a bank, that is satisfactory to the Trust. The cash collateral posted by the Authorized Participant may be invested at the risk of the Authorized Participant, and income, if any, on invested cash collateral will be paid to that Authorized Participant. Information concerning the Fund’s current procedures for collateralization of missing Deposit Securities is available from the Distributor or transfer agent. The Authorized Participant Agreement will permit the Fund to buy the missing Deposit Securities at any time and will subject the Authorized Participant to liability for any shortfall between the cost to the Fund of purchasing such securities and the cash collateral or the amount that may be drawn under any letter of credit.
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In certain cases, Authorized Participants will create and redeem Creation Units (whether by In Kind Creation/Redemption or for an All Cash Amount) on the same trade date. In these instances, the Fund reserves the right to settle these transactions on a net basis. All questions as to the amount of cash required to be delivered, the number of shares of each security in the Deposit Securities and the validity, form, eligibility and acceptance for deposit of any securities to be delivered, as applicable, shall be determined by the Fund, and the Fund’s determination shall be final and binding.
Creation Transaction Fee
Authorized Participants will be required to pay to the Custodian a fixed transaction fee (“Creation Transaction Fee”) in connection with creation orders that is intended to offset the transfer and other transaction costs associated with the issuance of Creation Units. The standard creation transaction fee will be the same regardless of the number of Creation Units purchased by an investor on the applicable Business Day. The Creation Transaction Fee charged by the Fund’s custodian for each creation order is $750.
An additional variable fee of up to three (3) times the fixed Transaction Fee plus all commission and fees payable to the Fund in connection with the purchase of the Deposit Securities (expressed as a percentage of the value of such Deposit Securities) may be imposed for (1) creations effected outside the Clearing Process and (2) creations made in an All Cash Amount (to offset the Trust’s brokerage and other transaction costs associated with using cash to purchase the requisite Deposit Securities). Investors are responsible for the costs of transferring the securities constituting the Deposit Securities to the account of the Trust.
In order to seek to replicate the In Kind Creation order process for creation orders executed in whole or in part with cash, the Fund expects to purchase, in the secondary market or otherwise gain exposure to, the portfolio securities that could have been delivered as a result of an In Kind Creation order pursuant to local law or market convention, or for other reasons (“Creation Market Purchases”). In such cases where the Fund makes Creation Market Purchases, the Authorized Participant will reimburse the Fund for, among other things, any difference between the market value at which the securities and/or financial instruments were purchased by the Fund and the cash-in-lieu amount, applicable registration fees, brokerage commissions and certain taxes.
The Creation Transaction Fee may be waived for the Fund when the Adviser believes that waiver of the Creation Transaction Fee is in the best interest of the Fund. When determining whether to waive the Creation Transaction Fee, the Adviser considers a number of factors including whether waiving the Creation Transaction Fee will: facilitate the initial launch of the Fund; facilitate portfolio rebalancing in a less costly manner; improve the quality of the secondary trading market for the Fund’s shares; and not result in the Fund bearing additional costs or expenses as a result of the waiver.
Redemption Orders
The process to redeem Creation Units is essentially the reverse of the process by which Creation Units are created, as described above. To redeem Shares directly from the Fund, an investor must be an Authorized Participant or must redeem through an Authorized Participant. The Fund redeems Creation Units on a continuous basis on any Business Day through the Distributor at the Shares’ NAV next determined after receipt of an order in proper form. A Fund will not redeem Shares in amounts less than Creation Units. Authorized Participants must accumulate enough Shares in the secondary market to constitute a Creation Unit in order to have such Shares redeemed by the Fund. There can be no assurance, however, that there will be sufficient liquidity in the public trading market at any time to permit assembly of a Creation Unit.
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Generally, Creation Units of the Fund will also be redeemed at NAV principally in kind, although the Fund reserves the right to redeem for an All Cash Amount, in each case less a transaction fee as described below. With respect to In Kind Redemptions, the Custodian, through the NSCC, makes available prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m. New York time) on each Business Day, the identity of the Fund Securities that will be applicable (subject to possible amendment or correction) to redemption requests received in proper form (as described below) on that day. Fund Securities received on redemption may not be identical to Deposit Securities that are applicable to creations of Creation Units. The redemption proceeds for an In Kind Redemption of a Creation Unit consists of Fund Securities – as announced on the Business Day the request for redemption is received in proper form – plus or minus cash in an amount equal to the difference between the NAV of the Fund Shares being redeemed, as next determined after a receipt of a redemption request in proper form, and the value of the Fund Securities (“Cash Redemption Amount”), less a redemption transaction fee (see the section of this SAI entitled “Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units—Redemption Transaction Fee”).
The right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed with respect to the Fund (1) for any period during which the Exchange is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings); (2) for any period during which trading on the Exchange is suspended or restricted; (3) for any period during which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal of the Shares of the Fund or determination of a Fund’s NAV is not reasonably practicable; or (4) in such other circumstances as is permitted by the SEC.
Deliveries of redemption proceeds by the Fund generally will be made within two Business Days (that is “T+2”). However, as discussed in Appendix B, the Fund reserves the right to settle redemption transactions and deliver redemption proceeds on a basis other than T+2 to accommodate foreign market holiday schedules, to account for different treatment among foreign and U.S. markets of dividend record dates and dividend ex-dates (that is the last date the holder of a security can sell the security and still receive dividends payable on the security sold), and in certain other circumstances.
The process for a redemption order involving an All Cash Amount will be the same as the process for an In-Kind Redemption, except that the proceeds of the redemption will be paid entirely in cash. Proceeds of redemptions of Creation Units payable in an All Cash Amount will be paid to the Authorized Participant redeeming Shares on behalf of the redeeming investor as soon as practicable after the date of redemption (within seven calendar days thereafter).
Placement of Redemption Orders Using the Clearing Process
Orders to redeem Creation Units through the Clearing Process must be delivered through an Authorized Participant that has executed a Participant Agreement. Investors other than Authorized Participants are responsible for making arrangements with an Authorized Participant for an order to redeem. An order to redeem Creation Units is deemed received by the Trust on the Transmittal Date if: (1) such order is received by the Distributor not later than Closing Time on such Transmittal Date; and (2) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. Such order will be effected based on the NAV of the relevant Fund as next determined. An order to redeem Creation Units using the Clearing Process made in proper form but received by the Distributor after Closing Time will be deemed received on the next Business Day immediately following the Transmittal Date and will be effected at the NAV determined on such next Business Day. The requisite Fund Securities and/or the Cash Redemption Amount, as applicable, will be transferred by the third NSCC business day following the date on which such request for redemption is deemed received.
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Placement of Redemption Orders Outside the Clearing Process
Orders to redeem Creation Units outside the Clearing Process must be delivered through a DTC Participant that has executed the Participant Agreement. A DTC Participant who wishes to place an order for redemption of Creation Units to be effected outside the Clearing Process does not need to be a Participating Party, but such orders must state that the DTC Participant is not using the Clearing Process and that redemption of Creation Units will instead be effected through transfer of Fund Shares directly through DTC. An order to redeem Creation Units outside the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Distributor on the Transmittal Date if (1) such order is received by the Distributor not later than Closing Time on such Transmittal Date; (2) such order is accompanied or followed by the requisite number of Fund Shares, which delivery must be made through DTC to the Custodian no later than the DTC Cut-Off-Time, and the Cash Redemption Amount, if owed to the Fund, which delivery must be made by 2:00 p.m. New York Time; and (3) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. After the Distributor receives an order for redemption outside the Clearing Process, the Distributor will initiate procedures to transfer the requisite Fund Securities which are expected to be delivered and the Cash Redemption Amount, if any, by the third Business Day following the Transmittal Date.
The calculation of the value of the Fund Securities and/or the Cash Redemption Amount, as applicable, to be delivered or received upon redemption (by the Authorized Participant or the Trust, as applicable) will be made by the Custodian according to the procedures set forth the section of this SAI entitled “Determination of Net Asset Value” computed on the Business Day on which a redemption order is deemed received by the Distributor. Therefore, if a redemption order in proper form is submitted to the Distributor by a DTC Participant not later than Closing Time on the Transmittal Date, and the requisite number of Shares of the Fund are delivered to the Custodian prior to the DTC Cut-Off-Time, then the value of the Fund Securities and/or the Cash Redemption Amount, as applicable, to be delivered or received (by the Authorized Participant or the Trust, as applicable) will be determined by the Custodian on such Transmittal Date. If, however, either (1) the requisite number of Shares of the relevant Fund are not delivered by the DTC Cut-Off-Time, as described above, or (2) the redemption order is not submitted in proper form, then the redemption order will not be deemed received as of the Transmittal Date. In such case, the value of the Fund Securities and/or the Cash Redemption Amount, as applicable, to be delivered or received will be computed on the Business Day following the Transmittal Date provided that the Fund Shares of the relevant Fund are delivered through DTC to the Custodian by 11:00 a.m. New York time the following Business Day pursuant to a properly submitted redemption order.
The Fund may in its discretion at any time, or from time to time, exercise its option to redeem Fund Shares solely for consideration in the form of an All Cash Amount, and the redeeming Authorized Participant will be required to receive its redemption proceeds in cash. In addition, an investor may request a redemption in cash that the Fund may permit, in its sole discretion. In either case, the investor will receive an All Cash Amount payment equal to the NAV of its Fund Shares based on the NAV of Shares of the relevant Fund next determined after the redemption request is received in proper form (minus a transaction fee which will include an additional charge for cash redemptions to offset the Fund’s brokerage and other transaction costs associated with the disposition of Fund Securities). The Fund may also, in its sole discretion, upon request of a shareholder, provide such redeemer a portfolio of securities that differs from the exact composition of the Fund Securities, or cash in lieu of some securities added to the Cash Redemption Amount, but in no event will the total value of the securities delivered and the cash transmitted differ from the NAV. Redemptions of Fund Shares for Fund Securities will be subject to compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and the Fund (whether or not it otherwise permits cash redemptions) reserves the right to redeem Creation Units for cash to the extent that the Trust could not lawfully deliver specific Fund Securities upon redemptions or could not do so without first registering the Fund Securities under such laws.
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An Authorized Participant or an investor for which it is acting that is subject to a legal restriction with respect to a particular security included in the Fund Securities applicable to the redemption of a Creation Unit may be paid an equivalent amount of cash. The Authorized Participant may request the redeeming Beneficial Owner of the Fund Shares to complete an order form or to enter into agreements with respect to such matters as compensating cash payment, beneficial ownership of shares or delivery instructions.
Redemption Transaction Fee
Investors will be required to pay to the Custodian a fixed transaction fee (“Redemption Transaction Fee”) to offset the transfer and other transaction costs associated with the redemption of Creation Units. The standard redemption transaction fee will be the same regardless of the number of Creation Units redeemed by an investor on the applicable Business Day. The Redemption Transaction Fee charged by the Fund’s custodian for each redemption order is $750.
An additional variable fee of up to three (3) times the fixed Transaction Fee plus all commission and fees payable to the Fund in connection with the sale of the Fund Securities (expressed as a percentage value of such Fund Securities) may be imposed for (1) redemptions effected outside the Clearing Process and (2) redemptions made in an All Cash Amount (to offset the Trust’s brokerage and other transaction costs associated with the sale of Fund Securities). Investors will also bear the costs of transferring the Fund Securities from the Trust to their account or on their order.
In order to seek to replicate the In Kind Redemption order process for creation orders executed in whole or in part with cash, the Fund expects to sell, in the secondary market, the portfolio securities or settle any financial instruments that may not be permitted to be re-registered in the name of the Participating Party as a result of an In Kind Redemption order pursuant to local law or market convention, or for other reasons (“Market Sales”). In such cases where the Fund makes Market Sales, the Authorized Participant will reimburse the Fund for, among other things, any difference between the market value at which the securities and/or financial instruments were sold or settled by the Fund and the cash-in-lieu amount, applicable registration fees, brokerage commissions and certain taxes.
Regardless of form, the Redemption Transaction Fee (including any reimbursements related to in cash redemptions or additional variable fees for In Kind Redemptions) will be limited in accordance with the requirements of the SEC applicable to management investment companies offering redeemable securities (currently, no more than 2% of the value of the shares redeemed).
The Redemption Transaction Fee may be waived for the Fund when the Adviser believes that waiver of the Redemption Transaction Fee is in the best interest of the Fund. When determining whether to waive the Redemption Transaction Fee, the Adviser considers a number of factors including whether waiving the Redemption Transaction Fee will: facilitate portfolio rebalancing in a less costly manner; improve the quality of the secondary trading market for the Fund’s shares; and not result in the Fund bearing additional costs or expenses as a result of the waiver.
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ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS TO FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES
The Adviser and its affiliates may, out of its own resources and without additional cost to the Fund or its shareholders, pay a solicitation fee to securities dealers or other financial intermediaries (collectively, a “Financial Intermediary.”)
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 are held by U.S. shareholders and that such shares are held as capital assets.
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”). A 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, a 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.
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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 corporate level tax. 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 Fund’s 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 Fund’s 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 Fund’s 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 RIC’s assets, or $10 million. Such cure right is similar to that previously and currently permitted for a REIT.
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 21%) 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 gains, 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 21%). The Fund intend to distribute at least annually substantially all of their investment company taxable income, net tax-exempt interest, and net capital gain.
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The Fund will generally be subject to a nondeductible 4% federal excise tax on the portion of its undistributed ordinary income with respect to each calendar year and undistributed capital gains if it fails to meet certain distribution requirements with respect to the one-year period ending on October 31 in that calendar year. To avoid the 4% federal excise tax, the required minimum distribution is generally equal to the sum of (i) 98% of a Fund’s ordinary income (computed on a calendar year basis), (ii) 98.2% of a Fund’s 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 hold 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 Fund’s “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 Fund’s 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 Fund’s 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 distribute 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 fail 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 the Fund’s shareholders of such income and gain will not be deductible by the Fund in computing its taxable income. In such event, the Fund’s distributions, to the extent derived from the Fund’s 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.
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Distributions in excess of the Fund’s 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 Fund’s 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 Fund’s 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 Fund’s 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 gains 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 a Fund’s 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. shareholder’s 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.
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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 intend in general to apportion these items in the same proportion that dividends paid to each shareholder bear to the Fund’s taxable income (determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction).
For purpose of determining (i) whether the annual distribution requirement is satisfied for any year and (ii) the amount of capital gain dividends paid for that year, the Fund may, under certain circumstances, elect to treat a dividend that is paid during the following taxable year as if it had been paid during the taxable year in question. If the Fund makes such an election, the U.S. shareholder will still be treated as receiving the dividend in the taxable year in which the distribution is made. However, any dividend declared by the Fund in October, November or December of any calendar year, payable to shareholders of record on a specified date in such a month and actually paid during January of the following year, will be treated as if it had been received by the U.S. shareholders on December 31 of the year in which the dividend was declared.
The Fund intends to distribute all realized capital gains, if any, at least annually. If, however, the Fund was 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 shareholder’s gross income and the tax deemed paid by the shareholders.
Sales of shares or redemption of creation units and other dispositions of the shares, such as exchanges, 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 of shares or redemption of creation units 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.
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An Authorized Participant who exchanges securities for Creation Units generally will recognize gain or loss from the exchange. The gain or loss will be equal to the difference between the market value of the Creation Units at the time of the exchange and the sum of the exchanger’s aggregate basis in the securities surrendered plus the amount of cash paid for such Creation Units. A person who redeems Creation Units will generally recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the sum of the aggregate market value of any securities received plus the amount of any cash received for such Creation Units and the exchanger’s basis in the Creation Units. The IRS, however, may assert that an Authorized Participant which does not mark-to-market its holdings may not be permitted to currently deduct losses realized upon an exchange of securities for Creation Units under the rules governing “wash sales,” or on the basis that there has been no significant change in economic position.
Any capital gain or loss realized upon the creation of Creation Units will generally be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the securities exchanged for such Creation Units have been held for more than one year. Any capital gain or loss realized upon the redemption of Creation Units will generally be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the Shares comprising the Creation Units have been held for more than one year. Otherwise, such capital gains or losses will be treated as short-term capital gains or losses. Any loss realized upon a redemption of Creation Units held for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated as distributions to the applicable Authorized Participant of long-term capital gains with respect to the Creation Units (including any amounts credited to the Authorized Participant as undistributed capital gains).
The Fund has the right to reject an order for a purchase of Shares of the Fund if the purchaser (or group of purchasers) would, upon obtaining the Shares so ordered, own 80% or more of the outstanding Shares of the Fund and if, pursuant to Section 351 of the Internal Revenue Code, the Fund would have a basis in the securities different from the market value of such securities on the date of deposit. The Fund also has the right to require information necessary to determine beneficial share ownership for purposes of the 80% determination. If the Fund does issue Creation Units to a purchaser (or group of purchasers) that would, upon obtaining the Shares so ordered, own 80% or more of the outstanding Shares of the Fund, the purchaser (or group of purchasers) may not recognize gain or loss upon the exchange of securities for Creation Units.
Persons purchasing or redeeming Creation Units should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the tax treatment of any creation or redemption transaction and whether the wash sales rules apply and when a loss might be deductible.
Federal law requires that ETFs companies report their shareholders’ cost basis, gain/loss, and holding period to the Internal Revenue Service on the Fund’s shareholders’ Consolidated Form 1099s when “covered” securities are sold. Covered securities are any regulated investment company and/or dividend reinvestment plan shares acquired on or after January 1, 2012.
The Fund has chosen average cost as the standing (default) tax lot identification method for all shareholders. A tax lot identification method is the way the Fund will determine which specific shares are deemed to be sold when there are multiple purchases on different dates at differing net asset values, and the entire position is not sold at one time. The Fund has chosen average cost as its standing (default) tax lot identification method for all shareholders. The Fund’s 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 Fund’s 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.
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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 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.
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 the 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 Fund’s 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 Fund’s capital gain holding period may get clipped. The moment the Fund enters into a typical straddle, the capital gains holding period on its offsetting positions is frozen. If the Fund held the original position for one year or less (thus not qualifying for the long-term capital gains rate), not only is the holding period frozen, it starts all over again when the Fund disposes of the offsetting position.
Losses recognized with respect to certain straddle positions that would otherwise constitute short-term capital losses may be treated as long-term capital losses. This generally has the effect of reducing the tax benefit of such losses.
The Fund may not be able to deduct any interest expenses or carrying charges. During the offsetting period, any interest or carrying charges associated with the straddle are not currently tax deductible, but must be capitalized (added to cost basis).
Original Issue Discount, Pay-In-Kind Securities, Market Discount and Commodity-Linked Notes. Some debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance (and zero-coupon debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by the Fund may be treated as debt obligations that are issued originally at a discount. Generally, the amount of the original issue discount (“OID”) is treated as interest income and is included in the Fund’s 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.
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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 Fund’s 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 Fund’s 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 a 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, their shareholders may receive a larger capital gain distribution than they would in the absence of such transactions.
Higher-Risk Securities. To the extent such investments are permissible for the Fund, the Fund may invest in debt obligations that are in the lowest rating categories or are unrated, including debt obligations of issuers not currently paying interest or who are in default. Investments in debt obligations that are at risk of or in default present special tax issues for the Fund. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when the Fund may cease to accrue interest, OID or market discount, when and to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless securities and how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and income. In limited circumstances, it may also not be clear whether the Fund should recognize market discount on a debt obligation, and if so, what amount of market discount the Fund should recognize. These and other related issues will be addressed by the Fund when, as and if it invests in such securities, in order to seek to ensure that it distributes sufficient income to preserve its status as a regulated investment company and does not become subject to U.S. federal income or excise tax.
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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 Fund’s 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 recognize “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 recognize “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 shareholder’s distributions for the year by the amount of the tax that relates to such shareholder’s 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.
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 they meet certain other requirements, which include a requirement that more than 50% of the value of a Fund’s 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.
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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 (a) that does not provide a satisfactory statement that the beneficial owner is not a U.S. person, (b) 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, (c) that is within a foreign country that has inadequate information exchange with the United States, or (d) 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 their dividends as interest-related or short-term capital gain dividends as are eligible, but is not required to do so. These exemptions from withholding will not be available to foreign shareholders of the Fund that do not currently report 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 report 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 shareholder’s sale of shares of the Fund or to the Capital Gain Dividend the foreign shareholder received (as described below).
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Special rules would apply if the Fund is 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 corporation’s 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 are 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 shareholder’s 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 the Fund’s assets. The Fund does not expect to be a USRPHC. Foreign shareholders should consult their tax advisors concerning the application of these rules to their investment in the Fund.
If a beneficial holder of Fund shares who is a foreign shareholder has a trade or business in the United States, and the dividends are effectively connected with the beneficial holder’s 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.
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Backup Withholding. The Fund generally are 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 24%.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against the shareholder’s 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 a Fund’s 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 taxpayer’s 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 8938’s release, individuals will be required to attach to their next income tax return required to be filed with the IRS a Form 8938 for each taxable year for which the filing of Form 8938 was suspended. Until the IRS provides more details regarding this reporting requirement, including in Form 8938 itself and related Treasury regulations, it remains unclear under what circumstances, if any, a shareholder’s (indirect) interest in the Fund’s “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 require to comply with the new rules. Persons investing in the Fund through an intermediary should contact their intermediary regarding the application of the new reporting and withholding regime to their investments in the Fund.
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Shareholders are urged to consult a tax advisor regarding this new reporting and withholding regime, in light of their particular circumstances.
Shares Purchased through Tax-Qualified Plans. Special tax rules apply to investments through defined contribution plans and other tax-qualified plans. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers to determine the suitability of shares of the Fund as an investment through such plans, and the precise effect of an investment on their particular tax situation.
FATCA. Payments to a shareholder that is either a foreign financial institution (“FFI”) or a non-financial foreign entity (“NFFE”) within the meaning of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”) may be subject to a generally nonrefundable 30% withholding tax on: (a) income dividends paid by a Fund after June 30, 2014 and (b) certain capital gain distributions and the proceeds arising from the sale of Fund shares paid by a 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. A Fund may disclose the information that it receives from its shareholders to the IRS, non-U.S. taxing authorities or other parties as necessary to comply with FATCA. Withholding also may be required if a foreign entity that is a shareholder of a Fund fails to provide the Fund with appropriate certifications or other documentation concerning its status under FATCA.
The foregoing is a general and abbreviated summary of the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and the Treasury regulations in effect as they directly govern the taxation of the Fund and its shareholders. These provisions are subject to change by legislative and administrative action, and any such change may be retroactive. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisers regarding specific questions as to U.S. federal income, estate or gift taxes, or foreign, state, local taxes or other taxes.
BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES
Brokerage Transactions. Generally, equity securities are bought and sold through brokerage transactions for which commissions are payable. Purchases from underwriters will include the underwriting commission or concession, and purchases from dealers serving as market makers will include a dealer’s mark-up or reflect a dealer’s mark-down. The purchase price for securities bought from dealers serving as market makers will similarly include the dealer’s mark up or reflect a dealer’s mark down. When the Fund execute transactions in the over-the-counter market, it will generally deal with primary market makers unless prices that are more favorable are otherwise obtainable.
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In selecting brokers and dealers to execute portfolio transactions, the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser may consider research and brokerage services furnished to the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser or their affiliates. The Adviser or the Sub-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 the Fund’s 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 or the Sub-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 or the Sub-Adviser. In aggregating such securities, the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser will average the transaction as to price and will allocate available investments in a manner that the Adviser or the Sub-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 Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “1934 Act”) permits the Adviser or the Sub-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 or the Sub-Adviser may receive brokerage and research services in connection with certain riskless principal transactions, in accordance with applicable SEC guidance. Brokerage and research services include: (1) furnishing advice as to the value of securities, the advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling securities, and the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities; (2) furnishing analyses and reports concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic factors and trends, Fund strategy, and the performance of accounts; and (3) effecting securities transactions and performing functions incidental thereto (such as clearance, settlement, and custody). In the case of research services, the Adviser believes that access to independent investment research is beneficial to its investment decision-making processes and, therefore, to the Fund.
To the extent that research services may be a factor in selecting brokers, such services may be in written form or through direct contact with individuals and may include information as to particular companies and securities as well as market, economic, or institutional areas and information which assists in the valuation and pricing of investments. Examples of research-oriented services for which the Adviser or the Sub-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 or the Sub-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 or the Sub-Adviser will be in addition to and not in lieu of the services required to be performed by the Adviser or Sub-Adviser under their respective advisory agreements. Any advisory or other fees paid to the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser are not reduced as a result of the receipt of research services.
In some cases the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser may receive a service from a broker that has both a “research” and a “non-research” use. When this occurs, the Adviser or the Sub-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 or the Sub-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 or the Sub-Adviser faces a potential conflict of interest, but the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser believes that its allocation procedures are reasonably designed to ensure that it appropriately allocates the anticipated use of such services to their research and non-research uses.
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From time to time, the Fund may purchase new issues of securities in a fixed price offering. In these situations, the seller may be a member of the selling group that will, in addition to selling securities, provide the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser with research services. FINRA 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).
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 Sub-Adviser for a commission in conformity with the 1940 Act, 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.
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. The Fund is newly formed and has not commenced operations as of the date of this SAI.
DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES HOLDINGS
On each Business Day (as defined in the Creation and Redemption of Creation Units section of this SAI), prior to the opening of regular trading on the Fund’s primary listing exchange, the Fund discloses on its website (www.appliedfinanceadvisors.com) certain information relating to the portfolio holdings that will form the basis of the Fund’s next net asset value per share calculation.
In addition, certain information may also be made available to certain parties:
• | Communications of Data Files: The Fund may make available through the facilities of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”) or through posting on the Fund’s website, prior to the opening of trading on each business day, a list of the Fund’s holdings (generally pro-rata) that Authorized Participants could deliver to the Fund to settle purchases of the Fund (i.e. Deposit Securities) or that Authorized Participants would receive from the Fund to settle redemptions of the Fund (i.e. Fund Securities). These files are known as the Portfolio Composition File and the Fund Data File (collectively, “Files”). The Files are applicable for the next trading day and are provided to the NSCC and/or posted on the Fund’s website after the close of markets in the U.S. |
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• | Communications with Authorized Participants and Liquidity Providers: Certain employees of the Adviser, Sub-Adviser, Distributor and Custodian are responsible for interacting with Authorized Participants and liquidity providers with respect to discussing custom basket proposals as described in the Custom Baskets section of this SAI. As part of these discussions, these employees may discuss with an Authorized Participant or liquidity provider the securities the Fund is willing to accept for a creation, and securities that the Fund will provide on a redemption. |
• | The Adviser and/or Sub-Adviser may also discuss portfolio holdings-related information with broker/dealers, in connection with settling the Fund’s transactions, as may be necessary to conduct business in the ordinary course in a manner consistent with the disclosure in the Fund’s current registration statement. |
• | Communications with Listing Exchanges: From time to time, employees of Adviser, Sub-Adviser, Distributor and/or Custodian may discuss portfolio holdings information with the applicable primary listing exchange for the Fund as needed to meet the exchange listing standards. |
• | Communication of Other Information: Certain explanatory information regarding the Files is released to Authorized Participants and liquidity providers on a daily basis, but is only done so after the Files are posted to the Fund’s website. |
• | Third-Party Service Providers. Certain portfolio holdings information may be disclosed to Fund Trustees and their counsel, outside counsel for the Fund, auditors and to certain third-party service providers (i.e., fund administrator, custodian, proxy voting service, and printers), as may be necessary to conduct business in the ordinary course in a manner consistent with applicable policies, agreements with the Fund, the terms of the current registration statement and federal securities laws and regulations thereunder. |
• | The Fund files its complete portfolio holdings schedule with the SEC on a quarterly basis. This schedule is filed with the Trust’s annual and semi-annual reports on Form N-CSR for the second and fourth fiscal quarters and on Form N-PORT for the first and third fiscal quarters. Certain portfolio information is also included on Form N-PORT that is filed for the second and fourth 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-PORT must be filed with the SEC and will be made publicly available no later than sixty (60) calendar days after the end of the applicable quarter. |
No consideration may be received by the Fund, the Adviser, or any other person in connection with the disclosure of portfolio information. The Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer or his delegate may authorize disclosure of portfolio holdings information pursuant to the above policy and procedures, subject to restrictions on selective disclosure imposed by applicable law. The Board reviews the policy and procedures for disclosure of portfolio holdings information at least annually.
The Trust’s 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 Trust’s shares of beneficial interest have no par value.
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The Fund is authorized to issue one class of shares imposing no front-end or deferred sales charges, no 12b-1 fee and no service fee.
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 Trust’s 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 each fund affected by the matter. A particular fund is deemed to be affected by a matter unless it is clear that the interests of each 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 Trust’s shares, the Trust will call for a meeting of shareholders to consider the removal of one or more trustees and other certain matters. To the extent required by law, the Trust will assist in shareholder communication in such matters.
The Board has full power and authority, in its sole discretion, and without obtaining shareholder approval, to divide or combine the shares of any class or series thereof into a greater or lesser number, to classify or reclassify any issued shares or any class or series thereof into one or more classes or series of shares, and to take such other action with respect to the Trust’s 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.
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The Board of Trustees of the Trust has delegated responsibility for decisions regarding proxy voting for securities held by the Fund to the Adviser. The Adviser will vote such proxies in accordance with its proxy voting policies and procedures, which are included in Exhibit B to this SAI. The Board of Trustees will periodically review the Fund’s proxy voting record. The proxy voting policies and procedures of the Trust are included as Exhibit A to this SAI.
The Trust is required to disclose annually the Fund’s 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 (833)-909-6030 or by writing to the Fund at 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, VA 23235; and (2) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
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, the Sub-Adviser and the Administrator 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 SEC’s Internet website at http://www.sec.gov.
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ETF Opportunities Trust
PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES
The ETF Opportunities 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 “Funds”). 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 adviser, or the investment sub-adviser as appropriate, of each Fund (each an “Adviser”), as the entity that selects the individual securities that comprise its Fund’s 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 each Fund to make decisions on how to cast proxy votes on behalf of such Fund.
The Trust hereby designates the Adviser of each Fund as the entity responsible for exercising proxy voting authority with regard to securities held in the Fund’s investment portfolio. Consistent with its duties under this Policy, each 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 Adviser’s 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 Fund’s 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 Fund’s 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 Adviser’s 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 Board’s decision.
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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 Adviser’s proxy voting policy and this Policy on such website. A copy of such policies and of each Fund’s proxy voting record shall also be made available, without charge, upon request of any shareholder of the Fund, by calling the applicable Fund’s toll-free telephone number as printed in the Fund’s prospectus. The Trust’s 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 Trust’s administrator within 30 days following the end of each 12-month period ending June 30. The Trust’s administrator will file a report based on such record on Form N-PX on an annual basis with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission no later than August 31st of each year.
Adopted:
December 4, 2019
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PROXY VOTING AND DISCLOSURE POLICY
APPLIED FINANCE ADVISORS LLC
Proxy and Corporate Action Voting Policies and Procedures
I. POLICY.
Applied Finance Advisors LLC (the “Adviser”) acts as a discretionary investment adviser for various clients, including clients governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) and registered open-end management investment companies (i.e., “mutual funds”). The Adviser is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) as an investment adviser pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”). Some of the Adviser’s clients have delegated to the Adviser the authority to vote proxies or act with respect to corporate actions that may arise with respect to securities held within such client’s investment portfolio. Corporate actions may include, for example and without limitation, tender offers or exchanges, bankruptcy proceedings, and class actions. The Adviser’s authority to vote proxies or act with respect to other corporate actions is established through the delegation of discretionary authority under its investment advisory agreements. Therefore, unless a client (including a “named fiduciary” under ERISA) specifically reserves the right, in writing, to vote its own proxies or to take shareholder action with respect to other corporate actions requiring shareholder actions, the Adviser will vote all proxies and act on all other actions in a timely manner as part of its full discretionary authority over client assets in accordance with these policies and procedures.
When voting proxies or acting with respect to corporate actions on behalf of clients, the Adviser’s utmost concern is that all decisions be made solely in the best interests of the client (and for ERISA accounts, plan beneficiaries and participants, in accordance with the letter and spirit of ERISA). The Adviser will act in a prudent and diligent manner intended to enhance the economic value of the assets in the client’s account.
II. PURPOSE.
The purpose of these policies and procedures is to memorialize the procedures and policies adopted by the Adviser to enable it to comply with its fiduciary responsibilities to clients and the requirements of Rule 206(4)-6 under the Advisers Act. These policies and procedures also reflect the fiduciary standards and responsibilities set forth by the Department of Labor for ERISA accounts.
III. PROCEDURES.
The Adviser is ultimately responsible for ensuring that all proxies received are voted in a timely manner and in a manner consistent with the Adviser’s determination of the client’s best interests. Although many proxy proposals may be voted in accordance with the Guidelines described in Section V below, some proposals require special consideration which may dictate that the Adviser makes an exception to the Guidelines.
The Adviser is also responsible for ensuring that all corporate action notices or requests which require shareholder action that are received are addressed in a timely manner and consistent action is taken across all similarly situated client accounts.
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A. Conflicts of Interest.
Where a proxy proposal raises a material conflict between the Adviser’s interests and a client’s interest, including a mutual fund client, the Adviser will resolve such a conflict in the manner described below:
1. Vote in Accordance with the Guidelines. To the extent that the Adviser has little or no discretion to deviate from the Guidelines with respect to the proposal in question, the Adviser shall vote in accordance with such pre-determined voting policy.
2. Obtain Consent of Clients. To the extent that the Adviser has discretion to deviate from the Guidelines with respect to the proposal in question, the Adviser will disclose the conflict to the relevant clients and obtain their consent to the proposed vote prior to voting the securities. The disclosure to the client will include sufficient detail regarding the matter to be voted on and the nature of the conflict so that the client will be able to make an informed decision regarding the vote. If a client does not respond to such a conflict disclosure request or denies the request, the Adviser will abstain from voting the securities held by that client’s account.
3. Client Directive to Use an Independent Third Party. Alternatively, a client may, in writing, specifically direct the Adviser to forward all proxy matters in which the Adviser has a conflict of interest regarding the client’s securities to an identified independent third party for review and recommendation. Where such independent third party’s recommendations are received on a timely basis, the Adviser will vote all such proxies in accordance with such third party’s recommendation. If the third party’s recommendations are not timely received, the Adviser will abstain from voting the securities held by that client’s account.
The Adviser will review the proxy proposal for conflicts of interest as part of the overall vote review process. All material conflicts of interest so identified will be addressed as described above in this Section III, A.
B. Limitations.
In certain circumstances, in accordance with a client’s investment advisory agreement (or other written directive) or where the Adviser has determined that it is in the client’s best interest, the Adviser will not vote proxies received.
The following are certain circumstances where the Adviser will limit its role in voting proxies:
1. Client Maintains Proxy Voting Authority. Where a client specifies in writing that it will maintain the authority to vote proxies itself or that it has delegated the right to vote proxies to a third party, the Adviser will not vote the securities and will direct the relevant custodian to send the proxy material directly to the client. If any proxy material is received by the Adviser for such account, it will promptly be forwarded to the client or specified third party.
2. Terminated Account. Once a client account has been terminated in accordance with its investment advisory agreement, the Adviser will not vote any proxies received after the termination date. However, the client may specify in writing that proxies should be directed to the client (or a specified third party) for action.
3. Limited Value. If the Adviser determines that the value of a client’s economic interest or the value of the portfolio holding is indeterminable or insignificant, the Adviser may abstain from voting a client’s proxies. The Adviser also will not vote proxies received for securities which are no longer held by the client’s account. In addition, the Adviser generally will not vote securities where the economic value of the securities in the client account is less than $500.
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4. Securities Lending Programs. When securities are out on loan, they are transferred into the borrower’s name and are voted by the borrower, in its discretion. However, where the Adviser determines that a proxy vote (or other shareholder action) is materially important to the client’s account, the Adviser may recall the security for the purposes of voting.
5. Unjustifiable Costs. In certain circumstances, after doing a cost-benefit analysis, the Adviser may abstain from voting where the cost of voting a client’s proxy would exceed any anticipated benefits from the proxy proposal.
IV. RECORD KEEPING.
In accordance with Rule 204-2 under the Advisers Act, the Adviser will maintain for the time periods set forth in the Rule: (i) these proxy voting procedures and policies, and all amendments thereto; (ii) all proxy statements received regarding client securities (provided however, that the Adviser may rely on the proxy statement filed on EDGAR as its records); (iii) a record of all votes cast on behalf of clients; (iv) records of all written client requests for proxy voting information; (v) a copy of any written response made by the Adviser to any written or oral client request for proxy voting information; (vi) any documents prepared by the Adviser that were material to making a decision on how to vote or that memorialized the basis for the decision; and (vii) all records relating to requests made to clients regarding conflicts of interest in voting the proxy.
The Adviser will describe in its Form ADV, Part II (or other brochure fulfilling the requirement of Rule 204-3 under the Advisers Act) its proxy voting policies and procedures and will inform clients how they may obtain information on how the Adviser voted proxies with respect to the clients’ portfolio securities. The Adviser will also provide to each mutual fund client a copy of its policies and procedures. Clients may obtain information on how their securities were voted or a copy of the policies and procedures by written request addressed to the Adviser.
The Adviser will coordinate with all mutual fund clients to assist in the provision of all information required to be filed by such mutual funds on Form N-PX. Form N-PX will provide information concerning each matter relating to a portfolio security considered at any shareholder meeting with respect to which a mutual fund was entitled to vote. Each Form N-PX will need to be filed no later than August 31st of each year, and will cover all proxy votes with respect to which a mutual fund was entitled to vote for the period July 1st through June 30th. The Adviser shall maintain and provide the following information concerning any shareholder meetings with respect to which a mutual fund they manage was entitled to vote:
• | the name of the issuer of the portfolio security; |
• | the exchange ticker symbol of the portfolio security(1); |
• | the CUSIP number of the portfolio security(1); |
• | the shareholder meeting date; |
• | a brief description of the matter voted on; |
• | whether the matter was put forward by the issuer or a shareholder; |
• | whether the mutual fund voted; |
• | how the mutual fund cast its vote; and |
• | whether the mutual fund cast its vote for or against management. |
V. GUIDELINES.
Each proxy issue will be considered individually. The following guidelines are a partial list to be used in voting proposals contained in the proxy statements, but will not be used as rigid rules.
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A. Oppose.
The Adviser will generally vote against any management proposal that clearly has the effect of restricting the ability of shareholders to realize the full potential value of their investment. Proposals in this category would include:
1. Issues regarding the issuer’s board entrenchment and anti-takeover measures such as the following:
a. | Proposals to stagger board members’ terms; |
b. | Proposals to limit the ability of shareholders to call special meetings; |
c. | Proposals to require super majority votes; |
d. | Proposals requesting excessive increases in authorized common or preferred shares where management provides no explanation for the use or need of these additional shares; |
e. | Proposals regarding “fair price” provisions; |
f. | Proposals regarding “poison pill” provisions; and |
g. | Permitting “green mail”. |
2. Providing cumulative voting rights.
B. Approve.
Routine proposals are those which do not change the structure, bylaws, or operations of the corporation to the detriment of the shareholders. Given the routine nature of these proposals, proxies will nearly always be voted with management. Traditionally, these issues include:
1. | Election of independent accountants recommended by management, unless seeking to replace if there exists a dispute over policies. |
2. | Date and place of annual meeting. |
3. | Limitation on charitable contributions or fees paid to lawyers. |
4. | Ratification of directors’ actions on routine matters since previous annual meeting. |
5. | Confidential voting. Confidential voting is most often proposed by shareholders as a means of eliminating undue management pressure on shareholders regarding their vote on proxy issues. The Adviser will generally vote to approve these proposals as shareholders can later divulge their votes to management on a selective basis if a legitimate reason arises. |
6. | Limiting directors’ liability. |
7. | Eliminate preemptive rights. Preemptive rights give current shareholders the opportunity to maintain their current percentage ownership through any subsequent equity offerings. These provisions are no longer common in the U.S., and can restrict management’s ability to raise new capital. |
8. | The Adviser will generally vote to approve the elimination of preemptive rights, but will oppose the elimination of listed preemptive rights, e.g., on proposed issues representing more than an acceptable level of total dilution. |
9. | Employee Stock Purchase Plans. |
10. | Establish 401(k) Plans. |
C. Case-By-Case.
The Adviser will review each issue in this category on a case-by-case basis. Voting decisions will be made based on the financial interest of the client involved. These matters include proposals to:
1. | Pay directors solely in stock; |
2. | Eliminate director’s mandatory retirement policy; |
3. | Rotate annual meeting location or date; |
62
4. | Changes in the state of incorporation; |
5. | Social and corporate responsibility issues; |
6. | Option and stock grants to management and directors; and |
7. | Allowing indemnification of directors and/or officers after reviewing the applicable laws and extent of protection requested. |
D. Investment Company Issues.
From time to time the Adviser will have to vote shares of investment company securities that may be held in a client’s account. These matters generally include proposals to:
1. | Elect directors or trustees; |
2. | Ratify or approve independent accountants; |
3. | Approve a new investment adviser or sub-adviser; |
4. | Approve a change to an investment advisory fee; |
5. | Approve a Distribution (i.e., Rule 12b-1) Plan; |
6. | Approve a change in a fundamental investment objective, policy or limitation; |
7. | Approve a change in the state of incorporation; and |
8. | Approve a plan of reorganization or merger. |
The Adviser will generally vote with management’s recommendation on the election of directors and trustees, the approval of independent accountants, the approval of a change in a fundamental investment objective, policy or limitation, and the approval of a change in the state of incorporation. On the approval of a new investment adviser or sub-adviser, approval of a change in investment advisory fee, approval of a distribution (i.e., Rule 12b-1) plan, or the approval of a plan of reorganization or merger, the Adviser will review each issue on a case-by-case basis. Voting decisions will be made based on the financial interest of the client involved.
(1) The exchange ticker symbol and CUSIP number may be difficult to obtain for certain portfolio securities, such as foreign issuers. Accordingly, such information may be omitted if it’s not available through reasonably practicable means.
63
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter
ETF Opportunities Trust
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Membership
1. | The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of ETF Opportunities 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 Trust’s series portfolios and the Trust’s 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: December 4, 2019
64
APPENDIX A TO THE NOMINATING AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
COMMITTEE CHARTER
ETF OPPORTUNITIES 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 candidate’s 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 candidate’s educational background; (iv) the candidate’s 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 Board’s existing mix of skills, core competencies and qualifications; (vi) the candidate’s perceived ability to contribute to the ongoing functions of the Board, including the candidate’s ability and commitment to attend meetings regularly and work collaboratively with other members of the Board; (vii) the candidate’s 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. |
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OTHER INFORMATION
Item 28. Exhibits
C-1 |
C-2 |
C-3 |
Item 29. Persons Controlled By or Under Common Control With Registrant
Not Applicable. |
Item 30. Indemnification
See Article VIII, Section 2 of the Registrant’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust and the section titled “Indemnification of Trustees, Officers, Employees and Other Agents” in the Registrant’s 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 description of the Investment Adviser is found under the caption “Management,” “The Investment Adviser” in the Prospectus and under the caption “Investment Adviser” in the Statement of Additional Information constituting Parts A and B, respectively, of this Registration Statement, which are incorporated by reference herein. The Investment Adviser may provide investment advisory services to persons or entities other than the Registrant.
Item 32. Distributor
(a) | Foreside Fund Services, LLC (the “Distributor”) serves as principal underwriter for the following investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended: |
1. | ABS Long/Short Strategies Fund |
2. | Absolute Shares Trust |
3. | AdvisorShares Trust |
4. | AGF Investments Trust (f/k/a FQF Trust) |
5. | AIM ETF Products Trust |
6. | AlphaCentric Prime Meridian Income Fund |
7. | American Century ETF Trust |
8. | American Customer Satisfaction ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions |
9. | Amplify ETF Trust |
10. | ARK ETF Trust |
11. | Bluestone Community Development Fund (f/k/a The 504 Fund) |
12. | Braddock Multi-Strategy Income Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust |
13. | Bridgeway Funds, Inc. |
14. | Brinker Capital Destinations Trust |
C-4 |
15. | Cabot Equity Growth ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
16. | Calamos Convertible and High Income Fund |
17. | Calamos Convertible Opportunities and Income Fund |
18. | Calamos Global Total Return Fund |
19. | Carlyle Tactical Private Credit Fund |
20. | Center Coast Brookfield MLP & Energy Infrastructure Fund |
21. | Changebridge Capital Long/Short ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
22. | Changebridge Capital Sustainable Equity ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
23. | Cliffwater Corporate Lending Fund |
24. | CornerCap Group of Funds |
25. | Davis Fundamental ETF Trust |
26. | Defiance Nasdaq Junior Biotechnology ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions |
27. | Defiance Next Gen Connectivity ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions |
28. | Defiance Next Gen SPAC Derived ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions |
29. | Defiance Quantum ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions |
30. | Direxion Shares ETF Trust |
31. | Eaton Vance NextShares Trust |
32. | Eaton Vance NextShares Trust II |
33. | EIP Investment Trust |
34. | Ellington Income Opportunities Fund |
35. | EntrepreneurShares Series Trust |
36. | Esoterica Thematic ETF Trust |
37. | ETF Opportunities Trust |
38. | Evanston Alternative Opportunities Fund |
39. | Exchange Listed Funds Trust (f/k/a Exchange Traded Concepts Trust II) |
40. | Fiera Capital Series Trust |
41. | FlexShares Trust |
42. | Forum Funds |
43. | Forum Funds II |
44. | Friess Small Cap Growth Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series |
45. | Guinness Atkinson Funds |
46. | Horizon Kinetics Inflation Beneficiaries ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
47. | Infinity Core Alternative Fund |
48. | Innovator ETFs Trust |
49. | Innovator ETFs Trust II (f/k/a Elkhorn ETF Trust) |
50. | Ironwood Institutional Multi-Strategy Fund LLC |
51. | Ironwood Multi-Strategy Fund LLC |
52. | IVA Fiduciary Trust |
53. | John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust |
54. | Mairs & Power Funds Trust |
55. | Manor Investment Funds |
56. | Moerus Worldwide Value Fund, Series of Northern Lights Fund Trust IV |
57. | Morgan Creek - Exos SPAC Originated ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
58. | Morningstar Funds Trust |
59. | OSI ETF Trust |
60. | Overlay Shares Core Bond ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
61. | Overlay Shares Foreign Equity ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
62. | Overlay Shares Hedged Large Cap Equity ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
63. | Overlay Shares Large Cap Equity ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
64. | Overlay Shares Municipal Bond ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
65. | Overlay Shares Short Term Bond ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
66. | Overlay Shares Small Cap Equity ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
67. | Pacific Global ETF Trust |
68. | Palmer Square Opportunistic Income Fund |
69. | Partners Group Private Income Opportunities, LLC |
70. | PENN Capital Funds Trust |
71. | Performance Trust Mutual Funds, Series of Trust for Professional Managers |
72. | Plan Investment Fund, Inc. |
73. | PMC Funds, Series of Trust for Professional Managers |
74. | Point Bridge GOP Stock Tracker ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions |
75. | Quaker Investment Trust |
C-5 |
76. |
Rareview Dynamic Fixed Income ETF, Series of Collaborative Investment Series Trust |
77. | Rareview Tax Advantaged Income ETF, Series of Collaborative Investment Series Trust |
78. | Renaissance Capital Greenwich Funds |
79. | Reverse Cap Weighted U.S. Large Cap ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions |
80. | RMB Investors Trust (f/k/a Burnham Investors Trust) |
81. | Robinson Opportunistic Income Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust |
82. | Robinson Tax Advantaged Income Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust |
83. | Roundhill BITKRAFT Esports & Digital Entertainment ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
84. | Roundhill Sports Betting & iGaming ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
85. | Roundhill Streaming Services & Technology ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
86. | Salient MF Trust |
87. | Securian AM Balanced Stabilization Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust |
88. | Securian AM Equity Stabilization Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust |
89. | Securian AM Real Asset Income Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust |
90. | SharesPost 100 Fund |
91. | Six Circles Trust |
92. | Sound Shore Fund, Inc. |
93. | Strategy Shares |
94. | Swan Hedged Equity US Large Cap ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
95. | Syntax ETF Trust |
96. | The Chartwell Funds |
97. | The Community Development Fund |
98. | The Relative Value Fund |
99. | The SPAC and New Issue ETF, Series of Collaborative Investment Series Trust |
100. | Third Avenue Trust |
101. | Third Avenue Variable Series Trust |
102. | Tidal ETF Trust |
103. | TIFF Investment Program |
104. | Timothy Plan High Dividend Stock ETF, Series of The Timothy Plan |
105. | Timothy Plan International ETF, Series of The Timothy Plan |
106. | Timothy Plan US Large/Mid Cap Core ETF, Series of The Timothy Plan |
107. | Timothy Plan US Small Cap Core ETF, Series of The Timothy Plan |
108. | Transamerica ETF Trust |
109. | Trend Aggregation Aggressive Growth ETF, Series of Collaborative Investment Series Trust |
110. | Trend Aggregation Conservative ETF, Series of Collaborative Investment Series Trust |
111. | Trend Aggregation Dividend Stock ETF, Series of Collaborative Investment Series Trust |
112. | Trend Aggregation ESG ETF, Series of Collaborative Investment Series Trust |
113. | Trend Aggregation US ETF, Series of Collaborative Investment Series Trust |
114. | TrueShares AI & Deep Learning ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
115. | TrueShares ESG Active Opportunities ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
116. | TrueShares Low Volatility Equity Income ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
117. | TrueShares Structured Outcome (August) ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
118. | TrueShares Structured Outcome (December) ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
119. | TrueShares Structured Outcome (February) ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
120. | TrueShares Structured Outcome (January) ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
121. | TrueShares Structured Outcome (July) ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
122. | TrueShares Structured Outcome (March) ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
123. | TrueShares Structured Outcome (November) ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
124. | TrueShares Structured Outcome (October) ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
125. | TrueShares Structured Outcome (September) ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust |
126. | U.S. Global Investors Funds |
127. | Variant Alternative Income Fund |
128. | VictoryShares Developed Enhanced Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II |
129. | VictoryShares Dividend Accelerator ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II |
130. | VictoryShares Emerging Market High Div Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II |
131. | VictoryShares Emerging Market Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II |
132. | VictoryShares International High Div Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II |
133. | VictoryShares International Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II |
134. | VictoryShares NASDAQ Next 50 ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II |
135. | VictoryShares Protect America ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II |
136. | VictoryShares Top Veteran Employers ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II |
C-6 |
137. | VictoryShares US 500 Enhanced Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II |
138. | VictoryShares US 500 Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II |
139. | VictoryShares US Discovery Enhanced Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II |
140. | VictoryShares US EQ Income Enhanced Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II |
141. | VictoryShares US Large Cap High Div Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II |
142. | VictoryShares US Multi-Factor Minimum Volatility ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II |
143. | VictoryShares US Small Cap High Div Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II |
144. | VictoryShares US Small Cap Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II |
145. | VictoryShares USAA Core Intermediate-Term Bond ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II |
146. | VictoryShares USAA Core Short-Term Bond ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II |
147. | VictoryShares USAA MSCI Emerging Markets Value Momentum ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II |
148. | VictoryShares USAA MSCI International Value Momentum ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II |
149. | VictoryShares USAA MSCI USA Small Cap Value Momentum ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II |
150. | VictoryShares USAA MSCI USA Value Momentum ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II |
151. | West Loop Realty Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust (f/k/a Chilton Realty Income & Growth Fund) |
152. | WisdomTree Trust |
153. | WST Investment Trust |
154. | XAI Octagon Floating Rate & Alternative Income Term Trust |
(b) | The following are the Officers and Manager of the Distributor, the Registrant’s underwriter. The Distributor’s main business address is Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, Maine 04101. |
(c) | Not applicable. |
C-7 |
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) | Adviser |
Ridgeline Research LLC, 14961 Finegan Farm Drive, Darnestown, Maryland 20874 (records relating to its function as investment adviser to the American Conservative Values ETF and the American Conservative Values Small-Cap ETF funds). |
b) | Sub-Adviser |
Vidant Investment Advisory, LLC, 1125 Sanctuary Parkway, Suite 515, Alpharetta, Georgia 30009 (records relating to its function as sub-adviser to the American Conservative Values ETF and the American Conservative Values Small-Cap ETF funds). |
c) | Adviser |
Real Asset Strategies, LLC, 5775 Wayzata Boulevard, Suite 700, St. Louis Park, Minnesota 55416 (records relating to its function as investment adviser to the Real Asset Strategies ETF). |
d) | Sub-Adviser |
Enduring Investments, LLC, 12 Ironwood Road, Morristown, New Jersey 07960 (records relating to its function as sub-adviser to the Real Asset Strategies ETF). |
e) | Adviser |
Formidable Asset Management, LLC, 221 East fourth Street, Suite 2700, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 (records relating to its function as investment adviser to the Formidable ETFs). |
f) | Sub-Adviser |
Toroso Asset Management, 898 N. Broadway, Suite 2, Massapequa, New York 11758 (records relating to its function as sub-adviser to the Formidable ETFs and the Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap ETF). |
g) | Adviser |
Applied Finance Advisors, LLC (the “Adviser”), 17806 IH 10, Suite 300, San Antonio, Texas 78257 (records relating to its function as adviser to the Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap ETF). |
h) | Custodian, Transfer Agency | Citibank, N.A., 390 Greenwich Street, 6th Floor, New York, New York 10013. |
i) | Administrator | Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc., 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, Virginia 23235. |
j) | Distributor |
Foreside Fund Services, LLC, Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, Maine 04101. |
k) | Fund Accountant |
Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., located at 4400 Easton Commons, Suite 200, Columbus, Ohio, 43219. |
Item 34. Management Services
Not applicable. |
Item 35. Undertakings
Not applicable. |
C-8 |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), 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. 8 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Richmond, Commonwealth of Virginia on the 16th day of April, 2021.
ETF OPPORTUNITIES TRUST | ||
By: /s/ Karen Shupe | ||
Karen Shupe | ||
Treasurer and Principal Executive Officer |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature | Title | Date |
*David J. Urban | Trustee | April 16, 2021 |
*Mary Lou H. Ivey | Trustee | April 16, 2021 |
*Theo H. Pitt, Jr. | Trustee | April 16, 2021 |
*Kevin M. Farragher | Trustee | April 16, 2021 |
/s/ Karen M. Shupe | Treasurer and Principal Executive Officer | April 16, 2021 |
Karen M. Shupe | ||
/s/ Ann T. MacDonald | Assistant Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer | April 16, 2021 |
Ann T. MacDonald | ||
*By: /s/ Karen M. Shupe | ||
Karen M. Shupe | ||
*Attorney-in-fact pursuant to Powers of Attorney
(d)(2) | Sub-Advisory Agreement between Vident Advisory, LLC and Ridgeline Research LLC on behalf of the American Conservative Values ETF and American Conservative Values Small-Cap ETF funds. |
(e)(1) | Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Foreside Funds Services, LLC on behalf of the American Conservative Values ETF and American Conservative Values Small-Cap ETF funds. |
(e)(2) | First Amendment to the ETF Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Foreside Fund Services, LLC on behalf of the American Conservative Values ETF, the American Conservative Values Small-Cap ETF and the Real Asset Strategies ETF. |
(g)(1) | Global Custodial and Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Registrant and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of the American Conservative Values ETF and American Conservative Values Small-Cap ETF funds. |
(g)(2) |
Amendment No. 1 to the Global Custodial and Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Registrant and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of the American Conservative Values ETF and American Conservative Values Small-Cap ETFs. |
(g)(3) | Amendment No. 2 to the Global Custodial and Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Registrant and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of the Real Asset Strategies ETF . |
(h)(1) | Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the American Conservative Values ETF and American Conservative Values Small-Cap ETF. |
(h)(2) | Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the Real Asset Strategies ETF. |
(h)(5) | Services Agreement (Fund Accounting services) between the Registrant, Citi Funds Services Ohio, Inc. and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of the American Conservative Values ETF and the American Conservative Values Small-Cap ETF. |
(h)(6) | Amendment No.4 to the Services Agreement (Fund Accounting services) between the Registrant, Citi Funds Services Ohio, Inc. and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of the Funds of the Trust. |
(i)(4) | Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding the legality of securities registered with respect to the Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap ETF. |
ETF Opportunities Trust 485BPOS
Exhibit 99(d)(2)
INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
with
Vident Investment Advisory, LLC
This INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made as of this 22nd day of October, 2020 by and among RIDGELINE RESEARCH, LLC, a Delaware company with its principal place of business at 14961 Finegan Farm Drive, Darnestown, MD 20874 (the “Adviser”), ETF Opportunities Trust (the “Trust”), and VIDENT INVESTMENT ADVISORY, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company with its principal place of business located at 1125 Sanctuary Parkway, Suite 515, Alpharetta, GA 30009 (the “Sub-Adviser”).
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, the Trust is an open-end management investment company, registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”); and
WHEREAS, the Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”); and
WHEREAS, the Adviser has entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement dated December 4, 2019, as amended to add additional series, with the Trust; and
WHEREAS, the Sub-Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”) and is engaged in the business of supplying investment advice as an independent contractor; and
WHEREAS, the Investment Advisory Agreement contemplates that the Adviser may appoint a sub-adviser to perform some or all of the services for which the Adviser is responsible; and
WHEREAS, the Sub-Adviser is willing to furnish such services to the Adviser and each Fund listed in Schedule A to this Agreement (each a “Fund” and, collectively, the “Funds”).
A G R E E M E N T
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and benefits set forth herein, the parties do hereby agree as follows:
1. Duties of the Sub-Adviser. Subject to supervision and oversight of the Adviser and the Board of Trustees (the “Board”), and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall manage all of the securities and other assets of the Funds entrusted to it hereunder (the “Assets”), including the purchase, retention and disposition of the Assets, in accordance with the Funds’ respective investment objectives, guidelines, policies and restrictions as stated in each Fund’s prospectus and statement of additional information, as currently in effect and as amended or supplemented from time to time (referred to collectively as the “Prospectus”), and subject to the following:
(a) | The Sub-Adviser shall, subject to subparagraph (b), determine from time to time what Assets will be purchased, retained or sold by the Funds, and what portion of the Assets will be invested or held uninvested in cash as is permissible. |
(b) | In the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall act in conformity with the Prospectus, the Statement of Additional Information, the written instructions and directions of the Adviser and of the Board, the terms and conditions of exemptive and no-action relief granted to the Trust as amended from time to time and provided to the Sub-Adviser and the Trust’s policies and procedures provided to the Sub-Adviser and will conform to and comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act, the Commodity Exchange Act, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations, as each is amended from time to time. |
(c) | The Sub-Adviser shall determine the Assets to be purchased or sold by the Funds as provided in subparagraph (a) and will place orders with or through such persons, brokers or dealers to carry out the policy with respect to brokerage set forth in the Funds’ Prospectus or as the Board or the Adviser may direct in writing from time to time, in conformity with all federal securities laws. In executing Fund transactions and selecting brokers or dealers, the Sub-Adviser will use its best efforts to seek on behalf of each Fund the best execution and overall terms available. In assessing the best overall terms available for any transaction, the Sub-Adviser shall consider all factors that it deems relevant, including the breadth of the market in the security, the price of the security, the financial condition and execution capability of the broker or dealer, and the reasonableness of the commission, if any, both for the specific transaction and on a continuing basis. In evaluating the best overall terms available, and in selecting the broker-dealer to execute a particular transaction, the Sub-Adviser may also consider the brokerage and research services provided (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)). Consistent with any guidelines established by the Board and Section 28(e) of the Exchange Act, as amended, the Sub-Adviser is authorized to pay to a broker or dealer who provides such brokerage and research services a commission for executing a portfolio transaction for a Fund which is in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if, but only if, the Sub-Adviser determines in good faith that such commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker or dealer viewed in terms of that particular transaction or in terms of the overall responsibilities of the Sub-Adviser to its discretionary clients, including the Fund. In addition, the Sub-Adviser is authorized to allocate purchase and sale orders for securities to brokers or dealers (including brokers and dealers that are affiliated with the Adviser, Sub-Adviser or the Trust’s principal underwriter) if the Sub-Adviser believes that the quality of the transaction and the commission are comparable to what they would be with other qualified firms. In no instance, however, will the Assets be purchased from or sold to the Adviser, Sub-Adviser, the Trust’s principal underwriter, or any affiliated person of the Trust, Adviser, the Sub-Adviser or the principal underwriter, acting as principal in the transaction, except to the extent permitted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the 1940 Act. |
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(d) | The Sub-Adviser shall maintain all books and records with respect to transactions involving the Assets required by subparagraphs (b)(1), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9) and (10) and paragraph (f) of Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act. The Sub-Adviser shall keep the books and records relating to the Assets required to be maintained by the Sub-Adviser under this Agreement and shall timely furnish to the Adviser all information relating to the Sub-Adviser’s services under this Agreement needed by the Adviser to keep the other books and records of the Fund required by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act, as requested by the Adviser. The Sub-Adviser agrees that all records that it maintains on behalf of a Fund are property of the Fund and the Sub-Adviser will surrender promptly to the Fund any of such records upon the Fund’s request; provided, however, that the Sub-Adviser may retain a copy of such records. In addition, for the duration of this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act any such records as are required to be maintained by it pursuant to this Agreement, and shall transfer said records to any successor sub-adviser upon the termination of this Agreement (or, if there is no successor sub-adviser, to the Adviser). |
(e) | The Sub-Adviser shall provide the Fund’s custodian on each business day with information relating to all transactions concerning the Assets and shall provide the Adviser with such information upon request of the Adviser and shall otherwise cooperate with and provide reasonable assistance to the Adviser, the Trust’s administrator, the Trust’s custodian and foreign custodians, the Trust’s transfer agent and pricing agents and all other agents and representatives of the Trust. |
(f) | The Adviser acknowledges that the Sub-Adviser performs investment advisory services for various other clients in addition to the Funds and, to the extent it is consistent with applicable law and the Sub-Adviser’s fiduciary obligations, the Sub-Adviser may give advice and take action with respect to any of those other clients that may differ from the advice given or the timing or nature of action taken for a particular Fund. |
(g) | The Sub-Adviser shall promptly notify the Adviser of any financial condition that is reasonably and foreseeably likely to impair the Sub-Adviser’s ability to fulfill its commitment under this Agreement. |
(h) | The Sub-Adviser shall, unless and until otherwise directed by the Adviser or the Board and consistent with the best interests of each Fund, be responsible for exercising (or not exercising in its discretion) all rights of security holders with respect to securities held by each Fund, including but not limited to: reviewing proxy solicitation materials, voting and handling proxies and converting, tendering exchanging or redeeming securities. The Sub-Adviser will have no obligation to advise, initiate or take any other action on behalf of the Adviser, the Funds or the Assets in any legal proceedings (including, without limitation, class actions and bankruptcies) relating to the securities comprising the Assets or any other matter. Sub-Adviser will not file proofs of claims relating to the securities comprising the Assets or any other matter and will not notify the Adviser, the Funds or the Trust’s custodian of class action settlements or bankruptcies relating to the Assets. |
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(i) | In performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall not consult with any other sub-adviser to the Funds or a sub-adviser to a portfolio that is under common control with the Funds concerning the Assets, except as permitted by the policies and procedures of the Funds. The Sub-Adviser shall not provide investment advice to any assets of the Funds other than the Assets which it sub-advises. |
(j) | On occasions when the Sub-Adviser deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interest of the Funds as well as other clients of the Sub-Adviser, the Sub-Adviser may, to the extent permitted by applicable law and regulations, aggregate the order for securities to be sold or purchased. In such event, the Sub-Adviser will allocate securities so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, in a manner the Sub-Adviser reasonably considers to be equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Fund and to such other clients under the circumstances. |
(k) | The Sub-Adviser shall maintain books and records with respect to the Funds’ securities transactions and keep the Board and the Adviser fully informed on an ongoing basis as agreed by the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser of all material facts concerning the Sub-Adviser and its key investment personnel providing services with respect to the Funds and the investment and the reinvestment of the Assets of the Funds. The Sub-Adviser shall furnish to the Adviser or the Board such reasonably requested regular, periodic and special reports, balance sheets or financial information, and such other information with regard to its affairs as the Adviser or Board may reasonably request and the Sub-Adviser will attend meetings with the Adviser and/or the Trustees, as reasonably requested, to discuss the foregoing. Upon the request of the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser shall also furnish to the Adviser any other information relating to the Assets that is required to be filed by the Adviser or the Trust with the SEC or sent to shareholders under the 1940 Act (including the rules adopted thereunder) or any exemptive or other relief that the Adviser or the Trust obtains from the SEC. |
(l) | The fair valuation of securities in a Fund may be required when the Adviser becomes aware of significant events that may affect the pricing of all or a portion of a Fund’s portfolio. The Sub-Adviser will provide assistance in determining the fair value of the Assets, as necessary and reasonably requested by the Adviser or its agent, and use reasonable efforts to arrange for the provision of valuation information or a price(s) from a party(ies) independent of the Sub-Adviser if market prices are not readily available, it being understood that the Sub-Adviser will not be responsible for determining the value of any such security. |
2. Duties of the Adviser. The Adviser shall continue to have responsibility for all services to be provided to the Funds pursuant to the Advisory Agreement and shall oversee and review the Sub-Adviser’s performance of its duties under this Agreement; provided, however, that in connection with its management of the Assets, nothing herein shall be construed to relieve the Sub-Adviser of responsibility for compliance with the Prospectus, the Statement of Additional Information, the written instructions and directions of the Board, the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Code, and all other applicable federal laws and regulations, as each is amended from time to time.
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3. Delivery of Documents. The Adviser has furnished the Sub-Adviser with copies of each of the following documents:
(a) | The Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust (such Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as in effect on the date of this Agreement and as amended from time to time, herein called the “Declaration of Trust”); |
(b) | Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Trust (such By-Laws, as in effect on the date of this Agreement and as amended from time to time, are herein called the “By-Laws”); |
(c) | Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of the Funds, as amended from time to time; |
(d) | Resolutions of the Board approving the engagement of the Sub-Adviser as a sub-adviser to the Funds; |
(e) | Resolutions, policies and procedures adopted by the Board with respect to the Assets to the extent such resolutions, policies and procedures may affect the duties of the Sub-Adviser hereunder; |
(f) | A list of the Trust’s principal underwriter and each affiliated person of the Adviser, the Trust or the principal underwriter; and |
(g) | The terms and conditions of exemptive and no-action relief granted to the Trust, as amended from time to time. |
The Adviser shall promptly furnish the Sub-Adviser from time to time with copies of all amendments of or supplements to the foregoing. Until so provided, the Sub-Adviser may continue to rely on those documents previously provided. The Adviser shall not, and shall not permit any of the Funds to use the Sub-Adviser’s name or make representations regarding Sub-Adviser or its affiliates without prior written consent of Sub-Adviser, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Sub-Adviser’s approval is not required when the information regarding the Sub-Adviser used by the Adviser or the Fund is limited to information disclosed in materials provided by the Sub-Adviser to the Adviser in writing specifically for use in the Fund’s registration statement, as amended or supplemented from time to time, or in Fund shareholder reports or proxy statements and the information is used (a) as required by applicable law, rule or regulation, in the Prospectus of the Fund or in Fund shareholder reports or proxy statements; or (b) as may be otherwise specifically approved in writing by the Sub-Adviser prior to use.
4. Compensation to the Sub-Adviser. For the services to be provided by the Sub-Adviser pursuant to this Agreement, the Adviser will pay the Sub-Adviser, and the Sub-Adviser agrees to accept as full compensation therefore, a sub-advisory fee at the rate specified in Schedule A which is attached hereto and made part of this Agreement. The fee will be calculated based on the daily value of the Assets under the Sub-Adviser’s management (as calculated as described in the Fund’s registration statement), shall be computed daily, and will be paid to the Sub-Adviser not less than monthly in arrears. Except as may otherwise be prohibited by law or regulation (including any then current SEC staff interpretations), the Sub-Adviser may, in its sole discretion and from time to time, waive a portion of its fee.
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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; provided, however that any minimum annual fee for any Fund (as noted on Schedule A) will not be prorated if this Agreement is terminated with respect to such Fund within twelve (12) months of its inception under this Agreement, but, rather, such minimum annual fee shall be paid by the Adviser in full (minus any investment management fees already paid during such period) at the time of termination.
5. Expenses. The Sub-Adviser will furnish, at its expense, all necessary facilities and personnel, including personnel compensation, expenses and fees required for the Sub-Adviser to perform its duties under this Agreement; administrative facilities, including operations and bookkeeping, and all equipment necessary for the efficient conduct of the Sub-Adviser’s duties under this Agreement. The Sub-Adviser may enter into an agreement with the Funds to limit the operating expenses of the Fund.
6. Indemnification. The Sub-Adviser shall indemnify and hold harmless the Adviser, the Trust, all affiliated persons thereof (within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act) and all controlling persons (as described in Section 15 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities or damages (including reasonable attorney’s fees and other related expenses) however arising from or in connection with the performance of the Sub-Adviser’s obligations under this Agreement to the extent resulting from or relating to Sub-Adviser’s own willful misfeasance, fraud, bad faith or gross negligence, or to the reckless disregard of its duties under this Agreement.
The Adviser shall indemnify and hold harmless the Sub-Adviser and all affiliated persons thereof from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities or damages (including reasonable attorney’s fees and other related expenses) however arising from or in connection with this Agreement (including, without limitation, any claims of infringement or misappropriation of the intellectual property rights of a third party against the Sub-Adviser or any affiliated person relating to any index or index data provided to Sub-Adviser by the Adviser or Adviser’s agent and used by the Sub-Adviser in connection with performing its duties under this Agreement); provided, however, that the Adviser’s obligation under this Section 6 shall be reduced to the extent that the claim against, or the loss, liability or damage experienced by the Sub-Adviser, is caused by or is otherwise directly related to the Sub-Adviser’s own willful misfeasance, fraud, bad faith or gross negligence, or to the reckless disregard of its duties under this Agreement.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no party to this Agreement shall be responsible or liable for its failure to perform under this Agreement or for any losses to the Assets resulting from any event beyond the reasonable control of such party or its agents, including, but not limited to, nationalization, expropriation, devaluation, seizure or similar action by any governmental authority, de facto or de jure; or enactment, promulgation, imposition or enforcement by any such governmental authority of currency restrictions, exchange controls, levies or other charges affecting the Assets; or the breakdown, failure or malfunction of any utilities or telecommunications systems; or any order or regulation of any banking or securities industry including changes in market rules and market conditions affecting the execution or settlement of transactions; or acts or war, terrorism, insurrection or revolution; or acts of God, or any other similar event. In no event, shall any party be responsible for incidental, consequential or punitive damages hereunder.
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The provisions of this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
7. Representations and Warranties of Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser represents and warrants to the Adviser and the Trust as follows:
(a) | The Sub-Adviser is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and will continue to be so registered so long as this Agreement remains in effect; |
(b) | The Sub-Adviser will immediately notify the Adviser of the occurrence of any event that would substantially impair the Sub-Adviser’s ability to fulfill its commitment under this Agreement or disqualify the Sub-Adviser from serving as an investment adviser of an investment company pursuant to Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act. The Sub-Adviser will also promptly notify the Trust and the Adviser if it, a member of its executive management or portfolio manager for the Assets is served or otherwise receives notice of any action, suit, proceeding or investigation, at law or in equity, before or by any court, government agency, self-regulatory organization, public board or body, involving the affairs of the Funds or relating to the investment advisory services of the Sub-Adviser (other than any routine regulatory examinations); |
(c) | The Sub-Adviser will notify the Adviser immediately upon detection of (a) any material failure to manage the Fund(s) in accordance with the Fund(s)’ stated investment objectives, guidelines and policies or any applicable law or regulation; or (b) any material breach of any of the Fund(s)’ or the Sub-Adviser’s policies, guidelines or procedures relating to the Funds. |
(d) | The Sub-Adviser is fully authorized under all applicable law and regulation to enter into this Agreement and serve as Sub-Adviser to the Funds and to perform the services described under this Agreement; |
(e) | The Sub-Adviser is a limited liability company duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the state of Delaware with the power to own and possess its assets and carry on its business as it is now being conducted; |
(f) | The execution, delivery and performance by the Sub-Adviser of this Agreement are within the Sub-Adviser’s powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of its corporate members or board, and no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any governmental body, agency or official is required on the part of the Sub-Adviser for the execution, delivery and performance by the Sub-Adviser of this Agreement, and the execution, delivery and performance by the Sub-Adviser of this Agreement do not contravene or constitute a default under (i) any provision of applicable law, rule or regulation, (ii) the Sub-Adviser’s governing instruments, or (iii) any agreement, judgment, injunction, order, decree or other instrument binding upon the Sub-Adviser; |
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(g) | This Agreement is a valid and binding agreement of the Sub-Adviser; |
(h) | The Form ADV of the Sub-Adviser previously provided to the Adviser is a true and complete copy of the form filed with the SEC and the information contained therein is accurate, current and complete in all material respects as of its filing date, 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; |
(i) | The Sub-Adviser shall not divert any Fund’s portfolio securities transactions to a broker or dealer in consideration of such broker or dealer’s promotion or sales of shares of the Fund, any other series of the Trust, or any other registered investment company. |
(j) | The Sub-Adviser agrees to maintain an appropriate level of errors and omissions or professional liability insurance coverage. |
8. Duration and Termination. The effectiveness and termination dates of this Agreement shall be determined separately for each Fund as described below.
(a) | Duration. This Agreement shall become effective with respect to a Fund upon the latest of (i) the effectiveness of the Transaction; (ii) the approval by a vote of a majority of those Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval; (iii) the approval of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities, if required by the 1940 Act; and (iv) the commencement of the Sub-Adviser’s management of the Fund. With respect to the Fund, this Agreement shall continue in effect for a period of two years from the effective date described in this sub-paragraph, subject thereafter to being continued in force and effect from year to year if specifically approved each year by the Board or by the vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities. In addition to the foregoing, each renewal of this Agreement must be approved by the vote of a majority of the Board who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. Prior to voting on the renewal of this Agreement, the Board may request and evaluate, and the Sub-Adviser shall furnish, such information as may reasonably be necessary to enable the Board to evaluate the terms of this Agreement. |
(b) | Termination. Notwithstanding whatever may be provided herein to the contrary, this Agreement may be terminated at any time with respect to a Fund, without payment of any penalty: |
(i) | By vote of a majority of the Board, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Funds, or by the Adviser, in each case, upon sixty (60) days’ written notice to the Sub-Adviser; |
(ii) | By the Adviser upon breach by the Sub-Adviser of any representation or warranty contained in Section 7 and Section 9 hereof, which shall not have been cured within twenty (20) days of the Sub-Adviser’s receipt of written notice of such breach; |
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(iii) | By the Adviser immediately upon written notice to the Sub-Adviser if the Sub-Adviser becomes unable to discharge its duties and obligations under this Agreement; or |
(iv) | By the Sub-Adviser upon ninety (90) days’ written notice to the Adviser and the Board. |
This Agreement shall terminate automatically and immediately in the event of its assignment, or in the event of a termination of the Advisory Agreement with the Trust upon notice to the Sub-Adviser. As used in this Section 8, the terms “assignment” and “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities” shall have the respective meanings set forth in the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, subject to such exceptions as may be granted by the SEC under the 1940 Act.
9. Regulatory Compliance Program of the Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser hereby represents and warrants that:
(a) | in accordance with Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act, the Sub-Adviser has adopted and implemented and will maintain written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violation by the Sub-Adviser and its supervised persons (as such term is defined in the Advisers Act) of the Advisers Act and the rules the SEC has adopted under the Advisers Act; and |
(b) | the Sub-Adviser has adopted and implemented and will maintain written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to prevent violation of the “federal securities laws” (as such term is defined in Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act) by the Funds and the Sub-Adviser (the policies and procedures referred to in this Section 9(b), along with the policies and procedures referred to in Section 9(a), are referred to herein as the Sub-Adviser’s “Compliance Program”). |
10. Confidentiality. Subject to the duty of the Adviser or Sub-Adviser to comply with applicable law and regulation, including any demand or request of any regulatory, governmental or tax authority having jurisdiction, the parties hereto shall treat as confidential all non-public information pertaining to the Funds and the actions of the Sub-Adviser and the Funds in respect thereof. It is understood that any information or recommendation supplied by the Sub-Adviser in connection with the performance of its obligations hereunder is to be regarded as confidential and for use only by the Adviser, the Funds, the Board, or such persons as the Adviser may designate in connection with the Funds. It is also understood that any information supplied to the Sub-Adviser in connection with the performance of its obligations hereunder is to be regarded as confidential and for use only by the Sub-Adviser, its affiliates and agents in connection with its obligation to provide investment advice and other services to the Funds and to assist or enable the effective management of the Adviser’s and the Funds’ overall relationship with the Sub-Adviser and its affiliates. The parties acknowledge and agree that all nonpublic personal information with regard to shareholders in the Funds shall be deemed proprietary and confidential information of the Adviser, and that the Sub-Adviser shall use that information solely in the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement and shall take reasonable steps to safeguard the confidentiality of that information. Further, the Sub-Adviser shall maintain and enforce adequate security and oversight procedures with respect to all materials, records, documents and data relating to any of its responsibilities pursuant to this Agreement including all means for the effecting of investment transactions.
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11. Reporting of Compliance Matters.
(a) | The Sub-Adviser shall promptly provide to the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) the following: |
(i) | a report of any material violations of the Sub-Adviser’s Compliance Program or any “material compliance matters” (as such term is defined in Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act) that have occurred with respect to the Sub-Adviser’s Compliance Program; |
(ii) | on a quarterly basis, a report of any material changes to the policies and procedures that compose the Sub-Adviser’s Compliance Program; |
(iii) | a copy of the Sub-Adviser’s chief compliance officer’s report (or similar document(s) which serve the same purpose) regarding his or her annual review of the Sub-Adviser’s Compliance Program, as required by Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act; and |
(iv) | an annual (or more frequently as the Trust’s CCO may reasonably request) representation regarding the Sub-Adviser’s compliance with Section 7 and Section 9 of this Agreement. |
(b) | The Sub-Adviser shall also provide the Trust’s CCO with reasonable access, during normal business hours, to the Sub-Adviser’s facilities for the purpose of conducting pre-arranged on-site compliance related due diligence meetings with personnel of the Sub-Adviser. |
12. Index Data. The Adviser has obtained all licenses and permissions necessary for the Sub-Adviser to use any index data provided to it by the Adviser or Adviser’s agent under this Agreement and the Sub-Adviser is not required to obtain any such licenses or permissions itself.
13. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to conflict of law principles; provided, however, that nothing herein shall be construed as being inconsistent with the 1940 Act.
14. Severability. Should any part of this Agreement be held invalid by a court decision, statute, regulation, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors.
15. Notice. Any notice, advice, document, report or other client communication to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed sufficient if delivered or mailed by registered, certified or overnight mail, postage prepaid or electronically addressed by the party giving notice to the other party at the last address furnished by the other party. By consenting to the electronic delivery of any notice, advice, document, report or other client communication in respect of this Agreement or as required pursuant to applicable law, the Adviser authorizes the Sub-Adviser to deliver all communications by email or other electronic means.
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To the Adviser at: |
Ridgeline
Research, LLC
14961 Finegan Farm Drive Darnestown, Maryland 20874 |
To the Trust at: |
ETF
Opportunities Trust
Richmond, Virginia 23235 |
To the Sub-Adviser at: |
Vident Investment Advisory, LLC
1125 Sanctuary Parkway, Suite 515
Alpharetta, Georgia, 30009
Attention: Amrita Nandakumar Email: anandakumar@videntinvestmentadvisory.com
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16. Non-Hire/Non-Solicitation. The parties hereby agree that, during the term of this Agreement, neither party shall, for any reason, directly or indirectly, on its own behalf or on behalf of others, knowingly hire any person employed by the other party (a “Restricted Person”), whether or not such Restricted Person is a full-time employee or whether or not any Restricted Person’s employment is pursuant to a written agreement or is at-will. The parties further agree that, to the extent that a party breaches the covenant described in this paragraph, the other party shall be entitled to pursue all appropriate remedies in law or equity.
17. Amendment of Agreement. This Agreement may be amended only by written agreement of the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser and the Trust, and only in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
18. Representations and Warranties of the Adviser.
(a) | Each Fund is an “eligible contract participant” as defined in Section 1a(18) of the U.S. Commodity Exchange Act (the “CEA”) and U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) Rule 1.3(m) thereunder and a “qualified eligible person” as defined in Rule 4.7 of the CFTC. The Adviser consents to each Fund being treated as an exempt account under Rule 4.7 of the CFTC; |
(b) | The Adviser is not registered with the National Futures Association as a commodity pool operator or commodity trading adviser because it does not engage in any activities requiring such registration; |
(c) | The execution, delivery and performance by the Adviser and the Funds of this Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Adviser and the Board (including full authority to bind the Funds to the terms of this Agreement); and |
(d) | The Adviser will promptly notify the Sub-Adviser if any of the above representations in this Section are no longer true and accurate. |
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19. Entire Agreement. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to this Agreement’s subject matter. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall, together, constitute only one instrument.
20. Interpretation. 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 will be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the 1940 Act and to interpretations 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 SEC validly issued pursuant to the 1940 Act. Specifically, the terms “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “interested persons,” “assignment,” and “affiliated persons,” as used herein will have the meanings assigned to them by Section 2(a) of the 1940 Act. In addition, where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act reflected in any provision of this Agreement is relaxed by a rule, regulation or order of the SEC, whether of special or of general application, such provision will be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.
21. Headings. The headings in the sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only and will not constitute a part hereof.
In the event the terms of this Agreement are applicable to more than one Fund of the Trust as specified in Schedule A attached hereto, the Adviser is entering into this Agreement with the Sub-Adviser on behalf of the respective Funds severally and not jointly, with the express intention that the provisions contained in each numbered paragraph hereof shall be understood as applying separately with respect to each Fund as if contained in separate agreements between the Adviser and Sub-Adviser for each such Fund. In the event that this Agreement is made applicable to any additional Funds by way of a Schedule executed subsequent to the date first indicated above, provisions of such Schedule shall be deemed to be incorporated into this Agreement as it relates to such Fund so that, for example, the execution date for purposes of Section 8 of this Agreement with respect to such Fund shall be the execution date of the relevant Schedule.
22. Miscellaneous.
(a) | A copy of the Certificate of Trust is on file with the Secretary of State of Delaware, and notice is hereby given that the obligations of this instrument are not binding upon any of the Trustees, officers or shareholders of the Fund or the Trust. |
(b) | Where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act or Advisers Act reflected in any provision of this Agreement is altered by a rule, regulation or order of the SEC, whether of special or general application, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order. |
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PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM THE COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION IN CONNECTION WITH ACCOUNTS OF QUALIFIED ELIGIBLE PERSONS, THIS BROCHURE OR ACCOUNT DOCUMENT IS NOT REQUIRED TO BE, AND HAS NOT BEEN, FILED WITH THE COMMISSION. THE COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION DOES NOT PASS UPON THE MERITS OF PARTICIPATING IN A TRADING PROGRAM OR UPON THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF COMMODITY TRADING ADVISOR DISCLOSURE. CONSEQUENTLY, THE COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION HAS NOT REVIEWED OR APPROVED THIS TRADING PROGRAM OR THIS BROCHURE OR ACCOUNT DOCUMENT.
[Signature page follows]
13
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the day first set forth above.
RIDGELINE RESEARCH, LLC
By: /s/ Thomas A. Carter
Name: Thomas A. Carter
Title: President
|
VIDENT INVESTMENT ADVISORY, LLC
By: /s/ Amrita Nandakumar
Name: Amrita Nandakumar
Title: President
|
ON BEHALF OF THE ETF OPPORTUNITIES TRUST
By: /s/ David A. Bogaert
Name: David A. Bogaert
Title: President
|
SCHEDULE A
to the
INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
Dated October 22, 2020 by and among
RIDGELINE RESEARCH, LLC
and
VIDENT INVESTMENT ADVISORY, LLC
and
ETF OPPORTUNITIES TRUST
The Adviser will pay to the Sub-Adviser as compensation for the Sub-Adviser’s services rendered, a fee, computed daily at an annual rate based on the greater of (1) the minimum annual fee of $30,000 and (2) the daily net assets of the respective Fund in accordance with the following fee schedule:
ETF Opportunities Trust 485BPOS
Exhibit 99(e)(1)
ETF DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
This Distribution Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made this 24th day of March 2020, by and between ETF Opportunities Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”) having its principal place of business at 8370 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, VA 23235, and Foreside Fund Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Distributor”) having its principal place of business at Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101.
WHEREAS, the Trust is a registered open-end management investment company organized under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) with separate and distinct series (each series a “Fund” and collectively the “Funds”) registered with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”);
WHEREAS, the Trust intends to create and redeem shares of beneficial interest (the “Shares”) of each Fund on a continuous basis and list the Shares on one or more national securities exchanges (together, the “Listing Exchanges”);
WHEREAS, the Distributor is registered with the SEC as a broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”);
WHEREAS, the Trust desires to retain the Distributor to (i) act as the principal underwriter of the Funds with respect to the creation and redemption of Creation Units of each Fund, and (ii) hold itself available to receive, review and approve orders for such Creation Units in the manner set forth in the Trust’s Prospectus; and
WHEREAS, the Distributor desires to provide the services described herein to the Trust subject to the terms and conditions set forth below.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and undertakings herein contained, the parties agree as follows:
1. |
Appointment. |
The Trust hereby appoints the Distributor to serve as the principal underwriter of the Funds with respect to the creation and redemption of Creation Units of each Fund listed in Exhibit A hereto (as may be amended by the Trust from time to time on written notice to the Distributor) on the terms and for the period set forth in this Agreement and subject to the registration requirements of the federal securities laws and of the laws governing the sale of securities in the various states, and the Distributor hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to act in such capacity hereunder.
2. |
Definitions. |
Wherever they are used herein, the following terms have the following respective meanings:
(a) “Prospectus” means the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information constituting parts of the Registration Statement of the Trust under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act as such Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information may be amended or supplemented and filed with the SEC from time to time;
(b) “Registration Statement” means the registration statement most recently filed from time to time by the Trust with the SEC and effective under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act, as such registration statement is amended by any amendments thereto at the time in effect;
(c) All other capitalized terms used but not defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.
3. |
Duties of the Distributor |
(a) The Distributor agrees to serve as the principal underwriter of the Funds in connection with the receipt, review, and approval of all Purchase and Redemption Orders of Creation Units of each Fund by Authorized Participants that have executed an Authorized Participant Agreement with the Distributor and Transfer Agent/ Index Receipt Agent. Nothing herein shall affect or limit the right and ability of the Transfer Agent/ Index Receipt Agent to accept Fund Securities, Deposit Securities, and related Cash Components through or outside the Clearing Process, and as provided in and in accordance with the Registration Statement and Prospectus. The Trust acknowledges that the Distributor shall not be obligated to approve any certain number of orders for Creation Units.
(b) The Distributor agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to provide the following services to the Trust with respect to the continuous distribution of Creation Units of each Fund: (i) at the request of the Trust, the Distributor shall enter into Authorized Participant Agreements between and among Authorized Participants, the Distributor and the Transfer Agent/Index Receipt Agent, for the purchase and redemption of Creation Units of the Funds, (ii) the Distributor shall generate and maintain copies of confirmations of Creation Unit purchase and redemption order acceptances; (iii) upon request, the Distributor will make available copies of the Prospectus to purchasers of such Creation Units and, upon request, the Statement of Additional Information; and (iv) the Distributor shall maintain telephonic, facsimile and/or access to direct computer communications links with the Transfer Agent.
(c) The Distributor shall ensure that all direct requests to Distributor for Prospectuses, Statements of Additional Information, product descriptions and periodic fund reports, as applicable, are fulfilled.
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(d) The Distributor agrees to make available, at the Trust’s request, one or more members of its staff to attend, either via telephone or in person, Board meetings of the Trust in order to provide information with regard to the Distributor’s services hereunder and for such other purposes as may be requested by the Board of Trustees of the Trust.
(e) Distributor shall review and approve, prior to use, all Trust marketing materials (“Marketing Materials”) for compliance with SEC and FINRA advertising rules, and will file all Marketing Materials required to filed with FINRA. The Distributor agrees to furnish to the Trust’s investment adviser any comments provided by FINRA with respect to such materials.
(f) The Distributor shall not offer any Shares and shall not approve any creation or redemption order hereunder if and so long as the effectiveness of the Registration Statement then in effect or any necessary amendments thereto shall be suspended under any of the provisions of the 1933 Act or if and so long as a current prospectus as required by Section 10 of the 1933 Act is not on file with the SEC; provided, however, that nothing contained in this paragraph shall in any way restrict or have any application to or bearing upon the Trust’s obligation to redeem or repurchase any Shares from any shareholder in accordance with provisions of the Prospectus or Registration Statement.
(g) The Distributor shall provide an order processing system pursuant to which the Authorized Participants may place requests to create and redeem Creation Units. Such order processing system will (i) generate and transmit confirmations of purchase and redemption orders to Authorized Participants; (ii) provide acknowledgements to Authorized Participants that orders have been accepted; (iii) reject any orders that were not submitted in proper form or in a timely fashion; (iv) ( require confirmation from each Authorized Participant that such Authorized Participant will not place trades that would raise their total holdings to 80% or more of applicable Fund (“Confirmation”); and (v) maintain such Confirmations, and all purchase and redemption orders from each Authorized Participant.
(h) The Distributor shall maintain a dedicated toll-free line for Authorized Participants to place share creation and redemption orders.
(i) The Distributor agrees to maintain, and preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act, such records as are required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1(d) under the 1940 Act. The Distributor agrees that all records which it maintains pursuant to the 1940 Act for the Trust shall at all times remain the property of the Trust, shall be readily accessible during normal business hours, and shall be promptly surrendered upon the termination of the Agreement or otherwise on written request; provided, however, that Distributor may retain all such records required to be maintained by Distributor pursuant to applicable FINRA or SEC rules and regulations.
(j) The Distributor agrees to maintain compliance policies and procedures (a “Compliance Program”) that are reasonably designed to prevent violations of the Federal Securities Laws (as defined in Rule 38a-1 of the 1940 Act) with respect to the Distributor’s services under this Agreement, and to provide any and all information with respect to the Compliance Program, including without limitation, information and certifications with respect to material violations of the Compliance Program and any material deficiencies or changes therein, as may be reasonably requested by the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer or Board of Trustees.
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4. |
Duties of the Trust. |
(a) The Trust agrees to create, issue, and redeem Creation Units of each Fund in accordance with the procedures described in the Prospectus. Upon reasonable notice to the Distributor and in accordance with the procedures described in the Prospectus, the Trust reserves the right to reject any order for Creation Units or to stop all receipts of such orders at any time.
(b) The Trust agrees that it will take all actions necessary to register an indefinite number of Shares under the 1933 Act.
(c) The Trust will make available to the Distributor such number of copies as Distributor may reasonably request of (i) its then currently effective Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information and product description, (ii) copies of semi-annual reports and annual audited reports of the Trust’s books and accounts made by independent public accountants regularly retained by the Trust, and (iii) such other publicly available information for use in connection with the distribution of Creation Units.
(d) The Trust shall inform Distributor of any such jurisdictions in which the Trust has filed notice filings for Shares for sale under the securities laws thereof and shall promptly notify the Distributor of any change in this information. The Distributor shall not be liable for damages resulting from the sale of Shares in authorized jurisdictions where the Distributor had no information from the Trust that such sale or sales were unauthorized at the time of such sale or sales.
(e) The Distributor acknowledges and agrees that the Trust reserves the right to suspend sales and Distributor’s authority to receive, review and approve orders for Creation Units on behalf of the Trust. Upon due notice to the Distributor, the Trust shall suspend the Distributor’s authority to receive, review and approve Creation Units if, in the judgment of the Trust, it is in the best interests of the Trust to do so. Suspension will continue for such period as may be determined by the Trust.
(f) The Trust shall arrange to provide the Listing Exchanges with copies of Prospectuses, Statements of Additional Information, and product descriptions to be provided to purchasers in the secondary market.
(g) The Trust will make it known that Prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information and product descriptions are available by making sure such disclosures are in all marketing and advertising materials prepared by the Trust.
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5. |
Fees and Expenses. |
(a) The Distributor shall be entitled to no compensation or reimbursement of expenses from the Trust for the services provided by the Distributor pursuant to this Agreement. The Distributor may receive compensation from the Investment Adviser related to its services hereunder or for additional services as may be agreed to between the Investment Adviser and Distributor.
(b) The Trust shall bear the cost and expenses of: (i) the registration of the Shares for sale under the 1933 Act; and (ii) the registration or qualification of the Shares for sale under the securities laws of the various States;
(c) The Distributor shall pay (i) all expenses relating to Distributor’s broker-dealer qualification and registration under the 1934 Act; and (ii) the expenses incurred by the Distributor in connection with routine FINRA filing fees.
(d) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Distributor and its affiliates may receive compensation or reimbursement from the Trust’s Investment Adviser with respect to any services performed under this Agreement, as may be agreed upon by the parties from time to time.
(e) The Trust shall bear any costs associated with printing Prospectuses, Statements of Additional Information and all other such materials.
6. |
Indemnification. |
(a) The Trust agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Distributor, its affiliates and each of their respective directors, officers and employees and agents and any person who controls the Distributor within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (any of the Distributor, its officers, employees, agents and directors or such control persons, for purposes of this paragraph, a “Distributor Indemnitee”) against any loss, liability, claim, damages or expense (including the reasonable cost of investigating or defending any alleged loss, liability, claim, damages or expense and reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) (“Losses”) that a Distributor Indemnitee may incur arising out of or based upon: (i) Distributor serving as distributor for the Trust pursuant to this Agreement, (ii) the allegation of any wrongful act of the Trust or any of its directors, officers, employees or affiliates in connection with its duties and responsibilities in this Agreement (iii) any claim that the Registration Statement, Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information, product description, shareholder reports, Marketing Materials and advertisements specifically approved by the Trust and Investment Adviser or other information filed or made public by the Trust (as from time to time amended) included an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein (and in the case of the Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information and product description, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading under the 1933 Act, or any other statute or the common law; (iv) the breach by the Trust of any obligation, representation or warranty contained in this Agreement; or (v) the Trust’s failure to comply in any material respect with applicable securities laws.
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(b) The Distributor agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Trust and each of its Trustees and officers and any person who controls the Trust within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (for purposes of this paragraph, the Trust and each of its Trustees and officers and its controlling persons are collectively referred to as the “Trust Indemnitees”) against any Losses arising out of or based upon (i) the allegation of any wrongful act of the Distributor or any of its directors, officers, employees or affiliates in connection with its activities as Distributor pursuant to this Agreement; (ii) the breach of any obligation, representation or warranty contained in this Agreement by the Distributor; (iii) the Distributor’s failure to comply in any material respect with applicable securities laws, including applicable FINRA regulations; or (iv) any allegation that the Registration Statement, Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information, product description, shareholder reports, any information or materials relating to the Funds (as described in section 3(g)) or other information filed or made public by the Trust (as from time to time amended) included an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements not misleading, insofar as such statement or omission was made in reliance upon, and in conformity with information furnished to the Trust, in writing, by the Distributor.
In no case (i) is the indemnification provided by an indemnifying party to be deemed to protect against any liability the indemnified party would otherwise be subject to by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement, or (ii) is the indemnifying party to be liable under this Section with respect to any claim made against any indemnified party unless the indemnified party notifies the indemnifying party in writing of the claim within a reasonable time after the summons or other first written notification giving information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon the indemnified party (or after the indemnified party shall have received notice of service on any designated agent).
Failure to notify the indemnifying party of any claim shall not relieve the indemnifying party from any liability that it may have to the indemnified party against whom such action is brought, on account of this Section, unless failure or delay to so notify the indemnifying party prejudices the indemnifying party’s ability to defend against such claim. The indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate at its own expense in the defense or, if it so elects, to assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce the claim, but if the indemnifying party elects to assume the defense, the defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by it and satisfactory to the indemnified party. In the event that indemnifying party elects to assume the defense of any suit and retain counsel, the indemnified party shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by them. If the indemnifying party does not elect to assume the defense of any suit, it will reimburse the indemnified party for the reasonable fees and expenses of any counsel retained by them. The indemnifying party agrees to notify the indemnified party promptly of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its officers or directors in connection with the purchase or redemption of any of the Creation Units or the Shares.
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(c) No indemnified party shall settle any claim against it for which it intends to seek indemnification from the indemnifying party, under the terms of section 6(a) or 6(b) above, without prior written notice to and consent from the indemnifying party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. No indemnified or indemnifying party shall settle any claim unless the settlement contains a full release of liability with respect to the other party in respect of such action. This section 6 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
(d) The Trust acknowledges and agrees that as part of its duties, Distributor will enter into agreements with certain authorized participants (each an “AP” and collectively the “APs”) for the purchase and redemption of Creation Units (each such agreement an “AP Agreement”). The APs may insert and require that Distributor agree to certain provisions in the AP Agreements that contain certain representations, undertakings and indemnification that are not included in the form-of AP Agreement (each such modified AP Agreement a “Non-Standard AP Agreement).
To the extent that Distributor is requested or required to make any such representations mentioned above, the Trust shall indemnify, defend and hold the Distributor Indemnitees free and harmless from and against any and all Losses that any Distributor Indemnitee may incur arising out of or relating to (a) the Distributor’s actions or failures to act pursuant to any Non-Standard AP Agreement; (b) any representations made by the Distributor in any Non-Standard AP Agreement to the extent that the Distributor is not required to make such representations in the form-of AP Agreement; or (c) any indemnification provided by the Distributor under a Non-Standard AP Agreement. In no event shall anything contained herein be so construed as to protect the Distributor Indemnitees against any liability to the Trust or its shareholders to which the Distributor Indemnitees would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of Distributor’s obligations or duties under the Non- Standard AP Agreement or by reason of Distributor’s reckless disregard of its obligations or duties under the Non-Standard AP Agreement.
7. |
Representations. |
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(a) |
The Distributor represents and warrants that: |
|
1. |
(i) it is duly organized as a Delaware limited liability company and is and at all times will remain duly authorized and licensed under applicable law to carry out its services as contemplated herein; (ii) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement are within its power and have been duly authorized by all necessary action; (iii) its entering into this Agreement or providing the services contemplated hereby does not conflict with or constitute a default or require a consent under or breach of any provision of any agreement or document to which the Distributor is a party or by which it is bound; (iv) it is registered as a broker-dealer under the 1934 Act and is a member of FINRA; and (v) it has in place compliance policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violations of the Federal Securities Laws as that term is defined in Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act. |
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|
2. |
All activities by the Distributor and its agents and employees in connection with the services provided in this Agreement shall comply with the Registration Statement and Prospectus, the instructions of the Trust, and all applicable laws, rules and regulations including, without limitation, all rules and regulations made or adopted pursuant to the 1940 Act by the SEC or any securities association registered under the 1934 Act, including FINRA. |
(b) The Distributor and the Trust each individually represent that its anti-money laundering program (“AML Program”), at a minimum, (i) designates a compliance officer to administer and oversee the AML Program, (ii) provides ongoing employee training, (iii) includes an independent audit function to test the effectiveness of the AML Program, (iv) establishes internal policies, procedures, and controls that are tailored to its particular business, (v) provides for the filing of all necessary anti-money laundering reports including, but not limited to, currency transaction reports and suspicious activity reports, and (vi) allows for appropriate regulators to examine its anti-money laundering books and records. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trust acknowledges that the Authorized Participants are not “customers” for the purposes of 31 CFR 103.
(c) The Distributor and the Trust each individually represent and warrant that: (i) it has procedures in place reasonably designed to protect the privacy of non-public personal consumer/customer financial information to the extent required by applicable law, rule and regulation; and (ii) it will comply with all of the applicable terms and provisions of the 1934 Act;
(d) The Trust represents and warrants that:
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1. |
(i) it is duly organized as a Delaware statutory trust and is and at all times will remain duly authorized to carry out its obligations as contemplated herein; (ii) it is registered as an investment company under the 1940 Act; (iii) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement are within its power and have been duly authorized by all necessary action; (iv) its entering into this Agreement does not conflict with or constitute a default or require a consent under or breach of any provision of any agreement or document to which the Trust is a party or by which it is bound; (v) the Registration Statement and each Fund’s Prospectus have been prepared, and all Marketing Materials shall be prepared, in all materials respects, in conformity with the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC (the “Rules and Regulations”); and (vi) the Registration Statement and each Fund’s Prospectus contain, and all Marketing Materials shall contain, all statements required to be stated therein in accordance with the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act and the Rules and Regulations; (vii) all statements of fact contained therein, or to be contained in all Marketing Materials, are or will be true and correct in all material respects at the time indicated or the effective date, as the case may be, and none of the Registration Statement, any Fund’s Prospectus, nor any Marketing Materials shall include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the case of each Fund’s Prospectus in light of the circumstances in which made, not misleading; and (viii) except as otherwise noted in the Registration Statement and Prospectus, the offering price for all Creation Units will be the aggregate net asset value of the Shares per Creation Unit of the relevant Fund, as determined in the manner described in the Registration Statement and Prospectus; |
8
|
2. |
it shall file such amendment or amendments to the Registration Statement and each Fund’s Prospectus as, in the light of future developments, shall, in the opinion of the Trust’s counsel, be necessary in order to have the Registration Statement and each Fund’s Prospectus at all times contain all material facts required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which made, not misleading. The Trust shall not file any amendment to the Registration Statement or each Fund’s Prospectus without giving the Distributor reasonable notice thereof in advance, provided that nothing in this Agreement shall in any way limit the Trust’s right to file at any time such amendments to the Registration Statement or any Fund’s Prospectus as the Trust may deem advisable. The Trust will also notify the Distributor in the event of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trust shall not be deemed to make any representation or warranty as to any information or statement provided by the Distributor for inclusion in the Registration Statement or any Fund’s Prospectus; and |
|
3. |
upon delivery of Deposit or Fund Securities to an Authorized Participant in connection with a purchase or redemption of Creation Units, the Authorized Participant will acquire good and unencumbered title to such securities, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances, and not subject to any adverse claims and that such Fund and Deposit Securities will not be “restricted securities” as such term is used in Rule 144(a)(3)(i) under the 1933 Act. |
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8. |
Duration, Termination and Amendment. |
(a) This Agreement shall be effective on the date set forth above, and unless terminated as provided herein, shall continue for two years from its effective date, and thereafter from year to year, provided such continuance is approved annually (i) by vote of a majority of the Trustees or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund and (ii) by the vote of a majority of those Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. This Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, as to each Fund (i) by vote of a majority of those Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party or (ii) by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, or by the Distributor, on at least sixty (60) days prior written notice. This Agreement shall automatically terminate without the payment of any penalty in the event of its assignment. As used in this paragraph, the terms “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “assignment,” “affiliated person” and “interested person” shall have the respective meanings specified in the 1940 Act.
(b) No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated except by an instrument in writing signed by both parties.
9. |
Notice. |
Any notice or other communication authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to either party shall be in writing and deemed to have been given when delivered in person or by facsimile, electronic mail, or posted by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the following address (or such other address as a party may specify by written notice to the other):
(i) To Foreside: |
(ii) If to the Trust: |
Foreside Fund Services, LLC Attn: Legal Department Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100 Portland, ME 04101 Telephone: (207) 553-7110 Facsimile: (207) 553-7151 Email:legal@foreside.com
With a copy to:
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ETF Opportunities Trust Attn: President 8370 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205 Richmond, VA 23235 Telephone: 804-267-7400 Facsimile: 804-330-5809 Email: mgt@ccofva.com |
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10. |
Choice of Law. |
This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the state of Delaware, without giving effect to the choice of laws provisions thereof.
11. |
Counterparts. |
This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
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12. |
Severability. |
If any provisions of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid, in whole or in part, then the other provisions of this Agreement shall remain in force. Invalid provisions shall, in accordance with this Agreement’s intent and purpose, be amended, to the extent legally possible, in order to effectuate the intended results of such invalid provisions.
13. |
Insurance. |
The Distributor will maintain at its expense an errors and omissions insurance policy adequate to cover services provided by the Distributor hereunder.
14. |
Confidentiality. |
During the term of this Agreement, the Distributor and the Trust may have access to confidential information relating to such matters as either party’s business, trade secrets, systems, procedures, manuals, products, contracts, personnel, and clients. As used in this Agreement, “Confidential Information” means information belonging to one of the parties that is of value to such party and the disclosure of which could result in a competitive or other disadvantage to such party. Confidential Information includes, without limitation, financial information, proposal and presentations, reports, forecasts, inventions, improvements and other intellectual property; trade secrets; know-how; designs, processes or formulae; software; market or sales information or plans; customer lists; and business plans, prospects and opportunities (such as possible acquisitions or dispositions of businesses or facilities). Confidential Information includes information developed by either party in the course of engaging in the activities provided for in this Agreement, unless: (i) the information is or becomes publicly known through lawful means; (ii) the information is disclosed to the other party without a confidential restriction by a third party who rightfully possesses the information and did not obtain it, either directly or indirectly, from one of the parties, as the case may be, or any of their respective principals, employees, affiliated persons, or affiliated entities. The parties understand and agree that all Confidential Information shall be kept confidential by the other both during and after the term of this Agreement. Each party shall maintain commercially reasonable information security policies and procedures for protecting Confidential Information. The parties further agree that they will not, without the prior written approval by the other party, disclose such Confidential Information, or use such Confidential Information in any way, either during the term of this Agreement or at any time thereafter, except as required in the course of this Agreement and as provided by the other party or as required by law. Upon termination of this Agreement for any reason, or as otherwise requested by the Trust, all Confidential Information held by or on behalf of Trust shall be promptly returned to the Trust, or an authorized officer of the Distributor will certify to the Trust in writing that all such Confidential Information has been destroyed. This section 14 shall survive the termination of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a party may disclose the other’s Confidential Information if (i) required by law, regulation or legal process or if requested by the SEC or other governmental regulatory agency with jurisdiction over the parties hereto or (ii) requested to do so by the other party.
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15. |
Limitation of Liability. |
This Agreement is executed by or on behalf of the Trust with respect to each of the Trust Funds and the obligations hereunder are not binding upon any of the trustees, officers or shareholders of the Trust individually but are binding only upon the Fund to which such obligations pertain and the assets and property of such Fund. Separate and distinct records are maintained for each Fund and the assets associated with any such Fund are held and accounted for separately from the other assets of the Trust, or any other Fund of the Trust. The debts, liabilities, obligations, and expenses incurred, contracted for, or otherwise existing with respect to a particular Fund of the Trust shall be enforceable against the assets of that Fund only, and not against the assets of the Trust generally or any other Fund, and none of the debts, liabilities, obligations, and expenses incurred, contracted for, or otherwise existing with respect to the Trust generally or any other Fund shall be enforceable against the assets of that Fund. The Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust is on file with the Trust.
16. |
Use of Names; Publicity. |
The Trust shall not use the Distributor’s name in any offering material, shareholder report, advertisement or other material relating to the Trust, in a manner not approved by the Distributor in writing prior to such use, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld. The Distributor hereby consents to all uses of its name required by the SEC, any state securities commission, or any federal or state regulatory authority.
The Distributor shall not use the name “ETF Opportunities Trust” or the names of any of the Funds listed on Exhibit A in any offering material, shareholder report, advertisement or other material relating to the Distributor, other than for the purpose of merely identifying the Trust as a client of Distributor hereunder, in a manner not approved by the Trust in writing prior to such use; provided, however, that the Trust shall consent to all uses of its name required by the SEC, any state securities commission, or any federal or state regulatory authority; and provided, further, that in no case shall such approval be unreasonably withheld.
The Distributor will not issue any press releases or make any public announcements regarding the existence of this Agreement without the express written consent of the Trust. Neither the Trust nor the Distributor will disclose any of the economic terms of this Agreement, except as may be required by law.
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17. |
Exclusivity |
Nothing herein contained shall prevent the Distributor from entering into similar distribution arrangements or from providing the services contemplated hereunder to other investment companies or investment vehicles.
18. |
Governing Language. |
This Agreement has been negotiated and executed by the parties in English. In the event any translation of this Agreement is prepared for convenience or any other purpose, the provisions of the English version shall prevail.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their officers designated below as of the date first set forth above.
ETF OPPORTUNITIES TRUST
By: |
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Name: David A. Bogaert |
|
|
Title: President |
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FORESIDE FUND SERVICES, LLC
By: |
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Mark Fairbanks, Vice President |
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EXHIBIT A
American Conservative Values ETF
American Conservative Values Small-Cap ETF
14
ETF Opportunities Trust 485BPOS
Exhibit 99(e)(2)
FIRST AMENDMENT TO
ETF DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
This first amendment (“Amendment”) to the ETF Distribution Agreement (the “Agreement”) dated as of March 24, 2020 by and between ETF Opportunities Trust (“the Trust”) and Foreside Fund Services, LLC (“Foreside”) is entered into as of November 1, 2020 (the “Effective Date”).
WHEREAS, the Trust and Foreside (“Parties”) desire to amend the Agreement to reflect the addition of one Fund to Exhibit A; and
WHEREAS, Section 8(b) of the Agreement requires that all amendments and modifications to the Agreement be in writing and executed by the Parties.
NOW THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in Agreement.
2. Exhibit A of the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced by the Exhibit A attached hereto which reflects the addition of Real Asset Strategy Fund.
3. Except as expressly amended hereby, all of the provisions of the Agreement shall remain unamended and in full force and effect to the same extent as if fully set forth herein.
4. This Amendment shall be governed by, and the provisions of this Amendment shall be construed and interpreted under and in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be executed in their names and on their behalf by and through their duly authorized officers, as of the Effective Date.
ETF OPPORTUNITIES TRUST |
FORESIDE FUND SERVICES, LLC |
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By: |
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By: |
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David A. Bogaert, President |
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Mark Fairbanks, Vice President |
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EXHIBIT A
American Conservative Values ETF
American Conservative Values Small-Cap ETF
Real Asset Strategies ETF
ETF Opportunities Trust 485BPOS
Exhibit 99(g)(1)
GLOBAL CUSTODIAL AND AGENCY SERVICES AGREEMENT |
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ETF Opportunities Trust |
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Exhibits, Schedules or Annexes:
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Fee Schedule (including Appendix A – List of Funds) |
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U.S. Special Resolution Regime Recognition Annex |
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Confidentiality and Data Privacy Conditions Annex |
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Version 04.24.17. (Std ETF Opportunities Trust, May 2020)
THIS GLOBAL CUSTODIAL AND AGENCY SERVICES AGREEMENT is made on May 14, 2020 individually, by and between, ETF Opportunities Trust located at 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, VA 23235 (“Client”), and Citibank, N.A. acting through its offices in New York (“Custodian”).
WHEREAS, the Client is authorized to issue shares (“Shares”) in separate series (each, a “Fund,” and together with all other series subsequently established by the Client and made subject to this Agreement, the “Funds”);
WHEREAS, this Agreement shall apply to each Fund set forth on Appendix A hereto;
WHEREAS, the Client will issue and redeem Shares of each Fund only in aggregations of Shares known as “Creation Units,” as more fully described in the currently effective prospectus and statement of additional information of the Client and each Fund (collectively, the “Prospectus”);
WHEREAS, the Client desires to appoint the Custodian as custodian of the assets of each Fund; and
WHEREAS, the Custodian is willing to accept such appointment on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises contained herein, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, mutually covenant and agree as follows:
1. |
DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION.
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1.1. |
Definitions.
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“Agent” means any sub-custodian, delegate, nominee, and administrative or other service provider selected and used by the Custodian in connection with carrying out its obligations under this Agreement whether or not such person would be deemed an agent under principles of any applicable law.
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“Agreement” means this Global Custodial and Agency Services Agreement (including any Annex and any other applicable terms) agreed to by the Client and the Custodian.
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“Authorized Person” means the Client or a person with authority to act on behalf of the Client, in each case as authenticated in accordance with security procedures as described in this Agreement.
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“Authorized Participant” means each person authorized to purchase Shares in Creation Units as identified by the Client or the Distributor.
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“Cash” means all cash in any currency held for or payable to the Client by the Custodian under the terms of this Agreement.
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“Cash Account” means each current account established by the Custodian for the Client for recording Cash under this Agreement.
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“Cash Value” means the value of Cash purchases and redemptions required for the issuance or redemption, as the case may be, of Shares in Creation Unit aggregations by a Fund.
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“Citi Organization” means Citigroup, Inc. and any company or other entity of which Citigroup, Inc. is directly or indirectly a shareholder or owner. For the purpose of this Agreement, each branch of Citibank, N.A. or any affiliate will be deemed a separate member of the Citi Organization. |
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“Clearance System” means any clearing house, settlement system, payments system, or depository (including any dematerialized book entry system or entity that acts as a system for the central handling of Securities in the country where it is incorporated or organized or that acts as a transnational system for the central handling of Securities), whether or not acting in that capacity, or other financial market utility or organized trading facility used in connection with transactions relating to Securities or Cash and any nominee of the foregoing.
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“Confidentiality and Data Privacy Conditions” means the confidentiality and data privacy terms specified in the Annex attached to this Agreement.
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“Creation Units” means aggregations of Shares in each Fund as more fully described in the currently effective Prospectus. |
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“Custody Account” means each account established by the Custodian for the Client for recording the receipt, safekeeping and maintenance of Securities or other financial assets as agreed by the Custodian under this Agreement.
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“DTC” means The Depository Trust Company.
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“Instructions” means any and all instructions received by the Custodian from an Authorized Person (including directions, notices and consents) effected through any electronic medium or system or manually as provided in this Agreement.
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“MIFT” means a manually initiated Instruction to transfer or receive Securities and/or Cash.
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“NSCC” means the National Securities Clearing Corporation.
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“Portfolio Components” means the Securities Component together with the Cash Value required for the issuance or redemption, as the case may be, of Shares in Creation Unit aggregations of a Fund.
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“Securities” means any financial asset (other than Cash) from time to time held within the control of the Custodian for the Client under the terms of this Agreement, including any security entitlement or similar interest or right; provided, however, each financial asset must be (i) a security dealt in or traded on securities exchanges for which settlement normally occurs in a Clearance System, or (ii) a certificated security in bearer form or registered (or to be registered) in the name of the Custodian or its Agent and transferable by delivery of a certificate with endorsement to a subsequent holder, or (iii) a book-entry security that is publicly offered to investors under the applicable laws (but settled outside a Clearance System) including, but not limited to an interest in an investment company where the interest is registered in the name of the Custodian or its Agent. Securities do not include other financial assets or physical evidence of such other financial assets including loans, participations, contracts, subscriptions and confirmations, which the Custodian shall accept only on terms as agreed in writing by the Custodian.
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“Taxes” means all taxes, levies, imposts, charges, assessments, deductions, withholdings and related liabilities, including additions to tax, penalties and interest imposed on or in respect of (i) Securities or Cash (including all payments made by the Custodian to the Client in connection with any Securities or Cash), (ii) the transactions effected under this Agreement (including stamp duties or financial transaction taxes), or (iii) the Client (including its customers); provided “Taxes” does not include income or franchise taxes imposed on or measured by the net income of the Custodian or its Agents.
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1.2. |
Interpretation. |
1.2.1. |
References in this Agreement to Exhibits or Annexes mean the Exhibits or Annexes attached hereto, the terms of which are incorporated into and form part of this Agreement. In the event of any inconsistency between this Agreement and any Exhibit or Annex, the relevant terms of the Exhibit or Annex prevail.
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1.2.2. |
The headings in this Agreement do not affect its interpretation.
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1.2.3. |
A reference to: (i) any party includes (where applicable) its lawful successors, permitted assigns and transferees; (ii) the singular includes the plural and vice versa; and (iii) any statute or regulation shall be construed as references to such statute or regulation as in force at the date of this Agreement and as subsequently re-enacted or revised.
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2. |
APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN AND ACCEPTANCE.
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2.1. |
Appointment of the Custodian. The Client hereby selects and appoints the Custodian by placing the Client’s signature hereunder and the Custodian accepts such appointment to provide services under the terms of this Agreement.
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2.2. |
Sole Obligation of the Custodian. The Client understands and agrees that (i) the obligations and duties of the Custodian will be performed only by the Custodian and are not obligations or duties of any other member of the Citi Organization, and (ii) the rights of the Client with respect to the Custodian extend only to such Custodian and, except as provided by law, do not extend to and are not payable by any other member of the Citi Organization.
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3. |
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
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3.1. |
General. Each party to this Agreement hereby represents and warrants at the date this Agreement is entered into and any custodial service is used or provided that (i) it has the legal capacity under its constitutional or organizational documents and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, (ii) it has obtained and is in compliance with all necessary and appropriate government and regulatory permissions, consents, approvals and authorizations for the purposes of its entry into and performance of the Agreement, and (iii) its entry into and performance of the Agreement will not violate any applicable law or regulation.
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3.2. |
Client. The Client represents and warrants at the date this Agreement is entered into and any custodial service is used as follows: (i) it has authority to deliver the Securities in the Custody Account and the Cash in the Cash Account; (ii) there is no claim or encumbrance that adversely affects any deposit with any Clearance System or delivery of Securities, or payment of Cash made in accordance with this Agreement; (iii) except as provided in this Agreement, it has not granted any person a lien, security interest, charge or similar right or claim against Securities or Cash; (iv) it has not relied on any oral or written representation made by the Custodian or any person on its behalf other than those set forth in this Agreement; (v) it will comply in all material respects with all laws applicable to the subject matter of the services provided under this Agreement and its receipt of the services (including, without limitation, governmental and regulatory actions, orders, decrees, regulations or other legal limitations or requirement applicable to the Client including applicable limitations or qualifications in regard to the Client’s investment in any Securities in any country or jurisdiction or otherwise in connection with any Cash or Securities); (vi) it will not use funds or any service or product contemplated by this Agreement, including a Custody Account or the Cash Account, in a manner that could cause or result in a violation by the Custodian or any member of the Citi Organization of any sanctions administered or enforced by any relevant sanctions authority, including the United States, the European Union, any member state of the European Union and the United Nations; and (vii) neither it nor any of its subsidiaries, nor to the best of its knowledge, any of their directors, officers, employees, agents or affiliates, and no customer for which it is using services under this Agreement is the subject of such sanctions, or is located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject of such sanctions. |
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3.3. |
Custodian. The Custodian represents and warrants at the date this Agreement is entered into by the Custodian as provided in this Agreement that the Custodian accepts the appointment as Custodian and upon signing the Custodian will be bound to the terms of the Agreement. Further, the Custodian represents and warrants at the date this Agreement is entered into and any custodial service is used that it will comply in all material respects with all laws applicable to the delivery of the services provided under this Agreement.
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4. |
SET UP OF ACCOUNTS.
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4.1. |
Accounts. The Client instructs the Custodian to establish and maintain a Custody Account and a Cash Account. The Client may give an Instruction to establish additional Custody Accounts or Cash Accounts from time to time. The Custodian shall promptly notify the Client if the Custodian does not accept any securities or cash in a Custody Account or Cash Account.
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4.2. |
Cash Account Purpose and Use. The Client agrees that it shall use any Cash Account only for deposits and funds transfers in connection with the Securities received, held or delivered for the Client by the Custodian or otherwise in connection with services provided by the Custodian under this Agreement.
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4.3. |
Cash Held as Banker. Cash held for the Client by the Custodian, or where applicable by a sub-custodian will be held as banker and not on trust or as trustee, unless the Custodian otherwise provides notice to the Client. As a result, Cash will not be held in accordance with client money rules or similar rules and, in the event of the Custodian’s insolvency (or analogous event), the Client may not be entitled to share in any distribution under those rules.
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4.4. |
Cash Held by a Sub-Custodian. |
4.4.1. |
In some circumstances applicable law and regulation may require the sub-custodian to establish and maintain the local cash account in the name of the Client rather than in the name of the Custodian. In any such case, the Client hereby authorizes the Custodian as agent of the Client, and agrees to confirm and ratify any steps taken by the Custodian, to open a cash account with the relevant sub-custodian in the name of the Client. |
4.4.2. |
Any cash held directly by a sub-custodian on behalf of the Client will be owed by that sub-custodian directly to the Client, and will not be subject to UK or other client money rules or held by the Custodian as banker for the Client. Such cash will be subject to the relevant laws or regulatory rules applicable to the sub-custodian, including the laws and rules of the jurisdiction in which the sub-custodian is located. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, or any other terms of this Agreement, the Custodian agrees that it shall have the same liability to the Client for the cash held with a sub-custodian as if such cash was held for the Client by the Custodian as banker in the relevant market. |
4.4.3. |
Unless otherwise specified in this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement in relation to Cash Accounts shall apply to a cash account held by the Client with a sub-custodian.
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4.5. |
Identification. The Custodian shall identify on its records each Custody Account and Cash Account in the name of the Client or such other name as the Client may reasonably designate.
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4.6. |
Securities Segregation. |
4.6.1. |
The Custodian shall identify Securities on its records in a manner so that it is readily apparent the Securities held in a Custody Account (i) belong to the Client or its customers (as applicable), (ii) do not belong to the Custodian or any other clients of the Custodian, and (iii) are segregated on the books and records of the Custodian from the Custodian’s and its other clients’ assets. The Custodian intends that Securities will be held in such manner that they should not become available to the insolvency administrator or creditors of the Custodian. |
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4.6.2. |
The Custodian may hold Securities with an Agent only where the Agent has been selected and appointed by the Custodian as a sub custodian. The Custodian shall hold Securities only in an account at the sub-custodian that holds exclusively assets held by the Custodian for its clients (omnibus or separated in the names of its clients) and that has been so identified on the books and records of the sub-custodian. The Custodian shall require the sub-custodian to identify on its records in a manner so that it is readily apparent that the Securities (i) do not belong to the Custodian and are held by the Custodian for and belong to clients of the Custodian, (ii) do not belong to the sub-custodian or other clients of the sub-custodian, and (iii) are segregated on the books and records of the sub-custodian from the sub-custodian’s and its other clients’ assets. The Custodian shall require each sub-custodian to agree that Securities will not be subject to any right, charge, security interest, lien or claim of any kind in favor of the sub-custodian. Any Securities held with any sub-custodian will be subject only to Instructions of the Custodian.
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4.6.3. |
Custodian shall and shall require any sub-custodian to hold Securities in a Clearance System only in an account that holds assets exclusively belonging to its clients and that has been so identified on the books and records of the Clearance System or that is identified at the Clearance System in the name of a nominee of the Custodian or sub-custodian used exclusively to hold Securities for clients. In certain markets, the Custodian or its sub-custodian may open an account at a Clearance System in the name of the Client or its customer, as required by the rules of the Clearance System.
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The Custodian shall and shall require any sub-custodian to record book-entry Securities or uncertificated Securities settled outside a Clearance System on the books and records of the applicable transfer agent or registrar (or the issuer if none) in a way that identifies that the Securities are being held by the Custodian or its sub-custodian as custodian for clients and are not assets belonging to the Custodian or the sub-custodian, if applicable.
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The Custodian shall and shall require any sub-custodian to hold certificated Securities in registered or bearer form in its vault segregated from certificates held for itself and/or any other clients. If the registered certificates are not registered in the Custodian’s or its sub-custodian’s name (or its nominee name) the Custodian will not be responsible for asset services as provided in Clause 8 under this Agreement.
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The Custodian may hold Securities in the name of a nominee of the Custodian or its sub-custodian or a nominee of the Clearance System as may be required by that Clearance System.
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The Custodian shall require that any actions with respect to Securities held for the Client under this Agreement in a Clearance System or in the name of the Custodian, a sub-custodian or any nominee on the books and records of any transfer agent or registrar will be subject only to the instructions of the Custodian or its sub-custodian, if applicable.
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The Custodian shall not, and shall require that its sub-custodians do not, lend, pledge, hypothecate or rehypothecate any Securities without the Client’s consent. The Client acknowledges that Securities may be subject to rights or claims of a Clearance System or its agents or participants pursuant to applicable law or regulation or as a requirement for effecting transactions within the Clearance System.
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5. |
SECURITIES AND CASH PROCEDURES.
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5.1. |
Account Procedures—Credits and Debits.
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5.1.1. |
The Client shall ensure that it has sufficient Securities or sufficient immediately available Cash in the required currency credited with the Custodian as necessary to effect any Instruction or other delivery or payment required under this Agreement.
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5.1.2. |
The Custodian may, but is not obligated to, credit cash to the Cash Account before a corresponding and final receipt in cleared funds. The Client agrees that the Custodian may at any time before final receipt, or if a Clearance System at any time reverses an applicable credit to the Custodian, reverse all or any part of a credit of cash to the Client and make an appropriate entry to its records including restatement of the Cash Account and reversing any interest paid.
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5.1.3. |
The Custodian will credit Securities to the Custody Account upon receipt of the Securities by final settlement determined in accordance with the practices of the relevant market. Final settlement depends on the market confirmation of settlement to the Custodian and may include real time movement with finality, real time movement without finality, or confirmation of settlement but with movement of securities at end of the day. If any Clearance System reverses any credit of Securities (or the Custodian is otherwise obligated to return Securities as a result of a settlement reversed in accordance with market requirements), the Client agrees that the Custodian may reverse all or any part of the credit of the Securities to the Custody Account and make an appropriate entry to its records including restatement of the Custody Account. In the event of any reversal of Securities, the Client agrees that the Custodian may reverse any credit of cash provided to the Client with respect to the Securities, such as distributions or the proceeds of any transaction.
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5.1.4. |
The Custodian shall provide the Client with prompt notice of a reversal of cash or Securities.
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5.1.5. |
Where notice of a reversal of Cash or Securities has been given and there is insufficient Cash or Securities to satisfy the reversal, the Client shall promptly repay in the applicable currency the amount required to satisfy the deficit in the Cash Account and/or return any Securities to the Custody Account.
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If the Custodian has received Instructions (or is authorized under this Agreement to make any delivery or payment without an Instruction) that would result in the delivery of a Security or payment of Cash in any currency exceeding credits to the Client for that Security or Cash, the Custodian may in its discretion, subject to acting consistently with the standard of care in this Agreement, (i) effect any cash payment or other funds transfer and create or increase an extension of credit to the Client including any overdraft, (ii) make partial deliveries or payments consistent with market practice, (iii) fulfill subsequently received Instruction to the extent of then available Securities or Cash held for the Client, or (iv) suspend or delay acting on any Instruction until it receives required Securities or Cash . The Custodian shall notify the Client if the Custodian does not act on any Instruction because the Client has insufficient Securities or Cash.
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Notwithstanding any Instruction or termination of this Agreement, at any time the Custodian may retain sufficient Securities or Cash to close out or complete any Instruction or transaction that the Custodian will be required to settle on the Client’s behalf or to cover any obligation of the Client.
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The Client shall not enforce any payment obligation of the Custodian at or against another branch or affiliate of the Custodian. The Custodian is obligated to pay Cash only in the currency in which the applicable payment obligation is denominated and only in the country in which such Cash is used in connection with Securities received, held or delivered or other services under this Agreement are provided in that country, regardless of whether that currency’s transferability, convertibility or availability has been affected by any law, regulation, decree rule or other governmental or regulatory action. The Client agrees that it may not require the Custodian or any member of the Citi Organization to substitute a currency for any other currency.
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5.2. |
Extensions of Credit; Reimbursement.
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5.2.1. |
The Client agrees that any extension of credit to the Client under this Agreement will be unadvised, uncommitted and at the sole discretion of the Custodian, and the Client agrees that it shall repay any extension of credit upon demand. The Custodian may charge interest on any overdraft at the rate notified to the Client from time to time. The Custodian may at any time cancel or refuse any extension of credit. No prior action or course of dealing by the Custodian with respect to extending credit to effect any settlement of any transactions or any Instructions will obligate the Custodian to extend any credit in regard to any subsequent settlement of any transaction or Instruction.
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The Client agrees that “extension of credit” as used in this Agreement includes any daylight and overnight overdraft or similar advances, any reimbursement obligation as provided in this Agreement, and uncommitted overdraft lines or similar uncommitted lines provided by the Custodian to the Client in connection with the Cash Account or services under this Agreement.
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At any time the Custodian may demand that the Client reimburse the Custodian in respect of any irrevocable commitment incurred in carrying out Instructions to clear and/or settle transactions for the Client under this Agreement (including fail costs payable by the Custodian if the Client were to fail to deliver any required Securities). Irrevocable commitments are incurred on the date the Custodian becomes irrevocably obligated to a Clearance System or other person for the delivery of Securities or payment of Cash, even if the Custody Account or the Cash Account has insufficient Securities or Cash in the required currency on the applicable settlement date. The Client agrees that its reimbursement obligation arises when the irrevocable commitment is incurred by the Custodian despite the actual settlement or maturity date. The Client agrees that after the Custodian has made a demand for reimbursement by the Client, the Client shall pay cash equal to that demand and the Custodian may debit the Client for the amount the Custodian will be obligated to pay in regard to the irrevocable commitment, whether or not that debit creates or increases any overdraft by the Client.
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5.3. |
Foreign Exchange. |
5.3.1. |
The Client agrees that it assumes the risks associated with holding or effecting transactions in Cash denominated in any currency including any events or laws that delay or adversely affect transferability, convertibility or availability of any currency, appropriation or seizure, any devaluation or redenomination of any currency or fluctuations or changes in foreign exchange rates.
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5.3.2. |
The Client may instruct the Custodian to execute a foreign exchange as part of the services under this Agreement. Instructions may be given on a case by case basis or as a standing Instruction. The Custodian will debit the Client’s Cash Account to process foreign exchange and credit the Client’s Cash Account with the new currency in accordance with the Instruction(s). The Custodian may net or set off transactions when effecting foreign exchange. The Custodian may be compensated in part from the spread taken on foreign exchange, and the Custodian or an affiliate may act as principal in any foreign exchange. The Client will be notified of the exchange rate of all executed foreign exchange in its reporting from the Custodian or, if not included, upon Client’s request. The Client acknowledges that the foreign exchange rate applied will depend on a number of factors, including the size of the transaction, the liquidity in the relevant currencies, the time of day and other market factors. The Client may not receive published spot rates in the relevant currencies. Unless otherwise provided in applicable law, the Client agrees that neither the Custodian nor any applicable affiliate assumes any fiduciary or other duty by virtue of effecting foreign exchange, nor are they acting as trustee.
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6. |
AGENCY SERVICES: PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION.
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6.1. |
Determination of Creation Deposit. Subject to and in accordance with directions and information provided by the Client’s sponsor (“Sponsor”) and the Fund’s accountant (“Fund Accountant”), in each case as identified by the Client, the Client’s policies, as adopted from time to time by the Board of Trustees of the Client (“Board”), and procedures set forth in the Prospectus, the Custodian will determine for each Fund after the end of each trading day on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) the following information required for the issuance or redemption, as the case may be, of Shares in Creation Unit aggregations of a Fund on such date: |
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(i) The identity and weighting of the Portfolio Components of a Creation Unit of such Fund for purposes of purchases in-kind and redemptions in-kind for standard and custom Creation Units. Identity and weighting of Portfolio Components for non-standard and negotiated Creation Units will be provided by the Sponsor by agreed upon deadlines.
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(ii) Determine Cash Values as instructed. |
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The Custodian will provide (or cause to be provided) information concerning the Portfolio Components as instructed according to the policies established by the Board, and as required will provide such information to the NSCC for dissemination prior to the opening of trading on the NYSE on each day that the NYSE is open.
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6.2. |
Movements of Portfolio Components. In connection with purchases of Creation Units, the Custodian will monitor the receipt of the underlying Portfolio Components or the receipt of Cash as collateral in lieu of Securities pursuant to Instructions in accordance with Section 7 below, and will cause the delivery of Shares only upon confirmation that such Securities and/or Cash have settled in the applicable Custody Account or Cash Account. The settlement of Shares shall be aligned with the settlement of the underlying Portfolio Components.
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In connection with redemptions of Creation Units, the Custodian will monitor the receipt of Shares or collateral in lieu of Shares, and will release to the applicable Authorized Participant the underlying Portfolio Components pursuant to Instructions received in accordance with Section 7 of this Agreement.
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7. |
AGENCY SERVICES: CREATION UNITS, SALES AND REDEMPTIONS.
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7.1. |
Sale of Shares. The Custodian will deposit into the Custody Account or Cash Account of the appropriate Fund, such payments (consisting of Securities and Cash, including Cash collateral) as are received from each Authorized Participant for purchase of Shares in Creation Units thereof issued or sold from time to time by a Fund. The Client’s distributor (“Distributor”) shall be the Client’s Authorized Person for (i) advising the Custodian each day as to the Creation Units purchased by an Authorized Participant and (ii) identifying to the Custodian the Authorized Participants. The Custodian will provide timely notification to the Sponsor on behalf of each such Fund of any receipt by it of Portfolio Components as payments for Shares and instruct the Client’s transfer agent (“Transfer Agent”) as to the issuance of new Shares in Creation Units in connection with such payments; and the Custodian will effect the transfer of the Shares to the Authorized Participant through the NSCC or as otherwise required.
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7.2. |
Repurchases or Redemptions of Shares. From Securities and Cash held for a Fund as may be available for the purpose, the Custodian will deliver Portfolio Components, as required, for payment to Authorized Participants who have delivered to the Distributor proper instructions for the redemption or repurchase of Shares in Creation Unit aggregations, which will have been accepted by the Distributor. The Distributor shall advise the Custodian each day as to the repurchase of Shares in Creation Units. The Custodian will transfer the applicable Portfolio Components to the Authorized Participant and instruct the Transfer Agent as to the cancellation of the corresponding Shares in Creation Units of the applicable Fund. Any cash redemption payment (less any applicable redemption transaction fee) due to the Authorized Participant on redemption will be effected through the NSCC, the DTC or through wire transfer (in the case of redemptions effected outside of the NSCC or the DTC).
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The Client understands and agrees that, in accordance with generally accepted settlement practices and customs in certain jurisdictions or markets in which Securities may be held, the Custodian may deliver Securities prior to the receipt of Shares of a Fund the redemption for which such Securities were being delivered. Any loss resulting from such “free” delivery of Securities will be at the risk of the Client without regard to whether any Instructions were for other delivery or receipt. |
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7.3. |
Acceptance of Collateral in Lieu of Portfolio Components or Shares. The Custodian shall accept Cash collateral in lieu of (i) any Securities required to be delivered by an Authorized Participant in connection with a sale of Shares pursuant to Section 7.1 of this Agreement or (ii) Shares in Creation Units required to be delivered by an Authorized Participant in connection with a repurchase or redemption of any such Creation Unit pursuant to Section 7.2 of this Agreement. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that if a Fund participates in the Continuous Net Settlement System of the NSCC (“CNS”) then the Custodian shall have no responsibility for (i) calculating the amount of Cash collateral required to be delivered by any Authorized Participant or (ii) contacting such Authorized Participant to request the posting of any Cash collateral; and to the extent Cash as collateral is required, such collateral shall be delivered by the Authorized Participant to the Custodian as a CNS money movement.
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If any requisite Cash as collateral has not been received by the Custodian prior to 2:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on the Settlement Date for the Shares being purchased (or Redemption Date for the Shares being redeemed), the Custodian will not be required to release the newly created Shares (or Portfolio Components underlying newly redeemed Shares); provided, however, that the Custodian shall make a good faith effort to release Shares or Portfolio Components where collateral is received after such time.
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7.4. |
Calculation of Collateral Amount. If a Fund participates in CNS (a “CNS Fund”), then the amount of Cash collateral, if any, required to be posted by each Authorized Participant with respect to such Fund (the “Required Collateral Amount”) shall be determined solely by NSCC. For each Fund that does not participate in CNS (each a “Non-CNS Fund”), on a daily basis, the Custodian will (i) calculate the amount of Cash as collateral, if any, required to be delivered by each Authorized Participant and (ii) contact each Authorized Participant, as applicable, and request the Authorized Participant post collateral equal to the Required Collateral Amount (defined below). All fund transfers shall be made by Fed wire. The Required Collateral Amount varies based on the portion of Securities or Shares delivered to an Account by the Authorized Participant in connection with its purchase or redemption of Shares, as applicable, as of the relevant calculation date. The shortfall between the value of Securities delivered to the applicable Account and the value of the Securities Component of a Creation Unit (“Total Basket Value”) is referred to as the “Deficiency Amount”.
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In connection with the purchase of Shares in any Non-CNS Fund by an Authorized Participant, the Required Collateral Amount shall be equal to the Deficiency Amount plus a markup amount as directed by the Fund. In connection with the redemption of Shares by an Authorized Participant, the Required Collateral Amount shall be equal to the value of the total number of Shares underlying the applicable redemption order for each Creation Unit based on the trade date NAV of such Shares, plus a markup amount as directed by the Fund.
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7.5 |
Collateral Calls; Return of Collateral; Buy-Ins.
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7.5.1. |
Collateral Calls for CNS Funds. NSCC shall contact the applicable Authorized Participant and request the Authorized Participant to post additional collateral on any business day when the collateral posted is less than the Required Collateral Amount. Any call for additional collateral by NSCC shall be in NSCC’s sole discretion. The Custodian will not be required to call for additional collateral. The Authorized Participant must post 100% of such additional collateral to the relevant Account by CNS money movement. The Custodian will verify that the correct amount of additional collateral was timely received.
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7.5.2. |
Collateral Calls for Non-CNS Funds. The Custodian shall contact the applicable Authorized Participant and request the Authorized Participant to post additional collateral on any business day when the collateral posted is less than the Required Collateral Amount. Notwithstanding this, the Custodian will not be required to call for additional collateral and the Authorized Participant will not be required to post additional collateral unless the difference between the collateral posted and the Required Collateral Amount is at least 10% of the Required Collateral Amount on such date (“Minimum Transfer Amount”); provided, that the Minimum Transfer Amount may be changed from time to time by mutual written consent of the parties. The Authorized Participant must post 100% of such additional collateral plus any applicable wire fee charged by the Custodian to the Authorized Participant to the extent that such shortfall was greater than or equal to the Minimum Transfer Amount. The Custodian will verify that the correct amount of additional collateral was timely received. The Custodian will copy the Sponsor on all collateral calls made to the Authorized Participant. |
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7.5.3. |
Return of Collateral for CNS Funds. As Securities or Shares, as applicable, are delivered to the Custodian and the Deficiency Amount is reduced, NSCC will, in accordance with its practices and procedures, cause the Fund to return excess collateral to the Authorized Participant. Upon delivery of all required Securities or Shares, as applicable, to the Custodian by the Authorized Participant (either as a result of a buy-in or as a result of delivery by the Authorized Participant), NCSS shall cause the Fund to return all remaining collateral to the Authorized Participant.
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7.5.4. |
Return of Collateral for Non-CNS Funds. As Securities or Shares, as applicable, are delivered to the Custodian and the Deficiency Amount is reduced, the Custodian will, as promptly as practicable, cause the Fund to return excess collateral to the Authorized Participant, less any applicable wire fee charged by the Custodian to the Authorized Participant, to the extent that the excess collateral is greater than or equal to the Minimum Transfer Amount (at least 10% of the Required Collateral Amount on such date, or such other percentage as may have been agreed to by mutual written consent of the parties). Upon delivery of all required Securities or Shares, as applicable, to the Custodian by the Authorized Participant (either as a result of a buy-in or as a result of delivery by the Authorized Participant), the Custodian shall return all remaining collateral to the Authorized Participant.
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7.5.5. |
Buy-In. At any time the Sponsor may give the Custodian an Instruction to pay or transfer any collateral including for settlement of any Securities or Shares purchased by the Fund as a buy-in of any Securities or Shares not delivered by an Authorized Participant. The Custodian shall have no responsibility for determining if the Sponsor is authorized to effect any payment or transfer of collateral.
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8. |
RIGHTS FOR EXTENSIONS OF CREDIT.
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8.1. |
Lien. In addition to any other remedies available to the Custodian under applicable law, the Custodian hereby has, and the Client herby grants, a continuing general lien on all Securities until satisfaction of all liabilities and obligations arising under this Agreement (whether actual or contingent) of the Client to the Custodian with respect to any fees and expenses or extensions of credit including, but not limited to, daylight and overnight overdrafts, charges resulting from reversals of credits, reimbursement demands of the Custodian in respect of irrevocable commitments, and any other present and future obligations of the Client payable to the Custodian.
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8.2. |
Set Off. Without limiting any rights the Custodian may have under applicable law, the Custodian may, without prior notice to the Client, set off any payment obligation with regard to an extension of credit or the value of any other payment or delivery obligation owed by the Client to it against any payment obligations or the value of any delivery obligations owed by the Custodian to the Client, regardless of the place of payment, delivery and/or currency of any obligation (and for such purposes may make any currency conversion necessary). If any obligation is unliquidated or unascertained, the Custodian may set off as provided herein an amount estimated by it in good faith to be the amount of that obligation.
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8.3. |
Exercise of Rights. | |
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8.3.1. |
If the Client fails to pay the Custodian in respect of any extension of credit, is dissolved or becomes the subject of formal insolvency proceedings in any jurisdiction, or any step is taken against the Client to initiate insolvency proceedings in any jurisdiction, the Custodian may, without notice to the Client except as required by law, and at any time: (i) appropriate and apply all or any part of the Securities and Cash held under this Agreement by the Custodian against any or all obligations of the Client under this Agreement to the Custodian (whether matured or subject to any demand); (ii) sell all or any part of the Securities; and (iii) exercise, in respect of the Securities and Cash, all the rights and remedies a party with a senior security or similar right would be entitled to exercise in such default under any applicable law.
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8.3.2. |
The Client shall not grant any person a lien, security interest, charge or similar rights or claims against Securities or Cash without the Custodian’s consent.
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9. |
CLIENT’S COMMUNICATONS.
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9.1. |
Authority. The Client authorizes the Custodian to accept and act upon any communications provided by an Authorized Person, including Instructions and any form or document. Subject to the authority or restrictions with respect to any Authorized Person specified in any document received and accepted by the Custodian, the Client confirms that each Authorized Person is authorized to perform all lawful acts on behalf of the Client in connection with any Custody Account or Cash Account, Securities or Cash, or otherwise in connection with this Agreement including, but not limited to, (i) opening, closing and operating any Custody Account and Cash Account, (ii) signing any agreements, declarations or other documents relating to any Securities or Cash, Custody Account or Cash Account, or service, and (iii) providing any Instruction, until the Custodian has received written notice or other notice acceptable to it of any change of an Authorized Person and the Custodian has had a reasonable opportunity under the circumstances to act.
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9.2. |
Instructions and Other Client Communications. The Client and the Custodian shall comply with security procedures acceptable to the Custodian intended to establish the origination of the communication and the authority of the person sending any communication, including any Instruction, inquiries, data and other information exchanges, and advices. Depending upon the method of communication used by the Client, the security procedures may constitute one or more of the following measures: unique transaction identifiers, digital signatures, encryption algorithms or other codes, multifactor authentication, user entitlements, schedule validation or such other measures as in use for the communication method by the Client. If the Client sends Instructions or other communications through S.W.I.F.T. or through any other electronic communications method, the Client and the Custodian agree that the security procedures utilized by such electronic communications method will be the agreed security procedures for the purpose of this Agreement.
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9.3. |
Authentication. Provided the Custodian complies with the applicable security procedures, the Client agrees that the Custodian is entitled to treat any communication including any Instruction as having originated from an Authorized Person and the Custodian may rely and act on that communication as authorized by the Client.
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9.4. |
Errors, Duplication. The Client shall be responsible for errors or omissions made by the Client or the duplication of any Instruction by the Client.
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9.5. |
Account Numbers. The Custodian may act on any Instruction by reference to an account number only, even if a bank or account name is provided.
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9.6. |
Incomplete or Insufficient Instructions. The Custodian may act on Instructions where the Custodian reasonably believes the Instruction contains sufficient information. The Custodian may decide not to act on an Instruction where it reasonably doubts its contents. |
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9.7. |
Recall, Amendment, Cancellation. If the Client requests the Custodian to recall, cancel or amend an Instruction, the Custodian shall use its reasonable efforts to comply.
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9.8. |
MIFT. The Client expressly acknowledges that it is aware that a MIFT increases the risk of error, security, privacy issues and fraudulent activities. If the Custodian acts on a MIFT and complies with the applicable security procedures, the Client shall be responsible for any costs, losses and other expenses suffered by the Client or the Custodian.
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9.9. |
Banking Days. The Custodian shall accept and act on Instructions or any other communication on banking days when the Custodian and the relevant market are open for business. From time to time the Custodian shall notify the Client of the days the Custodian and any applicable market will not be open and the cut-off times for accepting and acting on Instructions or other communications on the days the Custodian is open.
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9.10. |
Notice. The Custodian shall promptly notify the Client (by telephone if appropriate) if an Instruction is not acted upon for any reason
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10. |
ACTIONS BY THE CUSTODIAN AND ASSET SERVICES.
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10.1. |
Custodial Duties Requiring Instructions. The Custodian shall carry out the following actions only upon receipt of Instructions: (i) make payment for and/or receive any Securities or deliver or dispose of any Securities except as otherwise specifically provided for in this Agreement, (ii) deal with rights, conversions, options, warrants and other similar interests or any other discretionary corporate action or discretionary right in connection with Securities, and (iii) except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, carry out any action affecting Securities or Cash.
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10.2. |
Non-Discretionary Custodial Duties. Absent a contrary Instruction, the Client agrees that the Custodian hereby is authorized to carry out non-discretionary matters in connection with any Instruction or services provided under this Agreement. Without limiting the authority of the Custodian with regard to non-discretionary matters, the Custodian may carry out the following: (i) in the Client’s name or on its behalf, sign any documents relating to Securities or Cash which may be required (a) pursuant to an Instruction to obtain any Securities or Cash or (b) by any tax or other regulatory authority or market practice, (ii) receive and/or credit income, payments and distributions in respect of Securities; (iii) exchange interim or temporary receipts for definitive certificates, and old or overstamped certificates for new certificates, (iv) deposit Securities with any Clearance System as required by law, regulation or market practice, (v) make any payment by debiting any balance credited to the Client as required to effect any Instructions or payment of Taxes or other payment provided in this Agreement, (vi) to the extent any shortage of Securities or Cash occurs in connection with receipt of distributions in regard to any corporate action, make pro rata distributions, allocations, deliveries or credits of received Securities or Cash as consistent with market practice and as it deems fair and equitable, and (vii) any other matters which the Custodian considers reasonably necessary in furtherance of the services provided under this Agreement.
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10.3. |
Notices and Actions Related to Securities. |
10.3.1. |
The Custodian shall promptly notify the Client of all official notices, circulars, reports and announcements (both mandatory and discretionary) in respect of Securities held for the Client received in its capacity as Custodian. With regard to events requiring discretionary action, the Custodian shall advise the Client of the applicable timeframe for taking any action elected by the Client. The Custodian’s notice obligation does not include notices, circulars, reports and announcements in regard to a class action.
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10.3.2. |
The Custodian is responsible only for the form, accuracy and content of any notice, circular, report, announcement or other material prepared by the Custodian or its Agent, including translations. The Custodian is not responsible for inaccuracy or incompleteness of any information in notices or information prepared by other persons, including issuers or Clearance Systems, used by the Custodian to provide any notice to the Client or forwarded by the Custodian to the Client or for the failure of such persons to act to provide any information. |
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10.3.3. |
The Custodian shall act on discretionary matters in accordance with Instructions sent within applicable cut off times. The Client agrees that the Custodian will not participate in or take any action concerning any discretionary matter, including shareholder voting, if the Custodian does not receive a timely Instruction. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, the Custodian will be required to provide shareholder voting services only as specified in a separate proxy services letter agreement between the Custodian and the Client.
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10.3.4. |
The Client acknowledges that in some markets the Custodian or its Agent may be required to vote all Securities of a particular issue for all of its clients in the same way and may not be able to effect split voting without regard to any Instruction.
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10.4. |
Taxes |
10.4.1. |
The Client shall provide the Custodian with information and proof (copies or originals) as to the Client’s tax status and/or the underlying beneficial owner’s tax status or residence or other information as the Custodian reasonably requests in order for the Custodian or any Agent to achieve compliance with the requirements of governmental or regulatory authorities. Information and proof may include executed certificates, representations and warranties, or other documentation the Custodian deems necessary or proper to fulfill the requirements of the applicable tax authorities. The Client shall notify the Custodian in writing within thirty (30) days, or any lesser period as stipulated under any applicable law or regulation, of the occurrence of any change in circumstances that causes any information or representation previously provided to the Custodian on a tax form or tax certification to be incorrect, e.g., a change in the Client’s country of residence or its legal entity classification, of if it ceases to be or becomes a financial institution. Law, regulation and authority, as used in this sentence, may be domestic or foreign. The Client further agrees to provide to the Custodian a new tax form or tax certification (and any necessary supporting documentation) that contains the correct information or representations. |
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10.4.2. |
The Client agrees that Taxes are the responsibility of the Client and shall be paid by the Client. The Client agrees that the Custodian will deduct or withhold for or on account of Taxes from any payment to the Client if required by any applicable law including, but not limited to, (i) statute or regulation, (ii) a requirement of a legal, governmental or regulatory authority, or (iii) an agreement entered into by the Custodian and any governmental authority or between any two or more governmental authorities (applicable law as used in this sentence may be domestic or foreign). The Client agrees that the Custodian may debit any amount available in any balance held for the Client and apply such Cash in satisfaction of Taxes. The Custodian shall timely pay the full amount debited or withheld to the relevant governmental authority in accordance with the applicable law as provided in this Clause. If any Taxes become payable with respect to any prior credit to the Client by the Custodian, the Client agrees that the Custodian may debit any balance held for the Client in satisfaction of such prior Taxes. The Client shall remain liable for any deficiency and agrees that it shall pay it upon notice from the Custodian or any governmental authority. If Taxes are paid by the Custodian or any of its affiliates, the Client agrees that it shall promptly reimburse the Custodian for such payment to the extent not covered by withholding from any payment or debited from any balance held for the Client.
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10.4.3. |
In the event the Client requests that the Custodian provide tax relief services and the Custodian agrees to provide such services, the Custodian will apply for appropriate tax relief (either by way of reduced tax rates at the time of an income payment or retrospective tax reclaims in certain markets as agreed from time to time); provided, the Client provides to the Custodian such documentation and information relating to it or its underlying beneficial owner customers as is necessary to secure such tax relief. However, in no event will the Custodian be responsible or liable for any Taxes resulting from the inability to secure tax relief, or for the failure of any Client or beneficial owner to obtain the benefit of credits, on the basis of foreign taxes withheld, against any income tax liability. |
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11. |
CUSTODIAN’S COMMUNICATIONS, RECORDS AND ACCESS.
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11.1. |
Communications and Statements. Statements or advices with regard to Securities or Cash will be made available on Client request. The Client agrees that communications, notices and announcements by the Custodian and statements or advices with regard to Securities or Cash may be made available by electronic form only. The Client shall notify the Custodian promptly in writing of any errors in a statement or advice and in any case within sixty (60) days from the date on which the statement or advice is sent or made available to the Client. Nothing herein is intended to prevent the Client from notifying the Custodian of any errors or corrections beyond such time; provided, however, that the Custodian will not be responsible for any additional losses caused by such delay in notification.
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11.2. |
Price Information. The Custodian may, from time to time, provide information on statements or reports showing pricing or values of Securities held for the Client. The Client agrees that the Custodian is not responsible under this Agreement for the pricing or valuation of any Securities. The Client agrees that the Custodian has no responsibility to independently verify such prices or similar data, and the Custodian has no liability for the availability or accuracy of any price or similar data obtained from any pricing source.
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11.3. |
Access to Records. The Custodian shall allow the Client and its independent public accountants, agents or regulators reasonable access to the records of the Custodian relating to Securities or Cash, the Custody Account or the Cash Account, and the controls utilized by the Custodian in connection with the performance of this Agreement as is reasonably required by the Client and at the Client’s expense and shall seek to obtain such access from each Agent and Clearance System.
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12. |
THIRD PARTIES.
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12.1. |
Agents. The Client agrees that the Custodian is hereby authorized to use Agents in connection with the Custodian’s performance of any services under this Agreement. The Custodian shall not use a sub-custodian to hold the Client’s Securities or Cash without identifying the sub-custodian in a prior notice to the Client. The Custodian shall exercise due skill, care and diligence in the selection, continued use and ongoing monitoring of Agents.
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12.2. |
Other Third Parties. The Client agrees that the Custodian is hereby authorized to participate in or use (i) Clearance Systems and (ii) public utilities, external telecommunications facilities and other common carriers of electronic and other messages, external postal services, and other facilities commonly recognized as market infrastructures in any jurisdiction. Further, in providing services under this Agreement the Custodian will interact with other third parties whom the Custodian does not select and over which the Custodian exercises no discretion or control, including issuers of Securities, transfer agents or registrars, and the Client’s counterparties or brokers (or their agents). The Client agrees that Clearance Systems and such other third parties as described herein are not Agents, and the Custodian has no responsibility for (i) selecting, appointing or monitoring such third parties or (ii) the performance or credit risks of the third parties.
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13. |
PERFORMANCE OBLIGATIONS AND LIABILITIES.
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13.1. |
Responsibility of the Custodian. The Custodian shall perform its obligations with due skill, care and diligence as determined in accordance with the standards and practices of a professional custodian for hire in the markets or jurisdictions in which the Custodian performs services under this Agreement and maintains Securities and Cash for the Client. The Custodian shall be liable for payment to the Client for its direct damages only where the Custodian or any Agent has not satisfied such obligation of due skill, care and diligence. |
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13.2. |
Liability of the Client to the Custodian. The Client agrees to (i) indemnify the Custodian for all losses, costs, damages, Taxes and expenses (including reasonable legal fees and disbursements) (each referred to as a “Loss”) incurred by the Custodian arising in connection with the Client’s failure to perform any obligation of the Client under this Agreement or arising from or in connection with the Custodian’s appointment or performance under this Agreement and (ii) defend and hold the Custodian harmless from or in connection with any Loss imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against the Custodian (directly or through any of its Agents) or otherwise arising in connection with or arising out of any claim, action or proceeding by any third party except any Loss resulting from the Custodian’s or any Agent’s failure to satisfy its obligation of due skill, care and diligence as provided in this Agreement.
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13.3. |
Mitigation of Damages. Upon the actual knowledge by any party of the occurrence of any event which may cause any loss, damage or expense to the party, the party shall as soon as reasonably practicable (i) notify the other party of the occurrence of such event and (ii) use its commercially reasonable efforts to take reasonable steps under the circumstances to mitigate or reduce the effects of such event and to avoid continuing harm to it.
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13.4. |
Mutual Exclusion of Damages. Each party shall be liable to the other party only for direct damages for any liability arising under this Agreement. Under no circumstances shall any party be liable to any other party for special or punitive damages, or indirect, incidental, consequential loss or damage, or any loss of profits, goodwill, business opportunity, business revenue or anticipated savings in relation to this Agreement, whether arising out of breach of contract, tort (including negligence) or otherwise, regardless of whether the relevant loss was foreseeable or the party has been advised of the possibility of such loss or damage, or that such loss was in contemplation of the other party.
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13.5. |
Legal Limitations on the Custodian’s Performance. |
13.5.1. |
Performance Subject to Laws. The Client agrees that the Custodian’s performance of this Agreement, including acting on any Instruction, is subject to, and shall be performed only in accordance with, the laws (including, without limitation, governmental and regulatory actions, orders, decrees regulations and agreements entered into by the Custodian and any governmental authority or between any two or more governmental authorities, whether domestic or foreign) applicable to the Custodian or a member of the Citi Organization as a result of the jurisdiction in which it or its parent is organized or located or where the Custodian performs this Agreement, including with respect to the holding of any Securities or Cash, and the rules, participant requirements, operating procedures and practices of any relevant Clearance System, stock exchange, or market. Nothing in this Agreement will oblige the Custodian to take any action that will be in breach of or be in conflict with any legal limitation as provided herein.
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13.5.2. |
Country Risk. The Client agrees that it shall bear all risks and expenses associated with investing in Securities or holding Cash denominated in any currency. The Client agrees that the Custodian will not be liable for country specific risks of loss or value or other restrictions resulting from country risk, including the risk of investing and holding Securities and Cash in a particular country or market such as, but not limited to, risks arising from (i) any act of war, terrorism, riot or civil commotion, (ii) investment, repatriation or exchange control restriction or nationalization, expropriation or other actions by any governmental authority, (iii) devaluation or revaluation of any currency, (iv) changes in applicable law, and (v) a country’s financial infrastructure and practices including market rules and conditions. |
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13.5.3. |
Conformity with Market Practices. Notwithstanding the Client’s Instruction to deliver Securities against payment or to pay for Securities against delivery, the Client authorizes the Custodian to make or accept payment for or delivery of Securities at such time and in such form and manner as complies with relevant local law and practice or with the customs prevailing in the relevant market.
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13.5.4. |
Prevention of Performance. The Client agrees that the Custodian will not be responsible for any failure to perform any of its obligations (nor will it be responsible for any unavailability of Cash in the applicable currency credited to the Client) if such performance by the Custodian or any Agent of the Custodian is prevented, hindered or delayed by a Force Majeure Event. “Force Majeure Event” means any event attributable to a cause beyond the reasonable control of the Custodian or its Agent such as restrictions on convertibility or transferability, requisitions, involuntary transfers, unavailability of any Clearance System, sabotage, fire, flood, explosion, acts of God, sanctions, governmental requirements as provided in this Agreement, civil commotion, strikes or industrial action of any kind, riots, insurrection, war or acts of government or similar institutions, as well as any other matter specified as a country risk in this Agreement. On the occurrence of any Force Majeure Event, the obligations of the Custodian are suspended for so long as the Force Majeure Event continues (and, in the case of the Custodian, neither it nor any member of the Citi Organization shall become liable). The Client agrees that neither the Custodian nor any member of the Citi Organization is responsible or liable for any action taken to comply with sanctions or government requirements. Upon the occurrence of any Force Majeure Event, to the extent allowed by applicable law, the Custodian shall inform the Client and shall use its reasonable efforts to minimize the effect of the Force Majeure Event on the Client. The Custodian confirms that it and each Agent maintains and regularly tests disaster recovery plans and contingency back-up services designed to mitigate the effects of any Force Majeure Event and which meet the standards generally adopted by internationally regulated financial institutions.
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13.5.5. |
Client’s Reporting Obligations. The Client agrees that it shall be solely responsible for all filings, tax returns and reports relating to Securities or Cash as may be required by any relevant authority, whether governmental or otherwise.
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13.5.6. |
Capacity of Custodian. The Client acknowledges that the Custodian is not acting under this Agreement as an investment manager, broker, or investment, legal or tax adviser to the Client. The Custodian’s duty is solely to act as a custodian in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, and the Custodian will take no view on the efficacy or soundness of any investment decision made by the Client.
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13.5.7. |
Limitation on Actions. Without prejudice to any other provision in this Agreement, this Clause 11 applies to all rights of the Client and obligations of the Custodian in respect of the activities contemplated by this Agreement, including, without limitation, any claims arising in connection with such activities that may be made against the Custodian, whether arising from breach of contract, tortious or similar acts, or otherwise.
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14. |
NOT AGENT FOR CLIENT’S CUSTOMERS; CLIENT’S DIRECT LIABILITY.
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The Client agrees that it will not be relieved of its obligations as principal as the Client under this Agreement where (or if) the Client discloses that it has entered into this Agreement as agent, custodian or other representative of another person. Notwithstanding any requirement that accounts, documentation or agreements, or transactions be effected in the name of any customer of the Client or for any other beneficial owner acting directly or indirectly though the Client, the Client agrees that it shall be responsible as principal for all obligations to the Custodian with regard to such beneficial owner accounts, agreements, or transactions. The Client agrees that its customers will not have any direct rights against the Custodian, and the Custodian shall have no liability to the Client’s underlying customers.
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15. |
CONFLICTS OF INTERESTS. |
15.1. |
Compliance with Requirements. The Client acknowledges that the Custodian has arrangements in place to manage conflicts of interest (the “Conflicts Policy”). If the Custodian deems that the arrangements are not sufficient to reasonably prevent risks of damage to the Client, the Custodian shall clearly disclose the general nature and/or the sources of the conflict of interest to the Client before undertaking the relevant business with or for the Client.
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15.2. |
Information. The Client acknowledges that members of the Citi Organization including Citibank, N.A. may separately provide services, including advisory, credit, and other financial services, to the Client or to other persons other than as custodian under this Agreement. In connection with those services the Custodian or its Agent may be prohibited by applicable law or by its Conflicts Policy or other policies from disclosing information of which it becomes aware or from accessing any information in relation to those services. As a result, the Client agrees that neither the Custodian nor any member of the Citi Organization is required or expected to disclose to the Client any non-public information it obtains in the course of providing services other than as Custodian. Also, the Client acknowledges that except as provided in this Agreement, the Custodian has no obligation to disclosure to the Client any public or non confidential information it obtains from any source about which relates to any issuer, counterparty or other person, regardless of whether such information relates to any Security held or to be received for the Client.
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15.3. |
Services to Client or the Custodian. The Client agrees that the Custodian may share any fees, profits and non-monetary benefits with any member of the Citi Organization or other third parties (including a person acting on their behalf) or receive fees, profits and non-monetary benefits from them in respect of the services provided pursuant to this Agreement. The Custodian shall provide details of the nature and amount of any such fees, profits or non-monetary benefits on the Client’s written request.
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16. |
INFORMATION AND DATA PROTECTION.
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Responsibilities of each party relating to the privacy and confidentiality of information are set forth in the Confidentiality and Data Privacy Conditions specified in that Annex to this Agreement attached hereto, and the parties agree to the terms specified in that Annex.
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ADVERTISING.
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Neither the Client nor the Custodian will display the name, trade mark or service mark of the other without the prior written approval of the other, nor will the Client display that of any member of the Citi Organization without prior written approval from the Custodian. The Client agrees that it shall not advertise or promote any service provided by the Custodian without the Custodian’s prior written consent; provided, however the Client may identify the Custodian as its custodian in any regulatory or other legally required or permitted disclosure by the Client without first obtaining the Custodian’s consent.
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18. |
FEES AND EXPENSES.
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The Client agrees to pay all fees and charges incurred from time to time for any services pursuant to this Agreement as determined in accordance with the terms of the Fee Schedule (“Fee Schedule”) together with any other amounts payable to the Custodian under this Agreement. The Client agrees that the Custodian may debit the Cash Account to pay any such fees and charges, together with any other amounts payable to the Custodian under this Agreement. The Client agrees that all fees and charges paid to the Custodian shall be payable without deduction for Taxes, which are the responsibility of the Client.
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21.2. |
Jurisdiction. The Client and the Custodian agree that the courts of the country in which the Custodian is located and performs its obligations hereunder (including any appropriate sub-jurisdiction) will have non-exclusive jurisdiction to hear any disputes arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, and the Client irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of such courts. |
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21.3. |
Venue. Each party hereby waives any objection it may have at any time, to the laying of venue of any actions or proceedings brought in any court of jurisdiction as provided in this Agreement, waives any claim that such actions or proceedings have been brought in an inconvenient forum and further waives the right to object that such court does not have jurisdiction.
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21.4. |
Sovereign Immunity. The Client and the Custodian each irrevocably waives, with respect to itself and its revenues and assets, all immunity on the grounds of sovereignty or similar grounds in respect of its obligations under this Agreement.
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21.5. |
No Third Party Rights. None of the provisions of this Agreement are intended to, or will, confer a benefit on or be enforceable by any third parties including customers of the Client.
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22. |
MISCELLANEOUS.
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22.1. |
Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is or becomes illegal, invalid or unenforceable under any applicable law, the parties intend that the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect (as will that provision under any other law).
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22.2. |
Waiver of Rights. No failure or delay of the Client or the Custodian in exercising any right or remedy under this Agreement constitutes a waiver of that right. Any waiver of any right is limited to the specific instance. The exclusion or omission of any provision or term of this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of any right or remedy the Client or the Custodian may have under applicable law.
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22.3. |
Recordings. The Client and the Custodian consent to telephonic or electronic monitoring or recordings of any communications for security and quality of service purposes and agree that either may produce telephonic or electronic recordings or computer records as evidence in any proceedings brought in connection with this Agreement.
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22.4. |
Written Notice. Unless otherwise provided, when “written”, “writing” and words of similar meaning are used in this Agreement, they refer to both paper and electronic forms such as emails, faxes, digital images and copies, and similar electronic versions. A written notice shall be effective if delivered to the Client’s principal business address specified in writing to the Custodian or to the Custodian’s address specified in writing to the Client (or any other address the Client or the Custodian may provide by written notice for this purpose including an address for notices to be sent electronically). Any method used to communicate Instructions may be used to give any notice. Notices will be in English unless otherwise agreed. For the avoidance of doubt, a written notice does not include an Instruction or other communication as specified in this Agreement.
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22.5. |
Further Information. The Client agrees to provide to the Custodian and execute further documents and other information as reasonably requested by the Custodian in relation to its performance of services under this Agreement and its duties and obligations under this Agreement in order to assist the Custodian with the requirements of a court, regulator or other legal authority in regard to an applicable market, including providing the identities of the beneficial owners of any Securities or Cash and providing any powers of attorney or similar authority or terms and conditions in regard to any cash account opened with any sub-custodian in the name of the Client or any of its customers to enable or facilitate the opening or operation of such cash account on behalf of the Client for the purpose of this Agreement. |
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22.6. |
Entire Agreement; Amendments. The parties agree that this Agreement consists exclusively of this document together with any specified annex or identified schedules. The Client agrees that the Custodian is responsible for the performance of only those duties set forth in this Agreement, including the performance of any Instruction. The Client acknowledges that the Custodian will have no implied duties or obligations except as cannot be excluded by applicable law. Except as specified in this Agreement, this Agreement may only be modified by written agreement of the Client and the Custodian.
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Funds may be added to or removed from this Agreement by execution and delivery to the Custodian by the Client of an amended Appendix A, and the execution of such amended Appendix A by the Custodian, in which case such amendment shall take effect immediately upon execution by the Custodian; unless otherwise agreed by the Custodian and the Client in writing.
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22.7. |
Assignment. The parties agree that no party may assign or transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the other’s prior written consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed; provided that the Custodian may make such assignment or transfer to a branch, subsidiary or affiliate if it does not materially affect the provision of services to the Client.
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22.8. |
Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which will be an original, but all of which together constitutes one and the same agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized.
CITIBANK, N.A. |
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ETF OPPORTUNITIES TRUST |
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Dominic J. Crowe |
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David A. Bogaert |
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Managing Director |
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President |
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Appendix A
To the Global Custodial and Agency Services Agreement dated April 6, 2020
List of Funds for ETF Opportunities Trust
1. |
American Conservative Values ETF |
2. |
American Conservative Values Small-Cap ETF |
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1
ANNEX TO GLOBAL CUSTODIAL AND AGENCY SERVICES AGREEMENT
U.S. SPECIAL RESOLUTION REGIME RECOGNITION
(1) Recognition of U.S. Regimes. In the event that the Custodian becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer of this Agreement, any transaction under this Agreement or any related Credit Enhancement between the parties (each, a “Relevant Agreement”) and any interest and obligation in or under, and any property securing, such Relevant Agreement (“Relevant Interests”) from Custodian will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Relevant Agreement and Relevant Interests were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. In the event Custodian or any Citi Affiliate becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights with respect to any Relevant Agreement against Custodian are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Relevant Agreement were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.
(2) Effective Date. The provisions of this Appendix will come into effect on the later of the date of this Agreement and the Applicable Compliance Date.
(3) Definitions. For the purposes of this Appendix, the following definitions apply:
“Applicable Compliance Date” means: (a) the date of this Agreement, if Client is a covered entity under the QFC Stay Rules; (b) July 1, 2019, if Client is a “financial counterparty” other than a “small financial institution” (as such terms are defined under, and interpreted in accordance with, the QFC Stay Rules); or (c) otherwise, January 1, 2020.
“Citi Affiliate” means an “affiliate” (as such term is defined under, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 1841(k)) of Custodian.
“Credit Enhancement” means, with respect to any Relevant Agreement, any credit enhancement or other credit support arrangement in support of the obligations of Custodian or Client thereunder or with respect thereto, including any guarantee, pledge, charge, mortgage or other security interest in collateral or title transfer collateral arrangement, trust or similar arrangement, letter of credit, transfer of margin, reimbursement obligation or any similar arrangement.
“Default Right” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, the QFC Stay Rules, including without limitation any right of a party to liquidate, terminate, cancel, rescind, or accelerate an agreement or transactions thereunder; set off or net amounts owed; exercise remedies in respect of collateral or other credit support or related property; demand payment or delivery; suspend, delay, or defer payment or performance; alter the amount of, demand the return of or modify any right to reuse collateral or margin provided; otherwise modify the obligations of a party; or any similar rights.
“Insolvency Proceeding” means a receivership, insolvency, liquidation, resolution, or similar proceeding.
“QFC Stay Rules” means the regulations codified at 12 C.F.R. 252.2, 252.81–8. All references herein to the QFC Stay Rules shall be construed, with respect to Custodian to mean the particular QFC Stay Rule(s) applicable to it.
“U.S. Special Resolution Regime” means each of (i) the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder and (ii) Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
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1
ETF Opportunities Trust 485BPOS
Exhibit 99(g)(2)
AMENDMENT NO.1
TO
GLOBAL CUSTODIAL AND AGENCY SERVICES AGREEMENT
This AMENDMENT No.1 (“Amendment”) is made as of August 28, 2020, by and between ETF Opportunities Trust (“Client”) and Citibank, N.A. (“Custodian”, together with the Client, the “Parties”), to that certain Global Custodial and Agency Services Agreement dated May 14, 2020, between the Client and Service Provider (“Agreement”). All capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Agreement.
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Agreement, Custodian performs certain custodial services for the Client;
WHEREAS, the Parties agree to amend Appendix A of the Agreement to reflect the addition of certain Authorized Participant fees; and
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises hereinafter contained and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Client and Custodian hereby agree as follows:
1. | Amendment to Appendix A of the Agreement – List of Funds. |
Appendix A of the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the Appendix A attached to the end of this Amendment.
2. | Representations and Warranties. |
a. | The Client represents that it has full power and authority to enter into and perform this Amendment and that it has provided this Amendment to the Board. |
b. | The Custodian represents that it has full power and authority to enter into and perform this Amendment. |
3. | Miscellaneous. |
a. | This Amendment supplements and amends the Agreement. The provisions set forth in this Amendment supersede all prior negotiations, understandings and agreements bearing upon the subject matter covered herein, including any conflicting provisions of the Agreement or any provisions of the Agreement that directly cover or indirectly bear upon matters covered under this Amendment. |
b. | Each reference to the Agreement in the Agreement (as it existed prior to this Amendment) and in every other agreement, contract or instrument to which the parties are bound, shall hereafter be construed as a reference to the Agreement as amended by this Amendment. Except as provided in this Amendment, the provisions of the Agreement remain in full force and effect. No amendment or modification to this Amendment shall be valid unless made in writing and executed by both Parties hereto. |
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c. | Paragraph headings in this Amendment are included for convenience only and are not to be used to construe or interpret this Amendment. |
d. | This Amendment may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be an original but all of which, taken together, shall constitute one and the same agreement. |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be duly executed all as of the day and year first above written.
ETF OPPORTUNITIES TRUST | |||
By: |
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Name: | David A. Bogaert | ||
Title: | President | ||
Date: | September 23, 2020 |
CITIBANK, N.A. | |||
By: |
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Name: | Dominic Crowe | ||
Title: | Managing Director | ||
Date: | Oct. 15, 2020 |
2
Appendix A
To the Global Custodial and Agency Services Agreement
List of Funds for ETF Opportunities Trust
Fund Name |
Authorized Participant Fee Per Create/Redeem
(USD)
|
American Conservative Values ETF | 1500 |
American Conservative Values Small-Cap ETF | [TBD] |
3
ETF Opportunities Trust 485BPOS
Exhibit 99(g)(3)
AMENDMENT NO.2
TO
GLOBAL CUSTODIAL AND AGENCY SERVICES AGREEMENT
This AMENDMENT No.2 (“Amendment”) is made as of November 1, 2020, by and between ETF Opportunities Trust (“Client”) and Citibank, N.A. (“Custodian”, together with the Client, the “Parties”), to that certain Global Custodial and Agency Services Agreement dated May 14, 2020, between the Client and Service Provider (“Agreement”). All capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Agreement.
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Agreement, the Custodian performs certain custodial services for the Client;
WHEREAS, the Parties agree to amend Appendix A of the Agreement to reflect the addition of the Real Asset Strategies ETF and corresponding Authorized Participant fees to the portfolio of the Client; and
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises hereinafter contained and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Client and Custodian hereby agree as follows:
1. | Amendment to Appendix A of the Agreement – List of Funds. |
Appendix A of the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the Appendix A attached to the end of this Amendment.
2. | Representations and Warranties. |
a. | The Client represents that it has full power and authority to enter into and perform this Amendment and that it has provided this Amendment to the Board. |
b. | The Custodian represents that it has full power and authority to enter into and perform this Amendment. |
3. | Miscellaneous. |
a. | This Amendment supplements and amends the Agreement. The provisions set forth in this Amendment supersede all prior negotiations, understandings and agreements bearing upon the subject matter covered herein, including any conflicting provisions of the Agreement or any provisions of the Agreement that directly cover or indirectly bear upon matters covered under this Amendment. |
b. | Each reference to the Agreement in the Agreement (as it existed prior to this Amendment) and in every other agreement, contract or instrument to which the parties are bound, shall hereafter be construed as a reference to the Agreement as amended by this Amendment. Except as provided in this Amendment, the provisions of the Agreement remain in full force and effect. No amendment or modification to this Amendment shall be valid unless made in writing and executed by both Parties hereto. |
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c. | Paragraph headings in this Amendment are included for convenience only and are not to be used to construe or interpret this Amendment. |
d. | This Amendment may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be an original but all of which, taken together, shall constitute one and the same agreement. |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be duly executed all as of the day and year first above written.
ETF OPPORTUNITIES TRUST | |||
By: |
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Name: | David A. Bogaert | ||
Title: | President | ||
Date: | September 23, 2020 |
CITIBANK, N.A. | |||
By: |
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Name: | Marq Fryburg | ||
Title: | Vice President | ||
Date: | January 5, 2021 |
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Appendix A
To the Global Custodial and Agency Services Agreement
List of Funds for ETF Opportunities Trust
Fund Name |
Authorized Participant Fee Per
Create/Redeem (USD)
|
American Conservative Values ETF | 1500 |
American Conservative Values Small-Cap ETF | 250 |
Real Asset Strategies ETF | 250 |
3
ETF Opportunities Trust 485BPOS
EXHIBIT 99(h)(1)
Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc.
FUND SERVICES AGREEMENT
Administration Services
Between
Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc.
and
ETF Opportunities Trust
March 24, 2020
Exhibit A – Series Portfolios
Exhibit B – Administrative Services
Exhibit C – Fees and Expenses
FUND SERVICES AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of March 24, 2020, between Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc., a corporation organized in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia (“CFS”) and ETF Opportunities 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 administration 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 administrator 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-administrator, CFS responsibilities with respect to such function shall be confined to overseeing such function – any such relationship shall be noted and described in Exhibit C 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; and,
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.
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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 Fund’s 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 Fund’s net asset value per share, declaration, record and payment dates, amounts of any dividends or income, special actions relating to each Fund’s securities and other information relating to the Trust’s 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.
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 Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”), and in compliance with the objectives, policies and limitations set forth in the Trust’s 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 CFS’s 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.
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Except with respect to CFS’s 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.
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(i) |
Administrative Services – set forth in Exhibit B. |
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 Trust’s authorized representatives shall have access to CFS’s records relating to the Services under this Agreement at all times during CFS’s 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 Trust’s authorized representatives.
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 C 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 C 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 Trust’s accounts and records by the Trust’s 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 CFS’s 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 CFS’s 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 CFS’s 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 person’s 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 CFS’s control, including fire, flood, catastrophe, acts of God, insurrection, war, riots or failure of the mails, transportation, communication or power supply.
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(b) |
Limitations on Liability. |
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(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. |
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(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 Fund’s customers as a result of CFS’s 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. |
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(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. |
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(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. |
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(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. |
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(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. |
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(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). |
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(viii) |
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. |
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(ix) |
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 Fund’s 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 Fund’s 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 CFS’s 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 Trust’s 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.
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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) CFS’s failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement with respect to such Fund; or (ii) CFS’s bad faith or willful misfeasance in performing its obligations hereunder with respect to such Fund; or (iii) CFS’s 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 party’s 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 administrator’s 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):
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(i) |
If to the Trust, to: |
ETF Opportunities 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 GroupTM
11300 Tomahawk Creek Parkway, Suite 310
Leawood, Kansas 66211
Attention: John H. Lively
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(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 other’s 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 Fund’s prospectus(es) and Statement(s) of Additional Information.
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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.
vii
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 CFS’s 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 Trust’s 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: |
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Date: March 24, 2020 |
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Print Name: Karen M. Shupe |
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Title: Managing Director |
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ETF OPPORTUNITIES TRUST WITH RESPECT TO THE FUNDS IDENTIFIED ON EXHIBIT A |
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By: |
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Date: March 24, 2020 |
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Print Name: David A. Bogaert |
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Title: President |
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EXHIBIT A
to
Fund Services Agreement
List of Funds
Fund Name |
Effective Date |
End Date of Initial Term |
American Conservative Values ETF |
April 1, 2020 |
March 30, 2023 |
American Conservative Values Small Cap ETF |
April 1, 2020 |
March 30, 2023 |
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EXHIBIT B
To
Fund Services Agreement
Administrative Services
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1. |
Subject to the direction and control of the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of the Trust, CFS shall manage all aspects of each Fund’s 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. |
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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: |
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(a) |
The preparation and maintenance by each Fund’s 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. |
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(b) |
The reconciliation of account information and balances among each Fund’s custodian, transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and fund accountant. |
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(c) |
The transmission of purchase and redemption orders for shares. |
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(d) |
The performance of fund accounting, including the accounting services agent’s calculation of the net asset value (“NAV”) of each Fund’s shares. |
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3. |
For new series or classes, obtain CUSIP numbers, as necessary, and estimate organizational costs and expenses and monitor against actual disbursements. |
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4. |
Prepare and assist with reports for the Board as may be mutually agreed upon by the parties. |
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5. |
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. |
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6. |
Prepare and mail annual Trustees’ and Officers’ questionnaires. |
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7. |
Maintain general Board calendars and regulatory filings calendars. |
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8. |
As mutually agreed to by the parties, prepare updates to and maintain copies of the Trust’s trust instrument and by-laws. |
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9. |
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. |
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10. |
Advise the Trust and the Board on matters concerning each Fund and its affairs. |
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11. |
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. |
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12. |
Prepare and maintain each Fund’s operating expense budget to determine proper expense accruals to be charged to each Fund in order to calculate its daily NAV. |
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13. |
In consultation with counsel for the Trust, assist in and oversee the preparation, filing, printing and where applicable, dissemination to shareholders of the following: |
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(a) |
Amendments to each Fund’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A. |
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(b) |
Periodic reports to each Fund’s shareholders and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including but not limited to annual reports and semi-annual reports. |
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(c) |
Notices pursuant to Rule 24f-2. |
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(d) |
Proxy materials. |
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(e) |
Reports to the SEC on Form N-SAR, Form N-CSR, Form N-Q, and Form N-PX. |
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14. |
Coordinate each Fund’s annual or SEC audit by: |
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(a) |
Assisting each Fund’s independent auditors, or, upon approval of each Fund, any regulatory body in any requested review of each Fund’s accounts and records. |
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(b) |
Providing appropriate financial schedules (as requested by each Fund’s independent public accountants or SEC examiners); and |
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(c) |
Providing office facilities as may be required. |
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15. |
Assist the Trust in the handling of routine regulatory examinations and work closely with the Trust’s legal counsel in response to any non-routine regulatory matters. |
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16. |
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. |
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17. |
Authorize the payment of Fund expenses and pay, from Fund assets, all bills of each Fund. |
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18. |
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. |
19. | Assist the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer with issues regarding the Trust’s compliance program (as approved by the Board in accordance with Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act) as reasonably requested. |
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20. |
Perform certain compliance procedures for the Trust which will include, among other matters, monitoring compliance with personal trading guidelines by the Trust’s Board. |
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21. |
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 CFS or its affiliates on behalf of the Trust so that it may be included in financial information certified by the Trust’s officers on Form N-CSR and Form N-Q. |
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22. |
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. |
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23. |
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. |
ETF Opportunities Trust 485BPOS
Exhibit 99(h)(2)
Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc.
FUND SERVICES AGREEMENT
Administration Services
Between
Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc.
and
ETF Opportunities Trust
October 27, 2020
Exhibit A – Series Portfolios
Exhibit B – Administrative Services
Exhibit C – Fees and Expenses
FUND SERVICES AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of October 27, 2020, between Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc., a corporation organized in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia (“CFS”) and ETF Opportunities 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 administration 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 administrator 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-administrator, CFS responsibilities with respect to such function shall be confined to overseeing such function – any such relationship shall be noted and described in Exhibit C 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; and,
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.
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 Fund’s 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 Fund’s net asset value per share, declaration, record and payment dates, amounts of any dividends or income, special actions relating to each Fund’s securities and other information relating to the Trust’s 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.
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 Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”), and in compliance with the objectives, policies and limitations set forth in the Trust’s 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 CFS’s 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 CFS’s 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.
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 Trust’s authorized representatives shall have access to CFS’s records relating to the Services under this Agreement at all times during CFS’s 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 Trust’s authorized representatives.
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 C 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 C 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 Trust’s accounts and records by the Trust’s 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 CFS’s 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 CFS’s 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 CFS’s 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 person’s 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 CFS’s control, including fire, flood, catastrophe, acts of God, insurrection, war, riots or failure of the mails, transportation, communication or power supply.
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(b) |
Limitations on Liability. |
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(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. |
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(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 Fund’s customers as a result of CFS’s 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. |
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(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. |
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(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. |
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(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. |
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(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. |
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(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). |
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(viii) |
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. |
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(ix) |
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 Fund’s 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 Fund’s 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 CFS’s 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 Trust’s 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) CFS’s failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement with respect to such Fund; or (ii) CFS’s bad faith or willful misfeasance in performing its obligations hereunder with respect to such Fund; or (iii) CFS’s 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 party’s 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 administrator’s 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):
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(i) |
If to the Trust, to: |
ETF Opportunities 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 GroupTM
11300 Tomahawk Creek Parkway, Suite 310
Leawood, Kansas 66211
Attention:
John H. Lively
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(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 other’s 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 Fund’s 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 CFS’s 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 Trust’s 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. |
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By: |
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Date: |
October 27, 2020 |
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Print Name: Karen M. Shupe |
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Title: Managing Director |
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ETF OPPORTUNITIES TRUST |
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WITH RESPECT TO THE FUNDS IDENTIFIED ON EXHIBIT A |
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By: |
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Date: |
October 27, 2020 |
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Print Name: David A. Bogaert |
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Title: President |
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EXHIBIT A
to
Fund Services Agreement
List of Funds
Fund Name |
Effective Date |
End Date of Initial Term |
Real Asset Strategies ETF |
November 1, 2020 |
October 31, 2023 |
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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 Fund’s 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: |
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(a) |
The preparation and maintenance by each Fund’s 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. |
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(b) |
The reconciliation of account information and balances among each Fund’s custodian, transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and fund accountant. |
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(c) |
The transmission of purchase and redemption orders for shares. |
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(d) |
The performance of fund accounting, including the accounting services agent’s calculation of the net asset value (“NAV”) of each Fund’s shares. |
3. |
For new series or classes, obtain CUSIP numbers, as necessary, and estimate organizational costs and expenses and monitor against actual disbursements. |
4. |
Prepare and assist with reports for the Board as may be mutually agreed upon by the parties. |
5. |
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. |
6. |
Prepare and mail annual Trustees’ and Officers’ questionnaires. |
7. |
Maintain general Board calendars and regulatory filings calendars. |
8. |
As mutually agreed to by the parties, prepare updates to and maintain copies of the Trust’s trust instrument and by-laws. |
9. |
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. |
10. |
Advise the Trust and the Board on matters concerning each Fund and its affairs. |
11. |
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. |
12. |
Prepare and maintain each Fund’s operating expense budget to determine proper expense accruals to be charged to each Fund in order to calculate its daily NAV. |
13. |
In consultation with counsel for the Trust, assist in and oversee the preparation, filing, printing and where applicable, dissemination to shareholders of the following: |
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(a) |
Amendments to each Fund’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A. |
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(b) |
Periodic reports to each Fund’s shareholders and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including but not limited to annual reports and semi-annual reports. |
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(c) |
Notices pursuant to Rule 24f-2. |
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(d) |
Proxy materials. |
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(e) |
Reports to the SEC on Form N-SAR, Form N-CSR, Form N-Q, and Form N-PX. |
14. |
Coordinate each Fund’s annual or SEC audit by: |
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(a) |
Assisting each Fund’s independent auditors, or, upon approval of each Fund, any regulatory body in any requested review of each Fund’s accounts and records. |
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(b) |
Providing appropriate financial schedules (as requested by each Fund’s independent public accountants or SEC examiners); and |
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(c) |
Providing office facilities as may be required. |
15. |
Assist the Trust in the handling of routine regulatory examinations and work closely with the Trust’s legal counsel in response to any non-routine regulatory matters. |
16. |
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. |
17. |
Authorize the payment of Fund expenses and pay, from Fund assets, all bills of each Fund. |
18. |
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. |
19. |
Assist the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer with issues regarding the Trust’s compliance program (as approved by the Board in accordance with Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act) as reasonably requested. |
20. |
Perform certain compliance procedures for the Trust which will include, among other matters, monitoring compliance with personal trading guidelines by the Trust’s Board. |
21. |
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 CFS or its affiliates on behalf of the Trust so that it may be included in financial information certified by the Trust’s officers on Form N-CSR and Form N-Q. |
22. |
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. |
23. |
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. |
ETF Opportunities Trust 485BPOS
Exhibit 99(h)(5)
July 2017 Version |
SERVICES AGREEMENT
ETF Opportunities Trust
and
Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc.
and
Citibank, N.A.
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Version – July 2017
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. |
DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION |
1 |
2. |
SERVICES AND RELATED TERMS AND CONDITIONS |
1 |
3. |
CLIENT COMMUNICATIONS |
3 |
4. |
COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS; ADVICE |
4 |
5. |
COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS TO CLIENT; RECORDS AND ACCESS; CONFIDENTIALITY; PUBLICITY |
4 |
6. |
SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY |
7 |
7. |
INDEMNITY |
8 |
8. |
FEES AND EXPENSES |
10 |
9. |
REPRESENTATIONS |
10 |
10. |
TERM AND TERMINATION |
11 |
11. |
GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION |
12 |
12. |
MISCELLANEOUS |
12 |
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Schedule 1 |
Definitions |
Schedule 2 |
Services (including Annex 1 to Schedule 2) |
Schedule 3 |
Dependencies |
Schedule 4 |
Confidentiality and Data Privacy Conditions |
Schedule 5 |
Fee Schedule |
Version – July 2017 |
THIS SERVICES AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made on May 14, 2020, by and between ETF Opportunities Trust (the “Client”), Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“CFSO”), and Citibank, N.A. (“Citibank”, together with CFSO, the “Service Provider” or “Citi” and, with the Client, the “Parties”). If more than one Client has signed this Agreement, this Agreement shall be considered a separate agreement between the Service Provider and each Client, and no Client shall be (i) liable for the obligations of any other Client or (ii) entitled to the benefits conferred under this Agreement on any other Client.
WHEREAS, the Client is authorized to issue shares (“Shares”) in separate portfolio or series of the Client (each, a “Fund,” and together with all other series subsequently established by the Client and made subject to this Agreement, the “Funds”);
WHEREAS, this Agreement shall apply to each Fund set forth on the annex to Schedule 2 attached hereto;
WHEREAS, the Client will issue and redeem Shares of each Fund only in aggregations of Shares known as “Creation Units”, as more fully described in the currently effective prospectus and statement of additional information of the Client and each Fund (collectively, the “Prospectus”);
WHEREAS, the Client desires to appoint CFSO as dividend disbursing agent and fund accountant of the assets of each Fund;
WHEREAS, the Client desires to appoint Citibank as transfer agent for the assets of each Fund; and
WHEREAS, Service Provider is willing to accept such appointment on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, the Parties, intending to be legally bound, mutually covenant and agree as follows:
1. |
DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION |
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1.1 |
Definitions. Schedule 1 contains capitalized terms that have the meanings set forth therein. Other capitalized terms used but not defined in Schedule 1 will have the meanings set forth elsewhere in this Agreement. |
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1.2 |
Interpretation. |
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1.2.1 |
The schedules, exhibits and annexes to the Agreement are expressly made a part of this Agreement. In the event of any inconsistency between this Agreement and any schedule, exhibit or annex, the relevant terms of the schedule, exhibit or annex shall prevail; provided, that no provision of any such schedule, exhibit or annex shall prevail over clause 6 (Scope of Responsibility) or clause 7 (Indemnity) of this Agreement unless such provision specifically references such clause of this Agreement in relation to the provisions of such schedule, exhibit or annex intended to prevail over such clause. |
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1.2.2 |
The headings in this Agreement do not affect its interpretation. |
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1.2.3 |
A reference to: (i) any Party includes (where applicable) its lawful successors, permitted assigns and transferees; (ii) the singular includes the plural and vice versa; and (iii) any statute or regulation shall be construed as references to such statute or regulation as in force at the date of this Agreement and as subsequently re-enacted or revised. |
2. |
SERVICES AND RELATED TERMS AND CONDITIONS |
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2.1 |
Services; No Implied Duties. The Services provided by CFSO and Citibank are separately identified and described in Schedule 2. The Service Provider will perform the Services in accordance with and subject to the terms of this Agreement starting on the Effective Date and ending on the final day of the Term. The Services will be provided only on Business Days, and any functions or duties normally scheduled to be performed on any day that is not a Business Day will be performed on, and as of, the next Business Day. The Services are provided only with respect to the Client and the related Funds of the Client (if any) listed in an annex to Schedule 2, and the Service Provider shall have no obligation to provide Services to any Person (including any other Funds) unless the Service Provider has agreed to do so in a written amendment to Schedule 2 or a joinder, as contemplated by clause 12.1. The Service Provider is responsible for the performance of only those duties as are expressly set forth herein and in Schedule 2. The Service Provider will have no implied duties or obligations. |
Page 1 |
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2.2 |
Service Changes. The Service Provider will not be obliged to change the Services unless it has agreed to do so pursuant to a written amendment to Schedule 2. Any change to the Services agreed to by the Service Provider (a “Service Change”) will be set forth in an amendment to Schedule 2, which amendment must specify (i) the timeline and dependencies, and the Parties’ respective obligations, for implementing the Service Change and (ii) any implementation or additional ongoing fees and expenses that may be required to effect such Service Change. The foregoing process is the “Change Control Process.” Client requests to change the Services necessitated by a change to the Client’s Organic Documents, Prospectus, Offering Documents or Policies and Procedures, or a change in applicable Law, will be subject to the Change Control Process. Without prejudice to the Change Control Process, the Client will promptly notify the Service Provider of any changes (or pending changes) in applicable Law with respect to the Client that are relevant to the Services. |
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2.3 |
Provision of Information; Cooperation. In order to permit the Service Provider to provide the Services, the Client agrees to provide, and to cause its employees and current and immediately preceding Agents to provide, to the Service Provider the information that the Service Provider may reasonably request in connection with the Services and this Agreement, including, without limitation, any Organic Documents, Prospectus, Offering Documents and Policies and Procedures of the Client and any amendments thereto. |
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2.4 |
Dependencies. The Service Provider will use reasonable efforts to provide the Services while any of the Dependencies specified in Schedule 3 subsist, provided that the Service Provider shall not be obliged to incur additional costs to do so. |
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2.5 |
Client Information. As between the Parties, the Client is responsible for the accuracy and completeness of, and the Service Provider has no obligation to review for accuracy or completeness of: (i) information contained in the Organic Documents, Prospectus, Offering Documents and any Policies and Procedures; and (ii) any data submitted to the Service Provider for processing by or on behalf of the Client. The Service Provider may charge the Client for additional work required to re-process any such incorrect data at its standard hourly rates or as set forth in the Schedule 5. |
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2.6 |
Use of Agents. The Service Provider is permitted to appoint Agents without the consent of the Client to perform any of the duties of the Service Provider under this Agreement. The Service Provider will use reasonable care in the selection and continued appointment of its Agents. |
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2.7 |
Other Services and Activities; Conflicts of Interest. |
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2.7.1 |
The Client acknowledges that the Service Provider and its Affiliates may provide services, including administration, advisory, banking and lending, broker dealer and other financial services, to the Client or to other Persons. The Client also acknowledges that the Service Provider may be (i) prohibited under applicable Law or contractually from disclosing to the Client any fact or thing that may come to the knowledge of the Service Provider or such Affiliates in the course of providing such services and (ii) “walled off” from facts or things that may come to the knowledge of its Affiliates in the course of providing such services, and therefore may be unable to make any such disclosures to the Client, and the Client agrees that neither the Service Provider nor such Affiliates will be required or expected under this Agreement to do so. |
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2.7.2 |
Among other things, the Service Provider or an Affiliate may receive or generate valuation information with respect to securities, products or services of the Client, and neither the Service Provider nor any Affiliate is under any obligation to disclose such information to the Client or any of the Client’s Investors. The Client acknowledges that neither the Service Provider nor any Affiliate is under any obligation to use any such information to assess or verify the accuracy of any information, including valuation information, that the Service Provider receives from the Client or from any Person specified in clause 6.3.5. |
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2.7.3 |
Subject to compliance with its confidentiality obligations hereunder, the Service Provider may acquire, hold or deal with, for its own account or for the account of other Persons, any shares or securities in which the Client is authorized to invest (for itself or its Investors), and the Service Provider will not be required to account to the Client for any profit arising therefrom. |
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2.8 |
AML/OFAC. The Client acknowledges that, unless included in the Services listed on Schedule 2, the Service Provider will not and shall have no duty or obligation to provide services relating to anti-money laundering (“AML”) compliance under the USA PATRIOT Act or compliance with any regulations or Executive Orders administered by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) in connection with the services provided under this Agreement. |
Page 2 |
The Client acknowledges and agrees to maintain systems and controls reasonably designed to prevent the Client from dealing in securities which are subject to U.S. or other applicable sanctions. On reasonable request, the Client will provide the Service Provider with information regarding its sanctions systems and controls and its compliance with this representation.
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2.9 |
Withholding Taxes. Client acknowledges that Service Provider is not responsible pursuant to this Agreement for the withholding, deduction or payment of any U.S. federal withholding taxes. Client nevertheless acknowledges that Service Provider or other relevant parties (including counterparties or Investors) may be required by applicable law to pay, withhold or deduct amounts in respect of taxes in connection with the Services, and that such amounts may be due even where there is no corresponding payment of cash to Client or where there is a payment of cash from Client to a counterparty, Investor, or other person. Client authorizes Service Provider to pay, withhold or deduct any such amounts to the extent required or permitted by applicable law. For the avoidance of doubt, and notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, Service Provider shall not be required to pay any additional amounts to Client or any counterparty or Investor in respect of such payment, deduction or withholding. If Service Provider determines that taxes are due in connection with the Services and have not been paid (through withholding or otherwise), Service Provider shall notify Client of such unpaid taxes and Client shall promptly make a payment in respect of such taxes to the Internal Revenue Service and shall deliver to Service Provider the original or a certified copy of a receipt evidencing such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to Service Provider. |
3 |
CLIENT COMMUNICATIONS |
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3.1 |
Authority. The Client authorizes the Service Provider to accept and act upon any communications, including Instructions and any form or document provided by an Authorized Person. The Client also authorizes the Service Provider to rely on the information and data it receives from any Persons specified in clause 6.3.5. The Client confirms that each Authorized Person is authorized to perform all lawful acts on behalf of the Client in connection with this Agreement including, but not limited to, (i) signing any agreements, declarations or other documents relating to the Services and (ii) providing any Instruction, until the Service Provider has received written notice or other notice acceptable to it of any change of an Authorized Person and the Service Provider has had a reasonable opportunity under the circumstances to act. |
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3.2 |
Instructions and Other Client Communications. The Client and the Service Provider shall comply with security procedures agreed from time to time by the Parties or, absent such agreement, other reasonable procedures used by the Service Provider, intended to establish the origination of the communication and the authority of the person sending any communication, including any Instruction. Depending upon the method of communication used by the Client, the security procedures may constitute one or more of the following measures: unique transaction identifiers, digital signatures, encryption algorithms or other codes, multifactor authentication, user entitlements, schedule validation or such other measures as in use for the communication method by the Client. |
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3.3 |
Authentication. Provided the Service Provider complies with the applicable security procedures, the Client agrees that the Service Provider will be entitled to treat any communication, including any Instruction, as having originated from an Authorized Person and the Service Provider may rely and act on that communication as authorized by the Client. |
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3.4 |
Errors, Duplication. The Client shall be responsible for errors or omissions made by the Client or the duplication of any Instruction by the Client. |
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3.5 |
Incomplete or Insufficient Instructions. The Service Provider may act on Instructions where the Service Provider reasonably believes the Instruction contains sufficient information. The Service Provider may decide not to act on an Instruction where it reasonably doubts its contents. |
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3.6 |
Recall, Amendment, Cancellation. If the Client requests the Service Provider to recall, cancel or amend an Instruction, the Service Provider shall, subject to applicable Law, use its reasonable efforts to comply. |
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3.7 |
MIFT. The Client expressly acknowledges that it is aware that a MIFT increases the risk of error, security, privacy issues and fraudulent activities. If the Service Provider acts on a MIFT and complies with the applicable security procedures, the Client shall be responsible for any costs, losses and other expenses suffered by the Client or the Service Provider. |
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4. |
COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS; NO ADVICE |
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4.1 |
Compliance. The Service Provider will comply in all material respects with all Laws applicable to the delivery of the Services. The Client will comply in all material respects with all Laws applicable to the subject matter of the Services and the Client’s receipt of the Services. Nothing in this Agreement will oblige either Party to take any action that will breach any Law applicable to such Party, or to omit to take an action if such omission will breach any such Law. No communication from the Service Provider to the Client in connection with this Agreement or the Services should be construed as tax or legal advice, and no such communication can be used or relied upon by the Client or any other taxpayer (i) for the purpose of avoiding tax penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or otherwise or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any transaction or matter discussed herein. |
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4.2 |
No Fiduciary, etc. The Service Provider and its employees and Agents are not, under this Agreement, (i) acting as a fiduciary, certified public accountant or a broker or dealer, (ii) providing investment, accounting, valuation, legal or tax advice to the Client or any other Person, or (iii) providing investment advisory, portfolio management, risk management, depository, custodian or other services, including within the meaning of the AIFMD Regulations, to the Client or any other Person. The Service Provider shall not be required under this Agreement to take any action that would require licensing or registration to provide any of the foregoing services or perform any of the foregoing functions. |
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4.3 |
Laws Applicable to the Client. The Service Provider assumes no responsibility for compliance by the Client with any Laws applicable to the Client; and, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Service Provider assumes no responsibility for (i) monitoring or ensuring that the Client’s Policies and Procedures reflect the requirements of applicable Law or (ii) compliance by the Client or the Service Provider with the Laws of any jurisdiction other than those governing this Agreement. |
5. |
COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS TO CLIENT; RECORDS AND ACCESS; CONFIDENTIALITY; PUBLICITY |
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5.1 |
Communications and Statements. Communications, notices and invoices from the Service Provider may be sent or made available by electronic form and not in hard copy. The Client will notify the Service Provider promptly in writing of anything incorrect in an invoice or periodic accounting or other report with respect to the Services (a “Report”) and, in any case, within sixty (60) days from the date on which the invoice or Report is sent or made available to the Client. Nothing herein is intended to prevent the Client from notifying the Service Provider of any errors or corrections in an invoice or Report beyond such time, provided that the Service Provider shall not be responsible for any losses caused by such delay in notification. |
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5.2 |
Records and Access; Audits. |
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5.2.1 |
Upon request, the Service Provider will provide its Service Organization Control (“SOC 1”) report issued under the Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements No. 18 (“SSAE 18”). |
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5.2.2 |
The Client agrees that it shall pay such charges for (a) document collection, duplication, review and retrieval and (b) making the Service Provider personnel available for extraordinary periods as the Service Provider may reasonably request in connection with audits, examinations or inspections. The Client acknowledges that such charges may include the fees and expenses of external counsel to the Service Provider. |
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5.2.3 |
[Omitted intentionally] |
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5.2.4 |
Upon termination of this Agreement, the Service Provider may retain archival copies of records of the Client maintained by the Service Provider as part of the Services (“Client Records”). |
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5.3 |
Confidentiality. Responsibilities of each Party relating to the privacy and confidentiality of information are set forth in the Confidentiality and Data Privacy Conditions attached to this Agreement as Schedule 4, and the Parties agree to the terms specified in Schedule 4. |
5.4 | Service Provider IP. The Client acknowledges that: (i) as between the Client and the Service Provider, the Service Provider is the owner of all Service Provider IP; and (ii) the Service Provider has the right to use Service Provider IP to perform services for other Service Provider customers (including services that are similar or identical to those performed for the Client). Except as specifically set forth in clause 5: (a) this Agreement does not confer upon the Client any right, interest, claim, or title in or to any Service Provider IP; and (b) no license (whether express or implied) is granted to the Client, by estoppel or otherwise, to any Service Provider IP. |
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5.5 |
Client IP; Licenses. The Service Provider acknowledges that, as between the Client and the Service Provider, the Client is the owner of all Client IP. The Client grants to the Service Provider a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, license to permit the Service Provider, its Affiliates and Agents, and its and their personnel to use the Client IP during the Term of this Agreement for the purpose of providing the Services and as otherwise contemplated by the Confidentiality and Data Privacy Conditions. |
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5.6 |
Service Provider Licenses. |
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5.6.1 |
The Service Provider grants to the Client a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicenseable license during the Term of this Agreement to permit the Client’s officers, employees and Agents to access those Service Provider Systems described in Schedule 2 via telecommunications lines solely for the purpose of allowing, and only to the extent necessary to allow, the Client to receive the Services. The Client will ensure that any use of access to the Service Provider Systems or Software (as described below) by the Client’s officers, employees or Agents is in accordance with this Agreement and the user manuals, customer bulletins and terms and conditions of use that are related to the Service Provider Systems or the Services and created by the Service Provider from time to time (“System Documentation”) and noticed to the Client. This license does not include: (i) any right for the Client or any officer or employee of the Client to access any data on the Service Provider Systems other than Client Records; or (ii) any license to any Software, except to the extent provided in clause 5.6.2. If there is a conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the System Documentation, the System Documentation shall prevail. |
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5.6.2 |
The receipt of certain Services identified in Schedule 2 may require the Client to directly access or use software that is owned by the Service Provider or licensed by the Service Provider from third parties (“Software”). The Service Provider grants to the Client a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicenseable license, during the term of this Agreement, to permit the Client’s officers and employees to access and use the object code version of the Software solely for the purpose of allowing, and only to the extent necessary to allow, the Client to receive the Services. Except as authorized in writing by the Service Provider, the Client will not (and will not permit any officer, employee or Agent of the Client to): (i) disclose or distribute any Software (in any format) to any third party; (ii) permit any third party to access or use any Software (in any format) through any time-sharing service, service bureau, network, consortium, or other means; (iii) rent, lease, sell, sublicense, assign, or otherwise transfer its rights under the license granted in this clause 5.6.2 to any third party, whether by operation of law or otherwise; (iv) decompile, disassemble, reverse engineer, or attempt to reconstruct or discover any source code or underlying ideas or algorithms of any Software by any means; (v) modify or alter any Software in any manner; (vi) create derivative works based on any Software; or (vii) directly or indirectly copy any Software. |
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5.6.3 |
The Client will not remove (or allow to be removed) any proprietary rights notices from any Software and will display the Software name and the names, logos, trademarks, trade names, and any copyright notices of the Service Provider and the Service Provider’s licensors, as set forth thereon or reasonably requested by the Service Provider. |
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5.6.4 |
The Client will comply with all applicable use, export, and re-export restrictions and regulations with respect to any use by the Client or the Client’s officers, employees or Agents of Software delivered or made available to the Client as contemplated by this clause 5.6. |
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5.6.5 |
The Service Provider reserves all rights in the Service Provider Systems and in the Software that are not expressly granted to Client in this clause 5.6. |
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5.7 |
Service Data. Service Provider may provide Client with pricing and other data (“Service Data”) licensed from third party suppliers, including various exchanges (collectively, “Data Suppliers”). |
5.7.1 | Accordingly, the Client acknowledges and agrees that Service Provider is licensed to provide such data only upon the following conditions: (i) it may not be used for any purpose independent of the service relationship established under this Service Agreement, and shall be used only internally (except, that Client may include a limited amount of Service Data (a) in fund performance reports sent to its clients relating to their actual investments and to its prospective clients, (b) in prospectuses and marketing materials, and (c) in order to fulfil a legal or regulatory requirement); (ii) no other external distribution of Service Data beyond that in clause (i) is permitted; (iii) Client will permit Data Suppliers and their affiliates reasonable access to audit Client’s use of data sourced from Data Suppliers; (iv) the Data Suppliers and their affiliates shall be third-party beneficiaries of this Agreement; and, (v) the Data Suppliers and their affiliates have no liability or responsibility to Client relating to Client’s receipt or use of the data. |
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5.7.2 |
If Client engages a subadvisor to help manage certain of its funds, then, upon consent of Service Provider, such Client may distribute the Data Supplier’s Service Data to such subadvisor; provided, however, that Client must enter into a written agreement with subadvisor which requires the subadvisor to agree to the provisions set forth in clauses (i)-(v) of clause 5.7.1 above. |
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5.7.3 |
In addition to the foregoing, a Data Supplier may specify other terms or limitations applicable to Client’s use of their data (including Data Supplier policies (the “Data Supplier Policies”)) and Client shall comply with such Policies. A Data Supplier may amend the Policies, without notice, from time to time. A Data Supplier may, in its discretion, (x) direct Service Provider to terminate Client’s receipt of its data for any or no reason with or without notice; and (y) require Client to enter into an agreement with it directly as a condition of your receipt of its data. |
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5.7.4 |
The termination of a license agreement allowing Service Provider to provide the Service Data or of the Client’s rights to use Service Data may adversely affect the Services, and in such event any Service Provider obligation to provide such Service Data (or related data or reports) as part of the Services shall be terminated. In such event, the Parties shall work cooperatively and in good faith to implement alternative sources for Service Data, subject to the Change Control Process. |
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5.7.5 |
Data Suppliers make no warranties, express or implied, as to merchantability, accuracy, fitness for purpose, availability, completeness, timeliness or sequencing, or any other matter, in respect of Service Data used by the Service Provider to provide the Services, and neither does the Service Provider. |
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5.7.6 |
Data Suppliers shall have no liability whatsoever to the Client in respect of Service Data used by the Service Provider to provide the Services, and neither shall the Service Provider. |
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5.7.7 |
No copyright or any other intellectual property rights in the Service Data used or provided by the Service Provider to provide the Services are transferred to the Client. |
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5.7.8 |
The Client shall not use Service Data for any illegal purpose or in any manner not specifically authorized by this Agreement. |
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5.7.9 |
If Client is located in Australia, Client hereby represents that it is a wholesale client within the meaning of s761G or s761GA of the Australian Corporations Act. |
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5.8 |
Use of Name. Without the written consent of the Client, the Service Provider may use the name of the Client only (i) to sign any necessary letters or other documents for and on behalf of the Client incident to the delivery of the Services and (ii) in client lists used for marketing purposes. Subject to the foregoing, neither Party will publicly display the name, trade mark or service mark of the other Party or its Affiliates without the prior written approval of the other Party. |
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5.9 |
Communications to Investors. Without the written approval of the Service Provider, the Client will not describe the Services or the terms or conditions of this Agreement in any communication or document intended for distribution to any Investor in connection with the offering or sale by the Client of securities, products or services (an “Offering Document”); nor will the Client amend any such references to the Service Provider or the terms or conditions of this Agreement in any Offering Document that has been previously approved by the Service Provider without the Service Provider’s written approval. The Service Provider will not unreasonably withhold, condition or delay any of the foregoing requested approvals, provided that the Client include, upon request by the Service Provider, reasonable notices describing those terms of this Agreement relating to the Service Provider and its liability and the limitations thereon. If the Services include the distribution by the Service Provider of notices or statements to Investors, the Service Provider may, upon advance notice to the Client, include reasonable notices describing those terms of this Agreement relating to the Service Provider and its liability and the limitations thereon; if Investor notices are not sent by the Service Provider but rather by the Client or some other Person, the Client will reasonably cooperate with any request by the Service Provider to include such notices. The Client shall not, in any communications with Investors, whether oral or written, make any representations to its Investors stating or implying that the Service Provider is providing valuations with respect to the Client’s securities, products or services, verifying any valuations, or verifying the existence of any assets in connection with the Client’s securities, products or services. |
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6. |
SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY |
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6.1 |
Standard of Care. The Service Provider will perform its obligations with reasonable care as determined in accordance with the standards and practices of professionals for hire providing services similar to the Services in the jurisdiction(s) in which the Service Provider performs services under this Agreement (the “Standard of Care”). |
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6.2 |
[Responsibility for Losses. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary (including clause 6.1), (i) the Service Provider will not be liable to the Client for any damages or losses save for those resulting from the willful misconduct, fraud or gross negligence of the Service Provider or any Service Provider Agent as a result of the performance or non-performance by the Service Provider of its obligations and duties hereunder, (ii) the Service Provider shall not be liable to the Client for any damages or losses caused by the performance or non-performance of any Agent selected by the Service Provider with reasonable care, and (iii) the Service Provider’s liability will be subject to the limitations set forth in this Agreement. |
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6.3 |
Limitations on Liability. |
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6.3.1 |
Upon the actual knowledge by any Party of the occurrence of any event relating to the provision of Services hereunder which may cause any loss, damage or expense to the Party, the Party shall as soon as reasonably practicable (i) notify the other Party of the occurrence of such event and (ii) use its commercially reasonable efforts to take reasonable steps under the circumstances to mitigate or reduce the effects of such event and to avoid continuing harm to it. |
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6.3.2 |
The Client understands and agrees that (i) the obligations and duties of the Service Provider under this Agreement are not obligations or duties of any other member of the Citi Organization and (ii) the rights of the Client with respect to the Service Provider extend only to the Service Provider and, except as provided by applicable Law, do not extend to any other member of the Citi Organization. For the avoidance of doubt, exculpatory references to the Service Provider in this clause 6 shall be deemed to include references to the directors, officers, employees, Agents and delegates of the Service Provider. |
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6.3.3 |
The Service Provider will not be liable for any failure to provide any Service in the following circumstances: (i) if any Dependency set forth in Schedule 3 is not met through no fault of the Service Provider; (ii) if the failure is at the request or with the consent of an Authorized Person; (iii) if any Law to which the Service Provider is subject prohibits or limits the performance of the Services; or (iv) if the failure results from a Force Majeure Event. |
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6.3.4 |
Subject to compliance by the Service Provider with its obligations in clause 3.2 with respect to authentication of Instructions, the Service Provider (i) 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 or on behalf of the Client or any Agent of the Client and (ii) shall be without liability for any loss or damage suffered by the Client or any of the Client’s Investors as a result of the Service Provider’s reliance on and utilization of any such Instruction or other such information. For the avoidance of doubt, the Service Provider shall not be liable and shall be indemnified by the Client 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. |
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6.3.5 |
The Service Provider will not be responsible for the errors or failures to act of, or the inaccuracy or incompleteness of, any data supplied by, and have no obligation to review any data supplied by, any third party, including, without limitation, (i) Data Suppliers, (ii) clearance or settlement systems, (iii) any Persons who possess information about the Client or its Investors reasonably necessary for the Service Provider to provide the Services and with whom the Service Provider is required to engage or contract in order to receive such information, including, without limitation, Authorized Participants, investment advisers, intermediaries, or custodians that service the Client or any Investors and their respective Agents and employees; and (iv) third parties engaged by the Service Provider at the request of the Client to provide services to or for the benefit of the Client or its Investors, and such third parties will not be considered Agents of the Service Provider for purposes of this Agreement. |
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6.3.6 |
About any matter related to the Services, the Service Provider may seek advice from counsel or independent accountants of its own choosing (who may provide such services to either Party). Any costs related to such advice from external counsel or independent accountants will be borne by the Client. The Service Provider will not be liable if it relies on advice of counsel or independent accountants chosen or approved by the Client or chosen by the Service Provider with reasonable care. |
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6.3.7 |
The Service Provider (i) shall have no responsibility for the management of the investments or any other assets of the Client or its Investors, and (ii) shall have no obligation to review, monitor or otherwise ensure compliance by the Client with the investment restrictions (regardless of whether such restrictions are imposed on the Client under applicable Law), policies, restrictions or guidelines applicable to the Client or any other term or condition of the Organic Documents, Prospectus, Offering Document, or Policies and Procedures. The Service Provider shall have no liability to the Client or any Person specified in clause 6.3.5 for any loss or damage suffered as a result of any breach of the investment policies, objectives, guidelines or restrictions applicable to the Client or any misstatement or omission in the Prospectus, Offering Document, or Policies and Procedures. |
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6.3.8 |
The Client acknowledges that the Service Provider (i) does not provide valuations with respect to discrete securities in which the Client may invest, and does not value the Client’s products or services, except that to the extent specifically set forth in Schedule 2 the Service Provider may calculate the value of a portfolio of securities and financial assets owned by the Client, (ii) does not verify any valuations provided to it by the Client or any other Person, and does not verify the existence of any assets in connection with Client’s securities, products or services but instead relies exclusively on information about valuations and the existence of assets provided to it by the Client, Data Suppliers and other third parties, and (iii) shall have no responsibility and shall be without liability for any loss or damage arising with respect to valuation or verification of discrete assets. |
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6.3.9 |
Except As Expressly Provided In This Agreement, The Service Provider Hereby Disclaims All Representations And Warranties, Express Or Implied, Made To The Client Or Any Other Person In Connection With The Services And This Agreement, 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. The Client Acknowledges That It Has Not Relied On Any Oral Or Written Representation Made By The Service Provider Or Any Person On Its Behalf Other Than Those Contained In This Agreement. |
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6.3.10 |
Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the cumulative liability of the Service Provider to the Client for all losses, claims, suits, controversies, breaches or damages for any cause whatsoever arising out of or related to this Agreement, and regardless of the form of action or legal theory, shall not exceed the amount paid in fees by the Client (or, if applicable, by or on behalf of a Fund of the Client) in the twelve-month period preceding the date on which such loss, claim or damage occurred. |
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6.3.11 |
The Service Provider shall have no responsibility and shall be without liability for any loss or damage caused by the failure of the Client or Person specified in clause 6.3.5 to provide the Service Provider with any information required by clause 2. |
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6.3.12 |
The Client acknowledges that the reporting obligations of the Service Provider (if any) set forth in the Schedule 2 do not constitute a duty to monitor compliance by the Client, and the Service Provider shall not be liable for ensuring compliance by the Client, with any legislation, regulations, or exemptions from legislation or regulations of any jurisdiction applicable to the Client. |
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6.3.13 |
Notwithstanding anything else to the contrary, references to the term Service Provider shall not mean CFSO with respect to Services provided by Citibank and vice-versa; CFSO shall have no liability for Citibank’s actions or inactions, and Citibank shall have no liability for CFSO’s actions or inactions. |
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6.4 |
Mutual Exclusion of Consequential Damages. Except for any liquidated damages agreed by the parties related to an unexcused termination of this agreement and except for the Client’s indemnification obligations, (i) each party shall be liable to the other party only for direct damages for any liability arising under this Agreement and (ii) under no circumstances shall any party be liable to any other party for special or punitive damages, or indirect, incidental, consequential loss or damage, or any loss of profits, goodwill, business opportunity, business revenue or anticipated savings in relation to this Agreement, whether arising out of breach of contract, tort (including negligence) or otherwise, regardless of whether the relevant loss was foreseeable or the party has been advised of the possibility of such loss or damage, or that such loss was in contemplation of the other party. |
7. |
INDEMNITY |
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7.1 |
Indemnity. The Client will indemnify the Service Provider, its affiliates and its and their respective officers, directors, employees and representatives (each an “Indemnitee”) for, and will defend and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, all losses, costs, damages and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) incurred by the Service Provider or such person in any action or proceeding between the Service Provider and the Client or between the Service Provider and any third party (including any Investor, or the U.S. Internal Revenue Service or any other competent regulatory, prosecuting, tax or governmental authority in any jurisdiction, domestic or foreign) arising from or in connection with the performance of this Agreement (each referred to as a “Loss”), imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against the Service Provider in connection with or arising out of the following: |
Page 8 |
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7.1.1 |
This Agreement, except any Loss resulting from the willful misconduct, fraud or gross negligence of the Service Provider or any of its Agents, in each case in connection with the Services; or |
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7.1.2 |
Any alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Offering Document of the Client or arising out of or based upon any alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated in any Offering Document or necessary to make the statements in any Offering Document not misleading, unless such statement or omission was made in reliance upon, and in conformity with, information furnished in writing to the Client by the Service Provider specifically for use in the Offering Document; or |
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7.1.3 |
The offer or sale of Creation Units in violation of federal or state securities laws or regulations requiring that such Creation Units be registered, or in violation of any stop order or other determination or ruling by any federal or state agency with respect to the offer or sale of such Creation Units; |
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7.1.4 |
All actions relating to the transmission of Creation Units or Authorized Participant data through the clearing systems of the National Securities Clearing Corporation, if applicable; or |
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7.1.5 |
Any act or omission of the Client, its Agents, or any Data Suppliers whose data, including records, reports and other information, including but not limited to information with respect to valuation and verification of assets, the Service Provider must rely upon in performing its duties hereunder, or as a result of acting upon any Instructions of the Client. |
In particular, to the extent the Service Provider or any of its Affiliates pays or has paid from its own funds or is or becomes required to pay any amount that should have been, but was not deducted and withheld from a payment to the Client or to any Investor, or to or from the Client’s or any Investor’s account, or any account with respect to any requirement under the Code and Treasury Regulations, any inter-governmental agency, or any related law or guidance interpreting or implementing the same, the Client shall indemnify Service Provider or the relevant Affiliate in respect of such amount, plus any interest and penalties thereon. The Client understands that the Service Provider is not required to contest any demand made by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service or any other governmental authority for such payment.
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7.2 |
Notification, Participation; Indemnitor Consent. Upon the assertion of a claim for which the Client may be required to indemnify any Indemnitee, the Indemnitee must promptly notify the Client of such assertion, and will keep the Client advised with respect to all developments concerning such claim; provided, that any delay or failure by the Indemnitee in providing such notification shall only affect the Client’s obligations and duties hereunder to the extent the Client is materially prejudiced as a result of such delay or failure. The Indemnitee shall have the option to participate in the defense of such claim, or to defend against said claim, at its own expense. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing,
|
(i) |
subject to clause (ii) below, the Service Provider may assume the defense of any claim at any time upon notice to the Client if (a) any such claim arises from a regulatory examination, investigation, inquiry or other regulatory action, proceeding or review of the Service Provider, (b) if the Service Provider determines that any such claim jeopardizes the Service Provider’s status under any registration or other Governmental Approval, (c) such claim is made by another client of the Service Provider, or (d) such claim seeks injunctive or other, similar relief that would require the Service Provider to take or refrain from taking any action; and |
|
(ii) |
under no circumstance shall any Indemnitee confess any claim or make any compromise of any claim in which the Client may be required to indemnify the Indemnitee, except with the other Client’s prior written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), and the Client shall have no obligation or duty with respect to any such confession or compromise that is made without such consent. |
Page 9 |
8. |
FEES AND EXPENSES |
|
8.1 |
Fee Schedule. The Client will pay all fees, expenses, charges and obligations incurred from time to time in relation to the Services in accordance with the terms of Schedule 5, together with any other amounts payable to the Service Provider under this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, the Service Provider will not be responsible for the fees or expenses of, and the Client will reimburse the Service Provider for any advances or payments made by the Service Provider for the benefit of the Client incident to the proper performance of the Services listed or described in the Fee Schedule. If Service Changes are necessitated by changes in applicable Law with respect to the Client, Citi reserves the right to increase its fees consistent with the Service Change plan agreed by the Parties as contemplated by the Change Control Process or, in the absence of such a Service Change plan, in a fair and equitable manner taking into account the number of other Service Provider clients affected by such change. Except as set forth in the Fee Schedule, Fees and other amounts due to the Service Provider under this Agreement shall be due within ten (10) Business Days of the receipt by the Client of the invoice therefor. |
|
8.2 |
Taxes. The Service Provider shall not be liable for any taxes, withheld amounts, assessments or governmental charges that may be levied or assessed on any basis whatsoever in connection with the Client or any Investor, excluding taxes, if any, assessed against the Service Provider related to its income or assets. The foregoing clause is subject to any more detailed provisions related to sales, use, excise, value-added, gross receipts, services, consumption and other similar transaction taxes related to the Services or this Agreement set forth in the Fee Schedule (if any). |
9. |
REPRESENTATIONS |
|
9.1 |
General. Each Party represents at the date this Agreement is entered into and any Service is used or provided that: |
|
9.1.1 |
It is duly organized and in good standing in every jurisdiction where it is required so to be; |
|
9.1.2 |
It has the power and authority to sign and to perform its obligations under this Agreement; |
|
9.1.3 |
This Agreement is duly authorized (including, if the Client has a board of directors, by such board of directors) and signed by an authorized officer of such Party and is its legal, valid and binding obligation, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and secured parties generally; |
|
9.1.4 |
Any consent, authorization or instruction required in connection with its execution and performance of this Agreement has been provided by any relevant third party; |
|
9.1.5 |
Any act required by any relevant Governmental Authority to be done in connection with its execution and performance of this Agreement has been or will be done (and will be renewed if necessary); and |
|
9.1.6 |
The performance by such Party of its obligations under this Agreement will not violate or breach any applicable Law or contract binding on such Party. |
The Service Provider’s representations and warranties in relation to clauses 9.1.2, 9.1.4 and 9.1.6 above, as relevant to the provision by Service Provider of Service Data under this Agreement, are subject to clause 5.7 of this Agreement.
|
9.2 |
Client. The Client also represents at the date this Agreement is entered into and any Service is used or provided that: |
|
9.2.1 |
Where it acts as an agent on behalf of any of its own Investors, whether or not expressly identified to the Service Provider from time to time, any such Investors will not, by virtue of the services provided hereunder by the Service Provider to the Client, be customers or indirect customers of the Service Provider; |
|
9.2.2 |
The Client’s decision to retain the Service Provider is not conditioned on or influenced by the amount of assets that any Affiliate of the Service Provider or any customers of the Service Provider or such Affiliates may from time to time invest in or through the Client; |
|
9.2.3 |
Without prejudice to any more specific obligations set forth in this Agreement, the Client has obtained all consents from Investors required in connection with the engagement by the Client of the Service Provider to provide the Services; |
Page 10 |
|
9.2.4 |
It is in compliance with all Laws applicable to it, including, but not limited to, all securities, tax and commodities laws; and |
|
9.2.5 |
Its entry into this Agreement is not intended to constitute a delegation of any of the functions described in clause 4.2 of this Agreement. |
|
9.3 |
Service Provider. The Service Provider also represents at the date this Agreement is entered into and any Service is used or provided: |
|
9.3.1 |
It has commercially reasonable data security and business continuity controls and plans; and |
|
9.3.2 |
It has access to the necessary facilities, equipment, and personnel to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement. |
10. |
TERM AND TERMINATION |
|
10.1 |
Term. This Agreement will begin on the Effective Date and have an initial term of three (3) years from the Effective Date (“Initial Term”) and will thereafter continue in effect indefinitely unless it is terminated pursuant to other provisions in clause 10. |
|
10.2 |
Termination. Subject to clause 10.3: |
|
10.2.1 |
Either Party may terminate this Agreement, with or without cause, but only after the expiration of the Initial Term, by giving the other Party one hundred eighty (180) days’ written notice. |
|
10.2.2 |
Either Party may terminate this Agreement with cause on at least thirty (30) days’ written notice to the other Party if the other party has materially breached any of its obligations hereunder (including the payments by the Client of the fees and expenses set forth in the Fee Schedule); provided, however, that (i) the termination notice will describe the breach; (ii) no such termination will be effective if, with respect to any breach that is capable of being cured prior to the date set forth in the termination notice, the breaching Party has reasonably cured such breach; and (iii) subject to applicable Law, no such thirty (30) day notice period shall be required in the event the other Party is insolvent or has submitted a voluntary petition for administration. |
|
10.2.3 |
This Agreement may be further terminated by either Party immediately in the event of: |
|
(i) |
the winding up of or the appointment of an examiner or receiver or liquidator to the other party or on the happening of a like event whether at the direction of an appropriate regulatory agency or court of competent jurisdiction or otherwise; or |
|
(ii) |
either Party no longer being permitted or able to perform its obligations under this Agreement pursuant to applicable law or regulation. |
|
10.2.4 |
This Agreement may be terminated by the Service Provider immediately based on the Service Provider’s reasonable opinion that the Client has violated its obligation under clause 4.1 with respect to compliance with Law. |
|
10.3 |
Termination-related Obligations. Related to termination of this Agreement: |
10.3.1 | If the Client has terminated this Agreement without cause (other than as set forth in clause 10.2.1) or if the Service Provider has terminated this Agreement pursuant to clauses 10.2.2-10.2.4, the Client will pay the Service Provider as liquidated damages for such default, an amount equal (i) to the Monthly Fee payable by the Client (or, if no such Monthly Fee is specified in the Fee Schedule, the average monthly fees payable by the Client for the preceding six (6) months) multiplied by (ii) the number of months remaining in the Initial Term as of the effective date of such termination (“Liquidated Damages”). In the event that the Client is, in part or in whole, liquidated, dissolved, merged into a third party, acquired by a third party, or involved in any other transaction that materially reduces the assets and/or accounts serviced by the Service Provider pursuant to this Agreement, the liquidated damages provision set forth above will apply, and will be adjusted rateably if any of the events described above is partial. Any liquidated damages amount payable to the Service Provider will be payable on or before the date of the event that triggers the payment obligation. Inasmuch as a default by the Client will cause substantial damages to the Service Provider and because of the difficulty of estimating the damages that will result, the Parties agree that the Liquidated Damages is a reasonable forecast of probable actual loss to the Service Provider and that this sum is agreed to as liquidated damages and not as a penalty. |
Page 11 |
|
10.3.2 |
Upon termination, the Service Provider will, at the expense and written direction of the Client, transfer to the Client or any successor service provider(s) to the Client copies of all Client Records, subject to the payment by the Client of unpaid and undisputed amounts due to the Service Provider hereunder, including any Liquidated Damages. If by the termination date the Client has not given written Instructions to deliver the Client Records, the Service Provider will keep the Client Records until the Client provides such Instructions to deliver the Client Records, provided that the Service Provider will be entitled to charge the Client then-standard fees for maintaining the Client Records, and the Service Provider shall have no obligation to keep the Client Records beyond six (6) months after the termination date. The Service Provider will provide no other services to or for the benefit of the Client or any successor service provider (and will not be responsible for the fees, charges or expenses of any successor service provider) in connection with the termination of this Agreement unless specifically agreed in writing by the Service Provider or as set forth in Schedule 2 or the Fee Schedule. |
|
10.4 |
Surviving Terms. The rights and obligations contained in clauses 2.5, 2.9, 5.1, 5.3 (to the extent set forth in the CDPC), 6, 7, 8, 10.3, 10.4, 11 and 12 of this Agreement will survive the termination of this Agreement. |
11. |
GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION |
|
11.1 |
Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws (and not the laws of conflict) of the State of New York. |
|
11.2 |
Arbitration. To the extent permitted by applicable law, each Party agrees that any controversy arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the Services provided hereunder, shall be resolved by arbitration conducted only at the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) (even though neither party hereto may be a AAA member). Should any dispute be arbitrated, judgment upon any award rendered by the arbitrators in such proceeding may be entered in any state or federal court of competent jurisdiction located in the Borough of Manhattan, New York City. |
|
11.3 |
Sovereign Immunity. Each Party irrevocably waives, with respect to itself and its revenues and assets, all immunity on the grounds of sovereignty or similar grounds in respect of its obligations under this Agreement. |
12. |
MISCELLANEOUS |
|
12.1 |
Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Agreement consists exclusively of this document, together with any schedules, exhibits, and annexes, and supersedes any prior agreement related to the subject matter hereof, whether oral or written. Except as specified in this Agreement, this Agreement may only be modified by written agreement of the Client and the Service Provider, provided that an affiliate of the Client may join this Agreement as a new Client upon the execution by such new Client and the Service Provider of a mutually agreed, written joinder, without the requirement that all then-current Clients execute such joinder. Any modifications to this Agreement shall be set forth in consecutive, numbered amendments. |
|
12.2 |
Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is or becomes illegal, invalid or unenforceable under any applicable law, the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect (as will that provision under any other law). |
|
12.3 |
Waiver of Rights. Subject to clause 5.1, no failure or delay of the Client or the Service Provider in exercising any right or remedy under this Agreement will constitute a waiver of that right. Any waiver of any right will be limited to the specific instance. The exclusion or omission of any provision or term from this Agreement will not be deemed to be a waiver of any right or remedy the Client or the Service Provider may have under applicable law. |
|
12.4 |
Recordings. The Client and the Service Provider consent to telephonic or electronic recordings for security and quality of service purposes and agree that either may produce telephonic or electronic recordings or computer records as evidence in any proceedings brought in connection with this Agreement. |
12.5 | Assignment. No party may assign or transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the other’s prior written consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed; provided that the Service Provider may make such assignment or transfer to (i) an Affiliate, (ii) a successor pursuant to a merger, reorganization, consolidation or sale, or (iii) an entity that acquires all or a substantial portion of the Service Provider’s assets or business that are used to provide the Services. |
Page 12 |
|
12.6 |
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. |
|
12.7 |
Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which will be an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same agreement. |
|
12.8 |
Third Party Beneficiaries or Joint Venture. Except for Indemnitees contemplated by clause 7 or as set forth in clause 5.7.1, there are no third party beneficiaries to this Agreement. This Agreement does not create a joint venture or partnership between the Parties. |
|
12.9 |
Certain Communications. The Client hereby acknowledges that if it has requested the delivery of Reports, Client Records and other information processed and/or maintained by the Service Provider hereunder in an unencrypted manner, it (i) accepts the risk that such delivery means may expose such information to disclosure through media and hardware that are not within the control of the Service Provider during the delivery process and (ii) agrees that in such circumstances neither the Service Provider nor its Affiliates or Agents shall be responsible if a Person other than the intended recipient intercepts, discovers or acts upon such a communication. Upon notice, the Service Provider may require delivery of documents referenced above in an encrypted manner. |
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
Page 13 |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized.
|
SERVICE PROVIDER(S) |
|
CITI FUND SERVICES OHIO, INC. |
By: |
|
Name: |
Dominic J. Crowe |
Title: |
Managing Director |
Date : |
May 19, 2020 |
|
CITIBANK, N.A. |
By: |
|
Name: |
Dominic J. Crowe |
Title: |
Managing Director |
Date : |
May 19, 2020 |
|
CLIENT |
|
ETF OPPORTUNITIES TRUST |
By: |
|
Name: |
David A. Bogaert |
Title: |
President |
Date: |
May 19, 2020 |
Page 14 |
Schedule 1 to Services Agreement
Definitions
“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that is controlled by, controls, or is under common control with such Person; for purposes hereof, “control” of a Person means (i) ownership of, or possession of the right to vote, more than 25% of the outstanding voting equity of that person or (ii) the right to control the appointment of the board of directors, management or executive officers of that person.
“Agent” means any administrative or other service provider selected and used by a Party in connection with carrying out its obligations under this Agreement, whether or not such person would be deemed an agent under principles of any applicable law.
“Agreement” means the Services Agreement to which this Schedule 1 is attached, and all other schedules, exhibits and annexes thereto, as they may be properly amended from time to time.
“AIFMD Regulations” means applicable regulations adopted from time to time pursuant to Alternative Investment Fund Manager Directive 694/2014 of the European Parliament, as amended from time to time.
“AML” has the meaning set forth in clause 2.8 of this Agreement.
“Authorized Person” means the Client or any Person that the Service Provider believes in good faith to be authorized by the Client to act on its behalf in the performance of any act, discretion or duty under this Agreement (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any officer or employee of such Person) and as notified to the Service Provider in a notice reasonably acceptable to the Service Provider.
“Authorized Participant” means a broker or dealer that is a “participant” as defined in the rules of DTC and that has executed an Authorized Participant Agreement with the Distributor for the purchase and redemption of Creation Units.
“Authorized Participant Agreement” means an agreement between the Distributor, on behalf of the Client, and an Authorized Participant governing the purchase and redemption of Creation Units.
“Business Day” has the meaning set forth in Schedule 2.
“Change Control Process” has the meaning set forth in clause 2.2 of this Agreement.
“Citi Organization” means Citigroup, Inc. and any company or other entity of which Citigroup, Inc. is directly or indirectly a shareholder or owner. For purposes of this Agreement, each branch of Citibank, N.A. will be a separate member of the Citigroup Organization.
“Client” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
“Client IP” means: (i) all Confidential Information of the Client, (ii) Investor lists and all information related to Investors furnished to or maintained by the Service Provider in connection with this Agreement, (iii) the unique investment methods utilized by a Client and the identities of the portfolio holdings at any time and from time to time of the Client, and (iv) all Intellectual Property Rights of the Client (whether owned, controlled, or licensed by the Client), excluding any architecture, structures, code, data, elements, formats, or Intellectual Property Rights that: (A) are developed by or on behalf of the Service Provider based on written requirements, settings or direction given by the Client; and (B) are embodied in the Service Provider Systems or the Services.
“Client Records” has the meaning set forth in clause 5.2 of this Agreement.
“Confidential Information” has the meaning assigned thereto in the Confidentiality and Data Privacy Conditions.
“Confidentiality and Data Privacy Conditions” or “CDPC” means the confidentiality and data privacy terms attached to this Agreement as Schedule 4.
“Creation Unit” means a large block of a specified number of Shares, as specified in the Prospectus. A Creation Unit is the minimum number of Shares that may be created or redeemed at any one time.
“Data Suppliers” has the meaning set forth in clause 5.7 of this Agreement. “Dependencies” has the meaning set forth in Schedule 3 to this Agreement.
“Distributor” means the part identified as distributor or principal underwriter in the Prospectus that signs the Authorized Participant Agreement on behalf of the Client.
Schedule 1 to Services Agreement
Page 1 |
“DTC” means the Depository Trust Company, a limited purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York.
“DTC Participant” means a “participant” as such term is defined in the rules of DTC.
“DTC Participant Account” means an “account” as such term is defined in the rules of DTC. “Effective Date” means the date first set forth on page 1 of this Agreement.
“Fee Schedule” means Schedule 5 of this Agreement or in such other form agreed by the Parties, referencing this Agreement and describing the fees and expenses payable by the Client to the Service Provider in respect of the Services and this Agreement.
“Force Majeure Event” means any event due to any cause beyond the reasonable control of the Service Provider or, as applicable, any Agent of the Service Provider, such as unavailability of communications systems or Service Data, sabotage, fire, flood, explosion, acts of God, civil commotion, strikes or industrial action of any kind, riots, insurrection, war or acts of government, or suspension or disruption of any relevant stock exchange or securities clearance system or market.
“Fund” means a separate portfolio or series of the Client.
“Governmental Authority” means any domestic or foreign regulatory agency, court, other governmental body or self-regulatory agency with jurisdiction over a Party.
“Indemnitee” has the meaning set forth in clause 7.1 of this Agreement
“Initial Term” has the meaning set forth in clause 10.1 of this Agreement.
“Instructions” means any and all instructions (including approvals, consents and notices) received by the Service Provider from, or reasonably believed by the Service Provider to be from, any Authorized Person, including any instructions communicated through any manual or electronic medium as provided in this Agreement.
“Intellectual Property Rights” means all trade secrets, patents and patent applications, trade marks (whether registered or unregistered and including any acquired goodwill), service marks, trade names, business names, internet domain names, e-mail address names, copyrights (including rights in computer software), moral rights, database rights, design rights, rights in know-how, rights in confidential information, rights in inventions (whether patentable or not), rights in business processes, and all other intellectual property and proprietary rights (whether registered or unregistered, and any application for the foregoing), and all other equivalent or similar rights which may subsist anywhere in the world
“Investor” means any Person to whom the Client sells securities, products or services the sale or servicing of which are supported by the Services provided under this Agreement.
“Laws” means any domestic or foreign statutes, rules and regulations of any Governmental Authority and applicable judicial or regulatory interpretations thereof.
“Liquidated Damages” has the meaning set forth in clause 10.3.1 of this Agreement.
“Loss” has the meaning set forth in clause 7.1 of this Agreement.
“MIFT” means a manually initiated Instruction to effect a transfer of assets owned by the Client or an Investor.
“Monthly Fee” has the meaning set forth in the Fee Schedule.
“OFAC” has the meaning set forth in clause 2.8 of this Agreement.
“Offering Document” has the meaning set forth in clause 5.9 of this Agreement.
“Organic Documents” means, for any incorporated or unincorporated entity, the documents pursuant to which the entity was formed as a legal entity, as such documents may be amended from time to time.
“Parties” means the Client and the Service Provider.
“Person” means any natural person or incorporated or unincorporated entity.
“Policies and Procedures” means the written policies and procedures of the Client in any way related to the Services, including any such policies and procedures contained in the Organic Documents and the Offering Documents.
“Prospectus” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
“Report” has the meaning set forth in clause 5.1 of this Agreement.
“Service Change” has the meaning set forth in clause 2.2 of this Agreement.
“Service Data” has the meaning set forth in clause 5.7 of this Agreement.
Schedule 1 to Services Agreement
|
“Service Provider” means CFSO with respect to general matters and Services specifically identified and described in Schedule 2, and means Citibank with respect to general matters and Services specifically identified and described in Schedule 2.
“Service Provider IP” means: (i) all Confidential Information of Service Provider; (ii) all Intellectual Property Rights of the Service Provider (whether owned, controlled, or licensed by Service Provider); (iii) the Service Provider Systems; (iv) all modifications to the Service Provider Systems regardless of whether the Client or a Client Affiliate paid for any such modifications; and (v) all other ideas, concepts, know-how, works of authorship, inventions, and intellectual property created or conceived by the Service Provider.
“Service Provider Systems” means the systems owned or operated by the Service Provider in providing any Services hereunder, including all hardware, software and methods utilized in the operation and provision of Service Provider Systems, all Intellectual Property Rights of the Service Provider, all ancillary programs and documentation utilized in the provisioning of any Services, and all modifications thereto.
“Services” means the services set forth in Schedule 2.
“SOC 1” has the meaning set forth in clause 5.2 of this Agreement.
“Software”has the meaning set forth in clause 5.6.2 of this Agreement.
“SSAE 18” has the meaning set forth in clause 5.2 of this Agreement.
“Standard of Care” has the meaning set forth in clause 6.1 of this Agreement.
“Start-Up” means the activities (including changes to Service Provider Systems and operating environment) and information required so that the Services may be performed by the Service Provider.
“System Documentation” has the meaning set forth in clause 5.6.1 of this Agreement.
“Term” means the period between the Effective Date and the date this Agreement is terminated.
Schedule 1 to Services Agreement
|
Schedule 2 to Services Agreement
Services provided by Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc.
Appendix A – Fund Services
Service Provider shall provide the Services listed on this Schedule 2 to the Client and any series thereof listed on Annex 1 to Schedule 2 (each, a “Fund”), subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement (including the Schedules).
I. |
Services |
1. |
Record Maintenance |
Maintain the following books and records of each Fund pursuant to Rule 31a-1 (the “Rule”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”):
|
(a) |
Journals containing an itemized daily record in detail of all purchases and sales of securities, all receipts and disbursements of cash and all other debits and credits, as required by subsection (b)(1) of the Rule. |
|
(b) |
General and auxiliary ledgers reflecting all asset, liability, reserve, capital, income and expense accounts, including interest accrued and interest received, as required by subsection (b)(2)(i) of the Rule. |
|
(c) |
Separate ledger accounts required by subsection (b)(2)(ii) and (iii) of the Rule. |
|
(d) |
A monthly trial balance of all ledger accounts (except shareholder accounts) as required by subsection (b)(8) of the Rule. For the avoidance of doubt, all reporting will be provided in standard Citi format. |
2. |
Fund Accounting Services |
Perform the following accounting services for each Fund:
|
(a) |
Allocate income and expense and calculate the net asset value per share (“NAV”) of each class of shares offered by each Fund in accordance with the relevant provisions of the applicable Prospectus of each Fund and applicable regulations under the 1940 Act. |
|
(b) |
Apply securities pricing information as required or authorized under the terms of the valuation policies and procedures of the Client (“Valuation Procedures”), including (A) pricing information from independent pricing services, with respect to securities for which market quotations are readily available, (B) if applicable to a particular Fund or Funds, fair value pricing information or adjustment factors from independent fair value pricing services or other vendors approved by the Client (collectively, “Fair Value Information Vendors”) with respect to securities for which market quotations are not readily available, for which a significant event has occurred following the close of the relevant market but prior to the Fund’s pricing time, or which are otherwise required to be made subject to a fair value determination under the Valuation Procedures, and (C) prices obtained from each Fund’s investment adviser or other designee, as approved by the Board. |
|
(c) |
Coordinate the preparation of reports that are prepared or provided by Fair Value Information Vendors which help the Client to monitor and evaluate its use of fair value pricing information under its Valuation Procedures. |
|
(d) |
Assist the Client in identifying instances where market prices are not readily available, or are unreliable, each as set forth within parameters included in the Client’s Valuation Procedures. |
|
(e) |
Verify and reconcile with the Funds’ custodian all daily trade activity. |
|
(f) |
Compute, as appropriate, each Fund’s net income and capital gains, dividend payables, dividend factors, 7-day yields, 7-day effective yields, 30-day yields, and weighted average portfolio maturity; (and other yields or standard or non-standard performance information as mutually agreed). |
|
(g) |
Review daily the net asset value calculation and dividend factor (if any) for each Fund prior to release, check and confirm the net asset values and dividend factors for reasonableness and deviations, and distribute net asset values to National Securities Clearing Corporation via the portfolio composition file. |
|
(h) |
Determine and report unrealized appreciation and depreciation on securities held by the Funds. |
|
(i) |
Amortize premiums and accrete discounts on fixed income securities purchased at a price other than face value, in accordance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles of the United States or any successor principles. |
|
(j) |
Update fund accounting system to reflect rate changes, as received from a Fund’s investment adviser or a third party vendor, on variable interest rate instruments. |
|
(k) |
Post Fund transactions to appropriate categories. |
Schedule 2 to Services Agreement
|
|
(l) |
Accrue expenses of each Fund according to instructions received from the Client’s Administrator, and submit changes to accruals and expense items to authorized officers of the Client (who are not Service Provider employees) for review and approval. |
|
(m) |
Determine the outstanding receivables and payables for all (1) security trades, (2) Fund share transactions and (3) income and expense accounts. |
|
(n) |
Provide accounting reports in connection with the Client’s regular annual audit, and other audits and examinations by regulatory agencies. |
|
(o) |
Provide such periodic reports as the parties shall agree upon, as set forth in a separate schedule. |
3. |
Fund Accounting support for Financial Statements and Regulatory Filings |
Perform the following services related to the financial statements and related regulatory filing obligations for each Fund:
|
(a) |
Provide monthly a hard copy of the unaudited financial statements from the Fund Accounting system as described below, upon request of the Client. The unaudited financial statements will include the following items: |
|
i. |
Unaudited Statement of Assets and Liabilities, |
|
ii. |
Unaudited Statement of Operations, |
|
iii. |
Unaudited Statement of Changes in Net Assets, and |
|
iv. |
Unaudited Condensed Financial Information |
|
(b) |
Provide accounting information for the following: (in compliance with Reg. S-X, as applicable): |
|
i. |
federal and state income tax returns and federal excise tax returns; |
|
ii. |
the Client’s semi-annual reports with the SEC on Form N-CEN and Form N-CSR; |
|
iii. |
the Client’s monthly schedules of investment for filing with the SEC on Form N-PORT, effective for the period beginning March 1, 2020; |
|
iv. |
the Client’s annual and semi-annual shareholder reports and quarterly Board meetings; |
|
v. |
registration statements on Form N-1A and other filings relating to the registration of shares; |
|
vi. |
reports related to Service Provider’s monitoring of each Fund’s status as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; |
|
vii. |
annual audit by the Client’s auditors; and |
|
viii. |
examinations performed by the SEC. |
|
(c) |
Calculate turnover and expense ratio |
|
(d) |
Calculate daily spread between NAV and market price of Shares |
|
(e) |
Prepare schedule of Capital Gains and Losses |
|
(f) |
Provide daily cash report |
|
(g) |
Maintain and report security positions and transactions in accounting system |
|
(h) |
Prepare Broker Commission Report |
|
(i) |
Monitor expense limitations |
|
(j) |
Maintain list of failed trades |
|
(k) |
Provide unrealized gain/loss report |
4. |
Financial Reporting Financial Statements and other SEC Filings: |
|
(a) |
Provide the Fund’s Fund Administrator with necessary Trial Balance Reports and holdings reports to facilitate their production of the annual and semi-annual reports |
|
(b) |
Prepare and file the Fund’s Form N-CEN annually. |
Schedule 2 to Services Agreement
|
|
(c) |
Prepare and file holdings reports on Form N-PORT with the SEC, as required at the end of each month, effective for the period beginning March 1, 2020 |
|
(d) |
Calculate performance data of the Funds for dissemination to (i) the Client, including the Board, (ii) up to fifteen (15) information services covering the investment company industry and (iii) other parties, as requested by the Client and agreed to by Service Provider. |
|
5. |
Post Trade Compliance |
|
(a) |
Assist the Client in developing appropriate portfolio compliance procedures for each Fund, and provide compliance monitoring services with respect to such procedures as reasonably requested by the Client, provided that such compliance must be determinable by reference to the Fund’s accounting records. |
|
(b) |
Monitor and advise the Client and the Funds on their regulated investment company status under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder. |
|
6. |
Liquidity Risk Management Support Services |
|
(a) |
Assist the Client with portfolio compliance monitoring in accordance with Rule 22e-4(b) including: |
|
i. |
daily liquidity classifications of portfolio securities held by the Fund; |
|
ii. |
daily monitoring of compliance with the Fund’s established Highly Liquid Investment Minimum (HLIM); |
|
iii. |
daily monitoring of compliance with the Fund’s 15% illiquid holdings maximum; |
|
iv. |
monthly liquidity classification of portfolio securities on Form N-PORT effective for the period beginning March 1, 2020; and |
|
v. |
Prepare and file Form N-LIQUID as required. |
|
7. |
Tax Services |
|
(a) |
Monitor wash sales annually. |
|
(b) |
Review calculation of declaration of income/capital gain distributions to ensure compliance with income/excise tax distribution requirements. |
|
(c) |
Prepare informational schedules for use by the Client’s auditors in connection with such auditor’s preparation of the Client’s tax returns including feral and state income tax returns as well as federal excise returns. |
|
(d) |
Prepare/distribute year-end shareholder tax letters and Forms 1099-MISC within 30 days of year-end. |
II. |
Notes and Conditions Related to Fund Accounting Services |
|
1. |
Subject to the provisions of Sections 2 and 6 of the Agreement, Service Provider’s liability with respect to NAV Differences (as defined below) shall be as follows: |
|
(a) |
During each NAV Error Period (as defined below) resulting from a NAV Difference that is at least $0.01 but that is less than 1/2 of 1%, Service Provider shall reimburse each applicable Fund for any net● losses to the Fund; and |
(b) | During each NAV Error Period resulting from a NAV Difference that is at least 1/2 of 1%, Service Provider shall reimburse each applicable Fund on its own behalf and on behalf of each shareholder of such Fund for any losses experienced by the Fund or any Fund shareholder, as applicable; provided, that Service Provider’s reimbursement responsibility shall not exceed the lesser of (i) the net loss that the Fund incurs or (ii) the costs to the Fund of reprocessing the shareholder transactions during the NAV Error Period; provided, further, however, that Service Provider shall not be responsible for reimbursing reprocessing costs with respect to any shareholder that experiences an aggregate loss during any NAV Error Period of less than $25. |
Schedule 2 to Services Agreement
|
For purposes of this Section II.1: (A) the NAV Difference means 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 was effected divided by Recalculated NAV; (B) NAV Error Period means any Fund business day or series of two or more consecutive Fund business days during which an NAV Difference of $0.01 or more exists; (C) NAV Differences and any Service Provider liability therefrom are to be calculated each time a Fund’s (or Class’) NAV is calculated; (D) in calculating any amount for which Service Provider would otherwise be liable under this Agreement for a particular NAV error, Fund (or Class) losses and gains shall be netted; and (E) in calculating any amount for which Service Provider would otherwise be liable under this Agreement for a particular NAV error that continues for a period covering more than one NAV determination, Fund (or Class) losses and gains for the period shall be netted.
|
2. |
The Client acknowledges and agrees that although Service Provider’s services related to fair value pricing are intended to assist the Client and its Board in its obligations to price and monitor pricing of Fund investments, Service Provider is not responsible for the accuracy or appropriateness of pricing information or methodologies, including any fair value pricing information or adjustment factors other than as set forth in clause 2(E)(ii) of the Agreement. |
III. |
Notes and Conditions Related to Financial Reporting Services |
|
1. |
With respect to any document to be filed with the SEC, the Client shall be responsible for all expenses associated with causing such document to be converted into an EDGAR format prior to filing, as well as all associated filing and other fees and expenses. |
|
2. |
If requested by the Client with respect to a fiscal period during which Service Provider served as financial administrator, Service Provider will provide a sub-certification pertaining to Service Provider’s services consistent with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
Schedule 2 to Services Agreement
|
Schedule 2 to Services Agreement
Services Provided by Citibank, N.A.
Appendix B -- Transfer Agency Services
I. |
Services |
1. |
Index Receipt Agent includes the following services: |
|
(a) |
PCF production and distribution |
|
(b) |
ETF order processing and trade bursting |
|
(c) |
Provide ETF fail monitoring/collateral |
2. |
Shareholder Transactions |
|
(a) |
Perform and facilitate the performance of purchases and redemptions of Creation Units. |
|
(b) |
Issue Shares of the applicable Fund in Creation Units for settlement with purchasers through DTC as the purchaser is authorized to receive. |
|
(c) |
Prepare and transmit by means of DTC’s book entry system payments for dividends and distributions on or with respect to the Shares declared by the Client on behalf of the applicable Fund. |
|
(d) |
Confirm to DTC the number of Shares issued to the Shareholder, as DTC may reasonably request. |
|
(e) |
Record the issuance of Shares of the Fund and maintain a record of the total number of Shares of the Fund which are outstanding, and, based upon data provided to it by the Fund, the total number of authorized Shares. |
|
(f) |
Prepare and transmit to the Client and the Client’s administrator and to any applicable securities exchange (as specified to Service Provider by the Client or its administrator) information with respect to purchases and redemptions of Shares. |
|
(g) |
Calculate and transmit on each Business Day to the Client’s administrator the number of outstanding Shares for each Fund. |
|
(h) |
Transmit on each Business Day to the Client, the Client’s administrator and DTC the amount of Shares purchased on such day. |
|
(i) |
Prepare a monthly report of all purchases and redemptions of Shares during such month on a gross transaction basis, and identify on a daily basis the net number of Shares either redeemed or purchased on such Business Day and with respect to each Authorized Participant purchasing or redeeming Shares, the amount of Shares purchased or redeemed. |
3. |
Compliance Reporting |
|
(a) |
Provide reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission and FINRA. |
|
(b) |
Prepare and distribute appropriate Internal Revenue Service forms for corresponding Fund. |
4. |
Shareholder Account Maintenance |
|
(a) |
Maintain the record of the name and address of DTC or its nominee as the sole shareholder of a Fund (the “Shareholder”) and the number of Shares issued by the Fund and held by the Shareholder. |
|
(b) |
Prepare and deliver other reports, information and documents to DTC as DTC may reasonably request. |
|
(c) |
Maintain account documentation files for Shareholder. |
5. |
Anti-Money Laundering Services |
In each case consistent with and as required or permitted by the written anti-money laundering program of the Client (“AML Program”):
|
(a) |
Perform monitoring and reporting as may be reasonably requested by the Client’s CCO. |
Schedule 2 to Services Agreement
|
II. |
Notes and Conditions Related to Transfer Agency Services |
1. |
Service Provider may require any or all of the following in connection with the original issue of Shares: (a) Instructions requesting the issuance, (b) evidence that the Board has authorized the issuance, (c) any required funds for the payment of any original issue tax applicable to such Shares, and (d) an opinion of the counsel to the Client about the legality and validity of the issuance. |
2. |
Service Provider 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 Fund. |
3. |
Pursuant to purchase orders received in good form and accepted by or on behalf of the Client by the Distributor, Service Provider will register the appropriate number of book entry only Shares in the name of DTC or its nominee as the sole shareholders for each Fund and deliver Shares of such Fund in Creation Units on the business day next following the trade date to the DTC Participant Account of the Custodian for settlement. |
4. |
Pursuant to such redemption orders that the Client’s index receipt agent receives from the Distributor, the Client or its agent, Service Provider will redeem the appropriate number of Shares of the applicable Fund in Creation Units that are delivered to the designated DTC Participant Account of Custodian for redemption and debit such shares from the account of the Shareholder on the register of the applicable Fund. |
5. |
Service Provider will issue Shares of the applicable Fund in Creation Units for settlement with purchasers through DTC as the purchaser is authorized to receive. Beneficial ownership of Shares shall be shown on the records of DTC and DTC Participants and not on any records maintained by Service Provider. In issuing Shares of the applicable Fund through DTC to a purchaser, Service Provider shall be entitled to rely upon the latest Instructions that are received from the Client or its agent by the Index Receipt Agent (as set forth in Schedule B, Section A. Subsection 3(b) of this Agreement) concerning the issuance and delivery of such shares for settlement. |
6. |
Service Provider will not issue any Shares for a Fund where it has received an Instruction from the Client or written notification from any federal or state authority that the sale of the Shares of such Fund has been suspended or discontinued, and Service Provider shall be entitled to rely upon such Instructions or written notification. |
7. |
The Client acknowledges and agrees that deviations requested by the Client from Service Provider’s written transfer agent compliance procedures (“Exceptions”) may involve operational and compliance risks, including a substantial risk of loss. Service Provider may in its sole discretion determine whether to permit an Exception. Exceptions must be requested in writing and shall be deemed to remain effective until the Client revokes the Exception request in writing. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement that expressly or by implication provides to the contrary, as long as Service Provider acts in good faith, Service Provider shall have no liability for any loss, liability, expenses or damages to the Client or any Shareholder resulting from such an Exception. |
8. |
Service Provider is hereby granted such power and authority as may be necessary to establish one or more bank accounts for the Client with such bank or banks as are acceptable to the Client, as may be necessary or appropriate from time to time in connection with the transfer agency services to be performed hereunder. The Client shall be deemed to be the customer of such bank or banks for purposes of such accounts and shall execute all requisite account opening documents in connection with such accounts. To the extent that the performance of such services hereunder shall require Service Provider to disburse amounts from such accounts in payment of dividends, redemption proceeds or for other purposes hereunder, the Client shall provide such bank or banks with all instructions and authorizations necessary for Service Provider to effect such disbursements. |
9. |
Client represents and warrants that: |
|
(a) |
(i) by virtue of its Charter, Shares that are redeemed by the Client may be resold by the Client and (ii) all Shares that are offered to the public are covered by an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and the 1940 Act. |
|
(b) |
(i) The Client has adopted the AML Program, which has been provided to Service Provider and the Client’s AML Compliance Officer, (ii) the AML Program has been reasonably designed to facilitate Compliance by the Client with applicable anti-money laundering Laws and regulations (collectively, the “Applicable AML Laws”) in all relevant respects, (iii) the AML Program and the designation of the AML Compliance Officer have been approved by the Board, (iv) the delegation of certain services thereunder to Service Provider, as provided in Schedule 2 of this Agreement, has been approved by the Board, and (v) the Client will submit any material amendments to the AML Program to Service Provider for Service Provider’s review and consent prior to adoption. |
Schedule 2 to Services Agreement
|
10. |
The Client hereby represents that the sale of Shares are not subject to Blue sky laws and the Service Provider shall not be responsible for any registration, notification, tracking or other function related to the Blue Sky laws of any state. |
Schedule 2 to Services Agreement
|
Annex 1 – Schedule 2 to Services Agreement
List of Funds
|
1. |
American Conservative Values ETF |
|
2. |
American Conservative Values Small-Cap ETF |
Annex 1 – Schedule 2 to Services Agreement
|
Schedule 3 to Services Agreement
Dependencies
The Service Provider’s delivery of the Services and its other obligations in connection with the Agreement are dependent upon:
1. |
The Client and its employees, agents, subcontractors, predecessor service providers and other Persons that are not employees or Agents of the Service Provider whose cooperation is reasonably required for the Service Provider to provide the Services and meet its obligations under any Implementation Plan agreed by the Parties (including, without limitation, investment advisors, custodians, and intermediaries) providing cooperation, information and, as applicable, Instructions to the Service Provider promptly, in agreed formats, by agreed media and within agreed timeframes as required to allow the Service Provider to (i) provide the Services, (ii) meet its obligations under any Implementation Plan agreed by the Parties, (iii) meet its other obligations under the Agreement, and (iv) resolve or reconcile discrepancies between or among data sources. |
2. |
The communications systems operated by the Client and third parties (other than Agents) in respect of activities that interface with the Services remaining fully operational. |
3. |
The authority, accuracy, truth and completeness of any information or data provided by the Client and its employees, current and predecessor Agents and other Persons (including, without limitation, investment advisors, custodians, and intermediaries) that is reasonably requested by the Service Provider or is otherwise provided to the Service Provider. |
4. |
The Client informing the Service Provider on a timely basis of any modification to, or replacement of, any agreement to which it is a party that is relevant to the provision of the Services. |
5. |
Any warranty, representation, covenant or undertaking expressly made by the Client under the Agreement being and remaining true and correct at all times. |
6. |
Any of the items listed in documents agreed between the Parties from time to time as being the responsibility of the Client. |
7. |
Without limitation to the foregoing, in connection with any Implementation Plan or Service Change plan agreed by the Parties, Dependencies shall include: |
|
7.1 |
The Client agreeing to Service Change plan or, if applicable, implementation plan proposed by the Service Provider in a timely manner or negotiating changes in good faith and with reasonable promptness and diligence. |
|
7.2 |
The Client satisfactorily completing in a timely fashion (including any deadlines imposed under the such Service Change plan or implementation plan) any software development, connectivity, or other obligations required to be completed by the Client or its Agents in order for the Service Provider to satisfy its obligations under such Service Change plan or implementation plan or perform the Services (unless such delay is caused by a failure of the Service Provider or an employee or Agent of the Service Provider, to complete in a timely manner any obligation of the Service Provider thereunder or otherwise, the completion of which by the Service Provider is not dependent upon another Dependency). |
|
7.3 |
Timely delivery of technical data details and internal information of the Client, as reasonably requested by the Service Provider. |
|
7.4 |
The Client meeting any obligations mutually agreed in writing in connection with such testing plans. |
|
7.5 |
With respect to any functions or activities that are subject to acceptance testing by the Client in connection with any such Service Change plan or implementation plan, the timely delivery to the Service Provider of acceptance feedback and final acceptance, provided that with respect to any final acceptance the work and output meets any mutually agreed business, functional and technical requirements specifications in all material respects. |
Schedule 3 to Services Agreement
|
Schedule 4 to Services Agreement
Confidentiality and Data Privacy Conditions
1. |
Introduction. These conditions (“Conditions”) form part of the Services Agreement (the “Agreement”) that applies between the Client and the Service Provider in relation to the provision of Services to the Client pursuant to the Agreement. The purpose of these Conditions is to set out each Party’s obligations in relation to Confidential Information and Personal Data received from the other Party in connection with the provision of Services under the Agreement. Some provisions of these Conditions are region-specific and will only apply in respect of the regions or countries specified. In some countries, further country-specific terms are required, and these will be included in the local conditions for that country provided in writing to the Client. |
2. |
Protection of Confidential Information. The Receiving Party will treat the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information as confidential in accordance with the terms hereof and exercise at least the same degree of care with respect to the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information that the Receiving Party exercises to protect its own Confidential Information of a similar nature, and in any event, no less than reasonable care. |
3. |
Use and disclosure of Confidential Information. The Disclosing Party hereby grants the Receiving Party the right to use and disclose the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information to the extent necessary to accomplish the relevant Permitted Purposes and as otherwise expressly set forth in these Conditions. The Receiving Party will only use and disclose the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information to the extent permitted in these Conditions. |
4. |
Exceptions to confidentiality. Notwithstanding anything in these Conditions to the contrary, the restrictions on the use and disclosure of Confidential Information in these Conditions do not apply to information that: (i) is in or enters the public domain other than as a result of the act or omission of the Receiving Party or its Affiliates, or their respective Representatives, in breach of these Conditions; (ii) is obtained by the Receiving Party from a third party believed by the Receiving Party to have authority to provide it or already known by the Receiving Party, in each case without notice of any obligation to maintain it as confidential; (iii) was independently developed by the Receiving Party without reference to the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information; (iv) an Authorized Persons has agreed that the Receiving Party may disclose it; or (v) constitutes Anonymized and/or Aggregated Data. |
5. |
Authorized disclosures. |
|
5.1 |
5.1 Affiliates and Representatives. The Receiving Party may disclose the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information to Receiving Party’s Affiliates and to those of the Receiving Party’s and its Affiliates’ respective Representatives who have a “need to know” such Confidential Information, although only to the extent necessary to fulfil the relevant Permitted Purposes. The Receiving Party shall ensure that any of its Affiliates and such Representatives to whom the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information is disclosed pursuant to this Condition 5.1 shall be bound to treat such Confidential Information as confidential and to use it for only the relevant Permitted Purposes. |
|
5.2 |
Other disclosures. Service Provider Recipients may: (i) disclose the Client’s Confidential Information to such parties as may be designated by the Client (for example, the Client’s shared service centre) and to Client Affiliates; and (ii) disclose the Client’s Confidential Information to Payment Infrastructure Providers and Securities Infrastructure Providers on a confidential basis to the extent necessary for the provision of the Services under the Agreement. |
|
5.3 |
Payment reconciliation. When the Client instructs the Service Provider to process, investigate or reconcile a payment or transaction between an account of the Client or one of its customers and a third party’s account, the Service Provider may disclose to the third party the Client’s name, address and account number (and such other Client Confidential Information as may be reasonably required by the third party to effect such payments or transaction, respond to requests from information about such payments or transactions, or perform payment or transaction reconciliations). |
5.4 | Legal and regulatory disclosure. The Receiving Party (and, where the Service Provider is the Receiving Party, Service Provider Recipients, Payment Infrastructure Providers and Securities Infrastructure Providers) may disclose the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information pursuant to legal process, or pursuant to any other foreign or domestic legal and/or regulatory obligation or request, or agreement entered into by any of them and any governmental authority, domestic or foreign, or between or among any two or more domestic or foreign governmental authorities, including disclosure to courts, tribunals, and/or legal, regulatory, tax and government authorities, and persons from whom they receive or to whom they make, process, administer or reconcile payments or other financial transactions on behalf of the Disclosing Party. |
Schedule 4 to Services Agreement
|
6. |
Retention and deletion. On termination of the Agreement, each of the Client and Service Provider Recipients shall be entitled to retain and use the other party’s Confidential Information, subject to the confidentiality and security obligations herein, for legal, regulatory, audit and internal compliance purposes and in accordance with their internal records management policies to the extent that this is permissible under laws and regulations applicable to the Receiving Party, but shall otherwise securely destroy or delete such Confidential Information. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Receiving Party shall not be obliged to destroy electronic records. |
7. |
Data privacy. |
|
7.1 |
Compliance with law. The Receiving Party will comply with local data protection laws applicable to the Receiving Party in Processing Disclosing Party Personal Data in connection with the provision or receipt of Services under the Agreement. |
|
7.2 |
Confidentiality and security. The Service Provider will, and will use reasonable endeavours to ensure that Service Provider Affiliates and Third Party Service Providers will, implement reasonable and appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect Client Personal Data that is within its or their custody or control against unauthorized or unlawful Processing and accidental destruction or loss. |
|
7.3 |
Purpose limitation. The Client hereby authorizes and instructs the Service Provider to Process Client Personal Data in accordance with and as permitted by these Conditions and to the extent reasonably required for the relevant Permitted Purposes for the period of time reasonably necessary for the relevant Permitted Purposes. The Service Provider shall not Process Client Personal Data for any other purpose unless expressly authorized or instructed by the Client. |
|
7.4 |
International transfer. The Client acknowledges that in the course of the disclosures described in Condition 5 (Authorized disclosures) above, Disclosing Party Personal Data may be disclosed to recipients located in countries that do not offer a level of protection for those data as high as the level of protection in the country in which the Service Provider is established or the Client is located. |
|
7.5 |
7.5 Consent and warranty. To the extent that the Client is the Data Subject of Client Personal Data Processed by the Service Provider, then the Client consents to the Service Provider’s Processing of all of such Client Personal Data as described in Conditions Error! Reference source not found. to Error! Reference source not found.. To the extent that the Service Provider Processes Client Personal Data about other Data Subjects (for example, the Client’s personnel or Related Parties or the Client’s customers), the Client warrants that to the extent required by applicable law or regulation it has provided notice to and obtained consent from such Data Subjects in relation to the Service Provider’s (and its Affliates’ and Third Party Service Providers’) Processing of their Personal Data as described in those Conditions (and will provide such notice or obtain such consent in advance of providing similar information for such Processing to the Service Provider of such Affiliates or Third Party Service Providers in future). The Client further warrants that any such consent has been granted by these Data Subjects for the period reasonably required for the realisation of the relevant Permitted Purposes. The parties acknowledge and agree that the above consent may not be required if the Processing is necessary for the performance of obligations resulting from a contract with the Data Subject or imposed by law, or for the purposes of legitimate interests pursued by the Service Provider or a person to whom the Client Personal Data are disclosed which are not outweighed by prejudice to the rights, freedoms or legitimate interests of the Data Subjects or (other than where the Service Provider is established in Austria and/or the Czech Republic) for the Processing of information relating to persons other than living individuals. Service Provider’s Affiliates and Third Party Service Providers shall be third party beneficiaries of the Client’s warranties in this Condition 7.5. |
|
7.6 |
Employee reliability and training. The Service Provider will take reasonable steps to ensure the reliability of its employees who will have access to Client Personal Data and will ensure that those of its employees who are involved in the Processing of Client Personal Data have undergone appropriate training in the care, protection and handling of Personal Data. |
7.7 | Audit. The Service Provider shall provide the Client with such information as is reasonably requested by the Client to enable the Client to satisfy itself of the Service Provider’s compliance with its obligations under Condition Error! Reference source not found. (Confidentiality and security). Nothing in this Condition Error! Reference source not found. shall have the effect of requiring the Service Provider, its Affiliates or any Third Party Service Provider to provide information that may cause it to breach its respective confidentiality obligations to third parties or its respective internal data security and confidentiality policies and procedures. |
Schedule 4 to Services Agreement
|
8. |
Security Incidents. If the Service Provider becomes aware of a Security Incident, the Service Provider will investigate and remediate the effects of the Security Incident in accordance with its internal policies and procedures and the requirements of law and regulation applicable to Service Provider. The Service Provider will notify the Client of any Security Incident as soon as reasonably practicable after the Service Provider becomes aware of a Security Incident, unless the Service Provider is subject to a legal or regulatory constraint, or if it would compromise the Service Provider’s investigation. The parties agree that where the Service Provider has no direct contractual relationship with Data Subjects whose data have been compromised in a Security Incident, the Client will be responsible for making any notifications to regulators and individuals that are required under applicable data protection law or regulation. The Service Provider will provide reasonable information and assistance to the Client to help the Client to meet its obligations to Data Subjects and regulators. Neither the Service Provider nor the Client will issue press or media statements or comments in connection with the Security Incident that name the other party unless it has obtained the other party’s prior written consent. |
9. |
Data protection: EEA and Jersey - specific provisions. The following provisions of this Condition Error! Reference source not found. apply only where the Service Provider is established in the European Economic Area or Jersey: |
|
9.1 |
Withdrawal of consent. Consent to the Processing of Personal Data is voluntary and Data Subjects may withdraw their consent to this Processing. However, if consent is withdrawn and unless the Service Provider is entitled to continue the relevant processing without consent, this may prevent the Service Provider from providing Services under the Agreement. Data Subjects may have recourse to the courts in the event that their rights have been infringed. |
|
9.2 |
Data subject rights. Data Subjects may object, by request and free of charge, to the Processing or Disclosing Party Personal Data relating to them for certain purposes, including direct marketing, and may access and rectify, or request deletion in compliance with local law and the terms herein, of Disclosing Party Personal Data relating to them, and may request not to be subject to an automated decision. More information about the Service Provider’s Processing of Client Personal Data, the relevant data protection authority and data processing registrar, if applicable, may be obtained by contacting the Client’s account manager. |
|
9.3 |
Data processor. If and to the extent that the Service Provider’s Processing activities in relation to Client Personal Data cause it to be regarded as a data processor for the Client, the Service Provider will act only on the Client’s instructions in relation to such data. Client’s instructions are as specified in Condition 7.3. |
|
9.4 |
Information and assistance. The Service Provider shall provide such information and assistance to the Client as the Client may reasonably request in order to enable the Client to comply with the rights of Data Subjects or with information notices served by any data protection authority. |
|
9.5 |
Recipients. Clients of Service Provider establishments in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy and Spain may obtain further information about Service Provider Affiliates, the Service Provider’s Third Party Service Providers and Payment Infrastructure Providers and Securities Infrastructure Providers to whom their Personal Data has been disclosed on request from the Client’s account manager. |
10. |
Definitions. Capitalised terms used in these Conditions shall have the meanings given to them in the Services Agreement or as set out below: |
“Affiliate” means either a Service Provider Affiliate or a Client Affiliate, as the context may require;
“Anonymized and/or Aggregated Data” means information relating to the Disclosing Party or its Related Parties (or, in the case of Client, its customers) received or generated by the Receiving Party in connection with the provision or receipt of the Services under the Agreement and in respect of which all personal identifiers have been removed, and/or which has been aggregated with other data, in both cases such that the data cannot identify the Disclosing Party, its Affiliates or Related Parties or their respective customers or Representatives, or a natural person;
“Conditions” means these Confidentiality and Data Privacy Conditions;
“Confidential Information” means:
(A) | where the Disclosing Party is the Client or a Client Affiliate, or any of their respective Representatives: information relating to the Client or Client Affiliates or their respective Representatives or Related Parties received by Service Provider Recipients in the course of providing Services under the Agreement to the Client, including all Client Personal Data, Client’s transactional information, and any other information that is either designated by the Client as confidential at the time of disclosure or that a reasonable person would consider to be of a confidential or proprietary nature; or |
Schedule 4 to Services Agreement
|
(B) |
where the Disclosing Party is the Service Provider or a Service Provider Affiliate, or any of their respective Representatives or Third Party Service Providers or technology or data licensors: information relating to the Service Provider or Service Provider Affiliates or their respective Representatives, Third Party Service Providers or technology or data licensors, received or accessed by the Client, Client Affiliates and their respective Representatives in connection with the receipt of Services under the Agreement, including Service Provider Personal Data, information relating to the Service Provider’s products and services and the terms and conditions on which they are provided, technology (including software, the form and format of reports and on-line computer screens), pricing information, internal policies, operational procedures and any other information that is either designated by the Service Provider as confidential at the time of disclosure or that a reasonable person would consider to be of a confidential or proprietary nature; |
“Control” means that an entity possesses directly or indirectly the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of the other entity, whether through the ownership of voting shares, by contract or otherwise;
“Client Affiliate” means any entity, present or future, that directly or indirectly Controls, is Controlled by, or is under common Control with Client, and any branch thereof, including, without limitation, if the Client is an investment adviser or other financial institution, pooled investment vehicles managed or sponsored by the Client with respect to which Service Provider provides Services under the Agreement;
“Client Personal Data” means Personal Data relating to a Data Subject received by or on behalf of the Service Provider from the Client, Client Affiliates and their respective Representatives and Related Parties in the course of providing Services under the Agreement to the Client. Client Personal Data may include names, contact details, identification and verification information, nationality and residency information, taxpayer identification numbers, voiceprints, Service Provider account and transactional information (where legally permissible), to the extent that these amount to Personal Data under applicable local data protection or data privacy law;
“Data Subject” means a natural person who is identified, or who can be identified directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an identification number or to one or more factors specific to his or her physical, physiological, mental, economic, cultural or social identity, or, if different, the meaning given to this term or nearest equivalent term under applicable local data protection or data privacy law with respect to such natural person. For the purpose of these Conditions, Data Subjects may be the Client, Client Affiliates, the Service Provider, their personnel, Related Parties, customers of the Client, suppliers, payment remitters, payment beneficiaries or other persons;
“Disclosing Party” means a party to the Agreement that discloses Confidential Information to the other party;
“Disclosing Party Personal Data” means Personal Data provided by or on behalf of the Disclosing Party to the Receiving Party in the course of the provision or receipt of the Services under the Agreement;
“Payment Infrastructure Provider” means a payments clearance system or other third party which forms part of a payment system infrastructure, including without limitation communications, clearing or payment systems and intermediary banks or correspondent banks who are not agents of the Service Provider;
“Permitted Purposes” in relation to the Service Provider’s use of Client’s Confidential Information means the following purposes: (i) to provide Services under the Agreement to the Client and, where contemplated by the Agreement, the Client’s Affiliates and Related Parties, in accordance with the Agreement; (ii) to undertake activities related to the provision of Services under the Agreement, such as, by way of non-exhaustive example: (a) to fulfil foreign and domestic legal, regulatory and compliance requirements (including US anti-money laundering obligations applicable to the Service Providers and its Affiliates) and comply with any law applicable to any of the Service Provider, Service Provider Affiliates and their respective Third Party Service Providers; (b) to verify the identity of Client representatives who contact the Service Provider or may be contacted by the Service Provider; (c) for risk assessment, statistical, trend analysis and planning purposes; (d) to monitor and record calls and electronic communications with the Client and its Affiliates and Related Parties and their respective Representatives for quality, training, investigation and fraud prevention purposes; (e) for crime detection, prevention, investigation and prosecution; (f) to enforce or defend the Service Provider’s, its Affiliates’ and Third Party Service Providers’ rights; and (g) to manage the Service Provider’s relationship with the Client and, where Services may be consumed by them as contemplated by the Agreement, the Client’s Affiliates and Related Parties, which may include providing information to Client and Client Affiliates and Client’s Related Parties about the Service Provider’s and Service Provider Affiliates’ products and services; and (iii) the purposes set out in Condition 5 (Authorized disclosures);
“Permitted Purposes” in relation to the Client’s use of the Service Provider’s Confidential Information means the following purposes: to enjoy the benefit of, enforce or defend its rights and perform its obligations in connection with the receipt of Services from the Service Provider in accordance with the Conditions, and to manage the Client’s relationship with the Service Provider;
Schedule 4 to Services Agreement
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“Personal Data” means any information that can be used, directly or indirectly, alone or in combination with other information, to identify an individual, or, if different, the meaning given to this term or nearest equivalent term under applicable local data protection or data privacy law;
“Processing” of Personal Data means any operation or set of operations that is performed upon Personal Data, whether or not by automatic means, such as collection, recording, organization, storage, adaptation or alteration, retrieval, consultation, use, disclosure by transmission, dissemination or otherwise making available, alignment or combination, blocking, erasure or destruction, or, if different, the meaning given to this term or nearest equivalent term under applicable local data protection or data privacy law with respect to such Personal Data;
“Receiving Party” means a party to the Agreement that receives Confidential Information from the other party to the Agreement;
“Related Party” means any natural person or entity, or branch thereof, that: (i) owns, directly or indirectly, stock of the Client, if the Client is a corporation, (ii) owns, directly or indirectly, profits, interests or capital interests in the Client, if the Client is a partnership, (iii) is treated as the owner of the Client, if the Client is a “grantor trust” under sections 671 through 679 of the United States Internal Revenue Code or is of equivalent status under any similar law of any jurisdiction, domestic or foreign, (iv) holds, directly or indirectly, beneficial interests in the Client, if the Client is a trust; or (v) exercises control over the Client directly or indirectly through ownership or any arrangement or other means, if the Client is an entity, including (a) a settlor, protector or beneficiary of a trust, (b) a person who ultimately has a controlling interest in the Client, (c) a person who exercises control over the Client through other means, such as manager of a limited liability company or a general partner of a partnership, or (d) the senior managing official of the Client; or (vi) an investment adviser that provides services to or for the benefit of Client or a Client Affiliate;
“Representatives” means a party’s officers, directors, employees, agents, representatives, professional advisers and Third Party Service Providers;
“Securities Infrastructure Provider” means a securities exchange or settlement system or other third party which forms part of a securities settlement infrastructure, including without limitation communications, clearing or payment systems and brokers, dealers and banks;
“Security Incident” means an incident whereby the confidentiality of Disclosing Party Personal Data within Receiving Party’s custody or control has been materially compromised so as to pose a reasonable likelihood of harm to the Data Subjects involved;
“Service Provider Affiliate” means any entity, present or future, that directly or indirectly Controls, is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Service Provider, and any branch or representative offices thereof, including Citibank, N.A. and Citigroup Technologies, Inc.;
“Service Provider Personal Data” means Personal Data relating to a Data Subject received by the Client from the Service Provider, Service Provider Affiliates and/or their respective Representatives or Third Party Service Providers in the course of receiving Services under the Agreement from the Service Provider or such Service Provider Affiliates and/or Representatives or Third Party Service Providers. Service Provider Personal Data may include names and contact details, to the extent that these amount to Personal Data under applicable local data protection or data privacy law;
“Service Provider Recipients” means the Service Provider, Service Provider Affiliates and their respective Representatives and Third Party Service Providers; and
“Third Party Service Provider” means a third party reasonably selected by the Receiving Party or its Affiliate to provide services to it and who is not a Payment Infrastructure Provider or Securities Infrastructure Provider. Examples of Third Party Service Providers include technology service providers, business process outsourcing service providers and call center service providers.
Schedule 4 to Services Agreement
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ETF Opportunities Trust 485BPOS
Exhibit 99(h)(6)
AMENDMENT
NO.4
TO
SERVICES AGREEMENT
This AMENDMENT No.4 (“Amendment”) is made as of March 1, 2021, 2021, by and among ETF Opportunities Trust (“Client”) and Citibank, N.A. (“Citibank”), and Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“CFSO”, together with Citibank, the “Service Provider” and, with the Client, the “Parties”), to that certain Services Agreement dated May 14, 2020, between the Client and Service Provider (“Agreement”). All capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Agreement.
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Agreement, Service Provider performs certain services for the Client;
WHEREAS, the Parties agree to amend the List of Funds to reflect the addition of: (i) Real Asset Strategies (Cayman) Ltd. (ii) Formidable ETF (iii) Formidable Small/Mid Cap ETF (iv) Formidable Thematic ETF (v) Applied Finance Valuation Stewardship Large Cap US ETF to the portfolio of the Client;
WHEREAS, the Parties agree to amend the Fee Schedule to include a sleeve fee and its related terms; and
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises hereinafter contained and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Client and Service Provider hereby agree as follows:
1. |
Amendment to Annex 1 – List of Funds. |
Annex 1 – Schedule 2 of the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following Annex 1 – Schedule 2 attached to the end of the Amendment.
2. |
Amendment to Schedule 5 – Fee Schedule. |
Schedule 5 of the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the Schedule 5 attached to the end of this Amendment.
3. |
Representations and Warranties. |
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a. |
The Client represents that it has full power and authority to enter into and perform this Amendment and that it has provided this Amendment to the Board. |
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b. |
The Service Provider represents that it has full power and authority to enter into and perform this Amendment. |
4. Miscellaneous.
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a. |
This Amendment supplements and amends the Agreement. The provisions set forth in this Amendment supersede all prior negotiations, understandings and agreements bearing upon the subject matter covered herein, including any conflicting provisions of the Agreement or any provisions of the Agreement that directly cover or indirectly bear upon matters covered under this Amendment. |
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b. |
Each reference to the Agreement in the Agreement (as it existed prior to this Amendment) and in every other agreement, contract or instrument to which the parties are bound, shall hereafter be construed as a reference to the Agreement as amended by this Amendment. Except as provided in this Amendment, the provisions of the Agreement remain in full force and effect. No amendment or modification to this Amendment shall be valid unless made in writing and executed by both parties hereto. |
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c. |
Paragraph headings in this Amendment are included for convenience only and are not to be used to construe or interpret this Amendment. |
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d. |
This Amendment may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be an original but all of which, taken together, shall constitute one and the same agreement. |
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank. Signatures follow on next page.]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be duly executed all as of the day and year first above written.
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Annex 1 – Schedule 2 to Services Agreement
List of Funds
1. |
American Conservative Values ETF |
2. |
American Conservative Values Small-Cap ETF |
3. |
Real Asset Strategies ETF |
4. |
Real Asset Strategies (Cayman) Ltd. |
5. |
Formidable ETF |
6. |
Formidable Small/Mid Cap ETF |
7. |
Formidable Thematic ETF |
8. |
Applied Finance Valuation Stewardship Large Cap US ETF |
ETF Opportunities Trust 485BPOS
Exhibit 99(i)(4)
April 16, 2021
ETF Opportunities Trust
8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205
Richmond, Virginia 23235
RE: | Opinion of Counsel regarding the Registration Statement filed on Form N-1A under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), and Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) (File Nos. 333-234544 and 811-23439) |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to ETF Opportunities Trust (the “Trust”), a statutory trust organized under the laws of the state of Delaware and registered under the 1940 Act as an open-end series management investment company.
This opinion relates to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (the “Registration Statement”) and is given in connection with the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) of a post-effective amendment under the Securities Act and an amendment under the 1940 Act (collectively, the “Amendment”), each to the Registration Statement. The Amendment relates to the registration of an indefinite number of shares of beneficial interest (collectively, the “Shares”), with no par value per share, for a new series of the Trust – Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap ETF (the “Fund”). We understand that the Amendment is being filed with the Commission pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act and that our opinion is required to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.
In reaching the opinions set forth below, we have examined, among other things, copies of the Trust's Certificate of Trust, Agreement and Declaration of Trust, applicable resolutions of the Board of Trustees, and originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such other documents, records and other instruments as we have deemed necessary or advisable for purposes of this opinion. We have also examined the prospectus and statement of additional information for the Fund, substantially in the form in which they are being filed in the Amendment (collectively, the “Prospectus”).
As to any facts or questions of fact material to the opinions set forth below, we have relied exclusively upon the aforesaid documents and upon representations and declarations of the officers or other representatives of the Trust. We have made no independent investigation whatsoever as to such factual matters.
The Prospectus provides for issuance of the Shares from time to time at the net asset value thereof, plus any applicable sales charge. In reaching the opinions set forth below, we have assumed that upon sale of the Shares, the Trust will receive the net asset value thereof.
PRACTUS, LLP
11300 Tomahawk Creek Pkwy ● Ste. 310 ● Leawood, Kansas 6621 ● p: 913.660.0778
Practus.com
We have also assumed, without independent investigation or inquiry, that:
(a) | all documents submitted to us as originals are authentic; all documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies conform to the original documents; all signatures on all documents submitted to us for examination are genuine; and all documents and public records reviewed are accurate and complete; and |
(b) | all representations, warranties, certifications and statements with respect to matters of fact and other factual information (i) made by public officers, or (ii) made by officers or representatives of the Trust are accurate, true, correct and complete in all material respects. |
The Delaware Statutory Trust Act provides that shareholders of the Trust shall be entitled to the same limitation on personal liability as is extended under the Delaware General Corporation Law to stockholders of private corporations for profit. There is a remote possibility, however, that, under certain circumstances, shareholders of a Delaware statutory trust may be held personally liable for that trust’s obligations to the extent that the courts of another state which does not recognize such limited liability were to apply the laws of such state to a controversy involving such obligations. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides that neither the Trust nor the Trustees, nor any officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall have any power to bind personally any shareholder, or to call upon any shareholder for the payment of any sum of money or assessment whatsoever other than such as the shareholder may at any time agree to pay. Therefore, the risk of any shareholder incurring financial loss beyond his investment due to shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which the Fund is unable to meet their obligations and the express limitation of shareholder liabilities is determined not to be effective.
Based on our review of the foregoing and subject to the assumptions and qualifications set forth herein, it is our opinion that, as of the date of this letter:
(a) | The Shares to be offered for sale pursuant to the Prospectus are duly and validly authorized by all necessary actions on the part of the Trust; and |
(b) | The Shares, when issued and sold by the Trust for consideration pursuant to and in the manner contemplated by the Agreement and Declaration of Trust and the Trust’s Registration Statement, will be validly issued and fully paid and non-assessable, subject to compliance with the Securities Act, the 1940 Act, and the applicable state laws regulating the sale of securities |
We express no opinion as to any other matters other than as expressly set forth above and no other opinion is intended or may be inferred herefrom. The opinions expressed herein are given as of the date hereof and we undertake no obligation and hereby disclaim any obligation to advise you of any change after the date of this opinion pertaining to any matter referred to herein.
We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In rendering this opinion and giving this consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules or regulations of the Commission thereunder.
Sincerely, |
/s/ PRACTUS, LLP |
Practus, LLP |
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