As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 25, 2015
 
Securities Act File No. 333-169317
Investment Company Act File No. 811-22472



 

U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 

 
FORM N-2 (CHECK APPROPRIATE BOX OR BOXES)
[X] REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
 
[X] Pre-Effective Amendment No. 5
 
[X] REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
[X] Amendment No. 5

RIVERNORTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND, INC.
 
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in Charter)

 
1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, CO 80203
(Address of principal executive offices)
 

 
(303) 623-2577
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code)
 

 
ALPS Fund Services, Inc.
Attn: Abigail J. Murray
1290 Broadway, Suite 1100
Denver, CO 80203
 
(Name and address of agent for service)
 

 
COPY TO:
 
Stuart M. Strauss, Esq.
Allison M. Fumai, Esq.
Dechert LLP
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
Sarah E. Cogan, Esq.
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
425 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10017
 

 
Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering:
As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
 

 
If any securities being registered on this form will be offered on a delayed or continuous basis in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered in connection with a dividend reinvestment plan, check the following box.  [ ]

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)
 
[  ] when declared effective pursuant to section 8(c)
 
If appropriate, check the following box
 
[  ] This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed registrations statement.
 
[  ] This Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act and the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering is.
 
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
 
Title of Securities
Being Registered
Amount Being Registered(1)
Proposed Maximum
Offering Price
Per Unit(2)
Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering
Price (2)
Amount of
Registration Fee(3)
Common stock, $0.0001 par value per share
1,000 shares
$20.00
$20,000
$1.43
 
(1)
Includes shares that may be offered to the Underwriters pursuant to an option to cover over-allotments.
(2) Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933.
(3) Previously paid.
 

 



 

 
The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until this Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
 

The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state or other jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
 
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
PROSPECTUS, DATED NOVEMBER 25, 2015
 
Shares
 
RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc.
Common Stock
$20.00 per Share
 
RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) is offering shares of common stock. This is the initial public offering of the Fund’s shares of common stock, and no public market exists for its common stock. The Fund is a diversified, closed-end management investment company.
 
Investment Objective. The Fund’s investment objective is total return consisting of capital appreciation and current income.   There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
 
No Prior History.   Because the Fund is recently organized, its common stock has no history of public trading. Common stock of closed-end funds frequently trades at prices lower than net asset value. The risk of loss due to this discount may be greater for initial investors expecting to sell their common stock in a relatively short period after the completion of this initial public offering. It is expected that the Fund’s common stock will be approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange, subject to notice of issuance, under the symbol “RIV.”
 
You should read this Prospectus, which contains important information about the Fund, before deciding whether to invest in the Fund’s common stock, and retain it for future reference. A Statement of Additional Information, dated   , 2015 (the “SAI”), containing additional information about the Fund, has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and is incorporated by reference in its entirety into this Prospectus. You may request a free copy of the Prospectus, the SAI (the table of contents of which is on page 63 of this Prospectus), annual and semi-annual reports to stockholders (when available) and other information about the Fund, by calling (855) 830-1222, by writing to the Fund at 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, CO 80203, or by visiting the Fund’s website at www.rivernorthcef.com (information included on the website does not form a part of this Prospectus), or from the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov).
(continued on following page)
 
Investing in Fund’s common stock involves certain risks. See “Risks” beginning on page 24 of this Prospectus.
 
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this Prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
 
The underwriters expect to deliver the shares of common stock to purchasers on or about   , 2015.
 
   
Per Share
   
Total(1)
 
Public Offering Price
 
$
20.00
   
$
   
Sales Load(2)
 
$
0.60
   
$
   
Proceeds, After Expenses, to the Fund(3)
 
$
19.36
   
$
   
 
(1) The Fund has granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to               additional shares of common stock at the Public Offering Price less the Sales Load within 45 days of the date of this Prospectus, solely to cover overallotments, if any. If this option is exercised in full, the total Public Offering Price, Sales Load, and Proceeds, After Expenses, to the Fund, will be $        , $         and $        , respectively. See “Underwriters.”
 
(2)
The Fund has agreed to pay distribution assistance fees to ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the “Adviser”) and RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC (the “Subadviser”) (and not the Fund) have agreed to pay from their own assets a structuring fee to Wells Fargo Securities, LLC. The Adviser and the Subadviser (and not the Fund) may also pay certain other qualifying underwriters a structuring fee, sales incentive fee, or additional compensation in connection with the offering. Furthermore, the Fund has agreed to reimburse the underwriters for certain expenses in connection with this offering. See “Underwriters.”
 
(3) The Adviser and the Subadviser have agreed to bear (a) all organizational expenses of the Fund and (b) such offering expenses of the Fund (other than the sales load) that exceed $0.04 per share of the Fund’s common stock.  Proceeds to the Fund are calculated after expenses paid by the Fund. See “Underwriters.”
 
Wells Fargo Securities
 
Prospectus dated  , 2015

(continued from previous page)
 
Principal Investment Strategies. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by pursuing a tactical asset allocation strategy and opportunistically investing under normal circumstances in closed-end funds and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs” and collectively, “Underlying Funds”). Underlying Funds also may include business development companies (“BDCs”). All Underlying Funds will be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 65% of its Managed Assets in closed-end funds and at least 80% of its Managed Assets in Underlying Funds. “Managed Assets” means the total assets of the Fund, including assets attributable to leverage, minus liabilities (other than debt representing leverage and any preferred stock that may be outstanding). The Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests will not include those that are advised or subadvised by the Adviser, the Subadviser or their affiliates.
 
In selecting closed-end funds, the Subadviser will opportunistically utilize a combination of short-term and longer-term trading strategies to seek to derive value from the discount and premium spreads associated with closed-end funds. The Subadviser employs both a quantitative and qualitative approach in its selection of closed-end funds and has developed proprietary screening models and trading algorithms to trade closed-end funds. The Fund will invest in other Underlying Funds (that are not closed-end funds) to gain exposure to specific asset classes when the Subadviser believes closed-end fund discount or premium spreads are not attractive or to manage overall closed-end fund exposure in the Fund.
 
The Subadviser has the flexibility to change the Fund’s asset allocation based on its ongoing analysis of the equity, fixed income and alternative asset markets. The Subadviser considers various quantitative and qualitative factors relating to the domestic and foreign securities markets and economies when making asset allocation and security selection decisions. While the Subadviser continuously evaluates these factors, material shifts in the Fund’s asset class exposures will typically take place over longer periods of time.
 
Under normal market conditions, the Fund intends to maintain long positions in Underlying Funds, but may at times establish hedging positions.  Hedging positions may include short sales and derivatives, such as options and swaps.  Under normal market conditions, no more than 30% of the Fund’s Managed Assets will be in hedging positions.  The Fund’s investments in derivatives will be included under the 65% and 80% policy noted above so long as the underlying asset of such derivatives is a closed-end fund or Underlying Fund, respectively.
 
The Fund also may invest up to 20% of its Managed Assets in exchange-traded notes (“ETNs”), certain derivatives, such as options and swaps, cash and cash equivalents.  Such investments will not be counted towards the Fund’s 80% policy.

The Fund’s net asset value will vary and its distribution rate may vary and both may be affected by numerous factors, including changes in the market spread over a specified benchmark, market interest rates and performance. Fluctuations in net asset value may be magnified as a result of the Fund's use of leverage. An investment in the Fund may not be appropriate for all investors.

Contingent Conversion Feature. The Fund’s Charter provides that, during calendar year 2021, the Fund will call a shareholder meeting for the purpose of voting to determine whether the Fund should convert to an open-end management investment company. If approved by shareholders, the Fund will seek to convert to an open-end management investment company within 12 months of such approval. If not approved by shareholders, the Fund will continue in operation as a closed-end management investment company.

Leverage. The Fund may borrow money and/or issue preferred stock, notes or debt securities for investment purposes. These practices are known as leveraging. Since the holders of common stock pay all expenses related to the issuance of debt or use of leverage, any use of leverage would create a greater risk of loss for the shares of common stock than if leverage is not used. The Fund may use leverage through borrowings or the issuance of preferred stock, in an aggregate amount of up to 15% of the Fund’s Managed Assets immediately after such borrowings or issuance.  However, the Fund is not required to decrease its use of leverage if leverage exceeds 15% but is less than 20% of the Fund’s Managed Assets due solely to changes in market conditions.  Based on market conditions at the time, the Fund may instead use such leverage in amounts that represent less than 15% of the Fund’s Managed Assets. The Fund currently anticipates that leverage will initially be obtained through the use of bank borrowings or other similar term loans.  The Underlying Funds that the Fund invests in may also use leverage; provided, however, it is the intention of the Fund that the Fund’s direct use of leverage and the Fund’s overall exposure to leverage utilized by all the Underlying Funds will not exceed 33 1/3% of the Fund’s Managed Assets.  To the extent that the Fund’s exposure to leverage utilized by all the Underlying Funds is 33 1/3% of the Fund’s Managed Assets, the Fund intends to not utilize leverage directly.  The Fund’s intention to limit leverage is contingent upon the Subadviser’s ability to adequately determine an Underlying Fund’s current amount of leverage, which may be severely limited, and ultimately unsuccessful.
 

Investment Adviser and Subadviser. The Fund’s investment adviser is ALPS Advisors, Inc. and the Fund’s subadviser is RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC.
 
The Fund’s common stock does not represent a deposit or obligation of, and is not guaranteed or endorsed by, any bank or other insured depository institution, and is not federally insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other government agency.
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
Prospectus Summary
1
Summary Of Fund Expenses
18
The Fund
20
Use Of Proceeds
20
Investment Objective, Strategies And Policies
20
Contingent Conversion Feature
22
Use Of Leverage
22
Risks
24
Management Of The Fund
41
Net Asset Value
43
Dividends And Distributions
43
Dividend Reinvestment Plan
45
Description Of The Common Shares
46
Certain Provisions Of The Fund’s Charter And Bylaws And Of Maryland Law
47
Repurchase Of Shares
54
Conversion To Open-End Fund
54
U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters
55
Underwriters
58
Custodian And Transfer Agent
61
Legal Matters
61
Additional Information
61
The Fund’s Privacy Policy
61
Table Of Contents For The Statement Of Additional Information
63
 
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus. Neither the Fund nor the underwriters have authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. Neither the Fund nor the underwriters are making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information provided by this Prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of this Prospectus. The Fund’s business, financial condition and results of operations may have changed since that date.
 

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
This is only a summary of information contained elsewhere in this Prospectus. This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in the Fund’s shares of common stock offered by this Prospectus (the “Common Shares”). You should review the more detailed information contained in this Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”), especially the information set forth under the headings “Investment Objective, Strategies and Policies” and “Risks.”
 
The Fund
RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) is a Maryland corporation registered as a diversified, closed-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). An investment in the Fund may not be appropriate for all investors. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
The Offering
The Fund is offering shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, at $20.00 per share through a group of underwriters led by Wells Fargo Securities, LLC. The minimum purchase in this offering is 100 Common Shares ($2,000). The Fund has granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to                  additional Common Shares to cover overallotments. See “Underwriters.” ALPS Advisors, Inc., the investment adviser to the Fund (the “Adviser”), and RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC, the subadviser to the Fund (the “Subadviser”), have agreed to bear (1) all organizational expenses of the Fund and (2) such offering expenses of the Fund (other than the sales load) that exceed $0.04 per share of the Fund’s Common Shares. The aggregate offering expenses (other than the sales load) to be incurred by the Fund currently are estimated to be $                .  Proceeds to the Fund are calculated after expenses paid by the Fund.
Investment Objective
The Fund’s investment objective is total return consisting of capital appreciation and current income. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by pursuing a tactical asset allocation strategy and opportunistically investing under normal circumstances in closed-end funds and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs” and collectively, “Underlying Funds”). Underlying Funds also may include business development companies (“BDCs”). All Underlying Funds will be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Subadviser has the flexibility to change the Fund’s asset allocation based on its ongoing analysis of the equity, fixed income and alternative asset markets. The Subadviser considers various quantitative and qualitative factors relating to the domestic and foreign securities markets and economies when making asset allocation and security selection decisions. While the Subadviser continuously evaluates these factors, material shifts in the Fund’s asset class exposures will typically take place over longer periods of time.
 
Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 65% of its Managed Assets in closed-end funds and at least 80% of its Managed Assets in Underlying Funds. “Managed Assets” means the total assets of the Fund, including assets attributable to leverage, minus liabilities (other than debt representing leverage and any preferred stock that may be outstanding). The Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests will not include those that are advised or subadvised by the Adviser, the Subadviser or their affiliates.  The Fund directly, and therefore holders of Common Shares (“Common Shareholders”) indirectly, will bear the expenses of the Underlying Funds.
 
1

 
Under normal market conditions: (i) no more than 80% of the Fund’s Managed Assets will be invested in “equity” Underlying Funds; (ii) no more than 60% of the Fund’s Managed Assets will be invested in “fixed income” Underlying Funds; (iii) no more than 30% of the Fund’s Managed Assets will be invested in “global equity” Underlying Funds; (iv) no more than 15% of the Fund’s Managed Assets will be invested in “emerging market equity” Underlying Funds; (v) no more than 30% of the Fund’s Managed Assets will be invested in “high yield” (also known as “junk bond”) and “senior loan” Underlying Funds; (vi) no more than 15% of the Fund’s Managed Assets will be invested in “emerging market income” Underlying Funds; (vii) no more than 15% of the Fund’s Managed Assets will be invested in “real estate” Underlying Funds; and (viii) no more than 15% of the Fund’s Managed Assets will be invested in “energy master limited partnership” (“MLP”) Underlying Funds.  Underlying Funds included in the 30% limitation applicable to investments in “global equity” Underlying Funds may include Underlying Funds that invest a portion of their assets in emerging markets securities.  The Fund will also limit its investments in closed-end funds (including BDCs) that have been in operation for less than one year to no more than 10% of the Fund’s Managed Assets. The Fund will not invest in inverse ETFs and leveraged ETFs. The types of Underlying Funds referenced in this paragraph will be categorized in accordance with the fund categories established and maintained by Morningstar, Inc. The investment parameters stated above (and elsewhere in this Prospectus) apply only at the time of purchase.
 
In selecting closed-end funds, the Subadviser opportunistically utilizes a combination of short-term and longer-term trading strategies to seek to derive value from the discount and premium spreads associated with closed-end funds. The Subadviser employs both a quantitative and qualitative approach in its selection of closed-end funds and has developed proprietary screening models and algorithms to trade closed-end funds. The Subadviser employs the following trading strategies, among others:
 
Statistical Analysis (Mean Reversion)
 
·              Using proprietary quantitative models, the Subadviser seeks to identify closed-end funds that are trading at compelling absolute and / or relative discounts.
 
·              The Fund will attempt to capitalize on the perceived mispricing if the Subadviser believes that the discount widening is irrational and expects the discount to narrow to longer-term mean valuations.
 
Corporate Actions
 
·              The Subadviser will pursue investments in closed-end funds that have announced, or the Subadviser believes are likely to announce, certain corporate actions that may drive value for their shareholders .
 
·              The Subadviser has developed trading strategies that focus on closed-end fund tender offers, rights offerings, shareholder distributions, open-endings and liquidations.
 
The Fund will invest in other Underlying Funds (that are not closed-end funds) to gain exposure to specific asset classes when the Subadviser believes closed-end fund discount or premium spreads are not attractive or to manage overall closed-end fund exposure in the Fund.
 
Under normal circumstances, the Fund intends to maintain long positions in Underlying Funds, but may at times establish hedging positions.  Hedging positions may include short sales and derivatives, such as options and swaps (“Hedging Positions”). Under normal market conditions, no more than 30% of the Fund’s Managed Assets will be in Hedging Positions. When the Fund engages in a short sale, it sells a security it does not own and, to complete the sale, borrows the same security from a broker or other institution. The Fund may benefit from a short position when the shorted security decreases in value.  The Subadviser intends to use Hedging Positions to lower the Fund’s volatility but they may also be used to seek to enhance the Fund’s return.  The Fund’s investments in derivatives will be included under the 65% and 80% policy noted above so long as the underlying asset of such derivatives is a closed-end fund or Underlying Fund, respectively.
 
2

 
The Fund also may invest up to 20% of its Managed Assets in exchange-traded notes (“ETNs”), certain derivatives, such as options and swaps, cash and cash equivalents.  Such investments will not be counted towards the Fund’s 80% policy.
 
There are no limits on the Fund’s portfolio turnover, and the Fund may buy and sell securities to take advantage of potential short-term trading opportunities without regard to length of time and when the Subadviser believes investment considerations warrant such action.
 
The Fund may attempt to enhance the return on the cash portion of its portfolio (and not for hedging purposes) by investing in a total return swap agreement. A total return swap agreement provides the Fund with a return based on the performance of an underlying asset, in exchange for fee payments to a counterparty based on a specific rate. The difference in the value of these income streams is recorded daily by the Fund, and is typically settled in cash at least monthly. If the underlying asset declines in value over the term of the swap, the Fund would be required to pay the dollar value of that decline plus any applicable fees to the counterparty. The Fund may use its own net asset value or any other reference asset that the Subadviser chooses as the underlying asset in a total return swap. The Fund will limit the notional amount of all total return swaps in the aggregate to 15% of the Fund’s Managed Assets. See “Investment Objective, Strategies and Policies—Principal Investment Strategies.”
Contingent Conversion Feature
The Fund’s Charter provides that, during calendar year 2021, the Fund will call a shareholder meeting for the purpose of voting to determine whether the Fund should convert to an open-end management investment company (such meeting date, as may be adjourned, the “Conversion Vote Date”). Such shareholder meeting may be adjourned or postponed in accordance with the By-Laws of the Fund to a date in calendar year 2021. A vote on such Conversion Vote Date to convert the Fund to an open-end management investment company under the Charter requires approval by a majority of the Fund’s total outstanding shares. A majority is defined as greater than 50% of the Fund’s total outstanding shares. If approved by shareholders on the Conversion Vote Date, the Fund will seek to convert to an open-end management investment company within 12 months of such approval. If the requisite number of votes to convert the Fund to an open-end management investment company is not obtained on the Conversion Vote Date, the Fund will continue in operation as a closed-end management investment company. See “Conversion to Open-End Fund” and “Risks—Contingent Conversion Risk” below.
 
3

Use of Leverage
The Fund may borrow money and/or issue preferred stock, notes or debt securities for investment purposes. These practices are known as leveraging. The Fund may use leverage through borrowings or the issuance of preferred stock, in an aggregate amount of up to 15% of the Fund’s Managed Assets immediately after such borrowings or issuance.  However, the Fund is not required to decrease its use of leverage if leverage exceeds 15%, but is less than 20% of the Fund’s Managed Assets due solely to changes in market conditions.  Based on market conditions at the time, the Fund may instead use such leverage in amounts that represent less than 15% of the Fund’s Managed Assets. The Subadviser will assess whether or not to engage in leverage based on its assessment of conditions in the debt and credit markets. Leverage, if used, may take the form of a borrowing or the issuance of preferred stock, although the Fund currently anticipates that leverage will initially be obtained through the use of bank borrowings or other similar term loans. The Underlying Funds that the Fund invests in may also use leverage; provided, however, it is the intention of the Fund that the Fund’s direct use of leverage and the Fund’s overall exposure to leverage utilized by all the Underlying Funds will not exceed 33 1/3% of the Fund’s Managed Assets.  To the extent that the Fund’s exposure to leverage utilized by all the Underlying Funds is 33 1/3% of the Fund’s Managed Assets, the Fund intends to not utilize leverage directly.  The Fund’s intention to limit leverage is contingent upon the Subadviser’s ability to adequately determine an Underlying Fund’s current amount of leverage, which may be severely limited, and ultimately unsuccessful.
 
Notwithstanding the limits discussed above, the Fund may enter into derivatives or other transactions (e.g., total return swaps) that may provide leverage (other than through borrowings or the issuance of preferred stock), but which are not subject to the foregoing  limitations, if the Fund earmarks or segregates liquid assets (or enters into offsetting positions) in accordance with applicable Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) regulations and interpretations to cover its obligations under those transactions and instruments. These additional transactions will not cause the Fund to pay higher advisory or administration fee rates than it would pay in the absence of such transactions. In addition, these transactions will entail additional expenses (e.g., transaction costs) which will be borne by the Fund.
 
If the net rate of return on the Fund’s investments purchased with the leverage proceeds exceeds the interest or dividend rate payable on the leverage, such excess earnings will be available to pay higher dividends to holders of the Fund’s Common Shares (the “Common Shareholders”). If the net rate of return on the Fund’s investments purchased with leverage proceeds does not exceed the costs of leverage, the return to Common Shareholders will be less than if leverage had not been used. The use of leverage magnifies gains and losses to Common Shareholders. Since the holders of common stock pay all expenses related to the issuance of debt or use of leverage, any use of leverage would create a greater risk of loss for the shares of common stock than if leverage is not used.  There can be no assurance that a leveraging strategy will be successful during any period in which it is employed. See “Use of Leverage” and “Risks—Leverage Risks.”
Investment Adviser and Subadviser
The Fund has agreed to pay the Adviser a management fee payable on a monthly basis at the annual rate of 1.00% of the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets for the services and facilities it provides. The Adviser (and not the Fund) has agreed to pay the Subadviser a subadvisory fee payable on a monthly basis at the annual rate of 0.85% of the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets for the services it provides. As a result, the Adviser and the Subadviser are paid more if the Fund uses leverage, which creates a conflict of interest for the Adviser and the Subadviser. The Subadviser will seek to manage that potential conflict by utilizing leverage only when it determines such action is in the best interests of the Fund. For more information on fees and expenses, see “Summary of Fund Expenses” and “Management of the Fund.”
 
4

 
The Fund’s shareholders will indirectly bear the expenses, including the management fees, of the Underlying Funds.
Administrator
ALPS Fund Services, Inc. (“AFS”) is the Fund’s administrator. Under an Administration, Bookkeeping and Pricing Services Agreement (the “Administration Agreement”), AFS is responsible for calculating net asset values, providing additional fund accounting and tax services, and providing fund administration and compliance-related services. AFS is entitled to receive a monthly fee at the annual rate of 0.15% of the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets. See “Summary of Fund Expenses.”
Dividends and Distributions
Commencing with the Fund’s first dividend, the Fund intends to implement a level distribution policy. The Fund intends to distribute to Common Shareholders regular monthly cash distributions of its net investment income. In addition, the Fund intends to distribute its net realized capital gains, if any, at least annually. The Fund expects to declare its initial monthly dividend within 30 to 45 days and pay its initial monthly dividend within approximately 60 to 75 days after the completion of this offering, depending on market conditions. At times, to maintain a stable level of distributions, the Fund may pay out less than all of its net investment income or pay out accumulated undistributed income, or return capital, in addition to current net investment income. Any distribution that is treated as a return of capital generally will reduce a shareholder’s basis in his or her shares, which may increase the capital gain or reduce the capital loss realized upon the sale of such shares. Any amounts received in excess of a shareholder’s basis are generally treated as capital gain, assuming the shares are held as capital assets.
 
The Adviser has received an order granting an exemption from Section 19(b) of the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1 thereunder to permit the Fund, subject to certain terms and conditions, to include realized long-term capital gains as a part of its regular distributions to Common Shareholders more frequently than would otherwise be permitted by the 1940 Act (generally once per taxable year). To the extent that the Adviser relies on the exemptive order, the Fund will be required to comply with the terms and conditions therein, which, among other things, requires the Fund to make certain disclosures to shareholders and prospective shareholders regarding distributions, and would require the Fund's Board of Directors to make determinations regarding the appropriateness of use of the distribution policy. Under such a distribution policy, it is possible that the Fund might distribute more than its income and net realized capital gains; therefore, distributions to shareholders may result in a return of capital. There is no assurance that the Fund will rely on the exemptive order in the future.  See “Dividends and Distributions.”
 
In addition to regular monthly distributions, for the first year following the completion of this offering, the Fund intends to pay quarterly distributions (each, a “Contingent Quarterly Special Distribution”) to Common Shareholders if the conditions described below have been met (the “Contingent Quarterly Special Distribution Program”). The date on which the amount of the Contingent Quarterly Special Distribution will be measured (each, a “Quarterly Special Distribution Measurement Date”) for the first Contingent Quarterly Special Distribution will be March 15, 2016   and subsequent Quarterly Special Distribution Measurement Dates will occur every three months thereafter (a “Quarterly Special Distribution Period”) on the 15th day of each such month (or, if such date is not a business day, on the first business day thereafter) during the one-year period following the completion of this offering. The aggregate amount payable for each Quarterly Special Distribution Period is expected to be equal to 50% of the amount by which the net asset value of the Fund as of the applicable Quarterly Special Distribution Measurement Date (the “Measurement NAV”) exceeds the net asset value of the Fund as of the most recent prior Quarterly Special Distribution Measurement Date for which a Contingent Quarterly Special Distribution was paid (the “Benchmark NAV”). The calculation of the Measurement NAV and the Benchmark NAV will be appropriately adjusted to reflect distributions paid or to be paid by the Fund.  For purposes of calculating the Measurement NAV, the Fund will subtract from the net asset value as of the Quarterly Special Distribution Measurement Date the amount of any regular monthly distribution not reflected in the net asset value on such date but which is declared prior to or simultaneous with the declaration of the Contingent Quarterly Special Distribution during that month. In addition, for purposes of calculating the Benchmark NAV, the Fund will subtract from the NAV as of the Quarterly Special Distribution Measurement Date for the applicable prior Quarterly Special Distribution Period the amounts of any Contingent Quarterly Special Distribution and regular monthly distribution that had not been reflected in the net asset value as of such date but were declared by the end of the month in which such Quarterly Special Distribution Measurement Date occurred.  For the purposes of the first Contingent Quarterly Special Distribution, the Benchmark NAV will be $19.36 per Common Share. There can be no assurance that the net asset value of the Fund will increase or any Contingent Quarterly Special Distribution will be made by the Fund. The Board of Directors will review the Contingent Quarterly Special Distribution Program from time to time and may determine to modify, suspend or cancel the program. The Fund will provide Common Shareholders with advance notice in the event of any such determination by the Board of Directors to modify, suspend or cancel the Contingent Quarterly Special Distribution Program.  See “Risks—Contingent Quarterly Special Distribution Program Risk” and “U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters.”  Unless an election is made to receive distributions in cash, Common Shareholders will automatically have their Contingent Quarterly Special Distributions reinvested in Common Shares through the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan (the “Plan”). See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” for more information, including information on how to opt out of the Plan.
 
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Dividend Reinvestment Plan
The Fund has a Plan commonly referred to as an “opt-out” plan. Each Common Shareholder who participates in the Plan will have all distributions of dividends and capital gains automatically reinvested in additional Common Shares. Shareholders who elect not to participate in the Plan will receive all distributions in cash. Shareholders whose Common Shares are held in the name of a broker or nominee should contact the broker or nominee to determine whether and how they may participate in the Plan. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” and “U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters.”
Listing of Common Shares
It is expected that the Common Shares will be approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), subject to notice of issuance, under the symbol “RIV.”
Risk Considerations
Risk is inherent in all investing. Investing in any investment company security involves risk, including the risk that you may receive little or no return on your investment or even that you may lose part or all of your investment. Therefore, before investing in the Common Shares, you should consider the following risks as well as the other information in this Prospectus. See “Risks” below for more information about risk.
 
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Structural Risks:
 
No Operating History . The Fund is a diversified, closed-end management investment company with no operating history.
 
Not a Complete Investment Program. The Fund is intended for investors seeking total return consisting of capital appreciation and current income over the long-term and is not intended to be a short-term trading vehicle. An investment in the Common Shares of the Fund should not be considered a complete investment program. Each investor should take into account the Fund’s investment objective and other characteristics, as well as the investor’s other investments, when considering an investment in the Common Shares. An investment in the Fund may not be appropriate for all investors.
 
Leverage Risks. The Fund may borrow money, or issue debt or preferred stock in an aggregate amount of up to 15% of the Fund’s Managed Assets immediately after such borrowings or issuance. The Underlying Funds that the Fund invests in may also use leverage; provided, however, it is the intention of the Fund that the Fund’s direct use of leverage and the Fund’s overall exposure to leverage utilized by all the Underlying Funds will not exceed 33 1/3% of the Fund’s Managed Assets. To the extent that the Fund’s exposure to leverage utilized by all the Underlying Funds is 33 1/3% of the Fund’s Managed Assets, the Fund intends to not utilize leverage directly. The Fund’s intention to limit leverage is contingent upon the Subadviser’s ability to adequately determine an Underlying Fund’s current amount of leverage, which may be severely limited, and ultimately unsuccessful. Since Common Shareholders pay all expenses related to the issuance of debt or use of leverage, the use of leverage through borrowing of money, issuance of debt securities or the issuance of preferred stock for investment purposes creates risks for the holders of Common Shares. Leverage is a speculative technique that exposes the Fund to greater risk and increased costs than if it were not implemented. Increases and decreases in the value of the Fund’s portfolio will be magnified when the Fund uses leverage. As a result, leverage may cause greater changes in the Fund’s net asset value. The Fund will also have to pay interest on its borrowings or dividends on preferred stock, if any, which may reduce the Fund’s return. The leverage costs may be greater than the Fund’s return on the underlying investment. The Fund’s leveraging strategy may not be successful. Leverage risk would also apply to the Fund’s investments in Underlying Funds to the extent an Underlying Fund uses leverage. See “Use of Leverage” and “Risks—Leverage Risks.”
 
Market Discount. Common stock of closed-end funds frequently trades at a discount from its net asset value. This risk may be greater for investors selling their shares in a relatively short period of time after completion of the initial offering. The Fund’s Common Shares may trade at a price that is less than the initial offering price. This risk would also apply to the Fund’s investments in closed-end funds.
 
Anti-Takeover Provisions. Maryland law and the Fund’s Charter and Bylaws include provisions that could limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or convert the Fund to open-end status. These provisions could deprive the holders of Common Shares of opportunities to sell their Common Shares at a premium over the then current market price of the Common Shares or at net asset value. See “Certain Provisions of the Fund’s Charter and Bylaws and of Maryland Law.” This risk would also apply to many of the Fund’s investments in closed-end funds.
 
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Contingent Conversion Risk. The Fund will bear the costs associated with calling a shareholder meeting for the purpose of voting to determine whether the Fund should convert to an open-end management investment company. In the event of conversion to an open-end management investment company, the shares would cease to be listed on the NYSE or other national securities exchange, and such shares would thereafter be redeemable at the Fund’s net asset value at the option of the shareholder, rather than traded in the secondary market at market price, which, for closed-end fund shares, may at times be at a premium to the Fund’s net asset value. Any borrowings (other than borrowings from a bank) or preferred shares of the Fund would need to be repaid or redeemed upon conversion and, accordingly, a portion of the Fund’s portfolio may need to be liquidated, potentially resulting in, among other things, lower current income. In addition, open-end management investment companies may be subject to continuous asset in-flows and out-flows that can complicate portfolio management and limit the Fund’s ability to make certain types of investments. As a result, the Fund may incur increased expenses and may be required to sell portfolio securities at inopportune times in order to accommodate such flows. See “Contingent Conversion Feature.”
 
Contingent Quarterly Special Distribution Program Risk. In addition to regular monthly distributions, the Fund intends to pay quarterly distributions for a one-year period following the completion of this offering pursuant to its Contingent Quarterly Special Distribution Program. See “Dividends and Distributions.”  In order to pay Contingent Quarterly Special Distributions, the Fund may have to sell portfolio investments, including at times when independent investment judgment might not dictate such action. Such sales of the Fund’s portfolio investments would result in greater brokerage commissions and other transactional expenses that are borne by the Fund, and may result in the realization of net short-term capital gains by the Fund which, when distributed to Common Shareholders, will be taxable as ordinary income.
 
The Fund may be required to pay Contingent Quarterly Special Distributions that exceed its net investment income and realized capital gains. Therefore, all or a portion of a Contingent Quarterly Special Distribution may result in a return of capital, which represents a return on a Common Shareholder’s original investment in the Common Shares, and not a distribution from the Fund’s earnings and profits. Distributions that represent a return of capital should not be considered as dividend yield nor as part of the total return from an investment in the Fund. A return of capital will reduce a Common Shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in his or her Common Shares, with any amount distributed in excess of basis treated as capital gain. Although a return of capital may not be taxable, it will generally increase the Common Shareholder’s potential gain, or reduce the Common Shareholder’s potential loss, on the subsequent sale or other disposition of his or her Common Shares. It is possible that a return of capital could cause a Common Shareholder to pay a tax on capital gains with respect to Common Shares that are sold for an amount less than the price originally paid for them. See “U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters.”
 
The net asset value of the Fund may fluctuate over the course of a Quarterly Special Distribution Period and, at times during such period, the Fund’s net asset value may exceed the Benchmark NAV. However, if the Measurement NAV does not exceed the Benchmark NAV on the Quarterly Special Distribution Measurement Date, no Contingent Quarterly Special Distribution will be paid. In addition, the net asset value of the Fund is reduced by regular monthly distributions paid by the Fund. There can be no assurance that there will be any increase in the net asset value of the Fund.
 
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The Contingent Quarterly Special Distributions will decrease the Fund’s total assets and, as a result, would have the likely effect of increasing the Fund’s expense ratio. There is no guarantee that the Fund will be able to replace the assets depleted as a result of any Contingent Quarterly Special Distributions paid to Common Shareholders and such assets used to make such distributions will not be available for investment pursuant to the Fund’s investment objective.
 
There can be no assurance that the net asset value of the Fund will increase or any Contingent Quarterly Special Distribution will be made by the Fund. The Board of Directors may determine to modify, suspend or cancel the program. The overall impact of the Contingent Quarterly Special Distribution Program, or any modification, suspension or cancellation of the program, on the secondary market for the Common Shares is uncertain.  Shares of closed-end funds listed for trading on a securities exchange frequently trade at a discount from net asset value, but in some cases trade at a premium. There can be no assurance that the Contingent Quarterly Special Distribution Program, or any modification, suspension or cancellation of the program, would not result in the Common Shares trading at a larger discount, or smaller premium, to net asset value than would otherwise have been the case.
 
In implementing the Contingent Quarterly Special Distribution Program, the Fund will not be relying on its exemptive relief from Section 19(b) of the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1 thereunder which would allow the Fund to distribute long-term capital gains more frequently than would otherwise be permitted under the 1940 Act. If the Fund relies on such exemptive order in the future, the Fund may be required to make an additional distribution consisting of long-term capital gains, which could have the effect of reducing the assets of the Fund available for investment, in order to comply with the applicable provisions of Section 19(b) and Rule 19b-1 thereunder.
 
Investment-Related Risks:
 
The risks listed below are in alphabetical order. With the exception of Underlying Fund risk (and except as otherwise noted below), the following risks apply to the direct investments the Fund may make, and generally apply to the Fund’s investments in Underlying Funds. That said, each risk described below may not apply to each Underlying Fund. Similarly, an Underlying Fund may be subject to additional or different risks than those described below.
 
Asset Allocation Risks. To the extent that the Subadviser’s asset allocation strategy may fail to produce the intended result, the Fund’s return may suffer. Additionally, the active asset allocation style of the Fund leads to changing allocations over time and represents a risk to investors who target fixed asset allocations. See “Risks—Asset Allocation Risks.”
 
Convertible Securities Risks.   The Underlying Funds may invest in convertible securities. The market value of convertible securities tends to fall when prevailing interest rates rise. The value of convertible securities also tends to change whenever the market value of the underlying common or preferred stock fluctuates. Convertible securities tend to be of lower credit quality. See “Risks—Convertible Securities Risks.”
 
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Defensive Measures. The Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments as a defensive measure in response to adverse market conditions or opportunistically at the discretion of the Subadviser. During these periods, the Fund may not be pursuing its investment objective. See “Risks—Defensive Measures.”
 
Derivatives Risks.  The Fund and the Underlying Funds may enter into derivatives. Derivative transactions involve investment techniques and risks different from those associated with investments in Underlying Funds. Generally, a derivative is a financial contract the value of which depends upon, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate, or index, and may relate to individual debt or equity instruments, interest rates, currencies or currency exchange rates, commodities, related indexes, and other assets. Derivatives can be volatile and involve various types and degrees of risk, depending upon the characteristics of a particular derivative. Derivatives may entail investment exposures that are greater than their cost would suggest, meaning that a small investment in a derivative could have a large potential impact on the performance of the Fund or an Underlying Fund. The Fund or an Underlying Fund could experience a loss if derivatives do not perform as anticipated, if they are not correlated with the performance of other investments which they are used to hedge or if the fund is unable to liquidate a position because of an illiquid secondary market. When used for speculative purposes, derivatives will produce enhanced investment exposure, which will magnify gains and losses. The Fund and the Underlying Funds also will be subject to credit risk with respect to the counterparties to the derivatives contracts purchased by such fund. If a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations under a derivative contract due to financial difficulties, the Fund or an Underlying Fund may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery under the derivative contract in a bankruptcy or other reorganization proceeding. The Fund or an Underlying Fund may obtain only a limited recovery or may obtain no recovery in such circumstances.  See “Risks—Derivatives Risks” and “—Option and Futures Risks.
 
Defaulted and Distressed Securities Risks.   The Underlying Funds may invest in defaulted and distressed securities. Legal difficulties and negotiations with creditors and other claimants are common when dealing with defaulted or distressed companies. Defaulted or distressed companies may be insolvent or in bankruptcy. In the event of a default, an Underlying Fund may incur additional expenses to seek recovery.  The repayment of defaulted bonds is subject to significant uncertainties, and in some cases, there may be no recovery of repayment.  Defaulted bonds might be repaid only after lengthy workout or bankruptcy proceedings, during which the issuer might not make any interest or other payments.  With distressed investing, often there is a time lag between when a fund makes an investment and when an Underlying Fund realizes the value of the investment. In addition, an Underlying Fund may incur legal and other monitoring costs in protecting the value of the Underlying Fund’s claims. See “Risks—Defaulted and Distressed Securities Risks.”
 
Equity Securities Risks. The Underlying Funds may invest in equity securities. While equity securities have historically generated higher average returns than fixed income securities, equity securities have also experienced significantly more volatility in those returns. An adverse event, such as an unfavorable earnings report, may depress the value of an issuer’s equity securities held by an Underlying Fund. Equity security prices fluctuate for several reasons, including changes in investors’ perceptions of the financial condition of an issuer or the general condition of the relevant stock market, or when political or economic events affecting the issuers occur. The value of an Underlying Fund’s shares will go up and down due to movement in the collective returns of the individual securities held by the Underlying Fund. Common stocks are subordinate to preferred stocks and debt in a company’s capital structure, and if a company is liquidated, the claims of secured and unsecured creditors and owners of preferred stocks take precedence over the claims of those who own common stocks. In addition, equity security prices may be particularly sensitive to rising interest rates, as the cost of capital rises and borrowing costs increase See “Risks—Equity Securities Risks.”
 
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Exchange-Traded Note Risks. The Fund and the Underlying Funds may invest in ETNs, which are notes representing unsecured debt issued by an underwriting bank. ETNs are typically linked to the performance of an index plus a specified rate of interest that could be earned on cash collateral. The value of an ETN may be influenced by time to maturity, level of supply and demand for the ETN, volatility and lack of liquidity in underlying markets, changes in the applicable interest rates, changes in the issuer’s credit rating and economic, legal, political or geographic events that affect the referenced index. ETNs typically mature 30 years from the date of issue. There may be restrictions on a fund’s right to liquidate its investment in an ETN prior to maturity (for example, a fund may only be able to offer its ETN for repurchase by the issuer on a weekly basis), and there may be limited availability of a secondary market. See “Risks—Exchange-Traded Note Risks.”
 
Fixed Income Risks. The Underlying Funds may invest in fixed income securities. Fixed income securities increase or decrease in value based on changes in interest rates. If rates increase, the value of a fund’s fixed income securities generally declines. On the other hand, if rates fall, the value of the fixed income securities generally increases. This risk is increased in the case of issuers of high yield securities, also known as “junk bonds.” High yield securities are predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation. In typical interest rate environments, the prices of longer-term fixed income securities generally fluctuate more than the prices of shorter-term fixed income securities as interest rates change. These risks may be greater in the current market environment because certain interest rates are near historically low levels. The issuer of a fixed income security may not be able to make interest and principal payments when due. In general, lower rated fixed income securities carry a greater degree of credit risk. See “Risks—Fixed Income Risks.”
 
Foreign Investing Risks.   The Underlying Funds may invest in foreign securities. Investments in foreign securities may be affected by currency controls and exchange rates; different accounting, auditing, financial reporting, and legal standards and practices; expropriation; changes in tax policy; social, political and economic instability; greater market volatility; differing securities market structures; higher transaction costs; and various administrative difficulties, such as delays in clearing and settling portfolio transactions or in receiving payment of dividends. In addition, changes in government administrations or economic or monetary policies in the United States or abroad could result in appreciation or depreciation of the Fund’s securities.  These risks may be heightened in connection with investments in emerging or developing countries. To the extent that an Underlying Fund invests in depositary receipts, the Underlying Fund will be subject to many of the same risks as when investing directly in foreign securities.  The effect of recent, worldwide economic instability on specific foreign markets or issuers may be difficult to predict or evaluate, and some national economies continue to show profound instability, which may in turn affect their international trading partners. See “Risks—Foreign Investing Risks.”
 
Illiquid Securities Risks.   The Underlying Funds may invest in illiquid securities. It may not be possible to sell or otherwise dispose of illiquid securities both at the price and within the time period deemed desirable by the Fund. Illiquid securities also may be difficult to value. See “Risks—Illiquid Securities Risks.”
 
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Initial Public Offerings Risks. The Fund and the Underlying Funds may purchase securities in initial public offerings (IPOs). Investing in IPOs has added risks because the shares are frequently volatile in price. As a result, their performance can be more volatile and they face greater risk of business failure, which could increase the volatility of an Underlying Fund’s portfolio. See “Risks—Initial Public Offerings Risks.”
 
Investment and Market Risks. An investment in Common Shares is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount invested. An investment in Common Shares represents an indirect investment in the Underlying Funds owned by the Fund. The value of the Underlying Funds, like other market investments, may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. Overall stock market risks may also affect the value of the Fund or the Underlying Funds. Factors such as domestic and foreign economic growth and market conditions, interest rate levels and political events affect the securities markets. The Common Shares at any point in time may be worth less than the original investment, even after taking into account any reinvestment of dividends and distributions.
 
Legislation and Regulatory Risks . At any time after the date of this Prospectus, legislation or additional regulations may be enacted that could negatively affect the assets of the Fund or the issuers of such assets. Changing approaches to regulation may have a negative impact on the entities and/or securities in which the Fund or an Underlying Fund invests. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the Fund or an Underlying Fund is regulated. New or amended regulations may be imposed by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”), the SEC, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”) or other financial regulators, other governmental regulatory authorities or self-regulatory organizations that supervise the financial markets that could adversely affect the Fund or the Underlying Funds. In particular, these agencies are empowered to promulgate a variety of new rules pursuant to recently enacted financial reform legislation in the United States. There can be no assurance that future legislation, regulation or deregulation will not have a material adverse effect on the Fund or will not impair the ability of the Fund to achieve its investment objective. The Fund and the Underlying Funds also may be adversely affected by changes in the enforcement or interpretation of existing statutes and rules by these govern. See “Risks—Legislation and Regulatory Risks.”
 
Management Risks. The Subadviser’s judgments about the attractiveness, value and potential appreciation of a particular asset class or individual security in which the Fund invests may prove to be incorrect and there is no guarantee that the Subadviser’s judgment will produce the desired results. Similarly, the Fund’s investments in Underlying Funds are subject to the judgment of the Underlying Funds’ managers which may prove to be incorrect. In addition, the Subadviser will have limited information as to the portfolio holdings of the Underlying Funds at any given time. This may result in the Subadviser having less ability to respond to changing market conditions. The Fund may allocate its assets so as to under-emphasize or over-emphasize ETFs or other investments under the wrong market conditions, in which case the Fund’s net asset value may be adversely affected. See “Risks—Management Risks.”
 
Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risks. The ongoing U.S. military and related action in Iraq and Afghanistan and events in the Middle East and Ukraine, as well as the continuing threat of terrorist attacks, could have significant adverse effects on the U.S. economy, the stock market and world economies and markets generally. A disruption of financial markets or other terrorist attacks could adversely affect the Fund’s or an Underlying Fund’s service providers and/or the Fund's or an Underlying Fund’s operations as well as interest rates, secondary trading, credit risk, inflation and other factors relating to the Common Shares. The Fund cannot predict the effects or likelihood of similar events in the future on the U.S. and world economies, the value of the Common Shares or the net asset value of the Fund. Assets of companies, including those held in the Fund’s portfolio, could be direct targets, or indirect casualties, of an act of terrorism. See “Risks—Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risks.”
 
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Master Limited Partnerships Risks. The Underlying Funds may invest in MLPs. Investments in publicly traded MLPs, which are limited partnerships or limited liability companies taxable as partnerships, involve some risks that differ from an investment in the common stock of a corporation, including risks related to limited control and limited rights to vote on matters affecting MLPs, risks related to potential conflicts of interest between an MLP and the MLP’s general partner, cash flow risks, dilution risks and risks related to the general partner’s right to require unit-holders to sell their common units at an undesirable time or price. MLPs may derive income and gains from the exploration, development, mining or production, processing, refining, transportation (including pipelines transporting gas, oil, or products thereof), or the marketing of any mineral or natural resources. MLPs may be subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or will otherwise be less liquid than publicly traded securities. Certain MLP securities may trade in lower volumes due to their smaller capitalizations. Accordingly, those MLPs may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements and may lack sufficient market liquidity to enable an Underlying Fund to effect sales at an advantageous time or without a substantial drop in price. As a result, these investments may be difficult to dispose of at a fair price at the times when an Underlying Fund believes it is desirable to do so. MLPs are generally considered interest-rate sensitive investments. During periods of interest rate volatility, these investments may not provide attractive returns, which may adversely impact the overall performance of the Fund or an Underlying Fund. The benefit an Underlying Fund will derive from its investment in MLPs will be largely dependent on the MLPs being treated as partnerships and not as corporations for federal income tax purposes. Therefore, treatment of an MLP as a corporation for federal income tax purposes would result in a reduction in the after-tax return to an Underlying Fund, likely causing a reduction in the value of the Common Shares. See “Risks—Master Limited Partnerships Risks.”
 
Micro-, Small- and Medium-Sized Company Risks. The Underlying Funds may invest in securities without regard to market capitalization. Investments in securities of micro-, small- and medium-sized companies may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than larger, more established companies, because these securities typically are traded in lower volume and issuers are typically more subject to changes in earnings and future earnings prospects. These risks are intensified for investments in micro-cap companies. See “Risks—Micro-, Small- and Medium-Sized Company Risks.”
 
Options and Futures Risks.  The Fund and the Underlying Funds may invest in options and futures contracts. The use of futures and options transactions entails certain special risks. In particular, the variable degree of correlation between price movements of futures contracts and price movements in the related securities position of the fund could create the possibility that losses on the hedging instrument are greater than gains in the value of the fund’s position. In addition, futures and options markets could be illiquid in some circumstances and certain over-the-counter options could have no markets. As a result, in certain markets, the fund might not be able to close out a transaction without incurring substantial losses. Although the fund’s use of futures and options transactions for hedging should tend to minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged position, at the same time it will tend to limit any potential gain to the fund that might result from an increase in value of the position. There is also the risk of loss by the fund of margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy of a broker with whom the Fund has an open position in a futures contract or option thereon. Finally, the daily variation margin requirements for futures contracts create a greater ongoing potential financial risk than would purchases of options, in which case the exposure is limited to the cost of the initial premium. See “Risks—Options and Futures Risks.”
 
Portfolio Turnover Risks. The Fund may engage in short-term trading to try to achieve its investment objective and may have portfolio turnover rates in excess of 100% annually. Underlying Funds also may not be limited in their portfolio trading ability. Increased portfolio turnover results in higher brokerage costs which are borne by the Fund, directly or indirectly through the investments in Underlying Funds, which may adversely affect the Fund’s performance, and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held by Common Shareholders in a taxable account. See “Risks—Portfolio Turnover Risks.”
 
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REIT Risks. The Underlying Funds may invest in equity and mortgage REITs. Equity REITs invest in real estate, and mortgage REITs invest in loans secured by real estate. The value of equity REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property owned by the REITs, while the value of mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of any credit extended. Investment in REITs involves risks similar to those associated with investing in small capitalization companies, and REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are subject to interest rate risks. See “Risks—REIT Risks.”
 
Securities Lending Risks.   The Underlying Funds may lose money when they loan portfolio securities if the borrower fails to return the securities and the collateral provided has declined in value and/or the Underlying Fund cannot convert the collateral to cash for any reason. See “Risks—Securities Lending Risks.”
 
Securities Risks. The value of the Fund’s Common Shares or the shares of an Underlying Fund may decrease in response to the activities and financial prospects of individual securities in the fund’s portfolio. See “Risks—Securities Risks.”
 
Senior Loan Risks. The Underlying Funds may invest in senior secured floating rate and fixed-rate loans (“Senior Loans”). There is less readily available and reliable information about most Senior Loans than is the case for many other types of instruments, including listed securities. Senior Loans are not listed on any national securities exchange or automated quotation system and as such, many Senior Loans are illiquid, meaning that the Fund or Underlying Fund may not be able to sell them quickly at a fair price. To the extent that a secondary market does exist for certain Senior Loans, the market is more volatile than for liquid, listed securities and may be subject to irregular trading activity, wide bid/ask spreads and extended trade settlement periods. The market for Senior Loans could be disrupted in the event of an economic downturn or a substantial increase or decrease in interest rates. Senior Loans, like most other debt obligations, are subject to the risk of default. Default in the payment of interest or principal on a Senior Loan will result in a reduction of income to the Fund, a reduction in the value of the Senior Loan and a potential decrease in the Fund’s net asset value of the Common Shares.
 
Short Sale Risks. The Fund and the Underlying Funds may engage in short sales. A short sale is a transaction in which the Fund sells a security it does not own in anticipation that the market price of that security will decline. Positions in shorted securities are speculative and more risky than long positions (purchases) in securities because the maximum sustainable loss on a security purchased is limited to the amount paid for the security plus the transaction costs, whereas there is no maximum attainable price of the shorted security. Therefore, in theory, securities sold short have unlimited risk. Short selling will also result in higher transaction costs (such as interest and dividends), and may result in higher taxes, which reduce a fund’s return. See “Risks—Short Sale Risks.”
 
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Structured Notes Risks.   The Underlying Funds may invest in structured notes. Structured notes are subject to a number of fixed income risks including general market risk, interest rate risk, and the risk that the issuer on the note may fail to make interest and/or principal payments when due, or may default on its obligations entirely. In addition, because the performance of structured notes tracks the performance of the underlying debt obligation, structured notes generally are subject to more risk than investing in a simple note or bond issued by the same issuer. See “Risks—Structured Notes Risks.”
 
Swap Risks.   The Fund and the Underlying Funds may invest in interest rate, index, total return and currency swap agreements. All of these agreements are considered derivatives. Swaps could result in losses if interest or foreign currency exchange rates or credit quality changes are not correctly anticipated by the Subadviser or Underlying Fund manager. Total return swaps could result in losses if the reference index, security, or investments do not perform as anticipated. Total return swaps involve an enhanced risk that the issuer or counterparty will fail to perform its contractual obligations. Total return swaps may effectively add leverage to the Fund’s portfolio because the Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the full notional amount of the swap. To the extent the Fund or an Underlying Fund enters into a total return swap on equity securities, the Fund or an Underlying Fund will receive the positive performance of a notional amount of such securities underlying the total return swap. In exchange, the Fund or the Underlying Fund will be obligated to pay the negative performance of such notional amount of securities. Therefore, the Fund or the Underlying Fund assumes the risk of a substantial decrease in the market value of the equity securities. The use of swaps may not always be successful; using them could lower Fund total return, their prices can be highly volatile, and the potential loss from the use of swaps can exceed the Fund’s initial investment in such instruments. Some, but not all, swaps may be cleared, in which case a central clearing counterparty stands between each buyer and seller and effectively guarantees performance of each contract, to the extent of its available resources for such purpose. As a result, the counterparty risk is now shifted from bilateral risk between the parties to the individual credit risk of the central clearing counterparty. Even in such case, there can be no assurance that a clearing house, or its members, will satisfy the clearing house’s obligations to the Fund or Underlying Fund. See “Risks—Swap Risks.”
 
Underlying Fund Risks. The Fund will incur higher and additional expenses when it invests in Underlying Funds. There is also the risk that the Fund may suffer losses due to the investment practices or operations of the Underlying Funds. To the extent that the Fund invests in one or more Underlying Funds that concentrate in a particular industry, the Fund would be vulnerable to factors affecting that industry and the concentrating Underlying Funds’ performance, and that of the Fund, may be more volatile than Underlying Funds that do not concentrate. In addition, one Underlying Fund may purchase a security that another Underlying Fund is selling.
 
As the Fund will invest at least 65% of its Managed Assets in closed-end funds and at least 80% of its Managed Assets in Underlying Funds, the Fund’s performance will depend to a greater extent on the overall performance of closed-end funds, ETFs and BDCs generally, in addition to the performance of the specific Underlying Funds (and other assets) in which the Fund invests. The use of leverage by Underlying Funds magnifies gains and losses on amounts invested and increases the risks associated with investing in Underlying Funds.  Further, the Underlying Funds are not subject to the Fund’s investment policies and restrictions. The Fund generally receives information regarding the portfolio holdings of Underlying Funds only when that information is made available to the public. The Fund cannot dictate how the Underlying Funds invest their assets. The Underlying Funds may invest their assets in securities and other instruments, and may use investment techniques and strategies, that are not described in this prospectus. Common Shareholders will bear two layers of fees and expenses with respect to the Fund’s investments in Underlying Funds because each of the Fund and the Underlying Fund will charge fees and incur separate expenses.  In addition, subject to applicable 1940 Act limitations, the Underlying Funds themselves may purchase securities issued by registered and unregistered funds (e.g., common stock, preferred stock, auction rate preferred stock), and those investments would be subject to the risks associated with Underlying Funds and unregistered funds (including a third layer of fees and expenses, i.e., the Underlying Fund will indirectly bear fees and expenses charged by the funds in which the Underlying Fund invests, in addition to the Underlying Fund’s own fees and expenses). An Underlying Fund with positive performance may indirectly receive a performance fee from the Fund, even when the Fund’s overall returns are negative.  Additionally, the Fund’s investment in an Underlying Fund may result in the Fund’s receipt of cash in excess of the Underlying Fund’s earnings; if the Fund distributes these amounts, the distributions could constitute a return of capital to Fund shareholders for federal income tax purposes.  As a result of these factors, the use of the fund of funds structure by the Fund could therefore affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders.
 
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The Fund may invest in BDCs. BDCs generally invest in less mature U.S. private companies or thinly traded U.S. public companies which involve greater risk than well-established publicly-traded companies. While BDCs are expected to generate income in the form of dividends, certain BDCs during certain periods of time may not generate such income. The Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any management fees and other operating expenses incurred by the BDCs and of any performance-based or incentive fees payable by the BDCs in which it invests, in addition to the expenses paid by the Fund. The use of leverage by BDCs magnifies gains and losses on amounts invested and increases the risks associated with investing in BDCs. A BDC may make investments with a larger amount of risk of volatility and loss of principal than other investment options and may also be highly speculative and aggressive.
 
Index-based ETFs (and other index funds) in which the Fund may invest may not be able to replicate exactly the performance of the indices they track or benchmark due to transactions costs and other expenses of the ETFs. The Fund may also invest in actively managed ETFs that are subject to management risk as the ETF’s investment adviser will apply certain investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions. There can be no guarantee that these will produce the desired results. The shares of closed-end funds frequently trade at a discount to their net asset value. There can be no assurance that the market discount on shares of any closed-end fund purchased by the Fund will ever decrease, and it is possible that the discount may increase. Underlying Funds may not be able to match or outperform their benchmarks.
 
The Fund may be restricted by provisions of the 1940 Act that generally limit the amount the Fund and its affiliates can invest in any one Underlying Fund to 3% of the Underlying Fund’s outstanding voting stock. As a result, the Fund may hold a smaller position in an Underlying Fund than if it were not subject to this restriction. In addition, to comply with provisions of the 1940 Act, in any matter upon which Underlying Fund stockholders are solicited to vote, the Subadviser may be required to vote Underlying Fund shares in the same proportion as shares held by other stockholders of the Underlying Fund. However, pursuant to exemptive orders issued by the SEC to various ETF fund sponsors, the Fund is permitted to invest in such Underlying Funds in excess of the limits set forth in the 1940 Act subject to certain terms and conditions set forth in such exemptive orders. See “Risks—Underlying Fund Risks.”
 
Warrants Risks.   Warrants are securities giving the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy the stock of an issuer at a given price (generally higher than the value of the stock at the time of issuance) during a specified period or perpetually. Warrants do not carry with them the right to dividends or voting rights with respect to the securities that they entitle their holder to purchase and they do not represent any rights in the assets of the issuer. As a result, warrants may be considered to have more speculative characteristics than certain other types of investments. In addition, the value of a warrant does not necessarily change with the value of the underlying securities and a warrant ceases to have value if it is not exercised prior to its expiration date. See “Risks—Warrants Risks.”
 
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Anti-Takeover Provisions in Maryland Law and the Fund’s Charter and Bylaws
Maryland law and the Fund’s Charter and Bylaws include provisions that could limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund. These provisions could deprive the holders of Common Shares of opportunities to sell their Common Shares at a premium over the then current market price of the Common Shares or at net asset value. See “Certain Provisions of the Fund’s Charter and Bylaws and of Maryland Law.”
Custodian and Transfer Agent
State Street Bank and Trust Company will act as the Fund’s custodian. DST Systems, Inc. will act as the Fund’s transfer agent and registrar. See “Custodian and Transfer Agent.”

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SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES
 
The following table shows estimated Fund expenses as a percentage of net assets attributable to Common Shares. The purpose of the following table and the example below is to help you understand the fees and expenses that you, as a Common Shareholder, would bear directly or indirectly. Common Shareholders should understand that some of the percentages indicated in the tables below are estimates and may vary. The expenses shown in the table and related footnotes are based on estimated amounts for the Fund’s first year of operations and assume that the Fund issues approximately 7,500,000 Common Shares. Accordingly, the Fund’s net assets for purposes of the tables and example below include estimated net proceeds from the offering of $145,200,000. If the Fund issues fewer Common Shares, estimated expenses could be higher as a percentage of net assets attributable to Common Shares, which could adversely affect the investment performance of the Fund. The following table assumes the use of leverage in an amount equal to 15% of the Fund’s Managed Assets (or approximately 17.6% of the Fund’s net assets) and shows Fund expenses as a percentage of net assets attributable to Common Shares. The following table should not be considered a representation of the Fund’s future expenses. Actual expenses may be greater or less than those shown below.
 
Shareholder Transaction Expenses
 
As a Percentage of
Offering Price
 
Sales Load
 
3.00%
 
Expenses Borne by Common Shareholders of the Fund(1)(2)
 
0.20%
 
Dividend Reinvestment Plan Fees
 
None(3)
 
 
 
 
As a Percentage
of Net Assets
Attributable to Common
Shares (Assuming the
Use of Leverage
Equal to 15%
of the Fund’s
Total Assets)(1)(7)
 
Annual Expenses
 
Management fee(4)
 
1.18%
 
Administration fee(4)
 
0.18%
 
Interest payments on borrowed funds(5)
 
0.24%
 
Other expenses
 
0.20%
 
Acquired fund fees and expenses(6)
 
1.68%
 
Total annual expenses(7)
 
3.48%
 
 
Example(8)
 
The example illustrates the expenses you would pay on a $1,000 investment in Common Shares (including the sales load of $30.00 and estimated expenses of the offering payable by the Fund of $2.00), assuming (1) “Total annual expenses” of 3.48% of net assets attributable to Common Shares, and (2) a 5% annual return.
 
 
 
1 year
 
3 years
 
5 years
 
10 years
 
Total Expenses Incurred
 
$
66
 
 
$
135
 
 
$
207
 
 
$
396
 
 
 
The example should not be considered a representation of future expenses. Actual expenses may be greater or less than those assumed.
 
(1) The Adviser and the Subadviser have agreed to bear (a) all organizational expenses of the Fund and (b) such offering expenses of the Fund (other than the sales load) that exceed $0.04 per share of the Fund’s Common Shares. Based on an estimated offering size of $150,000,000 (approximately 7,500,000 Common Shares), the Fund would pay a maximum of $300,000 of offering costs (or $0.04 per Common Share) and the Adviser and the Subadviser would pay all offering costs in excess of $300,000, which are currently estimated to be $486,705 (or $0.065 per Common Share).  To the extent that aggregate offering expenses are less than $0.04 per Common Share, the Fund will pay up to 0.10% of the amount of the offering size up to such expense limit to ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., an affiliate of the Adviser, as compensation for the distribution services it provides to the Fund.  Proceeds to the Fund are calculated after expenses paid by the Fund.
 
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(2) The Adviser and the Subadviser (and not the Fund) have agreed to pay from their own assets a structuring fee to Wells Fargo Securities, LLC. The Adviser and the Subadviser (and not the Fund) may also pay certain other qualifying underwriters a structuring fee, sales incentive fee, or additional compensation in connection with the offering.
 
(3) There will be no brokerage charges with respect to Common Shares issued directly by the Fund under the dividend reinvestment plan. You will pay brokerage charges in connection with open market purchases or if you direct the plan agent to sell your Common Shares held in a dividend reinvestment account.
 
(4) The management fee and administration fee are charged as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets, as opposed to net assets. With leverage, Managed Assets are greater in amount than net assets, because Managed Assets includes borrowings for investment purposes.  The management fee of 1.00% of the Fund’s Managed Assets represents 1.18% of net assets attributable to Common Shares assuming the use of leverage in an amount of 15% of the Fund’s Managed Assets.
 
(5) Assumes interest expense accrued at the rate 1.35% on borrowed funds used to employ leverage, which rate is subject to change based on prevailing market conditions.  Interest payments on borrowed funds also include the cost of issuing debt.
 
(6) The “Acquired fund fees and expenses” disclosed above are based on the expense ratios for the most recent fiscal year of the Underlying Funds in which the Fund anticipates investing, which may change substantially over time and, therefore, significantly affect “Acquired fund fees and expenses.”  These amounts are based on the total expense ratio disclosed in each Underlying Fund’s most recent shareholder report.  Some of the Underlying Funds in which the Fund intends to invest charge incentive fees based on the Underlying Funds’ performance. The 1.68% shown as “Acquired fund fees and expenses” reflects estimated operating expenses of the Underlying Funds and transaction-related fees. Certain Underlying Funds in which the Fund intends to invest generally charge a management fee of 1.00% to 2.00% and up to a 20% incentive fee on income and/or capital gains. The “Acquired fund fees and expenses” disclosed above, however, do not reflect any performance-based fees or allocations paid by the Underlying Funds that are calculated solely on the realization and/or distribution of gains, or on the sum of such gains and unrealized appreciation of assets distributed in-kind, as such fees and allocations for a particular period may be unrelated to the cost of investing in the Underlying Funds.  Acquired fund fees and expenses are borne indirectly by the Fund, but they will not be reflected in the Fund’s financial statements; and the information presented in the table will differ from that presented in the Fund’s financial highlights, when available.
 
(7) The table above assumes the use of leverage in an amount equal to 15% of the Fund’s Managed Assets (or approximately 17.6% of the Fund’s net assets) and shows Fund expenses as a percentage of net assets attributable to Common Shares.  For purposes of this assumption, all leverage used is in the form of borrowings. The table presented below in this footnote 7 estimates what the Fund’s annual expenses would be, stated as percentages of the Fund’s net assets attributable to Common Shares, but, unlike the table above, assumes that the Fund does not utilize leverage. In accordance with these assumptions, the Fund’s expenses would be estimated to be as follows:
 
 
 
 
Percentage of
Net Assets
Attributable to
Common Shares
(Assuming
No Leverage)
 
Annual expenses (as a percentage of net assets attributable to Common Shares)
Management fees
 
 
1.00%
 
Administrative fees
 
 
0.15%
 
Other expenses
 
 
0.20%
 
Acquired fund fees and expenses
 
 
1.43%
 
Total annual expenses
 
 
2.78%
 
 
(8) The example should not be considered a representation of future expenses. The example assumes that the estimated “Other expenses” set forth in the table are accurate and that all dividends and distributions are reinvested at the Common Share net asset values. Actual expenses may be greater or less than those assumed.  Moreover, the Fund’s actual rate of return may be greater or less than the hypothetical 5% annual return shown in the example.
 
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THE FUND
 
The Fund is a diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the 1940 Act. The Fund was organized as a Maryland corporation on September 9, 2010. The Fund has no operating history. The Fund’s principal office is located at 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, CO 80203, and its telephone number is (855) 830-1222.
 
USE OF PROCEEDS
 
The net proceeds of this offering are estimated at approximately $             ($            if the underwriters exercise the overallotment option in full), after deduction of the sales load and payment of estimated offering expenses payable by the Fund. The Adviser and the Subadviser have agreed to bear (1) all of the Fund’s organizational costs and (2) all of the Fund’s offering costs (other than the sales load) that exceed $0.04 per Common Share. The Subadviser anticipates that the investment of the net proceeds will be made in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and policies, as appropriate investment opportunities are identified, within approximately three months after completion of this offering. Pending such investment, those proceeds may be invested in cash, cash equivalents, short-term debt securities or U.S. government securities. See “Investment Objective, Strategies and Policies.”
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, STRATEGIES AND POLICIES
 
Investment Objective
 
The Fund’s investment objective is total return consisting of capital appreciation and current income. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
 
Principal Investment Strategies
 
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by pursuing a tactical asset allocation strategy and opportunistically investing under normal circumstances in closed-end funds and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs” and collectively, “Underlying Funds”).  Underlying Funds also may include business development companies (“BDCs”).  BDCs are a type of closed-end fund that invests in small companies in the initial stages of their development and are similar to venture capital funds. All Underlying Funds will be registered under the Securities Act. The Subadviser has the flexibility to change the Fund’s asset allocation based on its ongoing analysis of the equity, fixed income and alternative asset markets. The Subadviser considers various quantitative and qualitative factors relating to the domestic and foreign securities markets and economies when making asset allocation and security selection decisions. While the Subadviser continuously evaluates these factors, material shifts in the Fund’s asset class exposures will typically take place over longer periods of time. In addition, the Fund in seeking to achieve its investment objective, will not take activist positions in the Underlying Funds.
 
Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 65% of its Managed Assets in closed-end funds and at least 80% of its Managed Assets in Underlying Funds. The Fund directly, and therefore Common Shareholders indirectly, will bear the expenses of the Underlying Funds.
 
Under normal market conditions: (i) no more than 80% of the Fund’s Managed Assets will be invested in “equity” Underlying Funds; (ii) no more than 60% of the Fund’s Managed Assets will be invested in “fixed income” Underlying Funds; (iii) no more than 30% of the Fund’s Managed Assets will be invested in “global equity” Underlying Funds; (iv) no more than 15% of the Fund’s Managed Assets will be invested in “emerging market equity” Underlying Funds; (v) no more than 30% of the Fund’s Managed Assets will be invested in “high yield” (also known as “junk bond”) and “senior loan” Underlying Funds; (vi) no more than 15% of the Fund’s Managed Assets will be invested in “emerging market income” Underlying Funds; (vii) no more than 10% of the Fund’s Managed Assets will be invested in “real estate” Underlying Funds; and (viii) no more than 15% of the Fund’s Managed Assets will be invested in “energy master limited partnership” (“MLP”) Underlying Funds. Underlying Funds included in the 30% limitation applicable to investments in “global equity” Underlying Funds may include Underlying Funds that invest a portion of their assets in emerging markets securities. The Fund will also limit its investments in closed-end funds (including BDCs) that have been in operation for less than one year to no more than 10% of the Fund’s Managed Assets. The Fund will not invest in inverse ETFs and leveraged ETFs. The types of Underlying Funds referenced in this paragraph will be categorized in accordance with the fund categories established and maintained by Morningstar, Inc. The investment parameters stated above (and elsewhere in this Prospectus) apply only at the time of purchase. The Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests will not include those that are advised or subadvised by the Adviser, the Subadviser or their affiliates.
 
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In selecting closed-end funds, the Subadviser opportunistically utilizes a combination of short-term and longer-term trading strategies to seek to derive value from the discount and premium spreads associated with closed-end funds. The Fund benefits if it purchases a closed-end fund at a discount and the discount narrows. In addition, the Fund may purchase closed-end funds at a premium if the Subadviser believes the premium will increase. The Subadviser employs both a quantitative and qualitative approach in its selection of closed-end funds and has developed proprietary screening models and trading algorithms to trade closed-end funds. The Subadviser employs the following trading strategies, among others:
 
Statistical Analysis (Mean Reversion)
 
·              Using proprietary quantitative models, the Subadviser seeks to identify closed-end funds that are trading at compelling absolute and / or relative discounts.
 
·              The Fund will attempt to capitalize on the perceived mispricing if the Subadviser believes that the discount widening is irrational and expects the discount to narrow to longer-term mean valuations.
 
Corporate Actions
 
·              The Subadviser will pursue investments in closed-end funds that have announced, or the Subadviser believes are likely to announce, certain corporate actions that may drive value for their shareholders.
 
·              The Subadviser has developed trading strategies that focus on closed-end fund tender offers, rights offerings, shareholder distributions, open-endings and liquidations.
 
The Fund will invest in other Underlying Funds (that are not closed-end funds) to gain exposure to specific asset classes when the Subadviser believes closed-end fund discount or premium spreads are not attractive or to manage overall closed-end fund exposure in the Fund.
 
An index-based ETF is an investment company that seeks to track the performance of a particular market index. These indices include not only broad-market indices, but more specific indices as well, including those relating to particular sectors, markets, regions and industries. The Subadviser selects ETFs based on their ability to offer specific sector and style exposure in a cost and tax efficient manner. The Fund purchases ETF shares on the secondary market. Unlike a fund that allocates its assets among mutual funds based on the perceived ability of the advisers to those mutual funds, the Subadviser actively manages the Fund’s portfolio among the Underlying Funds based on the Subadviser’s research and analysis of the market and the investment merit of the Underlying Funds themselves. In evaluating the investment merit of Underlying Funds, the Subadviser analyzes the asset class, the portfolio manager(s) and the adviser, past performance, recent portfolio holdings and concentration risks.
 
Under normal circumstances, the Fund intends to maintain long positions in Underlying Funds, however, may at times establish hedging positions.  Hedging positions may include short sales and derivatives, such as options and swaps (“Hedging Positions”). Under normal market conditions, no more than 30% of the Fund’s Managed Assets will be in Hedging Positions. The Fund’s investments in derivatives will be included under the 65% and 80% policy noted above so long as the underlying asset of such derivatives is a closed-end fund or Underlying Fund, respectively. The Subadviser intends to use Hedging Positions to lower the Fund’s volatility but they may also be used to seek to enhance the Fund’s return. A short sale is a transaction in which the Fund sells a security that it does not own in anticipation of a decline in the market price of the security. To complete the short sale, the Fund must arrange through a broker to borrow the security in order to deliver it to the buyer. The Fund is obligated to replace the borrowed security by purchasing it at a market price at or prior to the time it must be returned to the lender. The price at which the Fund is required to replace the borrowed security may be more or less than the price at which the security was sold by the Fund. The Fund will incur a loss if the price of the security sold short increases between the date of the short sale and the date on which the Fund replaces the borrowed security. The Fund will realize a gain if the price of the security declines between those dates.
 
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The Fund also may invest up to 20% of its Managed Assets in exchange-traded notes (“ETNs”), certain derivatives, such as options and swaps, cash and cash equivalents.  Such investments will not be counted towards the Fund’s 80% policy. ETNs are debt securities whose returns are linked to a particular index.
 
The Fund may attempt to enhance the return on the cash portion of its portfolio by investing in a total return swap agreement. A total return swap agreement provides the Fund with a return based on the performance of an underlying asset, in exchange for fee payments to a counterparty based on a specific rate. The difference in the value of these income streams is recorded daily by the Fund, and is typically settled in cash at least monthly. If the underlying asset declines in value over the term of the swap, the Fund would be required to pay the dollar value of that decline plus any applicable fees to the counterparty. The Fund may use its own net asset value or any other reference asset that the Subadviser chooses as the underlying asset in a total return swap. The Fund will limit the notional amount of all total return swaps in the aggregate to 15% of the Fund’s Managed Assets. Using the Fund’s own net asset value as the underlying asset in the total return swap serves to reduce cash drag (the impact of cash on the Fund’s overall return) by replacing it with the impact of market exposure based upon the Fund’s own investment holdings. This type of total return swap would provide the Fund with a return based on its net asset value. Like any total return swap, the Fund would be subject to counterparty risk and the risk that its own net asset value declines in value.
 
The Fund generally seeks to hold securities for the long term, but may liquidate positions in order to change the Fund’s asset allocation or to generate cash to invest in more attractive opportunities, which may result in a larger portion of any net gains being realized as short-term capital gains. In addition, a negative change in the fundamental or qualitative characteristics of the issuer may cause the Subadviser to sell a security. Finally, the Subadviser may sell a security when its price approaches, meets or exceeds the Subadviser’s target price. For instance, the Subadviser may sell shares of a closed-end fund when it is no longer selling at a discount. This may result in a high rate of portfolio turnover. See “Risks—Portfolio Turnover Risks.”
 
The Fund’s investment objective is non-fundamental and may be changed by the Board of Directors without Common Shareholder approval. Common Shareholders will, however, receive at least 60 days prior notice of any change in this investment objective.
 
CONTINGENT CONVERSION FEATURE
 
The Fund’s Charter provides that, during calendar year 2021, the Fund will call a shareholder meeting for the purpose of voting to determine whether the Fund should convert to an open-end management investment company (such meeting date, as may be adjourned, the “Conversion Vote Date”). Such shareholder meeting may be adjourned or postponed in accordance with the By-Laws of the Fund to a date in calendar year 2021. A vote on such Conversion Vote Date to convert the Fund to an open-end management investment company under the Charter requires approval by a   majority of the Fund’s total outstanding shares. A majority is defined as greater than 50% of the Fund’s total outstanding shares. If approved by shareholders on the Conversion Vote Date, the Fund will seek to convert to an open-end management investment company within 12 months of such approval. If the requisite number of votes to convert the Fund to an open-end management investment company is not obtained on the Conversion Vote Date, the Fund will continue in operation as a closed-end management investment company. See “Conversion to Open-End Fund” and “Risks—Contingent Conversion Risk” below.
 
USE OF LEVERAGE
 
The Fund may borrow money and/or issue preferred stock, notes or debt securities for investment purposes. These practices are known as leveraging. The Fund may use leverage through borrowings or the issuance of preferred stock, in an aggregate amount of up to 15% of the Fund’s Managed Assets immediately after such borrowings or issuance.  However, the Fund is not required to decrease its use of leverage if leverage exceeds 15% but is less than 20% of the Fund’s Managed Assets due solely to changes in market conditions.  Based on market conditions at the time, the Fund may instead use such leverage in amounts that represent less than 15% of the Fund’s Managed Assets.  The Fund may utilize leverage to purchase portfolio securities and for portfolio or cash management purposes. The Fund also may borrow money as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes, including settlement of securities transactions, which otherwise might require untimely dispositions of the Fund’s portfolio securities. The Fund currently anticipates that leverage will initially be obtained through the use of bank borrowings or other similar term loans. The Underlying Funds that the Fund invests in may also use leverage; provided, however, it is the intention of the Fund that the Fund’s direct use of leverage and the Fund’s overall exposure to leverage utilized by all the Underlying Funds will not exceed 33 1/3% of the Fund’s Managed Assets.  To the extent that the Fund’s exposure to leverage utilized by all the Underlying Funds is 33 1/3% of the Fund’s Managed Assets, the Fund intends to not utilize leverage directly.  The Fund’s intention to limit leverage is contingent upon the Subadviser’s ability to adequately determine an Underlying Fund’s current amount of leverage, which may be severely limited, and ultimately unsuccessful.
 
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The Fund may be subject to certain restrictions on investments imposed by lenders or by one or more rating agencies that may issue ratings for any senior securities issued by the Fund. Borrowing covenants or rating agency guidelines may impose asset coverage or Fund composition requirements that are more stringent than those imposed on the Fund by the 1940 Act.
 
Notwithstanding the limits discussed above, the Fund may enter into derivatives or other transactions (e.g., total return swaps) that may provide leverage (other than through borrowings or the issuance of preferred stock), but which are not subject to the foregoing limitations, if the Fund earmarks or segregates liquid assets (or enters into offsetting positions) in accordance with applicable SEC regulations and interpretations to cover its obligations under those transactions and instruments. These additional transactions will not cause the Fund to pay higher advisory or administration fee rates than it would pay in the absence of such transactions, although the dollar amount of these fees payable by the Fund will increase and decrease along with increases to and decreases in the value of the Fund’s Managed Assets. In addition, these transactions will entail additional expenses (e.g., transaction costs) which will be borne by the Fund. These types of transactions have the potential to increase returns to Common Shareholders, but they also involve additional risks. This additional leverage will increase the volatility of the Fund’s investment portfolio and could result in larger losses than if the transactions were not entered into. However, to the extent that the Fund enters into offsetting transactions or owns positions covering its obligations, the leveraging effect is expected to be minimized or eliminated.

Under the 1940 Act, the Fund is not permitted to incur indebtedness unless immediately after doing so the Fund has an asset coverage of at least 300% of the aggregate outstanding principal balance of indebtedness (i.e., such indebtedness may not exceed 33 1 / 3 % of the value of the Fund’s total assets including the amount borrowed). Additionally, under the 1940 Act, the Fund may not declare any dividend or other distribution upon any class of its shares, or purchase any such shares, unless the aggregate indebtedness of the Fund has, at the time of the declaration of any such dividend or distribution or at the time of any such purchase, asset coverage of at least 300% after deducting the amount of such dividend, distribution, or purchase price, at the case may be. Under the 1940 Act, the Fund is not permitted to issue preferred stock unless immediately after such issuance the total asset value of the Fund’s portfolio is at least 200% of the liquidation value of the outstanding preferred stock (i.e., such liquidation value may not exceed 50% of the Fund’s Managed Assets). In addition, the Fund is not permitted to declare any cash dividend or other distribution on its Common Shares unless, at the time of such declaration, the net asset value of the Fund’s portfolio (determined after deducting the amount of such dividend or other distribution) is at least 200% of such liquidation value of the preferred stock. If preferred stock is issued, the Fund intends, to the extent possible, to purchase or redeem shares, from time to time, to maintain coverage of any preferred stock of at least 200%. Normally, holders of Common Shares will elect the directors of the Fund except that the holders of any preferred stock will elect two directors. In the event the Fund failed to pay dividends on its preferred stock for two years, holders of preferred stock would be entitled to elect a majority of the directors until the dividends are paid.
 
Assuming the use of leverage in the amount of 15% of the Fund’s Managed Assets and an annual interest rate on leverage of 1.35% payable on such leverage based on estimated market interest rates as of the date of this Prospectus, the additional income that the Fund must earn (net of estimated expenses related to leverage) in order to cover such interest payments is 0.24%. The Fund’s actual cost of leverage will be based on market interest rates at the time the Fund undertakes a leveraging strategy, and such actual cost of leverage may be higher or lower than that assumed in the previous example.
 
The following table is furnished in response to requirements of the SEC.  It is designed to illustrate the effect of leverage on total return on Common Shares, assuming investment portfolio total returns (comprised of income, net expenses and changes in the value of investments held in the Fund’s portfolio) of -10%, -5%, 0%, 5% and 10%. These assumed investment portfolio returns are hypothetical figures and are not necessarily indicative of what the Fund’s investment portfolio returns will be. In other words, the Fund’s actual returns may be greater or less than those appearing in the table below. The table further reflects the use of leverage representing approximately 15% of the Fund’s Managed Assets after such issuance and the Fund’s currently projected annual interest rate of 1.35%. See “Risks—Leverage Risks.” The table does not reflect any offering costs of Common Shares or leverage.
 
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Assumed Portfolio Return
   
-10.00
%
   
-5.00
%
   
0.00
%
   
5.00
%
   
10.00
%
Common Share Total Return
   
-12.00
%
   
-6.12
%
   
-0.24
%
   
5.64
%
   
11.53
%
 
Total return is composed of two elements—the dividends on Common Shares paid by the Fund (the amount of which is largely determined by the Fund’s net investment income after paying the cost of leverage) and realized and unrealized gains or losses on the value of the securities the Fund owns. As the table shows, leverage generally increases the return to Common Shareholders when portfolio return is positive or greater than the costs of leverage and decreases return when the portfolio return is negative or less than the costs of leverage.
 
During the time in which the Fund is using leverage, the amount of the fees paid to the Adviser and the Subadviser for investment management services and subadvisory services, respectively, will be higher than if the Fund did not use leverage because the fees paid will be calculated based on the Fund’s Managed Assets. This may create a conflict of interest between the Adviser and the Subadviser, on the one hand, and the holders of Common Shares, on the other. Also, because the leverage costs will be borne by the Fund at a specified interest rate, only the Fund’s Common Shareholders will bear the cost of the Fund’s management fees and other expenses.  There can be no assurance that a leveraging strategy will be successful during any period in which it is employed.
 
RISKS
 
Investing in any investment company security involves risk, including the risk that you may receive little or no return on your investment or even that you may lose part or all of your investment. Investors should consider the following risk factors and special considerations associated with investing in the Fund’s Common Shares.
 
Structural Risks:
 
No Operating History
 
The Fund is a diversified, closed-end management investment company with no operating history.
 
Not a Complete Investment Program
 
The Fund is intended for investors seeking capital appreciation and current income over the long-term, and is not intended to be a short-term trading vehicle. An investment in the Common Shares of the Fund should not be considered a complete investment program. Each investor should take into account the Fund’s investment objective and other characteristics as well as the investor’s other investments when considering an investment in the Common Shares. An investment in the Fund may not be appropriate for all investors.
 
Leverage Risks
 
The Fund may borrow money, or issue debt or preferred stock in an aggregate amount of up to 15% of the Fund’s Managed Assets immediately after such borrowings or issuance. The Underlying Funds that the Fund invests in may also use leverage; provided, however, it is the intention of the Fund that the Fund’s direct use of leverage and the Fund’s overall exposure to leverage utilized by all the Underlying Funds will not exceed 33 1/3% of the Fund’s Managed Assets. To the extent that the Fund’s exposure to leverage utilized by all the Underlying Funds is 33 1/3% of the Fund’s Managed Assets, the Fund intends to not utilize leverage directly. The Fund’s intention to limit leverage is contingent upon the Subadviser’s ability to adequately determine an Underlying Fund’s current amount of leverage, which may be severely limited, and ultimately unsuccessful. Since the holders of common stock pay all expenses related to the issuance of debt or use of leverage, the use of leverage through borrowing of money, issuance of debt securities or the issuance of preferred stock for investment purposes creates risks for the holders of Common Shares. Leverage is a speculative technique that exposes the Fund to greater risk and increased costs than if it were not implemented. Increases and decreases in the value of the Fund’s portfolio will be magnified when the Fund uses leverage. As a result, leverage may cause greater changes in the Fund’s net asset value. The Fund will also have to pay interest on its borrowings or dividends on preferred stock, if any, which may reduce the Fund’s return. The leverage costs may be greater than the Fund’s return on the underlying investment. The Fund’s leveraging strategy may not be successful.
 
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If the Fund were to utilize leverage in the form of borrowing, it anticipates that the money borrowed for investment purposes will incur interest based on shorter-term interest rates that would be periodically reset. So long as the Fund’s portfolio provides a higher rate of return, net of expenses, than the interest rate on borrowed money, as reset periodically, the leverage may cause the holders of Common Shares to receive a higher current rate of return than if the Fund were not leveraged. If, however, long-term and/or short-term rates rise, the interest rate on borrowed money could exceed the rate of return on securities held by the Fund, reducing return to the holders of Common Shares. Recent developments in the credit markets may adversely affect the ability of the Fund to borrow money for investment purposes and may increase the costs of such borrowings, which would reduce returns to the holders of Common Shares.
 
There is no assurance that a leveraging strategy, if the Fund decides to utilize leverage, will be successful. Leverage involves risks and special considerations for Common Shareholders, including:
 
·              the likelihood of greater volatility of net asset value, market price and dividend rate of the Common Shares than a comparable portfolio without leverage;
 
·              the risk that fluctuations in interest rates on borrowings or on short-term debt or in the interest or dividend rates on any debt securities or preferred shares that the Fund must pay will reduce the return to the Common Shareholders;
 
·              the effect of leverage in a declining market, which is likely to cause a greater decline in the net asset value of the Common Shares than if the Fund were not leveraged, may result in a greater decline in the market price of the Common Shares;
 
·              when the Fund uses financial leverage, the investment management fees payable to the Adviser and the subadvisory fees payable by the Adviser to the Subadviser will be higher than if the Fund did not use leverage. This may create a conflict of interest between the Adviser and the Subadviser, on the one hand, and the holders of Common Shares, on the other; and
 
·              leverage may increase operating costs, which may reduce total return.
 
The use of leverage will require the Fund to segregate assets to cover its obligations (or, if the Fund borrows money or issues preferred shares, to maintain asset coverage in conformity with the requirements of the 1940 Act). While the segregated assets will be invested in liquid securities, they may not be used for other operational purposes. Consequently, the use of leverage may limit the Fund’s flexibility and may require that the Fund sell other portfolio investments to pay Fund expenses, to maintain assets in an amount sufficient to cover the Fund’s leveraged exposure or to meet other obligations at a time when it may be disadvantageous to sell such assets. Certain types of borrowings by the Fund may result in the Fund being subject to covenants in credit agreements relating to asset coverage and portfolio composition requirements. The Fund may be subject to certain restrictions on investments imposed by guidelines of one or more rating agencies, which may issue ratings for the short-term debt securities or preferred shares issued by the Fund. These guidelines may impose asset coverage or portfolio composition requirements that are more stringent than those imposed by the 1940 Act. The Subadviser does not believe that these covenants or guidelines will impede it from managing the Fund’s portfolio in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and policies if the Fund were to utilize leverage.
 
Leverage risk would also apply to the Fund’s investments in Underlying Funds to the extent an Underlying Fund uses leverage.
 
Market Discount
 
Shares of common stock of closed-end funds frequently trade at a discount from their net asset value. This risk may be greater for investors selling their shares in a relatively short period of time after completion of the initial offering. The Fund’s Common Shares may trade at a price that is less than the initial offering price. This risk would also apply to the Fund’s investments in closed-end funds.
 
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Anti-Takeover Provisions
 
Maryland law and the Fund’s Charter and Bylaws include provisions that could limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or to convert the Fund to open-end status. These provisions could deprive the holders of Common Shares of opportunities to sell their Common Shares at a premium over the then current market price of the Common Shares or at net asset value. See “Certain Provisions of the Fund’s Charter and Bylaws and of Maryland Law.” This risk would also apply to many of the Fund’s investments in closed-end funds.
 
Contingent Conversion Risk
 
The Fund will bear the costs associated with calling a shareholder meeting for the purpose of voting to determine whether the Fund should convert to an open-end management investment company. In the event of conversion to an open-end management investment company, the shares would cease to be listed on the NYSE or other national securities exchange, and such shares would thereafter be redeemable at the Fund’s net asset value at the option of the shareholder, rather than traded in the secondary market at market price, which, for closed-end fund shares, may at times be at a premium to the Fund’s net asset value. Any borrowings (other than borrowings from a bank) or preferred stock of the Fund would need to be repaid or redeemed upon conversion and, accordingly, a portion of the Fund’s portfolio may need to be liquidated, potentially resulting in, among other things, lower current income. In addition, open-end management investment companies may be subject to continuous asset in-flows and out-flows that can complicate portfolio management and limit the Fund’s ability to make certain types of investments. As a result, the Fund may incur increased expenses and may be required to sell portfolio securities at inopportune times in order to accommodate such flows. See “Contingent Conversion Feature.”
 
Contingent Quarterly Special Distribution Program Risk
 
In addition to regular monthly distributions, the Fund intends to pay quarterly distributions for a one-year period following the completion of this offering pursuant to its Contingent Quarterly Special Distribution Program. See “Dividends and Distributions.”  In order to pay Contingent Quarterly Special Distributions, the Fund may have to sell portfolio investments, including at times when independent investment judgment might not dictate such action. Such sales of the Fund’s portfolio investments would result in greater brokerage commissions and other transactional expenses that are borne by the Fund, and may result in the realization of net short-term capital gains by the Fund which, when distributed to Common Shareholders, will be taxable as ordinary income.

The Fund may be required to pay Contingent Quarterly Special Distributions that exceed its net investment income and realized capital gains. Therefore, all or a portion of a Contingent Quarterly Special Distribution may result in a return of capital, which represents a return on a Common Shareholder’s original investment in the Common Shares, and not a distribution from the Fund’s earnings and profits. Distributions that represent a return of capital should not be considered as dividend yield nor as part of the total return from an investment in the Fund. A return of capital will reduce a Common Shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in his or her Common Shares, with any amount distributed in excess of basis treated as capital gain. Although a return of capital may not be taxable, it will generally increase the Common Shareholder’s potential gain, or reduce the Common Shareholder’s potential loss, on the subsequent sale or other disposition of his or her Common Shares. It is possible that a return of capital could cause a Common Shareholder to pay a tax on capital gains with respect to Common Shares that are sold for an amount less than the price originally paid for them. See “U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters.”

The net asset value of the Fund may fluctuate over the course of a Quarterly Special Distribution Period and, at times during such period, the Fund’s net asset value may exceed the Benchmark NAV. However, if the Measurement NAV does not exceed the Benchmark NAV on the Quarterly Special Distribution Measurement Date, no Contingent Quarterly Special Distribution will be paid. In addition, the net asset value of the Fund is reduced by regular monthly distributions paid by the Fund. There can be no assurance that there will be any increase in the net asset value of the Fund.

The Contingent Quarterly Special Distributions will decrease the Fund’s total assets and, as a result, would have the likely effect of increasing the Fund’s expense ratio. There is no guarantee that the Fund will be able to replace the assets depleted as a result of any Contingent Quarterly Special Distributions paid to Common Shareholders and such assets used to make such distributions will not be available for investment pursuant to the Fund’s investment objective.

26

There can be no assurance that the net asset value of the Fund will increase or any Contingent Quarterly Special Distribution will be made by the Fund. The Board of Directors may determine to modify, suspend or cancel the program. The overall impact of the Contingent Quarterly Special Distribution Program, or any modification, suspension or cancellation of the program, on the secondary market for the Common Shares is uncertain.  Shares of closed-end funds listed for trading on a securities exchange frequently trade at a discount from net asset value, but in some cases trade at a premium. There can be no assurance that the Contingent Quarterly Special Distribution Program, or any modification, suspension or cancellation of the program, would not result in the Common Shares trading at a larger discount, or smaller premium, to net asset value than would otherwise have been the case.

In implementing the Contingent Quarterly Special Distribution Program, the Fund will not be relying on its exemptive relief from Section 19(b) of the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1 thereunder which would allow the Fund to distribute long-term capital gains more frequently than would otherwise be permitted under the 1940 Act. If the Fund relies on such exemptive order in the future, the Fund may be required to make an additional distribution consisting of long-term capital gains, which could have the effect of reducing the assets of the Fund available for investment, in order to comply with the applicable provisions of Section 19(b) and Rule 19b-1 thereunder.
 
Investment-Related Risks
 
The risks listed below are in alphabetical order. With the exception of Underlying Fund risk (and as otherwise noted below), the following risks apply to the direct investments the Fund may make, and generally apply to the Fund’s investments in Underlying Funds. That said, each risk described below may not apply to each Underlying Fund. Similarly, an Underlying Fund may be subject to additional or different risks than those described below.
 
Asset Allocation Risks
 
To the extent that the Subadviser’s asset allocation strategy may fail to produce the intended result, the Fund’s return may suffer. Additionally, the active asset allocation style of the Fund leads to changing allocations over time and represents a risk to investors who target fixed asset allocations.
 
Convertible Securities Risks
 
The market value of convertible securities tends to fall when prevailing interest rates rise. The value of convertible securities also tends to change whenever the market value of the underlying common or preferred stock fluctuates. Convertible securities tend to be of lower credit quality See “Fixed Income Risks—High Yield Securities Risk” below.
 
Defensive Measures
 
The Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments as a defensive measure in response to adverse market conditions or opportunistically at the discretion of the Subadviser. During these periods or during periods when an Underlying Fund invests defensively, the Fund may not be pursuing its investment objective.
 
Derivatives Risks
 
The Fund and the Underlying Funds may enter into derivatives. Derivative transactions involve investment techniques and risks different from those associated with investments in Underlying Funds.  Generally, a derivative is a financial contract the value of which depends upon, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate, or index, and may relate to individual debt or equity instruments, interest rates, currencies or currency exchange rates, commodities, related indexes, and other assets.  Derivatives can be volatile and involve various types and degrees of risk, depending upon the characteristics of a particular derivative. Derivatives may entail investment exposures that are greater than their cost would suggest, meaning that a small investment in a derivative could have a large potential impact on the performance of a fund. A fund could experience a loss if derivatives do not perform as anticipated, if they are not correlated with the performance of other investments which they are used to hedge or if the fund is unable to liquidate a position because of an illiquid secondary market. The market for many derivatives is, or can suddenly become, illiquid. Changes in liquidity may result in significant, rapid and unpredictable changes in the prices of derivatives. When used for speculative purposes, derivatives will produce enhanced investment exposure, which will magnify gains and losses. Certain derivatives transactions may give rise to a form of leverage. The use of leverage may cause a fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet segregation requirements. Leverage may cause a fund to be more volatile than if it had not been leveraged. This is because leverage tends to exaggerate the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the fund’s portfolio securities. Further, using derivatives may include the risk of mispricing or improper valuation of derivatives and the inability of derivatives to correlate perfectly, or at all, with the value of the assets, reference rates or indexes they are designed to closely track. The Fund also will be subject to credit risk with respect to the counterparties to the derivatives contracts purchased by the Fund. If a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations under a derivative contract due to financial difficulties, the Fund may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery under the derivative contract in a bankruptcy or other reorganization proceeding. The Fund may obtain only a limited recovery or may obtain no recovery in such circumstances.
 
27

Defaulted and Distressed Securities Risks
 
The Underlying Funds may invest in defaulted and distressed securities. Legal difficulties and negotiations with creditors and other claimants are common when dealing with defaulted or distressed companies. Defaulted or distressed companies may be insolvent or in bankruptcy. In the event of a default, an Underlying Fund may incur additional expenses to seek recovery.  The repayment of defaulted bonds is subject to significant uncertainties, and in some cases, there may be no recovery of repayment.  Defaulted bonds might be repaid only after lengthy workout or bankruptcy proceedings, during which the issuer might not make any interest or other payments. Because of the relative illiquidity of defaulted or distressed debt and equity securities, short sales are difficult, and most Underlying Funds primarily maintain long positions. Some relative value trades are possible, where an investor sells short one class of a defaulted or distressed company’s capital structure and purchases another. With distressed investing, often there is a time lag between when an Underlying Fund makes an investment and when the Underlying Fund realizes the value of the investment. In addition, an Underlying Fund may incur legal and other monitoring costs in protecting the value of the Underlying Fund’s claims.
 
Equity Securities Risks
 
While equity securities have historically generated higher average returns than fixed income securities, equity securities have also experienced significantly more volatility in those returns. An adverse event, such as an unfavorable earnings report, may depress the value of an issuer’s equity securities held by an Underlying Fund. Equity security prices fluctuate for several reasons, including changes in investors’ perceptions of the financial condition of an issuer or the general condition of the relevant stock market, or when political or economic events affecting the issuers occur. The value of a particular equity security may fall in value. The prices of stocks change in response to many factors, including the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer, the value of its assets, management decisions, decreased demand for an issuer’s products or services, increased production costs, general economic conditions, interest rates, currency exchange rates, investor perceptions and market liquidity. The value of an Underlying Fund’s shares will go up and down due to movement in the collective returns of the individual securities held by the Underlying Fund. Common stocks are subordinate to preferred stocks and debt in a company’s capital structure, and if a company is liquidated, the claims of secured and unsecured creditors and owners of preferred stocks take precedence over the claims of those who own common stocks. In addition, equity security prices may be particularly sensitive to rising interest rates, as the cost of capital rises and borrowing costs increase.
 
Exchange-Traded Note Risks
 
The Fund and the Underlying Funds may invest in ETNs, which are notes representing unsecured debt issued by an underwriting bank. ETNs are typically linked to the performance of an index plus a specified rate of interest that could be earned on cash collateral. The value of an ETN may be influenced by time to maturity, level of supply and demand for the ETN, volatility and lack of liquidity in underlying markets, changes in the applicable interest rates, changes in the issuer’s credit rating and economic, legal, political or geographic events that affect the referenced index. ETNs typically mature 30 years from the date of issue. The issuer’s credit rating will be investment grade at the time of investment, however, the credit rating may be revised or withdrawn at any time and there is no assurance that a credit rating will remain in effect for any given time period. If a rating agency lowers the issuer’s credit rating, the value of the ETN will decline and a lower credit rating reflects a greater risk that the issuer will default on its obligation. When a fund invests in ETNs, it will bear its proportionate share of any fees and expenses associated with investment in such securities. Such fees reduce the amount of return on investment at maturity or upon redemption. There may be restrictions on a fund’s right to liquidate its investment in an ETN prior to maturity (for example, a fund may only be able to offer its ETN for repurchase by the issuer on a weekly basis), since ETNs are meant to be held until maturity. A fund’s decision to sell its ETN holdings may be limited by the availability of a secondary market.
 
28

Fixed Income Securities Risks
 
The Underlying Funds may invest in fixed income securities. Fixed income securities increase or decrease in value based on changes in interest rates. If rates increase, the value of an Underlying Fund’s fixed income securities generally declines. On the other hand, if rates fall, the value of the fixed income securities generally increases. The issuer of a fixed income security may not be able to make interest and principal payments when due. This risk is increased in the case of issuers of high yield securities, also known as “junk bonds.” If a U.S. Government agency or instrumentality in which an Underlying Fund invests defaults, and the U.S. Government does not stand behind the obligation, the Underlying Fund’s share price or yield could fall. Securities of certain U.S. Government sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the U.S. Government. The Underlying Funds may invest in fixed income securities of any credit quality, maturity or duration. Fixed income securities risks include components of the following additional risks:
 
·              Credit Risk. The issuer of a fixed income security may not be able to make interest and principal payments when due. Generally, the lower the credit rating of a security, the greater the risk that the issuer will default on its obligation, which could result in a loss to a fund. The Underlying Funds may invest in securities that are rated in the lowest investment grade category. Issuers of these securities are more vulnerable to changes in economic conditions than issuers of higher grade securities.
 
·              High Yield Securities Risk. The Underlying Funds may invest in high yield securities, also known as “junk bonds.” High yield securities provide greater income and opportunity for gain, but entail greater risk of loss of principal. High yield securities are predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation. The market for high yield securities is generally less active than the market for higher quality securities. This may limit the ability of a fund to sell high yield securities at the price at which it is being valued for purposes of calculating net asset value.
 
·              U.S. Government Securities Risk. The Underlying Funds may invest in U.S. Government securities. The U.S. Government’s guarantee of ultimate payment of principal and timely payment of interest on certain U.S. Government securities owned by an Underlying Fund does not imply that the Underlying Fund’s shares are guaranteed or that the price of the Underlying Fund’s shares will not fluctuate. In addition, securities issued by Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae and Federal Home Loan Banks are not obligations of, or insured by, the U.S. Government. If a U.S. Government agency or instrumentality in which an Underlying Fund invests defaults and the U.S. Government does not stand behind the obligation, the Fund’s net asset value could fall.
 
·              Interest Rate Risk. An Underlying Fund’s net asset value and total return will vary in response to changes in interest rates. If rates increase, the value of an Underlying Fund’s investments generally will decline, as will the Underlying Fund’s net asset value. In typical interest rate environments, the prices of longer-term fixed income securities generally fluctuate more than the prices of shorter-term fixed income securities as interest rates change. These risks may be greater in the current market environment because certain interest rates are near historically low levels.
 
·              Sovereign Obligation Risk. The Underlying Funds may invest in sovereign (i.e., foreign government) debt obligations. Investment in sovereign debt obligations involves special risks not present in corporate debt obligations. The issuer of the sovereign debt or the governmental authorities that control the repayment of the debt may be unable or unwilling to repay principal or interest when due, and the Underlying Funds may have limited recourse in the event of a default. During periods of economic uncertainty, the market prices of sovereign debt may be more volatile than prices of U.S. debt obligations. In the past, certain emerging markets have encountered difficulties in servicing their debt obligations, withheld payments of principal and interest, and declared moratoria on the payment of principal and interest on their sovereign debts. See also “Foreign Investing Risks” below.
 
29

Foreign Investing Risks
 
Because the Underlying Fund may hold foreign debt and equity securities, including the debt of foreign governments and supranational organizations, and ADRs, the Fund is subject to foreign investing risk.
 
Foreign investing involves risks not typically associated with U.S. investments. These risks include, among others, adverse fluctuations in foreign currency values as well as adverse political, social and economic developments affecting a foreign country. In addition, foreign investing involves less publicly available information, and more volatile or less liquid securities markets. Investments in foreign countries could be affected by factors not present in the U.S., such as restrictions on receiving the investment proceeds from a foreign country, foreign tax laws, and potential difficulties in enforcing contractual obligations. Foreign accounting may be less transparent than U.S. accounting practices and foreign regulation may be inadequate or irregular. Owning foreign securities could cause an Underlying Fund’s performance to fluctuate more than if it held only U.S. securities. The effect of worldwide or regional economic or political instability on specific foreign markets or issuers may be difficult to predict or evaluate, and some national economies continue to show profound instability, which may in turn affect their international trading partners.
 
Investing in emerging market securities imposes risks different from, or greater than, risks of investing in foreign developed countries. These risks include (i) the smaller market capitalization of securities markets, which may suffer periods of relative illiquidity, (ii) significant price volatility, (iii) restrictions on foreign investment, and (iv) possible repatriation of investment income and capital. In addition, foreign investors may be required to register the proceeds of sales, and future economic or political crises could lead to price controls, forced mergers, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, seizure, nationalization, or the creation of government monopolies. The currencies of emerging market countries may experience significant declines against the U.S. dollar, and devaluation may occur subsequent to investments in these currencies by an Underlying Fund. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had, and may continue to have, negative effects on the economies and securities markets of certain emerging market countries. Investments in emerging markets may be considered speculative.
 
Certain foreign markets may rely heavily on particular industries or foreign capital and are more vulnerable to diplomatic developments, the imposition of economic sanctions against a particular country or countries, organizations, entities and/or individuals, changes in international trading patterns, trade barriers, and other protectionist or retaliatory measures. Economic sanctions could, among other things, effectively restrict or eliminate an Underlying Fund’s ability to purchase or sell securities or groups of securities for a substantial period of time, and may make  the Underlying Fund’s investments in such securities harder to value. Investments in foreign markets may also be adversely affected by governmental actions such as the imposition of capital controls, nationalization of companies or industries, expropriation of assets, or the imposition of punitive taxes. The governments of certain countries may prohibit or impose substantial restrictions on foreign investing in their capital markets or in certain sectors or industries. In addition, a foreign government may limit or cause delay in the convertibility or repatriation of its currency which would adversely affect the U.S. dollar value and/or liquidity of investments denominated in that currency. Certain foreign investments may become less liquid in response to market developments or adverse investor perceptions, or become illiquid after purchase by an Underlying Fund, particularly during periods of market turmoil. 

Supranational entities are designated or supported by governmental entities to promote economic reconstruction or development of international banking institutions and related government agencies. Examples include the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the “World Bank”), the European Coal and Steel Community, the Asian Development Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank. Each supranational entity’s lending activities are limited to a percentage of its total capital (including “callable capital” contributed by its governmental members at the entity’s call), reserves and net income. There is no assurance that participating governments will be able or willing to honor their commitments to make capital contributions to a supranational entity.
 
Sponsored and unsponsored American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) are receipts issued by an American bank or trust company evidencing ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign issuer. ADRs, in sponsored form, are designed for use in U.S. securities markets. A sponsoring company provides financial information to the bank and may subsidize administration of the ADR. Unsponsored ADRs may be created by a broker-dealer or depository bank without the participation of the foreign issuer. Holders of these ADRs generally bear all the costs of the ADR facility, whereas foreign issuers typically bear certain costs in a sponsored ADR. The bank or trust company depositary of an unsponsored ADR may be under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications received from the foreign issuer or to pass through voting rights. Unsponsored ADRs may carry more risk than sponsored ADRs because of the absence of financial information provided by the underlying company. Many of the risks described above regarding foreign securities apply to investments in ADRs.
 
30

Illiquid Securities Risks
 
The Underlying Funds may invest in illiquid securities. It may not be possible to sell or otherwise dispose of illiquid securities both at the price and within the time period deemed desirable by a fund. Illiquid securities also may be difficult to value.
 
Initial Public Offerings Risks
 
The Fund and the Underlying Funds may purchase securities in initial public offerings (IPOs). Because securities sold in an IPO frequently are volatile in price, the Fund or an Underlying Fund may hold IPO shares for a very short period of time. This may increase the turnover of a fund’s portfolio and may lead to increased expenses to the fund, such as commissions and transaction costs. By selling shares, a fund may realize taxable capital gains that it will subsequently distribute to shareholders. Investing in IPOs has added risks because the shares are frequently volatile in price. As a result, their performance can be more volatile and they face greater risk of business failure, which could increase the volatility of a fund’s portfolio.
 
The Fund’s IPO investments may be in IPOs of Underlying Funds. There is a significant risk that the shares of closed-end funds purchased in an IPO will trade at a price below their IPO price.
 
Investment and Market Risks
 
An investment in Common Shares is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount invested. An investment in Common Shares represents an indirect investment in the Underlying Funds owned by the Fund. The value of the Underlying Funds, like other market investments, may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. Overall stock market risks may also affect the net asset value of the Fund or the Underlying Funds. Factors such as domestic and foreign economic growth and market conditions, interest rate levels and political events affect the securities markets. The Common Shares at any point in time may be worth less than the original investment, even after taking into account any reinvestment of dividends and distributions.
 
Legislation and Regulatory Risks
 
At any time after the date of this Prospectus, legislation or additional regulations may be enacted that could negatively affect the assets of the Fund or the issuers of such assets. Changing approaches to regulation may have a negative impact on the entities and/or securities in which the Fund invests. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the Fund itself is regulated. New or amended regulations may be imposed by the CFTC, the SEC, the Federal Reserve or other financial regulators, other governmental regulatory authorities or self-regulatory organizations that supervise the financial markets that could adversely affect the Fund. In particular, these agencies are empowered to promulgate a variety of new rules pursuant to recently enacted financial reform legislation in the United States. There can be no assurance that future legislation, regulation or deregulation will not have a material adverse effect on the Fund or will not impair the ability of the Fund to achieve its investment objective. The Fund also may be adversely affected by changes in the enforcement or interpretation of existing statutes and rules by these governmental regulatory authorities or self-regulatory organizations.
 
For example, on July 21, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”). The Dodd-Frank Act, among other things, established a ten-member Financial Stability Oversight Council (the “Council”), an interagency body chaired by the Secretary of the Treasury, to identify and manage systemic risk in the financial system and improve interagency cooperation. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, the Council has the authority to review the activities of certain nonbank financial firms engaged in financial activities that are designated as “systemically important,” meaning, among other things, that the distress of the financial firm would threaten the stability of the U.S. economy.  On July 8, 2013, September 19, 2013, and December 18, 2014, respectively, the Council made designations of four nonbank financial companies for Federal Reserve supervision.  As expected, the Fund was not among such designated companies.  However, if the Fund were designated, it would result in increased regulation of the Fund’s business, including higher standards on capital, leverage, liquidity, risk management, credit exposure reporting and concentration limits, restrictions on acquisitions and annual stress tests by the Federal Reserve.  On December 18, 2014, the Council released a notice seeking public comment on the potential risks posed by aspects of the asset management industry, including whether asset management products and activities may pose potential risks to the U.S. financial system in the areas of liquidity and redemptions, leverage, operational functions, and resolution, or in other areas.
 
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The Dodd-Frank Act also imposes stringent regulation on the over-the-counter derivatives market in an attempt to increase transparency and accountability; and provides for, among other things, new clearing, execution, margin, reporting, recordkeeping, business conduct, disclosure, position limit, minimum net capital and registration requirements. Although the CFTC has released final rules relating to clearing, execution, reporting, risk management, compliance, position limit, anti-fraud, consumer protection, portfolio reconciliation, documentation, recordkeeping, business conduct and registration requirements under the Dodd-Frank Act, many of the provisions are subject to further final rulemaking, and thus the Dodd-Frank Act's ultimate impact on the derivatives market remains unclear. New regulations could, among other things, restrict our ability to engage in derivative transactions (for example, by making certain types of derivative transactions no longer available to the Fund), increase the costs of using these instruments (for example, by increasing margin, capital or reporting requirements) and/or make them less effective and, as a result, the Fund may be unable to execute its investment strategy. Limits or restrictions applicable to the counterparties with which the Fund engages in derivative transactions could also prevent the Fund from using these instruments, affect the pricing or other factors relating to these instruments or may change availability of certain investments. It is unclear how the regulatory changes will affect counterparty risk. For instance, in December 2012, the CFTC issued a final rule requiring certain credit default swaps and interest rate swaps to be centrally cleared, which is applicable to all swap counterparties not eligible for certain narrowly-defined exemption or exceptions. Such clearing requirement may affect the Fund's ability to negotiate individualized terms and/or may increase the costs of entering into such derivative transactions (for example, by increasing margin or capital requirements). Clearing mandates with respect to other types of swaps have not yet been issued by the regulators, but could have additional impact on the Fund's ability to use swap transactions as part of its investment strategy.
 
For entities designated by the CFTC or the SEC as “swap dealers,” “security-based swaps dealers,” “major swap participants” or major “security-based swap participants,” the Dodd-Frank Act imposes new regulatory, reporting and compliance requirements. On May 23, 2012, a joint final rulemaking by the CFTC and the SEC defining these key terms was published in the Federal Register. Based on those definitions, the Fund would not be a swap dealer, security-based swap dealer, major swap participant or security-based major swap participant at this time. If the Fund is later designated as a swap dealer, security-based swap dealer, major swap participant or major security-based swap participant, its business will be subject to increased regulation, including registration requirements, additional recordkeeping and reporting obligations, external and internal business conduct standards, position limits monitoring and capital and margin thresholds.
 
The SEC also indicated that it may adopt new policies on the use of derivatives by registered investment companies. Such policies could affect the nature and extent of derivatives use by the Fund. On August 31, 2011, the SEC issued a concept release to seek public comment on a wide range of issues raised by the use of derivatives by investment companies. The SEC noted that it intends to consider the comments to help determine whether regulatory initiatives or guidance are needed to improve the current regulatory regime for investment companies and, if so, the nature of any such initiatives or guidance. While the nature of any such regulations is uncertain at this time, it is possible that such regulations could limit the implementation of the Fund’s use of derivatives, which could have an adverse impact on the Fund.
 
Importantly, while several key aspects of the Dodd-Frank Act have been defined through final rules, many aspects will be implemented by various regulatory bodies over the next several years. The imposition of any additional legal or regulatory requirements could make compliance more difficult and expensive, affect the manner in which the Fund conduct its business and adversely affect the Fund’s profitability.
 
Management Risks
 
The Subadviser’s judgments about the attractiveness, value and potential appreciation of a particular asset class or individual security in which the Fund invests may prove to be incorrect and there is no guarantee that the Subadviser’s judgment will produce the desired results. Similarly, the Fund’s investments in Underlying Funds are subject to the judgment of the Underlying Funds’ managers which may prove to be incorrect. In addition, the Subadviser will have limited information as to the portfolio holdings of the Underlying Funds at any given time. This may result in the Subadviser having less ability to respond to changing market conditions. The Fund may allocate its assets so as to under-emphasize or over-emphasize ETFs or other investments under the wrong market conditions, in which case the Fund’s net asset value may be adversely affected.
 
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Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risks
 
The ongoing U.S. military and related action in Iraq and Afghanistan and events in the Middle East and Ukraine, as well as the continuing threat of terrorist attacks, could have significant adverse effects on the U.S. economy, the stock market and world economies and markets generally. A disruption of financial markets or other terrorist attacks could adversely affect the Fund’s or an Underlying Fund’s service providers and/or the Fund's or an Underlying Fund’s operations as well as interest rates, secondary trading, credit risk, inflation and other factors relating to the Common Shares. The Fund cannot predict the effects or likelihood of similar events in the future on the U.S. and world economies, the value of the Common Shares or the net asset value of the Fund. Assets of companies, including those held in the Fund’s portfolio, could be direct targets, or indirect casualties, of an act of terrorism. The U.S. government has issued warnings that assets of utility companies and energy sector companies, specifically the United States’ pipeline infrastructure, may be the future target of terrorist organizations.
 
Master Limited Partnerships Risks
 
The Underlying Funds may invest in MLPs. Investments in publicly traded MLPs, which are limited partnerships or limited liability companies taxable as partnerships, involve some risks that differ from an investment in the common stock of a corporation, including risks related to limited control and limited rights to vote on matters affecting MLPs, risks related to potential conflicts of interest between an MLP and the MLP’s general partner, cash flow risks, dilution risks and risks related to the general partner’s right to require unit-holders to sell their common units at an undesirable time or price. MLPs may derive income and gains from the exploration, development, mining or production, processing, refining, transportation (including pipelines transporting gas, oil, or products thereof), or the marketing of any mineral or natural resources. MLPs generally have two classes of owners, the general partner and limited partners. When investing in an MLP, an Underlying Fund generally purchases publicly traded common units issued to limited partners of the MLP. The general partner is typically owned by a major energy company, an investment fund, the direct management of the MLP or is an entity owned by one or more of such parties. The general partner may be structured as a private or publicly traded corporation or other entity. The general partner typically controls the operations and management of the MLP through an up to 2% equity interest in the MLP plus, in many cases, ownership of common units and subordinated units. Limited partners own the remainder of the partnership, through ownership of common units, and have a limited role in the partnership’s operations and management. As compared to common stockholders of a corporation, holders of MLP common units have more limited control and limited rights to vote on matters affecting the partnership.
 
MLPs are typically structured such that common units and general partner interests have first priority to receive quarterly cash distributions up to an established minimum amount (“minimum quarterly distributions” or “MQD”). Common and general partner interests also accrue arrearages in distributions to the extent the MQD is not paid. Once common and general partner interests have been paid, subordinated units receive distributions of up to the MQD; however, subordinated units do not accrue arrearages. Distributable cash in excess of the MQD paid to both common and subordinated units is distributed to both common and subordinated units generally on a pro rata basis. The general partner is also eligible to receive incentive distributions if the general partner operates the business in a manner which results in distributions paid per common unit surpassing specified target levels. As the general partner increases cash distributions to the limited partners, the general partner receives an increasingly higher percentage of the incremental cash distributions. A common arrangement provides that the general partner can reach a tier where it receives 50% of every incremental dollar paid to common and subordinated unit holders. These incentive distributions encourage the general partner to streamline costs, increase capital expenditures and acquire assets in order to increase the partnership’s cash flow and raise the quarterly cash distribution in order to reach higher tiers. Such results benefit all security holders of the MLP.
 
MLP common units represent a limited partnership interest in the MLP. MLP common units are listed and traded on U.S. securities exchanges, with their value fluctuating predominantly based on prevailing market conditions and the success of the MLP. An Underlying Fund may purchase MLP common units in market transactions. Unlike owners of common stock of a corporation, owners of MLP common units have limited voting rights and have no ability to elect directors. In the event of liquidation, MLP common units have preference over subordinated units, but not over debt or preferred units, to the remaining assets of the MLP.
 
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MLPs may be subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or will otherwise be less liquid than publicly traded securities. Certain MLP securities may trade in lower volumes due to their smaller capitalizations. Accordingly, those MLPs may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements and may lack sufficient market liquidity to enable an Underlying Fund to effect sales at an advantageous time or without a substantial drop in price. As a result, these investments may be difficult to dispose of at a fair price at the times when an Underlying Fund believes it is desirable to do so. MLPs are generally considered interest-rate sensitive investments. During periods of interest rate volatility, these investments may not provide attractive returns, which may adversely impact the overall performance of the Fund or an Underlying Fund.
 
MLPs are subject to various risks related to the underlying operating companies they control, including dependence upon specialized management skills and the risk that those operating companies may lack or have limited operating histories. The success an Underlying Fund’s investments in an MLP will vary depending on the underlying industry represented by the MLP’s portfolio. Certain MLPs in which an Underlying Fund may invest depend upon their parent or sponsor entities for the majority of their revenues.
 
Certain MLPs in which an Underlying Fund may invest depend upon a limited number of customers for substantially all of their revenue. Similarly, certain MLPs in which an Underlying Fund may invest depend upon a limited number of suppliers of goods or services to continue their operations. The loss of those customers or suppliers could have a material adverse effect on an MLP’s results of operations and cash flow, and on its ability to make distributions to unit holders such as an Underlying Fund.
 
The benefit an Underlying Fund will derive from its investment in MLPs will be largely dependent on the MLPs being treated as partnerships and not as corporations for federal income tax purposes. As a partnership, an MLP generally has no tax liability at the entity level. If, as a result of a change in current law or a change in an MLP’s business, an MLP were treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes, such MLP would be obligated to pay federal income tax on its income at the corporate tax rate. If an MLP were classified as a corporation for federal income tax purposes, the amount of cash available for distribution by the MLP would be reduced and distributions received by an Underlying Fund would be taxed under federal income tax laws applicable to corporate dividends (as dividend income, return of capital, or capital gain). Therefore, treatment of an MLP as a corporation for federal income tax purposes would result in a reduction in the after-tax return to an Underlying Fund, likely causing a reduction in the value of the Common Shares.
 
Micro-, Small- and Medium-Sized Company Risks
 
The Underlying Funds may invest in securities without regard to market capitalization. Investments in securities of micro-, small- and medium-sized companies may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than larger, more established companies, because these securities typically are traded in lower volume and issuers are typically more subject to changes in earnings and future earnings prospects. Small- and medium-sized companies often have narrower markets for their goods and/or services and more limited managerial and financial resources than larger, more established companies. Furthermore, these companies often have limited product lines, services, markets or financial resources, or are dependent on a small management group. Since these stocks are not well-known to the investing public, do not have significant institutional ownership and are followed by relatively few security analysts, there will normally be less publicly available information concerning these securities compared to what is available for the securities of larger companies. Adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, can decrease the value and liquidity of securities held by the Fund. As a result, small- and medium-sized companies’ performance can be more volatile and the companies face greater risk of business failure, which could increase the volatility of the Fund’s portfolio. The risks are intensified for investments in micro-cap companies.
 
Options and Futures Risks
 
The Fund and the Underlying Funds may invest in options and futures contracts. The use of futures and options transactions entails certain special risks. In particular, the variable degree of correlation between price movements of futures contracts and price movements in the related securities position of the Fund or an Underlying Fund could create the possibility that losses on the hedging instrument are greater than gains in the value of the Fund’s or Underlying Fund's position. In addition, futures and options markets could be illiquid in some circumstances and certain over-the-counter options could have no markets. As a result, in certain markets, the Fund an Underlying Fund might not be able to close out a transaction without incurring substantial losses. Although the Fund’s or an Underlying Fund’s use of futures and options transactions for hedging should tend to minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged position, at the same time it will tend to limit any potential gain to the Fund or an Underlying Fund that might result from an increase in value of the position. There is also the risk of loss by the Fund or an Underlying Fund of margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy of a broker with whom the Fund or Underlying Fund has an open position in a futures contract or option thereon. Finally, the daily variation margin requirements for futures contracts create a greater ongoing potential financial risk than would purchases of options, in which case the exposure is limited to the cost of the initial premium. However, because option premiums paid by the Fund or an Underlying Fund are small in relation to the market value of the investments underlying the options, buying options can result in large amounts of leverage. This leverage offered by trading in options could cause the Fund’s or an Underlying Fund’s net asset value to be subject to more frequent and wider fluctuation than would be the case if the Fund or Underlying Fund did not invest in options.
 
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Options transactions may be effected on securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter market. When options are purchased over-the-counter, the Fund or an Underlying Fund bears the risk that the counterparty that wrote the option will be unable or unwilling to perform its obligations under the option contract. The counterparties to these transactions typically will be major international banks, broker-dealers and financial institutions. Such options may also be illiquid, and in such cases, the Fund or an Underlying Fund may have difficulty closing out its position. Banks, broker-dealers or other financial institutions participating in such transactions may fail to settle a transaction in accordance with the terms of the option as written. In the event of default or insolvency of the counterparty, the Fund or an Underlying Fund may be unable to liquidate an over-the-counter option position.
 
The Fund may purchase put options.  An Underlying Fund may purchase and sell call and put options with respect to specific securities, and may write and sell covered or uncovered call and put options. A call option gives the purchaser of the call option, in return for a premium paid, the right to buy the security underlying the option from the writer of the call option at a specified exercise price within a specified time frame. A put option gives the purchaser of the put option, in return for a premium paid, the right to sell the underlying security to the writer of the put option at a specified price within a specified time frame. A covered call option is a call option with respect to an underlying security that a fund owns. A covered put option is a put option with respect to which a fund has segregated cash or liquid securities to fulfill the obligation of the option. The purchaser of a put or call option runs the risk of losing the purchaser’s entire investment, paid as the premium, in a relatively short period of time if the option is not sold at a gain or cannot be exercised at a gain prior to expiration. In selling put options, there is a risk that the Underlying Fund may be required to buy the underlying security at a disadvantageous price above the market price.  The un-covered writer of a call option is subject to a risk of loss if the price of the underlying security should increase, and the un-covered writer of a put option is subject to a risk of loss if the price of the underlying security should decrease. The Fund will not treat uncovered options as “senior securities” under the 1940 Act and instead, to address senior security concerns, will segregate cash or liquid securities to fulfill its obligation under the options.
 
The Fund may invest a significant portion of its total assets in Underlying Funds that write covered call options. To the extent that an Underlying Fund writes a covered call option, it forgoes, during the option’s life, the opportunity to profit from increases in the market value of the security covering the call option above the sum of the premium and the strike price of the call, but has retained the risk of loss should the price of the underlying security decline. As the writer of the option, the Underlying Fund bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security underlying a written option. As an Underlying Fund writes covered calls over more of its portfolio, its ability to benefit from capital appreciation becomes more limited and the risk of net asset value erosion increases. To the extent an Underlying Fund experiences net asset value erosion (which itself may have an indirect negative effect on the market price of interests in the Underlying Fund, the Underlying Fund will have a reduced asset base over which to write covered calls, which may eventually lead to reduced distributions to shareholders such as the Fund. The writer of an option has no control over the time when it may be required to fulfill its obligation as a writer of the option. Once an option writer has received an exercise notice, it cannot effect a closing purchase transaction in order to terminate its obligation under the option and must deliver the underlying security at the exercise price.
 
To the extent that an Underlying Fund engages in selling options that trade in over-the-counter markets, the Underlying Fund may be subject to additional risks. Participants in these markets are typically not subject to the same credit evaluation and regulatory oversight as members of “exchange based” markets. By engaging in option transactions in these markets, an Underlying Fund may take credit risk with regard to parties with which it trades and also may bear the risk of settlement default. These risks may differ materially from those involved in exchange-traded transactions, which generally are characterized by clearing organization guarantees, daily marking-to-market and settlement, and segregation and minimum capital requirements applicable to intermediaries. Transactions entered into directly between two counterparties generally do not benefit from these protections, which may subject an Underlying Fund to the risk that a counterparty will not settle a transaction in accordance with agreed terms and conditions because of a dispute over the terms of the contract or because of a credit or liquidity problem. Such “counterparty risk” is increased for contracts with longer maturities when events may intervene to prevent settlement.
 
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The Fund or an Underlying Fund may enter into futures contracts in U.S. domestic markets or on exchanges located outside of the United States. Foreign markets may offer advantages, including trading opportunities or arbitrage possibilities, not available in the United States. Foreign markets, however, may have greater risk potential than domestic markets. For example, some foreign exchanges are principal markets, so that no common clearing facility exists and an investor may look only to the broker or counterparty for the performance of the contract. Unlike trading on domestic commodity exchanges, trading on foreign commodity exchanges is not regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
 
There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist for any particular futures contract at any particular time. Many futures exchanges and boards of trade limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in futures contract prices during a single trading day. Once the daily limit has been reached in a particular contract, no trades may be made that day of a price beyond that limit or trading may be suspended for specified periods during the trading day.
 
The Fund or an Underlying Fund may purchase and sell single stock futures, stock index futures contracts, interest rate futures contracts, currency futures and other commodity futures. A stock index future obligates a fund to pay or receive an amount of cash based upon the value of a stock index at a specified date in the future, including the Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Stock Price Index, NASDAQ High Technology Index or similar foreign indices. An interest rate futures contract obligates a fund to purchase or sell an amount of a specific debt security at a future date at a specified price. A currency futures contract obligates a fund to purchase or sell an amount of a specific currency at a future date at a future price.
 
If the Fund or an Underlying Fund purchases an option and the price of the underlying stock fails to move in the expected direction, the Fund or Underlying Fund will lose most or all of the amount the fund paid for the option, plus commission costs. If an Underlying Fund writes (“sells”) an option and the price of the underlying stock fails to move in the expected direction, the Underlying Fund’s losses could easily exceed the proceeds it received when it wrote the options.
 
Portfolio Turnover Risks
 
The Fund may engage in short-term trading to try to achieve its objective and may have portfolio turnover rates in excess of 100% annually. Underlying Funds also may not be limited in their portfolio trading ability. An annual portfolio turnover rate of 100% is equivalent to a fund buying and selling all of the securities in its portfolio once during the course of a year. How long the Fund holds a security in its portfolio is generally not a factor in making buy and sell decisions. Increased portfolio turnover results in higher brokerage costs which are borne by the Fund, directly or indirectly through the investments in Underlying Funds, which may adversely affect the Fund’s performance, and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held by Common Shareholders in a taxable account.
 
REIT Risks
 
The Underlying Funds may invest in equity and mortgage REITs. Equity REITs invest in real estate, and mortgage REITs invest in loans secured by real estate. Investing in REITs involves certain unique risks in addition to those risks associated with investing in the real estate industry in general. Equity REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property owned by the REITs, while mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of any credit extended. REITs are dependent upon management skills, are not diversified, and are subject to heavy cash flow dependency, default by borrowers and self-liquidation. REITs also are subject to the possibilities of failing to qualify for tax free pass-through of income under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and failing to maintain their exemption from registration under the 1940 Act. Investment in REITs involves risks similar to those associated with investing in small capitalization companies, and REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are subject to interest rate risks. When interest rates decline, the value of a REIT’s investment in fixed rate obligations can be expected to rise. Conversely, when interest rates rise, the value of a REIT’s investment in fixed rate obligations can be expected to decline. By investing in REITs directly or indirectly through the Underlying Funds, the Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of the expenses of the REITs. The expenses at the REIT level are not included in the Fund’s expense table as acquired fund fees and expenses.
 
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Securities Lending Risks
 
The Underlying Funds may engage in securities lending. Securities lending involves counterparty risk, including the risk that the loaned securities may not be returned in a timely manner and/or a loss of rights in the collateral if the borrower or the lending agent defaults. This risk is increased when an Underlying Fund’s loans are concentrated with a single or limited number of borrowers. In addition, an Underlying Fund bears the risk of loss in connection with the investments of the cash collateral it receives from the borrower. To the extent that the value or return of an Underlying Fund’s investments of the cash collateral declines below the amount owed to a borrower, the Underlying Fund may incur losses that exceed the amount it earned in lending the security.
 
Securities Risks
 
The value of the Fund or an Underlying Fund may decrease in response to the activities and financial prospects of individual securities in the fund’s portfolio.
 
Senior Loan Risks
 
The Underlying Funds may invest in senior secured floating rate and fixed-rate loans (“Senior Loans”).  There is less readily available and reliable information about most Senior Loans than is the case for many other types of instruments, including listed securities. Senior Loans are not listed on any national securities exchange or automated quotation system and as such, many Senior Loans are illiquid, meaning that an Underlying Fund may not be able to sell them quickly at a fair price. To the extent that a secondary market does exist for certain Senior Loans, the market is more volatile than for liquid, listed securities and may be subject to irregular trading activity, wide bid/ask spreads and extended trade settlement periods. The market for Senior Loans could be disrupted in the event of an economic downturn or a substantial increase or decrease in interest rates. Senior Loans, like most other debt obligations, are subject to the risk of default. Default in the payment of interest or principal on a Senior Loan will result in a reduction of income to the Fund, a reduction in the value of the Senior Loan and a potential decrease in the Fund’s net asset value of the Common Shares.  

The Underlying Funds may acquire or hold Senior Loans of borrowers that are experiencing, or are more likely to experience, financial difficulty, including Senior Loans issued to highly leveraged borrowers or borrowers that have filed for bankruptcy protection. Borrowers may have outstanding debt obligations, including Senior Loans, that are rated below investment grade. An Underlying Fund may invest a substantial portion of its assets in Senior Loans that are rated below investment grade or that are unrated at the time of purchase but are deemed by the Underlying Fund’s adviser’s to be of comparable quality. The values of Senior Loans of borrowers that have filed for bankruptcy protection or that are experiencing payment difficulty could be affected by, among other things, the assessment of the likelihood that the lenders ultimately will receive repayment of the principal amount of such Senior Loans, the likely duration, if any, of a lapse in the scheduled payment of interest and repayment of principal and prevailing interest rates. There is no assurance that an Underlying Fund will be able to recover any amount on Senior Loans of such borrowers or that sale of the collateral granted in connection with Senior Loans would raise enough cash to satisfy the borrower’s payment obligation or that the collateral can or will be liquidated. In the event of bankruptcy, liquidation may not occur and the bankruptcy court may not give lenders the full benefit of their senior position in the capital structure of the borrower.
 
Short Sale Risks
 
The Fund and Underlying Funds may sell securities short. Positions in shorted securities are speculative and more risky than long positions (purchases) in securities because the maximum sustainable loss on a security purchased is limited to the amount paid for the security plus the transaction costs, whereas there is no maximum attainable price of the shorted security. Therefore, in theory, securities sold short have unlimited risk. Short selling will also result in higher transaction costs (such as interest and dividends), directly or indirectly through the investments in Underlying Funds, and may result in higher taxes, which reduce the Fund’s return.
 
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If a security sold short increases in price, a fund may have to cover its short position at a higher price than the short sale price, resulting in a loss. With respect to a fund’s short positions, the Fund must borrow those securities to make delivery to the buyer. A fund may not be able to borrow a security that it needs to deliver or it may not be able to close out a short position at an acceptable price and may have to sell related long positions before it had intended to do so. As a result, a fund may not be able to successfully implement its short sale strategy due to the limited availability of desired securities or for other reasons.
 
When borrowing a security for delivery to a buyer, a fund also may be required to pay a premium and other transaction costs, which would increase the cost of the security sold short. A fund must normally repay to the lender an amount equal to any dividends or interest earned while the loan is outstanding. The amount of any gain will be decreased, and the amount of any loss increased, by the amount of the premium, dividends, interest or expenses a fund may be required to pay in connection with the short sale. Also, the lender of a security may terminate the loan at a time when a fund is unable to borrow the same security for delivery. In that case, a fund would need to purchase a replacement security at the then current market price or “buy in” by paying the lender an amount equal to the costs of purchasing the security.
 
Until a fund replaces a borrowed security, it is required to maintain a segregated account of cash or liquid assets to cover the fund’s short position. Securities held in a segregated account cannot be sold while the position they are covering is outstanding, unless they are replaced with similar securities. Additionally, a fund must maintain sufficient liquid assets (less any additional collateral held by the broker), marked-to-market daily, to cover its short sale obligations. This may limit a fund’s investment flexibility, as well as its ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.
 
Because a fund’s loss on a short sale arises from increases in the value of the security sold short, the loss is theoretically unlimited. In certain cases, purchasing a security to cover a short position can itself cause the price of the security to rise further, which would exacerbate the loss. Conversely, gains on short sales, after transaction and related costs, are generally the difference between the price at which a fund sold the borrowed security and the price it paid to purchase the security for delivery to the buyer. By contrast, a fund’s loss on a long position arises from decreases in the value of the security and is limited by the fact that a security’s value cannot drop below zero.
 
By investing the proceeds received from selling securities short, the Fund is using a form of leverage, which creates special risks. The use of leverage may increase the Fund’s exposure to long equity positions and make any change in the Fund’s net asset value greater than it would be without the use of leverage. This could result in increased volatility of returns. There is no guarantee that the Fund will leverage its portfolio, or if it does, that the Fund’s leveraging strategy will be successful. The Fund also cannot guarantee that the use of leverage will produce a higher return on an investment.
 
Structured Notes Risks
 
The Underlying Funds may invest in structured notes. Structured notes are subject to a number of fixed income risks including general market risk, interest rate risk, and the risk that the issuer on the note may fail to make interest and/or principal payments when due, or may default on its obligations entirely. In addition, because the performance of structured notes tracks the performance of the underlying debt obligation, structured notes generally are subject to more risk than investing in a simple note or bond issued by the same issuer. It is impossible to predict whether the referenced factor (such as an index or interest rate) or prices of the underlying securities will rise or fall. To the extent that an Underlying Fund invests in structured notes, the Underlying Fund may be more volatile than other funds that do not invest in structured notes. The actual trading prices of structured notes may be significantly different from the principal amount of the notes. If an Underlying Fund sells the structured notes prior to maturity, it may suffer a loss of principal. At final maturity, structured notes may be redeemed in cash or in kind, which is at the discretion of the issuer. If the notes are redeemed in kind, a fund would receive shares of stock at a depressed price. To the extent that a structured note is not principal-protected through an insurance feature, the note’s principal will not be protected. In the case of a decrease in the value of the underlying asset, an Underlying Fund would receive shares at a value less than the original amount invested; while an increase in the value of an underlying asset will not increase the return on the note.
 
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Swap Risks
 
The Fund and the Underlying Funds may enter into interest rate, index, total return and currency swap agreements. Swap agreements are two-party contracts under which the fund and a counterparty, such as a broker or dealer, agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on an agreed-upon underlying asset or investment over the term of the swap. The use of swap transactions is a highly specialized activity which involves strategies and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio security transactions. If the Subadviser or an Underlying Fund’s investment adviser is incorrect in its forecasts of default risks, market spreads, liquidity or other applicable factors or events, the investment performance of the Fund or Underlying Fund would diminish compared with what it would have been if these techniques were not used. Swaps and swap options can be used for a variety of purposes, including: to manage fund exposure to changes in interest or foreign currency exchange rates and credit quality; as an efficient means of adjusting fund overall exposure to certain markets; in an effort to enhance income or total return or protect the value of portfolio securities; to serve as a cash management tool; and to adjust portfolio duration.

There are risks in the use of swaps. Swaps could result in losses if interest or foreign currency exchange rates or credit quality changes are not correctly anticipated. Total return swaps could result in losses if the reference index, security, or investments do not perform as anticipated. Total return swaps involve an enhanced risk that the issuer or counterparty will fail to perform its contractual obligations. Total return swaps may effectively add leverage to the Fund’s portfolio because the Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the full notional amount of the swap. To the extent the Fund or an Underlying Fund enters into a total return swap on equity securities, the Fund or the Underlying Fund will receive the positive performance of a notional amount of such securities underlying the total return swap. In exchange, the Fund or the Underlying Fund will be obligated to pay the negative performance of such notional amount of securities. Therefore, the Fund or the Underlying Fund assumes the risk of a substantial decrease in the market value of the equity securities. The use of swaps may not always be successful; using them could lower fund total return, their prices can be highly volatile, and the potential loss from the use of swaps can exceed the fund’s initial investment in such instruments. Also, the other party to a swap agreement could default on its obligations or refuse to cash out the fund’s investment at a reasonable price, which could turn an expected gain into a loss.
 
Currently, certain categories of interest rate swaps are subject to mandatory clearing, and more are expected to be cleared in the future. The counterparty risk for cleared derivatives is generally expected to be lower than for uncleared over-the-counter derivative transactions as each party to a transaction looks only to the central clearing house for performance of obligations under the transaction. However, there can be no assurance that a clearing house, or its members, will satisfy the clearing house’s obligations to the fund or that the fund’s use of swaps will be advantageous.
 
Underlying Fund Risks
 
The Fund will invest in Underlying Funds such as other closed-end funds and ETFs. The expenses of the Fund will generally be higher than the direct expenses of other fund shares. The Fund will indirectly bear fees and expenses charged by the Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests in addition to the Fund’s direct fees and expenses. The Fund may also incur brokerage costs when it purchases shares of Underlying Funds. Furthermore, investments in Underlying Funds could affect the timing, amount and character of distributions to Common Shareholders and therefore may increase the amount of taxes payable by investors in the Fund. The value of your investment in the Fund will go up and down with the prices of Underlying Fund shares (and other securities) in which the Fund invests. Similarly, the value of the Fund’s investments in Underlying Funds will go up and down with the prices of the securities in which the Underlying Funds invest.
 
There is also the risk that the Fund may suffer losses due to the investment practices or operations of the Underlying Funds. To the extent that the Fund invests in one or more Underlying Funds that concentrate in a particular industry, the Fund would be vulnerable to factors affecting that industry and the concentrating Underlying Funds’ performance, and that of the Fund, may be more volatile than Underlying Funds that do not concentrate.
 
As the Fund will invest at least 65% of its Managed Assets in closed-end funds and at least 80% of its Managed Assets in Underlying Funds, the Fund’s performance will depend to a greater extent on the overall performance of closed-end funds, ETFs and BDCs generally, in addition to the performance of the specific Underlying Funds (and other assets) in which the Fund invests.  The use of leverage by Underlying Funds magnifies gains and losses on amounts invested and increases the risks associated with investing in Underlying Funds.  Further, the Underlying Funds are not subject to the Fund’s investment policies and restrictions. The Fund generally receives information regarding the portfolio holdings of Underlying Funds only when that information is made available to the public. The Fund cannot dictate how the Underlying Funds invest their assets. The Underlying Funds may invest their assets in securities and other instruments, and may use investment techniques and strategies, that are not described in this prospectus.   Common Shareholders will bear two layers of fees and expenses with respect to the Fund’s investments in Underlying Funds because each of the Fund and the Underlying Fund will charge fees and incur separate expenses.  In addition, subject to applicable 1940 Act limitations, the Underlying Funds themselves may purchase securities issued by registered and unregistered funds (e.g., common stock, preferred stock, auction rate preferred stock), and those investments would be subject to the risks associated with Underlying Funds and unregistered funds (including a third layer of fees and expenses, i.e., the Underlying Fund will indirectly bear fees and expenses charged by the funds in which the Underlying Fund invests, in addition to the Underlying Fund’s own fees and expenses). An Underlying Fund with positive performance may indirectly receive a performance fee from the Fund, even when the Fund’s overall returns are negative.  Additionally, the Fund’s investment in an Underlying Fund may result in the Fund’s receipt of cash in excess of the Underlying Fund’s earnings; if the Fund distributes these amounts, the distributions could constitute a return of capital to Fund shareholders for federal income tax purposes.  As a result of these factors, the use of the fund of funds structure by the Fund could therefore affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders.
 
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The Fund may invest in shares of closed-end funds that are trading at a discount to net asset value or at a premium to net asset value and closed-end funds may not be able to outperform their benchmarks. There can be no assurance that the market discount on shares of any closed-end fund purchased by the Fund will ever decrease. In fact, it is possible that this market discount may increase and the Fund may suffer realized or unrealized capital losses due to further decline in the market price of the securities of such closed-end funds, thereby adversely affecting the Fund’s net asset value. The Fund’s investment in the common shares of closed-end funds that are financially leveraged may create an opportunity for greater total return on its investment, but at the same time may be expected to exhibit more volatility in market price and net asset value than an investment in shares of investment companies without a leveraged capital structure.
 
The Fund may invest in BDCs. BDCs generally invest in less mature U.S. private companies or thinly traded U.S. public companies which involve greater risk than well-established publicly-traded companies. While BDCs are expected to generate income in the form of dividends, certain BDCs during certain periods of time may not generate such income. The Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any management fees and other operating expenses incurred by the BDCs and of any performance-based or incentive fees payable by the BDCs in which it invests, in addition to the expenses paid by the Fund. A BDC’s incentive fee may be very high, vary from year to year and be payable even if the value of the BDC’s portfolio declines in a given time period. Incentive fees may create an incentive for a BDC’s manager to make investments that are risky or more speculative than would be the case in the absence of such compensation arrangements, and may also encourage the BDC’s manager to use leverage to increase the return on the BDC’s investments. The use of leverage by BDCs magnifies gains and losses on amounts invested and increases the risks associated with investing in BDCs. A BDC may make investments with a larger amount of risk of volatility and loss of principal than other investment options and may also be highly speculative and aggressive.

The 1940 Act imposes certain constraints upon the operations of a BDC. For example, BDCs are required to invest at least 70% of their total assets primarily in securities of U.S. private companies or thinly traded U.S. public companies, cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and high quality debt investments that mature in one year or less. Generally, little public information exists for private and thinly traded companies in which a BDC may invest and there is a risk that investors may not be able to make a fully informed evaluation of a BDC and its portfolio of investments. With respect to investments in debt instruments, there is a risk that the issuers of such instruments may default on their payments or declare bankruptcy. Many debt investments in which a BDC may invest will not be rated by a credit rating agency and will be below investment grade quality. These investments are commonly referred to as “junk bonds” and have predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to an issuer’s capacity to make payments of interest and principal. Although lower grade securities are potentially higher yielding, they are also characterized by high risk. In addition, the secondary market for lower grade securities may be less liquid than that of higher rated securities. Certain BDCs may also be difficult to value since many of the assets of BDCs do not have readily ascertainable market values.

Additionally, a BDC may only incur indebtedness in amounts such that the BDC’s asset coverage ratio of total assets to total senior securities equals at least 200% after such incurrence. These limitations on asset mix and leverage may affect the way that the BDC raises capital. BDCs compete with other entities for the types of investments they make, and such entities are not necessarily subject to the same investment constraints as BDCs.

Index-based ETFs (and other index funds) in which the Fund may invest may not be able to replicate exactly the performance of the indices they track or benchmark because the total return generated by the securities will be reduced by transaction costs incurred in adjusting the actual balance of the securities. In addition, index-based ETFs (and other index funds) will incur expenses not incurred by their applicable indices. Certain securities comprising the indices tracked by these investments may, from time to time, temporarily be unavailable, which may further impede the ability of the index-based ETFs and other index funds to track their applicable indices. Underlying Funds may not be able to match or outperform their respective benchmarks. With sector ETFs, there is a risk that securities within the same group of industries will decline in price due to sector-specific market or economic developments. The Fund may also invest in actively managed ETFs that are subject to management risk as the ETF’s investment adviser will apply certain investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions. There can be no guarantee that these will produce the desired results.
 
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Certain of the Underlying Funds in which the Fund will invest may be taxed as regulated investment companies under Subchapter M of the Code. To qualify and remain eligible for the special tax treatment accorded to regulated investment companies and their shareholders, such Underlying Funds must meet certain source-of-income, asset diversification and annual distribution requirements. If an Underlying Fund in which the Fund invests fails to qualify as a regulated investment company, such Underlying Fund would be liable for federal, and possibly state, corporate taxes on its taxable income and gains. Such failure by an Underlying Fund could substantially reduce the Underlying Fund’s net assets and the amount of income available for distribution to the Fund, which would in turn decrease the total return of the Fund in respect of such investment.

The Fund’s investments in Underlying Funds may be limited by provisions of the 1940 Act, which generally limit the amount the Fund and its affiliates can invest in any one Underlying Fund to 3% of the Underlying Fund’s outstanding voting stock. As a result, the Fund may hold a smaller position in an Underlying Fund than if it were not subject to this restriction. In addition, to comply with provisions of the 1940 Act, in any matter upon which Underlying Fund stockholders are solicited to vote, the Subadviser may be required to vote Underlying Fund shares in the same proportion as shares held by other stockholders of the Underlying Fund. However, pursuant to exemptive orders issued by the SEC to various ETF sponsors, the Fund is permitted to invest in such Underlying Funds in excess of the limits set forth in the 1940 Act subject to certain terms and conditions set forth in such exemptive orders.
 
Warrants Risks
 
The Fund and the Underlying Funds may invest in warrants. Warrants are securities giving the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy the stock of an issuer at a given price (generally higher than the value of the stock at the time of issuance) during a specified period or perpetually. Warrants do not carry with them the right to dividends or voting rights with respect to the securities that they entitle their holder to purchase and they do not represent any rights in the assets of the issuer. The value of a warrant does not necessarily change with the value of the underlying securities and a warrant ceases to have value if it is not exercised prior to its expiration date.
 
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
 
Board of Directors
 
The Fund’s Board of Directors has overall responsibility for management of the Fund. The Board of Directors decides upon matters of general policy and generally oversee the actions of the Adviser, the Subadviser and other service providers of the Fund. The name and business address of the Board of Directors and officers of the Fund, and their principal occupations and other affiliations during the past five years, are set forth under “Board Members and Officers” in the SAI.
 
Investment Adviser
 
ALPS Advisors, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of ALPS Holdings, Inc., is the Fund’s investment adviser. The Adviser is responsible for, among other things, furnishing a continual investment program for the Fund in accordance with its investment objective and policies, coordinating and monitoring the investment activities of the Subadviser, and managing and administering the Fund’s business affairs, each subject to the general supervision and direction of the Board of Directors. The Adviser commenced business operations in December 2006 upon the acquisition of an existing investment advisory operation, is registered with the SEC and as of September 30, 2015, managed approximately $14.1 billion. The Adviser is located at 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, CO 80203, and is affiliated with the Fund’s administrator and transfer agent. ALPS Holdings, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of DST Systems, Inc.
 
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Subadviser
 
RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC, a majority owned subsidiary of RiverNorth Holding Co., is the Fund’s subadviser and makes the day-to-day investment decisions for the Fund. Founded in 2000, the Subadviser is located at 325 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 645, Chicago, Illinois 60654. The Subadviser is registered with the SEC and as of September 30, 2015, manages approximately $3.1 billion for four series of a registered open-end management investment companies and private investment funds.
 
Portfolio Management
 
Patrick W. Galley, CFA, is the Fund’s co-portfolio manager. Mr. Galley is the Chief Investment Officer for the Subadviser. Mr. Galley heads the firm’s research and investment team and oversees all portfolio management activities at the Subadviser. Mr. Galley also serves as the President and Chairman of RiverNorth Funds. Prior to joining the Subadviser in 2004, he was most recently a Vice President at Bank of America in the Global Investment Bank’s Portfolio Management group, where he specialized in analyzing and structuring corporate transactions for investment management firms in addition to closed-end and open-end funds, hedge funds, funds of funds, structured investment vehicles and insurance/reinsurance companies. Mr. Galley graduated with honors from Rochester Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Finance. He has received the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, is a member of the CFA Institute and is a member of the CFA Society of Chicago.
 
Stephen O’Neill, CFA, is the Fund’s other co-portfolio manager. Mr. O’Neill is a Portfolio Manager for the Subadviser. Mr. O’Neill conducts qualitative and quantitative analysis of closed-end funds and their respective asset classes. Prior to joining the Subadviser in 2007, he was most recently an Assistant Vice President at Bank of America in the Global Investment Bank’s Portfolio Management group. At Bank of America, he specialized in the corporate real estate, asset management, and structured finance industries. Mr. O’Neill graduated magna cum laude from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio with a B.S. in finance and a minor in economics. Mr. O’Neill has received the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, is a member of the CFA Institute and is a member of the CFA Society of Chicago.
 
The Fund’s SAI provides information about the compensation received by Mr. Galley and Mr. O’Neill, other accounts that they manage and their ownership of the Fund’s equity securities.
 
Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements
 
Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is responsible for managing the Fund’s affairs, subject at all times to the general oversight of the Fund’s Board of Directors. The Fund has agreed to pay the Adviser a management fee payable on a monthly basis at the annual rate of 1.00% of the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets for the service it provides.
 
In addition to the fees of the Adviser, the Fund pays all other costs and expenses of its operations, including, but not limited to, compensation of its directors (other than those affiliated with the Adviser or the Subadviser), custodial expenses, transfer agency and dividend disbursing expenses, legal fees, expenses of independent auditors, expenses of repurchasing shares, expenses of any leverage, expenses of preparing, printing and distributing prospectuses, stockholder reports, notices, proxy statements and reports to governmental agencies, and taxes, if any.
 
Pursuant to a Subadvisory Agreement, the Adviser has delegated daily management of the Fund’s portfolio to the Subadviser, who is paid by the Adviser and not the Fund. The Adviser (and not the Fund) has agreed to pay the Subadviser a subadvisory fee payable on a monthly basis at the annual rate of 0.85% of the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets for the service it provides.
 
Because the fees received by the Adviser and the Subadviser are based on the Managed Assets of the Fund, the Adviser and the Subadviser have a financial incentive for the Fund to use leverage, which may create a conflict of interest between the Adviser and the Subadviser, on the one hand, and the holders of Common Shares, on the other. Because leverage costs will be borne by the Fund at a specified interest rate, the Fund’s investment management fees and other expenses, including expenses incurred as a result of any leverage, are paid only by the holders of Common Shares and not by holders of preferred stock or through borrowings. See “Use of Leverage.”
 
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A discussion of the basis for the Board of Directors’ approval of the Fund’s Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements will be provided in the Fund’s initial shareholder report. The basis for subsequent continuations of these agreements will be provided in annual or semi-annual reports to shareholders for the periods during which such continuations occur.
 
In addition, under a License Agreement, the Subadviser has consented to the use by the Fund of the identifying word or name “RiverNorth” in the name of the Fund, and to use of certain associated trademarks. Such consent is conditioned upon the employment of the Subadviser or an affiliate thereof as investment subadviser to the Fund. If at any time the Fund ceases to employ the Subadviser or an affiliate as investment subadviser of the Fund, the Fund may be required to cease using the word or name “RiverNorth” in the name of the Fund, and cease making use of the associated trademarks, as promptly as practicable.
 
Administrative Services
 
The Fund’s administrator is ALPS Fund Services, Inc. (“AFS”), an affiliate of the Adviser and the Fund’s transfer agent. AFS is a service company and SEC-registered transfer agent. Under the Administration Agreement, AFS is responsible for calculating net asset values, providing additional fund accounting and tax services, and providing fund administration and compliance-related services. The address of AFS is 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, CO 80203. For its services, AFS will receive a monthly fee at the annual rate of 0.15% of the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets.
 
NET ASSET VALUE
 
Net asset value per share (“NAV”) is determined daily as of the close of the regular trading session on the NYSE (usually 4:00 p.m. Eastern time). Net asset value is calculated by dividing the value of all of the securities and other assets of the Fund, less the liabilities (including accrued expenses and indebtedness) and the aggregate liquidation value of any outstanding preferred shares, by the total number of Common Shares outstanding.
 
The Fund’s assets, including its investments in Underlying Funds, are generally valued at their market value using market quotations. The Fund may use pricing services to provide market quotations. If market quotations are not available or, in the Subadviser’s opinion, market quotations do not reflect market value, or if an event occurs after the close of trading on the domestic or foreign exchange or market on which the security is principally traded (but prior to the time the NAV is calculated) that materially affects market value, the security will be valued at fair value according to policies approved by the Fund’s Board of Directors. For example, if trading in a portfolio security is halted and does not resume before the Fund calculates its NAV, the security may need to be fair valued using the Fund’s fair value pricing policies. Fair valuation involves subjective judgments and it is possible that the fair value determined for a security may differ materially from the value that could be realized upon the sale of the security. The Fund will invest in Underlying Funds. The Fund’s NAV is calculated based, in part, upon the market prices of the Underlying Funds in its portfolio, and the prospectuses of those companies explain the circumstances under which they will use fair value pricing and the effects of doing so.
 
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
 
Commencing with the first dividend, the Fund intends to implement a level distribution policy, pursuant to which the Fund will make regular monthly cash distributions of its net investment income to holders of Common Shares at a level rate based on the projected performance of the Fund, which rate is a fixed dollar amount which may be adjusted from time to time. The Fund expects to declare its initial monthly dividend within 30 to 45 days and pay its initial monthly dividend within approximately 60 to 75 days after the completion of this offering, depending on market conditions. Dividends and distributions may be payable in cash or Common Shares, with shareholders having the option to receive additional Common Shares in lieu of cash. The Fund may at times, in its discretion, pay out less than the entire amount of net investment income earned in any particular period and may at times pay out such accumulated undistributed income in addition to net investment income earned in other periods in order to permit the Fund to maintain a more stable level of distributions. As a result, the dividend paid by the Fund to Common Shareholders for any particular period may be more or less than the amount of net investment income earned by the Fund during such period. The Fund’s ability to maintain a stable level of distributions to stockholders will depend on a number of factors, including the stability of income received from its investments. The amount of monthly distributions may vary depending on a number of factors, including the costs of any leverage. As portfolio and market conditions change, the amount of dividends on the Fund’s Common Shares could change. For federal income tax purposes, the Fund is required to distribute substantially all of its net investment income each year to both reduce its federal income tax liability and to avoid a potential federal excise tax. The Fund intends to distribute all realized net capital gains, if any, at least annually.
 
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The Adviser has received an order granting an exemption from Section 19(b) of the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1 thereunder to permit the Fund, subject to certain terms and conditions, to include realized long-term capital gains as a part of its regular distributions to Common Shareholders more frequently than would otherwise be permitted by the 1940 Act (generally once per taxable year). To the extent that the Adviser relies on the exemptive order, the Fund will be required to comply with the terms and conditions therein, which, among other things, requires the Fund to make certain disclosures to shareholders and prospective shareholders regarding distributions, and would require the Fund's Board of Directors to make determinations regarding the appropriateness of use of the distribution policy. Under such a distribution policy, it is possible that the Fund might distribute more than its income and net realized capital gains; therefore, distributions to shareholders may result in a return of capital. There is no assurance that the Fund will rely on the exemptive order in the future.

In addition to regular monthly distributions, for the first year following the completion of this offering, the Fund intends to pay quarterly distributions (each, a “Contingent Quarterly Special Distribution”) to Common Shareholders if the conditions described below have been met (the “Contingent Quarterly Special Distribution Program”). The date on which the amount of the Contingent Quarterly Special Distribution will be measured (each, a “Quarterly Special Distribution Measurement Date”) for the first Contingent Quarterly Special Distribution will be March 15, 2016 and subsequent Quarterly Special Distribution Measurement Dates will occur every three months thereafter (a “Quarterly Special Distribution Period”) on the 15th day of each such month (or, if such date is not a business day, on the first business day thereafter) during the one-year period following the completion of this offering. The aggregate amount payable for each Quarterly Special Distribution Period is expected to be equal to 50% of the amount by which the net asset value of the Fund as of the applicable Quarterly Special Distribution Measurement Date (the “Measurement NAV”) exceeds the net asset value of the Fund as of the most recent prior Quarterly Special Distribution Measurement Date for which a Contingent Quarterly Special Distribution was paid (the “Benchmark NAV”). The calculation of the Measurement NAV and the Benchmark NAV will be appropriately adjusted to reflect distributions paid or to be paid by the Fund.  For purposes of calculating the Measurement NAV, the Fund will subtract from the net asset value as of the Quarterly Special Distribution Measurement Date the amount of any regular monthly distribution not reflected in the net asset value on such date but which is declared prior to or simultaneous with the declaration of the Contingent Quarterly Special Distribution during that month. In addition, for purposes of calculating the Benchmark NAV, the Fund will subtract from the NAV as of the Quarterly Special Distribution Measurement Date for the applicable prior Quarterly Special Distribution Period the amounts of any Contingent Quarterly Special Distribution and regular monthly distribution that had not been reflected in the net asset value as of such date but were declared by the end of the month in which such Quarterly Special Distribution Measurement Date occurred.  For the purposes of the first Contingent Quarterly Special Distribution, the Benchmark NAV will be $19.36 per Common Share. There can be no assurance that the net asset value of the Fund will increase or any Contingent Quarterly Special Distribution will be made by the Fund. The Board of Directors will review the Contingent Quarterly Special Distribution Program from time to time and may determine to modify, suspend or cancel the program. The Fund will provide Common Shareholders with advance notice in the event of any such determination by the Board of Directors to modify, suspend or cancel the Contingent Quarterly Special Distribution Program.  See “Risks—Contingent Quarterly Special Distribution Program Risk” and “U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters.”  Unless an election is made to receive distributions in cash, Common Shareholders will automatically have their Contingent Quarterly Special Distributions reinvested in Common Shares through the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan (the “Plan”). See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” for more information, including information on how to opt out of the Plan.

Under the 1940 Act, the Fund is not permitted to incur indebtedness unless immediately after such incurrence the Fund has an asset coverage of at least 300% of the aggregate outstanding principal balance of indebtedness. Additionally, under the 1940 Act, the Fund may not declare any dividend or other distribution upon any class of its capital shares, or purchase any such capital shares, unless the aggregate indebtedness of the Fund has, at the time of the declaration of any such dividend or distribution or at the time of any such purchase, an asset coverage of at least 300% after deducting the amount of such dividend, distribution, or purchase price, as the case may be.
 
While any preferred stock is outstanding, the Fund may not declare any cash dividend or other distribution on its Common Shares, unless at the time of such declaration, (i) all accumulated preferred dividends have been paid and (ii) the net asset value of the Fund’s portfolio (determined after deducting the amount of such dividend or other distribution) is at least 200% of the liquidation value of the outstanding preferred shares (expected to be equal to the original purchase price per share plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon).
 
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In addition to the limitations imposed by the 1940 Act described above, certain lenders may impose additional restrictions on the payment of dividends or distributions on the Common Shares in the event of a default on the Fund’s borrowings. If the Fund’s ability to make distributions on its Common Shares is limited, such limitations could, under certain circumstances, impair the ability of the Fund to maintain its qualification for federal income tax purposes as a regulated investment company, which would have adverse tax consequences for shareholders. See “Use of Leverage” and “U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters.”
 
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN
 
The Fund has a dividend reinvestment plan commonly referred to as an “opt-out” plan. Unless the registered owner of Common Shares elects to receive cash by contacting DST Systems, Inc. (the “Plan Administrator”), all dividends declared on Common Shares will be automatically reinvested by the Plan Administrator for shareholders in the Fund’s Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Plan”), in additional Common Shares. Common Shareholders who elect not to participate in the Plan will receive all dividends and other distributions in cash paid by check mailed directly to the shareholder of record (or, if the Common Shares are held in street or other nominee name, then to such nominee) by the Plan Administrator as dividend disbursing agent. Participation in the Plan is completely voluntary and may be terminated or resumed at any time without penalty by notice if received and processed by the Plan Administrator prior to the dividend record date; otherwise such termination or resumption will be effective with respect to any subsequently declared dividend or other distribution. Such notice will be effective with respect to a particular dividend or other distribution (together, a “Dividend”). Some brokers may automatically elect to receive cash on behalf of Common Shareholders and may re-invest that cash in additional Common Shares.
 
Whenever the Fund declares a Dividend payable in cash, non-participants in the Plan will receive cash and participants in the Plan will receive the equivalent in Common Shares. The Common Shares will be acquired by the Plan Administrator for the participants’ accounts, depending upon the circumstances described below, either (i) through receipt of additional unissued but authorized Common Shares from the Fund (“Newly Issued Common Shares”) or (ii) by purchase of outstanding Common Shares on the open market (“Open-Market Purchases”) on the NYSE or elsewhere. If, on the payment date for any Dividend, the closing market price plus estimated brokerage commissions per Common Share is equal to or greater than the net asset value per Common Share, the Plan Administrator will invest the Dividend amount in Newly Issued Common Shares on behalf of the participants. The number of Newly Issued Common Shares to be credited to each participant’s account will be determined by dividing the dollar amount of the Dividend by the Fund’s net asset value per Common Share on the payment date. If, on the payment date for any Dividend, the net asset value per Common Share is greater than the closing market value plus estimated brokerage commissions (i.e., the Fund’s Common Shares are trading at a discount), the Plan Administrator will invest the Dividend amount in Common Shares acquired on behalf of the participants in Open-Market Purchases.
 
In the event of a market discount on the payment date for any Dividend, the Plan Administrator will have until the last business day before the next date on which the Common Shares trade on an “ex-dividend” basis or 30 days after the payment date for such Dividend, whichever is sooner (the “Last Purchase Date”), to invest the Dividend amount in Common Shares acquired in Open-Market Purchases. It is contemplated that the Fund will pay monthly income Dividends. If, before the Plan Administrator has completed its Open-Market Purchases, the market price per Common Share exceeds the net asset value per Common Share, the average per Common Share purchase price paid by the Plan Administrator may exceed the net asset value of the Common Shares, resulting in the acquisition of fewer Common Shares than if the Dividend had been paid in Newly Issued Common Shares on the Dividend payment date. Because of the foregoing difficulty with respect to Open-Market Purchases, the Plan provides that if the Plan Administrator is unable to invest the full Dividend amount in Open-Market Purchases during the purchase period or if the market discount shifts to a market premium during the purchase period, the Plan Administrator may cease making Open-Market Purchases and may invest the uninvested portion of the Dividend amount in Newly Issued Common Shares at the net asset value per Common Share at the close of business on the Last Purchase Date.
 
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The Plan Administrator maintains all shareholders’ accounts in the Plan and furnishes written confirmation of all transactions in the accounts, including information needed by shareholders for tax records. Common Shares in the account of each Plan participant will be held by the Plan Administrator on behalf of the Plan participant, and each shareholder proxy will include those shares purchased or received pursuant to the Plan. The Plan Administrator will forward all proxy solicitation materials to participants and vote proxies for shares held under the Plan in accordance with the instructions of the participants.
 
Beneficial owners of Common Shares who hold their Common Shares in the name of a broker or nominee should contact the broker or nominee to determine whether and how they may participate in the Plan. In the case of Common Shareholders such as banks, brokers or nominees which hold shares for others who are the beneficial owners, the Plan Administrator will administer the Plan on the basis of the number of Common Shares certified from time to time by the record shareholder’s name and held for the account of beneficial owners who participate in the Plan.
 
There will be no brokerage charges with respect to Common Shares issued directly by the Fund. However, each participant will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred in connection with Open-Market Purchases. The automatic reinvestment of Dividends will not relieve participants of any federal, state or local income tax that may be payable (or required to be withheld) on such Dividends. See “U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters” below. Participants that request a sale of Common Shares through the Plan Administrator are subject to brokerage commissions.
 
The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan. There is no direct service charge to participants with regard to purchases in the Plan; however, the Fund reserves the right to amend the Plan to include a service charge payable by the participants.
 
All correspondence or questions concerning the Plan should be directed to the Plan Administrator at DST Systems, Inc., 333 West 11th Street, 5th Floor, Kansas City, Missouri 64105.
 
DESCRIPTION OF THE COMMON SHARES
 
The following summary of the terms of the Common Shares of the Fund does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the Maryland General Corporation Law, and to the Fund’s Charter and the Fund’s Bylaws, copies of which are filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement.
 
The Fund’s authorized capital stock consists of 37,500,000 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, all of which is initially classified as Common Shares. As of the date of this Prospectus, ALPS Advisors, Inc. owned of record and beneficially 5,166 of the Fund’s Common Shares, constituting 100% of the outstanding shares of the Fund, and thus, until the public offering of the shares is completed, will control the Fund.
 
In general, stockholders or subscribers for the Fund’s stock have no personal liability for the debts and obligations of the Fund because of their status as stockholders or subscribers, except to the extent that the subscription price or other agreed consideration for the stock has not been paid.
 
Under the Fund’s Charter, the Board of Directors is authorized to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of stock into other classes or series of stock and authorize the issuance of shares of stock without obtaining stockholder approval. Also, the Fund’s Board of Directors, with the approval of a majority of the entire Board, but without any action by the stockholders of the Fund, may amend the Fund’s Charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock of the Fund or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that the Fund has authority to issue.
 
Common Stock
 
The Common Shares to be issued in the offering will be, upon payment as described in this Prospectus, fully paid and non-assessable. The Common Shares have no preemptive, conversion, exchange, appraisal or redemption rights, and each share has equal voting, dividend, distribution and liquidation rights.
 
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Common Shareholders are entitled to receive dividends if and when the Board of Directors declares dividends from funds legally available. Whenever Fund preferred stock or borrowings are outstanding, Common Shareholders will not be entitled to receive any distributions from the Fund unless all accrued dividends on the Fund preferred stock and interest and principal payments on borrowings have been paid, and unless the applicable asset coverage requirements under the 1940 Act would be satisfied after giving effect to the distribution as described above.
 
In the event of the Fund’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up, Common Shares would be entitled to share ratably in all of the Fund’s assets that are legally available for distribution after the Fund pays all debts and other liabilities and subject to any preferential rights of holders of Fund preferred stock, if any preferred stock is outstanding at such time.
 
Common Shareholders are entitled to one vote per share. All voting rights for the election of Directors are noncumulative, which means that, assuming there is no Fund preferred stock outstanding, the holders of more than 50% of the Common Shares will elect 100% of the Directors then nominated for election if they choose to do so and, in such event, the holders of the remaining Common Shares will not be able to elect any Directors.
 
The Fund’s Charter authorizes the Board of Directors to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of common stock into other classes or series of stock. Prior to issuance of shares of each class or series, the Board is required by Maryland law and by the Fund’s Charter to set the terms, preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for each class or series. Thus, the Board could authorize the issuance of shares of common stock with terms and conditions that could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for holders of the Fund’s Common Shares or otherwise be in their best interest. As of the date of this Prospectus, the Fund has no plans to classify or reclassify any unissued shares of common stock.
 
It is expected that the Fund’s Common Shares will be accepted for listing on the NYSE, upon notice of issuance, under the symbol “RIV.” Under the rules of the NYSE applicable to listed companies, the Fund will be required to hold an annual meeting of stockholders in each year.
 
Preferred Stock
 
The Fund’s Charter authorizes the Board of Directors to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of stock into other classes or series of stock, including preferred stock, without the approval of the holders of the common stock. Prior to issuance of any shares of preferred stock, the Board is required by Maryland law and by the Fund’s Charter to set the terms, preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for such shares. Thus, the Board could authorize the issuance of shares of preferred stock with terms and conditions that could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for holders of the Fund’s Common Shares or otherwise be in their best interest. No shares of preferred stock are presently outstanding.
 
Any issuance of shares of preferred stock must comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act. Specifically, the Fund is not permitted under the 1940 Act to issue preferred stock unless immediately after such issuance the total asset value of the Fund’s portfolio is at least 200% of the liquidation value of the outstanding preferred stock. Among other requirements, including other voting rights, the 1940 Act requires that the holders of any preferred stock, voting separately as a single class, have the right to elect at least two Directors at all times. In addition, subject to the prior rights, if any, of the holders of any other class of senior securities outstanding, the holders of any preferred stock would have the right to elect a majority of the Fund’s Directors at any time two years’ dividends on any preferred stock are unpaid.
 
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE FUND’S CHARTER AND BYLAWS
AND OF MARYLAND LAW
 
The following summary of certain provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law and of the Charter and Bylaws of the Fund does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the Maryland General Corporation Law, and to the Fund’s Charter and the Fund’s Bylaws, copies of which are exhibits to the Registration Statement.
 
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General
 
The Maryland General Corporation Law (the “MGCL”) and the Fund’s Charter and Bylaws contain provisions that could have the effect of limiting the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund, to cause it to engage in certain transactions or to modify its structure.
 
These provisions could have the effect of depriving stockholders of an opportunity to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging a third party from seeking to obtain control of the Fund in a tender offer or similar transaction. On the other hand, since these provisions may require persons seeking control of the Fund to negotiate with the Fund’s management regarding the price to be paid for the shares required to obtain such control, they promote continuity and stability and they enhance the Fund’s ability to pursue long-term strategies that are consistent with its investment objective.
 
The Board of Directors has concluded that the potential benefits of these provisions outweigh their possible disadvantages.
 
Classified Board of Directors
 
The Fund’s Board of Directors is divided into three classes of directors serving staggered three-year terms. The initial terms of the first, second and third classes will expire at the first, second and third annual meetings of stockholders, respectively, and, in each case, until their successors are duly elected and qualify. Upon expiration of their terms, directors of each class will be elected to serve for three-year terms and until their successors are duly elected and qualify and at each annual meeting one class of directors will be elected by the stockholders. A classified Board of Directors promotes continuity and stability of management but makes it more difficult for stockholders to change a majority of the directors because it generally takes at least two annual elections of directors for this to occur. The Fund believes that classification of the Board of Directors will help to assure the continuity and stability of the Fund’s strategies and policies as determined by the Board of Directors.
 
Election of Directors
 
The MGCL provides that unless the charter or bylaws of a corporation provide otherwise, which the Fund’s Charter and the Fund’s Bylaws do not, a plurality of all the votes cast at a meeting at which a quorum is present is sufficient to elect a director. Each Common Share may be voted for as many individuals as there are directors to be elected and for whose election the Common Share is entitled to be voted.
 
As a result of this requirement, it is possible that no nominee would receive the required vote in an election of directors. In the case of a failure to elect one or more directors because the nominees receive votes constituting less than the required vote, the incumbent directors would hold over and continue to serve until the next election of directors and until their successors are duly elected and qualify.
 
Number of Directors; Vacancies
 
The Fund’s Charter provides that the number of directors will be set only by the Board of Directors in accordance with the Bylaws. The Bylaws provide that a majority of the Fund’s entire Board of Directors may at any time increase or decrease the number of directors, provided that there may be no fewer than three directors and no more than 15 directors.
 
The Fund’s Charter provides that the Fund elects, at such time as the Fund becomes eligible to make such an election (i.e., when the Fund has at least three independent directors and the common stock is registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), to be subject to the provision of Subtitle 8 of Title 3 of the MGCL regarding the filling of vacancies on the Board of Directors. Accordingly, at such time, except as may be provided by the Board of Directors in setting the terms of any class or series of preferred stock, any and all vacancies on the Board of Directors may be filled only by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the remaining directors in office, and any director elected to fill a vacancy will serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which the vacancy occurred and until a successor is elected and qualifies, subject to any applicable requirements of the 1940 Act.
 
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Removal of Directors
 
The Fund’s Charter provides that, subject to the rights of the holders of one or more class or series of the Fund’s preferred stock to elect or remove directors, a director may be removed from office only for cause (as defined in the Charter) and then only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors.
 
Absence of Cumulative Voting
 
There is no cumulative voting in the election of the Fund’s directors. Cumulative voting means that holders of stock of a corporation are entitled, in the election of directors, to cast a number of votes equal to the number of shares that they own multiplied by the number of directors to be elected. Because a stockholder entitled to cumulative voting may cast all of his or her votes for one nominee or disperse his or her votes among nominees as he or she chooses, cumulative voting is generally considered to increase the ability of minority shareholders to elect nominees to a corporation’s Board of Directors. In general, the absence of cumulative voting means that the holders of a majority of the Fund’s shares can elect all of the directors then standing for election and the holders of the remaining shares will not be able to elect any directors.
 
Approval of Extraordinary Corporate Actions
 
The Fund’s Charter requires the favorable vote of two-thirds of the entire Board of Directors and the favorable vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the Common Shares and shares of preferred stock (if any) entitled to be voted on the matter, voting together as a single class, to advise, approve, adopt or authorize the following:
 
·                       a “Business Combination,” which includes the following:
 
· a merger, consolidation or statutory share exchange of the Fund with another corporation;
 
· an issuance or transfer by the Fund (in one or a series of transactions in any 12 month period) of any securities of the Fund to any person or entity for cash, securities or other property (or combination thereof) having an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more, excluding issuances or transfers of debt securities of the Fund, sales of securities of the Fund in connection with a public offering, issuances of securities of the Fund pursuant to a dividend reinvestment plan adopted by the Fund, issuances of securities of the Fund upon the exercise of any stock subscription rights distributed by the Fund and portfolio transactions effected by the Fund in the ordinary course of business; or
 
· a sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition by the Fund (in one or a series of transactions in any 12 month period) to or with any person or entity of any assets of the Fund having an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more except for portfolio transactions (including pledges of portfolio securities in connection with borrowings) effected by the Fund in the ordinary course of its business;
 
·                       the voluntary liquidation or dissolution of the Fund or charter amendment to terminate the Fund’s existence;
 
·                      except as otherwise discussed under “Contingent Conversion Feature,” the conversion of the Fund from a closed-end company to an open-end company, and any amendments necessary to effect the conversion; or
 
·                       unless the 1940 Act or federal law requires a lesser vote, any stockholder proposal as to specific investment decisions made or to be made with respect to the Fund’s assets as to which stockholder approval is required under federal or Maryland law.
 
However, the stockholder vote described above will not be required with respect to the foregoing transactions (other than those as to which stockholder approval is required under federal or Maryland law) if they are approved by a vote of two-thirds of the Continuing Directors (as defined below). In that case, if Maryland law requires stockholder approval, the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast thereon by stockholders of the Fund will be required. In addition, if the Fund has any preferred stock outstanding, the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the preferred stock, voting separately as a class, would be required under the 1940 Act to adopt any plan of reorganization that would adversely affect the holders of the preferred stock, to convert the Fund to an open-end investment company or to deviate from any of the Fund’s fundamental investment policies.
 
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“Continuing Director” means any member of the Board of Directors who is not an Interested Party (as defined below) or an affiliate of an Interested Party and has been a member of the Board of Directors for a period of at least 12 months, or has been a member of the Board of Directors since December 2, 2013, or is a successor of a Continuing Director who is unaffiliated with an Interested Party and is recommended to succeed a Continuing Director by a majority of the Continuing Directors then on the Board of Directors.
 
“Interested Party” means any person, other than an investment company advised by the Adviser or any of its affiliates, which enters, or proposes to enter, into a Business Combination with the Fund.
 
In addition, the Fund’s Charter requires the favorable vote of two-thirds of the entire Board of Directors to advise, approve, adopt or authorize any of the following:
 
·              the election and removal of officers;
 
·              the nomination of candidates to the Board of Directors (including the election of directors to fill vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from the increase in size of the Board of Directors or the death, resignation or removal of a director, in which case the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the remaining directors in office shall be required);
 
·              the creation of and delegation of authority and appointment of members to committees of the Board of Directors;
 
·              amendments to the Fund’s Bylaws (which may only be effected by the Board of Directors, not the stockholders);
 
·              Charter amendments and any other action requiring stockholder approval; and
 
·              entering into, terminating or amending an investment advisory agreement.
 
The Charter provides that, during calendar year 2021, the Fund will call a shareholder meeting of the Fund for the purpose of voting to determine whether the Fund should convert to an open-end management investment company. Such provision in the Charter may be amended only upon the approval by a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities. If approved by shareholders on the Convention Vote Date, the Fund will seek to convert to an open-end management investment company within 12 months of such approval. See “Contingent Conversion Feature.”
 
The Board of Directors has determined that the foregoing supermajority requirements applicable to certain votes of the directors and the stockholders, which are greater than the minimum requirements permitted under Maryland law or the 1940 Act, are in the best interests of the Fund. Reference should be made to the Charter on file with the SEC for the full text of these provisions.
 
Action by Shareholders
 
Under the MGCL, stockholder action can be taken only at an annual or special meeting of stockholders or, unless the charter provides for stockholder action by less than unanimous written consent (which is not the case in the Fund’s Charter), by unanimous written consent in lieu of a meeting. These provisions, combined with the requirements of the Fund’s Bylaws regarding the calling of a stockholder-requested special meeting, as discussed below, may have the effect of delaying consideration of a stockholder proposal until the next annual meeting.
 
Procedures for Stockholder Nominations and Proposals
 
The Fund’s Bylaws provide that any stockholder desiring to make a nomination for the election of directors or a proposal for new business at a meeting of stockholders must comply with the advance notice provisions of the Bylaws. Nominations and proposals that fail to follow the prescribed procedures will not be considered. The Board believes that it is in the Fund’s best interests to provide sufficient time to enable management to disclose to stockholders information about a slate of nominations for directors or proposals for new business. This advance notice requirement also may give management time to solicit its own proxies in an attempt to defeat any slate of nominations should management determine that doing so is in the best interest of stockholders generally. Similarly, adequate advance notice of stockholder proposals will give management time to study such proposals and to determine whether to recommend to the stockholders that such proposals be adopted. For stockholder proposals to be included in the Fund’s proxy materials, the stockholder must comply with all timing and information requirements of the Exchange Act.
 
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Calling of Special Meetings of Shareholders
 
The Fund’s Bylaws provide that special meetings of stockholders may be called by the Board of Directors and certain of its officers. Additionally, the Fund’s Bylaws provide that, subject to the satisfaction of certain procedural and informational requirements by the stockholders requesting the meeting, a special meeting of stockholders will be called by the Fund’s Secretary upon the written request of stockholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting.
 
No Appraisal Rights
 
As permitted by the MGCL, the Fund’s Charter provides that stockholders will not be entitled to exercise appraisal rights, unless the Fund’s Board of Directors determines that such rights apply.
 
Limitations on Liabilities
 
The Fund’s Charter provides that the personal liability of the Fund’s directors and officers for monetary damages is eliminated to the fullest extent permitted by Maryland law. Maryland law currently provides that directors and officers of corporations that have adopted such a provision will generally not be so liable, except to the extent that (i) it is proved that the person actually received an improper benefit or profit in money, property, or services for the amount of the benefit or profit in money, property, or services actually received; and (ii) a judgment or other final adjudication adverse to the person is entered in a proceeding based on a finding in the proceeding that the person’s action, or failure to act, was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty and was material to the cause of action adjudicated in the proceeding.
 
The Fund’s Charter authorizes the Fund, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law to obligate the Fund to indemnify and advance expenses to the Fund’s directors and officers. The Fund’s Bylaws provide that the Fund will indemnify its officers and directors against liabilities to the fullest extent permitted by Maryland law and the 1940 Act, and that it shall advance expenses to such persons prior to a final disposition of an action. The rights of indemnification provided in the Fund’s Charter and Bylaws are not exclusive of any other rights which may be available under any insurance or other agreement, by resolution of shareholders or directors or otherwise.
 
Authorized Shares
 
The Fund’s Charter authorizes the issuance of 37,500,000 Common Shares, and authorizes a majority of the Fund’s Board of Directors, without shareholder approval, to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that the Fund has the authority to issue, to authorize the issuance of shares of the Fund’s common and preferred stock, and to classify and reclassify any unissued shares into one or more classes or series of stock and set the terms thereof. The authorization of Common Shares and shares of preferred stock in excess of the amount issued, and the authority of a majority of the Fund’s Board of Directors to increase the Fund’s authorized capital stock or any class or series thereof without shareholder approval, may be used by the Fund’s Board of Directors consistent with its duties to deter attempts to gain control of the Fund. Further, the Board of Directors could authorize the issuance of shares of preferred stock with terms and conditions that could have the effect of discouraging a takeover or other transaction that some of the Fund’s shareholders might believe to be in their best interests.
 
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Anti-Takeover Provisions of Maryland Law
 
Maryland Business Combination Act
 
The provisions of the Maryland Business Combination Act (the “MBCA”) do not apply to a closed-end investment company, such as the Fund, unless it has affirmatively elected to be subject to the MBCA by a resolution of its board of directors. To date, the Fund has not made such an election but may make such an election under Maryland law at any time. Any such election, however, could be subject to certain of the 1940 Act limitations discussed below under “Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act” and would not apply to any person who had become an interested stockholder (as defined below) before the time that the resolution was adopted.
 
Under the MBCA, “business combinations” between a Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder or an affiliate of an interested stockholder are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. These business combinations include a merger, consolidation, share exchange, or, in circumstances specified in the MBCA, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities. An interested stockholder is defined as:
 
·              any person who beneficially owns ten percent or more of the voting power of the corporation’s shares; or
 
·              an affiliate or associate of the corporation who, at any time within the two-year period prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner of ten percent or more of the voting power of the then outstanding voting stock of the corporation.
 
A person is not an interested stockholder under the MBCA if the board of directors approved in advance the transaction by which he otherwise would have become an interested stockholder. However, in approving a transaction, the board of directors may provide that its approval is subject to compliance, at or after the time of approval, with any terms and conditions determined by the board.
 
After the five-year prohibition, any business combination between the Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder generally must be recommended by the board of directors of the corporation and approved by the affirmative vote of at least:
 
·              80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of voting stock of the corporation; and
 
·              two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting stock of the corporation other than shares held by the interested stockholder with whom or with whose affiliate the business combination is to be effected or held by an affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder.
 
These super-majority vote requirements do not apply if the corporation’s common stockholders receive a minimum price, as defined in the MBCA, for their shares in the form of cash or other consideration in the same form as previously paid by the interested stockholder for its shares.
 
The MBCA permits various exemptions from its provisions, including business combinations that are exempted by the board of directors before the time that the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder.
 
Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act
 
The provisions of the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act (the “MCSAA”) do not apply to a closed-end investment company, such as the Fund, unless it has affirmatively elected to be subject to the MCSAA by a resolution of its board of directors. To date, the Fund has not made such an election but may make such an election under Maryland law at any time. Any such election, however, would be subject to the 1940 Act limitations discussed below and would not apply to any person who had become a holder of control shares (as defined below) before the time that the resolution was adopted.
 
The MCSAA provides that control shares of a Maryland corporation acquired in a control share acquisition have no voting rights except to the extent approved by a vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Shares owned by the acquirer, by officers of the acquirer or by an employee of the acquirer who is also a director of the acquirer are excluded from shares entitled to vote on the matter. Control shares are voting shares of stock which, if aggregated with all other shares of stock owned by the acquirer or in respect of which the acquirer is able to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power (except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), would entitle the acquirer to exercise voting power in electing directors within one of the following ranges of voting power:
 
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·              one-tenth or more but less than one-third,
 
·              one-third or more but less than a majority, or
 
·              a majority or more of all voting power.
 
Control shares do not include shares the acquiring person is then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained stockholder approval. A control share acquisition means the acquisition of control shares, subject to certain exceptions.
 
A person who has made or proposes to make a control share acquisition may compel the board of directors of the corporation to call a special meeting of stockholders to be held within 50 days of demand to consider the voting rights of the shares. The right to compel the calling of a special meeting is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including an undertaking to pay the expenses of the meeting. If no request for a meeting is made, the corporation may itself present the question at any stockholders meeting.
 
If voting rights are not approved at the meeting or if the acquiring person does not deliver an acquiring person statement as required by the MCSAA, then the corporation may redeem for fair value any or all of the control shares, except those for which voting rights have previously been approved. The right of the corporation to redeem control shares is subject to certain conditions and limitations. Fair value is determined, without regard to the absence of voting rights for the control shares, as of the date of the last control share acquisition by the acquirer or of any meeting of stockholders at which the voting rights of the shares are considered and not approved. If voting rights for control shares are approved at a stockholders meeting and the acquirer becomes entitled to vote a majority of the shares entitled to vote, all other stockholders may exercise appraisal rights. The fair value of the shares as determined for purposes of appraisal rights may not be less than the highest price per share paid by the acquirer in the control share acquisition.
 
Section 18(i) of the 1940 Act provides that “every share of stock...issued by a registered management company...shall be a voting stock and have equal voting rights with every other outstanding voting stock.”
 
Therefore, the Fund is prevented by the 1940 Act from issuing a class of shares with voting rights that vary within that class. There are currently different views on whether or not the MCSAA conflicts with Section 18(i) of the 1940 Act. One view is that implementation of the MCSAA would conflict with the 1940 Act because it would deprive certain shares of their voting rights. Another view is that implementation of the MCSAA would not conflict with the 1940 Act because it would limit the voting rights of stockholders who choose to acquire shares of stock that put them within the specified percentages of ownership rather than limiting the voting rights of the shares themselves. In a November 15, 2010 letter, the staff of the SEC’s Division of Investment Management expressed the view that, based on the wording of, and purposes underlying, the 1940 Act generally, and Section 18(i) specifically, a closed-end fund, by opting in to the MCSAA, would be acting in a manner inconsistent with Section 18(i) of the 1940 Act. In light of the foregoing, the Fund will not elect to be subject to the MCSAA in the absence of a judgment of a federal court of competent jurisdiction or the issuance of a rule or regulation of the SEC or a published interpretation by the SEC or its staff that the provisions of the MCSAA are not inconsistent with the provisions of the 1940 Act, or a change to the provisions of the 1940 Act having the same effect.
 
Additionally, if the Fund elected to be subject to the MCSAA, it would not apply (a) to shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or share exchange if the Fund is a party to the transaction or (b) to acquisitions approved or exempted by the Fund’s Charter or the Fund’s Bylaws.
 
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Maryland Unsolicited Takeovers Act
 
Subtitle 8 of Title 3 of the Maryland General Corporation Law permits a Maryland corporation with a class of equity securities registered under the Exchange Act and at least three independent directors to elect to be subject, by provision in its charter or bylaws or a resolution of its board of directors and notwithstanding any contrary provision in the charter or bylaws, to any or all of five provisions:
 
·              a classified board;
 
·              a two-thirds vote requirement for removing a director;
 
·              a requirement that the number of directors be fixed only by vote of directors;
 
·              a requirement that a vacancy on the board be filled only by the remaining directors and for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the vacancy occurred; and
 
·              a majority requirement for the calling of a special meeting of stockholders.
 
The charter of a corporation may contain a provision or the board of directors may adopt a provision that prohibits the corporation from electing to be subject to any or all of the provisions of Subtitle 8.
 
The Subtitle 8 elections are not currently relevant to the Fund, because provisions in the Fund’s Charter and Bylaws unrelated to Subtitle 8 (except with respect to Board vacancies) already make the Fund subject to each of the five provisions set forth above.
 
REPURCHASE OF SHARES
 
Shares of closed-end funds often trade at a discount to net asset value, and the Fund’s shares may also trade at a discount to their net asset value, although it is possible that they may trade at a premium above net asset value. The market price of the Common Shares will be determined by such factors as relative demand for and supply of shares in the market, the Fund’s net asset value, general market and economic conditions and other factors beyond the control of the Fund.
 
Although Common Shareholders will not have the right to redeem their shares, the Fund may (but is not obligated to) take action to repurchase shares in the open market or make tender offers for its shares at net asset value. During the pendency of any tender offer, the Fund will publish how Common Shareholders may readily ascertain the net asset value. For more information see “Repurchase of Shares” in the SAI. Repurchase of the Common Shares may have the effect of reducing any market discount to net asset value.
 
There is no assurance that, if action is undertaken to repurchase or tender for shares, such action will result in the shares trading at a price which approximates their net asset value. Although share repurchases and tenders could have a favorable effect on the market price of the shares, you should be aware that the acquisition of shares by the Fund will decrease the total assets of the Fund and, therefore, have the effect of increasing the Fund’s expense ratio and may adversely affect the ability of the Fund to pursue its investment objective. To the extent the Fund may need to liquidate investments to fund repurchases of shares, this may result in portfolio turnover which will result in additional expenses being borne by the Fund and its shareholders. The Board of Directors currently considers the following factors to be relevant to a potential decision to repurchase shares: the extent and duration of the discount, the liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio, and the impact of any action on the Fund and market considerations. Any share repurchases or tender offers will be made in accordance with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the 1940 Act.
 
CONVERSION TO OPEN-END FUND
 
The Fund may be converted to an open-end investment company at any time if approved by the Board of Directors and the stockholders. See “Certain Provisions of the Fund’s Charter and Bylaws and of Maryland Law” for a discussion of the voting requirements applicable to conversion of the Fund to an open-end investment company and any related Charter amendments. If the Fund converted to an open-end investment company, it would be required to redeem all preferred stock of the Fund then outstanding (requiring in turn that it liquidate a portion of its investment portfolio). Conversion to open-end status could also require the Fund to modify certain investment restrictions and policies. Shareholders of an open-end investment company may require the company to redeem their shares at any time (except in certain circumstances as authorized by or permitted under the 1940 Act) at their net asset value, less such redemption charge, if any, as might be in effect at the time of redemption. In order to avoid maintaining large cash positions or liquidating favorable investments to meet redemptions, open-end investment companies typically engage in a continuous offering of their shares. Open-end investment companies are thus subject to periodic asset in-flows and out-flows that can complicate portfolio management. The Board of Directors may at any time (but is not required to) propose conversion of the Fund to open-end status, depending upon its judgment regarding the advisability of such action in light of circumstances then prevailing.
 
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Contingent Conversion Feature
 
The Charter provides that, during calendar year 2021, the Fund will call a shareholder meeting for the purpose of voting to determine whether the Fund should convert to an open-end management investment company (such meeting date, as may be adjourned, the “Conversion Vote Date”). Such shareholder meeting may be adjourned or postponed in accordance with the By-Laws of the Fund to a date in calendar year 2021. A vote on such Conversion Vote Date to convert the Fund to an open-end management investment company under the Declaration requires approval by a majority of the Fund’s total outstanding shares. A majority is defined as greater than 50% of the Fund’s total outstanding shares. If approved by shareholders on the Conversion Vote Date, the Fund will seek to convert to an open-end management investment company within 12 months of such approval. If the requisite number of votes to convert the Fund to an open-end management investment company is not obtained on the Conversion Vote Date, the Fund will continue in operation as a closed-end management investment company.
 
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX MATTERS
 
The following is a summary discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to a shareholder that acquires, holds and/or disposes of common shares of the Fund.  This discussion only addresses U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. shareholders who hold their shares as capital assets and does not address all of the U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to particular shareholders in light of their individual circumstances.  This discussion also does not address the tax consequences to shareholders who are subject to special rules, including, without limitation, banks and other financial institutions, insurance companies, dealers in securities or foreign currencies, traders in securities that have elected to mark-to-market their securities holdings, foreign holders, persons who hold their shares as or in a hedge against currency risk, or as part of a constructive sale, straddle or conversion transaction, or tax-exempt or tax-deferred plans, accounts, or entities.  In addition, the discussion does not address any state, local, or foreign tax consequences.  The discussion reflects applicable income tax laws of the United States as of the date hereof, which tax laws may be changed or subject to new interpretations by the courts or the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) retroactively or prospectively, which could affect the continued validity of this summary.  No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of all U.S. federal income tax concerns affecting the Fund and its shareholders, and the discussion set forth herein does not constitute tax advice.  Investors are urged to consult their own tax advisors before making an investment in the Fund to determine the specific tax consequences to them of investing in the Fund, including the applicable federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences as well as the effect of possible changes in tax laws.
 
The Fund intends to elect to be treated, and to qualify each year, as a “regulated investment company” under Subchapter M of the Code, so that it will generally not pay U.S. federal income tax on income and capital gains timely distributed (or treated as being distributed, as described below) to shareholders. If the Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company and distributes to its shareholders at least 90% of the sum of (i) its “investment company taxable income” as that term is defined in the 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 disallowed deductions, 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, if the Fund retains any investment company taxable income or “net capital gain” (i.e., the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), it will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate federal income tax rates (currently at a maximum rate of 35%) on the amount retained. The Fund intends to distribute at least annually all or substantially all of its investment company taxable income (determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid), net tax-exempt interest, if any, and net capital gain. Under the Code, the Fund will generally be subject to a nondeductible 4% federal excise tax on the portion of its undistributed ordinary income and capital gains if it fails to meet certain distribution requirements with respect to each calendar year. In order to avoid the 4% federal excise tax, the required minimum distribution is generally equal to the sum of 98% of the Fund’s ordinary income (computed on a calendar year basis, and taking into account certain deferrals and elections), plus 98.2% of the Fund’s capital gain net income (generally computed for the one-year period ending on October 31) plus undistributed amounts from prior years on which the Fund paid no federal income tax. 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 circumstances, does not expect to be subject to this excise tax.  However, the Fund may also decide to distribute less and pay the federal excise taxes.
 
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If, for any taxable year, the Fund did not qualify as a regulated investment company for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it would be treated as a U.S. corporation subject to U.S. federal income tax, and possibly state and local income tax, and distributions to its shareholders would 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 generally 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, provided in each case that certain holding period and other requirements are satisfied.
 
A Common Shareholder will have all dividends and distributions automatically reinvested in shares of common stock of the Fund (unless the stockholder “opts out” of the Plan). For shareholders subject to U.S. federal income tax, all dividends will generally be taxable regardless of whether the shareholder takes them in cash or they are reinvested in additional shares of the Fund. Distributions of the Fund’s investment company taxable income (determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid) will generally be taxable as ordinary income to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. However, a portion of such distributions derived from certain corporate dividends, if any, may qualify for either the dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders under Section 243 of the Code or the reduced rates of U.S. federal income taxation for “qualified dividend income” available to non-corporate shareholders under Section 1(h)(11) of the Code, provided in each case certain holding period and other requirements are met. Distributions of net capital gain, if any, that are properly reported by the Fund are generally taxable as long-term capital gain for U.S. federal income tax purposes without regard to the length of time a shareholder has held shares of the Fund.  If the Fund received dividends from an Underlying Fund that qualifies as a regulated investment company, and the Underlying Fund designates such dividends as qualified dividend income or as eligible for the dividends received deduction, then the Fund is permitted in turn to designate a portion of its distributions as qualified dividend income and/or as eligible for the dividends received deduction, provided the Fund meets holding period and other requirements with respect to shares of the Underlying Fund.
 
A distribution of an amount in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, if any, will be treated by a shareholder as a tax-free return of capital, which is applied against and reduces the shareholder’s basis in his, her or its shares. Distributions in excess of the Fund's current and accumulated earnings and profits may be more likely as a result of the Contingent Quarterly Special Distribution Program. To the extent that the amount of any such distribution exceeds the shareholder’s basis in his, her, or its shares, the excess will be treated by the shareholder as gain from the sale or exchange of such shares. The U.S. federal income tax status of all dividends and distributions will be designated by the Fund and reported to shareholders annually. The Fund can provide no assurance regarding the portion of its dividends that will qualify for the dividends received deduction or for qualified dividend income treatment.
 
The Fund intends to distribute all realized net capital gains, if any, at least annually. If, however, the Fund were to retain any net capital gain, the Fund may designate the retained amount as undistributed capital gains in a notice to shareholders who, if subject to U.S. federal income tax on long-term capital gains, (i) will be required to include in income as long-term capital gain, their proportionate share of such undistributed amount, and (ii) will be entitled to credit their proportionate share 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 shareholder.
 
Any dividend declared by the Fund in October, November or December with a record date in such a month and paid during the following January will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as paid by the Fund and received by shareholders on December 31 of the calendar year in which it is declared.
 
If a shareholder’s distributions are automatically reinvested in additional Common Shares, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the shareholder will be treated as having received a taxable distribution in the amount of the cash dividend that the shareholder would have received if the shareholder had elected to receive cash, unless the distribution is in newly issued shares of the Fund that are trading at or above net asset value, in which case the shareholder will be treated as receiving a taxable distribution equal to the fair market value of the stock the shareholder receives.
 
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Certain of the investment practices of the Fund or an Underlying Fund are subject to special and complex federal income tax provisions that may, among other things, (i) disallow, suspend or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions, (ii) convert tax-advantaged, long-term capital gains and qualified dividend income into higher taxed short-term capital gain or ordinary income, (iii) convert an ordinary loss or a deduction into a capital loss (the deductibility of which is more limited), (iv) cause the Fund or an Underlying Fund to recognize income or gain without a corresponding receipt of cash, (v) adversely affect the timing as to when a purchase or sale of stock or securities is deemed to occur, (vi) produce income that will not be qualifying income for purposes of the 90% income test and (vii) adversely alter the intended characterization of certain complex financial transactions. These rules could therefore affect the character, amount and timing of distributions to shareholders. The Fund will monitor its investments and transactions and may make certain federal income tax elections where applicable in order to mitigate the effect of these provisions, if possible.
 
The Fund will not be able to offset gains distributed by one Underlying Fund in which it invests against losses realized by another Underlying Fund in which the Fund invests. Redemptions of shares in an Underlying Fund, including those resulting from changes in the allocation among Underlying Funds, could also cause additional distributable gains to shareholders of the Fund. A portion of any such gains may be short-term capital gains that would be distributable as ordinary income to shareholders of the Fund. Further, a portion of losses on redemptions of shares in the Underlying Funds may be deferred under the wash sale rules. Additionally, the Fund’s investment in an Underlying Fund may result in the Fund’s receipt of cash in excess of the Underlying Fund’s earnings; if the Fund distributes these amounts, the distributions could constitute a return of capital to Fund shareholders for federal income tax purposes.  As a result of these factors, the use of the fund of funds structure by the Fund could therefore affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders.
 
Investments in distressed debt obligations that are at risk of or in default may present special federal income tax issues for the Fund. The federal income tax consequences to a holder of such securities are not entirely certain. If the Fund’s characterization of such investments were successfully challenged by the IRS or the IRS issues guidance regarding investments in such securities, it may affect whether the Fund has made sufficient distributions or otherwise satisfied the requirements to maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company and avoid federal income and excise taxes.
 
The Fund or an Underlying Fund may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries, including taxes on interest, dividends and capital gains with respect to its investments in those countries, which would, if imposed, reduce the yield on or return from those investments. Tax treaties between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes in some cases. If more than 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets at the close of its taxable year consists of stock or securities of foreign corporations, or if at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets at the close of each quarter of its taxable year is represented by interests in other regulated investment companies, the Fund may elect to “pass through” to its shareholders the amount of foreign taxes paid or deemed paid by the Fund. If the Fund so elects, each of its shareholders would be required to include in gross income, even though not actually received, its pro rata share of the foreign taxes paid or deemed paid by the Fund, but would be treated as having paid its pro rata share of such foreign taxes and would therefore be allowed to either deduct such amount in computing taxable income or use such amount (subject to various limitations) as a foreign tax credit against federal income tax (but not both).
 
Sales, exchanges and other dispositions of the Fund’s shares generally are taxable events for shareholders that are subject to U.S. federal income tax. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisors with reference to their individual circumstances to determine whether any particular transaction in the Fund’s shares 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. Gain or loss will generally be equal to the difference between the amount of cash and the fair market value of other property received and the shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in the shares sold or exchanged. Such gain or loss will generally be characterized as capital gain or loss and will be long-term if the shareholder’s holding period for the shares is more than one year and short-term if it is one year or less. However, any loss realized by a shareholder upon the sale or other disposition of shares with a tax holding period of six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated as distributions of long-term capital gain with respect to such shares. For the purposes of calculating the six-month period, the holding period is suspended for any periods during which the shareholder’s risk of loss is diminished as a result of holding one or more other positions in substantially similar or related property or through certain options, short sales or contractual obligations to sell. The ability to deduct capital losses may be limited. In addition, losses on sales or other dispositions of shares may be disallowed under the “wash sale” rules in the event that substantially identical stock or securities are acquired (including those made pursuant to reinvestment of dividends) within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after a sale or other disposition of shares. In such a case, the disallowed portion of any loss generally would be included in the U.S. federal income tax basis of the shares acquired.
 
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An additional 3.8% Medicare tax is imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from the Fund and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of Fund shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such person’s “modified adjusted gross income” (in the case of an individual) or “adjusted gross income” (in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds certain threshold amounts. Because the Fund does not expect to distribute dividends that would give rise to an adjustment to an individual’s alternative minimum taxable income, an investment in the Common Shares should not, by itself, cause the holders of Common Shares to become subject to alternative minimum tax.
 
The Fund is required in certain circumstances to backup withhold at a current rate of 28% on reportable payments including dividends, capital gain distributions, and proceeds of sales or other dispositions of the Fund’s shares paid to certain holders of the Fund’s shares who do not furnish the Fund with their correct social security number or other taxpayer identification number and certain certifications, or who are otherwise subject to backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld from payments made to a shareholder may be refunded or credited against such shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
 
This Prospectus does not address the U.S. federal income tax consequences to a non-U.S. shareholder of an investment in common stock. Non-U.S. shareholders should consult their tax advisors concerning the tax consequences of ownership of shares of the Fund, including the possibility that distributions may be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax (or a reduced rate of withholding provided by an applicable treaty if the investor provides proper certification of its non-U.S. status).
 
The foregoing is a general and abbreviated summary of the provisions of the Code and the Treasury regulations thereunder currently in effect as they directly govern the taxation of the Fund and its shareholders. These provisions are subject to change by legislative or administrative action, and any such change may be retroactive. A more complete discussion of the federal income tax rules applicable to the Fund can be found in the SAI, which is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding specific questions as to U.S. federal, foreign, state, and local income or other taxes before making an investment in the Fund.
 
UNDERWRITERS
 
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC is acting as the representative of the underwriters named below. Subject to the terms and conditions stated in the underwriting agreement dated the date of this prospectus, each underwriter named below has agreed to purchase, and the Fund has agreed to sell to that underwriter, the number of Common Shares set forth opposite the underwriter’s name.
 
Name
 
Number of
Common Shares
 
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC  
   
   
   
Total:
         
 
The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the Common Shares included in this offering are subject to approval of legal matters by counsel and to other conditions. The underwriters are obligated to purchase all the Common Shares (other than those covered by the over-allotment option described below) shown above if any of the Common Shares are purchased.
 
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The underwriters propose to offer some of the Common Shares directly to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus and some of the Common Shares to dealers at the public offering price less a concession not to exceed $   per share. The sales load the investors in the Fund will pay of $0.60 per share is equal to 3.00% of the initial offering price. If all of the Common Shares are not sold at the initial offering price, the representatives may change the public offering price and other selling terms. Investors must pay for any Common Shares purchased on or before    , 2015. The representatives have advised the Fund that the underwriters do not intend to confirm any sales to any accounts over which they exercise discretionary authority.
 
Additional Underwriter Compensation
 
The Adviser and the Subadviser (and not the Fund) have agreed to pay to Wells Fargo Securities, LLC from their own assets, a structuring fee for advice relating to the structure, design and organization of the Fund as well as services related to the sale and distribution of the Fund’s Common Shares in the amount of $    . If the over-allotment option is not exercised, the structuring fee paid to Wells Fargo Securities, LLC will not exceed      % of the total public offering price.
 
The Fund and ALPS have entered into a distribution assistance agreement with ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. (“APSD”) under which APSD provides assistance to ALPS and the Fund with respect to distribution of the Common Shares. The fees due pursuant to this distribution assistance agreement will be paid exclusively by the Fund, except as noted below. The Fund has agreed to compensate APSD up to 0.10% of the amount of the offering (inclusive of any exercise of the over-allotment option) (the “APSD Fee”), provided that, the Fund has not otherwise paid offering expenses up to the reimbursement cap of $0.04 per Common Share. The Fund will also reimburse APSD for up to $250,000 of its reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses related to the road show (the “APSD Expenses”) to the extent that the Fund has not otherwise paid offering expenses up to the reimbursement cap of $0.04 per Common Share. To the extent that the amount paid by the Fund to APSD is less than the sum of the APSD Fee plus the APSD Expenses, ALPS shall pay APSD the difference. APSD is a registered broker-dealer and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. and may be deemed an “underwriter” for purposes of this offering under the Securities Act, although APSD will not purchase or resell any of the Common Shares in connection with the offering.

The Adviser and the Subadviser (and not the Fund) may pay certain other qualifying underwriters a structuring fee, sales incentive fee or additional compensation in connection with the offering.
 
All additional compensation payments to the underwriters by the Adviser and the Subadviser will be a one-time fee.
 
In addition, the Fund has agreed to reimburse the underwriters for certain expenses in connection with this offering in the aggregate amount not exceeding $        , which is deemed underwriting compensation by FINRA. The sum total of all compensation to the underwriters in connection with this public offering of Common Shares, including sales load and all forms of additional compensation or structuring or sales incentive fee payments, if any, to the underwriters and other expenses (including reimbursed expenses), will be limited to not more than 9.00% of the total public offering price of the Common Shares sold in this offering.
 
The Fund has granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable for 45 days from the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to    additional Common Shares at the public offering price less the sales load. The underwriters may exercise the option solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any, in connection with this offering. To the extent such option is exercised, each underwriter must purchase a number of additional Common Shares approximately proportionate to that underwriter’s initial purchase commitment.
 
The Fund, the Adviser and the Subadviser have agreed, for a period of 180 days from the date of this prospectus, that they will not, without the prior written consent of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, on behalf of the underwriters, with certain exceptions, dispose of or hedge any Common Shares or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Shares, provided that the Fund may issue and sell Common Shares pursuant to the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan.
 
To meet the NYSE distribution requirements for trading, the underwriters have undertaken to sell Common Shares in a manner such that shares are held by a minimum of 400 beneficial owners in lots of 100 or more, the minimum stock price will be at least $4.00 at the time of listing on the NYSE, at least 1,100,000 Common Shares will be publicly held in the United States and the aggregate market value of publicly held shares in the United States will be at least $60 million. It is anticipated that the Fund’s Common Shares will be approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to notice of issuance, under the symbol “RIV”.
 
The following table shows the sales load that investors in the Fund will pay to the underwriters in connection with this offering. These amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional Common Shares.
 
   
No Exercise
 
Full Exercise
 
Per Share
 
$
     
$
     
Total
 
$
     
$
     
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The Fund, the Adviser and the Subadviser have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the 1933 Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make because of any of those liabilities.
 
Certain underwriters may make a market in Common Shares after trading in Common Shares has commenced on the NYSE. No underwriter is, however, obligated to conduct market-making activities and any such activities may be discontinued at any time without notice, at the sole discretion of the underwriters. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of, or the trading market for, the Common Shares as a result of any market-making activities undertaken by any underwriter. This prospectus is to be used by any underwriter in connection with the offering and, during the period in which a prospectus must be delivered, with offers and sales of the Common Shares in market-making transactions in the over-the-counter market at negotiated prices related to prevailing market prices at the time of the sale.
 
In connection with the offering, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, on behalf of itself and the other underwriters, may purchase and sell the Common Shares in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, syndicate covering transactions and stabilizing transactions. Short sales involve syndicate sales of Common Shares in excess of the number of Common Shares to be purchased by the underwriters in the offering, which creates a syndicate short position. “Covered” short sales are sales of Common Shares made in an amount up to the number of Common Shares represented by the underwriters’ over-allotment option. In determining the source of Common Shares to close out the covered syndicate short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of Common Shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase Common Shares through the over-allotment option.
 
Transactions to close out the covered syndicate short position involve either purchases of Common Shares in the open market after the distribution has been completed or the exercise of the over-allotment option. The underwriters may also make “naked” short sales of Common Shares in excess of the over-allotment option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing Common Shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of Common Shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of bids for or purchases of Common Shares in the open market while the offering is in progress.
 
The underwriters may impose a penalty bid. Penalty bids allow the underwriting syndicate to reclaim selling concessions allowed to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing Common Shares in this offering if the syndicate repurchases Common Shares to cover syndicate short positions or to stabilize the purchase price of the Common Shares.
 
Any of these activities may have the effect of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of Common Shares. They may also cause the price of Common Shares to be higher than the price that would otherwise exist in the open market in the absence of these transactions. The underwriters may conduct these transactions on the NYSE or in the over-the-counter market, or otherwise. If the underwriters commence any of these transactions, they may discontinue them at any time.
 
A Prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the websites maintained by one or more of the underwriters. Other than this prospectus in electronic format, the information on any such underwriter’s website is not part of this prospectus. The representatives may agree to allocate a number of Common Shares to underwriters for sale to their online brokerage account holders. The representatives will allocate Common Shares to underwriters that may make internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations. In addition, Common Shares may be sold by the underwriters to securities dealers who resell Common Shares to online brokerage account holders.
 
The Fund anticipates that, from time to time, certain underwriters may act as brokers or dealers in connection with the execution of the Fund’s portfolio transactions after they have ceased to be underwriters and, subject to certain restrictions, may act as brokers while they are underwriters.
 
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Certain underwriters may, from time to time, engage in transactions with or perform investment banking and advisory services for the Adviser and the Subadviser and its affiliates in the ordinary course of business, for which such underwriters have received, and may expect to receive, customary fees and expenses.
 
Prior to the public offering of Common Shares, ALPS Advisors, Inc. purchased Common Shares from the Fund in an amount satisfying the net worth requirements of Section 14(a) of the 1940 Act.
 
The principal business address of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC is 550 South Tryon Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28202.
 
CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT
 
State Street Bank and Trust Company, located at State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111, will serve as the Fund’s custodian and will maintain custody of the securities and cash of the Fund. For its services, the custodian will receive a monthly fee based upon, among other things, the average value of the total assets of the Fund, plus certain charges for securities transactions.
 
DST Systems, Inc., an affiliate of the Adviser and the Fund’s administrator, located at 333 West 11th Street, 5th floor, Kansas City, Missouri 64105, will serve as the Fund’s transfer agent and registrar.
 
LEGAL MATTERS
 
Certain legal matters in connection with the Common Shares will be passed upon for the Fund by Dechert LLP, New York, New York, and for the Underwriters by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, New York, New York. Dechert LLP and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP may rely as to certain matters of Maryland law on the opinion of Foley & Lardner LLP, Washington, DC.
 
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
The Fund will be subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the 1940 Act and in accordance therewith files reports and other information with the SEC. Reports, proxy statements and other information filed by the Fund with the SEC pursuant to the informational requirements of such Acts can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. The SEC maintains a web site at http://www.sec.gov containing reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants, including the Fund (when available), that file electronically with the SEC.
 
This Prospectus constitutes part of a Registration Statement filed by the Fund with the SEC under the Securities Act and the 1940 Act. This Prospectus omits certain of the information contained in the Registration Statement, and reference is hereby made to the Registration Statement and related exhibits for further information with respect to the Fund and the Common Shares offered hereby. Any statements contained herein concerning the provisions of any document are not necessarily complete, and, in each instance, reference is made to the copy of such document field as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or otherwise filed with the SEC. Each such statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference. The complete Registration Statement may be obtained from the SEC upon payment of the fee prescribed by its rules and regulations or free or charge through the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov).
 
THE FUND’S PRIVACY POLICY
 
The Fund is committed to ensuring your financial privacy. This notice is being sent to comply with privacy regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Fund has in effect the following policy with respect to nonpublic personal information about its customers:
 
·              Only such information received from you, through application forms or otherwise, and information about your Fund transactions will be collected.
 
·              None of such information about you (or former customers) will be disclosed to anyone, except as permitted by law (which includes disclosure to employees necessary to service your account).
 
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·              Policies and procedures (including physical, electronic and procedural safeguards) are in place that are designed to protect the confidentiality of such information.
 
·              The Fund does not currently obtain consumer information. If the Fund were to obtain consumer information at any time in the future, it would employ appropriate procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to protect against unauthorized access to and properly dispose of consumer information.
 
For more information about the Fund’s privacy policies call (855) 830-1222 (toll-free).

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TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
Investment Restrictions
1
Investment Policies And Techniques
2
Management Of The Fund
24
Investment Adviser and Subadviser
24
Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements
25
Compensation of Portfolio Managers
26
Portfolio Manager Ownership of Fund Shares
26
Conflicts of Interest
26
Other Accounts Managed
27
Administrator
27
Codes of Ethics
28
Fund Service Providers
28
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
28
Legal Counsel
28
Custodian and Transfer Agent
28
Portfolio Transactions
28
Dividends
29
Repurchase Of Shares
30
U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters
31
Fund Taxation
31
Shareholder Taxation
34
Other Taxes
37
Board Members And Officers
37
Independent Board Members
37
Interested Board Members and Officers
39
Securities Beneficially Owned
44
Proxy Voting Guidelines
44
Additional Information
45
Financial Statements And Report Of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
46
Appendix A:  Proxy Voting Guidelines
50
63

Shares
 
RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc.
Common Stock
 
$20.00 per Share
______________________________
 
Prospectus
 
, 2015
______________________________
 
Wells Fargo Securities
 
Until                 , 2016 (25 days after the date of this Prospectus), all dealers that buy, sell or trade the shares of common stock, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers’ obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.
 
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The information in this preliminary statement of additional information is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary statement of additional information is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state or other jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
 
Subject to Completion, dated November 25, 2015

RIVERNORTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND, INC. (the “Fund”)

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Fund is a diversified, closed-end management investment company.  The Fund’s investment objective is total return consisting of capital appreciation and current income.  The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by pursuing a tactical asset allocation strategy and opportunistically investing under normal circumstances in closed-end funds and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs” and collectively, “Underlying Funds”).  Underlying Funds also may include business development companies.  There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its objective.
 
This statement of additional information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus, but should be read in conjunction with the prospectus for the Fund dated               , 2015.  Investors should obtain and read the prospectus prior to purchasing shares of common stock.  A copy of the prospectus may be obtained without charge by calling the Fund at (855) 830-1222.
 
The prospectus and this SAI omit certain of the information contained in the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), Washington, D.C. The registration statement may be obtained from the SEC upon payment of the fee prescribed, or inspected at the SEC’s office or via its website (www.sec.gov) at no charge. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in the prospectus.
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
Investment Restrictions
1
Investment Policies And Techniques
2
Management Of The Fund
24
Investment Adviser and Subadviser
24
Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements
25
Compensation of Portfolio Managers
26
Portfolio Manager Ownership of Fund Shares
26
Conflicts of Interest
26
Other Accounts Managed
27
Administrator
27
Codes of Ethics
28
Fund Service Providers
28
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
28
Legal Counsel
28
Custodian and Transfer Agent
28
Portfolio Transactions
28
Dividends
29
Repurchase Of Shares
30
 

U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters
31
Fund Taxation
31
Shareholder Taxation
34
Other Taxes
37
Board Members And Officers
37
Independent Board Members
37
Interested Board Members and Officers
39
Securities Beneficially Owned
44
Proxy Voting Guidelines
44
Additional Information
45
Financial Statements And Report Of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
46
Appendix A:  Proxy Voting Guidelines
50
 

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
 
Except as otherwise indicated, the Fund’s investment policies are not fundamental and may be changed without a vote of shareholders. There can be no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be met.
 
Any investment restrictions herein that involve a maximum percentage of securities or assets shall not be considered to be violated unless an excess over the percentage occurs immediately after and is caused by an acquisition or encumbrance of securities or assets of, or borrowings by, the Fund.
 
As a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund will not:
 
(1)              borrow money, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time;
 
(2)              issue senior securities, except as permitted under the 1940 Act and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time;
 
(3)              concentrate its investments in a particular industry or group of industries (as the term “concentrate” is used in the 1940 Act, as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time), except to the extent that Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests concentrate their investments in a particular industry or group of industries;
 
(4)              engage in the business of underwriting securities issued by others, except to the extent that the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter in connection with the disposition of portfolio securities;
 
(5)              purchase or sell real estate, which term does not include securities of companies which deal in real estate or mortgages or investments secured by real estate or interests therein, except that the Fund reserves freedom of action to hold and to sell real estate acquired as a result of the Fund’s ownership of securities;
 
(6)              purchase or sell commodities, unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments; provided that this restriction shall not prohibit the Fund from purchasing or selling options, future contracts and related options thereon, forward contracts, swaps, caps, floors collars and any other financial instruments or from investing in securities or other instruments backed by physical commodities or as otherwise permitted by the 1940 Act and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time, or an exemption or other relief applicable to the Fund from the provisions of the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time;
 
(7)              With respect to 75% of the Fund’s total assets, purchase the securities of any issuer (except obligations of the United States Government and its instrumentalities and securities of other investment companies) if, as a result, (a) more than 5% of the Fund’s total assets would be invested in the securities of that issuer, or (b) the Fund would hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of that issuer; or
 
(8)              make loans except as permitted under the 1940 Act and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time.
 
A fundamental policy may not be changed without the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund which, under the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder and as used in this SAI, means the lesser of (1) 67% or more of the voting securities present at such meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund are present or represented by proxy, or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. 
 
Fundamental Investment Restriction (1)

The 1940 Act permits the Fund to borrow money in an amount up to one-third of its total assets (including the amount borrowed) less its liabilities (not including any borrowings but including the fair market value at the time of computation of any other senior securities then outstanding). The Fund may also borrow an additional 5% of its total assets without regard to the foregoing limitation for temporary purposes such as clearance of portfolio transactions.  Practices and investments that may involve leverage but are not considered to be borrowings are not subject to the policy.  For more information on leverage and the risks relating thereto, see “Risks—Structural Risks—Leverage Risks” in the Prospectus.
 
Fundamental Investment Restriction (2)

The ability of a closed-end fund to issue senior securities is severely circumscribed by complex regulatory constraints under the 1940 Act that restrict, for instance, the amount, timing, and form of senior securities that may be issued. Certain portfolio management techniques, such as reverse repurchase agreements, credit default swaps, futures contracts, the purchase of securities on margin, short sales, or the writing of puts on portfolio securities, may be considered senior securities unless appropriate steps are taken to segregate assets or otherwise cover obligations. To the extent the Fund covers its commitment under these transactions, including by the segregation of liquid assets, such instrument will not be considered a “senior security” by the Fund and therefore will not be subject to the 300% asset coverage requirement otherwise applicable to borrowings by the Fund (or, as the case may be, the 200% asset coverage requirement applicable to preferred shares).

The Fund does not anticipate issuing any class of equity senior securities. Under the 1940 Act, the issuance of any other type of senior security by the Fund is subject to a requirement that provision is made that, (i) if on the last business day of each of 12 consecutive calendar months the asset coverage with respect to the senior security is less than 100%, the holders of such securities voting as a class shall be entitled to elect at least a majority of the Board with such voting right to continue until the asset coverage for such class of senior security is at least 110% on the last business day of each of 3 consecutive calendar months or, (ii) if on the last business day of each of 24 consecutive calendar months the asset coverage for such class of senior security is less than 100%, an event of default shall be deemed to have occurred.

Fundamental Investment Restriction (6)

The ability of the Fund to invest directly in commodities, and in certain commodity-related securities and other instruments, is subject to significant limitations in order to enable the Fund to maintain its status as a regulated investment company under the Code.
 
 
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Fundamental Investment Restriction (8)

The 1940 Act does not prohibit a fund from making loans; however, SEC staff interpretations currently prohibit funds from lending more than one third of their total assets, except through the purchase of debt obligations or the use of repurchase agreements. A repurchase agreement is an agreement to purchase a security, coupled with an agreement to sell that security back to the original seller on an agreed-upon date at a price that reflects current interest rates. The SEC frequently treats repurchase agreements as loans.
 
INVESTMENT POLICIES AND TECHNIQUES
 
Descriptions in this SAI of a particular investment practice or technique in which the Fund may engage are meant to describe the spectrum of investments that RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC (“RiverNorth” or the “Subadviser”), in its discretion may, but is not required to, use in managing the Fund’s assets. These same investment practices or techniques may be used by the Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests. Furthermore, it is possible that certain types of financial instruments or investment techniques described herein may not be available, permissible, economically feasible or effective for their intended purposes in all markets. Certain practices, techniques or instruments may not be principal activities of the Fund, but, to the extent employed, could from time to time have a material impact on the Fund’s performance.
 
Borrowing. The Fund may borrow funds and/or issue preferred stock, notes or debt securities in an aggregate amount of up to 15% of the Fund’s Managed Assets immediately after such borrowings or issuance for investment purposes. These practices are known as leveraging. Currently, under the 1940 Act, the Fund may borrow up to one-third of its total assets (including the amount borrowed) provided that it maintains continuous asset coverage of 300% with respect to such borrowings and sells (within three days) sufficient portfolio holdings to restore such coverage if it should decline to less than 300% due to market fluctuations or otherwise, even if disadvantageous from an investment standpoint. The Fund may borrow through other means to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, including through a line of credit with a bank or other financial institution. In addition to borrowing for leverage purposes, the Fund also may borrow money to meet redemptions in order to avoid forced, unplanned sales of portfolio securities or for other temporary or emergency purposes. This allows the Fund greater flexibility to buy and sell portfolio securities for investment or tax considerations, rather than for cash flow considerations.
 
The use of borrowing by the Fund involves special risk considerations that may not be associated with other funds having similar policies. Because substantially all of the Fund’s assets fluctuate in value, whereas the interest obligation resulting from a borrowing may be fixed by the terms of the Fund’s agreement with its lender, the net asset value per share of the Fund will tend to increase more when its portfolio securities increase in value and decrease more when its portfolio securities decrease in value than would otherwise be the case if the Fund did not borrow funds. In addition, interest costs on borrowings may fluctuate with changing market rates of interest and may partially offset or exceed the return earned on borrowed funds. Under adverse market conditions, the Fund might have to sell portfolio securities to meet interest or principal payments at a time when fundamental investment considerations would not favor such sales. The interest that the Fund must pay on borrowed money, together with any additional fees to establish and maintain a borrowing facility, are additional costs that will reduce or eliminate any net investment income and may also offset any potential capital gains. Unless appreciation and income, if any, on assets acquired with borrowed funds exceed the costs of borrowing, the use of leverage will diminish the investment performance of the Fund compared with what it would have been without leverage.
 
Cash Management.   The Fund may have cash balances that have not been invested in portfolio securities (“Uninvested Cash”).  Uninvested Cash may result from a variety of sources, including dividends or interest received from portfolio securities, unsettled securities transactions, reserves held for investment strategy purposes, assets to cover the Fund’s open derivatives positions, scheduled maturity of investments, liquidation of investment securities to meet anticipated redemptions and dividend payments, and new cash received from investors.  Uninvested Cash may be invested directly in money market instruments or other short-term debt obligations.
 
Certificates of Deposit, Bankers’ Acceptances and Time Deposits .   Certificates of deposit are receipts issued by a depository institution in exchange for the deposit of funds. The issuer agrees to pay the amount deposited plus interest to the bearer of the receipt on the date specified on the certificate. The certificate usually can be traded in the secondary market prior to maturity. Bankers’ acceptances typically arise from short-term credit arrangements designed to enable businesses to obtain funds to finance commercial transactions. Generally, an acceptance is a time draft drawn on a bank by an exporter or an importer to obtain a stated amount of funds to pay for specific merchandise. The draft is then “accepted” by a bank that, in effect, unconditionally guarantees to pay the face value of the instrument on its maturity date. The acceptance may then be held by the accepting bank as an earning asset or it may be sold in the secondary market at the going rate of discount for a specific maturity. Although maturities for acceptances can be as long as 270 days, most acceptances have maturities of six months or less.
 
The Fund may also invest in certificates of deposit issued by banks and savings and loan institutions which had, at the time of their most recent annual financial statements, total assets of less than $1 billion, provided that (i) the principal amounts of such certificates of deposit are insured by an agency of the U.S. Government, (ii) at no time will the Fund hold more than $100,000 principal amount of certificates of deposit of any one such bank, and (iii) at the time of acquisition, no more than 10% of the Fund’s assets (taken at current value) are invested in certificates of deposit of such banks having total assets not in excess of $1 billion.
 
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Banker’s acceptances are credit instruments evidencing the obligations of a bank to pay a draft drawn on it by a customer. These instruments reflect the obligation both of the bank and of the drawer to pay the face amount of the instrument upon maturity.
 
Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits maintained in a banking institution for a specified period of time at a stated interest rate. Time deposits which may be held by the Fund will not benefit from insurance from the Bank Insurance Fund or the Savings Association Insurance Fund administered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Fixed time deposits may be withdrawn on demand by the investor, but may be subject to early withdrawal penalties that vary with market conditions and the remaining maturity of the obligation.
 
Closed-End Funds . Shares of closed-end funds are typically offered to the public in a one-time initial public offering by a group of underwriters who retain a spread or underwriting commission of between 3% and 6% of the initial public offering price. Such securities are then listed for trading on an exchange and, in some cases, may be traded in other over-the-counter markets. Because the shares of closed-end funds cannot be redeemed upon demand to the issuer like the shares of an open-end fund, investors seek to buy and sell shares of closed-end funds in the secondary market.
 
The Fund generally will purchase shares of closed-end funds only in the secondary market. The Fund will incur normal brokerage costs on such purchases similar to the expenses the Fund would incur for the purchase of securities of any other type of issuer in the secondary market. The Fund may, however, also purchase securities of a closed-end fund in an initial public offering when, in the opinion of the Subadviser, based on a consideration of the nature of the closed-end fund’s proposed investments, the prevailing market conditions and the level of demand for such securities, they represent an attractive opportunity for growth of capital. The initial offering price typically will include a dealer spread, which may be higher than the applicable brokerage cost if the Fund purchased such securities in the secondary market.
 
The shares of many closed-end funds, after their initial public offering, frequently trade at a price per share that is less than the net asset value per share, the difference representing the “market discount” of such shares. This market discount may be due in part to the investment objective of long-term appreciation, which is sought by many closed-end funds, as well as to the fact that the shares of closed-end funds are not redeemable by the holder upon demand to the issuer at the next determined net asset value, but rather, are subject to supply and demand in the secondary market. A relative lack of secondary market purchasers of closed-end fund shares also may contribute to such shares trading at a discount to their net asset value.
 
The Fund may invest in shares of closed-end funds that are trading at a discount to net asset value or at a premium to net asset value. There can be no assurance that the market discount on shares of any closed-end fund purchased by the Fund will ever decrease. In fact, it is possible that this market discount may increase and the Fund may suffer realized or unrealized capital losses due to further decline in the market price of the securities of such closed-end funds, thereby adversely affecting the net asset value of the Fund’s shares. Similarly, there can be no assurance that any shares of a closed-end fund purchased by the Fund at a premium will continue to trade at a premium or that the premium will not decrease subsequent to a purchase of such shares by the Fund.
 
Closed-end funds may issue senior securities (including preferred stock and debt obligations) for the purpose of leveraging the closed-end fund’s common shares in an attempt to enhance the current return to such closed-end fund’s common shareholders. The Fund’s investment in the common shares of closed-end funds that are financially leveraged may create an opportunity for greater total return on its investment, but at the same time may be expected to exhibit more volatility in market price and net asset value than an investment in shares of investment companies without a leveraged capital structure.
 
Commercial Paper . Commercial paper consists of short-term (usually from 1 to 270 days) unsecured promissory notes issued by corporations in order to finance current operations.
 
Common Stocks (Underlying Funds Only) . Common stock is issued by companies to raise cash for business purposes and represents a proportionate interest in the issuing companies. Therefore, the Underlying Fund participates in the success or failure of any company in which it holds stock. The market values of common stock can fluctuate significantly, reflecting the business performance of the issuing company, investor perception and general economic or financial market movements. Smaller companies are especially sensitive to these factors and may even become valueless.
 
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Convertible Securities (Underlying Funds Only) . Convertible securities include fixed income securities that may be exchanged or converted into a predetermined number of shares of the issuer’s underlying common stock at the option of the holder during a specified period. Convertible securities may take the form of convertible preferred stock, convertible bonds or debentures, units consisting of “usable” bonds and warrants or a combination of the features of several of these securities. Convertible securities are senior to common stocks in an issuer’s capital structure, but are usually subordinated to similar non-convertible securities. While providing a fixed-income stream (generally higher in yield than the income derivable from common stock but lower than that afforded by a similar nonconvertible security), a convertible security also gives an investor the opportunity, through its conversion feature, to participate in the capital appreciation of the issuing company depending upon a market price advance in the convertible security’s underlying common stock.
 
Corporate Debt Securities (Underlying Funds Only) . Corporate debt securities are long- and short-term debt obligations issued by companies (such as publicly issued and privately placed bonds, notes and commercial paper). The Investment Adviser considers corporate debt securities to be of investment grade quality if they are rated BBB or higher by Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC or Baa or higher by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., or if unrated, determined by the Subadviser to be of comparable quality. Investment grade debt securities generally have adequate to strong protection of principal and interest payments. In the lower end of this category, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal than in higher rated categories. An Underlying Fund may invest in both secured and unsecured corporate bonds. A secured bond is backed by collateral and an unsecured bond is not. Therefore an unsecured bond may have a lower recovery value than a secured bond in the event of a default by its issuer. The Subadviser may incorrectly analyze the risks inherent in corporate bonds, such as the issuer’s ability to meet interest and principal payments, resulting in a loss to the Fund.
 
Depositary Receipts (Underlying Funds Only) . Sponsored and unsponsored American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) are receipts issued by an American bank or trust company evidencing ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign issuer. ADRs, in sponsored form, are designed for use in U.S. securities markets. A sponsoring company provides financial information to the bank and may subsidize administration of the ADR. Unsponsored ADRs may be created by a broker-dealer or depository bank without the participation of the foreign issuer. Holders of these ADRs generally bear all the costs of the ADR facility, whereas foreign issuers typically bear certain costs in a sponsored ADR. The bank or trust company depositary of an unsponsored ADR may be under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications received from the foreign issuer or to pass through voting rights. Unsponsored ADRs may carry more risk than sponsored ADRs because of the absence of financial information provided by the underlying company. Many of the risks described below regarding foreign securities apply to investments in ADRs.
 
Defaulted and Distressed Securities (Underlying Funds Only) .  Defaulted and distressed securities may include companies in bankruptcy, liquidation or those which may be in default on obligations.  Some of the risks involved with defaulted and distressed securities include legal difficulties and negotiations with creditors and other claimants that are common when dealing with defaulted and distressed companies.  In the event of a default, an Underlying Fund may incur additional expenses to seek recovery.  The repayment of defaulted bonds is subject to significant uncertainties, and in some cases, there may be no recovery of repayment.  Defaulted bonds might be repaid only after lengthy workout or bankruptcy proceedings, during which the issuer might not make any interest or other payments.  Because of the relative illiquidity of distressed debt and equity securities, short sales are difficult, and most funds primarily maintain long positions.  Some relative value trades are possible, where an investor sells short one class of a distressed company’s capital structure and purchases another.  Among the many risks associated with distressed investing are the time lag between when an investment is made and when the value of the investment is realized and the legal and other monitoring costs that are involved in protecting the value of an Underlying Fund’s claims.
 
Emerging Markets Securities (Underlying Funds Only) . Investing in emerging market securities imposes risks different from, or greater than, risks of investing in foreign developed countries. These risks include (i) the smaller market capitalization of securities markets, which may suffer periods of relative illiquidity, (ii) significant price volatility, (iii) restrictions on foreign investment, and (iv) possible repatriation of investment income and capital. In addition, foreign investors may be required to register the proceeds of sales, and future economic or political crises could lead to price controls, forced mergers, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, seizure, nationalization, or the creation of government monopolies. The currencies of emerging market countries may experience significant declines against the U.S. dollar, and devaluation may occur subsequent to investments in these currencies by an Underlying Fund. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had, and may continue to have, negative effects on the economies and securities markets of certain emerging market countries.
 
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Certain emerging markets limit, or require governmental approval prior to, investments by foreign persons. Repatriation of investment income and capital from certain emerging markets is subject to certain governmental consents. Even where there is no outright restriction on repatriation of capital, the mechanics of repatriation may affect the operation of an Underlying Fund.
 
Investments in emerging markets may be considered speculative. In addition, currency hedging techniques may be unavailable in certain emerging market countries. Further, any change in the leadership or politics of emerging market countries, or the countries that exercise a significant influence over those countries, may halt the expansion of or reverse the liberalization of foreign investment policies now occurring and adversely affect existing investment opportunities. The small size, limited trading volume and relative inexperience of the securities markets in these countries may make investments in securities traded in emerging markets illiquid and more volatile than investments in securities traded in more developed countries. In addition, an Underlying Fund may be required to establish special custodial or other arrangements before making investments in securities traded in emerging markets. The risk also exists that an emergency situation may arise in one or more emerging markets as a result of which trading of securities may cease or may be substantially curtailed and prices for an Underlying Fund’s securities in such markets may not be readily available.
 
Additional risks of emerging markets securities may include (i) greater social, economic and political uncertainty and instability (including amplified risk of war and terrorism), (ii) more substantial governmental involvement in the economy, (iii) less governmental supervision and regulation, (iv) the unavailability of currency hedging technique, (v) companies that are newly organized and small, (vi) differences in auditing and financial reporting standards, which may result in unavailability of material information about issuers, and (vii) less developed legal systems. In addition, emerging securities markets may have different clearance and settlement procedures, which may be unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions or otherwise make it difficult to engage in such transactions. Settlement problems may cause an Underlying Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities, hold a portion of its assets in cash pending investment, or be delayed in disposing of a portfolio security. Such a delay could result in possible liability to a purchaser of the security.
 
Equity Securities (Underlying Funds Only) . Equity securities consist of common stock, convertible preferred stock, rights and warrants. Common stocks, the most familiar type, represent an equity (ownership) interest in a corporation. Warrants are options to purchase equity securities at a specified price for a specific time period. Rights are similar to warrants, but normally have a short duration and are distributed by the issuer to its shareholders. Although equity securities have a history of long term growth in value, their prices fluctuate based on changes in a company’s financial condition and on overall market and economic conditions.
 
Investments in equity securities are subject to inherent market risks and fluctuations in value due to earnings, economic conditions and other factors beyond the control of the Subadviser. As a result, the return and net asset value of the Fund will fluctuate. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio may not increase as much as the market as a whole and some undervalued securities may continue to be undervalued for long periods of time. Although profits in some Underlying Fund holdings may be realized quickly, it is not expected that most investments will appreciate rapidly.
 
Eurodollar Instruments (Underlying Funds Only). Eurodollar instruments are U.S. dollar-denominated futures contracts or options thereon that are linked to the LIBOR, although foreign currency-denominated instruments are available from time to time. Eurodollar futures contracts enable purchasers to obtain a fixed rate for the lending of funds and sellers to obtain a fixed rate for borrowings. An Underlying Fund might use Eurodollar futures contracts and options thereon to hedge against changes in LIBOR, to which many interest rate swaps and fixed income instruments are linked.
 
Exchange-Traded Funds . Exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) are funds whose shares are traded on securities exchanges, which seek to approximate the investment performance of their respective benchmarks by investing in a variety of U.S. and foreign equity, debt, commodities, money market securities, futures and other instruments. The shares of an ETF may be assembled in a block (typically 50,000 shares) known as a creation unit and redeemed in —kind for a portfolio of the underlying securities (based on the ETF’s net asset value) together with a cash payment generally equal to accumulated dividends as of the date of redemption. Conversely, a creation unit may be purchased from the ETF by depositing a specified portfolio of the ETF’s underlying securities, as well as a cash payment generally equal to accumulated dividends of the securities (net of expenses) up to the time of deposit. The Fund expects that it will purchase shares of ETFs on an exchange at market price rather than from the ETFs in creation units.
 
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When the Fund invests in sector ETFs, there is a risk 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 particular sector, the value of its shares may be especially sensitive to factors and economic risks that specifically affect that sector. As a result, the Fund’s share price may fluctuate more widely than the value of shares of a mutual fund that invests in a broader range of industries. Additionally, some sectors could be subject to greater government regulation than other sectors. Therefore, changes in regulatory policies for those sectors may have a material effect on the value of securities issued by companies in those sectors. The sectors in which the Fund may be more heavily invested will vary.
 
Exchange-Traded Notes . Exchange-traded notes (“ETNs”) are a type of unsecured, unsubordinated debt security. ETNs combine certain aspects of bonds and ETFs.
 
Similar to ETFs, ETNs are traded on a major exchange (e.g., NYSE) during normal trading hours although trading volume can be limited. However, investors can also hold the ETN until maturity. At maturity, the issuer pays to the investor a cash amount equal to the principal amount, subject to the day’s index factor. ETN returns are based upon the performance of a market index minus applicable fees. ETNs do not make periodic coupon payments and provide no principal protection. The value of an ETN may be influenced by time to maturity, level of supply and demand for the ETN, volatility and lack of liquidity in underlying markets, changes in the applicable interest rates, changes in the issuer’s credit rating and economic, legal, political or geographic events that affect the referenced index. The value of the ETN may drop due to a downgrade in the issuer’s credit rating, despite the underlying index remaining unchanged.
 
Foreign Currencies (Underlying Funds Only) .  Because investments in foreign securities usually will involve currencies of foreign countries, and because an Underlying Fund may hold foreign currencies and forward contracts, futures contracts and options on foreign currencies and foreign currency futures contracts, the value of the assets of the Underlying Fund as measured in U.S. dollars may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in foreign currency exchange rates and exchange control regulations, and  the Underlying Fund may incur costs and experience conversion difficulties and uncertainties in connection with conversions between various currencies.  Fluctuations in exchange rates may also affect the earning power and asset value of the foreign entity issuing the security.
 
The strength or weakness of the U.S. dollar against these currencies is responsible for part of an Underlying Fund’s investment performance.  If the dollar falls in value relative to the Japanese yen, for example, the dollar value of a Japanese stock held in the portfolio will rise even though the price of the stock remains unchanged.  Conversely, if the dollar rises in value relative to the yen, the dollar value of the Japanese stock will fall.  Many foreign currencies have experienced significant devaluation relative to the dollar.
 
Although an Underlying Fund may value its assets daily in terms of U.S. dollars, it may not convert its holdings of foreign currencies into U.S. dollars on a daily basis.  Investors should be aware of the costs of currency conversion.  Although foreign exchange dealers do not charge a fee for conversion, they do realize a profit based on the difference (the “spread”) between the prices at which they are buying and selling various currencies.  Thus, a dealer may offer to sell a foreign currency to an Underlying Fund at one rate, while offering a lesser rate of exchange should the Fund desire to resell that currency to the dealer.  An Underlying Fund may conduct its foreign currency exchange transactions either on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in the foreign currency exchange market, or through entering into options or forward or futures contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies.
 
Foreign Investments (Underlying Funds Only) .  When foreign securities are denominated and traded in foreign currencies, the value of an Underlying Fund’s foreign investments and the value of its shares may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency exchange rates relative to the U.S. dollar.  There may be less information publicly available about a foreign issuer than about a U.S. issuer, and foreign issuers may not be subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and practices comparable to those in the U.S.  The securities of some foreign issuers are less liquid and at times more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. issuers.  Foreign brokerage commissions and other fees are also generally higher than in the U.S. Foreign settlement procedures and trade regulations may involve certain risks (such as delay in payment or delivery of securities or in the recovery of the Fund’s assets held abroad) and expenses not present in the settlement of investments in U.S. markets.  Payment for securities without delivery may be required in certain foreign markets.
 
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In addition, foreign securities may be subject to the risk of nationalization or expropriation of assets, imposition of currency exchange controls or restrictions on the repatriation of foreign currency, confiscatory taxation, political or financial instability and diplomatic developments which could affect the value of an Underlying Fund’s investments in certain foreign countries.  Governments of many countries have exercised and continue to exercise substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector through the ownership or control of many companies, including some of the largest in these countries.  As a result, government actions in the future could have a significant effect on economic conditions which may adversely affect prices of certain portfolio securities.  There is also generally less government supervision and regulation of stock exchanges, brokers, and listed companies than in the U.S.  Dividends or interest on, or proceeds from the sale of, foreign securities may be subject to foreign withholding taxes, and special U.S. tax considerations may apply.  Moreover, foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments position.
 
Legal remedies available to investors in certain foreign countries may be more limited than those available with respect to investments in the U.S. or in other foreign countries.  The laws of some foreign countries may limit an Underlying Fund’s ability to invest in securities of certain issuers organized under the laws of those foreign countries.
 
Many foreign countries are heavily dependent upon exports, particularly to developed countries, and, accordingly, have been and may continue to be adversely affected by trade barriers, managed adjustments in relative currency values, and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated by the U.S. and other countries with which they trade. These economies also have been and may continue to be negatively impacted by economic conditions in the U.S. and other trading partners, which can lower the demand for goods produced in those countries.
 
Certain of the foregoing risks may also apply to some extent to securities of U.S. issuers that are denominated in foreign currencies or that are traded in foreign markets, or securities of U.S. issuers having significant foreign operations.
 
High Yield Securities (Underlying Funds Only) . High yield, high risk bonds are securities that are generally rated below investment grade by the primary rating agencies (BB+ or lower by S&P and Ba1 or lower by Moody’s). Other terms used to describe such securities include “lower rated bonds,” “non-investment grade bonds,” “below investment grade bonds,” and “junk bonds.” These securities are considered to be high-risk investments. The risks include the following:
 
Greater Risk of Loss .  These securities are regarded as predominately speculative.  There is a greater risk that issuers of lower rated securities will default than issuers of higher rated securities.  Issuers of lower rated securities generally are less creditworthy and may be highly indebted, financially distressed, or bankrupt.  These issuers are more vulnerable to real or perceived economic changes, political changes or adverse industry developments.  In addition, high yield securities (also known as “junk bonds”) are frequently subordinated to the prior payment of senior indebtedness.  If an issuer fails to pay principal or interest, an Underlying Fund would experience a decrease in income and a decline in the market value of its investments.  An Underlying Fund also may incur additional expenses in seeking recovery from the issuer.
 
Sensitivity to Interest Rate and Economic Changes . The income and market value of lower-rated securities may fluctuate more than higher rated securities. Although non-investment grade securities tend to be less sensitive to interest rate changes than investment grade securities, non-investment grade securities are more sensitive to short-term corporate, economic and market developments. During periods of economic uncertainty and change, the market price of the investments in lower-rated securities may be volatile. The default rate for high yield bonds tends to be cyclical, with defaults rising in periods of economic downturn.
 
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Valuation Difficulties . It is often more difficult to value lower rated securities than higher rated securities. If an issuer’s financial condition deteriorates, accurate financial and business information may be limited or unavailable. In addition, the lower rated investments may be thinly traded and there may be no established secondary market. Because of the lack of market pricing and current information for investments in lower rated securities, valuation of such investments is much more dependent on judgment than is the case with higher rated securities.
 
Liquidity . There may be no established secondary or public market for investments in lower rated securities. Such securities are frequently traded in markets that may be relatively less liquid than the market for higher rated securities. In addition, relatively few institutional purchasers may hold a major portion of an issue of lower-rated securities at times. As a result, lower rated securities may be required to be sold at substantial losses or retained indefinitely even where an issuer’s financial condition is deteriorating.
 
Credit Quality . Credit quality of non-investment grade securities can change suddenly and unexpectedly, and even recently-issued credit ratings may not fully reflect the actual risks posed by a particular high-yield security.
 
New Legislation .  Future legislation may have a possible negative impact on the market for high yield, high risk bonds, also known as “junk bonds.” As an example, in the late 1980’s, legislation required federally-insured savings and loan associations to divest their investments in high yield, high risk bonds.  New legislation, if enacted, could have a material negative effect on an Underlying Fund’s investments in lower rated securities.
 
High yield, high risk investments may include the following:
 
Straight fixed-income debt securities . These include bonds and other debt obligations that bear a fixed or variable rate of interest payable at regular intervals and have a fixed or resettable maturity date. The particular terms of such securities vary and may include features such as call provisions and sinking funds.
 
Zero-coupon debt securities . These bear no interest obligation but are issued at a discount from their value at maturity. When held to maturity, their entire return equals the difference between their issue price and their maturity value.
 
Zero-fixed-coupon debt securities . These are zero-coupon debt securities that convert on a specified date to interest-bearing debt securities.
 
Pay-in-kind bonds . These are bonds which allow the issuer, at its option, to make current interest payments on the bonds either in cash or in additional bonds.
 
Convertible Securities . These are bonds or preferred stock that may be converted to common stock.
 
Preferred Stock . These are stocks that generally pay a dividend at a specified rate and have preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and in liquidation.
 
Loan Participations and Assignments . These are participations in, or assignments of all or a portion of loans to corporations or to governments, including governments of less developed countries.
 
Securities issued in connection with Reorganization and Corporate Restructurings . In connection with reorganizing or restructuring of an issuer, an issuer may issue common stock or other securities to holders of its debt securities. The Fund may hold such common stock and other securities even if they do not invest in such securities.
 
Illiquid Securities and Restricted Securities (Underlying Funds Only) .  Certain securities may be subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale (“restricted securities”).  Generally speaking, restricted securities may be sold: (i) only to qualified institutional buyers; (ii) in a privately negotiated transaction to a limited number of purchasers; (iii) in limited quantities after they have been held for a specified period of time and other conditions are met pursuant to an exemption from registration; or (iv) in a public offering for which a registration statement is in effect under the Securities Act.  Issuers of restricted securities may not be subject to the disclosure and other investor protection requirements that would be applicable if their securities were publicly traded.
 
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Restricted securities are often illiquid, but they may also be liquid. For example, restricted securities that are eligible for resale under Rule 144A are often deemed to be liquid. The Fund may also purchase securities that are not subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale, but that are deemed illiquid. Such securities may be illiquid, for example, because there is a limited trading market for them.
 
The Fund may be unable to sell a restricted or illiquid security. In addition, it may be more difficult to determine a market value for restricted or illiquid securities. Moreover, if adverse market conditions were to develop during the period between the Fund’s decision to sell a restricted or illiquid security and the point at which the Fund is permitted or able to sell such security, the Fund might obtain a price less favorable than the price that prevailed when it decided to sell.
 
Indexed Securities . The Fund may invest in indexed securities, the value of which is linked to currencies, interest rates, commodities, indices or other financial indicators (“reference instruments”). Most indexed securities have maturities of three years or less.
 
Indexed securities differ from other types of debt securities in which the Fund may invest in several respects. First, the interest rate or, unlike other debt securities, the principal amount payable at maturity of an indexed security may vary based on changes in one or more specified reference instruments, such as an interest rate compared with a fixed interest rate or the currency exchange rates between two currencies (neither of which need be the currency in which the instrument is denominated). The reference instrument need not be related to the terms of the indexed security. For example, the principal amount of a U.S. dollar denominated indexed security may vary based on the exchange rate of two foreign currencies. An indexed security may be positively or negatively indexed; that is, its value may increase or decrease if the value of the reference instrument increases. Further, the change in the principal amount payable or the interest rate of an indexed security may be a multiple of the percentage change (positive or negative) in the value of the underlying reference instrument(s).
 
Investment in indexed securities involves certain risks. In addition to the credit risk of the security’s issuer and the normal risks of price changes in response to changes in interest rates, the principal amount of indexed securities may decrease as a result of changes in the value of reference instruments. Further, in the case of certain indexed securities in which the interest rate is linked to a reference instrument, the interest rate may be reduced to zero, and any further declines in the value of the security may then reduce the principal amount payable on maturity. Finally, indexed securities may be more volatile than the reference instruments underlying the indexed securities.
 
Initial Public Offerings . Shares purchased in initial public offerings (IPOs) frequently are volatile in price, the Fund may hold IPO shares for a very short period of time. This may increase the turnover of the Fund’s portfolio and may lead to increased expenses to the Fund, such as commissions and transaction costs. By selling shares, the Fund may realize taxable capital gains that they will subsequently distribute to shareholders. Investing in IPOs has added risks because their shares are frequently volatile in price. As a result, their performance can be more volatile and they face greater risk of business failure, which could increase the volatility of the Fund’s portfolio.
 
Investment Grade Debt Securities (Underlying Funds Only) . “Investment-grade” bonds are those rated Aaa, Aa, A or Baa by Moody’s or AAA, AA, A or BBB by S&P or similar ratings of another NRSRO or, if unrated, judged to be of equivalent quality as determined by the Subadviser. Moody’s considers bonds it rates Baa to have speculative elements as well as investment-grade characteristics. To the extent that an Underlying Fund invests in higher-grade securities, the Underlying Fund will not be able to avail itself of opportunities for higher income which may be available at lower grades.
 
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Money Market Instruments . Money market instruments generally refer to high-quality, short-term debt instruments, such as U.S. Treasury securities, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances, time deposits, shares of U.S. registered money market funds, and other similar investments.
 
Master Limited Partnerships (Underlying Funds Only) .   The Underlying Funds may invest in master limited partnership (“MLP”) common units. MLPs are typically structured such that common units and general partner interests have first priority to receive quarterly cash distributions up to an established minimum amount (“minimum quarterly distributions” or “MQD”). Common and general partner interests also accrue arrearages in distributions to the extent the MQD is not paid. Once common and general partner interests have been paid, subordinated units receive distributions of up to the MQD; however, subordinated units do not accrue arrearages. Distributable cash in excess of the MQD paid to both common and subordinated units is distributed to both common and subordinated units generally on a pro rata basis.

The general partner is also eligible to receive incentive distributions if the general partner operates the business in a manner that results in distributions paid per common unit surpassing specified target levels. As the general partner increases cash distributions to the limited partners, the general partner receives an increasingly higher percentage of the incremental cash distributions. A common arrangement provides that the general partner can reach a tier where it receives 50% of every incremental dollar paid to common and subordinated unit holders. These incentive distributions encourage the general partner to streamline costs, increase capital expenditures and acquire assets in order to increase the partnership’s cash flow and raise the quarterly cash distribution in order to reach higher tiers. Such results benefit all security holders of the MLP.

To qualify as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, an MLP must receive at least 90% of its income from qualifying sources such as interest, dividends, real estate rents, gain from the sale or disposition of real property, income and gain from mineral or natural resources activities, income and gain from the transportation or storage of certain fuels, gain from the sale or disposition of a capital asset held for the production of income described in the foregoing and, in certain circumstances, income and gain from commodities or futures, forwards and options with respect to commodities. Mineral or natural resources activities include exploration, development, production, mining, refining, marketing and transportation (including pipelines), of oil and gas, minerals, geothermal energy, fertilizer, timber or industrial source carbon dioxide. Currently, most MLPs operate in the energy, natural resources or real estate sectors. Due to their partnership structure, MLPs generally do not pay income taxes. Thus, unlike investors in corporate securities, direct MLP investors are generally not subject to double taxation ( i.e. , corporate level tax and tax on corporate dividends).

MLP Common Units. MLP common units represent a limited partnership interest in the MLP. Common units are listed and traded on U.S. securities exchanges or OTC, with their value fluctuating predominantly based on prevailing market conditions and the success of the MLP. The Fund may purchase common units in market transactions as well as directly from the MLP or other parties. Unlike owners of common stock of a corporation, owners of common units have limited voting rights and have no ability annually to elect directors. MLPs generally distribute all available cash flow (cash flow from operations less maintenance capital expenditures) in the form of quarterly distributions. Common units along with general partner units, have first priority to receive quarterly cash distributions up to the MQD and have arrearage rights. In the event of liquidation, common units have preference over subordinated units, but not debt or preferred units, to the remaining assets of the MLP.

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I-Shares. I-Shares represent an ownership interest issued by an affiliated party of an MLP. The MLP affiliate uses the proceeds from the sale of I-Shares to purchase limited partnership interests in the MLP in the form of i-units. I-units have similar features as MLP common units in terms of voting rights, liquidation preference and distributions. However, rather than receiving cash, the MLP affiliate receives additional i-units in an amount equal to the cash distributions received by MLP common units. Similarly, holders of I-Shares will receive additional I-Shares, in the same proportion as the MLP affiliates receipt of i-units, rather than cash distributions. I-Shares themselves have limited voting rights which are similar to those applicable to MLP common units. The MLP affiliate issuing the I-Shares is structured as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. I-Shares are traded on the NYSE.

Municipal Securities (Underlying Funds Only) . Municipal securities are securities issued by states, municipalities and other political subdivisions, agencies, authorities and instrumentalities of states and multi-state agencies or authorities. Although the interest earned on many municipal securities is exempt from federal income tax, the Fund may invest in taxable municipal securities.
 
Municipal securities share the attributes of debt/fixed income securities in general, but are generally issued by states, municipalities and other political subdivisions, agencies, authorities and instrumentalities of states and multi-state agencies or authorities. The municipal securities which the Fund may purchase include general obligation bonds and limited obligation bonds (or revenue bonds), including industrial development bonds issued pursuant to former federal tax law. General obligation bonds are obligations involving the credit of an issuer possessing taxing power and are payable from such issuer’s general revenues and not from any particular source. Limited obligation bonds are payable only from the revenues derived from a particular facility or class of facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise or other specific revenue source. Tax-exempt private activity bonds and industrial development bonds generally are also revenue bonds and thus are not payable from the issuer’s general revenues. The credit and quality of private activity bonds and industrial development bonds are usually related to the credit of the corporate user of the facilities. Payment of interest on and repayment of principal of such bonds is the responsibility of the corporate user (and/or any guarantor).
 
Under the Code, certain limited obligation bonds are considered “private activity bonds” and interest paid on such bonds is treated as an item of tax preference for purposes of calculating federal alternative minimum tax liability.
 
Obligations of Supranational Entities (Underlying Funds Only) . The Fund may invest in an Underlying Fund that invests in obligations of supranational entities designated or supported by governmental entities to promote economic reconstruction or development and of international banking institutions and related government agencies. Examples include the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the “World Bank”), the European Coal and Steel Community, the Asian Development Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank. Each supranational entity’s lending activities are limited to a percentage of its total capital (including “callable capital” contributed by its governmental members at the entity’s call), reserves and net income. There is no assurance that participating governments will be able or willing to honor their commitments to make capital contributions to a supranational entity.
 
Preferred Stocks . Preferred stocks pay fixed or floating dividends to investors, and have a “preference” over common stock in the payment of dividends and the liquidation of a company’s assets. This means that a company must pay dividends on preferred stock before paying any dividends on its common stock. Preferred stockholders usually have no right to vote for corporate directors or on other matters.
 
Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”) (Underlying Funds Only) . REITs are sometimes informally characterized as equity REITs, mortgage REITs and hybrid REITs. Investment in REITs may subject the Fund to risks associated with the direct ownership of real estate, such as decreases in real estate values, overbuilding, increased competition and other risks related to local or general economic conditions, increases in operating costs and property taxes, changes in zoning laws, casualty or condemnation losses, possible environmental liabilities, regulatory limitations on rent and fluctuations in rental income. Equity REITs generally experience these risks directly through fee or leasehold interests, whereas mortgage REITs generally experience these risks indirectly through mortgage interests, unless the mortgage REIT forecloses on the underlying real estate. Changes in interest rates may also affect the value of the Fund’s investment in REITs. For instance, during periods of declining interest rates, certain mortgage REITs may hold mortgages that the mortgagors elect to prepay, which prepayment may diminish the yield on securities issued by those REITs.
 
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Certain REITs have relatively small market capitalizations, which may tend to increase the volatility of the market price of their securities. Furthermore, REITs are dependent upon specialized management skills, have limited diversification and are, therefore, subject to risks inherent in operating and financing a limited number of projects. REITs are also subject to heavy cash flow dependency, defaults by borrowers and the possibility of failing to qualify for tax-free pass-through of income under the Code, and to maintain exemption from the registration requirements of the 1940 Act. By investing in REITs indirectly through an Underlying Fund, a shareholder will bear not only his or her proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund and the Underlying Fund, but also, indirectly, similar expenses of the REITs. In addition, REITs depend generally on their ability to generate cash flow to make distributions to shareholders.
 
Repurchase Agreements . In a repurchase agreement, the Fund acquires ownership of a security and simultaneously commits to resell that security to the seller, typically a bank or broker/dealer.
 
A repurchase agreement provides a means for the Fund to earn income on funds for periods as short as overnight. It is an arrangement under which the purchaser (i.e., the Fund) acquires a security (“Obligation”) and the seller agrees, at the time of sale, to repurchase the Obligation at a specified time and price. Securities subject to a repurchase agreement are held in a segregated account and, as described in more detail below, the value of such securities is kept at least equal to the repurchase price on a daily basis. The repurchase price may be higher than the purchase price, the difference being income to the Fund, or the purchase and repurchase prices may be the same, with interest at a stated rate due to the Fund together with the repurchase price upon repurchase. In either case, the income to the Fund is unrelated to the interest rate on the Obligation itself. Obligations will be held by the custodian or in the Federal Reserve Book Entry System.
 
It is not clear whether a court would consider the Obligation purchased by the Fund subject to a repurchase agreement as being owned by the Fund or as being collateral for a loan by the Fund to the seller. In the event of the commencement of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings with respect to the seller of the Obligation before repurchase of the Obligation under a repurchase agreement, the Fund may encounter delay and incur costs before being able to sell the security. Delays may involve loss of interest or decline in price of the Obligation. If the court characterizes the transaction as a loan and the Fund has not perfected a security interest in the Obligation, the Fund may be required to return the Obligation to the seller’s estate and be treated as an unsecured creditor of the seller. As an unsecured creditor, the Fund would be at risk of losing some or all of the principal and income involved in the transaction. As with any unsecured debt obligation purchased for the Fund, the Subadviser seeks to reduce the risk of loss through repurchase agreements by analyzing the creditworthiness of the obligor, in this case the seller of the Obligation. Apart from the risk of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, there is also the risk that the seller may fail to repurchase the Obligation, in which case the Fund may incur a loss if the proceeds to the Fund of the sale to a third party are less than the repurchase price. However, if the market value (including interest) of the Obligation subject to the repurchase agreement becomes less than the repurchase price (including interest), the Fund will direct the seller of the Obligation to deliver additional securities so that the market value (including interest) of all securities subject to the repurchase agreement will equal or exceed the repurchase price.
 
Reverse Repurchase Agreements. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities held by the Fund with an agreement by the Fund to repurchase the securities at an agreed upon price, date and interest payment. At the time the Fund enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, it may designate on its books and records liquid instruments having a value not less than the repurchase price (including accrued interest). If the Fund establishes and maintains such a segregated account, a reverse repurchase agreement will not be considered a borrowing by the Fund; however, under certain circumstances in which the Fund does not establish and maintain such a segregated account, such reverse repurchase agreement will be considered a borrowing for the purpose of the Fund’s limitation on borrowings. The use by the Fund of reverse repurchase agreements involves many of the same risks of leverage since the proceeds derived from such reverse repurchase agreements may be invested in additional securities. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the market value of the securities acquired in connection with the reverse repurchase agreement may decline below the price of the securities the Fund has sold but is obligated to repurchase. Also, reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the market value of the securities retained in lieu of sale by the Fund in connection with the reverse repurchase agreement may decline in price.
 
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If the buyer of securities under a reverse repurchase agreement files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, such buyer or its trustee or receiver may receive an extension of time to determine whether to enforce the Fund’s obligation to repurchase the securities, and the Fund’s use of the proceeds of the reverse repurchase agreement may effectively be restricted pending such decision. Also, the Fund would bear the risk of loss to the extent that the proceeds of the reverse repurchase agreement are less than the value of the securities subject to such agreement.
 
Rights . Rights are usually granted to existing shareholders of a corporation to subscribe to shares of a new issue of common stock before it is issued to the public. The right entitles its holder to buy common stock at a specified price. Rights have similar features to warrants, except that the life of a right is typically much shorter, usually a few weeks. The Subadviser believes rights may become underpriced if they are sold without regard to value and if analysts do not include them in their research. The risk in investing in rights is that the Subadviser might miscalculate their value resulting in a loss to the Fund. Another risk is the underlying common stock may not reach the Subadviser’s anticipated price within the life of the right.
 
Short Sales . The Fund may sell securities short. When the Fund takes a long position, it purchases a stock outright. When the Fund takes a short position, it sells at the current market price a stock it does not own but has borrowed in anticipation that the market price of the stock will decline. To complete, or close out, the short sale transaction, the Fund buys the same stock in the market and returns it to the lender. The price at such time may be more or less than the price at which the security was sold by the Fund. Until the security is replaced, the Fund is required to pay the lender amounts equal to any dividends or interest that accrue during the period of the loan. To borrow the security, the Fund may also be required to pay a premium, which would increase the cost of the security sold. The proceeds of the short sale will be retained by the broker to the extent necessary to meet the margin requirements, until the short position is closed out. The Fund makes money when the market price of the borrowed stock goes down and the Fund is able to replace it for less than it earned by selling it short. Alternatively if the price of the stock goes up after the short sale and before the short position is closed, the Fund will lose money because it will have to pay more to replace the borrowed stock than it received when it sold the stock short.
 
The Fund may not always be able to close out a short position at a particular time or at an acceptable price. A lender may request that the borrowed securities be returned to it on short notice, and the Fund may have to buy the borrowed securities at an unfavorable price. If this occurs at a time that other short sellers of the same security also want to close out their positions, a “short squeeze” can occur. A short squeeze occurs when demand is greater than supply for the stock sold short. A short squeeze makes it more likely that the Fund will have to cover its short sale at an unfavorable price. If that happens, the Fund will lose some or all of the potential profit from, or even incur a loss as a result of, the short sale.
 
Until the Fund closes its short position or replaces the borrowed security, the Fund will designate liquid assets it owns (other than the short sales proceeds) as segregated assets to the books of the broker and/or its custodian in an amount equal to its obligation to purchase the securities sold short, as required by the 1940 Act. The amount segregated in this manner will be increased or decreased each business day equal to the change in market value of the Fund’s obligation to purchase the security sold short. If the lending broker requires the Fund to deposit additional collateral (in addition to the short sales proceeds that the broker holds during the period of the short sale), which may be as much as 50% of the value of the securities sold short, the amount of the additional collateral may be deducted in determining the amount of cash or liquid assets the Fund is required to segregate to cover the short sale obligation pursuant to the 1940 Act. The amount segregated must be unencumbered by any other obligation or claim other than the obligation that is being covered. The Fund believes that short sale obligations that are covered, either by an offsetting asset or right (acquiring the security sold short or having an option to purchase the security sold short at exercise price that covers the obligation), or by the Fund’s segregated asset procedures (or a combination thereof), are not senior securities under the 1940 Act and are not subject to the Fund’s borrowing restrictions. This requirement to segregate assets limits the Fund’s leveraging of its investments and the related risk of losses from leveraging. The Fund also is required to pay the lender of the security any dividends or interest that accrue on a borrowed security during the period of the loan. Depending on the arrangements made with the broker or custodian, the Fund may or may not receive any payments (including interest) on collateral it has deposited with the broker.
 
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Short sales involve the risk that the Fund will incur a loss by subsequently buying a security at a higher price than the price at which the Fund previously sold the security short. Any loss will be increased by the amount of compensation, interest or dividends, and transaction costs the Fund must pay to a lender of the security. In addition, because the Fund’s loss on a short sale stems from increases in the value of the security sold short, the extent of such loss, like the price of the security sold short, is theoretically unlimited. By contrast, the Fund’s loss on a long position arises from decreases in the value of the security held by the Fund and therefore is limited by the fact that a security’s value cannot drop below zero.
 
The use of short sales, in effect, leverages the Fund’s portfolio, which could increase the Fund’s exposure to the market, magnify losses and increase the volatility of returns.
 
Although the Fund’s share price may increase if the securities in its long portfolio increase in value more than the securities underlying its short positions, the Fund’s share price may decrease if the securities underlying its short positions increase in value more than the securities in its long portfolio.
 
Senior Loans (Underlying Funds Only). A Senior Loan is typically originated, negotiated and structured by a U.S. or foreign commercial bank, insurance company, finance company or other financial institution (the “Agent”) for a group of loan investors (“Loan Investors”). The Agent typically administers and enforces the Senior Loan on behalf of the other Loan Investors in the syndicate. In addition, an institution, typically but not always the Agent, holds any collateral on behalf of the Loan Investors.
 
Senior Loans primarily include senior floating rate loans to corporations and secondarily institutionally traded senior floating rate debt obligations issued by an asset-backed pool and interests therein. Loan interests primarily take the form of assignments purchased in the primary or secondary market. Loan interests may also take the form of participation interests in a Senior Loan. Such loan interests may be acquired from U.S. or foreign commercial banks, insurance companies, finance companies or other financial institutions who have made loans or are Loan Investors or from other investors in loan interests.
 
The Underlying Funds may purchase “assignments” from the Agent or other Loan Investors. The purchaser of an assignment typically succeeds to all the rights and obligations under the Loan Agreement (as defined herein) of the assigning Loan Investor and becomes a Loan Investor under the Loan Agreement with the same rights and obligations as the assigning Loan Investor. Assignments may, however, be arranged through private negotiations between potential assignees and potential assignors, and the rights and obligations acquired by the purchaser of an assignment may differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the assigning Loan Investor.

The Underlying Funds also may invest in “participations.” Participations by an Underlying Fund in a Loan Investor’s portion of a Senior Loan typically will result in an Underlying Fund having a contractual relationship only with such Loan Investor, not with the borrower. As a result, an Underlying Fund may have the right to receive payments of principal, interest and any fees to which it is entitled only from the Loan Investor selling the participation and only upon receipt by such Loan Investor of such payments from the borrower. In connection with purchasing participations, an Underlying Fund generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the Loan Agreement, nor any rights with respect to any funds acquired by other Loan Investors through set-off against the borrower and the Underlying Fund may not directly benefit from the collateral supporting the Senior Loan in which it has purchased the participation. As a result, an Underlying Fund will assume the credit risk of both the borrower and the Loan Investor selling the participation. In the event of the insolvency of the Loan Investor selling a participation, an Underlying Fund may be treated as a general creditor of such Loan Investor. The selling Loan Investors and other persons interpositioned between such Loan Investors and the Underlying Fund with respect to such participations will likely conduct their principal business activities in the banking, finance and financial services industries. Persons engaged in such industries may be more susceptible to, among other things, fluctuations in interest rates, changes in the Federal Open Market Committee’s monetary policy, governmental regulations concerning such industries and concerning capital raising activities generally and fluctuations in the financial markets generally.
 
In order to borrow money pursuant to a Senior Loan, a borrower will for the term of the Senior Loan, pledge collateral, including but not limited to, (i) working capital assets, such as accounts receivable and inventory; (ii) tangible fixed assets, such as real property, buildings and equipment; (iii) intangible assets, such as trademarks and patent rights (but excluding goodwill); and (iv) security interests in shares of stock of subsidiaries or affiliates. In the case of Senior Loans made to non-public companies, the company’s shareholders or owners may provide collateral in the form of secured guarantees and/or security interests in assets that they own. In many instances, a Senior Loan may be secured only by stock in the borrower or its subsidiaries. Collateral may consist of assets that may not be readily liquidated, and there is no assurance that the liquidation of such assets would satisfy fully a borrower’s obligations under a Senior Loan.
 
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In the process of buying, selling and holding Senior Loans, the Underlying Funds may receive and/or pay certain fees. These fees are in addition to interest payments received and may include facility fees, commitment fees, amendment fees, commissions and prepayment penalty fees. When an Underlying Fund buys a Senior Loan, it may receive a facility fee and when it sells a Senior Loan it may pay a facility fee. On an ongoing basis, an Underlying Fund may receive a commitment fee based on the undrawn portion of the underlying line of credit portion of a Senior Loan. In certain circumstances, an Underlying Fund may receive a prepayment penalty fee upon the prepayment of a Senior Loan by a borrower. Other fees received by an Underlying Fund may include covenant waiver fees, covenant modification fees or other amendment fees.
 
A borrower must comply with various restrictive covenants contained in a loan agreement or note purchase agreement between the borrower and the holders of the Senior Loan (the “Loan Agreement”). Such covenants, in addition to requiring the scheduled payment of interest and principal, may include restrictions on dividend payments and other distributions to shareholders, provisions requiring the borrower to maintain specific minimum financial ratios and limits on total debt. In addition, the Loan Agreement may contain a covenant requiring the borrower to prepay the Loan with any free cash flow. Free cash flow is generally defined as net cash flow after scheduled debt service payments and permitted capital expenditures, and includes the proceeds from asset dispositions or sales of securities. A breach of a covenant which is not waived by the Agent, or by the Loan Investors directly, as the case may be, is normally an event of acceleration; i.e ., the Agent, or the Loan Investors directly, as the case may be, has the right to call the outstanding Senior Loan. The typical practice of an Agent or a Loan Investor in relying exclusively or primarily on reports from the borrower to monitor the borrower’s compliance with covenants may involve a risk of fraud by the borrower. In the case of a Senior Loan in the form of a participation, the agreement between the buyer and seller may limit the rights of the holder to vote on certain changes which may be made to the Loan Agreement, such as waiving a breach of a covenant. However, the holder of the participation will, in almost all cases, have the right to vote on certain fundamental issues such as changes in principal amount, payment dates and interest rate.
 
In a typical Senior Loan, the Agent administers the terms of the Loan Agreement. In such cases, the Agent is normally responsible for the collection of principal and interest payments from the borrower and the apportionment of these payments to the credit of all institutions which are parties to the Loan Agreement. The Underlying Funds will generally rely upon the Agent or an intermediate participant to receive and forward to the Fund or Underlying Fund its portion of the principal and interest payments on the Senior Loan. Furthermore, unless under the terms of a participation agreement an Underlying Fund has direct recourse against the borrower, the Underlying Fund will rely on the Agent and the other Loan Investors to use appropriate credit remedies against the borrower. The Agent is typically responsible for monitoring compliance with covenants contained in the Loan Agreement based upon reports prepared by the borrower. The seller of the Senior Loan usually does, but is often not obligated to, notify holders of Senior Loans of any failures of compliance. The Agent may monitor the value of the collateral and, if the value of the collateral declines, may accelerate the Senior Loan, may give the borrower an opportunity to provide additional collateral or may seek other protection for the benefit of the participants in the Senior Loan. The Agent is compensated by the borrower for providing these services under a Loan Agreement, and such compensation may include special fees paid upon structuring and funding the Senior Loan and other fees paid on a continuing basis. With respect to Senior Loans for which the Agent does not perform such administrative and enforcement functions, an Underlying Fund will perform such tasks on its own behalf, although a collateral bank will typically hold any collateral on behalf of an Underlying Fund and the other Loan Investors pursuant to the applicable Loan Agreement.
 
A financial institution’s appointment as Agent may usually be terminated in the event that it fails to observe the requisite standard of care or becomes insolvent, enters Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) receivership, or, if not FDIC insured, enters into bankruptcy proceedings. A successor Agent would generally be appointed to replace the terminated Agent, and assets held by the Agent under the Loan Agreement should remain available to holders of Senior Loans. However, if assets held by the Agent for the benefit of an Underlying Fund were determined to be subject to the claims of the Agent’s general creditors, the Underlying Fund might incur certain costs and delays in realizing payment on a Senior Loan, or suffer a loss of principal and/or interest. In situations involving intermediate participants, similar risks may arise.
 
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Senior Loans will usually require, in addition to scheduled payments of interest and principal, the prepayment of the Senior Loan from free cash flow, as defined above. The degree to which borrowers prepay Senior Loans, whether as a contractual requirement or at their election, may be affected by general business conditions, the financial condition of the borrower and competitive conditions among Loan Investors, among others. As such, prepayments cannot be predicted with accuracy. Upon a prepayment, either in part or in full, the actual outstanding debt on which the Fund or Underlying Fund derives interest income will be reduced. However, an Underlying Fund may receive both a prepayment penalty fee from the prepaying borrower and a facility fee upon the purchase of a new Senior Loan with the proceeds from the prepayment of the former.
 
The Underlying Funds may acquire interests in Senior Loans which are designed to provide temporary or “bridge” financing to a borrower pending the sale of identified assets or the arrangement of longer-term loans or the issuance and sale of debt obligations. The Underlying Funds may also invest in Senior Loans of borrowers that have obtained bridge loans from other parties. A borrower’s use of bridge loans involves a risk that the borrower may be unable to locate permanent financing to replace the bridge loan, which may impair the borrower’s perceived creditworthiness.
 
The Underlying Fund will be subject to the risk that collateral securing a loan will decline in value or have no value. Such a decline, whether as a result of bankruptcy proceedings or otherwise, could cause the Senior Loan to be undercollateralized or unsecured. In most credit agreements there is no formal requirement to pledge additional collateral. In addition, an Underlying Fund may invest in Senior Loans guaranteed by, or secured by assets of, shareholders or owners, even if the Senior Loans are not otherwise collateralized by assets of the borrower; provided, however, that such guarantees are fully secured. There may be temporary periods when the principal asset held by a borrower is the stock of a related company, which may not legally be pledged to secure a Senior Loan. On occasions when such stock cannot be pledged, the Senior Loan will be temporarily unsecured until the stock can be pledged or is exchanged for or replaced by other assets, which will be pledged as security for the Senior Loan. However, the Borrower’s ability to dispose of such securities, other than in connection with such pledge or replacement, will be strictly limited for the protection of the holders of Senior Loans and, indirectly, Senior Loans themselves.
 
The failure to perfect a security interest due to faulty documentation or faulty official filings could lead to the invalidation of an Underlying Fund’s security interest in loan collateral. If an Underlying Fund’s security interest in loan collateral is invalidated or the Senior Loan is subordinated to other debt of a borrower in bankruptcy or other proceedings, the Underlying Fund would have substantially lower recovery, and perhaps no recovery, on the full amount of the principal and interest due on the Senior Loan.
 
Sovereign Obligations (Underlying Funds Only) . The Fund may invest in an Underlying Fund that invests in sovereign debt obligations. Investment in sovereign debt obligations involves special risks not present in corporate debt obligations. The issuer of the sovereign debt or the governmental authorities that control the repayment of the debt may be unable or unwilling to repay principal or interest when due, and the Underlying Fund may have limited recourse in the event of a default. During periods of economic uncertainty, the market prices of sovereign debt, and the Fund’s net asset value, may be more volatile than prices of U.S. debt obligations. In the past, certain emerging markets have encountered difficulties in servicing their debt obligations, withheld payments of principal and interest and declared moratoria on the payment of principal and interest on their sovereign debts.
 
A sovereign debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest in a timely manner may be affected by, among other factors, its cash flow situation, the extent of its foreign currency reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange, the relative size of the debt service burden, the sovereign debtor’s policy toward principal international lenders and local political constraints. Sovereign debtors may also be dependent on expected disbursements from foreign governments, multilateral agencies and other entities to reduce principal and interest arrearages on their debt. The failure of a sovereign debtor to implement economic reforms, achieve specified levels of economic performance or repay principal or interest when due may result in the cancellation of third-party commitments to lend funds to the sovereign debtor, which may further impair such debtor’s ability or willingness to service its debts.
 
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Strategic Transactions and Derivatives . The Fund intends to utilize various other investment strategies as described below for a variety of purposes, such as hedging various market risks or enhancing return. These strategies may be executed through the use of derivative contracts.
 
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, equity and fixed-income indices and other instruments, purchase and sell futures contracts and options thereon, enter into various transactions such as swaps, caps, floors, collars, currency forward contracts, currency futures contracts, currency swaps or options on currencies, or currency futures and various other currency transactions (collectively, all the above are called “Strategic Transactions”). In addition, Strategic Transactions may also include new techniques, instruments or strategies that are permitted as regulatory changes occur. Strategic Transactions may be used without limit (subject to certain limits imposed by the 1940 Act) to attempt to protect against possible changes in the market value of securities held in or to be purchased for the Fund’s portfolio resulting from securities markets or currency exchange rate fluctuations, to protect the Fund’s unrealized gains in the value of its portfolio securities, to facilitate the sale of such securities for investment purposes, to manage the effective maturity or duration of the Fund’s portfolio, or to establish a position in the derivatives markets as a substitute for purchasing or selling particular securities. Some Strategic Transactions may also be used to enhance potential gain. Any or all of these investment techniques may be used at any time and in any combination, and there is no particular strategy that dictates the use of one technique rather than another, as use of any Strategic Transaction is a function of numerous variables including market conditions, liquidity, market values, interest rates and other applicable factors. The ability of the Fund to utilize these Strategic Transactions successfully will depend on the Subadviser’s ability to predict pertinent market movements, which cannot be assured. The Fund will comply with applicable regulatory requirements when implementing these strategies, techniques and instruments. Strategic Transactions will not be used to alter fundamental investment purposes and characteristics of the Fund, and the Fund will segregate assets (or as provided by applicable regulations, enter into certain offsetting positions) to cover its obligations under options, futures and swaps to limit leveraging of the Fund.
 
Strategic Transactions, including derivative contracts, have risks associated with them including possible default by the other party to the transaction, illiquidity, leverage, correlation, volatility, duration mismatch, certain legal and regulatory risks and, to the extent the Subadviser’s view as to certain market movements is incorrect, the risk that the use of such Strategic Transactions could result in losses greater than if they had not been used. Use of put and call options may result in losses to the Fund, force the sale or purchase of portfolio securities at inopportune times or for prices higher than (in the case of put options) or lower than (in the case of call options) current market values, limit the amount of appreciation the Fund can realize on its investments or cause the Fund to hold a security it might otherwise sell. The use of currency transactions can result in the Fund incurring losses as a result of a number of factors including the imposition of exchange controls, suspension of settlements, or the inability to deliver or receive a specified currency. The use of options and futures transactions entails certain other risks. In particular, the variable degree of correlation between price movements of futures contracts and price movements in the related portfolio position of the Fund creates the possibility that losses on the hedging instrument may be greater than gains in the value of the Fund’s position. In addition, futures and options markets may not be liquid in all circumstances and certain over-the-counter options may have no markets. As a result, in certain markets, the Fund might not be able to close out a transaction without incurring substantial losses, if at all. Although the use of futures and options transactions for hedging should tend to minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged position, at the same time they tend to limit any potential gain which might result from an increase in value of such position. Finally, the daily variation margin requirements for futures contracts would create a greater ongoing potential financial risk than would purchases of options, where the exposure is limited to the cost of the initial premium. Losses resulting from the use of Strategic Transactions would reduce net asset value, and possibly income, and such losses can be greater than if the Strategic Transactions had not been utilized.
 
Regulatory developments affecting the exchange-traded and over-the-counter derivatives markets may impair the Fund’s ability to manage or hedge its investment portfolio through the use of derivatives. The Dodd-Frank Act and the rules promulgated thereunder may limit the ability of the Fund to enter into one or more exchange-traded or over-the-counter derivatives transactions.
 
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The Adviser has claimed, with respect to the Fund, an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” (“CPO”) pursuant to CFTC Regulation 4.5, as promulgated under the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”). Therefore, neither the Fund, the Adviser and the Subadviser (with respect to the Fund) is subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool or CPO under the CEA. If the Fund becomes subject to these requirements, the Fund may incur additional compliance and other expenses. The Fund’s use of derivatives may also be limited by the requirements of the Code, for qualification as a regulated investment company for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
 
Under CFTC Regulation 4.5, if an investment company such as the Fund uses swaps, commodity futures, commodity options or certain other derivatives used for purposes other than bona fide hedging purposes, it must meet one of the following tests: The aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish an investment company’s positions in such investments may not exceed five percent (5%) of the liquidation value of the investment company’s portfolio (after accounting for unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such investments). Alternatively, the aggregate net notional value of such instruments, determined at the time of the most recent position established, may not exceed one hundred percent (100%) of the liquidation value of the investment company’s portfolio (after accounting for unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions). In addition to meeting one of the foregoing trading limitations, the investment company may not market itself as a commodity pool or otherwise as a vehicle for trading in the commodity futures, commodity options or swaps and derivatives markets. In the event that the Adviser or the Adviser is required to register as a CPO, the disclosure and operations of the Fund would need to comply with all applicable CFTC regulations. Compliance with these additional registration and regulatory requirements would increase operational expenses. Other potentially adverse regulatory initiatives could also develop.
 
General Characteristics of Options . Put options and call options typically have similar structural characteristics and operational mechanics regardless of the underlying instrument on which they are purchased or sold. Thus, the following general discussion relates to each of the particular types of options discussed in greater detail below. In addition, many Strategic Transactions involving options require segregation of Fund assets in special accounts, as described below under “Segregation and Cover Requirements.”
 
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. For instance, the Fund’s purchase of a put option on a security might be designed to protect its holdings in the underlying instrument (or, in some cases, a similar instrument) against a substantial decline in the market value by giving the Fund the right to sell such instrument at the option exercise price. 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 that it intends to purchase in the future by fixing the price at which it may purchase such instrument. 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 in the future cash settlement may become available. Index options and Eurodollar 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 sale 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 the liquidity of the option market. Among the possible reasons for the absence of a liquid option market on an exchange are: (i) insufficient trading interest in certain options; (ii) restrictions on transactions imposed by an exchange; (iii) trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options or underlying securities including reaching daily price limits; (iv) interruption of the normal operations of the OCC or an exchange; (v) inadequacy of the facilities of an exchange or OCC to handle current trading volume; or (vi) 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.
 
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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 direct bilateral agreement with the Counterparty. In contrast to exchange listed options, which generally have standardized terms and performance mechanics, all 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. The 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. The Fund expects generally to enter into OTC options that have cash settlement provisions, although it is not required to do so.
 
Unless the parties provide for it, 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 Subadviser 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 U.S. 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 NRSRO or, in the case of OTC currency transactions, are determined to be of equivalent credit quality by the Subadviser. The staff of 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.
 
If the Fund sells a call option, the premium that it receives may serve as a partial hedge, to the extent of the option premium, against a decrease in the value of the underlying securities or instruments in its portfolio or will 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, foreign sovereign debt, corporate debt securities, equity securities (including convertible securities) and Eurodollar instruments that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and in the over-the-counter markets, and on securities indices, currencies and futures contracts. 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 it 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 it might otherwise have sold.
 
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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, equity securities (including convertible securities) and Eurodollar instruments (whether or not it holds the above securities in its portfolio), and on securities indices, currencies and futures contracts other than futures on individual corporate debt and individual equity securities. 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.
 
General Characteristics of Futures . The Fund may enter into futures contracts or purchase or sell put and call options on such futures as a hedge against anticipated interest rate, currency or equity market changes or to enhance returns. 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 Eurodollar 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.
 
Futures and options on futures may be entered into for bona fide hedging, risk management (including duration management) or other portfolio and return enhancement management purposes to the extent consistent with the exclusion from commodity pool operator registration. Typically, maintaining a futures contract or selling an option thereon requires the Fund to deposit with a financial intermediary as security for its obligations 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). Additional cash or assets (variation margin) may be required to be deposited thereafter on a daily basis 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 just as it would for any 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 advantageous price, nor that delivery will occur.
 
Options on Securities Indices and Other Financial Indices . The Fund also may purchase and sell call and put options on securities indices and other financial indices and in so doing can achieve many of   the same objectives it 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, i.e., an option on an index gives the holder the right to receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount of cash if the closing level of the index upon which the option is based exceeds, in the case of a call, or is less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option (except if, in the case of an OTC option, physical delivery is specified). This amount of cash is equal to the excess of the closing price of the index over the exercise price of the option, which also may be multiplied by a formula value. The seller of the option is obligated, in return for the premium received, to make delivery of this amount. The gain or loss on an option on an index depends on price movements in the instruments making up the market, market segment, industry or other composite on which the underlying index is based, rather than price movements in individual securities, as is the case with respect to options on securities.
 
Currency Transactions . The Fund may engage in currency transactions with Counterparties primarily in order to hedge, or manage the risk of the value of portfolio holdings denominated in particular currencies against fluctuations in relative value, or to enhance return. 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 agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. A currency swap is an agreement to exchange cash flows based on the notional difference among two or more currencies and operates similarly to an interest rate swap, which is described below.
 
Transaction hedging is entering into a currency transaction with respect to specific assets or liabilities of the Fund, which will generally arise in connection with the purchase or sale of its portfolio securities or the receipt of income therefrom. Position hedging is entering into a currency transaction with respect to portfolio security positions denominated or generally quoted in that currency.
 
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 in which the Fund expects to have portfolio exposure.
 
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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 dollar. Proxy hedging entails entering into a commitment or option to sell a currency whose changes in value are generally considered to be correlated to a currency or currencies in which some or all of the Fund’s portfolio securities are or are expected to be denominated, in exchange for U.S. dollars. The amount of the commitment or option would not exceed the value of the Fund’s securities denominated in correlated currencies. For example, if the Subadviser considers that the Austrian schilling is correlated to the German deutschemark (the “D-mark”), the Fund holds securities denominated in schillings and the Subadviser believes that the value of schillings will decline against the U.S. dollar, the Subadviser may enter into a commitment or option to sell D-marks and buy dollars. 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. Further, there is the risk that the perceived correlation between various currencies may not be present or may not be present during the particular time that the Fund is engaging in proxy hedging. If the Fund enters into a currency hedging transaction, the Fund will comply with the asset segregation requirements described below.
 
Risks of Currency Transactions . Currency transactions are 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 it has entered into to be rendered useless, resulting in full currency exposure as well as incurring transaction costs. Buyers and sellers of currency futures are subject to the same risks that apply to the use of futures generally. Further, settlement of a currency futures contract for the purchase of most currencies must occur at a bank based in the issuing nation. The ability to establish and close out positions on options on currency forwards 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.
 
Risks of Strategic Transactions Outside the United States . When conducted outside the United States, Strategic Transactions may not be regulated as rigorously as 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 also could be adversely affected by: (i) other complex foreign political, legal and economic factors; (ii) lesser availability than in the United States of data on which to make trading decisions; (iii) delays in the Fund’s ability to act upon economic events occurring in foreign markets during non-business hours in the United States; (iv) the imposition of different exercise and settlement terms and procedures and margin requirements than in the United States; and (v) lower trading volume and liquidity.
 
Swaps, Caps, Floors and Collars . Among the Strategic Transactions into which the Fund may enter are interest rate, currency, commodities, index and other swaps and the purchase or sale of related caps, floors and collars. The Fund expects to enter into these transactions primarily to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion of its portfolio, to protect against currency fluctuations, as a duration management technique or to protect against any increase in the price of securities the Fund anticipates purchasing at a later date. The Fund will not sell interest rate caps or floors where it does not own securities or other instruments providing the income stream the Fund may be obligated to pay. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by the Fund with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest, e.g., an exchange of floating rate payments for fixed rate payments with respect to a notional amount of principal. A currency swap is an agreement to exchange cash flows on a notional amount of two or more currencies based on the relative value differential among them and an index swap is an agreement to swap cash flows on a notional amount based on changes in the values of the reference indices. The purchase of a cap entitles the purchaser to receive payments on a notional principal amount from the party selling such cap to the extent that a specified index exceeds a predetermined interest rate or amount. The purchase of a floor entitles the purchaser to receive payments on a notional principal amount from the party selling such floor to the extent that a specified index falls below a predetermined interest rate or amount. A collar is a combination of a cap and a floor that preserves a certain return within a predetermined range of interest rates or values.
 
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The Fund will usually enter into swaps on a net basis, i.e., the two payment streams are netted out in a cash settlement on the payment date or dates specified in the instrument, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. Inasmuch as the Fund will segregate assets (or enter into offsetting positions) to cover its obligations under swaps, the Fund believes such obligations do not constitute senior securities under the 1940 Act and, accordingly, will not treat them as being subject to its borrowing restrictions. If there is a default by the Counterparty, the Fund may have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction. Certain standardized swap transactions are currently subject to mandatory central clearing or may be eligible for voluntary central clearing. Central clearing is expected to decrease counterparty risk and increase liquidity compared to uncleared swaps because central clearing interposes the central clearinghouse as the counterpart to each participant's swap. However, central clearing does not eliminate counterparty risk or illiquidity risk entirely. In addition depending on the size of a fund and other factors, the margin required under the rules of a clearinghouse and by a clearing member may be in excess of the collateral required to be posted by a fund to support its obligations under a similar uncleared swap.
 
Structured Notes . Structured notes are derivative debt securities, the interest rate or principal of which is determined by reference to changes in value of a specific security, reference rate, or index. Indexed securities, similar to structured notes, are typically, but not always, debt securities whose value at maturity or coupon rate is determined by reference to other securities. The performance of a structured note or indexed security is based upon the performance of the underlying instrument.
 
The terms of a structured note may provide that, in certain circumstances, no principal is due on maturity and, therefore, may result in loss of investment. Structured notes may be indexed positively or negatively to the performance of the underlying instrument such that the appreciation or deprecation of the underlying instrument will have a similar effect to the value of the structured note at maturity or of any coupon payment. In addition, changes in the interest rate and value of the principal at maturity may be fixed at a specific multiple of the change in value of the underlying instrument, making the value of the structured note more volatile than the underlying instrument. In addition, structured notes may be less liquid and more difficult to price accurately than less complex securities or traditional debt securities.
 
Commodity-Linked Derivatives .  The Fund may invest in instruments with principal and/or coupon payments linked to the value of commodities, commodity futures contracts, or the performance of commodity indices such as “commodity-linked” or “index-linked” notes.  These instruments are sometimes referred to as “structured notes” because the terms of the instrument may be structured by the issuer of the note and the purchaser of the note, such as the Fund.  The Fund’s investment in these instruments may be limited by the requirements of the Code for qualification as a regulated investment company for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
 
The values of these notes will rise and fall in response to changes in the underlying commodity or related index or investment. These notes expose the Fund economically to movements in commodity prices, but a particular note has many features of a debt obligation. These notes also are subject to credit and interest rate risks that in general affect the value of debt securities. Therefore, at the maturity of the note, the Fund may receive more or less principal than it originally invested. The Fund might receive interest payments on the note that are more or less than the stated coupon interest rate payments.
 
Structured notes may involve leverage, meaning that the value of the instrument will be calculated as a multiple of the upward or downward price movement of the underlying commodity future or index. The prices of commodity-linked instruments may move in different directions than investments in traditional equity and debt securities in periods of rising inflation. Of course, there can be no guarantee that the Fund’s commodity-linked investments would not be correlated with traditional financial assets under any particular market conditions.
 
Commodity-linked notes may be issued by U.S. and foreign banks, brokerage firms, insurance companies and other corporations. These notes, in addition to fluctuating in response to changes in the underlying commodity assets, will be subject to credit and interest rate risks that typically affect debt securities.
 
The commodity-linked instruments may be wholly principal protected, partially principal protected or offer no principal protection. With a wholly principal protected instrument, the Fund will receive at maturity the greater of the par value of the note or the increase in value of the underlying index. Partially protected instruments may suffer some loss of principal up to a specified limit if the underlying index declines in value during the term of the instrument. For instruments without principal protection, there is a risk that the instrument could lose all of its value if the index declines sufficiently. The Subadviser’s decision on whether and to what extent to use principal protection depends in part on the cost of the protection. In addition, the ability of the Fund to take advantage of any protection feature depends on the creditworthiness of the issuer of the instrument.
 
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Commodity-linked derivatives are generally hybrid instruments which are excluded from regulation under the CEA and the rules thereunder, so that the Fund will not be considered a “commodity pool.” Additionally, from time to time the Fund may invest in other hybrid instruments that do not qualify for exemption from regulation under the CEA.
 
Segregation and Cover Requirements . Futures contracts, swaps, caps, floors and collars, options on securities, indices and futures contracts sold by the Fund are generally subject to earmarking and coverage requirements of either the CFTC or the SEC, with the result that, if the Fund does not hold the security or futures contract underlying the instrument, the Fund intends to designate on its books and records on an ongoing basis, cash or liquid securities in an amount at least equal to the Fund’s obligations with respect to such instruments. Such amounts fluctuate as the obligations increase or decrease. The earmarking requirement can result in the Fund maintaining securities positions it would otherwise liquidate, segregating assets at a time when it might be disadvantageous to do so otherwise restrict portfolio management.
 
Combined Transactions . The Fund may enter into multiple transactions, including multiple options transactions, multiple futures transactions, multiple currency transactions (including forward 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, as part of a single or combined strategy when, in the opinion of the Subadviser, it is in the best interests of the Fund 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 Subadviser’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 objectives.
 
Underlying Funds .  The Fund invests in the securities of other investment companies (i.e., Underlying Funds).  Investments in the securities of other investment companies involves an additional layer of advisory fees and certain other expenses.  In addition, to the extent that the Fund invests in an Underlying Fund that is itself a “fund of funds,” the Fund will bear a third layer of fees. By investing in another investment company, the Fund becomes a shareholder of that investment company.  As a result, the Fund’s shareholders indirectly will bear the Fund’s proportionate share of the fees and expenses paid by shareholders of the other investment company, in addition to the fees and expenses the Fund’s shareholders directly bear in connection with the Fund’s own operations.
 
The Fund may be restricted by provisions of the 1940 Act that generally limit the amount the Fund and its affiliates can invest in any one Underlying Fund to 3% of the Underlying Fund’s outstanding voting stock. As a result, the Fund may hold a smaller position in an Underlying Fund than if it were not subject to this restriction. In addition, to comply with provisions of the 1940 Act, in any matter upon which Underlying Fund stockholders are solicited to vote, the Subadviser may be required to vote Underlying Fund shares in the same proportion as shares held by other stockholders of the Underlying Fund. However, pursuant to exemptive orders issued by the SEC to various ETF fund sponsors, the Fund is permitted to invest in such Underlying Funds in excess of the limits set forth in the 1940 Act subject to certain terms and conditions set forth in such exemptive orders.
 
Warrants (Underlying Funds Only) . The holder of a warrant has the right, until the warrant expires, to purchase a given number of shares of a particular issuer at a specified price. Such investments can provide a greater potential for profit or loss than an equivalent investment in the underlying security. Prices of warrants do not necessarily move, however, in tandem with the prices of the underlying securities and are, therefore, considered speculative investments. Warrants pay no dividends and confer no rights other than a   purchase option. Thus, if a warrant held by an Underlying Fund were not exercised by the date of its expiration, the Underlying Fund would lose the entire purchase price of the warrant.
 
When-Issued Securities (Underlying Funds Only) . The Underlying Funds may from time to time purchase equity and debt securities on a “when-issued,” “delayed delivery” or “forward delivery” basis. The price of such securities, which may be expressed in yield terms, is fixed at the time the commitment to purchase is made, but delivery and payment for the securities takes place at a later date. During the period between purchase and settlement, no payment is made by an Underlying Fund to the issuer and no interest accrues to the Underlying Fund. When an Underlying Fund purchases such securities, it immediately assumes the risks of ownership, including the risk of price fluctuation. Failure to deliver a security purchased on this basis may result in a loss or missed opportunity to make an alternative investment.
 
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To the extent that assets of an Underlying Fund are held in cash pending the settlement of a purchase of securities, the Underlying Fund would earn no income. While such securities may be sold prior to the settlement date, an Underlying Fund intends to purchase them with the purpose of actually acquiring them unless a sale appears desirable for investment reasons. At the time an Underlying Fund makes the commitment to purchase a security on this basis, it will record the transaction and reflect the value of the security in determining its net asset value. The market value of the securities may be more or less than the purchase price. An Underlying Fund will segregate cash or liquid assets in an amount equal in value to commitments for such securities.
 
Cyber Security. In connection with the increased use of technologies such as the Internet and the dependence on computer systems to perform necessary business functions, the Fund and the Underlying Funds are susceptible to operational, information security, and related risks due to the possibility of cyber-attacks or other incidents. Cyber incidents may result from deliberate attacks or unintentional events. Cyber-attacks include, but are not limited to, infection by computer viruses or other malicious software code, gaining unauthorized access to systems, networks, or devices that are used to service the Fund’s operations through hacking or other means for the purpose of misappropriating assets or sensitive information, corrupting data, or causing operational disruption. Cyber-attacks may also be carried out in a manner that does not require gaining unauthorized access, such as causing denial-of-service attacks (which can make a website unavailable) on the Fund’s website. In addition, authorized persons could inadvertently or intentionally release confidential or proprietary information stored on the Fund’s systems.

Cyber security failures or breaches by the Fund’s third party service providers (including, but not limited to, the Adviser, the Subadviser, the custodian, transfer agent, and financial intermediaries), may cause disruptions and impact the service providers’ and the Fund’s business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses, the inability of Fund shareholders to transact business and the mutual funds to process transactions, inability to calculate the Fund’s net asset value, violations of applicable privacy and other laws, regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs, and/or additional compliance costs. The Fund and its shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result of successful cyber-attacks against, or security breakdowns of, the Fund or its third party service providers.

The Fund may incur substantial costs to prevent or address cyber incidents in the future. In addition, there is a possibility that certain risks have not been adequately identified or prepared for. Furthermore, the Fund cannot directly control any cyber security plans and systems put in place by third party service providers. Cyber security risks are also present for issuers of securities in which the Fund invests, which could result in material adverse consequences for such issuers, and may cause the Fund’s investment in such securities to lose value.

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
 
Investment Adviser and Subadviser
 
Investment Adviser
 
ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the “Adviser”), a wholly owned subsidiary of ALPS Holdings, Inc. (“ALPS Holdings”), subject to the authority of the Board, is responsible for the overall management and administration of the Fund’s business affairs pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”).  The Adviser commenced business operations in December 2006 upon the acquisition of an existing investment advisory operation, is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser and as of September 30, 2015  managed approximately $14.1 billion.  The Adviser’s principal address is 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, CO  80203.  The Adviser is affiliated with the Fund’s administrator and transfer agent.
 
ALPS Holdings was founded in 2005 and assumed the business of ALPS Financial Services, which was founded in 1985 as a provider of fund administration and fund distribution services. Since then, ALPS Holdings has added additional services, including fund accounting, transfer agency, shareholder services, active distribution, legal, tax and compliance services.
 
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ALPS Holdings is a wholly owned subsidiary of DST Systems, Inc. (“DST”), which acquired ALPS Holdings in November 2011. DST provides sophisticated information processing solutions and services to support the global asset management, insurance, retirement, brokerage, and healthcare industries. In addition to technology products and services, DST also provides integrated print and electronic statement and billing solutions through DST Output. DST’s data centers provide technology infrastructure support for asset management, insurance and healthcare companies around the globe. Headquartered in Kansas City, MO, DST is a publicly traded company on the NYSE.
 
ALPS Holdings through its subsidiaries, the Adviser, ALPS Distributors, Inc., ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributors, Inc., and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. (collectively, “ALPS”), offers a full-service partnership approach to a select group of fund clients looking for truly customized services. ALPS provides its clients turn-key capabilities that anchor all of the diverse resources needed to run a full-service mutual fund complex. ALPS provides a comprehensive suite of asset servicing, asset management and asset gathering solutions to the investment management industry.
 
Subadviser
 
RiverNorth is the subadviser for the Fund pursuant to a Subadvisory Agreement with the Adviser (the “Subadvisory Agreement”). RiverNorth is headquartered at 325 North LaSalle Street, Suite 645, Chicago, Illinois 60654. Under the oversight of the Adviser and the Board of Directors of the Fund, RiverNorth makes the Fund’s day-to-day investment decisions. Founded in 2000, RiverNorth is registered with the SEC and as of September 30, 2015 manages approximately $3.1 billion for four series of a registered open-end management investment company and private investment funds. Each of Brian H. Schmucker and Patrick W. Galley owns, directly or indirectly, more than 25% of RiverNorth Holding Co., the parent company of the Subadviser and is deemed to control the Subadviser.
 
Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements
 
For its services under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Fund pays the Adviser a monthly management fee computed at the annual rate of 1.00% of the average daily Managed Assets of the Fund. “Managed Assets” means the total assets of the Fund, including assets attributable to leverage, minus liabilities (other than debt representing leverage and any preferred stock that may be outstanding). In addition to the monthly advisory fee, the Fund pays all other costs and expenses of its operations, including compensation of its Independent Directors, custodian, transfer agency and dividend disbursing expenses, legal fees, expenses of independent auditors, expenses of repurchasing shares, expenses of any leverage, listing expenses, expenses of preparing, printing and distributing shareholder reports, notices, proxy statements and reports to governmental agencies, and taxes, if any.
 
The Adviser has delegated daily management of Fund assets to the Subadviser, who is paid by the Adviser and not the Fund. Under the Subadvisory Agreement, the Subadviser has the responsibility to provide a continuous investment management program for the Fund in accordance with the investment objective, policies and restrictions of the Fund and applicable law. For its services under the Subadvisory Agreement, the Adviser (and not the Fund) pays the Subadviser a monthly subadvisory fee computed at the annual rate of 0.85% of the average daily Managed Assets of the Fund. If the Fund determines to use leverage, the fees paid to the Adviser and the Subadviser for investment management services and subadvisory services, respectively, will be higher than if the Fund did not use leverage because the fees paid will be calculated based on the Fund’s Managed Assets, which would include assets attributable to leverage. Because the fees paid to the Adviser and the Subadviser are determined on the basis of the Fund’s Managed Assets, this creates a conflict of interest for the Adviser and the Subadviser. The Board of Directors monitors the Fund’s use of leverage and in doing so monitors this potential conflict.
 
The Investment Advisory Agreement and the Subadvisory Agreement provide that the Adviser and the Subadviser, respectively, shall not be liable for any act or omission in the course of, connected with or arising out of any services to be rendered under such agreement, except by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Adviser or the Subadviser, as applicable, in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by the Adviser or the Subadviser, as applicable, of its obligations and duties under such agreement.
 
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The Adviser will make available, without expense to the Fund, the services of such of its officers, directors and employees as may be duly elected as officers or trustees of the Fund, subject to the individual consent of such persons to serve and to any limitations imposed by law. The Adviser will pay all expenses incurred in performing its services under the Investment Advisory Agreement, including compensation of and office space for directors, officers and employees of the Adviser connected with management of the Fund, and compensation of the Subadviser. The Adviser will not be required to pay any investment advisory related expenses of the Fund other than the foregoing. In particular, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Fund will be required to pay brokerage and other expenses of executing the Fund’s portfolio transactions; taxes or governmental fees; interest charges and other costs of borrowing funds; litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business.
 
Each of the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Subadvisory Agreement will remain in effect for an initial two-year term (unless sooner terminated), and shall remain in effect from year to year thereafter if approved annually (1) by the Fund’s Board of Directors or by the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities and (2) by a majority of the independent directors who are not parties to such contract or agreement. The Investment Advisory Agreement will terminate upon assignment by any party and is terminable, without penalty, on 60 days’ written notice by the Fund’s Board of Directors or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund or upon 60 days’ written notice by the Adviser. The Subadvisory Agreement will terminate upon assignment by any party and is terminable, without penalty, on 60 days’ written notice by the Fund’s Board of Directors or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund or upon 90 days’ written notice by the Adviser or the Subadviser.
 
Compensation of Portfolio Managers
 
Mr. Galley’s and Mr. O’Neill’s total compensation which is paid by the Subadviser (and not the Fund) includes a base salary fixed from year to year and a variable performance bonus consisting of cash incentives, which may include mandatory notional investments in the Fund.  The amounts paid to Mr. Galley and Mr. O’Neill are based on a percentage of the fees earned by the Subadviser from managing the Fund and other investment accounts.  The performance bonus reflects individual performance and the performance of the Subadviser’s business as a whole.  Mr. Galley and Mr. O’Neill also participate in a 401K program on the same basis as other officers of the Subadviser.
 
Portfolio Manager Ownership of Fund Shares
 
As the Fund is a newly offered, Messrs. Galley and O’Neill do not own any Common Shares.
 
Conflicts of Interest
 
Actual or apparent conflicts of interest may arise when a portfolio manager has day-to-day management responsibilities with respect to more than one fund or other accounts.  More specifically, portfolio managers who manage multiple funds are presented with the potential conflicts discussed below.
 
The management of multiple accounts may result in a portfolio manager devoting unequal time and attention to the management of each account. The management of multiple funds and accounts also may give rise to potential conflicts of interest if the funds and accounts have different objectives, benchmarks, time horizons, and fees as the portfolio manager must allocate his time and investment ideas across multiple funds and accounts. Another potential conflict of interest may arise where another account has the same investment objective as the Fund, whereby the portfolio manager could favor one account over another.
 
With respect to securities transactions for the Fund, the Subadviser determines which broker to use to execute each order, consistent with the duty to seek best execution of the transaction. A portfolio manager may execute transactions for another fund or account that may adversely impact the value of securities held by the Fund. Securities selected for funds or accounts other than the Fund may outperform the securities selected for the Fund. Further, a potential conflict could include Mr. Galley’s, or Mr. O’Neill’s knowledge about the size, timing and possible market impact of Fund trades, whereby they could use this information to the advantage of other accounts and to the disadvantage of the Fund. These potential conflicts of interest could create the appearance that a portfolio manager is favoring one investment vehicle over another.
 
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The appearance of a conflict of interest may arise where the Subadviser has an incentive, such as a performance-based management fee. The management of personal accounts may give rise to potential conflicts of interest; there is no assurance that the Fund’s code of ethics will adequately address such conflicts. One of the portfolio managers’ numerous responsibilities is to assist in the sale of Fund shares. Because the portfolio managers’ compensation is indirectly linked to the sale of Fund shares, they may have an incentive to devote time to marketing efforts designed to increase sales of Fund shares.
 
Although the portfolio managers generally do not trade securities in their own personal account, the Subadviser and the Fund have each adopted a code of ethics that, among other things, permits personal trading by employees (including trading in securities that can be purchased, sold or held by the Fund) under conditions where it has been determined that such trades would not adversely impact client accounts. Nevertheless, the management of personal accounts may give rise to potential conflicts of interest, and there is no assurance that these codes of ethics will adequately address such conflicts.
 
The Subadviser has adopted certain compliance procedures which are designed to address these types of conflicts. However, there is no guarantee that such procedures will detect each and every situation in which a conflict arises.
 
Other Accounts Managed
 
Mr. Galley and Mr. O’Neill are the co-portfolio managers responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund. As of September 30, 2015, Mr. Galley and Mr. O’Neill were responsible for the management of the following other accounts (in addition to the Fund):
 
   
Registered
Investment Companies
 
Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles*
 
Other Accounts
 
Name
 
Number of
Accts
 
Total Assets
 
Number of
Accts
 
Total Assets
 
Number of
Accts
 
Total Assets
 
Patrick W. Galley
 
4
 
$2.78 billion
 
3
 
$374.5 million
 
1
 
$2.3 million
 
Stephen O’Neill
 
4
 
$2.78 billion
 
3
 
$374.5 million
 
1
 
$2.3 million
 


* All Other Pooled Investment Vehicles are subject to a performance-based fee in addition to an asset-based management fee.

Administrator
 
Under the Administration, Bookkeeping and Pricing Services Agreement (the “Administration Agreement”), subject to the supervision of the Board of Directors, AFS is responsible for calculating net asset values, providing additional fund accounting and tax services, and providing fund administration and compliance-related services. AFS will bear all expenses in connection with the performance of its services under the Administration Agreement, except for certain out-of-pocket expenses described therein. AFS will not bear any expenses incurred by the Fund, including but not limited to, initial organization and offering expenses; litigation expenses; costs of preferred shares (if any); expenses of conducting repurchase offers for the purpose of repurchasing Fund shares; transfer agency and custodial expenses; taxes; interest; Fund directors’ fees; compensation and expenses of Fund officers who are not associated with AFS or its affiliates; brokerage fees and commissions; state and federal registration fees; advisory fees; insurance premiums; fidelity bond premiums; Fund legal and audit fees and expenses; costs of maintenance of Fund existence; printing and delivery of materials in connection with meetings of the Fund’s directors; printing and mailing shareholder reports, offering documents, and proxy materials; securities pricing and data services; and expenses in connection with electronic filings with the SEC.
 
AFS, an affiliate of the Adviser and the Fund’s transfer agent,  is entitled to receive a monthly fee at the annual rate of 0.15% of the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets. See “Summary of Fund Expenses” in the prospectus.
 
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Codes of Ethics
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and in order to protect against certain unlawful acts, practices and courses of business by certain individuals or entities related to the Fund, the Adviser and the Subadviser have each adopted a Code of Ethics and procedures for implementing the provisions of the Code. The personnel of the Fund, the Adviser and the Subadviser are subject to the code of ethics when investing in securities that may be purchased, sold or held by the Fund.
 
FUND SERVICE PROVIDERS
 
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
Cohen Fund Audit Services, Ltd., 1350 Euclid Avenue, Suite 800, Cleveland, Ohio 44115, has been appointed as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund. Cohen Fund Audit Services, Ltd. audits the financial statements of the Fund and provides other audit, tax and related services. The Statement of Assets and Liabilities of the Fund as of November 20, 2015 appearing in this SAI has been audited by Cohen Fund Audit Services, Ltd., as set forth in their report thereon appearing elsewhere herein, and is included in reliance upon such report given upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
Legal Counsel
 
Dechert LLP, New York, New York, serves as legal counsel to the Fund and the independent Directors.
 
Custodian and Transfer Agent
 
State Street Bank and Trust Company, located at State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111, will serve as the Fund’s custodian and will maintain custody of the securities and cash of the Fund pursuant to a Custody Agreement. Under the Custody Agreement, the custodian holds the Fund’s assets in compliance with the 1940 Act. For its services, the custodian will receive a monthly fee based upon, among other things, the average value of the total assets of the Fund, plus certain charges for securities transactions.
 
DST Systems, Inc., located at 333 West 11th Street, 5th Floor, Kansas City, Missouri 64105, and an affiliate of the Adviser and Administrator, will serve as the transfer agent and registrar for the Fund.
 
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
 
The Subadviser is responsible for the Fund’s portfolio decisions and the placing of the Fund’s portfolio transactions. In placing portfolio transactions, the Subadviser seeks the best qualitative execution for the Fund, taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), the execution capability, financial responsibility and responsiveness of the broker or dealer and the brokerage and research services provided by the broker or dealer. The Subadviser generally seeks favorable prices and commission rates that are reasonable in relation to the benefits received.
 
The Subadviser is specifically authorized to select brokers or dealers who also provide brokerage and research services to the Fund and/or the other accounts over which the Subadviser exercises investment discretion, and to pay such brokers or dealers a commission in excess of the commission another broker or dealer would charge if the Subadviser determines in good faith that the commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided. The determination may be viewed in terms of a particular transaction or the Subadviser’s overall responsibilities with respect to the Fund and to other accounts over which it exercises investment discretion. The Subadviser may not give consideration to sales of shares of the Fund as a factor in the selection of brokers and dealers to execute portfolio transactions. However, the Subadviser may place portfolio transactions with brokers or dealers that promote or sell the Fund’s shares so long as such placements are made pursuant to policies approved by the Board of Directors that are designed to ensure that the selection is based on the quality of the broker’s execution and not on its sales efforts.
 
Research services include supplemental research, securities and economic analyses, statistical services and information with respect to the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities, and analyses of reports concerning performance of accounts. The research services and other information furnished by brokers through whom the Fund effects securities transactions may also be used by the Subadviser in servicing all of its accounts. Similarly, research and information provided by brokers or dealers serving other clients may be useful to the Subadviser in connection with its services to the Fund. Although research services and other information are useful to the Fund and the Subadviser, it is not possible to place a dollar value on the research and other information received. It is the opinion of the Subadviser that the review and study of the research and other information will not reduce the overall cost to the Subadviser of performing its duties to the Fund under the Agreement.
 
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Over-the-counter transactions will be placed either directly with principal market makers or with broker-dealers, if the same or a better price, including commissions and executions, is available. Fixed income securities are normally purchased directly from the issuer, an underwriter or a market maker. Purchases include a concession paid by the issuer to the underwriter and the purchase price paid to a market maker may include the spread between the bid and ask prices.
 
When the Fund and another of the Subadviser’s clients seek to purchase or sell the same security at or about the same time, the Subadviser may execute the transaction on a combined (“blocked”) basis. Blocked transactions can produce better execution for the Fund because of the increased volume of the transaction. If the entire blocked order is not filled, the Fund may not be able to acquire as large a position in such security as it desires or it may have to pay a higher price for the security. Similarly, the Fund may not be able to obtain as large an execution of an order to sell or as high a price for any particular portfolio security if the other client desires to sell the same portfolio security at the same time. In the event that the entire blocked order is not filled, the purchase or sale will normally be allocated on a pro rata basis. The Subadviser may adjust the allocation when, taking into account such factors as the size of the individual orders and transaction costs, the Subadviser believes an adjustment is reasonable.
 
The Fund has no obligation to deal with any particular broker or dealer in the execution of its transactions, but has no present intention of using affiliated broker-dealers for Fund portfolio trades.
 
DIVIDENDS
 
Commencing with the first dividend, the Fund intends to implement a level distribution policy, pursuant to which the Fund will make regular monthly cash distributions of its net investment income to holders of Common Shares at a level rate based on the projected performance of the Fund, which rate is a fixed dollar amount which may be adjusted from time to time. The Fund expects to declare its initial monthly dividend within 30 to 45 days and pay its initial monthly dividend within approximately 60 to 75 days after the completion of this offering, depending upon market conditions. Dividends and distributions may be payable in cash or common stock, with shareholders having the option to receive stock in lieu of cash. The Fund may at times, in its discretion, pay out less than the entire amount of net investment income earned in any particular period and may at times pay out such accumulated undistributed income in addition to net investment income earned in other periods in order to permit the Fund to maintain a more stable level of distributions. As a result, the dividend paid by the Fund to holders of Common Shares for any particular period may be more or less than the amount of net investment income earned by the Fund during such period. The Fund’s ability to maintain a stable level of distributions to stockholders will depend on a number of factors, including the stability of income received from investments. The amount of monthly distributions may vary depending on a number of factors, including the costs of any leverage. As portfolio and market conditions change, the amount of dividends on the Fund’s Common Shares could change. For federal income tax purposes, the Fund is required to distribute substantially all of its net investment income each year to both reduce its federal income tax liability and to avoid a potential federal excise tax. The Fund intends to distribute all realized net capital gains, if any, at least annually.
 
Under the 1940 Act, the Fund is not permitted to incur indebtedness unless immediately after such incurrence the Fund has an asset coverage of at least 300% of the aggregate outstanding principal balance of indebtedness. Additionally, under the 1940 Act, the Fund may not declare any dividend or other distribution upon any class of its capital stock, or purchase any such capital stock, unless the aggregate indebtedness of the Fund has, at the time of the declaration of any such dividend or distribution or at the time of any such purchase, an asset coverage of at least 300% after deducting the amount of such dividend, distribution, or purchase price, as the case may be.
 
While any preferred stock is outstanding, the Fund may not declare any cash dividend or other distribution on its common stock, unless at the time of such declaration, (i) all accumulated preferred dividends have been paid and (ii) the net asset value of the Fund’s portfolio (determined after deducting the amount of such dividend or other distribution) is at least 200% of the liquidation value of the outstanding preferred stock (expected to be equal to the original purchase price per share plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon).
 
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In addition to the limitations imposed by the 1940 Act described above, certain lenders may impose additional restrictions on the payment of dividends or distributions on common stock in the event of a default on the Fund’s borrowings. If the Fund’s ability to make distributions on its common stock is limited, such limitation could, under certain circumstances, impair the ability of the Fund to maintain its qualification for taxation as a regulated investment company for federal income tax purposes, which would have adverse tax consequences for shareholders.
 
REPURCHASE OF SHARES
 
The Fund is a closed-end fund and as such its stockholders will not have the right to cause the Fund to redeem their shares. Instead, the Fund’s shares will trade in the open market at a price that will be a function of several factors, including dividend levels (which are in turn affected by expenses), net asset value, call protection, price, dividend stability, relative demand for and supply of such shares in the market, market and economic conditions and other factors. Because shares of a closed-end fund may frequently trade at prices lower than net asset value, the Fund’s Board of Directors may (but is not obligated to) consider action that might be taken to reduce or eliminate any material discount from net asset value in respect of shares, which may include the repurchase of such shares in the open market, private transactions, the making of a tender offer for such shares at net asset value, or the conversion of the Fund to an open-end fund. The Board of Directors may not decide to take any of these actions. During the pendency of a tender offer, the Fund will publish how Common Shareholders may readily ascertain the net asset value. In addition, there can be no assurance that share repurchases or tender offers, if undertaken, will reduce market discount.
 
Subject to its investment limitations, the Fund may use the accumulation of cash to finance repurchase of shares or to make a tender offer. Interest on any borrowings to finance share repurchase transactions or the accumulation of cash by the Fund in anticipation of share repurchases or tenders will reduce the Fund’s income. Any share repurchase, tender offer or borrowing that might be approved by the Board of Directors would have to comply with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations under each of those Acts.
 
Although the decision to take action in response to a discount from net asset value will be made by the Board of Directors at the time it considers the issue, it is the Board’s present policy, which may be changed by the Board, not to authorize repurchases of Common Shares or a tender offer for such shares if (1) such transaction, if consummated, would (a) result in delisting of the Common Shares from the NYSE or (b) impair the Fund’s status as a regulated investment company under the Code (which would make the Fund a taxable entity, causing its income to be taxed at the corporate level in addition to the taxation of stockholders who receive dividends from the Fund) or as a registered closed-end fund under the 1940 Act; (2) the Fund would not be able to liquidate portfolio securities in an orderly manner and consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and policies in order to repurchase shares; or (3) there is, in the Board’s judgment, any (a) material legal action or proceeding instituted or threatened challenging such transactions or otherwise materially adversely affecting the Fund, (b) general suspension of or limitation on prices for trading securities on the NYSE, (c) declaration of a banking moratorium by Federal or state authorities or a suspension of payment by U.S. banks in which the Fund invests, (d) material limitation affecting the Fund or the issuers of its portfolio securities by Federal or state authorities on the extension of credit by institutions or on the exchange of foreign currency, (e) commencement of armed hostilities or other international or national calamity directly or indirectly involving the United States, or (f) other event or condition which would have a material adverse affect (including any adverse tax effect) on the Fund or its stockholders if shares were repurchased. The Board may in the future modify these conditions in light of experience.
 
The repurchase by the Fund of its shares at prices below net asset value will result in an increase in the net asset value of those shares that remain outstanding. However, there can be no assurance that share repurchases or tenders at or below net asset value will result in the Fund’s shares trading at a price equal to their net asset value. Nevertheless, the fact that the shares may be the subject of repurchase or tender offers at net asset value from time to time, or that the Fund may be converted to an open-end fund, may reduce any spread between market price and net asset value that might otherwise exist.
 
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Before deciding whether to take any action, the Fund’s Board of Directors would likely consider all relevant factors, including the extent and duration of the discount, the liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio, the impact of any action on the Fund and market considerations. Based on the considerations, even if the Fund’s shares should trade at a discount, the Board may determine that, in the interest of the Fund no action should be taken.
 
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX MATTERS
 
The following is a summary discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to a shareholder that acquires, holds and/or disposes of common shares of the Fund.  This discussion only addresses U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. shareholders who hold their shares as capital assets and does not address all of the U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to particular shareholders in light of their individual circumstances.  This discussion also does not address the tax consequences to shareholders who are subject to special rules, including, without limitation, banks and other financial institutions, insurance companies, dealers in securities or foreign currencies, traders in securities that have elected to mark-to-market their securities holdings, foreign holders, persons who hold their shares as or in a hedge against currency risk, or as part of a constructive sale, straddle or conversion transaction, or tax-exempt or tax-deferred plans, accounts, or entities.  In addition, the discussion does not address any state, local, or foreign tax consequences.  The discussion reflects applicable income tax laws of the United States as of the date hereof, which tax laws may be changed or subject to new interpretations by the courts or the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) retroactively or prospectively, which could affect the continued validity of this summary.  No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of all U.S. federal income tax concerns affecting the Fund and its shareholders, and the discussion set forth herein does not constitute tax advice.  Investors are urged to consult their own tax advisors before making an investment in the Fund to determine the specific tax consequences to them of investing in the Fund, including the applicable federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences as well as the effect of possible changes in tax laws.
 
Fund Taxation
 
The Fund intends to elect to be treated, and to qualify each year, as a “regulated investment company” under Subchapter M of the Code, so that it will generally not pay U.S. federal income tax on income and capital gains timely distributed (or treated as being distributed, as described below) to shareholders. If the Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company and distributes to its shareholders at least 90% of the sum of (i) its “investment company taxable income” as that term is defined in the 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 disallowed deductions, 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, if the Fund retains any investment company taxable income or “net capital gain” (i.e., the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), it will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate federal income tax rates (currently at a maximum rate of 35%) on the amount retained. The Fund intends to distribute at least annually all or substantially all of its investment company taxable income (determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid), net tax-exempt interest, if any, and net capital gain. Under the Code, the Fund will generally be subject to a nondeductible 4% federal excise tax on the portion of its undistributed ordinary income and capital gains if it fails to meet certain distribution requirements with respect to each calendar year. In order to avoid the 4% federal excise tax, the required minimum distribution is generally equal to the sum of 98% of the Fund’s ordinary income (computed on a calendar year basis, and taking into account certain deferrals and elections), plus 98.2% of the Fund’s capital gain net income (generally computed for the one-year period ending on October 31) plus undistributed amounts from prior years on which the Fund paid no federal income tax. 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 circumstances, does not expect to be subject to this excise tax.  However, the Fund may also decide to distribute less and pay the federal excise taxes.
 
If, for any taxable year, the Fund did not qualify as a regulated investment company for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it would be treated as a U.S. corporation subject to U.S. federal income tax, and possibly state and local income tax, and distributions to its shareholders would 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 generally 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, provided in each case that certain holding period and other requirements are satisfied.
 
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If for any taxable year the Fund does not qualify as a regulated investment company for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it would be treated as a U.S. corporation subject to U.S. federal income tax, and possibly state and local income tax, and distributions to its shareholders would 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 generally constitute ordinary dividends, which generally would be eligible for the dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders under Section 243 of the Code, discussed below, and non-corporate shareholders of the Fund generally would be able to treat such distributions as qualified dividend income eligible for reduced rates of U.S. federal income taxation, as discussed below, provided in each case that certain holding period and other requirements are satisfied.
 
If the Fund or an Underlying Fund invests in certain positions such as pay-in-kind securities, zero coupon securities, deferred interest securities or, in general, any other securities with original issue discount (or with market discount if the Fund or Underlying Fund elects to include market discount in income currently), the Fund or Underlying Fund must accrue income on such investments for each taxable year, which generally will be prior to the receipt of the corresponding cash payments.  However, the Fund must distribute, at least annually, all or substantially all of its net investment income, including such accrued income, to shareholders to avoid U.S. federal income and excise taxes.  Therefore, the Fund may have to dispose of its portfolio securities under disadvantageous circumstances to generate cash, or may have to leverage itself by borrowing the cash, to satisfy distribution requirements.
 
The Fund or an Underlying Fund may also acquire market discount bonds.  A market discount bond is a security acquired in the secondary market at a price below its stated redemption price at maturity (or its adjusted issue price if it is also an original issue discount bond).  If the Fund or an Underlying Fund invests in a market discount bond, it will be required for federal income tax purposes to treat any gain recognized on the disposition of such market discount bond as ordinary income (instead of capital gain) to the extent of the accrued market discount unless the Fund or Underlying Fund elects to include the market discount in income as it accrues.
 
The Fund or an Underlying 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.  Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when the Fund or an Underlying Fund may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount or market discount, when and to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless securities, how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and income and whether exchanges of debt obligations in a bankruptcy or workout context are taxable.  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 taxes.
 
The Fund will not be able to offset gains distributed by one Underlying Fund in which it invests against losses realized by another Underlying Fund in which the Fund invests. Redemptions of shares in an Underlying Fund, including those resulting from changes in the allocation among Underlying Funds, could also cause additional distributable gains to shareholders of the Fund. A portion of any such gains may be short-term capital gains that would be distributable as ordinary income to shareholders of the Fund. Further, a portion of losses on redemptions of shares in the Underlying Funds may be deferred under the wash sale rules. Additionally, the Fund’s investment in an Underlying Fund may result in the Fund’s receipt of cash in excess of the Underlying Fund’s earnings; if the Fund distributes these amounts, the distributions could constitute a return of capital to Fund shareholders for federal income tax purposes. As a result of these factors, the use of the fund of funds structure by the Fund could therefore affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders.
 
The Fund or an Underlying Fund may engage in various transactions utilizing options, futures contracts, forward contracts, hedge instruments, straddles, and other similar transactions.  Such transactions may be subject to special provisions of the Code that, among other things, affect the character of any income realized by the Fund from such investments, accelerate recognition of income to the Fund, defer Fund losses, and affect the determination of whether capital gain or loss is characterized as long-term or short-term capital gain or loss.  These rules could therefore affect the character, amount and timing of distributions to shareholders.  These provisions may also require the Fund to mark-to-market certain positions in its portfolio (i.e., treat them as if they were closed out), which may cause the Fund to recognize income without receiving cash with which to make distributions in amounts necessary to satisfy the distribution requirements for avoiding U.S. federal income and excise taxes.  In addition, certain Fund investments may produce income that will not be qualifying income for purposes of the 90% income test.  The Fund will monitor its investments and transactions, will make the appropriate tax elections, and will make the appropriate entries in its books and records when it acquires an option, futures contract, forward contract, hedge instrument or other similar investment in order to mitigate the effect of these rules, prevent disqualification of the Fund as a regulated investment company and minimize the imposition of U.S. federal income and excise taxes, if possible.
 
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The Fund’s transactions in broad based equity index futures contracts, exchange traded options on such indices and certain other futures contracts (if any) are generally considered “Section 1256 contracts” for federal income tax purposes.  Any unrealized gains or losses on such Section 1256 contracts are treated as though they were realized at the end of each taxable year.  The resulting gain or loss is treated as sixty percent long-term capital gain or loss and forty percent short-term capital gain or loss.  Gain or loss recognized on actual sales of Section 1256 contracts is treated in the same manner.  As noted below, distributions of net short-term capital gain are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income while distributions of net long-term capital gain are generally taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gain, regardless of how long the shareholder has held shares of the Fund.
 
The Fund’s entry into a short sale transaction, an option or certain other contracts (if any) could be treated as the constructive sale of an appreciated financial position, causing the Fund to realize gain, but not loss, on the position.
 
Foreign exchange gains and losses realized by the Fund in connection with certain transactions involving foreign currency-denominated debt securities, certain options and futures contracts relating to foreign currency, foreign currency forward contracts, foreign currencies, or payables or receivables denominated in a foreign currency (if any) are subject to Section 988 of the Code, which generally causes such gain and loss to be treated as ordinary income or loss and may affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders.
 
If the Fund acquires any equity interest (generally including not only stock but also an option to acquire stock such as is inherent in a convertible bond) in certain foreign corporations that receive at least 75% of their annual gross income from passive sources (such as interest, dividends, certain rents and royalties, or capital gains) or that hold at least 50% of their assets in investments producing such passive income (“passive foreign investment companies”), the Fund could be subject to U.S. federal income tax and additional interest charges on “excess distributions” received from such companies or on gain from the sale of equity interests in such companies, even if all income or gain actually received by the Fund is timely distributed to its shareholders.  The Fund would not be able to pass through to its shareholders any credit or deduction for such tax.  Any gain on the sale of these investments will generally be treated as ordinary income.  Elections may be available that would ameliorate some or all of these adverse federal income tax consequences, but any such election could require the Fund to recognize taxable income or gain (which would be subject to the distribution requirements described above) without the concurrent receipt of cash.  The Fund may limit and/or manage its holdings in passive foreign investment companies to limit its tax liability or maximize its return from these investments.
 
The Fund or an Underlying Fund may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries, including taxes on interest, dividends and capital gains with respect to its investments in those countries (if any), which would, if imposed, reduce the yield on or return from those investments.  Tax treaties between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes in some cases.  If more than 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets at the close of its taxable year consists of stock or securities of foreign corporations, or if at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets at the close of each quarter of its taxable year is represented by interests in other regulated investment companies, the Fund may elect to “pass through” to its shareholders the amount of foreign taxes paid or deemed paid by the Fund. If the Fund so elects, each of its shareholders would be required to include in gross income, even though not actually received, its pro rata share of the foreign taxes paid or deemed paid by the Fund, but would be treated as having paid its pro rata share of such foreign taxes and would therefore be allowed to either deduct such amount in computing taxable income or use such amount (subject to various limitations) as a foreign tax credit against federal income tax (but not both).
 
33

If the Fund utilizes leverage through borrowing, asset coverage limitations imposed by the 1940 Act as well as additional restrictions that may be imposed by certain lenders on the payment of dividends or distributions could potentially limit or eliminate the Fund’s ability to make distributions on its common stock until the asset coverage is restored. These limitations could prevent the Fund from distributing at least 90% of its investment company taxable income as is required under the Code and therefore might jeopardize the Fund’s qualification as a regulated investment company and/or might subject the Fund to the nondeductible 4% federal excise tax discussed above. Upon any failure to meet the asset coverage requirements imposed by the 1940 Act, the Fund may, in its sole discretion and to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, purchase or redeem shares of preferred stock, if any, in order to maintain or restore the requisite asset coverage and avoid the adverse consequences to the Fund and its shareholders of failing to meet the distribution requirements. There can be no assurance, however, that any such action would achieve these objectives. The Fund generally will endeavor to avoid restrictions on its ability to distribute dividends.
 
Shareholder Taxation
 
Distributions of investment company taxable income are generally taxable as ordinary income to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits.  Distributions of net investment income designated by the Fund as derived from qualified dividend income will be taxed in the hands of individuals and other non-corporate taxpayers at the rates applicable to long-term capital gain, provided certain holding period and other requirements are met at both the shareholder and Fund levels.  A dividend will not be treated as qualified dividend income (at either the Fund or shareholder level) (i) if the dividend is received with respect to any share of stock held for fewer than 61 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date which is 60 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (or, in the case of certain preferred stock, 91 days during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before such date), (ii) to the extent that the recipient is under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property, (iii) if the recipient elects to have the dividend income treated as investment income for purposes of the limitation on deductibility of investment interest, or (iv) if the dividend is received from a foreign corporation that is (a) not eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the U.S. which the IRS has approved for these purposes (with the exception of dividends paid on stock of such a foreign corporation that is readily tradable on an established securities market in the U.S.) or (b) treated as a passive foreign investment company.  If the Fund received dividends from an Underlying Fund that qualifies as a regulated investment company, and the Underlying Fund designates such dividends as qualified dividend income, then the Fund is permitted in turn to designate a portion of its distributions as qualified dividend income, provided the Fund meets holding period and other requirements with respect to shares of the Underlying Fund. Qualified dividend income does not include interest from fixed income securities and generally does not include income from REITs.  If the Fund lends portfolio securities, amounts received by the Fund that is the equivalent of the dividends paid by the issuer on the securities loaned will not be eligible for qualified dividend income treatment.  The Fund can provide no assurance regarding the portion of its dividends that will qualify for qualified dividend income treatment.
 
Distributions of net capital gain, if any, that are properly reported by the Fund are taxable at long-term capital gain rates for U.S. federal income tax purposes without regard to the length of time the shareholder has held shares of the Fund.  A distribution of an amount in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, if any, will be treated by a shareholder as a tax-free return of capital, which is applied against and reduces the shareholder’s basis in his, her or its shares.  To the extent that the amount of any such distribution exceeds the shareholder’s basis in his, her or its shares, the excess will be treated by the shareholder as gain from the sale or exchange of such shares.  The U.S. federal income tax status of all distributions will be designated by the Fund and reported to shareholders annually.
 
Certain distributions by the Fund may qualify for the dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders under Section 243 of the Code, subject to certain holding period and other requirements, but generally only to the extent the Fund earned dividend income from stock investments in U.S. domestic corporations (but not including real estate investment trusts).  Additionally, if the Fund received dividends from an Underlying Fund that qualifies as a regulated investment company, and the Underlying Fund designates such dividends as eligible for the dividends received deduction, then the Fund is permitted in turn to designate a portion of its distributions as eligible for the dividends received deduction, provided the Fund meets holding period and other requirements with respect to shares of the Underlying Fund.  The Fund can provide no assurance regarding the portion of its dividends that will qualify for the dividends received deduction.
 
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A Common Shareholder may elect to have all dividends and distributions automatically reinvested in shares of common stock of the Fund. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, all dividends are generally taxable regardless of whether a shareholder takes them in cash or they are reinvested in additional shares of the Fund.
 
If a shareholder’s distributions are automatically reinvested in additional shares, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the shareholder will be treated as having received a taxable distribution in the amount of the cash dividend that the shareholder would have received if the shareholder had elected to receive cash, unless the distribution is in newly issued shares of the Fund that are trading at or above net asset value, in which case the shareholder will be treated as receiving a taxable distribution equal to the fair market value of the stock the shareholder receives.
 
The Fund intends to distribute all realized net capital gains, if any, at least annually. If, however, the Fund were to retain any net capital gain, the Fund may designate the retained amount as undistributed capital gains in a notice to shareholders who, if subject to U.S. federal income tax on long-term capital gains, (i) will be required to include in income, as long-term capital gain, their proportionate share of such undistributed amount, and (ii) will be entitled to credit their proportionate share 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. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the tax basis of shares owned by a shareholder of the Fund will be increased by the difference between the amount of undistributed net capital gain included in the shareholder’s gross income and the federal income tax deemed paid by the shareholder.
 
Any dividend declared by the Fund in October, November or December with a record date in such a month and paid during the following January will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as paid by the Fund and received by shareholders on December 31 of the calendar year in which it is declared.
 
At the time of an investor’s purchase of the Fund’s shares, a portion of the purchase price may be attributable to realized or unrealized appreciation in the Fund’s portfolio or undistributed taxable income of the Fund. Consequently, subsequent distributions by the Fund with respect to these shares from such appreciation or income may be taxable to such investor even if the net asset value of the investor’s shares is, as a result of the distributions, reduced below the investor’s cost for such shares and the distributions economically represent a return of a portion of the investment. Investors should consider the tax implications of purchasing shares just prior to a distribution.
 
The IRS has taken the position that if a regulated investment company has two or more classes of shares, it must designate distributions made to each class in any year as consisting of no more than such class’ proportionate share of particular types of income (e.g., ordinary income and net capital gains). Consequently, if both common stock and preferred stock are outstanding, the Fund intends to designate distributions made to each class of particular types of income in accordance with each class’ proportionate share of such income. Thus, the Fund will designate to the extent applicable, dividends qualifying for the corporate dividends received deduction (if any), income not qualifying for the dividends received deduction, qualified dividend income, ordinary income and net capital gain in a manner that allocates such income between the holders of common stock and preferred stock in proportion to the total dividends paid to each class during or for the taxable year, or otherwise as required by applicable law. However, for purposes of determining whether distributions are out of the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, the Fund’s earnings and profits will be allocated first to the Fund’s preferred stock, if any, and then to the Fund’s common stock. In such a case, since the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits will first be used to pay dividends on the preferred stock, distributions in excess of such earnings and profits, if any, will be made disproportionately to holders of common stock.
 
In addition, solely for the purpose of satisfying the 90% distribution requirement and the distribution requirement for avoiding federal income taxes, certain distributions made after the close of a taxable year of the Fund may be “spilled back” and treated as paid during such taxable year. In such case, shareholders will be treated as having received such dividends in the taxable year in which the distribution was actually made.
 
Sales, exchanges and other dispositions of the Fund’s shares generally are taxable events for shareholders that are subject to federal income tax. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisors regarding their individual circumstances to determine whether any particular transaction in the Fund’s shares 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. Generally, gain or loss will be equal to the difference between the amount of cash and the fair market value of other property received (including securities distributed by the Fund) and the shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in the shares sold or exchanged. In general, any gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year. Otherwise, the gain or loss on the taxable disposition of the Fund’s shares will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. However, any loss realized by a shareholder upon the sale or other disposition of shares with a tax holding period of six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated as distributions of long-term capital gain with respect to such shares. For the purposes of calculating the six-month period, the holding period is suspended for any periods during which the shareholder’s risk of loss is diminished as a result of holding one or more other positions in substantially similar or related property or through certain options, short sales or contractual obligations to sell. The maximum individual rate applicable to long-term capital gains is generally either 15% or 20%, depending on whether the individual’s income exceeds certain threshold amounts. The ability to deduct capital losses may be subject to limitations. In addition, losses on sales or other dispositions of shares may be disallowed under the “wash sale” rules in the event a shareholder acquires substantially identical stock or securities (including those made pursuant to reinvestment of dividends) within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after a sale or other disposition of shares. In such a case, the disallowed portion of any loss generally would be included in the U.S. federal income tax basis of the shares acquired.
 
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An additional 3.8% Medicare tax is imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from the Fund and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of Fund shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such person’s “modified adjusted gross income” (in the case of an individual) or “adjusted gross income” (in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds certain threshold amounts.  Because the Fund does not expect to distribute dividends that would give rise to an adjustment to an individual’s alternative minimum taxable income, an investment in the Common Shares should not, by itself, cause the holders of Common Shares to become subject to alternative minimum tax.
 
From time to time, the Fund may repurchase its shares. Shareholders who tender all shares held, and those considered to be held (through attribution rules contained in the Code), by them will be treated as having sold their shares and generally will realize a capital gain or loss. If a shareholder tenders fewer than all of his, her or its shares (including those considered held through attribution), such shareholder may be treated as having received a taxable dividend upon the tender of its shares. If a tender offer is made, there is a risk that non-tendering shareholders will be treated as having received taxable distributions from the Fund. To the extent that the Fund recognizes net gains on the liquidation of portfolio securities to meet such tenders of shares, the Fund will be required to make additional distributions to its shareholders. If the Board of Directors determines that a tender offer will be made by the Fund, the federal income tax consequences of such offer will be discussed in materials that will be available at such time in connection with the specific tender offer, if any.
 
The Code requires that the Fund withhold, as “backup withholding,” 28% of reportable payments, including dividends, capital gain distributions and the proceeds of sales or other dispositions of the Fund’s stock paid to shareholders who have not complied with IRS regulations. In order to avoid this withholding requirement, shareholders must certify on their account applications, or on a separate IRS Form W-9, that the social security number or other taxpayer identification number they provide is their correct number and that they are not currently subject to backup withholding, or that they are exempt from backup withholding. The Fund may nevertheless be required to withhold if it receives notice from the IRS or a broker that the number provided is incorrect or backup withholding is applicable. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amount withheld may be allowed as a refund or a credit against the shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability if the appropriate information (such as the timely filing of the appropriate federal income tax return) is provided to the IRS.
 
Under Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to shares of $2 million or more in a single taxable year (or $4 million or more in any combination of taxable years) for an individual shareholder, S corporation or trust or $10 million or more in a single taxable year (or $20 million or more in any combination of years) for a shareholder who is a C corporation, such shareholder will generally be required to file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are generally 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 advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.
 
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Other Taxes
 
The description of certain U.S. federal income tax provisions above relates only to U.S. federal income tax consequences for shareholders who are U.S. persons (i.e., U.S. citizens or residents or U.S. corporations, partnerships, trusts or estates).  Non-U.S. shareholders should consult their tax advisors concerning the tax consequences of ownership of shares of the Fund, including the possibility that distributions may be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax (or a reduced rate of withholding provided by an applicable treaty if the investor provides proper certification of its non-U.S. status).
 
Shareholders should consult their own tax advisors on these matters and on any specific question of U.S. federal, state, local, foreign and other applicable tax laws before making an investment in the Fund.
 
BOARD MEMBERS AND OFFICERS

The following table presents certain information regarding the Board Members of the Fund.  Each Board Member’s year of birth is set forth in parentheses after his or her name.  The Board of Directors is divided into three classes of directors serving staggered three-year terms.  The initial terms of the first, second and third classes of directors will expire at the first, second and third annual meetings of stockholders, respectively, and, in each case, until their successors are duly elected and qualify, or until a director sooner dies, retires, resigns or is removed as provided in the governing documents of the Fund.  Upon expiration of their initial terms, directors of each class will be elected to serve for three-year terms and until their successors are duly elected and qualify, and at each annual meeting one class of directors will be elected by the shareholders.

Except as otherwise noted, the address for all directors and officers is 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, CO 80203. The “independent directors” consist of those directors who are not “interested persons” of the Fund, as that term is defined under the 1940 Act.

Independent Board Members

Name,
Address and
Year of Birth
 
Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
 
Term of
Office and
Length of
Time Served
 
Principal
Occupation(s)
During Past 5
Years
 
Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex(1)
Overseen by
Director
 
Other
Directorships(2)
Held by
Director
During Past
5 Years
John K. Carter
(1961)
 
Director
 
Initial term expires in 2017.  Has served since 2013.
 
Managing Partner, Global Recruiters of St. Petersburg (a financial services consulting and recruiting firm) (2012 to present); Business Unit Head, Transamerica Asset Management (2006 to 2012).
 
5
 
Director, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Transamerica Funds (120 funds) (2006 to 2012). Board Member, United Way of Tampa Bay (2011 to 2012).
 
Mr. Carter was previously an investment management attorney with experience as in-house counsel, serving with the Securities and Exchange Commission and in private practice with a large law firm. The Board feels Mr. Carter’s industry-specific experience, including as a chairman of another fund complex, as a compliance officer and as an experienced investment management attorney will be valuable to the Board.
 
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Name,
Address and
Year of Birth
 
Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
   
Term of
Office and
Length of
Time Served
 
Principal
Occupation(s)
During Past 5
Years
 
Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex(1)
Overseen by
Director
 
Other
Directorships(2)
Held by
Director
During Past
5 Years
J. Wayne Hutchens
(1944)
 
Director
 
Initial term expires in 2017. Has served since 2013.
 
Mr. Hutchens is currently retired.  From April 2006 to December 2012, he served as President and CEO of the University of Colorado (CU) Foundation and from April 2009 to December 2012, he was Executive Director of the CU Real Estate Foundation.  Mr. Hutchens is also Trustee of the Denver Museum of Nature and Science (2000 to present), Director of AMG National Trust Bank (June 2012 to present) and Trustee of Children’s Hospital Colorado (May 2012 to present).  Prior to these positions, Mr. Hutchens spent 29 years in the banking industry, retiring as Chairman of Chase Bank Colorado.
 
  1
 
Trustee, ALPS Series Trust (9 funds) (2012 to present).
Mr. Hutchens was President and CEO of the University of Colorado (CU) Foundation from April 2006 to December 2012 and Executive Director for the CU Real Estate Foundation from April 2009 to December 2012. Prior to these positions, Mr. Hutchens spent over 30 years in the banking industry, retiring as Chairman of Chase Bank Colorado. Mr. Hutchens is a graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder’s School of Business and has done graduate study at Syracuse University and the University of Colorado. He was selected to serve as a Director of the Fund based on his business and financial services experience.
John S. Oakes
(1943)
 
Director
 
Initial term expires in 2018. Has served since 2013.
 
Principal, Financial Search and Consulting (a recruiting and consulting firm) (2013 to present); Regional Vice President, Securities America (a broker-dealer) (2007 to 2013).
 
5
 
N/A
Mr. Oakes has many years of experience in the securities industry. Additionally he had served on the Boards of Directors of other registered investment companies, including serving as Chairman. The Board feels Mr. Oakes’ industry and board experience adds an operational perspective to the Board.
38

Name,
Address and
Year of Birth
 
Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
 
Term of
Office and
Length of
Time Served
 
Principal
Occupation(s)
During Past 5
Years
 
Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex(1)
Overseen by
Director
 
Other
Directorships(2)
Held by
Director
During Past
5 Years
David M. Swanson
(1957)
 
Director
 
Initial term expires in 2019. Has served since 2013.
 
Mr. Swanson is Founder & Managing Partner of SwanDog Strategic Marketing. Previously, he served as Executive Vice-President of Calamos Investments (April 2004 to March 2006), Chief Operating Officer of Van Kampen Investments (October 2002 to April 2004), and Managing Director of Morgan Stanley (February 2000 to April 2004).
 
10
 
Trustee, Managed Portfolio Series (28 funds) (2006 to present); Trustee, ALPS Variable Investment (9 funds) (2006 to present).
In 2006, Mr. Swanson founded SwanDog Marketing, a marketing consulting firm to asset managers. Mr. Swanson currently serves as SwanDog’s Managing Partner. He has over 30 years of senior management and marketing experience, with approximately 20 years in financial services. Before joining SwanDog, Mr. Swanson most recently served as Executive Vice President and Head of Distribution for Calamos Investments, an investment management firm. He previously held positions as Chief Operating Officer of Van Kampen Investments, President and CEO of Scudder, Stevens & Clark, Canada, Ltd. and Managing Director and Head of Global Investment Products at Morgan Stanley. Mr. Swanson holds a Master of Management from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University and a Bachelors in Journalism from Southern Illinois University. He was selected to serve as a Director of the Fund based on his business, financial services and investment management experience.

Interested Board Members and Officers
 
Name,
Address and
Year of Birth
 
Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
 
Term of
Office(1) and
Length of
Time Served
 
Principal
Occupation(s)
During Past 5
Years
 
Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex(2)
Overseen by
Director
 
Other
Directorships(3)
Held by
Director
During Past
5 Years
Thomas A. Carter
(1966)
 
Chairman, Director and President
 
Initial term expires in 2018. Has served since 2013.
 
Mr. Carter joined ALPS in 1994 and is currently President and Director of the Adviser, ALPS Distributors, Inc. (“ADI”) and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. (“APSD”) and Executive Vice President and Director of AFS and ALPS Holdings, Inc. (“AHI”). Because of his position with AHI, AFS, the Adviser, ADI, and APSD, Mr. Carter is deemed an affiliate of the Fund as defined under the 1940 Act. Before joining AFS, Mr. Carter was with Deloitte & Touche LLP, where he worked with a diverse group of clients, primarily within the financial services industry. Mr. Carter is a Certified Public Accountant and received his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
 
32
 
  Trustee of ALPS ETF Trust (21 funds), ALPS Variable Investment Trust (9 funds) and Principal Real Estate Income Fund (1 fund).
Mr. Carter joined AFS, the Fund’s administrator, in 1994 and currently serves as President of ALPS Distributors, Inc., ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., and the Adviser. Before joining AFS and ALPS, Mr. Carter was with Deloitte & Touche LLP, where he worked with a diverse group of clients, primarily within the financial services industry. Mr. Carter is a Certified Public Accountant and received his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He was selected to serve as a Director of the Fund based on his business, accounting, financial services and investment management experience.
 
39

Name,
Address and
Year of Birth
 
Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
 
Term of
Office(1) and
Length of
Time Served
 
Principal
Occupation(s)
During Past 5
Years
 
Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex(2)
Overseen by
Director
 
Other
Directorships(3)
Held by
Director
During Past
5 Years
Patrick W. Galley
(1975)
 
Director
 
Initial term expires in 2019. Has served since 2013.
 
Chief Investment Officer, RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC. (2004 to present); Board of Managers of RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC and RiverNorth Securities, LLC (since 2010) and Board of Directors RiverNorth Holdings, Co. (since 2010).
 
5
 
RiverNorth Funds (since 2006)
Mr. Galley has served as the Chief Investment Officer of the Subadviser since 2004 and is a portfolio manager of the Fund. He was selected to serve as a Director of the Fund based on his investment management experience and his insights into the Fund’s investment activities.
Patrick D. Buchanan
(1972)
 
Treasurer
 
Has served since 2015.
 
Mr. Buchanan is Vice President of the Adviser. Mr. Buchanan joined the Adviser in 2007 and because of his position with the Adviser, he is deemed an affiliate of the Fund as defined under the 1940 Act. Mr. Buchanan has served as Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of ALPS ETF Trust since 2012 and of ALPS Variable Investment Trust and Principal Real Estate Income Fund since 2013. Mr. Buchanan received his Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
 
N/A
 
N/A
Erin D. Nelson
(1977)
 
Chief Compliance Officer
 
Has served since 2015.
 
Ms. Nelson joined ALPS in 2003 and is currently Senior Vice-President and Chief Compliance Officer of ALPS Advisors, Inc. Prior to 2015, Ms. Nelson was Vice-President and Assistant General Counsel of ALPS. Because of her position with ALPS, Ms. Nelson is deemed an affiliate of the Trust as defined under the 1940 Act. Ms. Nelson is also Chief Compliance Officer of the Principal Real Estate Income Fund.
 
N/A
 
N/A
 
40

Name,
Address and
Year of Birth
 
Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
 
Term of
Office(1) and
Length of
Time Served
 
Principal
Occupation(s)
During Past 5
Years
 
Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex(2)
Overseen by
Director
 
Other
Directorships(3)
Held by
Director
During Past
5 Years
Abigail J. Murray
(1975)
 
Secretary
 
Has served since 2015.
 
Ms. Murray joined ALPS in April 2015. She is currently Vice President and Senior Counsel of ALPS. Prior to joining ALPS, Ms. Murray was an Attorney and Managing Member at Murray & Rouvina PLC from  2014 to 2015 and an Associate with Vedder Price P.C. from 2007 to 2014.  Because of her position with ALPS, Ms. Murray is deemed an affiliate of the Trust as defined under the 1940 Act. Ms. Murray is also the Secretary of The Caldwell & Orkin Funds, Inc.
 
N/A
 
N/A
Valerie Ruppel
(1976)
 
Assistant Secretary
 
Has served since 2015.
 
Ms. Ruppel joined AFS in 2014 as Vice President and Senior Counsel.  Ms. Ruppel served as in-house counsel at Great-West Financial from 2009 to 2014 and served as corporate paralegal at Great-West Financial from 2007 to 2009. Ms. Ruppel serves as Vice President and Secretary of Oak Associates Funds.
 
N/A
 
N/A
 

(1) After a Trustee’s initial term, each Director is expected to serve a three-year term.
 
(2) The term “Fund Complex” means two or more registered investment companies that:
 
(a) hold themselves out to investors as related companies for purposes of investment and investor services; or
 
(b) have a common investment adviser or that have an investment adviser that is an affiliated person of the investment adviser of any of the other registered investment companies.
 
For Messrs. John Carter, Galley and Oakes, the Fund complex consists of the Fund (1 Fund) and the RiverNorth Funds (5 Funds). For Mr. Swanson, the Fund complex consists of the Fund (1 Fund) and the ALPS Variable Insurance Trust (9 Funds). For Mr. Thomas Carter, the Fund complex consists of the Fund, the Principal Real Estate Income Fund (1 Fund), ALPS Variable Insurance Trust (9 Funds) and the ALPS ETF Trust (21 Funds). For Mr. Hutchens, the Fund complex consists of the Fund.
 
(3) The numbers enclosed in the parentheticals represent the number of funds overseen in each respective directorship held by the Director.
 
Board Leadership Structure . The Board of Directors, which has overall responsibility for the oversight of the Fund’s investment programs and business affairs, believes that it has structured itself in a manner that allows it to effectively perform its oversight obligations. Mr. Thomas Carter, the Chairman of the Board (“Chairman”), is not an Independent Director, but the directors have appointed John Oakes as lead Independent Director. The Board believes that the use of an Interested Director as Chairman is the appropriate leadership structure for the Fund given (i) Mr. Thomas Carter’s role in the day to day operations of the Adviser, (ii) the extent to which the work of the Board of Directors is conducted through the Audit Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (each of whose meetings is chaired by an Independent Director) (iii) the frequency that Independent Directors meet with their independent legal counsel and auditors in the absence of members of the Fund’s Board of Directors who are Interested Directors of the Fund and management, and (iv) the overall sophistication of the Independent Directors, both individually and collectively. The Directors also complete an annual self-assessment during which the Directors review their overall structure and consider where and how its structure remains appropriate in light of the Fund’s current circumstances. The Chairman’s role is to preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and in between meetings of the Board of Directors to generally act as the liaison between the Board of Directors and the Fund’s officers, attorneys and various other service providers, including but not limited to the Adviser, the Subadviser and other such third parties servicing the Fund. The Board of Directors believes that having an interested person serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors enables Mr. Thomas Carter to more effectively carry out these liaison activities. The Board of Directors also believes that it benefits during its meetings from having a person intimately familiar with the operation of the Fund to set the agenda for meetings of the Board of Directors to ensure that important matters are brought to the attention of and considered by the Board of Directors. In his role as lead Independent Director, Mr. Oakes participates in scheduling, setting and prioritizing board meeting agendas and making sure the board receives reports from management on essential matters. He also serves as the chief contact for the Board’s counsel and the Fund’s auditors, and represents the other Independent Directors in discussions with the Fund management.
 
41

The Fund has three standing committees, each of which enhances the leadership structure of the Board: the Audit Committee; the Qualified Legal Compliance Committee; and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Audit Committee, Qualified Legal Compliance Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are each chaired by, and composed of, members who are Independent Directors.
 
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors (“Audit Committee”) is comprised of Messrs. John Carter, Hutchens, Oakes and Swanson. The role of the Fund’s Audit Committee is to assist the Board of Directors in its oversight of (i) the quality and integrity of Fund’s financial statements, reporting process and the independent registered public accounting firm (the “independent accountants”) and reviews thereof, (ii) the Fund’s accounting and financial reporting policies and practices, its internal controls and, as appropriate, the internal controls of certain service providers, (iii) the Fund’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and (iv) the independent accountants’ qualifications, independence and performance. The Audit Committee is also required to prepare an audit committee report pursuant to the rules of the SEC for inclusion in the Fund’s annual proxy statement. The Audit Committee operates pursuant to the Audit Committee Charter (the “Charter”) that was most recently reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors on November 20, 2015. The Charter is available at the Fund’s website, www.rivernorthcef.com. As set forth in the Charter, management is responsible for maintaining appropriate systems for accounting and internal control, and the Fund’s independent accountants are responsible for planning and carrying out proper audits and reviews. The independent accountants are ultimately accountable to the Board of Directors and to the Audit Committee, as representatives of shareholders. The independent accountants for the Fund report directly to the Audit Committee.
 
The Qualified Legal Compliance Committee of the Board of Directors (the “QLCC”) is comprised of Messrs. John Carter, Hutches, Oakes and Swanson. The principal purpose of the QLCC is to review and respond to reports of evidence of a Material Violation (as defined in the QLCC Charter). Reporting evidence of a Material Violation is required under the Standards of Professional Conduct for Attorneys adopted by the Commission under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Standards”). Under the Standards, if an attorney appearing and practicing before the SEC in the representation of an issuer, such as the Fund, becomes aware of evidence of a Material Violation by the issuer or by any officer, trustee, employee or agent of the issuer, the Standards provide for the attorney to report such evidence to the issuer’s QLCC forthwith.  In discharging its role, the QLCC is granted the power to investigate any evidence of a Material Violation brought to its attention with full access to all books, records, facilities and personnel of the Fund and the power to retain outside counsel, auditors or other experts for this purpose.
 
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors (“Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee”) is comprised of Messrs. John Carter, Hutchens, Oakes and Swanson. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for identifying and recommending to the Board of Directors individuals believed to be qualified to become Board members in the event that a position is vacated or created. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider Director candidates recommended by shareholders. In considering candidates submitted by shareholders, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will take into consideration the needs of the Board of Directors, the qualifications of the candidate and the interests of shareholders. Shareholders wishing to recommend candidates to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee should submit such recommendations to the Secretary of the Fund, who will forward the recommendations to the committee for consideration. The submission must include: (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual or special meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual or special meeting, (ii) the name and address, as they appear on the Fund’s books, of the shareholder proposing such business or nomination, (iii) a representation that the shareholder is a holder of record of stock of the Fund entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to present such nomination; (iv) whether the shareholder plans to deliver or solicit proxies from other shareholders; (v) the class and number of shares of the capital stock of the Fund, which are beneficially owned by the shareholder and the proposed nominee to the Board of Directors, (vi) any material interest of the shareholder or nominee in such business; (vii) to the extent to which such shareholder (including such shareholder’s principals) or the proposed nominee to the Board of Directors has entered into any hedging transaction or other arrangement with the effect or intent of mitigating or otherwise managing profit, loss, or risk of changes in the value of the Common Shares or the daily quoted market price of the Fund held by such shareholder (including shareholder’s principals) or the proposed nominee, including independently verifiable information in support of the foregoing; and (viii) such other information regarding such nominee proposed by such shareholder as would be required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Each eligible shareholder or shareholder group may submit no more than one independent trustee nominee each calendar year. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has not determined any minimum qualifications necessary to serve as a Director of the Fund.
 
42

Risk Oversight . The Fund is confronted with a multitude of risks, such as investment risk, counter party risk, valuation risk, political risk, risk of operational failures, business continuity risk, regulatory risk, legal risk and other risks not listed here. The Board of Directors recognizes that not all risk that may affect the Fund can be known, eliminated or even mitigated. In addition, there are some risks that may not be cost effective or an efficient use of the Fund’s limited resources to moderate. As a result of these realities, the Board of Directors, through its oversight and leadership, has and will continue to deem it necessary for shareholders of the Fund to bear certain and undeniable risks, such as investment risk, in order for the Fund to operate in accordance with its prospectus, SAI and other related documents.
 
However, as required under the 1940 Act, the Board of Directors has adopted on the Fund’s behalf a vigorous risk program that mandates the Fund’s various service providers, including the Adviser, to adopt a variety of processes, procedures and controls to identify various risks, mitigate the likelihood of such adverse events from occurring and/or attempt to limit the effects of such adverse events on the Fund. The Board of Directors fulfills its leadership role by receiving a variety of quarterly written reports prepared by the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) that (1) evaluate the operation, policies and policies of the Fund’s service providers, (2) make known any material changes to the policies and procedures adopted by the Fund or its service providers since the CCO’s last report and (3) disclose any material compliance matters that occurred since the date of the last CCO report. In addition, the Independent Directors meet quarterly in executive sessions without the presence of any Interested Directors, the Adviser, the Subadviser, or any of their affiliates. This configuration permits the Independent Directors to effectively receive the information and have private discussions necessary to perform their risk oversight role, exercise independent judgment, and allocate areas of responsibility between the full Board of Directors, its various committees and certain officers of the Fund. Furthermore the Independent Directors have engaged independent legal counsel and auditors to assist the Independent Directors in performing their oversight responsibilities. As discussed above and in consideration of other factors not referenced herein, the Board of Directors has determined its leadership role concerning risk management as one of oversight and not active management of the Fund’s day-to-day risk management operations.
 
As of the date of this SAI, the non-interested members of the Board of Directors have had two meeting, and the Audit Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee have each had two meetings.
 
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the Advisory Agreement and the Subadvisory Agreement will be included in the Fund’s first shareholder report. The basis for subsequent continuations of these agreements will be provided in annual or semi-annual reports to shareholders for the periods during which such continuations occur.
 
Compensation .  The Fund pays no salaries or compensation to any of its interested Directors or its officers. For their services, the independent Directors of the Fund receive an annual retainer in the amount of $17,000, and an additional $2,000 for attending each meeting of the Board of Directors. The independent Directors are also reimbursed for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at meetings of the Board of Directors. The following tables show estimated compensation to by paid to the Directors for the first fiscal year.  Thomas A. Carter and Patrick W. Galley are each interested persons of the Fund and have received no compensation from the Fund.
 
   
Aggregate
   
Total Compensation
 
   
Compensation
   
from Fund
 
Name of Board Member
 
from Fund
   
and Fund Complex
 
Independent Board Members:
     
John Carter
 
$
25,000
   
$
62,500
 
Wayne Hutchens
   
25,000
     
25,000
 
John Oakes
   
25,000
     
62,500
 
David Swanson
   
25,000
     
62,500
 

43

Board Member Ownership in the Fund

The following table shows the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by each Board Member in the Fund and all funds overseen by each Board Member in the family of investment companies as of December 31, 2014.
 
Board Member
 
Dollar Range of Beneficial
Ownership in Fund
 
Aggregate Dollar Range of
Ownership in all Funds
Overseen by Board Member in
the Family of
Investment Companies †
 
           
Independent Board Member :
         
           
John Carter
   None    $50,001-$100,000  
           
Wayne Hutchens
   None    None  
           
John Oakes
   None   $10,001-$50,000  
           
David Swanson
   None    None  
           
Interested Board Member :
         
           
Thomas A. Carter
   None    None  
           
Patrick W. Galley
   None   Over $100,000  


Family of Investment Companies for Messrs. John Carter, Galley and Oakes consists of the Fund and RiverNorth Funds (4 funds). Family of Investment Companies for Messrs. Thomas Carter, Hutchens and Swanson consists of the Fund.

As of the date of this SAI, the Board Members and officers of the Fund owned, as a group, less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Fund.
 
Securities Beneficially Owned
 
The Adviser has provided the initial capitalization of the Fund and therefore is deemed to be a control person because it was the sole shareholder of the Fund at that time.  However, it is anticipated that the Adviser will no longer be a control person of the Fund once the offering is completed.
 
PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES
 
The Fund has delegated proxy voting responsibilities to the Subadviser, subject to the Board’s general oversight. The Subadviser votes proxies pursuant to the proxy voting policy and guidelines set forth in Appendix A to this SAI.
 
You may also obtain information about how the Fund voted proxies related to its portfolio securities during the 12-month period ended June 30 by visiting the SEC’s Web site at www.sec.gov or by visiting the Fund’s website at www.rivernorthcef.com (this reference to the Fund’s website does not incorporate the contents of the website into this SAI).
 
44

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
A Registration Statement on Form N-2, including amendments thereto, relating to the Common Shares of the Fund offered hereby, has been filed by the Fund with the SEC, Washington, D.C. The Fund’s Prospectus and this SAI do not contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement, including any exhibits and schedules thereto. For further information with respect to the Fund and the Common Shares offered hereby, reference is made to the Fund’s Registration Statement. Statements contained in the Fund’s Prospectus and this SAI as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to are not necessarily complete and in each instance reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such reference.
 
The Registration Statement and the Codes of Ethics may be viewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information about the SEC’s Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090. The Registration Statement and the Codes of Ethics also may be available on the Edgar Database on the SEC’s website, http://www.sec.gov, or be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request to publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing to: Securities and Exchange Commission’s Public Reference Section, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549.
 
45

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND REPORT OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

I.REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
To the Shareholder and Board of Directors of
RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”), as of November 20, 2015. This financial statement is the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this financial statement based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statement is free of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statement.  Our procedures included confirmation of cash as of November 20, 2015, by correspondence with the custodian. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statement referred to above presents fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc. as of November 20, 2015, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

/s/ COHEN FUND AUDIT SERVICES, LTD.
Cleveland, Ohio
November 24, 2015
46

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
 
NOVEMBER 20, 2015
 
Assets:
   
Cash
 
$
100,007
 
Deferred offering costs (See Note 3)
   
68,250
 
Total Assets
   
168,257
 
Liabilities:
       
Accrued offering costs (See Note 3)
   
68,250
 
Total Liabilities
   
68,250
 
Net Assets
 
$
100,007
 
Components of Net Assets:
       
Paid in capital
 
$
100,007
 
Net Assets
 
$
100,007
 
Shares of common stock outstanding, at $0.0001 par value, and 37,500,000 shares authorized
   
5,155
 
Net asset value per common share
 
$
19.40
 
Offering price per share
 
$
20.00
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of this financial statement.
 
47

RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc.
Notes to Statement of Assets and Liabilities
November 20, 2015
 
Note 1 — Organization and Registration
 
RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) is a closed-end management investment company that was organized as a Maryland corporation on September 9, 2010. The Fund is a diversified investment company with an investment objective to seek total return consisting of capital appreciation and current income. The Fund has not had any operations other than the sale and issuance of 5,155 common shares of beneficial interest at an aggregate purchase price of $100,007 to ALPS Advisors, Inc. (“ALPS Advisors”), the Fund’s investment adviser at a net asset value of $19.40 per share. Shares issued by the Fund are subject to a sales load of 3.00%.
 
Note 2 — Significant Accounting Policies
 
The Fund’s financial statement is prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. This requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statement. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
 
Income Taxes — The Fund’s policy is to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required. The Fund plans to file U.S. Federal and various state and local tax returns.
 
Note 3 — Organizational Expenses and Offering Costs
 
Organizational Expenses — ALPS Advisors and RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC (“RiverNorth”) the Fund’s sub-adviser, have agreed to pay all of the Fund’s organizational expenses. As a result, organizational expenses of the Fund are not reflected in the Fund’s financial statement. Total organizational expenses incurred through November 20, 2015, are $64,750.
 
Offering Costs — Offering costs are paid directly by the Fund. ALPS Advisors and RiverNorth have agreed to pay the amount, if any, by which the Fund’s offering costs (other than the sales load) exceed $0.04/share (0.20% of the offering price). Offering costs incurred through November 20, 2015 are $68,250 and management estimates an additional $718,455 of costs expected to be incurred resulting in total offering costs of $786,705 of which the Fund will incur an additional $231,750 based on a $150 million capital raise.  ALPS Advisors and RiverNorth will pay the $486,705 of expenses in excess of the offering price cap. The Statement of Assets and Liabilities reflects the current costs of $68,250 as deferred incurred offering costs.  These offering costs, as well as offering costs incurred subsequent to November 20, 2015, will be charged to paid-in-capital upon sale of the shares to the public or reimbursed by ALPS Advisors and RiverNorth.
 
Note 4 — Investment Advisory and Other Agreements
 
ALPS Advisors will serve as the Fund’s investment adviser pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Fund. As compensation for its services to the Fund, ALPS Advisors receives an annual investment advisory fee of 1.00% based on the Fund’s average Managed Assets. Pursuant to an Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement, ALPS Advisors has retained RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC (“RiverNorth”) as the Fund’s sub-adviser and will pay RiverNorth an annual fee of 0.85% based on the Fund’s Managed Assets.
 
ALPS Fund Services, Inc. (“AFS”), an affiliate of ALPS Advisors, serves as administrator to the Fund. Under an Administration, Bookkeeping and Pricing Services Agreement, AFS is responsible for calculating the net asset values, providing additional fund accounting and tax services, and providing fund administration and compliance-related services to the Fund. AFS is entitled to receive a monthly fee at the annual rate of 0.15% based on the Fund’s average Managed Assets, plus out-of-pocket expenses.
 
48

DST Systems, Inc. (“DST”), the parent company of ALPS Advisors and AFS, serves as the Transfer Agent to the Fund. Under the Transfer Agency Agreement, DST is responsible for maintaining all shareholder records of the Fund. DST is entitled to receive an annual minimum fee of $22,500 plus out-of-pocket expenses. 

For these purposes, the term Managed Assets is defined as the value of the total assets of the Fund, including assets attributable to leverage, minus liabilities (other than debt representing leverage and any preferred stock that may be outstanding), calculated as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on such day or as of such other time or times as the Board of Directors may determine in accordance with the provisions of applicable law and of the declaration and bylaws of the Fund and with resolutions of the Board of Directors as from time to time in force.

The Fund may use leverage through borrowings or the issuance of preferred stock, in an aggregate amount of up to 15% of the Fund’s Managed Assets immediately after such borrowings or issuance. The sub-adviser will assess whether or not to engage in leverage based on its assessment of conditions in the debt and credit markets. Leverage, if used, is expected to take the form of a borrowing or the issuance of preferred stock, although the Fund currently anticipates that leverage will initially be obtained through the use of bank borrowings or other similar term loans.

 The Fund’s Board of Directors approved the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement at its November 20, 2015 meeting.

A Director and certain Officers of the Fund are also employees of ALPS Advisors, Inc. and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. A Director is also an employee of the sub-advisor.
 
49

APPENDIX A:

PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES

Proxy Voting
RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Pursuant to the recent adoption by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) of Rule 206(4)-6 (17 CFR 275.206(4)-6) and amendments to Rule 204-2 (17 CFR 275.204-2) under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Act”), it is a fraudulent, deceptive, or manipulative act, practice or course of business, within the meaning of Section 206(4) of the Act, for an investment adviser to exercise voting authority with respect to client securities, unless (i) the adviser has adopted and implemented written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to ensure that the adviser votes proxies in the best interests of its clients, (ii) the adviser describes its proxy voting procedures to its clients and provides copies on request, and (iii) the adviser discloses to clients how they may obtain information on how the adviser voted their proxies.
 
In its standard investment advisory agreement, RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC (RiverNorth Capital) specifically states that it does not vote proxies and the client, including clients governed by ERISA, is responsible for voting proxies. Therefore, RiverNorth Capital will not vote proxies for these clients. However, RiverNorth Capital will vote proxies on behalf of investment company clients (“Funds”). RiverNorth Capital has instructed all custodians, other than Fund custodians, to forward proxies directly to its clients, and if RiverNorth Capital accidentally receives a proxy for any non-Fund client, current or former, the Chief Compliance Officer will promptly forward the proxy to the client. In order to fulfill its responsibilities to Funds, RiverNorth Capital Management, Inc. (hereinafter “we” or “our”) has adopted the following policies and procedures for proxy voting with regard to companies in any Fund's investment portfolios.
 
KEY OBJECTIVES

The key objectives of these policies and procedures recognize that a company’s management is entrusted with the day-to-day operations and longer term strategic planning of the company, subject to the oversight of the company’s board of directors. While “ordinary business matters” are primarily the responsibility of management and should be approved solely by the corporation’s board of directors, these objectives also recognize that the company’s shareholders must have final say over how management and directors are performing, and how shareholders’ rights and ownership interests are handled, especially when matters could have substantial economic implications to the shareholders.
 
Therefore, we will pay particular attention to the following matters in exercising our proxy voting responsibilities as a fiduciary for our client:
 
Accountability . Each company should have effective means in place to hold those entrusted with running a company’s business accountable for their actions. Management of a company should be accountable to its board of directors and the board should be accountable to shareholders.
 
Alignment of Management and Shareholder Interests . Each company should endeavor to align the interests of management and the board of directors with the interests of the company’s shareholders. For example, we generally believe that compensation should be designed to reward management for doing a good job of creating value for the shareholders of the company.
 
Transparency . Promotion of timely disclosure of important information about a company’s business operations and financial performance enables investors to evaluate the performance of a company and to make informed decisions about the purchase and sale of a company’s securities.
 
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DECISION METHODS

We generally believe that the individual portfolio managers that invest in and track particular companies are the most knowledgeable and best suited to make decisions with regard to proxy votes. Therefore, we rely on those individuals to make the final decisions on how to cast proxy votes.
 
No set of proxy voting guidelines can anticipate all situations that may arise. In special cases, we may seek insight from our managers and analysts on how a particular proxy proposal will impact the financial prospects of a company, and vote accordingly.
 
In some instances, a proxy vote may present a conflict between the interests of a client, on the one hand, and our interests or the interests of a person affiliated with us, on the other. In such a case, we will abstain from making a voting decision and will forward all of the necessary proxy voting materials to the client to enable the client to cast the votes.
 
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the following policies will apply to investment company shares owned by a Fund. Under Section 12(d)(1) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “1940 Act”), a fund may only invest up to 5% of its total assets in the securities of any one investment company, but may not own more than 3% of the outstanding voting stock of any one investment company or invest more than 10% of its total assets in the securities of other investment companies. However, Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act provides that the provisions of paragraph 12(d)(1) shall not apply to securities purchased or otherwise acquired by a fund if (i) immediately after such purchase or acquisition not more than 3% of the total outstanding stock of such registered investment company is owned by the fund and all affiliated persons of the fund; and (ii) the fund is not proposing to offer or sell any security issued by it through a principal underwriter or otherwise at a public or offering price which includes a sales load of more than 1½% percent. Therefore, each Fund (or the Adviser acting on behalf of the Fund) must comply with the following voting restrictions unless it is determined that the Fund is not relying on Section 12(d)(1)(F):
 
·   when the Fund exercises voting rights, by proxy or otherwise, with respect to any investment company owned by the Fund, the Fund will either
· seek instruction from the Fund’s shareholders with regard to the voting of all proxies and vote in accordance with such instructions, or
· vote the shares held by the Fund in the same proportion as the vote of all other holders of such security.
 
PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES

Election of the Board of Directors
 
We believe that good corporate governance generally starts with a board composed primarily of independent directors, unfettered by significant ties to management, all of whose members are elected annually. We also believe that turnover in board composition promotes independent board action, fresh approaches to governance, and generally has a positive impact on shareholder value. We will generally vote in favor of non-incumbent independent directors.

The election of a company’s board of directors is one of the most fundamental rights held by shareholders. Because a classified board structure prevents shareholders from electing a full slate of directors annually, we will generally support efforts to declassify boards or other measures that permit shareholders to remove a majority of directors at any time, and will generally oppose efforts to adopt classified board structure.
 
Approval of Independent Auditors
 
We believe that the relationship between a company and its auditors should be limited primarily to the audit engagement, although it may include certain closely related activities that do not raise an appearance of impaired independence.
 
We will evaluate on a case-by-case basis instances in which the audit firm has a substantial non-audit relationship with a company to determine whether we believe independence has been, or could be, compromised.
 
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Equity-based compensation plans
 
 We believe that appropriately designed equity-based compensation plans, approved by shareholders, can be an effective way to align the interests of shareholders and the interests of directors, management, and employees by providing incentives to increase shareholder value. Conversely, we are opposed to plans that substantially dilute ownership interests in the company, provide participants with excessive awards, or have inherently objectionable structural features.
 
We will generally support measures intended to increase stock ownership by executives and the use of employee stock purchase plans to increase company stock ownership by employees. These may include:
 
1. Requiring senior executives to hold stock in a company.
2. Requiring stock acquired through option exercise to be held for a certain period of time.

These are guidelines, and we consider other factors, such as the nature of the industry and size of the company, when assessing a plan’s impact on ownership interests.
 
Corporate Structure
 
We view the exercise of shareholders’ rights, including the rights to act by written consent, to call special meetings and to remove directors, to be fundamental to good corporate governance.
 
Because classes of common stock with unequal voting rights limit the rights of certain shareholders, we generally believe that shareholders should have voting power equal to their equity interest in the company and should be able to approve or reject changes to a company’s by-laws by a simple majority vote.
 
We will generally support the ability of shareholders to cumulate their votes for the election of directors.
 
Shareholder Rights Plans
 
 While we recognize that there are arguments both in favor of and against shareholder rights plans, also known as poison pills, such measures may tend to entrench current management, which we generally consider to have a negative impact on shareholder value. Therefore, while we will evaluate such plans on a case by case basis, we will generally oppose such plans.
 
CLIENT INFORMATION
 
A copy of these Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures is available to our clients, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-646-0148. We will send a copy of these Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures within three business days of receipt of a request, by first-class mail or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery.
 
In addition, we will provide each client, without charge, upon request, information regarding the proxy votes cast by us with regard to the client’s securities.
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PART C — OTHER INFORMATION

Item 25: Financial Statements and Exhibits

1.
Financial Statements:
   
 
Part A — None
   
 
Part B — Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
   
2.
Exhibits:
   
 
a
Articles of Amendment and Restatement, filed herewith.
 
b.
Bylaws, filed herewith.
 
c.
Not applicable.
 
d.
Not applicable.
 
e.
Form of Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan, filed herewith.
 
f.
Not applicable.
 
g.1
Form of Investment Advisory Agreement, filed herewith.
 
g.2
Form of Subadvisory Agreement, filed herewith.
 
h.1
Form of Underwriting Agreement.*
 
h.2
Form of Master Agreement Among Underwriters.*
 
h.3
Form of Master Selected Dealers Agreement.*
 
i.
Not applicable.
 
j.
Form of Custodian Agreement, filed herewith.
 
k.1
Form of Transfer Agency, Registrar and Dividend Disbursing Agency Agreement, filed herewith.
 
k.2
Form of Administrative, Bookkeeping and Pricing Services Agreement, filed herewith.
 
k.3
Form of Structuring Fee Agreement.*
 
k.4
Form of Distribution Assistance Agreement, filed herewith.
 
l.
Form of Opinion of Foley & Lardner LLP, filed herewith.
 
m.
Not applicable.
 
n.
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, filed herewith.
 
o.
Not applicable.
 
p.
Subscription Agreement, filed herewith.
 
q.
Not applicable.
 
r.1
Code of Ethics of the Fund.*
 
r.2
Code of Ethics of the Investment Manager, filed herewith.
 
r.3
Code of Ethics of the Subadviser, filed herewith.
 
s.
Powers of Attorney, filed herewith.
 
*   To be filed by amendment.
 
Item 26. Marketing Arrangements

See the Form of Underwriting Agreement as Exhibit (h)(1) and the Form of Structuring Fee Agreement as Exhibit (k)(3), filed herewith, and the Master Agreement Among Underwriters, Master Selected Dealers Agreement, to be filed in an amendment to the Registrant’s Registration Statement.


Item 27. Other Expenses and Distribution

The following table sets forth the estimated expenses to be incurred in connection with the offering described in this Registration Statement:

Registration fees
 
$
   
listing fee
       
Printing (other than certificates)
       
Engraving and printing certificates
       
Accounting fees and expenses
       
Legal fees and expenses
       
FINRA fee
       
Miscellaneous
       
Total
 
$
   

Item 28. Persons Controlled by or under Common Control

None.

Item 29. Number of Holders of Securities

As of November 25, 2015, the number or record holders of each class of securities of the Registrant was:
 
Title of Class
 
Number of
Record Holders
Common Stock, par value, $0.0001 per share   1
 
Item 30. Indemnification

The Charter of the Registrant provides that, to the fullest extent that limitations on the liability of directors and officers are permitted by the Maryland General Corporation Law, no director or officer of the Registrant shall have any liability to the Registrant or its stockholders for damages. This limitation on liability applies to events occurring at the time a person serves as a director or officer of the Registrant whether or not such person is a director or officer at the time of any proceeding in which liability is asserted. Article 2, Section 405.2 of the Maryland General Corporation Law provides that the Articles of Incorporation of a Maryland corporation may limit the extent to which directors or officers may be personally liable to the corporation or its shareholders for money damages in certain instances.

The Registrant’s Charter also provides that no amendment to the charter of the Registrant shall affect any right of any person based on any event, omission or proceeding prior to the amendment. Insofar as Indemnification for liabilities under the 1933 Act may be permitted to the directors and officers, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in such Act and is therefore unenforceable. If a claim for indemnification against such liabilities under the 1933 Act (other than for expenses incurred in a successful defense) is asserted against the Fund by the directors or officers in connection with the securities 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 of whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in such Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

Reference will be made to Section 6 of the Form of Underwriting Agreement, filed herewith as Exhibit (h)(1).

Item 31. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser

ALPS Advisors, Inc.

The description of the Investment Adviser under the caption “Management of the Fund” in the Prospectus and in the Statement of Additional Information, respectively, constituting Parts A and B, respectively, of this Registration Statement are incorporated by reference herein. The address of the Investment Adviser is 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203.
 
Set forth below is information as to any other business, profession, vocation and employment of a substantial nature in which each officer of the Investment Adviser is, or at any during the last two fiscal years has been, engaged for their own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee partner or trustee:

ALPS Advisors, Inc.
 
Name*
Positions with ALPS Advisors, Inc.
Other Business Connections
Type of Business
Edmund J. Burke
Director
President and Director, ALPS Holdings, Inc. and Director, Boston Financial Data Services, Inc., ALPS Advisors, Inc., ALPS Distributors, Inc., ALPS Fund Services, Inc. and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc.
Fund Servicing
Thomas A. Carter
President, Director
See Trustee and Officer Table in the SAI
Fund Servicing
Jeremy O. May
Executive Vice President, Director
President and Director, ALPS Fund Services, Inc., Executive Vice President and Director, ALPS Holdings, Inc. and ALPS Distributors, Inc., and Director, ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc.
Fund Servicing
Bradley J. Swenson
Senior Vice President
Senior Vice President and CCO, ALPS Holdings, Inc., ALPS Distributors, Inc., ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. and ALPS Fund Services, Inc.
Fund Servicing
Robert J. Szydlowski
Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer
Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer, ALPS Holdings, Inc., ALPS Distributors, Inc., ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. and ALPS Fund Services, Inc.
Fund Servicing
Eric T. Parsons
Vice President, Controller, Assistant Treasurer
Vice President, Corporate Controller, ALPS Holdings, Inc., Vice President, Assistant Treasurer  and Controller, ALPS Distributors, Inc., ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. and ALPS Fund Services, Inc.
Fund Servicing
Patrick Buchanan
Vice President, Advisory Operations
See Trustee and Officer Table in the SAI
Fund Servicing
Randall D. Young
Secretary
Secretary, ALPS Holdings, Inc., ALPS Distributors, Inc., ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. and ALPS Fund Services, Inc.
Fund Servicing
 

Gregg Wm. Givens
Vice President, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary
Vice President, Treasurer, Assistant Secretary, ALPS Distributors, Inc. and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., Assistant Treasurer, ALPS Holdings, Inc.  and ALPS Fund Services, Inc.
Fund Servicing
Jeremy Held
Senior Vice President, Director of Research
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
William R. Parmentier, Jr.
Senior Vice President, Director of Research
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Michael Akins
Senior Vice President, Index Management
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Aisha J. Hunt
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Assistant Secretary
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of ALPS Holdings, Inc., ALPS Distributors, Inc., ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. and ALPS Fund Services, Inc.
Fund Servicing
Troy A. Duran
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer of ALPS Holdings, Inc. ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributors, Inc. and ALPS Fund Services, Inc.
Fund Servicing
Erin D. Nelson
Senior Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer
 Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Abigail J. Murray
Vice President, Senior Counsel
Vice President, Senior Counsel of ALPS Fund Services, Inc.
Fund Servicing
Andrea E. Kuchli
Vice President, Senior Counsel
Vice President, Senior Counsel of ALPS Fund Services, Inc.
Fund Servicing
Mark T. Haley
Vice President
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Wyck Brown
Senior Vice President
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Dennis P. Emmanuel
Director of ETF and Closed-End Strategy
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Hilary Quinn
Vice President
Vice President, ALPS Distributors, Inc., ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. and ALPS Fund Services, Inc.
Fund Servicing
Jennifer Craig
Assistant Vice President
Assistant Vice President, ALPS Distributors, Inc. and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc.
Fund Servicing
Douglas W. Fleming
Assistant Treasurer
Assistant Treasurer of ALPS Distributors, Inc., ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. , ALPS Holdings, Inc.  and ALPS Fund Services, Inc.
Fund Servicing
 
Fund Servicing
JoEllen L. Legg
 
Vice President, Senior Counsel
 
Vice President, Assistant General Counsel of ALPS Fund Services, Inc.
Fund Servicing
Fund Servicing
 
* The principal business address for each of the ALPS Advisors, Inc. representatives is: 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado, 80203.


RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC

The description of the Subadviser under the caption “Management of the Fund” in the Prospectus and in the Statement of Additional Information, respectively, constituting Parts A and B, respectively, of this Registration Statement are incorporated by reference herein.

The principal occupation of the directors and officers of the Subadviser are their services as directors and officers of the Subadviser. The address of the Subadviser is 325 North LaSalle Street, Suite 645, Chicago, Illinois 60654.

Set forth below is information as to any other business, profession, vocation and employment of a substantial nature in which each officer of the Subadviser is, or at any during the last two fiscal years has been, engaged for their own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee partner or trustee:
 
Name*
Positions with RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC
Other Business Connections
Type of Business
Brian H. Schmucker
Chief Executive Officer and Board of Managers
Board of Directors, RiverNorth Holdings, Co.; Board of Managers, RiverNorth Financial Holdings, LLC
Investments
Patrick W. Galley
Chief Investment Officer and Board of Managers
President and Trustee, RiverNorth Funds; Board of Directors, RiverNorth Holdings, Co.; Board of Managers, RiverNorth Financial Holdings, LLC.
Investments
Jonathan M. Mohrhardt
Chief Operating Officer and Board of Managers
Treasurer, RiverNorth Funds; Board of Directors, RiverNorth Holdings, Co.; Board of Managers, RiverNorth Financial Holdings, LLC
Investments
Marcus L. Collins
General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer
Chief Compliance Officer, RiverNorth Funds
Investments
Stephen A. O'Neill
Portfolio Manager
Portfolio Manager, RiverNorth Funds
Investments

* The address for each of the named is 325 North LaSalle Street, Suite 645, Chicago, Illinois, 60654.
 
Item 32. Location of Accounts and Records

All applicable accounts, books and documents required to be maintained by the Fund by Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and the Rules promulgated thereunder are in the possession and custody of the Fund, c/o ALPS Funds Services, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, CO 80203.

Item 33. Management Services

Not applicable.


Item 34. Undertakings

1. The Registrant undertakes to suspend the offering of shares until the prospectus is amended if (1) subsequent to the effective date of this Registration Statement, the net asset value decline more than ten percent from its net asset value as of the effective date of this Registration Statement or (2) the net asset value increases to an amount greater than its net proceeds as stated in the prospectus.

2. Not applicable.

3. Not applicable.

4. Not applicable.

5. The Registrant undertakes that:

a. for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in the form of prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to 497(h) under the 1933 Act shall be deemed to be part of the Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective; and

b. for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

6. The Registrant undertakes to send by first class mail or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery, within two business days of receipt of an oral or written request, its Statement of Additional Information.


SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant, has duly caused this amendment to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Denver and the state of Colorado, on the 25 th  day of November, 2015.
 
 
RIVERNORTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND, INC.
 
 
 
 
 
By
/s/ Thomas A. Carter
 
 
Thomas A. Carter, President
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.
 
/s/ Thomas A. Carter
 
Director, President (Principal Executive Officer)
 
November  25, 2015
Thomas A. Carter
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Patrick D. Buchanan
 
Treasurer and Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
November  25, 2015
Patrick D. Buchanan
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*
 
Director
 
November  25, 2015
John Carter
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*
 
Director
 
November  25, 2015
Patrick W. Galley
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*
 
Director
 
November  25, 2015
Wayne Hutchens
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*
 
Director
 
November  25, 2015
John Oakes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*
 
Director
 
November  25, 2015
David M. Swanson
 
 
 
 
 
* By:
/s/Abigail J. Murray
 
 
Name: Abigail J. Murray
 
 
Title:   Attorney in Fact
 
 
Date:   November 25, 2015
 
 
Signatures affixed by Abigail J. Murray pursuant to Powers of Attorney dated November 20, 2015, filed herewith as Exhibit (s).
 
RIVERNORTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND, INC.
 
ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT
 
FIRST : RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc., a Maryland corporation, desires to amend and restate its Charter as currently in effect and as hereinafter amended.
 
SECOND : The following provisions are all the provisions of the Charter currently in effect and as hereinafter amended:
 
ARTICLE I

NAME
 
The name of the corporation (the “ Corporation ”) is “RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc.”
 
ARTICLE II

PURPOSE AND POWER
 
The purposes for which the Corporation is formed are to conduct and carry on the business of a closed-end investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “ 1940 Act ”), and to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the general laws of the State of Maryland as now or hereafter in force.
 
ARTICLE III

PRINCIPAL OFFICE AND RESIDENT AGENT
 
The address of the principal office of the Corporation in the State of Maryland is c/o The Corporation Trust Incorporated, 351 West Camden Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201. The name and address of the resident agent of the Corporation in the State of Maryland are The Corporation Trust Incorporated, 351 West Camden Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201. The resident agent is a Maryland corporation.

ARTICLE IV

PROVISIONS FOR DEFINING, LIMITING
AND REGULATING CERTAIN POWERS OF THE
CORPORATION AND OF THE STOCKHOLDERS AND DIRECTORS
 
Section 4.1 Number and Classification of Directors . The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. The number of directors of the Corporation initially shall be one, which number may be increased or decreased pursuant to the Bylaws, but shall never be less than the minimum number required by the Maryland General Corporation Law. The directors may increase the number of directors and may fill any vacancy, whether resulting from an increase in the number of directors or otherwise, on the Board of Directors occurring before the first annual meeting of stockholders in the manner provided in the Bylaws.
 
At any meeting of stockholders, the directors (other than any director elected solely by holders of one or more classes or series of Preferred Stock) may be classified, with respect to the terms for which they severally hold office, into three classes, as nearly equal in number as possible, one class to hold office initially for a term expiring at the next succeeding annual meeting of stockholders, another class to hold office initially for a term expiring at the second succeeding annual meeting of stockholders and another class to hold office initially for a term expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders, with the members of each class to hold office until their successors are duly elected and qualify. At each annual meeting of the stockholders, the successors to the class of directors whose term expires at such meeting shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders held in the third year following the year of their election and until their successors are duly elected and qualify.
2

The Corporation elects to be subject to the provisions of Section 3-804(c)(l) and (3) of the Maryland General Corporation Law relating to the filling of vacancies on the Board of Directors.
 
Section 4.2 Extraordinary Actions . Except as specifically provided in Section 4.7 (relating to removal of directors) and as otherwise provided in Article VI (relating to amendments and certain transactions), notwithstanding any provision of law permitting or requiring any action to be taken or approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of shares entitled to cast a greater number of votes, any such action shall be effective and valid if taken or approved by the affirmative vote of holders of shares entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.
 
Section 4.3 Authorization by Board of Stock Issuance . The Board of Directors may authorize the issuance from time to time of shares of stock of the Corporation of any class or series, whether now or hereafter authorized, or securities or rights convertible into shares of its stock of any class or series, whether now or hereafter authorized, for such consideration as the Board of Directors may deem advisable (or without consideration in the case of a stock split or stock dividend), subject to such restrictions or limitations, if any, as may be set forth in the Charter or the Bylaws.
 
Section 4.4 Quorum . The presence in person or by proxy of the holders of shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to cast one-third (33 1/3%) of the votes entitled to be cast (without regard to class) shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of stockholders, except with respect to any such matter that, under applicable statutes or regulatory requirements or the Charter, requires approval by a separate vote of one or more classes of stock, in which case the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of shares entitled to cast one-third (33 1/3%) of the votes entitled to be cast by each such class on such a matter shall constitute a quorum.
3

Section 4.5 Preemptive Rights and Appraisal Rights . Except as may be provided by the Board of Directors in setting the terms of classified or reclassified shares of stock pursuant to Section 5.4 or as may otherwise be provided by contract, no holder of shares of stock of the Corporation shall, as such holder, have any preemptive right to purchase or subscribe for any additional shares of stock of the Corporation or any other security of the Corporation which it may issue or sell. No holder of stock of the Corporation shall be entitled to exercise the rights of an objecting stockholder under Title 3, Subtitle 2 of the Maryland General Corporation Law or any successor statute unless the Board of Directors, upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors, shall determine that such rights apply, with respect to all or any classes or series of stock, or any proportion of the shares thereof, to a particular transaction or all transactions occurring after the date of such determination in connection with which holders of such shares would otherwise be entitled to exercise such rights.
 
Section 4.6 Determinations by Board . The determination as to any of the following matters, made in good faith by or pursuant to the direction of the Board of Directors consistent with the Charter, shall be final and conclusive and shall be binding upon the Corporation and every holder of shares of its stock: the amount of the net income of the Corporation for any period and the amount of assets at any time legally available for the payment of dividends, redemption of its stock or the payment of other distributions on its stock; the amount of paid-in surplus, net assets, other surplus, annual or other cash flow, net profit, net assets in excess of capital, undivided profits or excess of profits over losses on sales of assets; the amount, purpose, time of creation, increase or decrease, alteration or cancellation of any reserves or charges and the propriety thereof (whether or not any obligation or liability for which such reserves or charges shall have been created shall have been paid or discharged); any interpretation of the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of any class or series of stock of the Corporation; the fair value, or any sale, bid or asked price to be applied in determining the fair value, of any asset owned or held by the Corporation or of any shares of stock of the Corporation; the number of shares of stock of any class or series of the Corporation; any matter relating to the acquisition, holding and disposition of any assets by the Corporation; or any other matter relating to the business and affairs of the Corporation or required or permitted by applicable law, the Charter or Bylaws or otherwise to be determined by the Board of Directors.
4

Section 4.7 Removal of Directors . Subject to the rights of holders of one or more classes or series of Preferred Stock (as defined below) to elect or remove one or more directors, any director, or the entire Board of Directors, may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause and then only by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds (66 2/3%) of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors. For the purpose of this paragraph, “cause” shall mean, with respect to any particular director, conviction of a felony or a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction holding that such director caused demonstrable, material harm to the Corporation through bad faith or active and deliberate dishonesty.
 
Section 4.8 Advisory Agreements . Subject to such approval of stockholders and other conditions, if any, as may be required by any applicable statute, rule or regulation, the Board of Directors may authorize the execution and performance by the Corporation of (each, an “ Advisory Agreement ”) one or more agreements with any person, corporation, association, company, trust, partnership (limited or general) or other organization whereby, subject to the supervision and control of the Board of Directors, any such other person, corporation, association, company, trust, partnership (limited or general) or other organization shall render or make available to the Corporation managerial, investment, advisory , sub-advisory and/or related services, office space and other services and facilities (including, if deemed advisable by the Board of Directors, the management or supervision of the investments of the Corporation) upon such terms and conditions as may be provided in such Advisory Agreement or Advisory Agreements (including, if deemed fair and equitable by the Board of Directors, the compensation payable thereunder by the Corporation).
5

ARTICLE V

STOCK
 
Section 5.1 Authorized Shares . The Corporation has authority to issue 37,500,000 shares of stock, all of which are shares of Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share (“ Common Stock ”). The aggregate par value of all authorized shares of stock having par value is $3,750. If shares of one class of stock are classified or reclassified into shares of another class of stock pursuant to this Article V, the number of authorized shares of the former class shall be automatically decreased and the number of shares of the latter class shall be automatically increased, in each case by the number of shares so classified or reclassified, so that the aggregate number of shares of stock of all classes that the Corporation has authority to issue shall not be more than the total number of shares of stock set forth in the first sentence of this paragraph. To the extent permitted by Maryland law, the Board of Directors, without any action by the stockholders of the Corporation, may amend the Charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that the Corporation has authority to issue.
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Section 5.2 Common Stock . Each share of Common Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote. The Board of Directors may reclassify any unissued shares of Common Stock from time to time in one or more classes or series of stock.
 
Section 5.3 Preferred Stock . The Board of Directors may classify any unissued shares of stock and reclassify any previously classified but unissued shares of stock of any class or series from time to time, in one or more classes or series of stock, including preferred stock (“ Preferred Stock ”).
 
Section 5.4 Classified or Reclassified Shares . Prior to issuance of classified or reclassified shares of any class or series, the Board of Directors by resolution shall: (a) designate that class or series to distinguish it from all other classes and series of stock of the Corporation; (b) specify the number of shares to be included in the class or series; (c) set or change, subject to the express terms of any class or series of stock of the Corporation outstanding at the time, the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption for each class or series; and (d) cause the Corporation to file articles supplementary with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (the “ SDAT ”). Any of the terms of any class or series of stock set or changed pursuant to clause (c) of this Section 5.4 may be made dependent upon facts or events ascertainable outside the Charter (including determinations by the Board of Directors or other facts or events within the control of the Corporation) and may vary among holders thereof, provided that the manner in which such facts, events or variations shall operate upon the terms of such class or series of stock is clearly and expressly set forth in the articles supplementary filed with the SDAT.
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Section 5.5 Charter and Bylaws . All persons who shall acquire stock in the Corporation shall acquire the same subject to the provisions of the Charter and the Bylaws.
 
ARTICLE VI

AMENDMENTS; CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
 
Section 6.1 Amendments Generally . The Corporation reserves the right from time to time to make any amendment to its Charter, now or hereafter authorized by law, including any amendment altering the terms or contract rights, as expressly set forth in the Charter, of any shares of outstanding stock. All rights and powers conferred by the Charter on stockholders, directors and officers are granted subject to this reservation.
 
Section 6.2 Actions Requiring Supermajority Vote of Board of Directors and Stockholders . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Charter, the affirmative vote of two-thirds (66 2/3%) of the entire Board of Directors and the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds (66 2/3%) of the votes entitled to be cast thereon by stockholders of the Corporation shall be required to advise, approve, adopt or authorize any of the following:
 
(a) a merger, consolidation or statutory share exchange of the Corporation with or into another person;
 
(b)   issuance or transfer by the Corporation (in one or a series of transactions in any 12 month period) of any securities of the Corporation to any person or entity for cash, securities or other property (or combination thereof) having an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more, excluding (i) issuances or transfers of debt securities of the Corporation, (ii) sales of securities of the Corporation in connection with a public offering, (iii) issuances of securities of the Corporation pursuant to a dividend reinvestment plan adopted by the Corporation, (iv) issuances of securities of the Corporation upon the exercise of any stock subscription rights distributed by the Corporation (v) and portfolio transactions effected by the Corporation in the ordinary course of business;
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(c) sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition by the Corporation (in one or a series of transactions in any 12 month period) to or with any person or entity of any assets of the Corporation having an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more except for portfolio transactions (including pledges of portfolio securities in connection with borrowings) effected by the Corporation in the ordinary course of its business;
 
(d) the voluntary liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation or Charter amendment to terminate the Corporation’s existence;
 
(e) except as otherwise provided in Section 6.4 of this Article VI, the conversion of the Corporation from a closed-end company to an open-end company, and any amendments necessary to effect the conversion; or
 
(f) unless the 1940 Act or federal law requires a lesser vote, any stockholder proposal as to specific investment decisions made or to be made with respect to the Corporation’s assets as to which stockholder approval is required under federal or Maryland law.
 
However, the stockholder vote described in Section 6.2 of this Article VI shall not be required with respect to the foregoing transactions (other than those set forth in (f) above) if they are approved by a vote of two-thirds (66 2/3%) of the Continuing Directors (as defined below). In that case, if Maryland law requires stockholder approval, the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast thereon by stockholders of the Corporation shall be required.
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Section 6.3 Actions Requiring Supermajority Vote of Board of Directors . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Charter, the affirmative vote of two-thirds (66 2/3%) of the entire Board of Directors shall be required to advise, approve, adopt or authorize any of the following: (a) the election and removal of officers; (b) the nomination of candidates to the Board of Directors (including the election of directors to fill vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from the increase in size of the Board of Directors or the death, resignation or removal of a director, in which case the affirmative vote of two-thirds (66 2/3%) of the remaining directors in office shall be required); (c) the creation of and delegation of authority and appointment of members to committees of the Board of Directors; (d) amendments to the Bylaws; (e) Charter amendments and any other action requiring stockholder approval; and (f) entering into, terminating or amending an Advisory Agreement.
 
Section 6.4 Contingent Conversion Feature . During the calendar year 2021, the Board of Directors shall call a meeting of the stockholders for the purpose of voting to determine whether the Corporation should convert to an open-end investment company (such meeting date, as may be adjourned, the “Conversion Vote Date”). The conversion of the Corporation from a closed-end investment company to an open-end investment company shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast thereon by stockholders of the Corporation. If the conversion is approved by stockholders on the Conversion Vote Date, the Corporation will seek to convert to an open-end investment company within 12 months of such approval. Any affirmative vote or consent required under this Article VI, Section 6.4 shall be in addition to the vote or consent of the stockholders otherwise required by federal law or by any agreement between the Corporation and any national securities exchange. If the requisite number of votes to convert the Corporation to an open-end management investment company is not obtained on the Conversion Vote Date, the Corporation will continue in operation as a closed-end investment company.
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Section 6.5 Definitions . As used in this Article VI:
 
(a) Business Combination ” means any of the transactions identified in Section 6.2(a), (b) or (c) in this Article VI.
 
(b) Continuing Director ” means any member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation who is not an Interested Party (as defined below) or an Affiliate (as defined below) of an Interested Party and has been a member of the Board of Directors for a period of at least 12 months, or has been a member of the Board of Directors since [ ], 2015, or is a successor of a Continuing Director who is unaffiliated with an Interested Party and is recommended to succeed a Continuing Director by a majority of the Continuing Directors then on the Board of Directors.
 
(c) Interested Party ” means any person, other than an investment company advised by the Corporation’s initial investment adviser or any of its Affiliates, which enters, or proposes to enter, into a Business Combination (as defined above) with the Corporation.
 
(d) Affiliate ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
 
ARTICLE VII

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION AND ADVANCE OF EXPENSES
 
Section 7.1 Limitation of Liability . To the maximum extent that Maryland law in effect from time to time permits limitation of the liability of directors and officers of a corporation, no director or officer of the Corporation shall be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for money damages.
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Section 7.2 Indemnification and Advance of Expenses . The Corporation shall have the power, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time, to obligate itself to indemnify, and to pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to, (a) any individual who is a present or former director or officer of the Corporation or (b) any individual who, while a director or officer of the Corporation and at the request of the Corporation, serves or has served as a director, officer, partner or trustee of another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise from and against any claim or liability to which such person may become subject or which such person may incur by reason of his status as a present or former director or officer of the Corporation. The Corporation shall have the power, with the approval of the Board of Directors, to provide such indemnification and advancement of expenses to a person who served a predecessor of the Corporation in any of the capacities described in (a) or (b) above and to any employee or agent of the Corporation or a predecessor of the Corporation.
 
Section 7.3 1940 Act . The provisions of this Article VII shall be subject to the limitations of the 1940 Act.
 
Section 7.4 Amendment or Repeal . Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Article VII, nor the adoption or amendment of any other provision of the Charter or Bylaws inconsistent with this Article VII, shall apply to or affect in any respect the applicability of the preceding sentence with respect to any act or failure to act which occurred prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption.
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THIRD : The amendment to and restatement of the Charter as hereinabove set forth was approved by a majority of the entire Board of Directors and no stock entitled to be voted on the matter was outstanding or subscribed for at the time of approval.
 
FOURTH : The current address of the principal office of the Corporation is as set forth in Article III of the foregoing amendment and restatement of the Charter.
 
FIFTH : The name and address of the Corporation’s current resident agent is as set forth in Article III of the foregoing amendment and restatement of the Charter.
 
SIXTH : The six directors of the Corporation currently in office are:
 
Class I
 
John K. Carter
J. Wayne Hutchens
Class II
 
Thomas A. Carter
John Oakes
Class III
 
Patrick W. Galley
David M. Swanson
 
SEVENTH: The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation has authority to issue pursuant to the foregoing amendment and restatement of the charter remains 37,500,000, all of which are shares of Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share.   The aggregate par value of all authorized shares of stock having par value is $3,750.
 
EIGHTH : The undersigned President acknowledges these Articles of Amendment and Restatement to be the corporate act of the Corporation and as to all matters or facts required to be verified under oath, the undersigned President acknowledges that to the best of his knowledge, information and belief, these matters and facts are true in all material respects and that this statement is made under the penalties for perjury.

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 [Signature Page Follows]
 
 
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused these Articles of Amendment and Restatement to be signed in its name and on its behalf by its President and attested to by its Secretary on this 20th day of November, 2015.
 
ATTEST:
  RIVERNORTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND, INC.
       
/s/ Abigail J. Murray   By: /s/ Thomas A. Carter  (SEAL)  
Abigail J. Murray
   
Thomas A. Carter
 
Secretary
   
President
 

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RIVERNORTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND, INC.
 
BYLAWS
ARTICLE I.
 
STOCKHOLDERS
 
SECTION 1.01. Annual Meeting . Except as provided herein, RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) shall hold an annual meeting of its stockholders to elect directors and transact any other business within its powers at such time and on such day as shall be set by the Board of Directors in accordance with applicable law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Fund shall not be required to hold an annual meeting in any year in which the election of directors is not required to be acted upon under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), unless as otherwise required by federal law or by a national securities exchange on which the common stock of the Fund is listed. Except as the Charter, these Bylaws or statute provides otherwise, any business may be considered at an annual meeting without the purpose of the meeting having been specified in the notice. Failure to hold an annual meeting does not invalidate the Fund’s existence or affect any otherwise valid corporate acts.
 
SECTION 1.02. Special Meeting . At any time in the interval between annual meetings, a special meeting of the stockholders may be called by the Chairman or the President or by a majority of the Board of Directors by vote at a meeting or in writing (addressed to the Secretary of the Fund) with or without a meeting. Subject to the procedures set forth in Section 1.11 and this Section, special meetings of the stockholders shall be called by the Secretary at the request of stockholders only on the written request of stockholders entitled to cast at least a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at the meeting. A request for a special meeting shall state the purpose of the meeting and the matters proposed to be acted on at it. The Secretary shall inform the stockholders who make the request of the reasonably estimated cost of preparing and mailing a notice of the meeting and, on payment of these costs to the Fund, notify each stockholder entitled to notice of the meeting. The Board of Directors shall have sole power to fix the date and time of the special meeting. Unless requested by stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at the meeting, a special meeting need not be called to consider any matter which is substantially the same as a matter voted on at any special meeting of stockholders held during the preceding 12 months.
 
SECTION 1.03. Place of Meetings . Meetings of stockholders shall be held at such place as is set from time to time by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 1.04. Notice of Meetings; Waiver of Notice . Not less than ten nor more than 90 days before each stockholders’ meeting, the Secretary shall give notice in writing or by electronic transmission of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at the meeting and each other stockholder entitled to notice of the meeting. Any notice given by the Fund to a stockholder is effective if given by a single notice, in writing or by electronic transmission, to all stockholders who share an address if the Fund gives notice, in writing or by electronic transmission, to the stockholder of its intent to give a single notice and the stockholder consents to receiving a single notice or fails to object in writing within 60 days after the Fund gives notice to the stockholder of its intent to give a single notice. A stockholder may revoke consent given, whether affirmative or implied, by written notice to the Fund. The notice shall state the time of the meeting, the place of the meeting and, if the meeting is a special meeting or notice of the purpose is required by statute, the purpose of the meeting. Notice is given to a stockholder when it is personally delivered to the stockholder, left at the stockholder’s residence or usual place of business, mailed to the stockholder at the stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Fund or transmitted to the stockholder by an electronic transmission to any address or number of the stockholder at which the stockholder receives electronic transmissions. If the Fund has received a request from a stockholder that notice not be sent by electronic transmission, the Fund may not provide notice to the stockholder by electronic transmission. Notice given by electronic transmission shall be considered ineffective if the Fund is unable to deliver two consecutive notices and the inability to deliver the notices becomes known to the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary, the transfer agent or other person responsible for giving the notice. The inadvertent failure to deliver any notice by electronic transmission does not invalidate any meeting or other action. An affidavit of the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary, the transfer agent or other agent of the Fund that notice has been given by a form of electronic transmission, in the absence of actual fraud, shall be prima facie evidence of the facts stated in the affidavit. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, each person who is entitled to notice waives notice if the person before or after the meeting delivers a written waiver or a waiver by electronic transmission which is filed with the records of stockholders’ meetings, or is present at the meeting in person or by proxy.
 
SECTION 1.05. Quorum; Voting . Unless any statute or the Charter provides otherwise, at a meeting of stockholders the presence in person or by proxy of stockholders entitled to cast one-third (33 1/3%) of all the votes entitled to be cast at the meeting constitutes a quorum, except that where the holders of any class or series of shares are entitled to vote as a separate class or series (such class or series being referred to as a “Separate Class”) or where the holders of two or more (but not all) classes or series of stock are required to vote as a single class or series (such classes or series being referred to as a “Combined Class”), the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of one-third (33 1/3%) of the shares of that Separate Class or Combined Class, as the case may be, issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat shall constitute a quorum for such vote. Unless any statute or the Charter provides otherwise, a majority of all the votes cast at a meeting at which a quorum is present is sufficient to approve any matter which properly comes before the meeting, except that a plurality of all the votes cast at a meeting at which a quorum is present is sufficient to elect a director.
 
SECTION 1.06. Adjournments . Whether or not a quorum is present, a meeting of stockholders convened on the date for which it was called may be adjourned from time to time without further notice by the chairman of the meeting to a date not more than 120 days after the original record date. Whether or not a quorum with respect to a Separate Class or a Combined Class, as the case may be, is present, a meeting of stockholders of a Separate Class or a Combined Class convened on the date for which it was called may be adjourned from time to time without further notice by the chairman of the meeting to a date not more than 120 days after the original record date. Any business which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified may be deferred and transacted at any such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present.
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SECTION 1.07. General Right to Vote; Proxies . Unless the Charter provides for a greater or lesser number of votes per share or limits or denies voting rights, each outstanding share of stock (or fraction thereof), regardless of class or series, is entitled to one vote (or fraction of a vote) on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of stockholders. In all elections for directors, each share of stock (or fraction thereof) may be voted for as many individuals as there are directors to be elected and for whose election the share is entitled to be voted. A stockholder may vote the stock (or fraction thereof) the stockholder owns of record either in person or by proxy. A stockholder may sign a writing authorizing another person to act as proxy. Signing may be accomplished by the stockholder or the stockholder’s authorized agent signing the writing or causing the stockholder’s signature to be affixed to the writing by any reasonable means, including facsimile signature. A stockholder may authorize another person to act as proxy by transmitting, or authorizing the transmission of, an authorization by a telegram, cablegram, datagram, electronic mail or any other electronic or telephonic means to the person authorized to act as proxy or to any other person authorized to receive the proxy authorization on behalf of the person authorized to act as the proxy, including a proxy solicitation firm or proxy support service organization. Unless a proxy provides otherwise, it is not valid more than 11 months alter its date. A proxy is revocable by a stockholder at any time without condition or qualification unless the proxy states that it is irrevocable and the proxy is coupled with an interest. A proxy may be made irrevocable for so long as it is coupled with an interest. The interest with which a proxy may be coupled includes an interest in the stock to be voted under the proxy or another general interest in the Fund or its assets or liabilities.
 
SECTION 1.08. List of Stockholders . At each meeting of stockholders, a full, true and complete list of all stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting, showing the number, class and series of shares held by each stockholder and certified by the transfer agent for such class or series or by the Secretary, shall be furnished by the Secretary.
 
SECTION 1.09. Conduct of Business . Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors and the proposal of business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders (a) pursuant to the Fund’s notice of meeting, (b) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (c) by any stockholder of the Fund (i) who was a stockholder of record at the time of giving notice(s) provided for in Section 1.11 and Section 1.12, (ii) who is entitled to vote at the meeting and (iii) who complied with the notice(s) procedures set forth in Section 1.11 and Section 1.12. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors and the proposal of business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at a special meeting of stockholders (a) only pursuant to the Fund’s notice of meeting and (b), in the case of nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors, (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (ii) by any stockholder of the Fund (A) who was a stockholder of record at the time of giving notice provided for in Section 1.11, (B) who is entitled to vote at the meeting and (C) who complied with the notice procedures set forth in Section 1.11. The chairman of the meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 1.11, Section 1.12 and this Section and, if any proposed nomination or business is not in compliance with Section 1.11, Section 1.12 and this Section, to declare that such defective nomination or proposal be disregarded.
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SECTION 1.10. Conduct of Voting . At all meetings of stockholders, unless the voting is conducted by inspectors, the proxies and ballots shall be received, and ail questions touching the qualification of voters and the validity of proxies, the acceptance or rejection of votes and procedures for the conduct of business not otherwise specified by these Bylaws, the Charter or law, shall be decided or determined by the chairman of the meeting. If demanded by the holders, present in person or by proxy, of at least 10 percent of the shares issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting, the vote upon any election or question shall be taken by ballot. Before any meeting of the stockholders, the Board of Directors may appoint persons to act as inspectors of election at the meeting and any adjournment thereof. If no inspectors of election are so appointed, the chairman of the meeting may, and on the request of the holders, present in person or by proxy, of at least 10 percent of the shares issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting, shall, appoint inspectors of election at the meeting. The number of inspectors shall be either one or three. If inspectors are appointed at a meeting on the request of stockholders, the holders of a majority of shares present in person or by proxy shall determine whether one or three inspectors are to be appointed. No candidate for election as a director at a meeting shall serve as an inspector thereat. If any person appointed as inspector fails to appear or fails or refuses to act, the chairman of the meeting may, and upon the request of any stockholder shall, appoint a person to fill that vacancy. The inspectors shall determine the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each, the shares represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum, and the authenticity, validity and effect of proxies; receive votes, ballots or consents; hear and determine all challenges and questions in any way arising in connection with the right to vote; count and tabulate all votes or consents; determine when polis shall close; determine the result; and do any other acts that may be proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all stockholders. Unless so demanded or ordered, no vote need be by ballot and voting need not be conducted by inspectors.
 
SECTION 1.11. Advance Notice Provisions for Election of   Directors . Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the following procedures shall be eligible for election as directors of the Fund. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made at any annual meeting of stockholders, or at any special meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors, (a) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors (or any duly authorized committee thereof) or (b) by any stockholder of the Fund (i) who is a stockholder of record on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in this Section and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting and (ii) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section. A stockholder’s notice must be delivered to or mailed and received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Fund (a) in the case of an annual meeting, not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided , however , that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than 30 days or delayed by more than 60 days from the anniversary date of the preceding year’s annual meeting or no annual meeting was held in the preceding year, notice by the stockholder must be so delivered not earlier than the 90ffi day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 60ffi day prior to such annual meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such annual meeting is first made; and (b) in the case of a special meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors, not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which notice of the date of the special meeting was mailed or public announcement of the date of the special meeting was made, whichever first occurs. A stockholder’s notice to the Secretary must be in writing and set forth (a) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election as a director, all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and (b) as to the stockholder giving the notice (i) the name and address of such stockholder as they appear on the Fund’s books and of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made, (ii) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Fund which are owned beneficially or of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner, (iii) a description of all arrangements or understandings between such stockholder and each proposed nominee and any other person or persons (including their names) pursuant to which the nomination(s) are to be made by such stockholder, (iv) a representation that such stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the persons named in its notice and (y) any other information relating to such stockholder that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Such notice must be accompanied by a written consent of each proposed nominee to be named as a nominee and to serve as a director if elected. No person shall be eligible for election as a director of the Fund unless nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section. If the chairman of the meeting determines that a nomination was not made in accordance with the foregoing procedures, the chairman of the meeting shall declare to the meeting that the nomination was defective and such defective nomination shall be disregarded. No adjournment or postponement of a meeting of stockholders shall commence a new period for the giving of notice of a stockholder proposal hereunder.
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SECTION 1.12. Advance Notice Provisions for Business to be   Transacted at Annual Meeting . No business may be transacted at an annual meeting of stockholders, other than business that is either (a) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors (or any duly authorized committee thereof), (b) otherwise properly brought before the annual meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors (or any duly authorized committee thereof) or (c) otherwise properly brought before the annual meeting by any stockholder of the Fund (i) who is stockholder of record on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in this Section and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such annual meeting and (ii) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section. A stockholder’s notice must be delivered to or mailed and received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Fund not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than 30 days or delayed by more than 60 days from the anniversary date of the preceding year’s annual meeting or no annual meeting was held in the preceding year, notice by the stockholder must be so delivered not earlier than the 90ffi day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 60th day prior to such annual meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. A stockholder’s notice to the Secretary must be in writing and set forth as to each matter such stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (ii) the name and address of such stockholder as they appear on the Fund’s books and of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, (iii) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Fund which are owned beneficially or of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner, (iv) a description of all arrangements or understandings between such stockholder and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by such stockholder and any material interest of such stockholder in such business, and (y) a representation that such stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the annual meeting to bring such business before the meeting. No business shall be conducted at the annual meeting of stockholders except business brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 1.11 or in this Section, provided, however, that once business has been properly brought before the annual meeting in accordance with such procedures, nothing in Section 1.11 nor in this Section shall be deemed to preclude discussion by any stockholder of any such business. If the chairman of an annual meeting determines that business was not properly brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the foregoing procedures, the chairman of the meeting shall declare to the meeting that the business was not properly brought before the meeting and such business shall not be transacted. No adjournment or postponement of a meeting of stockholders shall commence a new period for the giving of notice of a stockholder proposal hereunder.
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ARTICLE II.
 
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
SECTION 2.01. Function of Directors . The business and affairs of the Fund shall be managed under the direction of its Board of Directors. All powers of the Fund may be exercised by or under authority of the Board of Directors, except as conferred on or reserved to the stockholders by statute or by the Charter or these Bylaws. The Board of Directors may delegate the duty of management of the assets and the administration of the day-to-day operations of the Fund to one or more entities or individuals pursuant to a written contract or contracts which have obtained the approvals, including the approval of renewals thereof, required by the Investment Company Act.
 
SECTION 2.02. Number and Qualification of Directors . The Board of Directors shall consist of 3 directors, which number may be increased or decreased by a resolution of a majority of the entire board of directors, provided that the number of directors shall not be less than 3 or more than 15 nor shall any change in the number of directors affect the tenure of office of any director. The membership of the Board of Directors shall meet the applicable requirements under the Investment Company Act.
 
SECTION 2.03. Election and Tenure of Directors . Subject to the rights of the holders of any class or series of stock separately entitled to elect one or more directors, the directors shall be divided into three classes as nearly equal in number as possible, with the term of office of one class of directors expiring in each year. In accordance with the provisions of the Charter, the classes shall be designated as Class I, Class II, and Class III, respectively. At each successive annual meeting of stockholders, the holders of stock present in person or by proxy at such meeting and entitled to vote thereat shall elect members of each successive class to serve for three year terms and until their successors are elected and qualify (and, as appropriate, the members of any other class to serve for the remainder of the term of that class and until their successors are elected and qualify). If the number of directors is changed, any increase or decrease shall be apportioned among the classes so as to maintain the number of directors in each class as nearly equal as possible, and any additional director of any class shall, subject to Section 2.05, hold office for a term that shall coincide with the remaining term of that class, but in no case shall a decrease in the number of directors shorten the term of any incumbent director.
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SECTION 2.04. Removal of Director . Subject to the rights of the holders of any class or series of stock separately entitled to elect or remove one or more directors, any director, or the entire Board of Directors, may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause and then only by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds (66 2/3%) of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors. For the purpose of this paragraph, “cause” shall mean, with respect to any particular director, conviction of a felony or a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction holding that such director caused demonstrable, material harm to the Corporation through bad faith or active and deliberate dishonesty.
 
SECTION 2.05. Vacancy on Board of Directors . Subject to the Investment Company Act, two-thirds (66 2/3%) of the remaining directors, whether or not sufficient to constitute a quorum, may fill a vacancy on the Board of Directors which results from any cause. Consistent with the election set forth in the Charter, a director elected by the Board of Directors to fill a vacancy serves for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the vacancy occurs and until his or her successor is elected and qualifies.
 
SECTION 2.06. Regular Meetings . After each meeting of stockholders at which directors shall have been elected, the Board of Directors shall meet as soon thereafter as practicable for the purpose of organization and the transaction of other business. In the event that no other time and place are specified by resolution of the Board of Directors or announced by the President or the Chairman at such stockholders meeting, the Board of Directors shall meet immediately following the close of and at the place of such stockholders meeting. Any other regular meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held on such date and time, at such place or by means of remote communication, as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors. No notice of such meeting following a stockholders meeting or any other regular meeting shall be necessary if held as hereinabove provided.
 
SECTION 2.07. Special Meetings . Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called at any time by the Chairman or by a majority of the Board of Directors or a majority of the members of the Executive Committee by vote at a meeting, or in writing or delivered by electronic transmission with or without a meeting. A special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held on such date, at any place or by means of remote communication, as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors. In the absence of designation such meeting shall be held at such place or means of remote communication as may be designated in the call.
 
SECTION 2.08. Notice of Meetings . Except as provided in Section 2.06, the Secretary shall give notice to each director of each regular and special meeting of the Board of Directors. The notice shall state the time of the meeting and place or that the meeting is being held by means of remote communication. Notice is given to a director when it is delivered personally to him or her, left at his or her residence or usual place of business, or sent by electronic transmission, telegraph, facsimile transmission, or telephone, at least 24 hours before the time of the meeting or, in the alternative by mail to his or her address as it shall appear on the records of the Fund, at least 72 hours before the time of the meeting. Unless these Bylaws or a resolution of the Board of Directors provides otherwise, the notice need not state the business to be transacted at or the purposes of any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors. No notice of any meeting of the Board of Directors need be given to any director who attends except where a director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened, or to any director who delivers a written waiver or a waiver by electronic transmission which is filed with the records of the meeting either before or after the holding thereof, waiving such notice. Any meeting of the Board of Directors, regular or special, may adjourn from time to time to reconvene at the same or some other place, and no notice need be given of any such adjourned meeting other than by announcement.
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SECTION 2.09. Quorum; Action by Directors . A majority of the total number of directors fixed in accordance with these Bylaws shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. In the absence of a quorum, the directors present by majority vote and without notice other than by announcement may adjourn the meeting from time to time until a quorum shall attend. At any such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified. Unless statute or the Charter or these Bylaws requires a greater proportion, the action of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present is the action of the Board of Directors. Except as to votes that the Investment Company Act requires to be taken in person, any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting if a unanimous consent which sets forth the action is given in writing or by electronic transmission by each member of the Board of Directors and filed in paper or electronic form with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors.
 
SECTION 2.10. Meeting by Conference Telephone . Except as to votes that the Investment Company Act requires to be taken in person, members of the Board of Directors may participate in a meeting by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time. Participation in a meeting by these means constitutes presence in person at a meeting.
 
SECTION 2.11. Compensation . By resolution of the Board of Directors a fixed sum and expenses, if any, for attendance at each regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors or of committees thereof, an annual retainer, and other compensation for their services as such or on committees of the Board of Directors, may be paid to directors. Directors who are full-time employees of the Fund or “affiliated persons” as defined in the Investment Company Act of the Fund’s investment adviser or principal underwriter shall not be paid for attendance at meetings of the Board of Directors or committees thereof for which fees are paid to other directors. A director who serves the Fund in any other capacity also may receive compensation for such other services, pursuant to a resolution of the directors.
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SECTION 2.12. Resignation . Any director may resign at any time by sending a written notice of such resignation to the principal office of the Fund addressed to the Chairman or the President. Unless otherwise specified therein such resignation shall take effect upon receipt thereof by the Chairman or the President.
 
SECTION 2.13. Presumption of Assent . A director of the Fund who is present at a meeting of the Board of Directors at which action on any corporate matter is taken shall be presumed to have assented to the action taken unless his or her dissent or abstention shall be entered in the minutes of the meeting or unless he or she shall file his or her written dissent to such action with the person acting as the secretary of the meeting before the adjournment thereof or shall forward such dissent by registered mail to the Secretary of the Fund immediately after the adjournment of the meeting. Such right to dissent shall not apply to a director who votes in favor of such action or fails to make his dissent known at the meeting.
 
SECTION 2.14. Advisory Directors . The Board of Directors may by resolution appoint advisory directors to the Board of Directors, who may also serve as directors emeriti, and shall have such authority and receive such compensation and reimbursement as the Board of Directors shall provide. Advisory directors or directors emeriti shall not have voting rights in connection with any business of the Board of Directors or any committee of the Board of Directors.
 
ARTICLE III.
 
COMMITTEES
 
SECTION 3.01. Committees . The Board of Directors may appoint from among its members an Executive Committee, an Audit Committee, a Nominating Committee, and other committees composed of one or more directors and delegate to these committees any of the powers of the Board of Directors, except the power to (i) authorize dividends on stock (other than as provided below), (ii) elect directors, (iii) issue stock (other than as provided below), (iv) recommend to the stockholders any action which requires stockholder approval, (y) amend these Bylaws, or (vi) approve any merger or share exchange which does not require stockholder approval. The Executive Committee, if appointed, shall have and may exercise all powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Fund that may lawfully be exercised by a committee. The membership of each committee shall meet the applicable requirements under the Investment Company Act. If the Board of Directors has given general authorization for a distribution and provides for or establishes a method or procedure for determining the maximum amount of the distribution, a committee of the Board of Directors or an officer of the Fund, in accordance with that general authorization, may fix the amount and other terms of the distribution. If the Board of Directors has given general authorization for the issuance of stock providing for or establishing a method or procedure for determining the maximum number of shares to be issued, a committee of the Board of Directors, in accordance with that general authorization or any stock option or other plan or program adopted by the Board of Directors, may authorize or fix the terms of stock subject to classification or reclassification and the terms on which any stock may be issued, including all terms and conditions required or permitted to be established or authorized by the Board of Directors.
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SECTION 3.02. Committee Procedure . Each committee may fix rules of procedure for its business. A majority of the members of a committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and the act of a majority of those present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the committee. The members of a committee present at any meeting, whether or not they constitute a quorum, may appoint a director to act in the place of an absent or disqualified member. Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of a committee may be taken without a meeting if a unanimous consent which sets forth the action is given in writing or by electronic transmission by each member of the committee and filed in paper or electronic form with the minutes of the committee. The members of a committee may conduct any meeting thereof by conference telephone in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.10.
 
SECTION 3.03. Emergency . In the event of a state of disaster of sufficient severity to prevent the conduct and management of the affairs and business of the Fund by its directors and officers as contemplated by the Charter and these Bylaws, any two or more available members of the then incumbent Executive Committee (if one has been composed as permitted in Section 3.01) shall constitute a quorum of that Committee for the full conduct and management of the affairs and business of the Fund in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.01. In the event of the unavailability, at such time, of a minimum of two members of the then incumbent Executive Committee, the available directors shall elect an Executive Committee consisting of any two members of the Board of Directors, whether or not they be officers of the Fund, which two members shall constitute the Executive Committee for the full conduct and management of the affairs of the Fund in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section. This Section shall be subject to implementation by resolution of the Board of Directors passed from time to time for that purpose, and any provisions of these Bylaws (other than this Section) and any resolutions which are contrary to the provisions of this Section or to the provisions of any such implementary resolutions shall be suspended until it shall be determined by any interim Executive Committee acting under this Section that it shall be to the advantage of the Fund to resume the conduct and management of its affairs and business under all the other provisions of these Bylaws.
 
ARTICLE IV.
 
OFFICERS
 
SECTION 4.01. Executive and Other Officers . The Fund shall have a Chairman, a President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. The Fund may also have a Lead Independent Director, one or more Vice Chairmen, Vice Presidents, assistant officers, and subordinate officers at the designation by the Board of Directors. A person may hold more than one office in the Fund except that no person may serve concurrently as both President and Vice President of the Fund. The Chairman and any Vice Chairmen shall be directors, and the other officers may be directors. The Board of Directors may designate a chief investment officer, a chief financial officer, a chief accounting officer, a chief administrative officer, or other officers with functional titles and specify the duties of such officers. A person may hold more than one functional title in the Fund.
 
SECTION 4.02. Chairman . The Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and of the stockholders at which he or she shall be present and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as are from time to time assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors.
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SECTION 4.03. Vice Chairmen . The Vice Chairman or Vice Chairmen, at the request of the Chairman, or in the Chairman’s absence or during his or her inability to act, shall perform the duties and exercise the functions of the Chairman, and when so acting shall have the powers of the Chairman. If there be more than one Vice Chairman, the Board of Directors may determine which one or more of the Vice Chairmen shall perform any of such duties or exercise any of such functions, or if such determination is not made by the Board of Directors, the Chairman may make such determination; otherwise any of the Vice Chairmen may perform any of such duties or exercise any of such functions.
 
SECTION 4.04. Lead Independent Director . The Lead Independent Director shall perform such functions and have such powers as are from time to time assigned to him or her by vote of the directors of the Fund who are not “interested persons” of the Fund, as such term is defined under the Investment Company Act.
 
SECTION 4.05. President . The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Fund, shall have general supervision of the business and affairs of the Fund and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors are carried out. He or she may execute, in the name of the Fund, all authorized deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts or other instruments, except in cases in which the signing and execution thereof shall have been expressly delegated to some other officer or agent of the Fund. In general, he or she shall perform such other duties customarily performed by the president and chief executive officer of a closed-end investment company and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as are from time to time assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors.
 
SECTION 4.06. Vice Presidents . The Vice President or Vice Presidents, at the request of the President, or in the President’s absence or during his or her inability to act, shall perform the duties and exercise the functions of the President, and when so acting shall have the powers of the President. If there be more than one Vice President, the Board of Directors may determine which one or more of the Vice Presidents shall perform any of such duties or exercise any of such functions, or if such determination is not made by the Board of Directors, the President may make such determination; otherwise any of the Vice Presidents may perform any of such duties or exercise any of such functions. Each Vice President shall perform such other duties and have such other powers, and have such additional descriptive designations in their titles (if any), as are from time to time assigned to them by the Board of Directors or the President.
 
SECTION 4.07. Secretary . The Secretary shall keep the minutes of the meetings of the stockholders, of the Board of Directors and of any committees, in books provided for the purpose; he or she shall see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws or as required by law; he or she shall be custodian of the records of the Fund; he or she may witness any document on behalf of the Fund, the execution of which is duly authorized, see that the corporate seal is affixed where such document is required or desired to be under its seal, and, when so affixed, may attest the same. In general, he or she shall perform such other duties customarily performed by a secretary of a closed-end investment company, and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as are from time to time assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors or the President.
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SECTION 4.08. Treasurer . The Treasurer shall have charge of and be responsible for all funds, securities, receipts and disbursements of the Fund, and shall deposit, or cause to be deposited, in the name of the Fund, all moneys or other valuable effects in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as shall, from time to time, be selected by the Board of Directors; he or she shall render to the President and to the Board of Directors, whenever requested, an account of the financial condition of the Fund. In general, he or she shall perform such other duties customarily performed by a treasurer of a closed-end investment company, and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as are from time to time assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors or the President.
 
SECTION 4.09. Assistant and Subordinate Officers . The assistant and subordinate officers of the Fund are all officers below the office of Vice President, Secretary, or Treasurer. The assistant or subordinate officers shall have such duties as are from time to time assigned to them by the Board of Directors or the President.
 
SECTION 4.10. Election, Tenure and Removal of Officers . The Board of Directors shall elect the officers of the Fund. Election or appointment of an officer, employee or agent shall not of itself create contract rights. All officers shall be appointed to hold their offices, respectively, during the pleasure of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may remove an officer at any time, with or without cause. The removal of an officer does not prejudice any of his or her contract rights. The Board of Directors may fill a vacancy which occurs in any office.
 
SECTION 4.11. Compensation . The Board of Directors shall have power to fix the salaries and other compensation and remuneration, if any, of all officers of the Fund. No officer shall be prevented from receiving such salary by reason of the fact that he or she is also a director of the Fund.
 
ARTICLE V.
 
INDEMNIFICATION
 
SECTION 5.01. General Indemnification . The Fund shall indemnify (i) its present and former directors and officers, whether serving or having served the Fund or at its request any other entity, to the fullest extent required or permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time (as limited by the Investment Company Act), including the advance of costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) under the procedures and to the fullest extent permitted by law, and (ii) other employees and agents to such extent as shall be authorized by the Board of Directors, the Charter, or this Bylaw and as permitted by law. The foregoing rights of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled. The Board of Directors may take such action as is necessary to carry out these indemnification provisions and is expressly empowered to adopt, approve, and amend from time to time such bylaws, resolutions, or contracts implementing such provisions or such further indemnification arrangements as may be permitted by law. No amendment of this Bylaw or repeal of any of its provisions shall limit or eliminate the right of indemnification provided hereunder with respect to acts or omissions occurring prior to such amendment or repeal.
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SECTION 5.02. Procedure . Any indemnification, or payment of costs and expenses in advance of the final disposition of any proceeding, shall be made promptly, and in any event within 60 days, upon the written request of the director or officer entitled to seek indemnification (the “Indemnified Party”). The right to indemnification and advances hereunder shall be enforceable by the Indemnified Party in any court of competent jurisdiction, if (i) the Fund denies such request, in whole or in part, or (ii) no disposition thereof is made within 60 days. The Indemnified Party’s costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred in connection with successfully establishing his or her right to indemnification, in whole or in part, in any such action shall also be paid or reimbursed by the Fund. It shall be a defense to any action for advance for costs and expenses that (a) a determination has been made that the facts then known to those making the determination would preclude indemnification or (b) the Fund has not received both (i) an undertaking as required by law to repay such advances in the event it shall ultimately be determined that the standard of conduct has not been met and (ii) a written affirmation by the Indemnified Party of such Indemnified Party’s good faith belief that the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the Fund has been met.
 
SECTION 5.03. Exclusivity, Etc . The indemnification and advance of costs and expenses provided by the Charter and this Bylaw shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which a person seeking indemnification or advance of costs and expenses may be entitled under any law (common or statutory), or any agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or other provision that is consistent with law, both as to action in his or her official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding office or while employed by or acting as agent for the Fund, shall continue in respect of all events occurring while a person was a director or officer after such person has ceased to be a director or officer, and shall inure to the benefit of the estate, heirs, executors and administrators of such person. The Fund shall not be liable for any payment under this Bylaw in connection with a claim made by a director or officer to the extent such director or officer has otherwise actually received payment under insurance policy, agreement, vote or otherwise, of the amounts otherwise indemnifiable hereunder. All rights to indemnification and advance of costs and expenses under the Charter of the Fund and hereunder shall be deemed to be a contract between the Fund and each director or officer of the Fund who serves or served in such capacity at any time while this Bylaw is in effect. Nothing herein shall prevent the amendment of this Bylaw, provided that no such amendment shall diminish the rights of any person hereunder with respect to events occurring or claims made before its adoption or as to claims made after its adoption in respect of events occurring before its adoption. Any repeal or modification of this Bylaw shall not in any way diminish any rights to indemnification or advance of costs and expenses of such director or officer or the obligations of the Fund arising hereunder with respect to events occurring, or claims made, while this Bylaw or any provision hereof is in force.
 
SECTION 5.04. Insurance . The Fund may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any Indemnified Party against any liability asserted against and incurred by any Indemnified Party in any protected capacity or arising out of his or her position. The Fund may purchase and maintain insurance on its behalf in respect of any liability it may incur to provide indemnification under the Charter, this Bylaw, or law.
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SECTION 5.05. Severability; Definitions . The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Article V shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision hereof. The phrase “this Bylaw” in this Article V means this Article V in its entirety.
 
ARTICLE VI.
 
STOCK
 
SECTION 6.01. Certificates for Stock . The Board of Directors may determine to issue certificated or uncertificated shares of capital stock and other securities of the Fund. For certificated stock, each stockholder is entitled to certificates which represent and certify the shares of stock he or she holds in the Fund. Each stock certificate (a) shall be in such form, not inconsistent with law or with the Charter, as shall be approved by the Board of Directors or any officer or officers designated for such purpose by resolution of the Board of Directors, (b) shall include on its face the name of the Fund, the name of the stockholder or other person to whom it is issued, and the class or series of stock and number of shares it represents, (c) shall be signed by the Chairman, the President, or a Vice President, and countersigned by the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary, the Treasurer, or an Assistant Treasurer and (d) may be sealed with the actual corporate seal or a facsimile of it or in any other form and the signatures may be either manual or facsimile signatures. Each stock certificate shall also include on its face or back (a) a statement of any restrictions on transferability and a statement of the designations and any preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications, and terms and conditions of redemption of the stock of each class or series which the Fund is authorized to issue, of the differences in the relative rights and preferences between the shares of each series of a preferred or special class in series which the Fund is authorized to issue, to the extent they have been set, and of the authority of the Board of Directors to set the relative rights and preferences of subsequent series of a preferred or special class of stock or (b) a statement which provides in substance that the Fund will furnish a full statement of such information to any stockholder on request and without charge. Such request may be made to the Secretary or to its transfer agent. Except as provided in the Maryland Uniform Commercial Code - Investment Securities, the fact that a stock certificate does not contain or refer to a restriction on transferability that is adopted alter the date of issuance does not mean that the restriction is invalid or unenforceable. A stock certificate is valid and may be issued whether or not an officer who signed it is still an officer when it is issued. A certificate may not be issued until the stock represented by it is fully paid. Upon the issuance of uncertificated shares of capital stock, the Fund shall send the stockholder a written statement of the same information required above on the certificate and by the Maryland Uniform Commercial Code - Investment Securities.
 
SECTION 6.02. Transfers . The Board of Directors shall have power and authority to make such rules and regulations as it may deem expedient concerning the issue, transfer and registration of certificates of stock; and may appoint transfer agents and registrars thereof. The duties of transfer agent and registrar may be combined.
 
SECTION 6.03. Record Dates or Closing of Transfer Books . The Board of Directors may, and shall have the sole power to, set a record date or direct that the stock transfer books be closed for a stated period for the purpose of making any proper determination with respect to stockholders, including which stockholders are entitled to request a special meeting of stockholders, notice of a meeting of stockholders, vote at a meeting of stockholders, receive a dividend, or be allotted other rights. The record date may not be prior to the close of business on the day the record date is fixed nor, subject to Section 1.06, more than 90 days before the date on which the action requiring the determination will be taken; the transfer books may not be closed for a period longer than 20 days; and, in the case of a meeting of stockholders, the record date or the closing of the transfer books shall be at least ten days before the date of the meeting. Any shares of the Fund’s own stock acquired by the Fund between the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders and the time of the meeting may be voted at the meeting by the holder of record as of the record date and shall be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares entitled to be voted at the meeting.
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SECTION 6.04. Stock   Ledger . The Fund shall maintain a stock ledger which contains the name and address of each stockholder and the number of shares of stock of each class or series which the stockholder holds. The stock ledger may be in written form or in any other form which can be converted within a reasonable time into written form for visual inspection. The original or a duplicate of the stock ledger shall be kept at the offices of a transfer agent for the particular class or series of stock, or, if none, at the principal office in the State of Maryland or the principal executive offices of the Fund.
 
SECTION 6.05. Certification of Beneficial Owners . The Board of Directors may adopt by resolution a procedure by which a stockholder of the Fund may certify in writing to the Fund that any shares of stock registered in the name of the stockholder are held for the account of a specified person other than the stockholder. The resolution shall set forth the class or series of stockholders who may certify; the purpose for which the certification may be made; the form of certification and the information to be contained in it; if the certification is with respect to a record date or closing of the stock transfer books, the time after the record date or closing of the stock transfer books within which the certification must be received by the Fund; and any other provisions with respect to the procedure which the Board of Directors considers necessary or desirable. On receipt of a certification which complies with the procedure adopted by the Board of Directors in accordance with this Section, the person specified in the certification is, for the purpose set forth in the certification, the holder of record of the specified stock in place of the stockholder who makes the certification.
 
SECTION 6.06. Lost Stock Certificates . The Board of Directors may determine the conditions for issuing a new stock certificate in place of one which is alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed, or the Board of Directors may delegate such power to any officer or officers of the Fund. In their discretion, the Board of Directors or such officer or officers may require the owner of the certificate to give bond, with sufficient surety, to indemnify the Fund against any loss or claim arising as a result of the issuance of a new certificate. In their discretion, the Board of Directors or such officer or officers may refuse to issue such new certificate save upon the order of some court having jurisdiction in the premises.
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ARTICLE VII.
 
FINANCE
 
SECTION 7.01. Negotiable Instruments . All checks, drafts and orders for the payment of money, notes and other evidences of indebtedness, issued in the name of the Fund, shall, unless otherwise provided by resolution of the Board of Directors, be signed by the Chairman, the President, a Vice President, an Assistant Vice President, the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary (or in the name of the Fund by a custodian appointed under Section 7.06 by not less than two of its officers).
 
SECTION 7.02. Annual Statement of Affairs . The President or the chief accounting officer shall prepare annually a full and correct statement of the affairs of the Fund, to include a balance sheet and a financial statement of operations for the preceding fiscal year. The statement of affairs shall be submitted at any annual meeting of the stockholders. Within 20 days after the annual meeting of stockholders or, if the Fund is not required to hold an annual meeting of stockholders, within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year, the statement of affairs shall be placed on file at the Fund’s principal office.
 
SECTION 7.03. Fiscal Year . The fiscal year of the Fund shall be the 12 calendar months period ending October 31 in each year, unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors.
 
SECTION 7.04. Dividends . If declared by or under authority of the Board of Directors, the Fund may pay dividends on its shares in cash, property, or in shares of the capital stock of the Fund, unless such dividend is contrary to law or to a restriction contained in the Charter. The Board of Directors may prescribe from time to time that dividends declared are payable at the election of any of the stockholders, either in cash or in shares of the Fund.
 
SECTION 7.05. Valuation of Assets . The Board of Directors shall establish procedures to govern the valuation of the portfolio securities held by the Fund, which procedures shall be consistent with the requirements of the Investment Company Act
 
SECTION 7.06. Employment of Custodian . The Fund shall place and maintain its securities, similar investments and related funds in the custody of one or more custodians (including one or more subcustodians for maintaining its foreign securities, similar foreign investments and related funds) meeting the requirements of the Investment Company Act, or may serve as its own custodian in accordance with such rules and regulations or orders as the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) may from time to time prescribe for the protection of investors. Securities held by a custodian may be registered in the name of the Fund, including the designation of the particular class or series of stock to which such assets belong, or any such custodian, or the nominee of either of them. Subject to such rules, regulations, and orders as the Commission may adopt as necessary or appropriate for the protection of investors, the Fund or any custodian, with the consent of the Fund, may deposit all or any part of the securities owned by the Fund in a system for the central handling of securities, pursuant to which system all securities of a particular class or series of any issuer deposited within the system are treated as fungible and may be transferred or pledged by bookkeeping entry without physical delivery of such securities.
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ARTICLE VIII.
 
SUNDRY PROVISIONS
 
SECTION 8.01. Offices . The principal office of the Fund in the State of Maryland shall be located in the City of Baltimore. The Fund may also have offices at such other places as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the Fund may require.
 
SECTION 8.02. Books and Records . The Fund shall keep correct and complete books and records of its accounts and transactions and minutes of the proceedings of its stockholders and Board of Directors and of any executive or other committee when exercising any of the powers of the Board of Directors. The books and records of the Fund may be in written form or in any other form which can be converted within a reasonable time into written form for visual inspection. Minutes shall be recorded in written form but may be maintained in the form of a reproduction. The original or a certified copy of these Bylaws shall be kept at the principal office of the Fund.
 
SECTION 8.03. Corporate Seal . If the Fund is required to place its corporate seal to a document, it is sufficient to meet the requirement of any law, rule, or regulation relating to a corporate seal to place the word “(seal)” adjacent to the signature of the person authorized to sign the document on behalf of the Fund.
 
SECTION 8.04. Bonds . The Board of Directors may, in its discretion, require any officer, agent or employee of the Fund to give a bond to the Fund, conditioned upon the faithful discharge of his or her duties to the Fund, with one or more sureties and in such amount as may be satisfactory to the Board of Directors.
 
SECTION 8.05. Voting Stock in Other Corporations . Stock of other corporations or associations, registered in the name of the Fund, may be voted by the President, a Vice President, or a proxy appointed by either of them. The Board of Directors, however, may by resolution appoint some other person to vote such shares, in which case such person shall be entitled to vote such shares upon the production of a certified copy of such resolution.
 
SECTION 8.06. Mail . Any notice or other document which is required by these Bylaws to be mailed shall be deposited in the United States mails, postage prepaid.
 
SECTION 8.07. Electronic Transmission . An electronic transmission is any form of communication, not directly involving the physical transmission of paper, that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved, and reviewed by a recipient of the communication and may be reproduced directly in paper form by a recipient through an automated process.
 
SECTION 8.08. Contracts and Documents . To the extent permitted by applicable law, and except as otherwise prescribed by the Charter or these Bylaws, the Board of Directors may authorize any officer, employee or agent of the Fund (or a custodian appointed under Section 7.06 by not less than two of its officers) to authorize, sign, execute, acknowledge, verify, accept or deliver any contracts, agreements, assignments, indentures, mortgages, deeds, conveyances, transfers, certificates, declarations, receipts, discharges, releases, satisfactions, settlements, petitions, schedules, accounts, affidavits, bonds, undertakings, proxies, regulatory filings and other instruments or documents in the name of and on behalf of the Fund. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. A person who holds more than one office in the Fund may not act in more than one capacity to sign, execute, acknowledge, or verify an instrument required by law to be signed, executed, acknowledged, or verified by more than one officer.
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SECTION 8.09. Forum Selection . Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the sole and exclusive forum of (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a duty owed by any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Maryland General Corporation Law, or (iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine shall be a state or federal court located within the State of Maryland, in all cases subject to the court’s having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this bylaw.
 
SECTION 8.10. Reliance . Each director and officer of the Fund shall, in the performance of his or her duties with respect to the Fund, be entitled to rely on any information, opinion, report or statement, including financial statement or other financial data, prepared or presented by an officer or employee of the Fund whom the director or officer reasonably believes to be reliable and competent in the matters presented, by a lawyer, certified public accountant or other person as to a matter which the director or officer reasonably believes to be within the person’s professional or expert competence or by a committee of the Board of Directors on which the director does not serve, as to a matter within its designated authority, if the director reasonably believes the committee to merit confidence.
 
SECTION 8.11. Certain Rights of Directors, Officers, Employees and Agents . The directors shall have no responsibility to devote their full time to the affairs of the Fund. Any director or officer, employee or agent of the Fund, in his or her personal capacity or in a capacity as an affiliate, employee, or agent of any other person, or otherwise, may have business interests and engage in business activities similar to or in addition to those of or relating to the Fund, subject to compliance with the Fund’s codes of ethics.
 
SECTION 8.12. Amendments . In accordance with the Charter, these Bylaws may be repealed, altered, amended or rescinded and new bylaws may be adopted by the Board of Directors by the affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds (66 2/3%) of the entire Board of Directors at a meeting held in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws.
 
Adopted: [   ], 2015
 
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RIVERNORTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND, INC.
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN
 
RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) has a dividend reinvestment plan commonly referred to as an “opt-out” plan. Unless the registered owner of the Fund’s common stock (the “Common Shares”) elects to receive cash by contacting DST Systems, Inc. (the “Plan Administrator”), all dividends declared on Common Shares will be automatically reinvested by the Plan Administrator for shareholders in the Fund’s Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Plan”), in additional Common Shares. Common Shareholders who elect not to participate in the Plan will receive all dividends and other distributions in cash paid by check mailed directly to the shareholder of record (or, if the Common Shares are held in street or other nominee name, then to such nominee) by the Plan Administrator as dividend disbursing agent. Participation in the Plan is completely voluntary and may be terminated or resumed at any time without penalty by notice if received and processed by the Plan Administrator prior to the dividend record date; otherwise such termination or resumption will be effective with respect to any subsequently declared dividend or other distribution. Such notice will be effective with respect to a particular dividend or other distribution (together, a “Dividend”). Some brokers may automatically elect to receive cash on behalf of Common Shareholders and may re-invest that cash in additional Common Shares.
 
Whenever the Fund declares a Dividend payable in cash, non-participants in the Plan will receive cash and participants in the Plan will receive the equivalent in Common Shares. The Common Shares will be acquired by the Plan Administrator for the participants’ accounts, depending upon the circumstances described below, either (i) through receipt of additional unissued but authorized Common Shares from the Fund (“Newly Issued Common Shares”) or (ii) by purchase of outstanding Common Shares on the open market (“Open-Market Purchases”) on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) or elsewhere. If, on the payment date for any Dividend, the closing market price plus estimated brokerage commissions per Common Share is equal to or greater than the net asset value per Common Share, the Plan Administrator will invest the Dividend amount in Newly Issued Common Shares on behalf of the participants. The number of Newly Issued Common Shares to be credited to each participant’s account will be determined by dividing the dollar amount of the Dividend by the Fund’s net asset value per Common Share on the payment date. If, on the payment date for any Dividend, the net asset value per Common Share is greater than the closing market value plus estimated brokerage commissions (i.e., the Fund’s Common Shares are trading at a discount), the Plan Administrator will invest the Dividend amount in Common Shares acquired on behalf of the participants in Open-Market Purchases.
 
In the event of a market discount on the payment date for any Dividend, the Plan Administrator will have until the last business day before the next date on which the Common Shares trade on an “ex-dividend” basis or 30 days after the payment date for such Dividend, whichever is sooner (the “Last Purchase Date”), to invest the Dividend amount in Common Shares acquired in Open-Market Purchases. It is contemplated that the Fund will pay monthly income Dividends. If, before the Plan Administrator has completed its Open-Market Purchases, the market price per Common Share exceeds the net asset value per Common Share, the average per Common Share purchase price paid by the Plan Administrator may exceed the net asset value of the Common Shares, resulting in the acquisition of fewer Common Shares than if the Dividend had been paid in Newly Issued Common Shares on the Dividend payment date. Because of the foregoing difficulty with respect to Open-Market Purchases, the Plan provides that if the Plan Administrator is unable to invest the full Dividend amount in Open-Market Purchases during the purchase period or if the market discount shifts to a market premium during the purchase period, the Plan Administrator may cease making Open-Market Purchases and may invest the uninvested portion of the Dividend amount in Newly Issued Common Shares at the net asset value per Common Share at the close of business on the Last Purchase Date.
 

The Plan Administrator maintains all shareholders’ accounts in the Plan and furnishes written confirmation of all transactions in the accounts, including information needed by shareholders for tax records. Common Shares in the account of each Plan participant will be held by the Plan Administrator on behalf of the Plan participant, and each shareholder proxy will include those shares purchased or received pursuant to the Plan. The Plan Administrator will forward all proxy solicitation materials to participants and vote proxies for shares held under the Plan in accordance with the instructions of the participants.
 
 Beneficial owners of Common Shares who hold their Common Shares in the name of a broker or nominee should contact the broker or nominee to determine whether and how they may participate in the Plan. In the case of Common Shareholders such as banks, brokers or nominees which hold shares for others who are the beneficial owners, the Plan Administrator will administer the Plan on the basis of the number of Common Shares certified from time to time by the record shareholder’s name and held for the account of beneficial owners who participate in the Plan.
 
There will be no brokerage charges with respect to Common Shares issued directly by the Fund. However, each participant will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred in connection with Open-Market Purchases. The automatic reinvestment of Dividends will not relieve participants of any federal, state or local income tax that may be payable (or required to be withheld) on such Dividends. Participants that request a sale of Common Shares through the Plan Administrator are subject to brokerage commissions.
 
The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan. There is no direct service charge to participants with regard to purchases in the Plan; however, the Fund reserves the right to amend the Plan to include a service charge payable by the participants.
 
All correspondence or questions concerning the Plan should be directed to the Plan Administrator at Mail Stop:  RiverNorth Opp, 430 West 7 th Street, Kansas City, MO 64105-1407.
 
RIVERNORTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND, INC.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
 
This Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of this   __________ day of  __________ , 201_, by and between ALPS Advisors, Inc., a Colorado corporation (the “Adviser”), and RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Fund”).

WHEREAS, the Fund is registered as a closed-end, non-diversified management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”); and
 
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Fund (the “Board”) has approved this Agreement, and the Adviser is willing to furnish certain investment advisory services upon the terms and conditions herein set forth.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants herein contained, it is agreed between the parties hereto as follows:
 
1              Appointment of the Adviser . The Fund desires to employ its capital by investing and reinvesting in investments of the kind and in accordance with the limitations specified in its Articles of Amendment and Restatement dated November 22, 2013, as may be amended from time to time (the “Articles”), and in accordance with the stated investment objectives, policies and restrictions of the Fund as from time to time are in effect pursuant to the Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information or the direction of the Board (the “Investment Policies”), and in the manner and to the extent as may from time to time be approved by the Board. The Fund desires to employ and hereby appoints the Adviser to act as investment adviser to the Fund with full discretion to invest and reinvest the Fund’s assets in accordance with the Articles and the Investment Policies, subject to the Board’s general supervision and direction. The Adviser accepts the appointment and agrees to furnish the services described herein for the compensation set forth below.
 
2.              Delivery of Fund Documents . The Fund has furnished the Adviser with copies, properly certified or authenticated, of each of the following:
 
a Articles;

b By-laws (the “By-Laws”);

c. Resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Fund selecting ALPS Advisors, Inc. as Adviser to the Fund and approving the form of this Agreement; and

d the Fund’s Form N-2 Registration Statement.

The Fund will furnish the Adviser from time to time with copies, properly certified or authenticated, of all amendments of or supplements to the foregoing, if any.
3.              Services provided by the Adviser . Subject to the general supervision and direction of the Board, the Adviser will: (a) manage the Fund’s assets and continuously invest and reinvest the Fund’s assets on a fully discretionary basis; (b) furnish a continual investment program for the Fund in accordance with the Fund’s Investment Policies; (c) make investment decisions for the Fund; (d) provide the Fund with investment research and statistical data, advice and supervision, data processing and clerical services; (e) provide the Fund with access to certain office facilities, which may be the Adviser’s own offices; (f) determine what securities shall be purchased for the Fund, and what securities shall be held or sold by the Fund; (g) determine what portion of the Fund’s assets shall be held uninvested; (h) review asset allocations and investment policies with the Board every quarter; (i) advise and assist the officers of the Fund in taking such steps as are necessary or appropriate to carry out the decisions of the Board and its committees with respect to the foregoing matters and the conduct of the business of the Fund; and (j) otherwise manage the Fund’s business affairs.


In addition, the Adviser will furnish the Fund with whatever statistical information the Fund may reasonably request with respect to the securities or other assets that the Fund may hold or contemplate purchasing. Further, the Adviser will keep the Fund informed of developments materially affecting the Fund, and will, on its own initiative, furnish the Fund from time to time with whatever information the Adviser believes is appropriate for this purpose.

The Adviser may provide the services described in (a), (c) (f) and (g) above, either directly or by appointing suitable sub-advisers (each a “Sub-Adviser” and collectively, the “Sub-Advisers”). The Adviser’s responsibilities under Section 7 (brokerage selection), Section 9 (books and records), Section 10(b) (valuation and significant events) and Section 11 (voting) with respect to a Sub-Adviser’s Sub- Account (defined below) shall be fulfilled by that Sub-Adviser. The appointment of Sub-Advisers shall be subject to approval by the Board and, to the extent required by the 1940 Act or any other law or regulation, approval of the shareholders of the Fund. Further, Sub-Advisers shall serve as such only pursuant to a written agreement that complies in all respects with, and has been approved in accordance with, applicable requirements of the 1940 Act. With respect to any and all Sub-Advisers, the Adviser will (a) advise the Board which Sub-Advisers the Adviser believes are best suited to serve as such with respect to the assets of the Fund to be allocated to separate sub-accounts (“Sub-Accounts”) of such Sub-Adviser; (b) monitor and evaluate the investment performance of each Sub-Adviser’s Sub-Account; (c) allocate and reallocate the portion of the Fund’s assets to be managed by each Sub-Adviser in its Sub-Account; (d) recommend terminations or additions of Sub-Advisers when deemed appropriate by the Adviser; (e) coordinate and monitor the investment activities of the Sub-Advisers relative to the Sub-Accounts to ensure compliance with the Fund’s Investment Policies and applicable laws, including the 1940 Act and Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; (f) implement procedures reasonably designed to ensure that the Sub-Advisers comply with the Fund’s Investment Policies and with any other policies, restrictions, guidelines or limitations of the Fund or the Adviser relative to the Sub-Adviser’s management of the Sub- Account; and (g) provide reports and information to the Fund regarding the Sub-Advisers and their performance as the Fund may reasonably request from time to time. Sub-Advisers will be compensated from the Adviser’s fee hereunder and will not receive a separate fee from the Fund.

The Adviser is also responsible for making recommendations to the Board regarding, and monitoring (for purposes of 1940 Act compliance, general market conditions and otherwise), the Fund’s use of bank borrowings (other than reverse repurchase agreements) or other similar term loans and the Fund’s issuance of preferred shares (or other “senior securities” in the form of debt or stock pursuant to Section 18 of the 1940 Act) if any. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, should a Sub- Adviser choose to utilize reverse repurchase agreement obligations, derivative instruments or other instruments or trading practices that, according to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or its staff, may cause senior securities concerns, the Fund acknowledges that the monitoring of the use of such instruments or trading practices for compliance with the 1940 Act, or interpretations or modifications by the SEC, SEC staff or other authority with appropriate jurisdiction, is the responsibility of the Sub-Adviser and not the Adviser.

The Adviser will also execute the roadshow by providing the Fund with a sales team for the roadshow including regional wholesalers, internal wholesalers and members of the Adviser’s senior management team. The Adviser will: (a) assist in writing and developing all sales and marketing materials for the Fund; (b); coordinate the roadshow and syndication; (c) provide secondary market support to the Fund with the wholesaling team; (d) provide a toll free phone line with registered representatives; (e) produce marketing pieces (including fact sheets, slicks and brochures); (f) create presentations related to the Fund; and (g) create web architecture, design, layout and maintenance.

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In all of its activities hereunder, the Adviser and its directors, officers and employees shall act in strict conformity with the Investment Policies, the Articles and By-laws, the 1940 Act and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”), and any and all other applicable laws, rules or regulations.
 
4.              Allocation of Charges and Expenses . The Adviser will make available, without expense to the Fund, the services of such of its officers, directors and employees as may be duly elected as officers or directors of the Fund, subject to the individual consent of such persons to serve and to any limitations imposed by law. The Adviser will pay all expenses incurred in performing its services under this Agreement, including compensation of and office space for directors, officers and employees of the Adviser connected with management of the Fund and compensation of Sub-Advisers. The Adviser will not be required to pay any investment advisory related expenses of the Fund other than those specifically allocated to it in this paragraph. In particular, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Fund will be required to pay brokerage and other expenses of executing the Fund’s portfolio transactions; taxes or governmental fees; interest charges and other costs of borrowing funds; litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business.
 
5.              Compensation of the Adviser . In consideration for the services to be performed under this Agreement, the Adviser shall receive from the Fund a management fee, calculated on a monthly basis at the annual rate of 1.00% of the Fund’s average Managed Assets, as that term is defined in the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information dated   , 201_ (the “Registration Statement”), during the month. For this purpose, asset values will be the same as those that the Fund uses to calculate its daily net asset value pursuant to the requirements of the 1940 Act. If the Adviser provides services to the Fund under this Agreement for a period of less than a full calendar month, the Advisory Fee will be proportionately reduced to reflect only the number of days during the month the Fund was under the Adviser's management. Compensation of Sub-Advisers shall be paid from the amounts paid to the Adviser hereunder.
 
6.              Services to Other Accounts . The Fund understands that the Adviser acts as investment adviser to other managed accounts. Whenever the Fund and one or more other accounts advised by the Adviser are prepared to purchase or sell the same security or other assets, available purchase or sale opportunities will be allocated among the Adviser’s advisory accounts in accordance with the written policies of the Adviser and in a manner believed by the Adviser to be fair and equitable to each entity under the specific circumstances and consistent with Adviser’s fiduciary duties. The Fund recognizes that in some cases this procedure may affect adversely the price paid or received by the Fund or the size of the position purchased or sold by the Fund. In addition, the Fund understands that the persons employed by the Adviser to provide service to the Fund in connection with the performance of the Adviser’s duties under this Agreement will not devote their full time to that service. Moreover, nothing contained in this Agreement will be deemed to limit or restrict the right of the Adviser or any “affiliated person” of the Adviser to engage in and devote time and attention to other businesses or to render services of whatever kind or nature to other persons or entities, including serving as investment adviser to, or employee, officer, director or trustee of, other investment companies.
 
7.              Brokerage and Avoidance of Conflicts of Interest . In connection with purchases or sales of securities and other assets for the account of the Fund, neither the Adviser nor any of its directors, trustees, officers, employees or other “affiliated person” (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) will act as a principal or agent or receive any commission or other compensation with respect to such purchases or sales. The Adviser shall arrange for the placing of all orders for the purchase and sale of securities or other assets for the Fund’s account with brokers or dealers selected by the Adviser. In the selection of such brokers or dealers and the placing of such orders, the Adviser will use its best efforts to seek for the Fund the most favorable execution and net price available and will consider all factors the Adviser deems relevant in making such decisions including, but not limited to, price (including any applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), size of order, difficulty of execution, and operational facilities of the firm involved and the firm’s risk in positioning a block of securities.

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Subject to the foregoing, the Adviser may, on behalf of the Fund, pay brokerage commissions to a broker which provides brokerage and research services to the Adviser in excess of the amount another broker would have charged for effecting the transaction, provided (i) the Adviser determines in good faith that the amount is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by the executing broker in terms of the particular transaction or in terms of the Adviser's overall responsibilities with respect to the Fund and the accounts as to which the Adviser exercises investment discretion, (ii) such payment is made in compliance with Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any other applicable laws and regulations, and (iii) in the opinion of the Adviser, the total commissions paid by the Fund will be reasonable in relation to the benefits to the Fund over the long term. It is recognized that the services provided by such brokers may be useful to the Adviser in connection with the Adviser's services to other clients in addition to the Fund.
 
8.              Standard of Care; Limitation of Liability . The Adviser will exercise its best judgment in rendering the services described herein. The Adviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on its part in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by the Adviser of its obligations and duties under this Agreement, or a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to receipt of compensation for services (in which case any award of damages shall be limited to the period and amount set forth in Section 36(b)(3) of the 1940 Act).
 
9.              Books and Records . The Adviser will maintain all books and records required to be maintained pursuant to the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder with respect to transactions made by it on behalf of the Fund including, without limitation, the books and records required by Rule 31a-l under the 1940 Act. The Adviser will also preserve all such books and records for the periods prescribed in Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act. The Adviser further agrees that all books and records maintained hereunder shall be made available to the Fund at any time upon reasonable request, including facsimile, as soon as practicable. Upon termination of this Agreement, the Adviser, at it expense, shall promptly upon demand, return to the Fund any and all such records in a format reasonably requested by the Fund. The Adviser shall not be required to maintain books and records that are required to be maintained by the Fund’s administrator (other than those that the Adviser is nevertheless required to maintain pursuant to applicable laws and regulations).
 
10.              Reports, Information and Valuation . (a) The Adviser will furnish to the Fund, from time to time and as the Fund may request, reports and other data or information on portfolio transactions and reports and other data or information on investments held in the portfolio or regarding the Sub-Advisers, all in such detail and in such frequency as may be reasonably requested from time to time. The Adviser will also provide the Fund, on a regular basis, with economic and investment analysis and reports or other investment services normally available to institutional or other clients of the Adviser. The Adviser will make available its officers and employees to discuss with the Board the investments of the Fund and the Sub-Advisers’ performance, quarterly, or upon due notice, at a time requested by the Board. The Adviser further agrees that it will not change the Fund’s investment strategies, as set forth in the Investment Policies, without the Fund’s approval, or change portfolio managers or portfolio management team members, or other key personnel, without providing prompt notice to the Fund.

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(b)              On an ongoing basis, the Adviser shall monitor market developments for significant events occurring after the close of the primary markets for particular portfolio investments that may materially affect their value, and shall promptly notify the Fund of any such event that comes to the Adviser’s attention. In addition, the Adviser will respond promptly to a request from the Fund for information needed to assist the Fund in the valuation of any portfolio investment, and to provide to the Fund such information as is in the Adviser’s possession regarding the same.
 
(c)              The Adviser shall also cooperate with the Fund’s legal counsel, any counsel to the Fund’s directors who are not “interested persons” of the Fund (as that term is defined under the 1940 Act) and the Fund’s independent public accounting firm.
 
11.              Voting . The Adviser will, unless and until otherwise directed by the Fund, exercise all investor rights with respect to assets held by the Fund, including but not limited to voting proxies pursuant to its proxy voting policies and procedures. If requested by the Fund, the Adviser will report to the Fund regarding such voting in a format reasonably requested by the Fund. The Adviser represents that it has adopted and implemented written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to ensure that the Adviser votes proxies in the best interest of the Fund in compliance with the requirements of Rule 206(4)- 6 under the Advisers Act. The Adviser shall promptly provide notice and copies of any material changes to its policies procedures or other guidelines for voting proxies to the Fund. Upon request, the Adviser shall provide the Fund with a complete and current copy of its policies, procedures and other guidelines or a description of the same for the purpose of disclosing such information as required by applicable law.
 
The Adviser will promptly inform and forward to the Fund any and all information received by Adviser relating to any class action or other litigation, any bankruptcy matters, or any other legal proceedings involving the Fund’s portfolio investments.
 
12.              Compliance Matters . The Adviser shall promptly provide the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”), upon request, copies of its policies and procedures for compliance by the Adviser and the Fund with the Federal Securities Laws as defined in Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act and promptly provide the CCO with copies of any material changes to those policies and procedures. [NTD: Please confirm how other changes are communicated to the Board.] The Adviser shall cooperate with the CCO as to facilitate the CCO’s performance of his/her responsibilities under Rule 38a-1 to review, evaluate and report to the Board on the operation of the Adviser’s compliance policies and procedures and shall promptly report to the CCO any “Material Compliance Matter” as defined by Rule 38a-1(e)(2). At least annually, the Adviser shall provide a certification to the CCO to the effect that the Adviser has in place and has implemented policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to ensure compliance by the Fund and the Adviser with the Federal Securities Laws.
 
13.              Representations and Certifications . The Fund makes the following representations to the Adviser: (i) the Fund is a Maryland corporation duly registered as a closed-end management investment company under the 1940 Act; (ii) the execution, delivery and performance by the Fund of this Agreement are within the Fund's powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the 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 Fund for the execution, delivery and performance by the Fund of this Agreement; (iii) the execution, delivery and performance by the Fund of this Agreement do not contravene or constitute a default under any provision of applicable law, rule or regulation, the Declaration, or any agreement, judgment, injunction, order, decree or other instrument binding upon the Fund; and (iv) this Agreement is a valid and binding agreement of the Fund, enforceable against it in accordance with the terms hereof.

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The Adviser makes the following representations to the Fund:

(a)              The Adviser (i) is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and will continue to be so registered for so long as this Agreement remains in effect, (ii) is not prohibited by the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act or other law, regulation or order from performing the services contemplated by this Agreement, (iii) has met and will seek to continue to meet for so long as this Agreement is in effect, any other applicable federal or state requirements, or the applicable requirements of any regulatory or industry self-regulatory agency necessary to be met in order to perform the services contemplated by this Agreement, (iv) has the full power and authority to enter into and perform the services contemplated by this Agreement, and (v) will promptly notify the Fund of the occurrence of any pending or existing event or circumstance that would disqualify Adviser or its directors, officers or employees from serving as investment adviser, director or officer of an investment company pursuant to Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act or otherwise.

(b)              The Adviser will discharge its duties under this Agreement in accordance with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act, the rules and regulations thereunder, and any and all other applicable laws.

(c)              The execution, delivery and performance by the Adviser of this Agreement are within the Adviser's powers and have been duly authorized, and no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any governmental body, agency or official is required on the part of the Adviser for the execution, delivery and performance by the Adviser of this Agreement.

(d)              The execution, delivery and performance by the Adviser of this Agreement do not contravene or constitute a default under (i) any provision of applicable law, rule or regulation, (ii) the Adviser's certificate of incorporation or by-laws, or (iii) any agreement, judgment, injunction, order, decree or other instrument binding upon the Adviser.

(e)              This Agreement is a valid and binding agreement of the Adviser, enforceable against it in accordance with the terms hereof.

(f)              The Form ADV of the Adviser, to be provided to the Fund in connection with the execution of this Agreement, is a true and complete copy of the form as currently in effect.

(g)              The Adviser's Code of Ethics, as provided to the Fund in connection with the approval of this Agreement, has been duly adopted by the Adviser and meets the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act.

(h)              The Adviser agrees to maintain an appropriate level of errors and omissions or professional liability insurance coverage.

(i)              The Adviser has adopted and implemented policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violation by the Adviser and its supervised persons of the Federal Securities Laws (as defined under the 1940 Act and the Advisers Act).

(j)              There is no material fact provided by the Adviser respecting or relating to the Adviser that is contained in the Registration Statement that is untrue or inaccurate in any material respect. The Adviser will notify the Fund promptly of any material fact that the Adviser previously provided respecting or relating to the Adviser that is contained in the Registration Statement that becomes untrue or inaccurate in any material respect.

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All representations and warranties made pursuant to this section shall survive for the duration of this Agreement, and each party hereto, upon becoming aware that any of its representations and warranties are no longer true in a material respect, shall promptly notify the other party.

Within forty-five (45) days after the end of each calendar year during that this Agreement is in effect, and as otherwise requested by the Fund, the Adviser shall certify to the Fund that it has complied with the requirements of Rule 17j-l under the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act during the previous year and that there has been no material violation of the Adviser's Code of Ethics or, if such a violation has occurred, that appropriate action was taken in response to such violation. Upon the Fund’s written request, the Adviser shall permit the Fund to examine the reports required to be provided to the Adviser under Rule 17j-1 and Rule 204A-1, and all other records relative to the Adviser’s Code of Ethics.
 
14.              Duration, Termination and Interpretation of this Agreement . This Agreement shall remain in force for an initial term of two years. The Agreement shall continue thereafter only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Board and by a majority of the members of the Board who are not interested persons of the Adviser or the Fund, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. The requirement that continuance of this Agreement be specifically approved at least annually shall be construed in a manner consistent with the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. This Agreement may, on sixty (60) days written notice to the Adviser, be terminated at any time without the payment of any penalty, by the Board, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. This Agreement also may be terminated by the Adviser on no less than sixty (60) days written notice to the Fund.
 
This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its assignment. The Adviser agrees to provide the Fund with reasonable written notice of any event(s), transaction(s) or circumstance(s), that could result in an assignment of the Agreement.
 
In interpreting the provisions of this Agreement, the definitions contained in Section 2(a) of the 1940 Act (particularly the definitions of “interested person”, “assignment” and “majority of the outstanding voting securities”), as from time to time amended or interpreted by the SEC or its staff, shall be applied, subject, however, to such exemptions as may be granted by the SEC by any rule, regulation or order. Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the 1940 Act shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the 1940 Act and to 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. 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 shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.

15.              Amendment of this Agreement . A provision of this Agreement may be amended, changed, waived, discharged or removed only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of the amendment, change, waiver, discharge or removal is sought. An amendment to this Agreement shall not be effective until approved by the Board, including a majority of the directors who are not interested persons of the Adviser or of the Fund, in accordance with the 1940 Act. To the extent legal counsel to the Fund concludes that shareholder approval of a particular amendment to this Agreement is required under the 1940 Act, such amendment will not be effective until the required shareholder approval has been obtained.

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16.              Notice . Any notice, advice or report to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be delivered or mailed:

To the Adviser at:

ALPS Advisors, Inc.
1290 Broadway, Suite 1100
Denver, CO 80203
Attn: Counsel

To the Fund at:

RiverNorth Opportunities Fund,
Inc. 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100
Denver, CO 80203
Attention: President
 
17.              Entire Agreement; Governing Law; No Third-Party Beneficiaries . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties, shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and shall be governed by Delaware law in a manner not in conflict with the provisions of the 1940 Act. To the extent that the laws of the State of Delaware conflict with applicable provision of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control. There are no third party beneficiaries of this Agreement.
 
18.              Confidentiality . Any information about a party hereto that such party, supplies to the other party to this Agreement, which is not otherwise in the public domain or previously known to the receiving party, shall be regarded as confidential and held in the strictest confidence. Similarly, any information about a party hereto that is generated or recorded by the other party hereto pursuant to this Agreement, which is not otherwise in the public domain, also shall be regarded as confidential and held in the strictest confidence (such information, together with the information referenced in the previous sentence, collectively, “Confidential Information”). Confidential Information includes, but is not limited to: the books and records referenced in Section 9 hereof, and any other data, records or other information in any form regarding the securities or other assets held or to be acquired by the Fund, the transactions in securities or other assets effected or to be effected on behalf of the Fund, or financial information or any other information relating to a party to this Agreement.
 
No party may use Confidential Information about the other party, except solely: (i) for the legitimate business purposes of the Fund for which the Confidential Information was provided, generated or recorded; or (ii) as specifically agreed to in writing by the other party to which the Confidential Information pertains. No party may disclose to others Confidential Information about the other party, except solely: (i) as may be required by applicable law or compelled by judicial or regulatory authority having competent jurisdiction over the party; or (ii) as specifically agreed to in writing by the other party to which the Confidential Information pertains. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Fund may disclose Confidential Information regarding the Adviser to a third party for the legitimate business purposes of the Fund for which the Confidential Information was provided, generated or recorded.
 
Further, no party may trade in any securities issued by another party while in possession of material non- public information about that party or such securities. Lastly, the Adviser may not consult with any other investment advisers of the Fund about transactions in securities or other assets of the Fund, except for purposes of complying with and otherwise fulfilling the obligations under this Agreement, or complying with the 1940 Act or SEC rules or regulations applicable to the Fund.
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Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent the Adviser from lawfully giving other persons investment advice about, or lawfully trading on their behalf in, the shares issued by the Fund or securities or other assets held or to be acquired by the Fund.
 
19.              Miscellaneous . Neither the holders of shares of the Fund nor the officers or directors of the Fund in their capacities as such shall be personally liable hereunder. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or limit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. The preceding sentence, and Sections 8, 9, 14 (regarding interpretation), 16, 17, 18 and 19 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
 
20.              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.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed by their officers designated below as of the day and year first above written.
 
ALPS ADVISORS, INC.
 
RIVERNORTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND, INC.
 
           
By:
   
By:
   
           
Name:
   
Name:
   
Title:
   
Title:
   

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DRAFT
 
RIVERNORTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND, INC.
 
INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
 
AGREEMENT, dated as of    ____________________ , 201_, by and between ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the “Investment Adviser”), a Colorado corporation having its principal place of business at 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203, and RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sub- Adviser”), having its principal place of business at325 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 645, Chicago, Illinois 60654.
 
WHEREAS, the Investment Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (“Advisers Act”);

WHEREAS, the Investment Adviser has entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement dated as of   _______________ ,____    with the RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”), a closed-end, diversified management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“Investment Company Act”);

WHEREAS, the Sub-Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act;

WHEREAS, the Investment Adviser desires to retain Sub-Adviser to render investment advisory and other services to the Fund in the manner and on the terms hereinafter set forth;

WHEREAS, the Investment Adviser has the authority under the Investment Advisory Agreement, with the consent of the Fund, to select investment sub-advisers for the Fund; and

WHEREAS, the Sub-Adviser is willing to furnish such services to the Investment Adviser with respect to the Fund;

NOW, THEREFORE, Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser agree as follows:
 
1. APPOINTMENT OF THE SUB-ADVISER
 
Investment Adviser hereby appoints Sub-Adviser to act as a sub-adviser to the Fund, and in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
 
2. ACCEPTANCE OF APPOINTMENT
 
Sub-Adviser accepts that appointment and agrees to render the services herein set forth, for the compensation herein provided.
 
The Fund’s assets will be maintained in the custody of a custodian (who shall be identified by Investment Adviser in writing). Sub-Adviser will not have custody of any securities, cash or other assets of the Fund and will not be liable for any loss resulting from any act or omission of the custodian other than acts or omissions arising in reasonable reliance on instructions of Sub-Adviser. The custodian will be responsible for the custody, receipt and delivery of securities and other assets of the Fund, and, other than as specified herein, Sub-Adviser shall have no authority, responsibility or obligation with respect to the custody, receipt or delivery of securities or other assets of the Fund. Investment Adviser shall be responsible for all custodial arrangements, including the payment of all fees and charges to the custodian.
 
3. SERVICES TO BE RENDERED BY THE SUB-ADVISER
 
A.              As sub-adviser to the Fund, Sub-Adviser will coordinate and execute the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Fund and determine the composition of the assets of the Fund.

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The Sub-Adviser (and its directors, managers, officers and employees) shall perform all services under this Agreement on a discretionary basis, subject to the general direction, supervision and control of the Investment Adviser and the Fund’s Board of Directors, and in strict conformity with: (i) the Investment Company Act, the Advisers Act and any and all other applicable laws; (ii) the Fund’s Articles of Amendment and Restatement and bylaws; (iii) any and all investment guidelines, instructions and directions provided by the Investment Adviser or the Fund; (iv) the Fund’s compliance policies, procedures and guidelines; and (v) the investment objectives, policies and restrictions set forth in the prospectus and statement of additional information contained in the Fund’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and the Investment Company Act, as currently in effect and as supplemented and/or amended from time to time (respectively, the “Prospectus”, the “Statement of Additional Information”, and the “Registration Statement”), as each may be modified from time to time (the documents described in (ii) through (v) above, the “Fund Documents”). Prior to the commencement of the Sub-Adviser’s services hereunder, the Investment Adviser shall provide Sub-Adviser with current copies of the Fund Documents. Investment Adviser undertakes to provide Sub-Adviser with copies or other written notice of any amendments, modifications or supplements to the Fund Documents, and Sub-Adviser will not need to comply until a copy has been provided to Sub-Adviser.

Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, should Sub-Adviser choose to utilize reverse repurchase agreement obligations, derivative instruments or other instruments or trading practices that, according to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or its staff, may cause senior securities concerns, the Investment Adviser acknowledges that the monitoring of the use of such instruments or trading practices for compliance with the Investment Company Act, or interpretations or modifications by the SEC, SEC staff or other authority with appropriate jurisdiction, is the responsibility of the Sub-Adviser and not the Investment Adviser. The Investment Adviser, and not the Sub-Adviser, is responsible for making recommendations to the Fund regarding, and monitoring (for purposes of Investment Company Act compliance, general market conditions and otherwise), the Fund’s use of bank borrowings (other than reverse repurchase agreements) or other similar term loans and the Fund’s issuance of preferred shares (or other “senior securities” in the form of debt or stock pursuant to Section 18 of the Investment Company Act), if any.

The Sub-Adviser shall fully cooperate with the Fund’s and the Investment Adviser’s Chief Compliance Officers, the Fund’s legal counsel, any counsel to the Fund’s directors who are not “interested persons” of the Fund (as that term is defined under the Investment Company Act) and the Fund’s independent public accounting firm.

B.              Subject to any direction from the Investment Adviser or the Fund, the Sub-Adviser is responsible for placing orders for the execution of portfolio transactions with or through or with such brokers, dealers, counterparties or banks as Sub-Adviser may select. In choosing broker-dealers, Sub-Adviser may take into account, in addition to commission costs and execution capabilities, the financial stability and reputation of the broker- dealers and the brokerage and research services (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “1934 Act”)) provided by such broker-dealers. In addition, Sub-Adviser may receive brokerage and research services in connection with certain riskless principal transactions, in accordance with applicable law. Sub-Adviser is authorized to pay broker-dealers who provide such brokerage or research services a commission (or equivalent) for executing a transaction which is in excess of the commissions (or equivalents) another broker-dealer would have charged for executing that transaction, if Sub-Adviser determines that such commission (or equivalent) is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided to Sub-Adviser by the broker-dealer. Sub-Adviser will use its best efforts to obtain best execution under the circumstances for all portfolio transactions for the Fund and will use its best judgment to choose the broker-dealer most capable of providing the services necessary to obtain most favorable execution under the circumstances, taking into consideration the full range and quality of a broker-dealer’s services in placing transactions with broker-dealers including, among other things, the value of research provided (with respect to evaluating commissions and commission equivalents) as well as execution capability, commission rate (or commission equivalent), financial stability and responsibility, reputation, and responsiveness to the Sub-Adviser. In no event shall Sub-Adviser be under any duty to obtain the lowest commission for the Fund on any particular transaction. Sub-Adviser is not under any duty to execute transactions for the Fund before or after transactions for other like accounts managed by Sub-Adviser, except to the extent that doing so would violate applicable law. Sub-Adviser may aggregate sales and purchase orders of securities or derivatives held in the Fund with similar orders being made simultaneously for other portfolios managed by Sub-Adviser if, in Sub-Adviser’s reasonable judgment, such aggregation shall result in an overall economic benefit to the Fund, taking into consideration the advantageous selling or purchase price, brokerage commission, and other expenses. If an aggregate order is executed in parts at different prices, or two or more separate orders for two or more of Sub-Adviser’s clients are entered at approximately the same time on any day and are executed at different prices, Sub-Adviser has discretion, subject to its fiduciary duty to the Fund and its other advisory clients, to use an average price at which such securities were purchased or sold for the Fund and each of the clients for whom such orders were executed. Sub-Adviser may engage in brokerage and other securities transactions on behalf of the Fund with broker-dealer affiliates of Sub-Adviser in accordance with applicable Fund documents and applicable law.

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C.              The Sub-Adviser will furnish to the Investment Adviser and the Fund, from time to time and as the Investment Adviser may request, reports and other data or information on portfolio transactions and reports and other data or information on the Fund’s assets, all in such detail and in such frequency as may be requested from time to time. The Sub-Adviser will also provide the Investment Adviser and the Fund, upon the Investment Adviser’s or the Fund’s request, with economic and investment analysis and reports or other investment services normally available to institutional or other clients of the Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser will make available its officers and employees to meet with the Investment Adviser and the Fund's Board of Directors to review the investments of the Fund, on a quarterly, or upon due notice, at a time requested by the Investment Adviser or the Fund’s Board of Directors.

D.              Investment Adviser understands and agrees that Sub-Adviser performs investment management services for various clients and may take action with respect to any of its other clients which may differ from action taken or from the timing or nature of action taken by Sub-Adviser for the Fund. Sub-Adviser’s authority hereunder shall not be impaired because of the fact that it may effect transactions with respect to securities for its own account or for the accounts of others which it manages which are identical or similar to securities to which it may effect transactions for the Fund at the same or similar times.

E.              The Sub-Adviser also will promptly furnish and make available to the Fund such information concerning the Sub-Adviser and its services hereunder as the Investment Adviser or the Fund may request in the preparation of the Fund’s or the Investment Adviser’s regulatory filings, reports and other documents or in the fulfillment of its other compliance obligations. The Sub-Adviser will review draft filings, reports and other documents provided to it, and provide comments/corrections to the same on a timely basis. In addition, the Sub-Adviser will provide on a timely basis such certifications or sub-certifications as the Investment Adviser or the Fund may reasonably request in order to support and facilitate certifications required to be provided by the Investment Adviser or the Fund (or their officers) from time to time.

F.              The Sub-Adviser shall promptly provide the Investment Adviser’s and the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”), upon request, copies of its policies and procedures for compliance by the Sub-Adviser and the Fund with the Federal Securities Laws as defined in Rule 38a-1 under the Investment Company Act and promptly provide the CCO with copies of any material changes to those policies and procedures. The Sub-Adviser shall fully cooperate with the CCO as to facilitate the CCO’s performance of his/her responsibilities under Rule 38a-1 to review, evaluate and report to the Fund’s Board of Directors on the operation of the Sub-Adviser’s compliance policies and procedures and shall promptly report to the CCO any “Material Compliance Matter” as defined by Rule 38a-1(e)(2). At least annually, the Sub-Adviser shall provide a certification to the CCO to the effect that the Sub- Adviser has in place and has implemented policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to ensure compliance by the Fund and the Sub-Adviser with the Federal Securities Laws.

G.              The Sub-Adviser will maintain all books and records relating to investment decisions, trade orders and similar undertakings of the Sub-Adviser under this Agreement required to be maintained pursuant to the Investment Company Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder with respect to transactions made by it on behalf of the Fund including, without limitation, the books and records required by Rule 31a-l under the Investment Company Act, and shall timely furnish to the Adviser all information relating to the Sub-Adviser's services hereunder needed by the Adviser to keep such other books and records of the Fund required by Rule 31a-1 under the Investment Company Act. The Sub-Adviser will also preserve all such books and records for the periods prescribed in Rule 31a-2 under the Investment Company Act. The Sub-Adviser further agrees that all books and records maintained hereunder shall be made available to the Investment Adviser and the Fund at any time upon request, including facsimile, without delay, during any business day. Upon termination of this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser, at it expense, shall promptly upon demand, return to the Investment Adviser and the Fund any and all such records. The Sub-Adviser shall not be required to maintain books and records that are required to be maintained by the Fund’s administrator other than as required of it by applicable laws and regulations. Sub-Adviser shall file with the SEC all forms pursuant to the 1934 Act with respect to its duties as are set forth herein.

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H.              The Sub-Adviser will, unless and until otherwise directed by the Investment Adviser, exercise all investor rights with respect to the Fund’s assets, including, but not limited to, voting proxies in accordance with the Sub- Adviser’s then-current proxy voting policies and procedures. The Sub-Adviser will report quarterly to the Investment Adviser and the Fund regarding such voting in a format reasonably requested by the Investment Adviser or the Fund. The Sub-Adviser represents that it has adopted and implemented written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to ensure that the Sub-Adviser votes proxies in the best interest of the Fund in compliance with the requirements of Rule 206(4)-6 under the Advisers Act. The Sub-Adviser shall promptly provide notice and copies of any material changes to its policies procedures or other guidelines for voting proxies to the Fund and the Investment Adviser. Upon request, the Sub-Adviser shall provide the Investment Adviser and the Fund with a complete and current copy of its policies, procedures and other guidelines or a description of the same for the purpose of disclosing such information in the Fund’s prospectus or as otherwise required by applicable law.

The Sub-Adviser will promptly inform and forward to the Investment Adviser any and all information received by Sub-Adviser relating to any class action or other litigation, any bankruptcy matters, or any other legal proceedings involving the Fund’s portfolio investments.
 
4. VALUATION AND COMPENSATION
 
On an ongoing basis, the Sub-Adviser shall monitor market developments for significant events occurring after the close of the primary markets for Fund assets that may materially affect their value, and shall promptly notify the Investment Adviser of any such event that comes to the Sub-Adviser’s attention. In addition, the Sub- Adviser will respond promptly to any request from the Investment Adviser or the Fund for information needed to assist the Fund in the valuation of any Fund asset, and to provide to the Investment Adviser or the Fund such information as is in the Sub-Adviser’s possession regarding the same. Sub-Adviser will promptly report all securities and other transactions for the Fund to the custodian, in a manner and at such times as agreed upon between Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser.

Investment Adviser will pay Sub-Adviser as compensation for providing services in accordance with this Agreement those fees as set forth in Appendix A hereto. Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser agree that all fees shall become due and owing to Sub-Adviser promptly after the termination date of Sub-Adviser with respect to the Fund and that the amount of such fees shall be calculated by treating the termination date as the next fee computation date. The annual base fee will be prorated for such fees owed through the termination date. In addition, Investment Adviser shall be responsible for all extraordinary expenses incurred by Sub-Adviser in connection with the performance of its duties hereunder, including, but not limited to, expenses incurred with respect to proxy voting execution, advice and reporting. The Sub-Adviser acknowledges and agrees that the Fund has no responsibility or liability for paying any fees to Sub-Adviser (or reimbursing Sub-Adviser for any costs or expenses) under this Agreement, and that all fees owed to Sub-Adviser hereunder shall be payable by the Investment Adviser.
 
5. LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION
 
A.              Except as may otherwise be provided by the Investment Company Act or any other federal securities law, in the absence of willful misconduct, bad faith, gross negligence and breach of fiduciary duty, neither Sub-Adviser nor any of its officers, affiliates, employees or consultants (its “Affiliates”) shall be liable for any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses) incurred or suffered by Investment Adviser or the Fund as a result of any error of judgment or for any action or inaction taken in good faith by the Sub- Adviser or its Affiliates with respect to the Fund.

B.              Except as may otherwise be provided by the Investment Company Act or any other federal securities law, Investment Adviser shall indemnify and hold harmless Sub-Adviser, its officers, employees, consultants, 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) (collectively, “Sub-Adviser Indemnitees”) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses) to which any of the Sub-Adviser Indemnitees may become subject at common law or otherwise, arising out of Sub-Adviser’s action or inaction or based on this Agreement; provided however, Investment Adviser shall not indemnify or hold harmless the Sub-Adviser Indemnitees for any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses) due to (i) any breach by Sub-Adviser of a Sub-Adviser representation or warranty made herein, (ii)any willful misconduct, fraud, reckless disregard or gross negligence of, or breach of fiduciary duty by, Sub- Adviser in the performance of any of its duties or obligations hereunder or (iii) any untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, proxy materials, advertisements or sales literature, if such statement was made in reliance upon information furnished to Investment Adviser by Sub-Adviser in writing and intended for use therein.

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C.              Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary contained herein, Sub-Adviser shall not be responsible or liable for its failure to perform under this Agreement or for any losses to Investment Adviser or the Fund resulting from any event beyond the reasonable control of Sub-Adviser 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 Fund’s property; 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 of war, terrorism, insurrection or revolution; or acts of God, or any other similar event. Sub- Adviser shall at all times while this Agreement is in effect have adopted and instituted commercially reasonable business continuity and disaster recovery policies and procedures.

6. REPRESENTATIONS OF THE INVESTMENT ADVISER Investment Adviser represents, warrants and agrees that:

A.              Investment Adviser has been duly authorized by the Directors of the Fund to delegate to Sub-Adviser the provision of investment services to the Fund as contemplated hereby.

B.              Investment Adviser (i) is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and will continue to be so registered for so long as this Agreement remains in effect, (ii) is not prohibited by the Investment Company Act, the Advisers Act or other law, regulation or order from performing the services contemplated by this Agreement, (iii)has met and will seek to continue to meet for so long as this Agreement is in effect, any other applicable federal or state requirements, or the applicable requirements of any regulatory or industry self-regulatory agency necessary to be met in order to perform the services contemplated by this Agreement, (iv) has the full power and authority to enter into and perform the services contemplated by this Agreement, and (v) will promptly notify the Sub-Adviser of the occurrence of any event that would disqualify Investment Adviser from serving as investment manager of an investment company pursuant to Section 9(a) of the Investment Company Act or otherwise.

C.              Investment Adviser acknowledges receipt of Sub-Adviser’s Form ADV.

D.              Investment Adviser shall provide (or cause the Fund’s custodian to provide) timely information to Sub- Adviser regarding such matters as the composition of Fund assets, cash requirements and cash available for investment by the Fund, and all other information as may be reasonably necessary for Sub-Adviser to perform its duties hereunder.

E.              The Investment Adviser will discharge its duties under this Agreement in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act, the Advisers Act, the rules and regulations thereunder, and any and all other applicable laws.

F.              The execution, delivery and performance by the Investment Adviser of this Agreement are within the Investment Adviser's powers and have been duly authorized, and no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any governmental body, agency or official is required on the part of the Investment Adviser for the execution, delivery and performance by the Investment Adviser of this Agreement.

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G.              The execution, delivery and performance by the Investment Adviser of this Agreement do not contravene or constitute a default under (i) any provision of applicable law, rule or regulation, (ii) the Investment Adviser's certificate of incorporation or by-laws, or (iii) any agreement, judgment, injunction, order, decree or other instrument binding upon the Investment Adviser.

H.              This Agreement is a valid and binding agreement of the Investment Adviser, enforceable against it in accordance with the terms hereof.

I.              The Investment Adviser represents on behalf of the Fund that the Fund will at all times constitute an “eligible contract participant” under Section 1a(18)(A)(iii) of the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended.
 
7. REPRESENTATIONS OF THE SUB-ADVISER
 
Sub-Adviser represents, warrants and agrees as follows:

A.              Sub-Adviser (i) is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and will continue to be so registered for so long as this Agreement remains in effect, (ii) is not prohibited by the Investment Company Act, the Advisers Act or other law, regulation or order from performing the services contemplated by this Agreement, (iii) has met and will seek to continue to meet for so long as this Agreement remains in effect, any other applicable federal or state requirements, or the applicable requirements of any regulatory or industry self-regulatory agency necessary to be met in order to perform the services contemplated by this Agreement, (iv) has the full power and authority to enter into and perform the services contemplated by this Agreement, and (v) will promptly notify the Investment Adviser of the occurrence of any event that would disqualify Sub-Adviser from serving as an investment adviser of an investment company pursuant to Section 9(a) of the Investment Company Act or otherwise.

B.              Sub-Adviser has duly adopted a written code of ethics complying with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act, and will provide Investment Adviser with a copy of such code of ethics, together with evidence of its adoption. Within forty-five days of the end of the last calendar quarter of each year that this Agreement is in effect, and as otherwise requested, the Sub-Adviser shall certify to the Investment Adviser that the Sub-Adviser has complied with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 and Rule 204A-1 during the previous year and that there has been no material violation of the Sub-Adviser’s code of ethics or, if such a material violation has occurred, that appropriate action was taken in response to such violation. Upon the written request of the Investment Adviser, Sub-Adviser will furnish to Adviser, such records as may be reasonably required . by Rule 17j-1(c)(1) and Rule 204A-1(b) and all other records relevant to the Sub-Adviser’s code of ethics.

C.              Sub-Adviser has adopted and implemented policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violation by the Sub-Adviser and its supervised persons of the Federal Securities Laws as defined under the Advisers Act and the Investment Company Act.

D.              Sub-Adviser agrees to maintain an appropriate level of errors and omissions or professional liability insurance coverage.

E.              The Form ADV of the Sub-Adviser, as provided to the Investment Adviser and the Fund in connection with the approval of this Agreement, is a true and complete copy of the form as currently in effect.

F.              There is no material fact respecting or relating to the Sub-Adviser that is contained in the Registration Statement that is untrue or inaccurate in any material respect. Sub-Adviser will notify the Investment Adviser and the Fund promptly of any material fact respecting or relating to Sub-Adviser that is not contained in the Registration Statement or of any statement contained therein respecting or relating to Sub-Adviser that becomes untrue or inaccurate in any material respect.

G.              There is no pending, or to the best of its knowledge, threatened or contemplated action, suit or proceeding before or by any court, governmental, administrative or self-regulatory body or arbitration panel to which Sub- Adviser or any of its “affiliated persons” is a party, or to which any of the assets of the Sub-Advises is subject, which reasonably might be expected to (i) result in any material adverse change in the Sub-Adviser’s condition (financial or otherwise), business or prospects; (ii) affect adversely in any material respect any of the Sub-Adviser’s assets; (iii) materially impair the Sub-Adviser’s ability to discharge its obligations under this Agreement. The Sub- Adviser has not received any notice of an investigation by the SEC or any state regarding the Federal Securities Laws (as defined under the Investment Company Act and the Advisers Act).

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H.              The Sub-Adviser will discharge its duties under this Agreement in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act, the Advisers Act, the rules and regulations thereunder, and any and all other applicable laws.

I.              The execution, delivery and performance by the Sub-Adviser of this Agreement are within the Sub- Adviser's powers and have been duly authorized, 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.

J.              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 certificate of incorporation or by-laws, or (iii) any agreement, judgment, injunction, order, decree or other instrument binding upon the Sub-Adviser.

K.              This Agreement is a valid and binding agreement of the Sub-Adviser, enforceable against it in accordance with the terms hereof.
 
8. NON-EXCLUSIVITY
 
The services of Sub-Adviser to the Investment Adviser and the Fund are not to be deemed to be exclusive, and Sub-Adviser shall be free to render investment advisory or other services to others and to engage in other activities. It is understood and agreed that the directors, managers, officers, and employees of Sub-Adviser are not prohibited from engaging in any other business activity or from rendering services to any other person, or from serving as partners, officers, directors or employees of any other firm or corporation.
 
9. SUPPLEMENTAL ARRANGEMENTS
 
Subject to Sections 12 and 19 hereof, and the requirements of applicable law, Sub-Adviser may from time to time employ or associate itself with any person it believes to be particularly suited to assist it in providing the services to be performed by the Sub-Adviser hereunder, provided that no such person shall perform any services with respect to the Fund that would constitute an assignment or require a written advisory agreement pursuant to the Investment Company Act. Any compensation payable to such persons shall be the sole responsibility of Sub- Adviser, and neither Investment Adviser nor the Fund shall have any obligations with respect thereto or otherwise arising under the Agreement.

10. DURATION AND TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT
 
This Agreement shall continue in effect for a period of two years from the date hereof, subject thereafter to being continued in force and effect from year to year if specifically approved each year by either (i) the Board of Directors of the Fund, or (ii) by the affirmative 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 Fund's Directors 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 of Directors of the Fund, and the Investment Adviser, may request and evaluate, and the Sub-Adviser shall furnish, such information as may reasonably be necessary to enable the Fund's Board of Directors and the Investment Adviser, to evaluate the terms of this Agreement.
 
This Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by a vote of the majority of the Fund’s Directors, by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, or the Investment Adviser, upon sixty (60) days’ prior written notice to Sub-Adviser. In addition, this Agreement may be terminated by Sub-Adviser upon sixty (60) days written notice to the Investment Adviser. This Agreement will automatically terminate, without the payment of any penalty, in the event the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Investment Adviser and the Fund is assigned (as defined in the Investment Company Act) or terminates for any other reason. To the extent permitted by applicable law, this Agreement will also terminate upon written notice to the other party that the other party is in material breach of this Agreement, unless the other party in material breach of this Agreement cures such breach to the reasonable satisfaction of the party alleging the breach within thirty (30) days after written notice.

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11. AMENDMENTS TO THE AGREEMENT
 
A provision of this Agreement may be amended, changed, waived, discharged or removed only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of the amendment, change, waiver, discharge or removal is sought. An amendment to this Agreement shall not be effective until approved in accordance with the Investment Company Act.
 
12. ASSIGNMENT
 
This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its assignment. The Sub-Adviser agrees to provide the Investment Adviser and the Fund with immediate written advance notice of any event(s), transaction(s) or circumstance(s), whether actual, proposed or expected, that could result in an “assignment” of the Agreement. The Sub-Adviser shall promptly reimburse the Fund for any and all costs and expenses incurred by the Fund, or its officers, directors or employees, in connection with any actual, proposed or expected “assignment” of the Agreement (even if a proposed or expected “assignment” ultimately does not take place).

13. ENTIRE AGREEMENT
 
This Agreement contains the entire understanding and agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement.
 
14. HEADINGS
 
The headings in the sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part hereof.
 
15. NOTICES
 
All notices required to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be delivered or mailed to the address listed below of each applicable party (i) in person, (ii) by registered or certified mail, or (iii) delivery service, providing the sender with notice of receipt, or to such other address as specified in a notice duly given to the other parties.

Notice shall be deemed given on the date delivered if sent in accordance with this paragraph.

For: ALPS Advisors, Inc.
1290 Broadway, Suite 1100
Denver, CO 80203
Attn: Counsel
 
For: RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC
325 N. LaSalle Street
Chicago, IL 60654
Attn: Marc Collins
 
16. SEVERABILITY AND SURVIVAL
 
Should any portion of this Agreement for any reason be held to be void in law or in equity, the Agreement shall be construed, insofar as is possible, as if such portion had never been contained herein. Sections 4 (regarding payment of final fee to Sub-Adviser), 5, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

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17. GOVERNING LAW; NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES
 
The provisions of this Agreement shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, or any of the applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act. To the extent that the laws of the State of Delaware, or any of the provisions in this Agreement, conflict with applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act, the latter shall control. There are no third party beneficiaries of this Agreement, except for the Fund.
 
18. 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 Investment Company Act shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the Investment Company 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 Investment Company Act. Specifically, the terms “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “interested persons,” “assignment,” and “affiliated persons,” as used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them by Section 2(a) of the Investment Company Act. In addition, where the effect of a requirement of the Investment Company 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 shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.

19. CONFIDENTIALITY
 
Each party shall treat as confidential all Confidential Information of the other (as that term is defined below) and use such information only in furtherance of the purposes of this Agreement. Each party shall limit access to the Confidential Information to its affiliates, employees, consultants, auditors and regulators who reasonably require access to such Confidential Information, and otherwise maintain policies and procedures designed to prevent disclosure of the Confidential Information. For purposes of this Agreement, Confidential Information shall include all non-public business and financial information, methods, plans, techniques, processes, documents and trade secrets of a party or of the Fund. Confidential Information also includes, but is not limited to: the records maintained pursuant to this Agreement, and any other data, records or other information in any form regarding the securities or other assets held or to be acquired by the Fund, or the transactions in securities or other assets effected or to be effected on behalf of the Fund. Confidential Information shall not include anything that (i) is or lawfully becomes in the public domain, other than as a result of a breach of an obligation hereunder, (ii) is furnished to the applicable party by a third party having a lawful right to do so, or (iii) was known to the applicable party at the time of the disclosure.
 
No party may use Confidential Information about the other party or the Fund, except solely: (i) for the legitimate business purposes for which the Confidential Information was provided, generated or recorded; or (ii) as specifically agreed to in writing by the other party (or the Fund) to which the Confidential Information pertains. No party may disclose to others Confidential Information about the other party or the Fund, except solely: (i) as may be required by applicable law or compelled by judicial or regulatory authority having competent jurisdiction over the party; or (ii) as specifically agreed to in writing by the other party (or the Fund) to which the Confidential Information pertains. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Investment Adviser may disclose Confidential Information regarding the Sub-Adviser to a third party for the legitimate business purposes of the Investment Adviser or the Fund for which the Confidential Information was provided, generated or recorded. Further, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Sub-Adviser may provide a copy of this Agreement and a copy of the Registration Statement, both of which are publicly available on the SEC’s website, to counterparties and futures commission merchants, swap clearinghouses or swap execution facilities, as required as part of such entity’s due diligence. Sub-Adviser may also provide a copy of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Fund and the Investment Adviser, which is publicly available on the SEC’s website, for purposes of confirming that there are no provisions therein that may limit the use of derivatives.
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Further, no party may trade in any securities issued by another party while in possession of material non-public information about that party or such securities. Lastly, the Sub-Adviser may not consult with any other investment advisers of the Fund about transactions in securities or other assets of the Fund, except for purposes of complying with and otherwise fulfilling the obligations under this Agreement, or complying with the Investment Company Act.
 
20. COUNTERPARTS
 
This Agreement may be executed in counterparts each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which, taken together, shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized officers as of the date first mentioned above.

ALPS Advisors, Inc.
RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC
           
By:
   
By:
   
 
Name: Thomas A. Carter
   
Name
 
 
Title: President
   
Title
 
 
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APPENDIX A
TO
INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
 
As of     ____________________ , 201_
 

 
Investment Adviser shall pay to Sub-Adviser on a monthly basis a fee at the annual rate of 0.85% of the Fund’s average Managed Assets as defined in the Fund’s N-2 Registration Statement. Such payment by Sub-Adviser shall be due to Investment Adviser within ten (10) days of month end.
 
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M ASTER C USTODIAN A GREEMENT
 
This Agreement is made as of November , 2015 (this “ Agreement ”), between each management investment company identified on Appendix A and each management investment company which becomes a party to this Agreement in accordance with the terms hereof (in each case, a “ Fund ”), including, if applicable, each series of the Fund identified on Appendix A and each series which becomes a party to this Agreement in accordance with the terms hereof, and S TATE S TREET B ANK AND T RUST C OMPANY , a Massachusetts trust company (the “ Custodian ”).

W ITNESSETH :
 
W HEREAS , each Fund desires for the Custodian to provide certain custodial services relating to securities and other assets of the Fund; and
 
W HEREAS , the Custodian is willing to provide the services upon the terms contained in this Agreement;

S ECTION 1. D EFINITIONS . In addition to terms defined in Section 4.1 (Rule 17f-5 and Rule 17f-7 related definitions) or elsewhere in this Agreement, (a) terms defined in the UCC have the same meanings herein as therein and (b) the following other terms have the following meanings for purposes of this Agreement:
 
1940 Act ” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to time. “ Board ” means, in relation to a Fund, the board of directors, trustees or other governing body of the Fund.
 
Client Publications ” means the general client publications of State Street Bank and Trust Company available from time to time to clients and their investment managers.
 
Deposit Account Agreement ” means the Deposit Account Agreement and Disclosure, as may be amended from time to time, issued by the Custodian and available on the Custodian’s internet customer portal, “my.statestreet.com”.
 
Domestic securities ” means securities held within the United States.
 
Foreign securities ” means securities held primarily outside of the United States.
 
Held outside of the United States ” means not held within the United States.
 
Held within the United States ” means (a) in relation to a security or other financial asset, the security or other financial asset (i) is a certificated security registered in the name of the Custodian or its sub-custodian, agent or nominee or is endorsed to the Custodian or its sub- custodian, agent or nominee or in blank and the security certificate is located within the United States, (ii) is an uncertificated security or other financial asset registered in the name of the Custodian or its sub-custodian, agent or nominee at an office located in the United States, or (iii) has given rise to a security entitlement of which the Custodian or its sub-custodian, agent or nominee is the entitlement holder against a U.S. Securities System or another securities intermediary for which the securities intermediary’s jurisdiction is within the United States, and (b) in relation to cash, the cash is maintained in a deposit account denominated in U.S. dollars with the banking department of the Custodian or with another bank or trust company’s office located in the United States.

Investment Advisor ” means, in relation to a Portfolio, the investment manager or investment advisor of the Portfolio.
 
On book currency ” means (a) U.S. dollars or (b) a foreign currency that, when credited to a deposit account of a customer maintained in the banking department of the Custodian or an Eligible Foreign Custodian, the Custodian maintains on its books as an amount owing as a liability by the Custodian to the customer.
 
Portfolio ” means (a) in relation to a Fund that is a series organization, a series of the Fund and (b) in relation to a Fund that is not a series organization, the Fund itself.
 
Portfolio Interests ” means beneficial interests in a Portfolio.
 
Proper Instructions ” means instructions in accordance with Section 9 received by the Custodian from a Fund, the Fund’s Investment Advisor, or an individual or organization duly authorized by the Fund or the Investment Advisor. The term includes standing instructions.
 
SEC ” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
Series organization ” means an organization that, pursuant to the statute under which the organization is organized, has the following characteristics: (a) the organic record of the organization provides for creation by the organization of one or more series (however denominated) with respect to specified property of the organization, and provides for records to be maintained for each series that identify the property of or associated with the series, (b) debt incurred or existing with respect to the activities of, or property of or associated with a particular series is enforceable against the property of or associated with the series only, and not against the property of or associated with the organization or of other series of the organization, and (c) debt incurred or existing with respect to the activities or property of the organization is enforceable against the property of the organization only, and not against the property of or associated with any series of the organization.
 
UCC ” means the Uniform Commercial Code of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as in effect from time to time.
 
Underlying Portfolios ” means a group of investment companies as defined in Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act.
 
Underlying Shares” means shares or other securities, issued by a U.S. issuer, of Underlying Portfolios and other registered “investment companies” (as defined in Section 3(a)(1) of the 1940 Act), whether or not in the same “group of investment companies” (as defined in Section 12(d)(1)(G)(ii) of the 1940 Act).
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Underlying Transfer Agent ” means State Street Bank and Trust Company or such other organization which may from time to time be appointed by the Fund to act as a transfer agent for the Underlying Portfolios and with respect to which the Custodian is provided with Proper Instructions.
 
U.S. Securities System ” means a securities depository or book-entry system authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury or a “clearing corporation” as defined in Section 8-102 of the UCC.

S ECTION 2.  E MPLOYMENT OF C USTODIAN .
 
S ECTION 2.1 G ENERAL . Each Fund hereby employs the Custodian as a custodian of (a) securities and cash of each of the Portfolios and (b) other assets of each of the Portfolios that the Custodian agrees to treat as financial assets. Each Fund, on behalf of each of its Portfolios, agrees to deliver to the Custodian (i) all securities and cash of the Portfolios, (ii) all other assets of each Portfolio that the Fund desires the Custodian, and the Custodian is willing, to treat as a financial asset and (iii) all cash and other proceeds of the securities and financial assets held in custody under this Agreement. The holding of confirmation statements that identify Underlying Shares as being recorded in the Custodian’s name on behalf of the Portfolios will be custody for purposes of this Section 2.1. This Agreement does not require the Custodian to accept an asset for custody hereunder or to treat any asset that is not a security as a financial asset.
 
S ECTION 2.2 S UB - CUSTODIANS . Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall on behalf of a Fund appoint one or more banks, trust companies or other entities located in the United States and designated in the Proper Instructions to act as a sub-custodian for the purposes of effecting such transactions as may be designated by the Fund in the Proper Instructions. The Custodian may place and maintain each Fund’s foreign securities with foreign banking institution sub-custodians employed by the Custodian or foreign securities depositories, all in accordance with the applicable provisions of Sections 4 and 5. An entity acting in the capacity of Underlying Transfer Agent is not an agent or sub-custodian of the Custodian for purposes of this Agreement.
 
S ECTION 2.3 R ELATIONSHIP . With respect to securities and other financial assets, the Custodian is a securities intermediary and the Portfolio is the entitlement holder. With respect to cash maintained in a deposit account and denominated in an “on book” currency, the Custodian is a bank and the Portfolio is the bank’s customer. If cash is maintained in a deposit account with a bank other than the Custodian and the cash is denominated in an “on book” currency, the Custodian is that bank’s customer. The Custodian agrees to treat the claim to the cash as a financial asset for the benefit of the Portfolio . The Custodian does not otherwise agree to treat cash as financial asset. The duties of the Custodian as securities intermediary and bank set forth in the UCC are varied by the terms of this Agreement to the extent that the duties may be varied by agreement under the UCC.
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S ECTION 3.  A CTIVITIES OF THE C USTODIAN WITH R ESPECT TO P ROPERTY H ELD IN THE U NITED S TATES .
 
S ECTION 3.1 H OLDING S ECURITIES . The Custodian may deposit and maintain securities or other financial assets of a Portfolio in a U.S. Securities System in compliance with the conditions of Rule 17f-4 under the 1940 Act. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions on behalf of a Portfolio, the Custodian shall establish and maintain a segregated account or accounts for and on behalf of the Portfolio and into which account or accounts may be transferred cash or securities and other financial assets, including securities and financial assets maintained in a U.S. Securities System. The Custodian shall hold and physically segregate for the account of each Portfolio all securities and other financial assets held by the Custodian in the United States, including all domestic securities of the Portfolio, other than (a) securities or other financial assets maintained in a U.S. Securities System and (b) Underlying Shares maintained pursuant to Section 3.6 in an account of an Underlying Transfer Agent. The Custodian may at any time or times in its discretion appoint any other bank or trust company, qualified under the 1940 Act to act as a custodian, as the Custodian’s agent to carry out such of the provisions of this Section as the Custodian may from time to time direct. The appointment of any agent shall not relieve the Custodian of any of its duties hereunder. The Custodian may at any time or times in its discretion remove the bank or trust company as the Custodian’s agent.
 
S ECTION 3.2 R EGISTRATION OF S ECURITIES . Domestic securities or other financial assets held by the Custodian and that are not bearer securities shall be registered in the name of the applicable Portfolio or in the name of any nominee of a Fund on behalf of the Portfolio or of any nominee of the Custodian, or in the name or nominee name of any agent or any sub- custodian permitted hereby. All securities accepted by the Custodian on behalf of the Portfolio under the terms of this Agreement shall be in “street name” or other good delivery form. However, if a Fund directs the Custodian to maintain securities or other financial assets in “street name,” the Custodian shall utilize reasonable efforts only to timely collect income due the Fund on the securities and other financial assets and to notify the Fund of relevant issuer actions including, without limitation, pendency of calls, maturities, tender or exchange offers.
 
S ECTION 3.3 B ANK A CCOUNTS . The Custodian shall open and maintain upon the terms of the Deposit Account Agreement a separate deposit account or accounts in the United States in the name of each Portfolio, subject only to draft or order by the Custodian acting pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. The Custodian shall credit to the deposit account or accounts, subject to the provisions hereof, all cash received by the Custodian from or for the account of the Portfolio, other than cash maintained by the Portfolio in a deposit account established and used in accordance with Rule 17f-3 under the 1940 Act. Funds held by the Custodian for a Portfolio may be deposited by the Custodian to its credit as Custodian in the banking department of the Custodian or in such other banks or trust companies as it may in its discretion deem necessary or desirable; provided, however, that (a) every such bank or trust company shall be qualified to act as a custodian under the 1940 Act and (b) each such bank or trust company and the funds to be deposited with each such bank or trust company shall on behalf of each applicable Portfolio of a Fund be approved by vote of a majority of the Fund’s Board. The funds shall be deposited by the Custodian in its capacity as Custodian and shall be withdrawable by the Custodian only in that capacity.
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S ECTION 3.4 C OLLECTION OF I NCOME . Subject to the domestic securities or other financial assets held in the United States being registered as provided in Section 3.2, the Custodian shall collect on a timely basis all income and other payments with respect to the securities and other financial assets and to which a Portfolio shall be entitled either by law or pursuant to custom in the securities business. The Custodian shall collect on a timely basis all income and other payments with respect to bearer domestic securities if, on the date of payment by the issuer, the securities are held by the Custodian or its agent. The Custodian shall present for payment all income items requiring presentation as and when they become due and shall collect interest when due on securities and other financial assets held hereunder. The Custodian shall credit income to the Portfolio as such income is received or in accordance with the Custodian’s then current payable date income schedule. Any credit to the Portfolio in advance of receipt may be reversed when the Custodian determines that payment will not occur in due course, and the Portfolio may be charged at the Custodian’s applicable rate for time credited.
 
S ECTION 3.5 D ELIVERY O UT . The Custodian shall release and deliver out domestic securities and other financial assets of a Portfolio held in a U.S. Securities System, or in an account at the Underlying Transfer Agent, only upon receipt of Proper Instructions on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, specifying the domestic securities or financial assets held in the United States to be delivered out and the person or persons to whom delivery is to be made. The Custodian shall pay out cash of a Portfolio upon receipt of Proper Instructions on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, specifying the amount of the payment and the person or persons to whom the payment is to be made.

S ECTION 3.6 D EPOSIT OF F UND A SSETS WITH THE U NDERLYING T RANSFER A GENT .
 
Underlying Shares of a Fund, on behalf of a Portfolio, shall be deposited and held in an account or accounts maintained with an Underlying Transfer Agent. The Custodian’s only responsibilities with respect to the Underlying Shares shall be limited to the following:

1) Upon receipt of a confirmation or statement from an Underlying Transfer Agent that the Underlying Transfer Agent is holding or maintaining Underlying Shares in the name of the Custodian (or a nominee of the Custodian) for the benefit of a Portfolio, the Custodian shall identify by book-entry that the Underlying Shares are being held by it as custodian for the benefit of the Portfolio.

2) Upon receipt of Proper Instructions to purchase Underlying Shares for the account of a Portfolio, the Custodian shall pay out cash of the Portfolio as so directed to purchase the Underlying Shares and record the payment from the account of the Portfolio on the Custodian’s books and records.

3) Upon receipt of Proper Instructions for the sale or redemption of Underlying Shares for the account of a Portfolio, the Custodian shall transfer the Underlying Shares as so directed to sell or redeem the Underlying Shares, record the transfer from the account of the Portfolio on the Custodian’s books and records and, upon the Custodian’s receipt of the proceeds of the sale or redemption, record the receipt of the proceeds for the account of such Portfolio on the Custodian’s books and records.
 
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S ECTION 3.7 P ROXIES . The Custodian shall cause to be promptly executed by the registered holder of domestic securities or other financial assets held in the United States of a Portfolio, if the securities or other financial assets are registered otherwise than in the name of the Portfolio or a nominee of the Portfolio, all proxies, without indication of the manner in which the proxies are to be voted, and shall promptly deliver to the Fund such proxies, all proxy soliciting materials and all notices relating to the securities or other financial assets.
 
S ECTION 3.8 C OMMUNICATIONS . Subject to the domestic securities or other financial assets held in the United States being registered as provided in Section 3.2, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the applicable Fund for each Portfolio all written information received by the Custodian from issuers of the securities and other financial assets being held for the Portfolio. The Custodian shall transmit promptly to the applicable Fund all written information received by the Custodian from issuers of the securities and other financial assets whose tender or exchange is sought and from the party or its agent making the tender or exchange offer. The Custodian shall also transmit promptly to the applicable Fund for each Portfolio all written information received by the Custodian regarding any class action or other collective litigation relating to Portfolio securities or other financial assets issued in the United States and then held, or previously held, during the relevant class-action period during the term of this Agreement by the Custodian for the account of the Fund for the Portfolio, including, but not limited to, opt-out notices and proof-of-claim forms. The Custodian does not support class-action participation by a Fund beyond such forwarding of written information received by the Custodian.

S ECTION 4.  P ROVISIONS R ELATING TO R ULES 17 F -5 AND 17 F -7 .
 
S ECTION 4.1. D EFINITIONS . As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the following meanings:

Country Risk ” means all factors reasonably related to the systemic risk of holding Foreign Assets in a particular country. The factors include but are not limited to risks arising from the country’s political environment, economic and financial infrastructure (including any Eligible Securities Depository operating in the country); prevailing or developing custody, tax and settlement practices; nationalization, expropriation or other government actions; currency restrictions, devaluations or fluctuations; market conditions affecting the orderly execution of securities transactions or the value of assets; the regulation of the banking and securities industries, including changes in market rules; and laws and regulations applicable to the safekeeping and recovery of Foreign Assets held in custody in that country.

Covered Foreign Country ” means a country listed on Schedule A, which list of countries may be amended from time to time at the request of any Fund and with the agreement of the Foreign Custody Manager.

Eligible Foreign Custodian ” has the meaning set forth in Section (a)(1) of Rule 17f-5. “ Eligible Securities Depository ” has the meaning set forth in section (b)(1) of Rule 17f-7.
 
Foreign Assets ” means, in relation to a Portfolio, any of the Portfolio’s securities or other investments (including foreign currencies) for which the primary market is outside the United States, and any cash and cash equivalents that are reasonably necessary to effect transactions of the Portfolio in those investments.

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Foreign Custody Manager ” has the meaning set forth in section (a)(3) of Rule 17f-5.

Foreign Securities System ” means an Eligible Securities Depository listed on Schedule B.

Rule 17f-5 ” means Rule 17f-5 promulgated under the 1940 Act.

Rule 17f-7 ” means Rule 17f-7 promulgated under the 1940 Act.

S ECTION 4.2. T HE C USTODIAN AS F OREIGN C USTODY M ANAGER .
 
4.2.1  D ELEGATION . Each Fund, by resolution adopted by its Board, hereby delegates to the Custodian, subject to Section (b) of Rule 17f-5, the responsibilities set forth in this Section 4.2 with respect to Foreign Assets of the Portfolios held outside the United States. The Custodian hereby accepts such delegation. By giving at least 30 days’ prior written notice to the Fund, the Foreign Custody Manager may withdraw its acceptance of the delegated responsibilities generally or with respect to a Covered Foreign Country designated in the notice. Following the withdrawal, the Custodian shall have no further responsibility in its capacity as Foreign Custody Manager to the Fund generally or, as the case may be, with respect to the Covered Foreign Country so designated.
 
4.2.2  E XERCISE OF C ARE AS F OREIGN C USTODY M ANAGER . The Foreign Custody Manager shall exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence such as a person having responsibility for the safekeeping of the Foreign Assets would exercise in performing the delegated responsibilities.
 
4.2.3  F OREIGN C USTODY A RRANGEMENTS . The Foreign Custody Manager shall be responsible for performing the delegated responsibilities only with respect to Covered Foreign Countries. The Foreign Custody Manager shall list on Schedule A for a Covered Foreign Country each Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody Manager to maintain the Foreign Assets of the Portfolios with respect to the Covered Foreign Country. The list of Eligible Foreign Custodians may be amended from time to time upon notice in the sole discretion of the Foreign Custody Manager. This Agreement constitutes a Proper Instruction by a Fund, on behalf of each applicable Portfolio, to open an account, and to place and maintain Foreign Assets, for the Portfolio in each applicable Covered Foreign Country. The Fund, on behalf of the Portfolios, shall satisfy the account opening requirements for the Covered Foreign Country, and the delegation with respect to the Portfolio for the Covered Foreign Country will not be considered to have been accepted by the Custodian until that satisfaction. If the Foreign Custody Manager receives from the Fund Proper Instructions directing the Foreign Custody Manager to close the account, the delegation shall be considered withdrawn, and the Custodian shall immediately cease to be the Foreign Custody Manager with respect to the Portfolio for the Covered Foreign Country.
 
4.2.4  S COPE OF D ELEGATED R ESPONSIBILITIES : Subject to the provisions of this Section 4.2, the Foreign Custody Manager may place and maintain Foreign Assets in the care of an Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody Manager in each applicable Covered Foreign Country. The Foreign Custody Manager shall determine that (a) the Foreign Assets will be subject to reasonable care, based on the standards applicable to custodians in the country in which the Foreign Assets will be held by the Eligible Foreign Custodian, after considering all factors relevant to the safekeeping of such assets, including, without limitation the factors specified in Rule 17f-5(c)(1) and (b) the contract between the Foreign Custody Manager and the Eligible Foreign Custodian governing the foreign custody arrangements will satisfy the requirements of Rule 17f-5(c)(2). The Foreign Custody Manager shall establish a system to monitor (i) the appropriateness of maintaining the Foreign Assets with the Eligible Foreign Custodian and (ii) the performance of the contract governing the custody arrangements. If the Foreign Custody Manager determines that the custody arrangements with an Eligible Foreign Custodian are no longer appropriate, the Foreign Custody Manager shall so notify the Fund.
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4.2.5  R EPORTING R EQUIREMENTS . The Foreign Custody Manager shall (a) report the withdrawal of Foreign Assets from an Eligible Foreign Custodian and the placement of Foreign Assets with another Eligible Foreign Custodian by providing to the Fund’s Board an amended Schedule A at the end of the calendar quarter in which the action has occurred, and (b) after the occurrence of any other material change in the foreign custody arrangements of the Portfolios described in this Section 4.2, make a written report to the Board containing a notification of the change.
 
4.2.6  R EPRESENTATIONS . The Foreign Custody Manager represents to each Fund that it is a U.S. Bank as defined in Section (a)(7) of Rule 17f-5. Each Fund represents to the Custodian that its Board has (a) determined that it is reasonable for the Board to rely on the Custodian to perform the responsibilities delegated pursuant to this Agreement to the Custodian as the Foreign Custody Manager of the Portfolios and (b) considered and determined to accept such Country Risk as is incurred by placing and maintaining the Foreign Assets of each Portfolio in each Covered Foreign Country.
 
4.2.7  T ERMINATION BY A P ORTFOLIO OF THE C USTODIAN AS F OREIGN C USTODY M ANAGER . By giving at least 30 days’ prior written notice to the Custodian, a Fund, on behalf of a Portfolio, may terminate the delegation to the Custodian as the Foreign Custody Manager for the Portfolio. Following the termination, the Custodian shall have no further responsibility in its capacity as Foreign Custody Manager to the Portfolio.
 
S ECTION 4.3  M ONITORING OF E LIGIBLE S ECURITIES D EPOSITORIES . The Custodian shall (a) provide the Fund or its Investment Advisor with an analysis of the custody risks associated with maintaining assets with the Eligible Securities Depositories set forth on Schedule B in accordance with Section (a)(1)(i)(A) of Rule 17f-7 and (b) monitor such risks on a continuing basis and promptly notify the Fund or its Investment Advisor of any material change in such risks, in accordance with Section (a)(1)(i)(B) of Rule 17f-7.
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S ECTION 5.  A CTIVITIES OF THE C USTODIAN WITH R ESPECT TO P ROPERTY H ELD O UTSIDE THE U NITED S TATES .
 
S ECTION 5.1. H OLDING S ECURITIES . Foreign securities and other financial assets held outside of the United States shall be maintained in a Foreign Securities System in a Covered Foreign Country through arrangements implemented by the Custodian or an Eligible Foreign Custodian, as applicable, in the Covered Foreign Country. The Custodian shall identify on its books as belonging to the Portfolios the foreign securities and other financial assets held by each Eligible Foreign Custodian or Foreign Securities System. The Custodian may hold foreign securities and other financial assets for all of its customers, including the Portfolios, with any Eligible Foreign Custodian in an account that is identified as the Custodian’s account for the benefit of its customers; provided however, that (a) the records of the Custodian with respect to foreign securities or other financial assets of a Portfolio maintained in the account shall identify those securities and other financial assets as belonging to the Portfolio and (b) to the extent permitted and customary in the market in which the account is maintained, the Custodian shall require that securities and other financial assets so held by the Eligible Foreign Custodian be held separately from any assets of the Eligible Foreign Custodian or of other customers of the Eligible Foreign Custodian.
 
S ECTION 5.2. R EGISTRATION OF F OREIGN S ECURITIES . Foreign securities and other financial assets held outside of the United States maintained in the custody of an Eligible Foreign Custodian and that are not bearer securities shall be registered in the name of the applicable Portfolio or in the name of the Custodian or in the name of any Eligible Foreign Custodian or in the name of any nominee of any of the foregoing. The Fund on behalf of the Portfolio agrees to hold any such nominee harmless from any liability as a holder of record of the foreign securities or other financial assets. The Custodian or an Eligible Foreign Custodian reserves the right not to accept securities or other financial assets on behalf of a Portfolio under the terms of this Agreement unless the form of the securities or other financial assets and the manner in which they are delivered are in accordance with local market practice.
 
S ECTION 5.3. I NDEMNIFICATION BY E LIGIBLE F OREIGN C USTODIANS .  Each contract pursuant to which the Custodian employs an Eligible Foreign Custodian shall, to the extent possible, require the Eligible Foreign Custodian to indemnify and hold harmless the Custodian from and against any loss, cost or expense arising out of or in connection with the Eligible Foreign Custodian’s performance of its obligations. At a Fund’s election, a Portfolio shall be entitled to be subrogated to the rights of the Custodian with respect to any claims against an Eligible Foreign Custodian as a consequence of any such loss, cost or expense if and to the extent that the Portfolio has not been made whole for the loss, cost or expense. In no event shall the Custodian be obligated to bring suit in its own name or to allow suit to be brought in its name.

S ECTION 5.4  B ANK A CCOUNTS .
 
5.4.1  G ENERAL . The Custodian shall identify on its books as for the account of the applicable Portfolio the amount of cash (including cash denominated in foreign currencies) deposited with the Custodian. The Custodian shall maintain cash deposits in on book currencies on its balance sheet. The Custodian shall be liable for such balances. If the Custodian is unable to maintain, or market practice does not facilitate the maintenance for the Portfolio of a cash balance in a currency as an on book currency, a deposit account shall be opened and maintained by the Custodian outside the United States on behalf of the Portfolio with an Eligible Foreign Custodian. The Custodian shall not maintain the cash deposit on its balance sheet. The Eligible Foreign Custodian will be liable for such balance directly to the Portfolio. All deposit accounts referred to in this Section shall be subject only to draft or order by the Custodian or, if applicable, the Eligible Foreign Custodian acting pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. Cash maintained in a deposit account and denominated in an “on book” currency will be maintained under and subject to the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Custodian will not have any deposit liability for deposits in any currency that is not an “on book” currency.
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5.4.2  N ON -U.S. B RANCH AND N ON -U.S. D OLLAR D EPOSITS . In accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Custodian shall not be required to repay any deposit made at a non-U.S. branch of the Custodian or any deposit made with the Custodian and denominated in a non-U.S. dollar currency, if repayment of the deposit or the use of assets denominated in the non-U.S. dollar currency is prevented, prohibited or otherwise blocked due to
 
(a)  an act of war, insurrection or civil strife; (b) any action by a non-U.S. government or instrumentality or authority asserting governmental, military or police power of any kind, whether such authority be recognized as a de facto or a de jure government, or by any entity, political or revolutionary movement or otherwise that usurps, supervenes or otherwise materially impairs the normal operation of civil authority; or (c) the closure of a non-U.S. branch in order to prevent, in the reasonable judgment of the Custodian, harm to the employees or property of the Custodian.
 
S ECTION 5.5. C OLLECTION OF I NCOME . The Custodian shall use reasonable commercial efforts to collect all income and other payments with respect to the Foreign Assets held hereunder to which a Portfolio shall be entitled. If extraordinary measures are required to collect the income or payment, the Fund and the Custodian shall consult as to such measures and as to the compensation and expenses of the Custodian relating to such measures. The Custodian shall credit income to the applicable Portfolio as such income is received or in accordance with the Custodian’s then current payable date income schedule. Any credit to the Portfolio in advance of receipt may be reversed when the Custodian determines that payment will not occur in due course, and the Portfolio may be charged at the Custodian’s applicable rate for time credited. Income on securities or other financial assets loaned other than from the Custodian’s securities lending program shall be credited as received.

S ECTION 5.6. T RANSACTIONS IN F OREIGN C USTODY A CCOUNT .
 
5.6.1  D ELIVERY O UT . The Custodian or an Eligible Foreign Custodian shall release and deliver foreign securities or other financial assets held outside of the United States owned by a Portfolio and held by the Custodian or such Eligible Foreign Custodian, or in a Foreign Securities System account, only upon receipt of Proper Instructions, s pecifying the foreign securities to be delivered and the person or persons to whom delivery is to be made. The Custodian shall pay out, or direct the respective Eligible Foreign Custodian or the respective Foreign Securities System to pay out, cash of a Portfolio only upon receipt of Proper Instructions specifying the amount of the payment and the person or persons to payment is to be made.
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5.6.2  M ARKET C ONDITIONS . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, settlement and payment for Foreign Assets received for the account of the Portfolios and delivery of Foreign Assets maintained for the account of the Portfolios may be effected in accordance with the customary established securities trading or processing practices and procedures in the country or market in which the transaction occurs, including, without limitation, delivering Foreign Assets to the purchaser thereof or to a dealer therefor (or an agent for such purchaser or dealer) with the expectation of receiving later payment for the Foreign Assets from such purchaser or dealer.
 
5.6.3  S ETTLEMENT P RACTICES . The Custodian shall provide to each Board the information with respect to custody and settlement practices in countries in which the Custodian employs an Eligible Foreign Custodian described on Schedule C at the time or times set forth on the Schedule. The Custodian may revise Schedule C from time to time, but no revision shall result in a Board being provided with substantively less information than had been previously provided on Schedule C.
 
S ECTION 5.7 S HAREHOLDER OR B ONDHOLDER R IGHTS . The Custodian shall use reasonable commercial efforts to facilitate the exercise of voting and other shareholder and bondholder rights with respect to foreign securities and other financial assets held outside the United States, subject always to the laws, regulations and practical constraints that may exist in the country where the securities or other financial assets are issued. The Custodian may utilize Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. or another proxy service firm of recognized standing as its delegate to provide proxy services for the exercise of shareholder and bondholder rights. Local conditions, including lack of regulation, onerous procedural obligations, lack of notice and other factors may have the effect of severely limiting the ability of a Fund to exercise shareholder and bondholder rights.
 
S ECTION 5.8. C OMMUNICATIONS . The Custodian shall transmit promptly to the applicable Fund written information with respect to materials received by the Custodian through Eligible Foreign Custodians from issuers of the foreign securities and other financial asset assets being held outside the United States for the account of a Portfolio. The Custodian shall transmit promptly to the applicable Fund written information with respect to materials so received by the Custodian from issuers of foreign securities whose tender or exchange is sought or from the party or its agent making the tender or exchange offer. The Custodian shall also transmit promptly to the Fund all written information received by the Custodian through Eligible Foreign Custodians from issuers of the foreign securities or other financial assets issued outside of the United States and being held for the account of the Portfolio regarding any class action or other collective litigation relating to the Portfolio’s foreign securities or other financial assets issued outside the United States and then held, or previously held, during the relevant class-action period during the term of this Agreement by the Custodian via an Eligible Foreign Custodian for the account of the Fund for the Portfolio, including, but not limited to, opt-out notices and proof- of-claim forms. The Custodian does not support class-action participation by a Fund beyond such forwarding of written information received by the Custodian.
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S ECTION 6.  F OREIGN E XCHANGE .
 
S ECTION 6.1. G ENERALLY . Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which for purposes of this section may also include security trade advices, the Custodian shall facilitate the processing and settlement of foreign exchange transactions. Such foreign exchange transactions do not constitute part of the services provided by the Custodian under this Agreement.
 
S ECTION 6.2. F UND E LECTIONS . Each Fund (or its Investment Advisor acting on its behalf) may elect to enter into and execute foreign exchange transactions with third parties that are not affiliated with the Custodian, with State Street Global Markets, which is the foreign exchange division of State Street Bank and Trust Company and its affiliated companies (“ SSGM ”), or with a sub-custodian. Where the Fund or its Investment Advisor gives Proper Instructions for the execution of a foreign exchange transaction using an indirect foreign exchange service described in the Client Publications, the Fund (or its Investment Advisor) instructs the Custodian, on behalf of the Fund, to direct the execution of such foreign exchange transaction to SSGM or, when the relevant currency is not traded by SSGM, to the applicable sub-custodian. The Custodian shall not have any agency (except as contemplated in preceding sentence), trust or fiduciary obligation to the Fund, its Investment Advisor or any other person in connection with the execution of any foreign exchange transaction. The Custodian shall have no responsibility under this Agreement for the selection of the counterparty to, or the method of execution of, any foreign exchange transaction entered into by the Fund (or its Investment Advisor acting on its behalf) or the reasonableness of the execution rate on any such transaction.
 
S ECTION 6.3. F UND A CKNOWLEDGEMENT Each Fund acknowledges that in connection with all foreign exchange transactions entered into by the Fund (or its Investment Advisor acting on its behalf) with SSGM or any sub-custodian, SSGM and each such sub-custodian:

(i) shall be acting in a principal capacity and not as broker, agent or fiduciary to the Fund or its Investment Advisor;

(ii) shall seek to profit from such foreign exchange transactions, and are entitled to retain and not disclose any such profit to the Fund or its Investment Advisor; and

(iii) shall enter into such foreign exchange transactions pursuant to the terms and conditions, including pricing or pricing methodology, (a) agreed with the Fund or its Investment Advisor from time to time or (b) in the case of an indirect foreign exchange service, (i) as established by SSGM and set forth in the Client Publications with respect to the particular foreign exchange execution services selected by the Fund or the Investment Advisor or (ii) as established by the sub-custodian from time to time.
 
S ECTION 6.4. T RANSACTIONS BY S TATE S TREET . The Custodian or its affiliates, including SSGM, may trade based upon information that is not available to the Fund (or its Investment Advisor acting on its behalf), and may enter into transactions for its own account or the account of clients in the same or opposite direction to the transactions entered into with the Fund (or its Investment Manager), and shall have no obligation, under this Agreement, to share such information with or consider the interests of their respective counterparties, including, where applicable, the Fund or the Investment Advisor.
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S ECTION 6A.  C ONTRACTUAL S ETTLEMENT S ERVICES (P URCHASE /S ALES ) .
 
S ECTION 6A.1 G ENERAL . The Custodian shall, in accordance with the terms set out in this Section 6A, debit or credit the appropriate deposit account of each Portfolio on a contractual settlement basis in connection with the purchase of securities or other financial assets for the Portfolio or the receipt of the proceeds of the sale or redemption of securities or other financial assets.
 
S ECTION 6A.2 P ROVISION OF S ERVICES . The services described in Section 6A.1 (the “ Contractual Settlement Services ”) shall be provided for the securities and other financial assets and in such markets as the Custodian may advise from time to time. The Custodian may terminate or suspend any part of the provision of the Contractual Settlement Services at its sole discretion immediately upon notice to the applicable Fund on behalf of each Portfolio, including, without limitation, in the event of force majeure events affecting settlement, any disorder in markets, or other changed external business circumstances affecting the markets or the Fund.
 
S ECTION 6A.3 P URCHASE C ONSIDERATION . The consideration payable in connection with a purchase transaction shall be debited from the appropriate deposit account of the Portfolio as of the time and date that funds would ordinarily be required to settle the transaction in the applicable market. The Custodian shall promptly recredit the amount at the time that the Portfolio or the Fund notifies the Custodian by Proper Instruction that the transaction has been canceled.
 
S ECTION 6A.4 S ALES AND R EDEMPTIONS . A provisional credit of an amount equal to the net sale price for a sale or redemption of securities or other financial assets shall be made to the account of the Portfolio as if the amount had been received as of the close of business on the date on which good funds would ordinarily be immediately available in the applicable market. The provisional credit will be made conditional upon the Custodian having received Proper Instructions with respect to, or reasonable notice of, the transaction, as applicable; and the Custodian or its agent having possession of the securities of other financial assets (excluding financial assets subject to any third party lending arrangement entered into by a Portfolio) associated with the transaction in good deliverable form and not being aware of any facts which would lead the Custodian or its agent to believe that the transaction will not settle in the time period ordinarily applicable to such transactions in the applicable market.
 
S ECTION 6A.5. R EVERSALS OF P ROVISIONAL C REDITS OR D EBITS . The Custodian shall have the right to reverse any provisional credit or debit given in connection with the Contractual Settlement Services at any time when the Custodian believes, in its reasonable judgment, that such transaction will not settle in accordance with its terms or amounts due pursuant thereto, will not be collectable or where the Custodian has not been provided Proper Instructions with respect thereto, as applicable. The Portfolio shall be responsible for any costs or liabilities resulting from such reversal. Upon such reversal, a sum equal to the credited or debited amount shall become immediately payable by the Portfolio to the Custodian and may be debited from any deposit or other account held for benefit of the Portfolio.
 
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S ECTION 7.  T AX S ERVICES .
 
S ECTION 7.1 G ENERAL . Subject to and to the extent of receipt by the Custodian of relevant and necessary documentation and information with respect to the Funds and Portfolios that the Custodian has requested, the Custodian shall perform the following services: (a) file claims for exemptions, reductions in withholding taxes, or refunds of any tax with respect to withheld foreign (non-U.S.) taxes in instances in which such claims are appropriate; (b) withhold appropriate amounts as required by U.S. tax laws with respect to amounts received on behalf of nonresident aliens; and (c) provide to the Funds such information actually received by the Custodian that could, in the Custodian’s reasonable belief and sole discretion, assist any of the Funds in their submission of any reports or returns with respect to taxes. It shall be the responsibility of each Fund to notify the Custodian of the obligations imposed on the Fund or the Custodian as custodian by the tax law of countries, states and political subdivisions thereof, including responsibility for withholding and other taxes, assessments or other governmental charges, certifications and governmental reporting. The sole responsibility of the Custodian with regard to such tax law shall be to use reasonable efforts to assist the Fund with respect to any claim for exemption or refund under the tax law of countries for which the Fund has provided sufficient information and documentation.
 
S ECTION 7.2  O WNERSHIP C ERTIFICATES FOR T AX P URPOSES .  The Custodian shall execute ownership and other certificates and affidavits for all federal and state tax purposes in connection with receipt of income or other payments with respect to domestic securities or other financial assets held within the United States of each Portfolio held by the Custodian and in connection with transfers of securities and other financial assets.
 
S ECTION 7.3 A UTHORIZATIONS . The Custodian is authorized to deduct from any cash received or credited to the account of a Portfolio any taxes or levies required by any tax or other governmental authority having jurisdiction in respect of such Portfolio’s transactions and to disclose any information required by any such tax or other governmental authority in relation to processing any claim for exemption from or reduction or refund of any taxes relating to Portfolio transactions and holdings.
 
S ECTION 7.4 S ERVICES F URTHER L IMITED . Other than the servicing responsibilities provided herein, the Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for any obligations now or hereafter imposed on any Fund, any Portfolio or the Custodian as custodian of the assets of the Fund or the Portfolio by the tax law of any country or of any state or political subdivision thereof. The Custodian shall not be considered the Fund’s tax advisor or tax counsel.

S ECTION 8.  P AYMENTS FOR S ALES OR R EDEMPTIONS OF P ORTFOLIO I NTERESTS .
 
S ECTION 8.1 P AYMENT FOR P ORTFOLIO I NTERESTS I SSUED . The Custodian shall receive from the distributor of Portfolio Interests of a Fund or from the Fund’s transfer agent (the “ Transfer Agent ”) and deposit into the account of the Portfolio such payments as are received for Portfolio Interests issued or sold from time to time by the Fund. The Custodian will provide timely notification to the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio and the Transfer Agent of any receipt of the payments by the Custodian.
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S ECTION 8.2  P AYMENT FOR P ORTFOLIO I NTERESTS R EDEEMED .  Upon receipt of instructions from the Transfer Agent, the Custodian shall set aside funds of a Portfolio to the extent available for payment to holders of Portfolio Interests who have delivered to the Transfer Agent a request for redemption of their Portfolio Interests. The Custodian is authorized upon receipt of instructions from the Transfer Agent to wire funds to or through a commercial bank designated by the redeeming interest holders. If the Custodian furnishes a check to a holder in payment for the redemption of the holder’s Portfolio Interests and the check is drawn on the Custodian, the Custodian shall honor the check so long as the check is presented to the Custodian in accordance with the Deposit Account Agreement and such procedures and controls as are mutually agreed upon from time to time between the Fund and the Custodian.

S ECTION 9.  P ROPER I NSTRUCTIONS .
 
S ECTION 9. 1 F ORM AND S ECURITY P ROCEDURES . Proper Instructions may be in writing signed by the authorized individual or individuals or may be in a tested communication or in a communication utilizing access codes effected between electro-mechanical or electronic devices or may be by such other means and utilizing such intermediary systems and utilities as may be agreed to from time to time by the Custodian and the individual or organization giving the instruction, provided that the Fund has followed any security procedures agreed to from time to time by the applicable Fund and the Custodian including, but not limited to, the security procedures selected by the Fund by reference to the form of Funds Transfer Addendum hereto, the terms of which are part of this Agreement. The Custodian may agree to accept oral instructions, and in such case oral instructions will be considered Proper Instructions. The Fund shall cause all oral instructions to be confirmed in writing, but the Fund’s failure to do so shall not affect the Custodian’s authority to rely on the oral instructions.
 
Section 9.2 R ELIANCE ON O FFICER S C ERTIFICATE . Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, and from time to time thereafter, as appropriate, each Fund shall deliver to the Custodian an officer’s certificate setting forth the names, titles, signatures and scope of authority of all individuals authorized to give Proper Instructions or any other notice, request, direction, instruction, certificate or instrument on behalf of the Fund. The certificate may be accepted and conclusively relied upon by the Custodian and shall be considered to be in full force and effect until receipt by the Custodian of a similar certificate to the contrary and the Custodian has had a reasonable time to act thereon.
 
Section 9.3 U NTIMELY P ROPER I NSTRUCTIONS . If the Custodian is not provided with reasonable time to execute a Proper Instruction (including any Proper Instruction not to execute, or any other modification to, a prior Proper Instruction), the Custodian will use good faith efforts to execute the Proper Instruction but will not be responsible or liable if the Custodian’s efforts are not successful (including any inability to change any actions that the Custodian had taken pursuant to the prior Proper Instruction). The inclusion of a statement of purpose or intent (or any similar notation) in a Proper Instruction shall not impose any additional obligations on the Custodian or condition or qualify its authority to effect the Proper Instruction. The Custodian will not assume a duty to ensure that the stated purpose or intent is fulfilled and will have no responsibility or liability when it follows the Proper Instruction without regard to such purpose or intent.
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S ECTION 10.  A CTIONS P ERMITTED WITHOUT E XPRESS A UTHORITY .
 
The Custodian may in its discretion, without express authority from the applicable Fund on behalf of each Portfolio:

1) Make payments to itself or others for minor expenses of handling securities or other financial assets relating to its duties under this Agreement; provided that all such payments shall be accounted for to the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio;

2) Surrender securities or other financial assets in temporary form for securities or other financial assets in definitive form;

3) Endorse for collection, in the name of the Portfolio, checks, drafts and other negotiable instruments; and

4) In general, attend to all non-discretionary details in connection with the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase, transfer and other dealings with the securities and other financial assets of the Portfolio except as otherwise directed by the applicable Board.

S ECTION 11.
D UTIES OF C USTODIAN WITH R ESPECT TO THE B OOKS OF A CCOUNT AND C ALCULATION OF N ET A SSET V ALUE AND N ET I NCOME .
 
The Custodian shall cooperate with and supply necessary information to any organization appointed by the Board of a Portfolio of a Fund to keep the books of account of the Portfolio and compute the net asset value per Portfolio Interest of the outstanding Portfolio Interests or, if directed in writing to do so by the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, shall itself keep such books of account and compute such net asset value per Portfolio Interest. If and as so directed, the Custodian shall also calculate daily the net income of the Portfolio as described in the Fund’s currently effective prospectus (“ Prospectus ”) and shall advise the Fund and the Transfer Agent daily of the total amounts of such net income and, if instructed in writing by an officer of the Fund to do so, shall advise the Transfer Agent periodically of the division of such net income among its various components. Each Fund acknowledges and agrees that, with respect to investments maintained with the Underlying Transfer Agent, the Underlying Transfer Agent is the sole source of information on the number of Portfolio Interests held by it on behalf of a Portfolio and that the Custodian has the right to rely on holdings information furnished by the Underlying Transfer Agent to the Custodian in performing its duties under this Agreement, including without limitation, the duties set forth in this Section 11 and in Section 12; provided, however, that the Custodian shall be obligated to reconcile information as to purchases and sales of Underlying Shares contained in trade instructions and confirmations received by the Custodian and to report promptly any discrepancies to the Underlying Transfer Agent. If and as so directed, the calculations of the net asset value per Portfolio Interest and the daily income of each Portfolio shall be made at the time or times described from time to time in the Prospectus.
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S ECTION 12.  R ECORDS .
 
The Custodian shall with respect to each Portfolio create and maintain all records relating to its activities and obligations under this Agreement in such manner as will meet the obligations of each Fund under the 1940 Act, with particular attention to Section 31 thereof and Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2 thereunder. All such records shall be the property of the Fund and shall at all times during the regular business hours of the Custodian be open for inspection by duly authorized officers, employees or agents of the Fund and employees and agents of the SEC. The Custodian shall, at the Fund’s request, supply the Fund with a tabulation of securities owned by each Portfolio and held by the Custodian and shall, when requested to do so by the Fund and for such compensation as shall be agreed upon between the Fund and the Custodian, include certificate numbers in such tabulations. In the event that the Custodian is requested or authorized by a Fund, or required by subpoena, administrative order, court order or other legal process, applicable law or regulation, or required in connection with any investigation, examination or inspection of the Fund by state or federal regulatory agencies, to produce the records of the Fund or the Custodian’s personnel as witnesses, the Fund agrees to pay the Custodian for the Custodian’s time and expenses, as well as the fees and expenses of the Custodian’s counsel, incurred in responding to such request, order or requirement.

S ECTION 13. F UND S I NDEPENDENT A CCOUNTANTS ; R EPORTS .
 
S ECTION 13.1 O PINIONS . The Custodian shall take all reasonable action, as a Fund with respect to a Portfolio may from time to time request, to obtain from year to year favorable opinions from the Fund’s independent accountants with respect to its activities hereunder in connection with the preparation of the Fund’s Form N-1A or Form N-2, as applicable, and Form N-SAR or other annual reports to the SEC and with respect to any other requirements thereof.
 
S ECTION 13.2 R EPORTS . Upon reasonable request of a Fund, the Custodian shall provide the Fund with a copy of the Custodian’s Service Organizational Control (SOC) 1 reports prepared in accordance with the requirements of AT section 801, Reporting on Controls at a Service Organization (formerly Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements (SSAE) No. 16). The Custodian shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide the Fund with such reports as the Fund may reasonably request or otherwise reasonably require to fulfill its duties under Rule 38a-1 of the 1940 Act or similar legal and regulatory requirements.

S ECTION 14.  C USTODIAN S S TANDARD OF C ARE ; E XCULPATION .
 
14.1  S TANDARD OF C ARE . In carrying out the provisions of this Agreement, the Custodian shall act in good faith and without negligence and shall be held to the exercise of reasonable care.
 
14.2  R ELIANCE ON P ROPER I NSTRUCTIONS . The Custodian shall be entitled conclusively to rely and act upon Proper Instructions until the Custodian has received notice of any change from the Fund and has had a reasonable time to act thereon. The Custodian may act on a Proper Instruction if it reasonably believes that it contains sufficient information and may refrain from acting on any Proper Instructions until such time that it has determined, in its sole discretion, that is has received any required clarification or authentication of Proper Instructions.
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The Custodian may rely upon and shall be protected in acting upon any Proper Instruction or any other instruction, notice, request, consent, certificate or other instrument or paper believed by it in good faith to be genuine and to have been properly executed by or on behalf of the applicable Fund.
 
14.3  O THER R ELIANCE . The Custodian is authorized and instructed to rely upon the information that the Custodian receives from the Fund or any third party on behalf of the Fund. The Custodian shall have no responsibility to review, confirm or otherwise assume any duty with respect to the accuracy or completeness of any information supplied to it by or on behalf of any Fund. The Custodian shall have no liability in respect of any loss, cost or expense incurred or sustained by the Fund arising from the performance of the Custodian’s duties hereunder in reliance upon records that were maintained for the Fund by any individual or organization, other than the Custodian, prior to the Custodian’s appointment as custodian hereunder. The Custodian shall be entitled to rely on and may act upon advice of counsel (who may be counsel for the Fund) on all matters and shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to the advice.
 
14.4  L IABILITY FOR F OREIGN C USTODIANS . The Custodian shall be liable for the acts or omissions of an Eligible Foreign Custodian to the same extent as if the action or omission were performed by the Custodian itself, taking into account the facts and circumstances and the established local market practices and laws prevailing in the particular jurisdiction in which the Fund elects to invest.
 
14.5  I NSOLVENCY AND C OUNTRY R ISK . The Custodian shall in no event be liable for
 
(a) the insolvency of any Eligible Foreign Custodian, (b) the insolvency of any depositary bank maintaining in a deposit account cash denominated in any currency other than an “on book” currency, or (c) any loss, cost or expense incurred or sustained by a Fund or Portfolio resulting from or caused by Country Risk.
 
14.6  F ORCE M AJEURE AND T HIRD P ARTY A CTIONS . The Custodian shall be without responsibility or liability to any Fund or Portfolio for: (a) events or circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the Custodian, including, without limitation, the interruption, suspension or restriction of trading on or the closure of any currency or securities market or system, power or other mechanical or technological failures or interruptions, computer viruses or communications disruptions, work stoppages, natural disasters, acts of war, revolution, riots or terrorism or other similar force majeure events or acts; (b) errors by any Fund, its Investment Advisor or any other duly authorized person in their instructions to the Custodian; (c) the insolvency of or acts or omissions by a U.S. Securities System, Foreign Securities System, Underlying Transfer Agent or domestic sub-custodian designated pursuant to Section 2.2; (d) the failure of any Fund, its Investment Advisor, Portfolio or any duly authorized individual or organization to adhere to the Custodian’s operational policies and procedures; (e) any delay or failure of any broker, agent, securities intermediary or other intermediary, central bank or other commercially prevalent payment or clearing system to deliver to the Custodian’s sub-custodian or agent securities or other financial assets purchased or in the remittance or payment made in connection with securities or other financial assets sold; (f) any delay or failure of any organization in charge of registering or transferring securities or other financial assets in the name of the Custodian, any Fund, any Portfolio, the Custodian’s sub-custodians, nominees or agents including non-receipt of bonus, dividends and rights and other accretions or benefits; (g) delays or inability to perform its duties due to any disorder in market infrastructure with respect to any particular security, other financial asset, U.S. Securities System or Foreign Securities System; and (h) the effect of any provision of any law or regulation or order of the United States of America, or any state thereof, or any other country, or political subdivision thereof or of any court of competent jurisdiction.
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14.7  I NDIRECT /S PECIAL /C ONSEQUENTIAL D AMAGES . Notwithstanding any other provision set forth herein, in no event shall the Custodian be liable for any special, indirect, incidental, punitive or consequential damages of any kind whatsoever (including, without limitation, lost profits) with respect to the services provided pursuant to this Agreement, regardless of whether either party has been advised of the possibility of such damages.
 
14.8  D ELIVERY OF P ROPERTY . The Custodian shall not be responsible for any securities or other assets of a Portfolio which are not received by the Custodian or which are delivered out in accordance with Proper Instructions. The Custodian shall not be responsible for the title, validity or genuineness of any securities or other assets or evidence of title thereto received by it or delivered by it pursuant to this Agreement.
 
14.9  N O I NVESTMENT A DVICE . The Custodian has no responsibility to monitor or oversee the investment activity undertaken by a Fund or its Investment Advisor or by an Portfolio. The Custodian has no duty to ensure or to inquire whether an Investment Advisor complies with any investment objectives or restrictions agreed upon between a Fund and the Investment Advisor or whether the Investment Advisor complies with its legal obligations under applicable securities laws or other laws, including laws intended to protect the interests of investors. The Custodian shall neither assess nor take any responsibility or liability for the suitability or appropriateness of the investments made by a Fund or a Portfolio or on its behalf.
 
14.10  C OMMUNICATIONS . The Custodian shall not be liable for any untimely exercise of any tender, exchange or other right or power in connection with securities or other financial assets of a Portfolio at any time held by the Custodian unless (a) the Custodian or the Eligible Foreign Custodian is in actual possession of such foreign securities or other financial assets, (b) the Custodian receives Proper Instructions with regard to the exercise of the right or power, and
 
(c) both of the conditions referred to in the foregoing clauses (a) and (b) have been satisfied at least three business days prior to the date on which the Custodian is to take action to exercise the right or power.
 
14.11  L OANED S ECURITIES . Income due to each Portfolio on securities or other financial assets loaned shall be the responsibility of the applicable Fund. The Custodian will have no duty or responsibility in connection with loaned securities or other financial assets, other than to provide the Fund with such information or data as may be necessary to assist the Fund in arranging for the timely delivery to the Custodian of the income to which the Portfolio is entitled.
 
14.12  T RADE C OUNTERPARTIES . A Fund’s receipt of securities or other financial assets from a counterparty in connection with any of its purchase transactions and its receipt of cash from a counterparty in connection with any sale or redemption of securities or other financial assets will be at the Fund’s sole risk, and the Custodian shall not be obligated to make demands on the Fund’s behalf if the Fund’s counterparty defaults. If a Fund’s counterparty fails to deliver securities, other financial assets or cash, the Custodian will, as its sole responsibility, notify the Fund’s Investment Advisor of the failure within a reasonable time after the Custodian became aware of the failure.

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S ECTION 15. C OMPENSATION AND I NDEMNIFICATION OF C USTODIAN ; S ECURITY I NTEREST .
 
S ECTION . 15.1 C OMPENSATION . The Custodian shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for its services and expenses as agreed upon from time to time between each Fund on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and the Custodian.
 
S ECTION 15.2 I NDEMNIFICATION . Each Portfolio agrees to indemnify the Custodian and to hold the Custodian harmless from and against any loss, cost or expense sustained or incurred by the Custodian in acting or omitting to act under or in respect of this Agreement in good faith and without negligence, including, without limitation, (a) the Custodian’s compliance with Proper Instructions and (b) in connection with the provision of services to a Fund pursuant to Section 7, any obligations, including taxes, withholding and reporting requirements, claims for exemption and refund, additions for late payment, interest, penalties and other expenses, that may be assessed against the Fund, the Portfolio or the Custodian as custodian of the assets of the Fund or the Portfolio. If a Fund on behalf of a Portfolio instructs the Custodian to take any action with respect to securities or other financial assets, and the action involves the payment of money or may, in the opinion of the Custodian, result in the Custodian or its nominee assigned to the Fund or the Portfolio being liable therefor, the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, as a prerequisite to the Custodian taking the action, shall provide to the Custodian at the Custodian’s request such further indemnification in an amount and form satisfactory to the Custodian.
 
S ECTION 15.3 S ECURITY I NTEREST . Each Fund hereby grants to the Custodian, to secure the payment and performance of the Fund’s obligations under this Agreement, whether contingent or otherwise, a security interest in and right of recoupment and setoff against all cash and all securities and other financial assets at any time held for the account of a Portfolio by or through the Custodian. The obligations include, without limitation, the Fund’s obligations to reimburse the Custodian if the Custodian or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries or agents advances cash or securities or other financial assets to the Fund for any purpose (including but not limited to settlements of securities or other financial assets, foreign exchange contracts and assumed settlement), or in the event that the Custodian or its nominee shall incur or be assessed any taxes, charges, expenses, assessments, claims or liabilities in connection with the performance of this Agreement, except such as may arise from its or its nominee’s own negligence, as well as the Fund’s obligation to compensate the Custodian pursuant to Section 15.1 or indemnify the Custodian pursuant to Section 15.2. Should the Fund fail to reimburse or otherwise pay the Custodian any obligation under this Agreement promptly, the Custodian shall have the rights and remedies of a secured party under this Agreement, the UCC and other applicable law, including the right to utilize available cash and to sell or otherwise dispose of the Portfolio’s assets to the extent necessary to obtain payment or reimbursement. The Custodian may at any time decline to follow Proper Instructions to deliver out cash, securities or other financial assets if the Custodian determines in its reasonable discretion that, after giving effect to the Proper Instructions, the cash, securities or other financial assets remaining will not have sufficient value fully to secure the Fund's payment or reimbursement obligations, whether contingent or otherwise.
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S ECTION 16.  E FFECTIVE P ERIOD AND T ERMINATION .
 
S ECTION 16.1 T ERM . This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect for an initial term ending three (3) years from the date hereof (the “Initial Term”). After the expiration of the Initial Term, this Agreement shall automatically renew for successive one-year terms unless a written notice of non-renewal is delivered by the non-renewing party no later than ninety (90) days prior to the expiration of the initial term or any renewal term, as the case may be. A written notice of non-renewal may be given as to a Fund or a Portfolio.
 
S ECTION 16.2 T ERMINATION . Either party may terminate this Agreement as to a Fund or a Portfolio: (a) in the event of the other party’s material breach of a material provision of this Agreement that the other party has either failed to cure, or failed to establish a remedial plan to cure that is reasonably acceptable to the non-breaching party, within 60 days’ written notice being given by the non-breaching party of the breach, or (b) in the event of the appointment of a conservator or receiver for the other party, the commencement by or against the other party of a bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding, or upon the happening of a like event to the other party at the direction of an appropriate agency or court of competent jurisdiction.
 
S ECTION 16.3 P AYMENTS O WING TO THE C USTODIAN . Upon termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 16.1 or 16.2 with respect to any Fund or Portfolio, the applicable Fund shall pay to the Custodian any compensation then due and shall reimburse the Custodian for its other fees, expenses and charges. In the event of: (a) any Fund's termination of this Agreement with respect to such Fund or a Portfolio of the Fund for any reason other than as set forth in Section 16.1 or 16.2 or (b) a transaction not in the ordinary course of business pursuant to which the Custodian is not retained to continue providing services hereunder to a Fund or Portfolio (or its respective successor), the applicable Fund shall pay to the Custodian any compensation due through the end of the then-current term (based upon the average monthly compensation previously earned by the Custodian with respect to the Fund or Portfolio) and shall reimburse the Custodian for its other fees, expenses and charges. Upon receipt of such payment and reimbursement, the Custodian will deliver the Fund’s or Portfolio’s cash and its securities and other financial assets as set forth in Section 17.
 
S ECTION 16.4 E XCLUSIONS . No payment will be required pursuant to clause (b) of Section 16.3 in the event of any transaction consisting of (a) the liquidation or dissolution of a Fund or a Portfolio and distribution of the Fund’s or Portfolio’s assets as a result of the Board’s determination in its reasonable business judgment that the Fund or Portfolio is no longer viable,
 
(b) a merger of a Fund or Portfolio into, or the consolidation of a Fund or Portfolio with, another organization or series, or (c) the sale by a Fund or Portfolio of all or substantially all of its assets to another organization or series and, in the case of a transaction referred to in the foregoing clause (b) or (c) the Custodian is retained to continue providing services to the Fund or Portfolio (or its respective successor) on substantially the same terms as this Agreement.
 
S ECTION 16.5 E FFECT OF T ERMINATION . Termination of this Agreement with respect to any one particular Fund or Portfolio shall in no way affect the rights and duties under this Agreement with respect to any other Fund or Portfolio. Following termination with respect to a Fund or Portfolio, the Custodian shall have no further responsibility to forward information under Section 3.8 or 5.8. The provisions of Sections 7, 14, 15 and 17 of this Agreement shall survive termination of this Agreement.

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S ECTION 17. S UCCESSOR C USTODIAN .
 
S ECTION 17.1 S UCCESSOR A PPOINTED . If a successor custodian shall be appointed for a Portfolio by its Board, the Custodian shall, upon termination of this Agreement and receipt of Proper Instructions, deliver to the successor custodian at the office of the Custodian, duly endorsed and in the form for transfer, all cash and all securities and other financial assets of the Portfolio then held by the Custodian hereunder and shall transfer to an account of the successor custodian all of the securities and other financial assets of the Portfolio held in a U.S. Securities System or Foreign Securities System or at the Underlying Transfer Agent.
 
S ECTION 17.2 N O S UCCESSOR A PPOINTED . If no such successor custodian shall be appointed, the Custodian shall, in like manner, upon receipt of Proper Instructions, deliver at the office of the Custodian and transfer the cash and the securities and other financial assets of the Portfolio in accordance with the Proper Instructions.
 
S ECTION 17.3 N O S UCCESSOR A PPOINTED AND N O P ROPERTY I NSTRUCTIONS .  If no successor custodian has been appointed and no Proper Instructions have been delivered to the Custodian on or before the termination of this Agreement, then the Custodian shall have the right to deliver to a bank or trust company, which is a “bank” as defined in the 1940 Act, doing business in Boston, Massachusetts, or New York, New York, of its own selection, all cash and all securities and other financial assets of the Portfolio then held by the Custodian hereunder, and to transfer to an account of the bank or trust company all of the securities and other financial assets of the Portfolio held in any U.S. Securities System or Foreign Securities System or at the Underlying Transfer Agent. The transfer will be on such terms as are contained in this Agreement or as the Custodian may otherwise reasonably negotiate with the bank or trust company. Any compensation payable to the bank or trust company, and any cost or expense incurred by the Custodian, in connection with the transfer shall be for the account of the Portfolio.
 
S ECTION 17.4 R EMAINING P ROPERTY . If any cash or any securities or other financial assets of the Portfolio held by the Custodian hereunder remain held by the Custodian after the termination of this Agreement owing to the failure of the applicable Fund to provide Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall be entitled to fair compensation for its services during such period as the Custodian holds the cash or the securities or other financial assets (the existing agreed-to compensation at the time of termation shall be one indicator of what is considered fair compensation). The provisions of this Agreement relating to the duties, exculpation and indemnification of the Custodian shall apply in favor of the Custodian during such period.
 
S ECTION 17.5 R ESERVES . Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 17, the Custodian may retain cash or securities or other financial assets of the Fund or Portfolio as a reserve reasonably established by the Custodian to secure the payment or performance of any obligations of the Fund or Portfolio secured by a security interest or right of recoupment or setoff in favor of the Custodian.
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S ECTION 18. R EMOTE A CCESS S ERVICES A DDENDUM . The Custodian and each Fund agree to be bound by the terms of the Remote Access Services Addendum hereto.
 
S ECTION 19. L OAN S ERVICES A DDENDUM . If a Fund directs the Custodian in writing to perform loan services, the Custodian and the Fund will be bound by the terms of the Loan Services Addendum attached hereto. The Fund shall reimburse Custodian for its fees and expenses related thereto as agreed upon from time to time in writing by the Fund and the Custodian.
 
S ECTION 20. G ENERAL .
 
S ECTION 20.1 G OVERNING L AW . Any and all matters in dispute between the parties hereto, whether arising from or relating to this Agreement, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without giving effect to any conflict of laws rules. Likewise, the law applicable to all issues in Article 2(1) of the Hague Convention on the Law Applicable to Certain Rights in respect of Securities Held with an Intermediary is the law in force in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

S ECTION 20.2 [R ESERVED ]
 
S ECTION 20.3 P RIOR A GREEMENTS ; A MENDMENTS . This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements between each Fund on behalf of each of the Fund’s Portfolios and the Custodian relating to the custody of the Fund’s assets. This Agreement may be amended at any time in writing by mutual agreement of the parties hereto.
 
S ECTION 20.4 A SSIGNMENT . This Agreement may not be assigned by (a) any Fund without the written consent of the Custodian or (b) the Custodian without the written consent of each applicable Fund. However, without the consent any Fund or any Portfolio, the Custodian may assign this Agreement to a successor of all or a substantial portion of its business, or to a party controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Custodian. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Custodian may employ, engage, associate or contract with such person or persons, including, without limitation, affiliates and subsidiaries of the Custodian, as the Custodian may deem desirable to assist it in performing certain of its non-custodial obligations under this Agreement without the consent of any Fund; provided, however , that the compensation of such person or persons shall be paid by the Custodian and that the Custodian shall be as fully responsible to the Fund for the acts and omissions of any such person or persons as it is for its own acts and omissions under this Agreement.
 
S ECTION 20.5  I NTERPRETIVE AND A DDITIONAL P ROVISIONS .   In connection with the operation of this Agreement, the Custodian and each Fund on behalf of each of the Portfolios, may from time to time agree on such provisions interpretive of or in addition to the provisions of this Agreement as may in their joint opinion be consistent with the general tenor of this Agreement. Any such interpretive or additional provisions shall be in a writing signed by all parties, provided that no such interpretive or additional provisions shall contravene any applicable laws or regulations or any provision of a Fund’s organic record and Prospectus.  No interpretive or additional provisions made as provided in the preceding sentence shall be an amendment of this Agreement.

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S ECTION 20.6 A DDITIONAL F UNDS AND P ORTFOLIOS .
 
20.6.1  A DDITIONAL F UND . If any management investment company in addition to those listed on Appendix A desires the Custodian to render services as custodian under the terms of this Agreement, the management investment company shall so notify the Custodian in writing. If the Custodian agrees in writing to provide the services, the management investment company shall become a Fund hereunder and be bound by all terms and conditions and provisions hereof including, without limitation, the representations and warranties set forth in Section 20.7 below.
 
20.6.2  A DDITIONAL P ORTFOLIO . If any Fund establishes a series in addition to the Portfolios set forth on Appendix A with respect to which the Fund desires the Custodian to render services as custodian under the terms of this Agreement, the Fund shall so notify the Custodian in writing. If the Custodian agrees in writing to provide the services, the series shall become a Portfolio hereunder.
 
S ECTION 20.7 T HE P ARTIES ; R EPRESENTATIONS AND W ARRANTIES . All references in this Agreement to the “Fund” are to each of the management investment companies listed on Appendix A, and each management investment company made subject to this Agreement in accordance with Section 20.6 above, individually, as if this Agreement were between the individual Fund and the Custodian. In the case of a series organization, all references in this Agreement to the “Portfolio” are to the individual series of the series organization on behalf of the individual series. Any reference in this Agreement to “the parties” shall mean the Custodian and such other individual Fund as to which the matter pertains.
 
20.7.1  F UND R EPRESENTATIONS AND W ARRANTIES . Each Fund hereby represents and warrants that (a) it is duly organized and validly existing in good standing in its jurisdiction of organization; (b) it has the requisite power and authority under applicable law and its organic record to enter into and perform this Agreement; (c) all requisite proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement; (d) no legal or administrative proceedings have been instituted or threatened which would materially impair the Fund’s ability to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement; and (e) its entering into this Agreement shall not cause a material breach or be in material conflict with any other agreement or obligation of the Fund or any law or regulation applicable to it.
 
20.7.2  C USTODIAN R EPRESENTATIONS AND W ARRANTIES . The Custodian hereby represents and warrants that (a) it is a trust company, duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; (b) it has the requisite power and authority to carry on its business in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; (c) all requisite proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement; (d) no legal or administrative proceedings have been instituted or threatened which would materially impair the Custodian’s ability to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement; and (e) its entering into this Agreement shall not cause a material breach or be in material conflict with any other agreement or obligation of the Custodian or any law or regulation applicable to it.
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S ECTION 20.8 N OTICES . Any notice, instruction or other communication required to be given hereunder will, unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, be in writing and may be sent by hand, or by facsimile transmission, or overnight delivery by any recognized delivery service, to the parties at the following addresses or such other addresses as may be notified by any party from time to time.

To any Fund: R IVER N ORTH O PPORTUNITIES F UND , I NC .
1290 Broadway, Suite 1100
Denver, CO 80203

Attention: Secretary
Telephone: 303.623.2577
Telecopy: 303-623-7850

To the Custodian: S TATE S TREET B ANK AND T RUST C OMPANY
1 Iron Street – CCB/7E
Boston, MA 02210

Attention: Max King
Telephone: 617-662-4481
Telecopy: 617-786-2116

with a copy to:

S TATE S TREET B ANK AND T RUST C OMPANY
Legal Division – Global Services Americas
One Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02111
Attention: Senior Vice President and Senior Managing Counsel
 
S ECTION 20.9 C OUNTERPARTS . This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts taken together shall constitute one and the same Agreement . Counterparts may be executed in either original or electronically transmitted form (e.g., faxes or emailed portable document format (PDF) form), and the parties hereby adopt as original any signatures received in electronically transmitted form.
 
S ECTION 20.10 S EVERABILITY ; N O W AIVER . If any provision of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, unlawful or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired. The failure of a party hereto to insist upon strict adherence to any term of this Agreement on any occasion or the failure of a party hereto to exercise or any delay in exercising any right or remedy under this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of any the term, right or remedy or a waiver of any other rights or remedies, and no single or partial exercise of any right or remedy under this Agreement shall prevent any further exercise of the right or remedy or the exercise of any other right or remedy.
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S ECTION 20.11 C ONFIDENTIALITY . All information provided under this Agreement by a party (the “Disclosing Party”) to the other party (the “Receiving Party”) regarding the Disclosing Party’s business and operations shall be treated as confidential. Subject to Section 20.12 below, all confidential information provided under this Agreement by Disclosing Party shall be used, including disclosure to third parties, by the Receiving Party, or its agents or service providers, solely for the purpose of performing or receiving the services and discharging the Receiving Party’s other obligations under the Agreement or managing the business of the Receiving Party and its affiliates, including financial and operational management and reporting, risk management, legal and regulatory compliance and client service management. The foregoing shall not be applicable to any information (a) that is publicly available when provided or thereafter becomes publicly available, other than through a breach of this Agreement, (b) that is independently derived by the Receiving Party without the use of any information provided by the Disclosing Party in connection with this Agreement, (c) that is disclosed to comply with any legal or regulatory proceeding, investigation, audit, examination, subpoena, civil investigative demand or other similar process, (d) that is disclosed as required by operation of law or regulation or as required to comply with the requirements of any market infrastructure that the Disclosing Party or its agents direct the Custodian or its affiliates to employ (or which is required in connection with the holding or settlement of instruments included in the assets subject to this Agreement), or (e) where the party seeking to disclose has received the prior written consent of the party providing the information, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld .

S ECTION 20.12 U SE OF D ATA .
 
(a)  In connection with the provision of the services and the discharge of its other obligations under this Agreement, the Custodian (which term for purposes of this Section 20.12 includes each of its parent company, branches and affiliates (“ Affiliates ”)) may collect and store information regarding a Fund and share such information with its Affiliates, agents and service providers in order and to the extent reasonably necessary (i) to carry out the provision of services contemplated under this Agreement and other agreements between the Fund and the Custodian or any of its Affiliates and (ii) to carry out management of its businesses, including, but not limited to, financial and operational management and reporting, risk management, legal and regulatory compliance and client service management.
 
(b)  Subject to paragraph (c) below, the Custodian and/or its Affiliates (except those Affiliates or business divisions principally engaged in the business of asset management) may use any data or other information (“ Data ”) obtained by such entities in the performance of their services under this Agreement or any other agreement between the Fund and the Custodian or one of its Affiliates, including Data regarding transactions and portfolio holdings relating to the Fund, and publish, sell, distribute or otherwise commercialize the Data; provided that, unless the Fund otherwise consents, Data is combined or aggregated with information relating to (i) other customers of the Custodian and/or its Affiliates or (ii) information derived from other sources, in each case such that any published information will be displayed in a manner designed to prevent attribution to or identification of such Data with the Fund. The Fund agrees that Custodian and/or its Affiliates may seek to profit and realize economic benefit from the commercialization and use of the Data, that such benefit will constitute part of the Custodian’s compensation for services under this Agreement or such other agreement, and the Custodian and/or its Affiliates shall be entitled to retain and not be required to disclose the amount of such economic benefit and profit to the Fund.
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(c)   Except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement, nothing in this Section 20.12 shall limit the confidentiality and data-protection obligations of the Custodian and its Affiliates under this Agreement and applicable law. The Custodian shall cause any Affiliate, agent or service provider to which it has disclosed Data pursuant to this Section 20.12 to comply at all times with confidentiality and data-protection obligations as if it were a party to this Agreement.
 
S ECTION 20.13 D ATA P RIVACY . The Custodian will implement and maintain a written information security program that contains appropriate security measures to safeguard the personal information of the Funds’ shareholders, employees, directors and officers that the Custodian receives, stores, maintains, processes or otherwise accesses in connection with the provision of services hereunder. The term, “ personal information ”, as used in this Section, means (a) an individual’s name (first initial and last name or first name and last name), address or telephone number plus (i) Social Security number, (ii) driver’s license number, (iii) state identification card number, (iv) debit or credit card number, (v) financial account number or (vi) personal identification number or password that would permit access to a person’s account, or (b) any combination of any of the foregoing that would allow a person to log onto or access an individual’s account. The term does not include information that is lawfully obtained from publicly available information, or from federal, state or local government records lawfully made available to the general public.
 
S ECTION 20.14 R EPRODUCTION OF D OCUMENTS . This Agreement and all schedules, addenda, exhibits, appendices, attachments and amendments hereto may be reproduced by any photographic, photostatic, microfilm, micro-card, miniature photographic or other similar process. Any such reproduction shall be admissible in evidence as the original itself in any judicial or administrative proceeding, whether or not the original is in existence and whether or not such reproduction was made by a party in the regular course of business, and any enlargement, facsimile or further reproduction of such reproduction shall likewise be admissible in evidence.
 
S ECTION 20.15 R EGULATION GG . Each Fund represents and warrants that it does not engage in an “Internet gambling business,” as such term is defined in Section 233.2(r) of Federal Reserve Regulation GG (12 CFR 233) and covenants that it shall not engage in an Internet gambling business. In accordance with Regulation GG, each Fund is hereby notified that “restricted transactions,” as such term is defined in Section 233.2(y) of Regulation GG, are prohibited in any dealings with the Custodian pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise between or among any party hereto.
 
S ECTION 20.16 S HAREHOLDER C OMMUNICATIONS E LECTION . SEC Rule 14b-2 requires banks that hold securities, as that term is used in federal securities laws, for the account of customers to respond to requests by issuers of securities for the names, addresses and holdings of beneficial owners of securities of that issuer held by the bank unless the beneficial owner has expressly objected to disclosure of this information. In order to comply with the rule, as may be applicable, the Custodian needs each Fund to indicate whether it authorizes the Custodian to provide such Fund’s name, address, and share position to requesting companies whose securities the Fund owns. If a Fund tells the Custodian “no,” the Custodian will not provide this information to requesting companies. If a Fund tells the Custodian “yes” or does not check either “yes” or “no” below, the Custodian is required by the rule, as applicable, to treat the Fund as consenting to disclosure of this information for all securities owned by the Fund or any funds or accounts established by the Fund. For a Fund’s protection, the Rule, as applicable, prohibits the requesting company from using the Fund’s name and address for any purpose other than corporate communications. Please indicate below whether the Fund consents or objects by checking one of the alternatives below.

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YES [ ] The Custodian is authorized to release the Fund’s name, address, and share positions.

NO [X] The Custodian is not authorized to release the Fund’s name, address, and share positions.
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S IGNATURE P AGE
 
I N W ITNESS W HEREOF , each of the parties has caused this Agreement to be executed in its name and behalf by its duly authorized representative under seal as of the date first above- written.
 
EACH OF THE MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES AND SERIES SET FORTH ON APPENDIX A HERETO
     
By:
     
Name:
   
Title:
   
     
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
     
By:
    
Name:
Gunjan Kedia
 
Title:
Executive Vice President
 
 
Master Custodian Agreement

APPENDIX A
TO
M ASTER C USTODIAN A GREEMENT
 
M ANAGEMENT I NVESTMENT C OMPANIES R EGISTERED WITH THE SEC AND P ORTFOLIOS THEREOF , I F A NY
 
RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc.
 
D-1
 
ADMINISTRATION, BOOKKEEPING AND
PRICING SERVICES AGREEMENT
 
THIS AGREEMENT is made as of                                         , 2015, between RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”), a Maryland corporation, and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. (“ALPS”), a Colorado corporation.

WHEREAS, the Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”) as a closed-end, non-diversified management investment company;

WHEREAS, ALPS provides certain administrative, bookkeeping and pricing services to investment companies; and

WHEREAS, the Fund seeks to appoint ALPS to perform certain administrative, bookkeeping and pricing services for the Fund, and ALPS has indicated its willingness to so act, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1. ALPS Appointment and Duties.
 
(a) The Fund hereby appoints ALPS to provide administrative, bookkeeping and pricing services as are set forth in Appendix A , as amended from time to time, upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth. ALPS hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to furnish such specified services. ALPS shall for all purposes be deemed to be an independent contractor and shall, except as otherwise expressly authorized in this Agreement, have no authority to act for or represent the Fund in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Fund.
 
(b) ALPS may employ or associate itself with a person or persons or organizations as ALPS believes to be desirable in the performance of its duties hereunder; provided that, in such event, the compensation of such person or persons or organizations shall be paid by and be the sole responsibility of ALPS and the Fund shall bear no cost or obligation with respect thereto; and provided further that ALPS shall not be relieved of any of its obligations under this Agreement in such event and shall be responsible for all acts of any such person or persons or organizations taken in furtherance of this Agreement to the same extent it would be for its own acts. ALPS will promptly notify the Fund of any arrangements that are covered by this paragraph. Further, any such person or organization shall be treated the same as ALPS for all purposes under this Agreement.

2. ALPS Compensation; Expenses .
 
(a) In consideration for the services to be performed hereunder by ALPS, the Fund shall pay ALPS the fees listed in Appendix B hereto. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, fees billed for the services to be performed by ALPS under this Agreement are based on information provided by the Fund and such fees are subject to renegotiation between the parties to the extent such information is determined to be materially different from what the Fund originally provided to ALPS.
 
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(b) ALPS will bear all expenses in connection with the performance of its services under this Agreement, except as otherwise provided in Appendix B (reimbursement of out of pocket expenses) or as noted below. Subject to Section 4 hereof, other expenses incurred by the Fund shall be borne by the Fund or ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the “Adviser”), the Fund’s investment adviser, including, but not limited to: initial organization and offering expenses; litigation expenses; costs of preferred shares (if any); expenses of conducting repurchase offers for the purpose of repurchasing Fund shares; transfer agency and custodial expenses; taxes; interest; Fund director’ fees; compensation and expenses of Fund officers who are not associated with ALPS or its affiliates; brokerage fees and commissions; state and federal registration fees; advisory fees; insurance premiums; fidelity bond premiums; Fund legal and audit fees and expenses; costs of maintenance of Fund existence; printing and delivery of materials in connection with meetings of the Fund directors; printing and mailing shareholder reports, offering documents, and proxy materials; securities pricing and data services; and expenses in connection with electronic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

3. Right to Receive Advice .
 
(a) Advice of the Fund . If ALPS is in doubt as to any action it should or should not take, ALPS shall request directions or advice from the Fund.
 
(b) Advice of Counsel . If ALPS is in doubt as to any question of law pertaining to any action it should or should not take, ALPS shall request advice from counsel of its own choosing and at its own expense.
 
(c) Conflicting Advice . In the event of a conflict between directions, advice or instructions ALPS receives from the Fund and the advice ALPS receives from counsel, ALPS shall inform the Fund and its counsel of the conflict and seek resolution.
 
(d) Nothing in this subsection shall excuse ALPS when an action or omission on the part of ALPS constitutes willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence or reckless disregard by ALPS of any duties, obligations or responsibilities set forth in this Agreement.

4. Liability of ALPS .
 
(a) ALPS may rely upon the written advice of legal counsel for the Fund and the Fund’s independent accountants, and upon oral or written statements of the Adviser, brokers and other service providers to the Fund that are not affiliated with ALPS, reasonably believed by ALPS in good faith to be an expert in the matters upon which they are consulted and, for any actions reasonably taken in good faith reliance upon such advice or statements and without negligence, ALPS shall not be liable to anyone.
 
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(b) Nothing herein contained shall be construed to protect ALPS against any liability to the Fund or its shareholders to which ALPS would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence, or reckless disregard in the performance of its duties.
 
(c) Except as may otherwise be provided by applicable law, neither ALPS nor its shareholders, officers, directors, employees or agents shall be subject to, and the Fund shall indemnify and hold such persons harmless from and against, any liability for and any damages, expenses or losses incurred by reason of the inaccuracy of factual information furnished to ALPS by the Fund (other than information generated, or provided to the Fund, by an affiliate of ALPS).
 
(d) ALPS shall be obligated to exercise commercially reasonable care and diligence in the performance of its duties hereunder, to act in good faith and to use its best efforts, within reasonable limits, in performing services provided for under this Agreement. ALPS shall be liable for actual damages arising out of ALPS’ failure to perform its duties under this Agreement to the extent such damages arise out of ALPS’ willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence or reckless disregard of such duties.
 
(e) ALPS shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates, except for a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence on its part in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by it of its obligations and duties under this Agreement.

5. Reports . Whenever, in the course of performing its duties under this Agreement, ALPS determines, on the basis of information supplied to ALPS by the Fund or its authorized agents or information generated by ALPS or its affiliates, that a violation of applicable law has occurred or that, to its knowledge, a possible violation of applicable law may have occurred or, with the passage of time, would occur, ALPS shall promptly notify the Fund and its counsel.

6. Activities of ALPS . The services of ALPS under this Agreement are not to be deemed exclusive, and ALPS shall be free to render similar services to others. The Fund recognizes that from time to time directors, officers and employees of ALPS may serve as directors, officers and employees of other corporations or businesses (including other investment companies) and that such other corporations and funds may include ALPS as part of their name and that ALPS or its affiliates may enter into marketing, administrative, bookkeeping, pricing agreements or other agreements with such other corporations and funds.

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7. Accounts and Records . ALPS shall prepare and maintain any and all accounts and records related to its services hereunder, as required by the 1940 Act or as otherwise reasonably requested by the Fund. All such accounts and records maintained by ALPS shall be the property of the Fund. Such accounts and records shall be prepared, maintained and preserved as required by the 1940 Act and other applicable securities laws, rules and regulations. Such accounts and records shall be surrendered to the Fund promptly upon receipt of written instructions from the Fund. The Fund shall have access to such accounts and records at all times during ALPS’ normal business hours. Upon the reasonable request of the Fund, copies of any such books and records shall be provided by ALPS to the Fund at the Fund’s expense. ALPS shall assist the Fund, the Fund’s independent auditors, or, upon written approval of the Fund, any regulatory body or other person, in any requested review of the Fund’s accounts and records, and reports by ALPS or its independent accountants concerning its accounting system and internal auditing controls will be open to such entities for audit or inspection upon reasonable request.

8. Confidential and Proprietary Information . ALPS agrees that it will, on behalf of itself and its officers and employees, treat all transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and all records and information relative to the Fund and its shareholders (past, present and future) and other information germane thereto, as confidential and as proprietary information of the Fund and agrees not to use, sell, transfer or divulge such information or records to any person for any purpose other than performance of its duties hereunder, except after prior notification to and approval in writing from the Fund, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. It may not be withheld where ALPS may be exposed to civil, regulatory or criminal proceedings for failure to comply, when requested to divulge such information by duly constituted authorities, or when so requested by the Fund. ALPS shall have in place and maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards reasonably designed to protect the security, confidentiality and integrity of, and to prevent unauthorized access to or use of records and information relating to the Fund and its past, present and future shareholders, consumers and customers.

9. Compliance with Rules and Regulations . ALPS shall comply -- and to the extent ALPS takes or is required to take action on behalf of the Fund hereunder shall cause the Fund to comply -- with all applicable requirements of the 1940 Act and other applicable laws, rules, regulations, orders and code of ethics, as well as all investment restrictions, policies and procedures adopted by the Fund of which ALPS has knowledge.

Portfolio compliance with: (i) the investment objective and certain policies and restrictions as disclosed in the Fund’s prospectus(es) and statement(s) of additional information, as applicable; and (ii) certain SEC rules and regulations (collectively, “Portfolio Compliance”) is required daily and is the responsibility of the Adviser. ALPS will perform Portfolio Compliance testing (post-trade, daily on a T+2 basis) to test the Fund’s Portfolio Compliance (the “Portfolio Compliance Testing”).

The frequency and nature of the Portfolio Compliance Testing and the methodology and process in accordance with which the Portfolio Compliance Testing are conducted, shall be mutually agreed to between ALPS and the Fund. ALPS will report violations, if any, to the Fund and the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer as promptly as practicable following discovery.

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ALPS independently tests Portfolio Compliance based upon information contained in the source reports received by ALPS’ fund accounting department and supplemental data from certain third-party sources. As such, Portfolio Compliance Testing performed by ALPS is limited by the information contained in the fund accounting source reports and supplemental data from third-party sources. The Fund agrees and acknowledges that ALPS’ performance of the Portfolio Compliance Testing shall not relieve the Fund or the Adviser of their primary day-to-day responsibility for assuring such Portfolio Compliance, including on a pre-trade basis, and ALPS shall not be held liable for any act or omission of the Adviser with respect to Portfolio Compliance.

10. Representations and Warranties of ALPS . ALPS represents and warrants to the Fund that:
 
(a) It is duly organized and existing as a corporation and in good standing under the laws of the State of Colorado.
 
(b) It is empowered under applicable laws and by its Articles of Incorporation and By- laws to enter into and perform this Agreement.
 
(c) All requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement.
 
(d) It has and will continue to have access to the necessary facilities, equipment and personnel to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement in accordance with industry standards.
 
(e) In fulfilling its duties and obligations hereunder, it will comply with the 1940 Act and any and all other applicable laws, rules and regulations, the Fund’s initial public offering registration statement and any amendments thereto and other regulatory documents, and the Fund’s compliance and other policies and procedures.

Representations and Warranties of the Fund. The Fund represents and warrants to ALPS that:
 
(a) It is a Maryland corporation duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of Maryland and is registered with the SEC as a closed-end, non-diversified management investment company.
 
(b) It is empowered under applicable laws and by its Articles of Incorporation and By- laws to enter into and perform this Agreement.
 
(c) The Board of Directors has duly authorized it to enter into and perform this Agreement.
 
5

(d) It has provided ALPS with copies of its Prospectus(es) and Statement(s) of Additional Information and will provide ALPS with any amendments or supplements thereto.

11. Liaison with Accountants . ALPS shall act as liaison with the Fund’s independent public accountants and shall provide account analysis, fiscal year summaries, and other audit- related schedules with respect to the services provided to the Fund. ALPS shall take all reasonable action in the performance of its duties under this Agreement to assure that the necessary information in ALPS’ control is made available to such accountants for the expression of their opinion, as required by the Fund.

12. Business Interruption Plan . ALPS shall maintain in effect a business interruption plan, and enter into any agreements necessary with appropriate parties making reasonable provisions for emergency use of electronic data processing equipment customary in the industry. In the event of equipment failures, ALPS shall, at no additional expense to the Fund, take commercially reasonable steps to minimize service interruptions. ALPS shall have no liability with respect to the loss of data or service interruptions caused by equipment failure provided such loss or interruption is not caused by ALPS’ own willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence or reckless disregard of its duties or obligations under this Agreement.

13. Duration and Termination of this Agreement .
 
(a) Initial Term . This Agreement shall become effective as of the date first written above (the “Start Date”) and shall continue thereafter throughout the period which ends two (2) years after the Start Date (the “Initial Term”). Until the end of the Initial Term, this Agreement may be terminated without penalty only by agreement of the parties upon not less than sixty (60) days’ written notice or for cause pursuant to Section 13(c) hereof.
 
(b) Renewal Term . If not sooner terminated, this Agreement shall renew at the end of the Initial Term and shall thereafter continue for successive annual periods until terminated by the Fund or by ALPS, without penalty, upon not less than 90 days’ written notice to the other party.
 
(c) Cause . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement, the Fund may terminate this Agreement for cause immediately at any time, without penalty and without default. Termination for "cause" hereunder shall mean:

(i) willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence or reckless disregard on the part of ALPS in the performance of or with respect to its obligations and duties hereunder;

(ii) regulatory, administrative, or judicial proceedings against ALPS which result in a determination that, in rendering its services hereunder, ALPS has violated – or has caused the Fund to violate – any applicable law, rule, regulation, order or code of ethics, or any investment restriction, policy or procedure adopted by the Fund of which ALPS had knowledge; or
 
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(iii) financial difficulties on the part of ALPS which are evidenced by the authorization or commencement of, or involvement by way of pleading, answer, consent, or acquiescence in, a voluntary or involuntary case under Title 11 of the United States Code, as from time to time in effect, or any applicable law other than said Title 11, of any jurisdiction relating to the liquidation or reorganization of debtors or to the modification or alteration of the rights of creditors.
 
(d) Deliveries Upon Termination . Upon termination of this Agreement, ALPS shall deliver to the Fund or as otherwise directed by the Fund (at the expense of the Fund, unless such termination is for “cause”) all records and other documents made or accumulated in the performance of its duties for the Fund hereunder.

14. Assignment . This Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not be assignable by the Fund without the prior written consent of ALPS, or by ALPS without the prior written consent of the Fund.

15. Governing Law . The provisions of this Agreement shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Colorado, and the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder. To the extent that the laws of the State of Colorado conflict with the 1940 Act or such rules, the latter shall control.

16. Limitation of Fund Liability . The obligations of the “Fund” entered into in the name or on behalf thereof by any director, representative or agent thereof are made not individually, but in such capacities, and are not binding upon any of the directors, shareholders, representatives or agents of the Fund personally, but bind only the property of the Fund, and all persons dealing with the Fund must look solely to the property of the Fund for the enforcement of any claims against the Fund.

17. Amendments to this Agreement . This Agreement may only be amended by the parties in writing.

18. Notices . All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing, shall be deemed to have been given when received or when sent by telex or facsimile, and shall be given to the following addresses (or such other addresses as to which notice is given):

 
To ALPS:
   
 
ALPS Fund Services, Inc.
1290 Broadway, Suite 1100
Denver, Colorado 80203
Attn: General Counsel
Fax: (303) 623-7850
 
7

 
To the Fund:
   
 
RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc.
1290 Broadway, Suite 1100
Denver, Colorado 80203
Attn: President
Fax: (303) 623-2577

19. Miscellaneous . This Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto on any number of counterparts, and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. The preceding sentence, and Sections 4, 8, 13(d), 15, 16 and 18, shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

20. Entire Agreement . This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding among the parties and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof; provided, however, that ALPS may embody in one or more separate documents its agreement, if any, with respect to delegated duties and oral instructions.

21. Rule 38a-1 . In order to assist the Fund in satisfying the requirements of Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act (the “Rule”), ALPS shall provide to the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer: (i) direct access to ALPS’ relevant compliance personnel; (ii) at such times as the Fund may reasonably require, compliance reports and reports regarding any Material Compliance Matter (as defined in the Rule) regarding ALPS; and (iii) quarterly certifications that there are no Material Compliance Matters (as defined in the Rule) involving ALPS that affect or could affect the Fund.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
 
RIVERNORTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND, INC, a Maryland corporation
     
By:
     
Name:
Thomas A. Carter
 
Title:
President
 
     
ALPS FUND SERVICES, INC.
 
     
By:
     
Name:
Jeremy O. May
 
Title:
President
 
 

APPENDIX A
 
SERVICES
 
Fund Administration
Prepare annual and semi-annual financial statements
Coordinate layout and printing of annual and semi-annual reports (using standard layout templates)
Prepare and file Forms N-SAR, N-CSR, N-Q and N-PX, and any other regulatory filings required to be made with the Securities and Exchange Commission that are applicable to the Fund
Host annual financial/accounting audits and SEC regulatory exams
In furtherance of and in no way limiting Section 9 of the Agreement, provide daily investment restriction compliance monitoring support and reporting
Calculate monthly SEC standardized total return performance figures
Prepare required reports for Board meetings
Monitor expense ratios
Maintain budget vs. actual expenses
Manage invoice approval and bill payment process
Assist with placement of Fidelity Bond and E&O insurance
Coordinate reporting to outside agencies including Morningstar, etc.
Coordinate with the Fund’s custodian and transfer agent
Assist with shareholder meetings
 
Fund Accounting
Determine prices of Fund assets and c alculate daily NAVs
Transmit daily NAVs to NASDAQ, the Fund’s transfer agent and other Fund-approved third parties
Compute yields, expense ratios, portfolio turnover rates, etc.
Calculate income dividend rates
Reconcile cash and investment balances with the custodian
Support preparation of financial statements, including providing necessary representations and certifications including obtaining subcertifications from various providers (i.e., Sarbanes-Oxley certifications, conformity with GAAP principles, fraud certifications, SEC filings, management representation letters to fund auditors, etc.) In furtherance of and in no way limiting Section 7 of the Agreement, prepare and maintain required fund accounting records in accordance with the 1940 Act, including but not limited to the books and records described in paragraph b of Rule 31a-1.
 
Legal
Provide legal review of SEC financial and regulatory filings
Coordinate EDGARization and filing of documents
Prepare, compile and mail board materials
Attend board meetings and prepare minutes
Review Fund service and other contracts
Oversee Fund’s Code of Ethics reporting
 

Tax
Calculate dividend and capital gain distribution rates, including distributions necessary to avoid excise tax*
Calculate tax disclosure information (ROCSOP) for the audited financial statements
Prepare and file federal and state income and excise tax returns (and appropriate extensions)*
Monitor on a quarterly basis each Fund's status as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
Calculate and monitor applicable book-to-tax differences and assist in identifying securities that give rise to book-to-tax differences**
Calculate year-end tax characterization for distributions paid during the calendar year
 
*
Fund’s independent auditors provide review & sign-off on excise distributions and income and excise tax returns. ALPS shall not analyze or investigate information or returns for foreign tax filings. In the event the independent auditors require ALPS to perform a foreign capital gain analysis, ALPS reserves the right to charge the Fund for the foreign capital gain analysis, subject to agreement by ALPS and Fund management. State income or franchise tax return preparation is limited to the initial state of nexus and does not include additional state filing requirements that may be triggered by underlying investments of the Fund.

**
Security classifications to be identified include but are not limited to passive foreign investment company, real estate investment trust, master limited partnership, contingent debt obligations, trust preferred, grantor trust, and stapled security. The ultimate determination of the classification of securities will be the responsibility of Fund management or ALPS will use Ernst &Young LLP passive foreign investment company analyzer service (E&Y PFIC Analyzer”), or similar entity, as an out of pocket fee.
 
Creative Services
Financial regulatory reports (assist Fund Administration and Legal to typeset Annual and Semi- Annual reports; pdf files; coordination of printing and sending to web team for upload)
Proxy statements (assist Legal with typeset review and coordination of printing)
Marketing (creative services for Fund marketing materials, Fund website – design, automation, hosting and maintenance, webinar announcements through eCommunications, business collateral, folders, web and print ad design)
Print Vendor Management: (obtain bids; vendor communications and report mailings; request distribution from Broadridge for street accounts; obtain quantities and orchestrate mailing with printer and Broadridge; request Affidavit of Mailing upon completion)
 

APPENDIX B
 
FEES
 
Fees paid to ALPS shall be calculated and accrued daily and payable monthly by the Fund at a rate equal to the greater of 15 basis points annually on the Fund’s average daily Total Managed Assets (as defined in the Fund’s prospectus) plus certain out-of-pocket expenses incurred by ALPS in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. These out-of-pocket expenses include:
 
· third party security pricing and data fees (provided that the pricing service has been approved by the Fund)
· Bloomberg fees (provide issues information related to security investments for compliance and other administrative purposes, as well as pricing and corporate action data; provision of pricing data subject to Fund approval as described in above bullet)
· Gainskeeper fees (provide wash sale transaction analysis)
· E&Y PFIC Analyzer or similar fees, if applicable (see Appendix A)
· SSAE 16 control review report
· proxy statement printing and mailing fees
· Fund regulatory document fulfillment costs
· customized programming/enhancements
· other out-of-pocket expenses incurred by ALPS in connection with the performance of its duties under this Agreement as approved by the Fund.
 
LATE CHARGES : All invoices are due and payable upon receipt.
 
AGENCY AGREEMENT
 
THIS AGREEMENT made the 20 th day of November, 2015, by and between RIVERNORTH OPPORTUNITY FUND, a statutory trust existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, having its principal place of business at 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203 (the "Fund"), and DST SYSTEMS, INC. , a corporation existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, having its principal place of business at 333 West 11 th Street, 5 th Floor, Kansas City, Missouri 64105 ("DST"):
 
WITNESSETH:
 
WHEREAS , the Fund desires to appoint DST as Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent, and DST desires to accept such appointment upon the terms and conditions set forth herein;
 
NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
 
1. Documents to be Provided with Appointment .
 
In connection with the appointment of DST as Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent for the Fund, the Fund will provide DST the following documents:
 
A. A certified copy of the resolutions of the Board of Trustees, as appropriate, of the Fund appointing DST as Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent, approving the form of this Agreement and designating certain persons to give written instructions and requests to DST on behalf of the Fund pursuant to this Agreement;
 
B. A certified copy of the Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Fund (the “Declaration of Trust”) and all amendments thereto;
 
C.                   A certified copy of the Bylaws of the Fund;
 
D. Copies of Registration Statements and amendments thereto, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission;
 
E. Specimens of all forms of outstanding share certificates, if any, in the forms approved by the Board of Trustees of the Fund with a certificate of the Secretary/Clerk of the Fund, evidencing such approval;
 

F. Specimens of the signatures of the officers of the Fund authorized to sign certificates for shares of beneficial interest of the Fund (“shares”), if any, and individuals authorized to sign written instructions and requests;
 
G. An opinion of counsel for the Fund (who may be the Fund’s General Counsel) with respect to:
 
(1) The Fund's organization and existence under the laws of its state of organization,
 
(2) The status of all shares of the Fund covered by the appointment under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), and any other applicable federal or state statute, and
 
(3) That all issued shares are, and all unissued shares will be, when issued, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
 
H. For this Section 1, a certificate from the Fund’s Secretary or Chief Financial Officer is acceptable.
 
2. Certain Representations and Warranties of DST .
 
DST represents and warrants to the Fund that:
 
A. It is a corporation duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of Delaware.
 
B. It is duly qualified to carry on its business in the State of Missouri.
 
C. It is empowered under applicable laws and by its Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws to enter into and perform the services contemplated in this Agreement.
 
D. It is registered as a transfer agent under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”).
 
E. All requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement.
 
F. It has and will continue to have and maintain the necessary facilities, equipment and personnel to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement.
 
G. It is accepted by The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) as a limited participant in the DTC Direct Registration System (“DRS”).  In this regard, DST will participate in DTC's Fast Automated Securities Transfer (“FAST”) program, provide a “direct mail by agent” (or DMA) function as mandated by DTC in connection with DRS participation; will undergo sufficient training regarding DRS and DTC’s Profile Modification System (“Profile”); and will participate in DTC’s Profile Surety Program as a prerequisite to initiating Profile transactions.
 
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H. For so long as this Agreement remains in full force and effect DST will maintain an electronic interface with DTC.
 
I. DST will add the Fund to the FAST program and Profile through DTC and will make the Fund’s shares DRS eligible as soon as reasonably practicably, and, except for the Fund’s responsibility to ensure that (i) the Fund’s governing documents permit the issuance of uncertificated shares, (ii) the Fund’s Board of Trustees has authorized the issuance of uncertificated shares, and (iii) all associated tax reporting requirements are complied with, will maintain the Fund’s eligibility to participate therein, in accordance with all applicable DTC requirements and SEC rules and regulations, including, without limitation, by mailing or otherwise making available to a securityholder   (i) a securityholder transaction advice or statement within three (3) business days of each DRS account transaction that affects the securityholders’ position or more often as required by SEC regulations; and (ii) DRS book entry statements to registered owners at least annually or more often as required by SEC regulations.
 
3. Certain Representations and Warranties of the Fund .
 
The Fund represents and warrants to DST that:
 
A. It is a trust duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of the State   of   Delaware and it is duly qualified, as required, to carry on its business in the jurisdictions in which it is required to so qualify.
 
B. It is registered as a closed-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”).
 
C. All requisite steps have been and will at all times material hereto continue to be taken to qualify the Fund's shares for sale in all applicable states and such qualification will be effective at all times shares are offered for sale in such state. All shares issued and outstanding as of the date of this Agreement were issued pursuant to an effective registration statement under the 1933 Act or were exempt or were issued in a transaction or transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act.  Any shares issued after the date hereof will be issued pursuant to an effective registration statement under the 1933 Act, unless in each case such shares or transaction is exempt from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act.
 
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D. Each offer to sell or sale of shares of the Fund by the Fund or its agents in each state in which a share is offered for sale or sold will be made in material compliance with all applicable laws.
 
E. The Fund is empowered under applicable laws and by its Declaration of Trust to enter into and perform this Agreement.
 
F. Under the Declaration of Trust, the Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited amount of shares.
 
4. Scope of Appointment .
 
A. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Fund hereby appoints DST as Transfer Agent, Dividend Disbursing Agent and Plan Agent.
 
B. DST hereby accepts such appointment and agrees that it will act as the Fund's Transfer Agent, Dividend Disbursing Agent and Plan Agent.  DST agrees that it will also act as agent in connection with the Fund's periodic withdrawal payment accounts and other open accounts or similar plans for securityholders, if any.
 
C. The Fund agrees to use its reasonable efforts to deliver to DST in Kansas City, Missouri, as soon as they are available, all of its securityholder account records.
 
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D.
DST, utilizing TA2000 TM , DST's computerized data processing system for securityholder accounting (the "TA2000 System") and in accordance with the  terms and conditions  of this Agreement, will perform the following services as Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing agent for the Fund, and as agent of the Fund for securityholder accounts thereof, in a timely manner: (i) issuing (including countersigning as applicable), repurchasing, redeeming, transferring and canceling shares (as applicable) upon receipt of appropriate documentation; (ii) maintaining and recording on the TA2000 System the appropriate number of shares for the appropriate securityholder accounts;  (iii)  maintaining and providing transaction journals;  (iv)  preparing  securityholder  meeting lists  for  use  in  connection  with  annual  and  other  meetings  of  securityholders and certifying a copy of such list; (v) transmitting securityholder reports, prospectuses and other Fund documents to securityholders and other parties in accordance with  instructions; (vi) withholding, as required by federal law, taxes on securityholder accounts, preparing, filing and mailing U.S. Treasury Department Forms 1099, 1042,  and 1042S and performing and paying backup withholding as required for all securityholders; (vii) disbursing income dividends and capital gains  and  other distributions to securityholders and recording reinvestment of dividends and distributions in shares of the Fund; (viii) providing or making available on-line daily and monthly reports as provided by the TA2000 System and as requested by the Fund or its management company; (x) maintaining those records necessary to carry out DST's duties hereunder, including all information reasonably required by the Fund to account for all transactions in the Fund shares; (xi) receiving correspondence pertaining to any former, existing or new securityholder accounts, processing such correspondence for proper recordkeeping, and responding promptly to securityholder correspondence; transmitting   to dealers confirmations of wire order trades; transmitting copies of securityholder statements to securityholders and registered representatives of dealers in accordance with the instructions of an Authorized Person; (xii) processing, generally on the  date of  receipt, purchases or redemptions or instructions to settle any mail or wire order  purchases or redemptions received in proper order as set forth in the prospectus or related Fund documents, rejecting promptly any requests not received in proper order (as defined by an Authorized Person or the Procedures as hereinafter defined), and  causing  exchanges of shares to be executed in accordance with the instructions of Authorized Persons,  the applicable  prospectus  and the  general  exchange  privilege  applicable; and (xiii) providing to the Fund escheatment reports as requested by an Authorized Person with respect to the status of accounts and outstanding payments on TA2000.
 
E. At the request of an Authorized Person, DST shall use reasonable efforts to provide the services set forth in Section 4.D. in connection with transactions (i) the processing of which transactions require DST to use methods and procedures other than those usually employed by DST to perform securityholder servicing agent services, (ii) involving the provision of information to DST after the commencement of the nightly processing cycle of the TA2000 System or (iii) which require more manual intervention by DST, either in the entry of data or in the modification or amendment of reports generated by the TA2000 System than is usually required (the “Exception Services”).
 
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F. DST shall use reasonable efforts to provide, reasonably promptly under the circumstances, the same services with respect to any new, additional functions or features or any changes or improvements to existing functions or features as provided for in the Fund's instructions or, as applicable, the prospectus or application as amended from time to time, for the Fund provided (i) DST is advised in advance by the Fund of any changes therein and (ii) the TA2000 System and the mode of operations utilized by DST as then constituted supports such additional functions and features.  If any addition to, improvement of or change in the features and functions currently provided by the TA2000 System or the operations as requested by the Fund requires an enhancement or modification to the TA2000 System or to operations as presently conducted by DST, DST shall not be liable therefore until such modification or enhancement is installed on the TA2000 System or new mode of operation is instituted.  If any new, additional function or feature or change or improvement to existing functions or features or new service or mode of operation measurably increases DST's cost of performing the services required hereunder at the current level of service, DST shall advise the Fund of the amount of such increase and if the Fund elects to utilize such function, feature or service, DST shall be entitled to increase its fees by the amount of the increase in costs.  In no event shall DST be responsible for or liable to provide any additional function, feature, improvement or change in method of operation until it has consented thereto in writing.
 
G. The provisions of this Section 4.G that follow this sentence shall take precedence over and shall govern in the event of any inconsistency between such provisions and any other provisions of this Agreement or any provisions of any exhibit or other attachment to this Agreement (or any provisions of any attachment to any such exhibit or attachment).  The parties agree that – to the extent that DST provides any services under this Agreement that relate to compliance by the Fund with the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or any other tax law, including without limitation the services described in Section 4.D(vi) – it is the parties’ mutual intent that DST will provide only printing, reproducing, and other mechanical assistance to the Fund and that DST will not make any judgments or exercise any discretion of any kind, and particularly that DST will not make any judgments or exercise any discretion in:  (1) determining generally the actions that are required in connection with such compliance or determining generally when such compliance has been achieved; (2) determining the amounts of taxes that should be withheld on securityholder accounts (except to the extent of making mathematical calculations of such amounts based on express instructions provided by the Fund); (3) determining the amounts that should be reported in or on any specific box or line of any tax form (except to the extent of making mathematical calculations of such amounts based on express instructions provided by the Fund which among other things identify the specific boxes and lines into which amounts calculated by DST are to be placed); (4) classifying the status of securityholders and securityholder accounts under applicable tax law (except to the extent of following express instructions regarding such classification provided by the Fund); and (5) paying withholding and other taxes, except pursuant to the express instructions of the Fund.  The Fund agrees that it will provide express and comprehensive instructions to DST in connection with all of the services that are to be provided by DST under this Agreement that relate to compliance by the Fund with the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or any other tax law (including without limitation the services described in Section 4.D (vi)), including promptly providing responses to requests for direction that may be made from time to time by DST of the Fund in this regard.
 
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5. Limit of Authority .
 
Unless otherwise expressly limited by the resolution of appointment or by subsequent action by the Fund, the appointment of DST as Transfer Agent for the Fund hereunder will be construed to cover the full amount of the Fund’s issued and unissued shares of the class or classes for which DST is appointed as the same will, from time to time, be constituted, and as reduced or increased from time to time.  In case of such reduction or increase the Fund will file with DST:
 
A. If the appointment of DST was theretofore expressly limited, a certified copy of a resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Fund increasing the authority of DST;
 
B. A certified copy of the amendment to the Declaration of Trust or By-Laws of the Fund authorizing the increase of shares (if such amendment is required under such governing documents of the Fund);
 
C. Prior to the issuance of any additional shares after the date hereof, the Fund will deliver to DST:
 
(1) A certified copy of the order or consent of any and all governmental or regulatory authorities required by law to consent to the issuance of the increased shares, and an opinion of counsel that the order or consent of no other governmental or regulatory authority is required;
 
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(2)                 An opinion of counsel for the Fund stating:
 
(a) The status of the additional shares of the Fund under the 1933 Act, and any other applicable federal or state statute; and
 
(b) That the additional shares are, or when issued will be, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
 
6. Compensation and Expenses .
 
A. In consideration for DST’s services hereunder as Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent, the Fund will pay to DST from time to time a reasonable compensation for all services rendered as Agent, and also, all its reasonable billable expenses, charges, counsel fees, and other disbursements ("Compensation and Expenses") incurred in connection with the agency.  Such compensation is set forth in a separate schedule to be agreed to by the Fund and DST, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A.  If the Fund has not disputed and has not paid such Compensation and Expenses to DST by the Due Date (or Revised Due Date, if applicable), as those terms are defined below, DST may charge against any monies held under this Agreement, the amount of any Compensation and/or Expenses for which it shall be entitled to reimbursement under this Agreement.  The monthly fee for an open account shall be charged in the month during which an account is opened through the month in which such account is closed.  The monthly fee for a closed account shall be charged in the month following the month during which such account is closed and shall cease to be charged in the month following the Purge Date, as hereinafter defined in Section 17 .
 
B. The Fund also agrees promptly to reimburse DST for all reasonable billable expenses or disbursements incurred by DST in connection with the performance of services under this Agreement including, but not limited to, expenses for postage, express delivery services, freight charges, envelopes, checks, drafts, forms (continuous or otherwise), specially requested reports and statements, telephone calls, telegraphs, stationery supplies, Fund counsel fees, outside printing and mailing firms (including DST Output, LLC), magnetic tapes, reels or cartridges (if sent to the Fund or to a third party at the Fund's request) and magnetic tape handling charges, off-site record storage, media for storage of records (e.g., microfilm, microfiche, optical platters, computer tapes), computer equipment installed at the Fund's request at the Fund's or a third party's premises, telecommunications equipment, telephone/telecommunication lines between the Fund and its agents, on one hand, and DST on the other, proxy soliciting, processing and/or tabulating costs, second-site backup computer facility, and transmission of statement data for remote printing or processing.  The Fund agrees to pay postage expenses at least one day in advance if so requested.  In addition, any other expenses incurred by DST at the request or with the consent of the Fund will be promptly reimbursed by the Fund.
 
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C. Amounts due hereunder not disputed in good faith shall be due and paid on or before the thirtieth (30 th ) business day after receipt of the statement therefor by the Fund (the "Due Date").
 
D. In the event that any charges are disputed, the Fund shall, on or before the Due Date, pay all undisputed amounts due hereunder and notify DST in writing of any disputed charges for billable expenses which it is disputing in good faith. Payment for such disputed charges shall be due on or before the close of the fifth (5 th ) business day after the day on which the parties agree, in good faith, on the disputed charges (the "Revised Due Date").
 
E. The fees and charges set forth on Exhibit A shall increase or may be increased as follows:
 
(1) Reserved;
 
(2) DST may increase the fees and charges set forth on Exhibit A upon at least ninety (90) days prior written notice to the Fund, if changes in existing laws, rules or regulations: (i) require substantial system modifications or (ii) materially increase cost of performance hereunder;
 
(3) DST may charge for additional features of TA2000 that are used by the Fund which features are not consistent with the Fund's current processing requirements; and
 
(4) In the event DST, at the Fund’s request or direction, performs Exception Services, DST shall be entitled to increase the fees and charges for such Exception Services from those set forth on Exhibit A to the extent such Exception Services increase DST’s cost of performance.
 
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If DST notifies the Fund of an increase in fees or charges pursuant to subparagraph (2) of this Section 6.E., the parties shall confer, diligently and in good faith and agree upon a new fee to cover the amount necessary, but not more than such amount, to reimburse DST for the Fund's allocable portion of the cost of developing the new software to comply with regulatory charges and for the increased cost of operation.
 
If DST notifies the Fund of an increase in fees or charges under subparagraphs (3) or (4) of this Section 6.E., the parties shall confer, diligently and in good faith, and agree upon a new fee to cover such new fund feature.
 
7.                   Operation of DST .
 
In connection with the performance of its services under this Agreement, DST is responsible for such items as:
 
A. That entries in DST's records, and in the Fund's records on the TA2000 System created by DST, reflect the orders, instructions, and other information received by DST from the Fund, the Fund's distributor, manager or principal underwriter, the Fund's investment adviser, the Fund’s sponsor, the Fund’s custodian, or the Fund’s administrator and any other person whom the Fund names on Exhibit B (each an “Authorized Person”), broker-dealers or securityholders;
 
B. That securityholder lists, securityholder account verifications, confirmations and other securityholder account information to be produced from its records or data be available and accurately reflect the data in the Fund's records on the TA2000 System;
 
C. The accurate and timely issuance of dividend and distribution payments in accordance with instructions received from the Fund and the data in the Fund's records on the TA2000 System;
 
D. That Fund share transactions and payments be effected timely, under normal circumstances on the day of receipt, and accurately in accordance with instructions received by DST from Authorized Persons, broker-dealers or securityholders and the data in the Fund's records on the TA2000 System;
 
E. The requiring of proper forms of instructions, signatures and signature guarantees and any necessary documents supporting the opening of securityholder accounts, transfers, share transactions and securityholder account transactions, all in conformance with DST's present procedures as set forth in its Legal Manual, Third Party Check Procedures, Checkwriting Draft Procedures, Compliance + and Identity Theft Programs and Signature Guarantee Procedures (collectively the "Procedures") with such changes or deviations therefrom as may be from time to time required or approved by the Fund and the rejection of orders or instructions not in good order in accordance with the prospectus (as applicable) or the Procedures; and
 
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F. The maintenance of customary records in connection with its agency, and particularly those records required to be maintained pursuant to subparagraph (2)(iv) of paragraph (b) of Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act, for the periods required by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act.
 
8.                    Indemnification .
 
A. DST shall provide the services set forth in, and fulfill its obligations under, this Agreement in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, Section 17A of the 1934 Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder, any other federal or state laws applicable to DST’s acting as a transfer agent or any local laws which are the subject of a Memorandum issued by the Investment Company Institute or brought to DST’s attention by an Authorized Person.   For those activities or actions delineated in the Procedures, DST shall be presumed to have acted in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement if DST has acted in accordance with the Procedures in effect when DST acted or omitted to act, provided that any change to the Procedures made after the date of this Agreement does not materially reduce or otherwise adversely alter the nature, quantity or quality of services to be provided by DST under this Agreement.
 
B. DST shall not be responsible for, and the Fund shall indemnify and hold DST harmless from and against, any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, counsel fees, payments, expenses and liability (“Adverse Consequences”) which may be asserted against DST or for which DST may be held to be liable, arising out of or attributable to (including without limitation any attorney’s fees or court costs incurred by DST in enforcing this right to the Fund’s indemnification):
 
(1) All actions or omissions of DST required to be taken or omitted by DST pursuant to this Agreement, provided that DST has fulfilled all obligations under this Agreement with respect to the matter for which DST is seeking indemnification and provided further that DST has acted or omitted to act in good faith and without negligence;
 
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(2) The Fund's refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement or the material breach of any representation or warranty of the Fund hereunder;
 
(3) The good faith reliance on, or the carrying out of, any written or oral instructions or requests of persons designated by the Fund in writing (see Exhibit B) from time to time as authorized to give instructions on its behalf or representatives of an Authorized Person or DST's good faith reliance on, or use of, information, data, records, transmissions and documents received from, or which have been prepared and/or maintained by the Fund, its investment advisor, its sponsor, its principal underwriter or any other person or entity from whom the Fund instructs DST to accept and utilize information, data, records, transmissions and documents;
 
(4) The offer or sale of the Fund's shares in violation of any requirement under federal securities laws or regulations or the securities laws or regulations of any state or in violation of any stop order or other determination or ruling by any federal agency or state with respect to the offer or sale of such shares in such state (unless such violation results from DST's failure to comply with written instructions of the Fund or of any officer of the Fund that no offers or sales be permitted to remain in the Fund's securityholder records in or to residents of such state);
 
(5) The Fund's errors and mistakes in its use of the TA2000 System, the data center, computer and related equipment used to access the TA2000 System (the "DST Facilities"), and control procedures relating thereto in the verification of output and in the remote input of data;
 
(6) Errors, inaccuracies, and omissions in, or errors, inaccuracies or omissions of DST arising out of or resulting from such errors, inaccuracies and omissions in, the Fund's records, securityholder and other records, delivered to DST hereunder by the Fund or its prior agent(s);
 
(7) Actions or omissions to act by the Fund or agents designated by the Fund with respect to duties assumed thereby as provided for in Section 21 hereof; and
 
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(8) DST’s performance of Exception Services except where DST acted or omitted to act in bad faith, with reckless disregard of its obligations or with gross negligence.
 
C. DST shall indemnify and hold the Fund harmless from and against any and all  Adverse Consequences arising out of DST’s refusal or  failure to comply with the terms of, or to fulfill its obligations under, this Agreement or arising out of or attributable to DST's breach of any representation or warranty of DST hereunder; provided, however, that DST's cumulative liability during any term of this Agreement with respect to, arising from or arising in connection with this Agreement, or from all services provided or omitted to be provided under this Agreement, whether in contract, or in tort, or otherwise, is limited to, and shall not exceed, the amounts paid hereunder by the Fund to DST as fees and charges, but not including reimbursable expenses, during the one (1) year immediately preceding the event giving rise to DST’s liability.
 
D. IN NO EVENT AND UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL EITHER PARTY UNDER THIS AGREEMENT BE LIABLE TO ANY PERSON, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION THE OTHER PARTY, FOR PUNITIVE, CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT, OR OTHER SPECIAL DAMAGES UNDER ANY PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT OR FOR ANY ACT OR FAILURE TO ACT HEREUNDER, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY THEREOF.
 
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E. Promptly after receipt by an indemnified person of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified person will, if a claim in respect thereto is to be made against an indemnifying party hereunder, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof; but the failure so to notify the indemnifying party will not relieve an indemnifying party from any liability that it may have to any indemnified person for contribution or otherwise under the indemnity agreement contained herein except to the extent it is prejudiced as a proximate result of such failure to timely notify.  In case any such action is brought against any indemnified person and such indemnified person seeks or intends to seek indemnity from an indemnifying party, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate in, and, to the extent that it may wish, assume the defense thereof (in its own name or in the name and on behalf of any indemnified party or both with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified person); provided, however, if the defendants in any such action include both the indemnified person and an indemnifying party and the indemnified person shall have reasonably concluded that there may be a conflict between the positions of the indemnified person and an indemnifying party in conducting the defense of any such action or that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified persons which are inconsistent with those available to an indemnifying party, the indemnified person or indemnified persons shall have the right to select one separate counsel (in addition to local counsel) to assume such legal defense and to otherwise participate in the defense of such action on behalf of such indemnified person or indemnified persons at such indemnified party's sole expense.  Upon receipt of notice from an indemnifying party to such indemnified person of its election so to assume the defense of such action and approval by the indemnified person of counsel, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld (and any disapproval shall be accompanied by a written statement of the reasons therefor), the indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified person hereunder for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified person in connection with the defense thereof.  An indemnifying party will not settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified persons are actual or potential parties to such claim, action, suit or proceeding) unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release of each indemnified person from all liability arising out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding.  An indemnified party will not, without the prior written consent of the indemnifying party settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder.  If it does so, it waives its right to indemnification therefor.
 
9.                    Certain Covenants of DST and the Fund .
 
A. All requisite steps will be taken by the Fund from time to time when and as necessary to qualify the Fund's shares for sale in all states in which the Fund's shares shall at the time be offered for sale and require qualification.  If at any time the Fund receives notice or becomes aware of any stop order or other proceeding in any such state affecting such qualification or the sale of the Fund's shares, or of any stop order or other proceeding under the federal securities laws affecting the sale of the Fund's shares, the Fund will give prompt notice thereof to DST.
 
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B. DST hereby agrees to perform such services and functions as are set forth herein and establish and maintain facilities and procedures reasonably acceptable to the Fund for safekeeping of paper forms and documentation, and facsimile signature imprinting devices, if any; and for the preparation or use, and for keeping account of, such documents and devices, and to carry commercially reasonable insurance.
 
C. DST agrees that all records maintained by DST relating to the services to be performed by DST under this Agreement are the property of the Fund and will be preserved at least for the periods required by the 1940 Act and will be surrendered promptly to the Fund on request.
 
D. DST agrees to furnish the Fund annual reports of its financial condition, consisting of a balance sheet, earnings statement and any other public financial information reasonably requested by the Fund.  The annual financial statements will be certified by DST's certified public accountants.
 
E. DST represents and agrees that it will use its reasonable efforts to keep current on the trends of the investment company industry relating to securityholder services and will use its reasonable efforts to continue to modernize and improve.
 
F. DST will permit the Fund and its authorized representatives (subject to execution of DST’s standard confidentiality and non-use agreements) to make periodic inspections of its operations as such involves or is utilized by DST to provide services to the Fund at reasonable times during business hours.  DST will permit the Internal Revenue Service and any other tax authority to inspect its operations in connection with examinations by any such authority of DST’s or other taxpayer’s compliance with the tax laws, and the costs of each such inspection and examination shall be paid by the Fund to the extent that the examination relates to DST’s performance of services under this Agreement.  DST will permit duly authorized federal examiners to make periodic inspections of its operations as such would involve the Fund to obtain, inter alia , information and records relating to DST’s performance of its C ompliance   + P rogram or Identity Theft Program obligations and to inspect DST’s operations for purposes of the Program.”  Any reasonable costs imposed on DST by such examiners in connection with such examination (other than fines or other penalties) shall be paid by the Fund.
 
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G. DST shall comply with Exhibit C (Information Protection Program), which are made a part of this Agreement and apply to the Services.  The policies and procedures specified in Exhibit C (Information Protection Program) are subject to change at any time in accordance with DST’s internal change control procedures, provided that the protections afforded thereby will not be diminished in comparison with those currently provided by DST to the Fund under this Agreement.  Throughout the Term of this Agreement, as part of the Services, DST shall maintain reasonable backup and security procedures in accordance with its then current internal policies and procedures.  DST will be reasonably available to meet with and provide assurances to the Fund concerning its backup procedures as well as its security procedures.
 
10. Recapitalization or Readjustment .
 
In case of any recapitalization, readjustment or other change in the capital structure of the Fund requiring a change in the form of share certificates (if any), DST will issue or register certificates in the new form, if any, in exchange for, or in transfer of, the outstanding certificates in the old form, upon receiving:
 
A.                   Written instructions from an officer of the Fund;
 
B. Certified copy of the amendment to the Declaration of Trust or other document effecting the change;
 
C. Certified copy of the order or consent of each governmental or regulatory authority, required by law to the issuance of the shares in the new form, and an opinion of counsel that the order or consent of no other government or regulatory authority is required;
 
D. Specimens of the new certificates in the form approved by the Board of Directors of the Fund, with a certificate of the Secretary of the Fund as to such approval;
 
E.                   Opinion of counsel for the Fund stating:
 
(1) The status of the shares of the Fund in the new form under the 1933 Act, and any other applicable federal or state statute; and
 
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(2) That the issued shares in the new form are, and all unissued shares will be, when issued, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
 
11. Death, Resignation or Removal of Signing Officer .
 
The Fund will promptly provide DST written notice of any change in the officers authorized to written instructions or requests, together with two signature cards bearing the specimen signature of each newly authorized officer.
 
12. Future Amendments of Declaration and Bylaws, as appropriate .
 
The Fund will promptly provide DST copies of all material amendments to its Declaration of Trust or Bylaws made after the date of this Agreement.
 
13. Instructions, Opinion of Counsel and Signatures .
 
At any time DST may apply to any person authorized by the Fund to give instructions to DST, and may, with the approval of a Fund officer, consult with legal counsel for the Fund or in the event the Fund is unresponsive, to DST’s own legal counsel at the expense of the Fund, with respect to any matter arising in connection with the agency and it will not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and without negligence in reliance upon such instructions or upon the opinion of Fund counsel.  In connection with services provided by DST under this Agreement that relate to compliance by the Fund with the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or any other tax law, including without limitation the services described in Section 4.D(v), DST shall have no obligation to continue to provide such services after it has asked the Fund to give it instructions which it reasonably believes are needed by it to so continue to provide such services and before it receives the needed instructions from the Fund, and DST shall have no liability for any damages (including without limitation penalties imposed by any tax authority) caused by or that result from its failure to provide services as contemplated by this sentence.  DST will be protected in acting upon any paper or document reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed by the proper person or persons and will not be held to have notice of any change of authority of any person, until receipt of written notice thereof from the Fund.  It will also be protected in recognizing share certificates (if any) which it reasonably believes to bear the proper manual or facsimile signatures of the officers of the Fund, and the proper countersignature of any former Transfer Agent or Registrar, or of a co-Transfer Agent or co-Registrar.
 
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14.                 Force Majeure and Disaster Recovery Plans.
 
A. Neither party shall be responsible or liable for its failure or delay in performance of its obligations under this Agreement arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation:  any interruption, loss or malfunction of any utility, transportation, computer (hardware or software) or communication service; inability to obtain labor, material, equipment or transportation, or a delay in mails; governmental or exchange action, statute, ordinance, rulings, regulations or direction;  war, strike, riot, emergency, civil disturbance, terrorism, vandalism, explosions, labor disputes, freezes, floods, fires, tornados, acts of God or public enemy, revolutions, or insurrection;  or any other cause, contingency, circumstance or delay not subject to such party's reasonable control which prevents or hinders such party's performance hereunder.  The foregoing shall not relieve DST of its obligations to establish and maintain the business contingency plan discussed in Sections 14.B and 14.C below.
 
B. Provided the Fund is paying its pro rata portion of the charge therefor, DST shall provide back-up facilities to the data center or centers used by DST to provide the transfer agency services hereunder (collectively, the “Back-Up Facilities”) capable of supplying the transfer agency services specified herein to the Fund in case of damage to the primary facility providing those services.  The back-up to the data center operations facility will have no other function that could not be suspended immediately for an indefinite period of time to the extent necessary to allow, or continue to be supported while allowing, the facility to function as a back-up facility and support all functionality scheduled to be supported in DST’s Business Contingency Plan.  Transfer to the Back-Up Facility shall commence promptly after the DST’s declaration of a disaster and shall be conducted in accordance with DST’s Business Contingency Plan, which Plan calls for the transfer of TA2000 to the Back-Up Facilities to be completed within 4 hours after DST’s declaration of a disaster.  The Fund shall not bear any costs (in addition to the Fees and charges set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto) related to such transfer.  At least once annually, DST shall complete a successful test of the Business Contingency Plan.
 
C. DST also currently maintains and shall continue to maintain, separate from the area in which the operations which provides the services to the Fund hereunder are located, a Crisis Management Center consisting of phones, computers and the other equipment necessary to operate a full service transfer agency business in the event one of its operations areas is rendered inoperable.  The transfer of operations to other operating areas or to the Crisis Management Center is and will continue to be also covered in DST's Business Contingency Plan.
 
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15. Certification of Documents .
 
The required copy of the Declaration of Trust of the Fund and copies of all amendments thereto will be certified by the Secretary of State (or other appropriate official) of the state of organization, and if such Declaration of Trust and amendments are required by law to be also filed with a county, city or other office or official body, a certificate of such filing will appear on the certified copy submitted to DST.  A copy of the order or consent of each governmental or regulatory authority required by law to the issuance of the shares (if any) will be certified by the Secretary or Clerk of such governmental or regulatory authority, under any proper seal of such authority.  The copy of the Bylaws and copies of all amendments thereto, and copies of resolutions of the Board of Trustees of the Fund, will be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Fund.
 
16.                Records .
 
DST will maintain customary records in connection with its agency, and particularly will maintain those records required to be maintained pursuant to Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act for the periods required by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act.  Without limiting the foregoing , the records to be maintained and preserved by DST on the TA2000 System under this Agreement shall be maintained and preserved in accordance with the following:
 
A. Annual Purges by August 31:  DST and the Fund shall mutually agree upon a date (the “Purge Date”) for the annual purge of the appropriate history transactions from the Transaction History (A88) file for accounts (both regular and tax advantaged accounts) that were open as of January 1 of the current year, such purge to be complete no later than August 31.  Purges completed after this date will subject Fund to the Aged History Retention fees set forth in the Fee Schedule attached hereto as Exhibit A.
 
B. Purge Criteria:  In order to avoid the Closed Account fees, history data for regular or ordinary accounts (that is, non-tax advantaged accounts) must   be purged if the confirmation date of the history transaction is prior to January 1 of the current year and history data for tax advantaged accounts (retirement and educational savings accounts), if any, must be purged if the confirmation date of the history transaction is prior to January 1 of the prior year.  All purged history information shall be retained on magnetic tape for seven (7) years.
 
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C. Purged History Retention Options (entail an additional fee):  For the additional fees set forth on the Fee Schedule attached hereto as Exhibit A, Fund may choose (i) to place purged history information on the Purged Transaction History (A19) table or (ii) to retain history information on the Transaction History (A88) file beyond the timeframes defined above.  Retaining information on the A19 table allows for viewing of this data through online facilities and E-Commerce applications.  This database does not support those histories being printed on statements and reports and is not available for on request job executions.
 
17.                Disposition of Books, Records, and Canceled Certificates (if any) .
 
DST may send periodically to the Fund, or to where designated by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Fund, all books, documents, and all records no longer deemed needed for current purposes, and share certificates (if any) which have been canceled in transfer or otherwise, upon the understanding that such books, documents, records, and any such share certificates will be maintained by the Fund under and in accordance with the requirements of Section 17Ad-7 adopted under the 1934 Act, including by way of example and not limitation Section 17Ad-7(g) thereof.  Any such materials will not be destroyed by the Fund without the consent of DST (which consent will not be unreasonably withheld).
 
18.                 Provisions Relating to DST as Transfer Agent .
 
A. DST will make original issues of shares or, if shares are certificated, share certificates, upon written request of an officer of the Fund and upon being furnished with a certified copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors authorizing such original issue, an opinion of counsel as outlined in subparagraph 1.F. of this Agreement, any documents required by Sections 5.C. or 10 of this Agreement, and necessary funds for the payment of any original issue tax.
 
B. The Fund will furnish DST such evidence as may be reasonably required by DST to show the actual value of the shares.  If no taxes are payable, DST will be furnished with an opinion of outside counsel to that effect.
 
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C. Shares will be transferred and, if shares are certificated, new certificates issued in transfer, or shares accepted for repurchase, redemption or liquidation (as applicable) and funds remitted therefor, or book entry transfer be effected, upon surrender of the old certificates in form (if any) or receipt by DST of instructions deemed by DST properly endorsed for transfer or other share transaction accompanied by such documents as DST may deem necessary to evidence the authority of the person making the transfer or other transaction.  DST reserves the right to refuse to transfer, sell, repurchase, redeem or liquidate shares (as applicable) until it is satisfied that the endorsement or signature on the certificate (if any) or any other document is valid and genuine, and for that purpose it may require a guaranty of signature in accordance with the Signature Guarantee Procedures.  DST also reserves the right to refuse to transfer, sell, redeem, repurchase or liquidate shares (as applicable) until it is satisfied that the requested share transaction is legally authorized, and it will incur no liability for the refusal in good faith to make such transactions which, in its judgment, are improper or unauthorized.  DST may, in effecting such share transactions, rely upon the Procedures, Simplification Acts, Uniform Commercial Code or other statutes that protect DST, the Fund or both in not requiring complete fiduciary documentation.  In cases in which DST is not directed or otherwise required to maintain the consolidated records of security holder's accounts, DST will not be liable for any loss which may arise by reason of not having such records.
 
D. When mail is used for delivery of share certificates (if any), DST will forward any such share certificates in "nonnegotiable" form by first class or registered mail and share certificates in "negotiable" form by registered mail, all such mail deliveries to be covered while in transit to the addressee by insurance arranged for by DST.
 
E. DST will issue and mail any subscription warrants, certificates (if any) representing share dividends or split ups, or act as conversion agent upon receiving written instructions from any officer of the Fund and such other documents as DST deems necessary.
 
F. DST will issue, transfer, and split up certificates (if any) and will issue certificates (if any) representing full shares upon surrender of scrip certificates aggregating one full share or more when presented to DST for that purpose upon receiving written instructions from an officer of the Fund and such other documents as DST may deem reasonably necessary.
 
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G. If the Fund issues shares in certificated form, DST may issue new certificates in place of certificates represented to have been lost, destroyed, stolen or otherwise wrongfully taken upon receiving instructions from the Fund and indemnity satisfactory to DST and the Fund, and may issue new certificates in exchange for, and upon surrender of, mutilated certificates.  Such instructions from the Fund will be in such form as will be approved by the Board of Trustees of the Fund and will be in accordance with the provisions of law and the bylaws of the Fund governing such matter.
 
H. DST will supply a securityholders list to the Fund for its annual meeting upon receiving a request from an officer of the Fund.  It will also, at the expense of the Fund, supply lists at such other times as may be requested by an officer of the Fund.
 
I. Upon receipt of written instructions of an officer of the Fund, DST will, at the expense of the Fund, address and mail (or otherwise transmit) notices to securityholders.
 
J. In case of any request or demand for the inspection of the share books of the Fund or any other books in the possession of DST by a securityholder, DST will endeavor to notify the Fund and to secure instructions as to permitting or refusing such inspection.  DST reserves the right; however, to exhibit the stock books or other books to any person in case it is advised by its counsel that it may be held responsible for the failure to exhibit the stock books or other books to such person.
 
K. DST agrees to promptly furnish the Fund with (1) annual reports of its financial condition, consisting of a balance sheet, earnings statement and any other financial information as is made public by DST in connection with the foregoing and (2) semi-annually with a copy of its SSAE 16 or successor report issued by DST’s certified public accountants pursuant to Rule 17Ad-13 under the 1934 Act as filed with SEC.  The annual financial statements will be certified by DST's certified public accountants and the posting of a current copy thereof on DST’s website shall be deemed to be delivery to the Fund.
 
L.              (1)              DST shall assist the Fund to fulfill the Fund’s responsibilities under certain provisions of USA PATRIOT Act, U.S. sanctions laws and regulations issued by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”), Sarbanes-Oxley Act, Title V of Gramm Leach Bliley Act, 1933 Act, 1934 Act, and 1940 Act, including, inter alia , Rule 38a-1, each as applicable, by complying with Compliance +™,   a compliance program that focuses on certain business processes that represent key activities of the transfer agent/service provider function (the “C ompliance   + Program”), a copy of which has hitherto been made available to Fund. These business processes are anti-money laundering, certificate processing, correspondence processing, fingerprinting, lost securityholder processing, reconciliation and control, transaction processing, customer identification, transfer agent administration and safeguarding fund assets and securities .  DST reserves the right to make changes thereto as experience suggests alternative and better ways to perform the affected function. DST shall provide the Fund with written notice of any such changes.
 
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(2) DST shall perform the procedures set forth in the C ompliance   + Program, as amended by DST from time to time (subject to Section 9.G hereof),   which pertain to DST’s performance of those transfer agency services in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, (ii) implement and maintain internal controls and procedures reasonably necessary to insure that our employees act in accordance with the C ompliance   + Program , and (iii) provide the Fund with written notice of any material changes made to the Program as attached hereto.
 
(3) Notwithstanding the foregoing, DST’s obligations shall be solely as are set forth in this Section and in the C ompliance   +   Program, as amended, and any of obligations under the enumerated Acts and Regulations that DST has not agreed to perform on the Fund’s behalf under the C ompliance   +   Program or under this Agreement shall remain the Fund’s sole obligation.
 
(4) DST shall promptly provide the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”), upon request, copies of its policies and procedures for compliance by DST with the Federal Securities Laws as defined in Rule 38a-1 under the Investment Company Act (as they relate to the activities contemplated by Agreement) and promptly provide the CCO with copies of any material changes to those policies and procedures, including changes to the Compliance + Program. DST shall cooperate with the CCO to facilitate the CCO’s performance of his/her responsibilities under Rule 38a-1 to review, evaluate and report to the Fund’s Board of Trustees on the operation of DST’s compliance policies and procedures and shall promptly report to the CCO any “Material Compliance Matter” as defined by Rule 38a-1(e)(2). At least annually, DST shall provide a certification to the CCO to the effect that DST has in place and has implemented policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to ensure compliance by DST with the Federal Securities Laws, as they relate to the activities contemplated by Agreement as well DST’s assistance to the Fund to assist it to comply with certain of its obligations under Federal Securities Laws, as specifically provided in this 18.L above.
 
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M. In connection with the enactment of the Red Flags Regulations (the “Regulations”) promulgated jointly by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Treasury (OCC); Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board); Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC); Office of Thrift Supervision, Treasury (OTS); National Credit Union Administration (NCUA); and Federal Trade Commission (FTC or Commission) implementing section 114 of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 (FACT Act) and final rules implementing section 315 of the FACT Act, to the extent applicable to the Fund:
 
(1) DST shall assist the Fund to fulfill the Fund’s responsibilities under certain provisions of the Regulations that focus on certain business processes that represent key activities of the transfer agent/service provider function, as set forth in the DST identity theft program (the “Identity Theft Program”), a current copy of which has hitherto been made available to Fund. These business processes are set forth in the Identity Theft Program .  DST: (a) reserves the right to make changes thereto as experience suggests alternative and better ways to perform the affected function and (b) shall provide Fund with written notice of any such changes thereto.
 
(2) DST shall:  (i) perform the procedures set forth in the Identity Theft Program, as amended by DST from time to time,   which pertain to DST’s performance of those transfer agency services in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, (ii) implement and maintain internal controls and procedures reasonably necessary to insure that DST’s employees act in accordance with the Identity Theft Program , and (iii) provide the Fund with written notice of any material changes made to the Identity Theft Program.
 
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(3) Notwithstanding the foregoing, DST’s obligations shall be solely as are set forth in this Section 18.M. and in the Identity Theft Program and any obligations under the Regulations that DST has not agreed to perform under such Identity Theft Program or under this Agreement shall remain the sole obligation of the Fund.
 
(4) With respect to the Identity Theft Program, DST will permit the Fund, its designated representatives and duly authorized governmental and self-regulatory examiners to make periodic inspections of its operations as such would involve Fund, to obtain, inter alia , information and records relating to DST’s performance of its obligations under the Identity Theft P rogram, and to inspect DST’s operations for purposes of determining DST’s compliance with the Identity Theft Program.  Any costs imposed by such examiners in connection with such examination (other than fines or other penalties arising solely out of DST’s failure to fulfill its obligations under the Identity Theft Program) shall be paid by Fund.
 
N. DST shall establish on behalf of the Fund banking relationships for the conduct of the business of the Fund in accordance with the terms set forth in Section 19.D. of this Agreement.
 
19.              Provisions Relating to Dividend Disbursing and Paying Agency (as well as the receipt, deposit and payment of funds by the Transfer Agent in connection with Fund share transactions) .
 
A. DST will, at the request and expense of the Fund, provide a special form of check containing the imprint of any device or other matter desired by the Fund.  Said checks must, however, be of a form and size reasonably convenient for use by DST.
 
B. If the Fund desires to include additional printed matter, financial statements, etc., with the dividend checks, the same will be furnished DST within a reasonable time prior to the date of mailing of the dividend checks, at the request and expense of the Fund.
 
C. If the Fund desires its distributions mailed in any special form of envelopes, sufficient supply of the same will be furnished to DST but the size and form of said envelopes will be subject to the approval of DST (which shall not be unreasonably withheld).  If stamped envelopes are used, they must be furnished by the Fund; or if postage stamps are to be affixed to the envelopes, the stamps or the cash necessary for such stamps must be furnished by the Fund.
 
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D. DST, acting as agent for the Fund, is hereby authorized (1) to establish in the name of, and to maintain on behalf of, the Fund, on the usual terms and conditions prevalent in the industry, including limits or caps based on fees paid over some period of time on the maximum liability of such banks, as hereinafter defined, one or more deposit accounts at a nationally or regionally known banking institution (the “Bank”) into which DST shall deposit the funds DST receives for payment of dividends, distributions, purchases of Fund’s shares, transfers of Fund shares, sales of Fund shares, corporate re-organizations (including recapitalizations or liquidations) or any other disbursements made by DST on behalf of the Fund provided for in this Agreement, (2) to draw checks upon such accounts, to issue orders or instructions to the Bank for the payment out of such accounts as necessary or appropriate to accomplish the purposes for which such funds were provided to DST, and (3) to establish, to implement and to transact Fund business through Automated Clearinghouse (“ACH”), Draft Processing, Wire Transfer and any other banking relationships, arrangements and agreements with such Bank as are necessary or appropriate to fulfill DST’s obligations under this Agreement.  DST, acting as agent for the Fund, is also hereby authorized to execute on behalf and in the name of the Fund, on the usual terms and conditions prevalent in the industry, including limits or caps based on fees paid over some period of time on the maximum liability of such Banks, agreements with banks for ACH, wire transfer, draft processing services, as well as any other services which are necessary or appropriate for DST to utilize to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement.  In each of the foregoing situations the Fund shall be liable on such agreements with the Bank as if it itself had executed the agreement.  DST shall not be liable for any Adverse Consequences arising out of or resulting from errors or omissions of the Bank provided, however, that DST shall have acted in good faith, with due diligence and without negligence.
 
E. DST is authorized and directed to stop payment of checks theretofore issued hereunder, but not presented for payment, when the payees thereof allege either that they have not received the checks or that such checks have been mislaid, lost, stolen, destroyed or through no fault of theirs, are otherwise beyond their control, and cannot be produced by them for presentation and collection, and, to issue and deliver duplicate checks in replacement thereof.
 
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20.                Assumption of Duties By the Fund or Agents Designated By the Fund .
 
A. The Fund or its designated agents other than DST may assume certain duties and responsibilities of DST or those services of transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent as those terms are referred to in Section 4.D. of this Agreement, including but not limited to answering and responding to telephone inquiries from securityholders and brokers, accepting securityholder and broker instructions (either or both oral and written) and transmitting orders based on such instructions to DST, preparing and mailing confirmations, obtaining certified TIN numbers, classifying the status of securityholders and securityholder accounts under applicable tax law, establishing securityholder accounts on the TA2000 System and assigning social codes and Taxpayer Identification Number codes thereof, and disbursing monies of the Fund, said assumption to be embodied in writing to be signed by both parties.
 
B. To the extent the Fund or its designated agent assumes such duties and responsibilities, DST shall be relieved from all responsibility and liability therefor and is hereby indemnified and held harmless against any liability therefrom and in the same manner and degree as provided for in Section 8 hereof.
 
21. Termination of Agreement .
 
A. This Agreement shall be in effect for an initial period of three (3) years (the “Initial Term”) and thereafter may be terminated by either party as of the last day of the then current term by the giving to the other party of at least 120 days' prior written notice, provided, however, that the effective date of any termination (other than termination pursuant to B below) shall not occur during the period from December 15 through March 30 of any year to avoid adversely impacting year end.  If such notice is not given by either party to the other at least 120 days prior to the end of the then current term, this Agreement shall automatically extend for a new term equivalent to the same number of years as the Initial Term unless a different period is contained in any new Fee Schedule as the period during which such Fee Schedule shall be effective (in which latter event the period for which the Fee Schedule applies shall be the length of the new term), each such successive term or period, as applicable, being a new “term” of this Agreement, upon the expiration of any term hereof unless terminated as hereinafter provided in Section 21.B.
 
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B. In addition to the termination rights set out in A above, each party, in addition to any other rights and remedies, shall have the right to terminate this Agreement forthwith upon the occurrence at any time of any of the following events with respect to the other party:
 
(1) The bankruptcy of the other party or its assigns or the appointment of a receiver for the other party or its assigns; or
 
(2) A material breach of this Agreement by the other party, which breach continues for thirty (30) days after receipt of written notice from the first party; or
 
(3) Failure by the Fund to pay Compensation and Expenses as they become due, which failure continues for thirty (30) days after receipt of written notice from DST .
 
C. In the event of termination, the Fund will promptly pay DST all undisputed amounts due to DST hereunder and DST will promptly: transfer the records of the Fund to the designated successor transfer agent, provide reasonable assistance to the Fund and its designated successor transfer agent, and  provide other information relating to its services provided hereunder (subject to the recompense of DST for such assistance at its standard rates and fees for personnel then in effect at that time); provided, however, as used herein "reasonable assistance" and "other information" shall not include assisting any new service or system provider to modify, alter, enhance, or improve its system or to improve, enhance, or alter its current system, or to provide any new, functionality or to require DST to disclose any DST Confidential Information, as hereinafter defined, or any information which is otherwise confidential to DST.
 
22.                Confidentiality .
 
A. DST agrees that, except as provided in the last sentence of Section 19.J. hereof, or as otherwise required by law, DST will keep confidential all records of, and information in its possession relating to, the Fund or its securityholders or securityholder accounts (“Fund Confidential Information”) and will not disclose the same to any person not an affiliate of DST, except as required by applicable law, as necessary to fulfill DST’s obligations under this Agreement or at the request or with the consent of the Fund. DST acknowledges that any unauthorized use, misuse, disclosure or taking of Fund Confidential Information may be subject to civil liabilities and criminal penalties under applicable law.  DST will advise all of its employees and agents who have access to any Fund Confidential Information or to any computer equipment capable of accessing Fund Confidential Information of the foregoing.  DST acknowledges that disclosure of Fund Confidential Information may give rise to an irreparable injury to the Fund and its securityholders inadequately compensable in damages.  Accordingly, the Fund may seek (without the posting of any bond or other security) injunctive relief against the breach of the foregoing undertaking of confidentiality and nondisclosure, in addition to any other legal remedies which may be available, and DST consents to the obtaining of such injunctive relief.
 
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B. The Fund agrees to keep confidential all financial statements and other financial records received from DST, the terms and provisions of this Agreement, all accountant’s reports relating to DST, and all manuals, systems and other technical information and data, not publicly disclosed, relating to DST's operations and programs furnished to it by DST pursuant to this Agreement and will not disclose the same to any person except at the request or with the consent of DST or as required by law.
 
C. Governmental Disclosures.  If a party is required to file this Agreement or any portion thereof with, or to provide any information pertaining to this Agreement to, any state or federal agency or regulatory body, it shall notify the other party sufficiently in advance for the parties to work together to redact such provisions and to keep confidential such information as the other party deems sensitive.  The Fund acknowledges that at a minimum DST considers all monetary provisions, service levels and damage limitation and formulas in this Agreement as confidential.  Each party shall use its best commercially reasonable efforts to advance the position of the other party with the governmental agency or regulatory body that such provisions or information should not be provided or should not be made publicly available, and each party shall keep the other party apprised of any decision by the agency or regulatory body in this regard.  Each party shall provide the other party with copies of all written communications with the agency or regulatory body pertaining to the services to be provided hereunder or to this Agreement.
 
D.              (1)              The Fund acknowledges that DST has proprietary rights in and to the TA2000 System used to perform services hereunder including, but not limited to the maintenance of securityholder accounts and records, processing of related information and generation of output, including, without limitation any changes or modifications of the TA2000 System and any other DST programs, data bases, supporting documentation, or procedures (collectively "DST Confidential Information") which the Fund's access to the TA2000 System or computer hardware or software may permit the Fund or its employees or agents to become aware of or to access and that the DST Confidential Information constitutes confidential material and trade secrets of DST.  The Fund agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the DST Confidential Information.
 
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(2) The Fund acknowledges that DST intends to develop and offer analytics-based products and services for its customers.  In providing such products and services, DST will be using consolidated data across all clients, including data of the Fund, and make such consolidated data available to clients of the analytics products and services.  The Fund hereby consents to the use by DST of Fund Information (including shareholder information) for in the offering of such products and services, and to disclose the results of such analytics services to its customers and other third parties, provided the Fund information will be aggregated, anonymized and sometimes enriched with external data sources.  DST will not disclose client investor names or other personal identifying information, or information specific to or identifying the Fund.
 
(3) The Fund acknowledges that any unauthorized use, misuse, disclosure or taking of DST Confidential Information which is confidential as provided by law, or which is a trade secret, residing or existing internal or external to a computer, computer system, or computer network, or the knowing and unauthorized accessing or causing to be accessed of any computer, computer system, or computer network, may be subject to civil liabilities and criminal penalties under applicable state law.  The Fund will advise all of its employees and agents who have access to any DST Confidential Information or to any computer equipment capable of accessing DST or DST hardware or software of the foregoing.
 
(4) The Fund acknowledges that disclosure of the DST Confidential Information may give rise to an irreparable injury to DST inadequately compensable in damages.  Accordingly, DST may seek (without the posting of any bond or other security) injunctive relief against the breach of the foregoing undertaking of confidentiality and nondisclosure, in addition to any other legal remedies which may be available, and the Fund consents to the obtaining of such injunctive relief.  All of the undertakings and obligations relating to confidentiality and nondisclosure, whether contained in this Section or elsewhere in this Agreement shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement for a period of ten (10) years; provided that, to the extent Fund or DST Confidential Information includes information that is also a Trade Secret as defined by the Uniform Trade Secrets Act, the obligation to protect such Trade Secrets shall survive the termination of this Agreement and shall remain for so long as such Confidential Information constitutes a Trade Secret, as defined by the Uniform Trade Secrets Act.
 
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(5) In the event the Fund obtains information from DST or the TA2000 System which is not intended for the Fund, the Fund agrees to (i) promptly upon discovery, notify DST that unauthorized information has been made available to the Fund; (ii) after identifying that such information is not intended for the Fund, not review, disclose, release, or in any way, use such unauthorized information; (iii) provide DST reasonable assistance in retrieving such unauthorized information and/or destroy such unauthorized information; and (iv) deliver to DST a certificate executed by an authorized officer of the Fund certifying that all such unauthorized information in the Fund’s possession or control has been delivered to DST or destroyed as required by this provision.
 
E. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, nothing herein contained shall be deemed to prevent the disclosure of any Party's Confidential Information if such disclosure is required by court order, or if such disclosure is required by applicable law or the rules and regulations of any administrative or governmental agency (a “Required Disclosure”); provided, however, in the event of any Required Disclosure, the Party required to disclose same shall immediately provide written notice to the other Party for purposes of challenging or disputing such Required Disclosure, all in such other Party’s sole and respective discretion.
 
23.                Changes and Modifications .
 
A. During the term of this Agreement DST will use on behalf of the Fund without additional cost all modifications, enhancements, or changes which DST may make to the TA2000 System in the normal course of its business and which are applicable to functions and features offered by the Fund, unless substantially all DST clients are charged separately for such modifications, enhancements or changes, including, without limitation, substantial system revisions or modifications necessitated by changes in existing laws, rules or regulations.  The Fund agrees to pay DST promptly for modifications and improvements that are charged for separately at the rate provided for in DST's standard pricing schedule which shall be identical for substantially all clients, if a standard pricing schedule shall exist.  If there is no standard pricing schedule, the parties shall mutually agree upon the rates to be charged.
 
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B. DST shall have the right, at any time and from time to time, to alter and modify any systems, programs, procedures or facilities used or employed in performing its duties and obligations hereunder; provided that the Fund will be notified as promptly as possible prior to implementation of such alterations and modifications and that no such alteration or modification or deletion shall materially adversely change or affect the operations and procedures of the Fund in using or employing the TA2000 System or DST Facilities hereunder or the reports to be generated by such system and facilities hereunder, unless the Fund is given t hirty (30) days prior notice to allow the Fund to change its procedures and DST provides the Fund with revised operating procedures and controls.
 
C. All enhancements, improvements, changes, modifications or new features added to the TA2000 System however developed or paid for shall be, and shall remain, the confidential and exclusive property of, and proprietary to, DST.
 
24. Third Party Vendors.
 
Nothing herein shall impose any duty upon either party in connection with or make either party liable for the actions or omissions to act of the following types of unaffiliated third parties:  (a) courier and mail services including but not limited to Airborne Services, Federal Express, UPS and the U.S. Mails, (b) telecommunications companies including but not limited to AT&T, Sprint, MCI and other delivery, telecommunications and other such companies not under the party’s reasonable control, and (c) third parties not under the party’s reasonable control or subcontract relationship providing services to the financial industry generally, such as, by way of example and not limitation, the National Securities Clearing Corporation (processing and settlement services), Fund custodian banks (custody and fund accounting services) and administrators (blue sky and Fund administration services), and national database providers such as Choice Point, Acxiom, TransUnion or Lexis/Nexis and any replacements thereof or similar entities, provided, if the party selected such company, such party shall have exercised due care in selecting the same.  Such third party vendors shall not be deemed, and are not, subcontractors for purposes of this Agreement.
 
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25. Limitations on Liability.
 
Notice is hereby given that a copy of the Fund's Declaration of Trust and all amendments thereto is on file with the Secretary of State of the state of its organization; that this Agreement has been executed on behalf of the Fund by the undersigned duly authorized representative of the Fund in his/her capacity as such and not individually; and that the obligations of this Agreement shall only be binding upon the assets and property of the Fund and shall not be binding upon any trustee, officer or securityholder of the Fund individually.
 
26.                Miscellaneous .
 
A. This Agreement shall be construed according to, and the rights and liabilities of the parties hereto shall be governed by, the laws of the State of Missouri, excluding that body of law applicable to choice of law.
 
B. All terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
 
C. Reserved
 
D. No provisions of this Agreement may be amended or modified in any manner except by a written agreement properly authorized and executed by each party hereto.
 
E. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only, and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
 
F. 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.
 
G. If any part, term or provision of this Agreement is by the courts 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.
 
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H. Except as otherwise provided herein, this Agreement may not be assigned by the Fund or DST without the prior written consent of the other.  DST may assign this Agreement, in whole or in part, or subcontract certain of its obligations hereunder, to any domestic or foreign wholly-owned subsidiary of DST (“Subcontractor”), provided that such Subcontractor is properly registered under the 1934 Act as a transfer agent (if such registration is required to provide the services subcontracted to it) and is otherwise qualified under all applicable law to perform the obligations assigned or subcontracted to it, and provided further that if such Subcontractor’s compliance policies or procedures or internal controls differ from those of DST, such assignment or subcontract shall not take effect unless and until the Fund approves such policies, procedures and controls as and to the extent contemplated by Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act.
 
I. Neither the execution nor performance of this Agreement shall be deemed to create a partnership or joint venture by and between the Fund and DST.  It is understood and agreed that all services performed hereunder by DST shall be as an independent contractor and an agent of the Fund for the purposes set forth herein, not as an employee of the Fund.  This Agreement is between DST and the Fund and neither this Agreement nor the performance of services under it shall create any rights in any third parties.  There are no third party beneficiaries hereto.
 
J. Except as specifically provided herein, this Agreement does not in any way affect any other agreements entered into among the parties hereto and any actions taken or omitted by any party hereunder shall not affect any rights or obligations of any other party hereunder.
 
K. The failure of either party to insist upon the performance of any terms or conditions of this Agreement or to enforce any rights resulting from any breach of any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement, including the payment of damages, shall not be construed as a continuing or permanent waiver of any such terms, conditions, rights or privileges, but the same shall continue and remain in full force and effect as if no such forbearance or waiver had occurred.
 
L. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto and supersedes any prior agreement, draft or agreement or proposal with respect to the subject matter hereof, whether oral or written, and this Agreement may not be modified except by written instrument executed by both parties.
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M. All notices to be given hereunder shall be deemed properly given if delivered in person or if sent by U.S. mail, first class, postage prepaid, or if sent by facsimile and thereafter confirmed by mail as follows:
 
If to DST:
 
DST Systems, Inc.
 
210 West 10 th Street, 7 th Floor
 
Kansas City, Missouri  64105
 
Attn:  Vice President-Full Service
 
Facsimile No.:  816-843-7502
 

With a copy of non-operational notices to:
 
DST Systems, Inc.
 
333 West 11 th Street, 5 th Floor
 
Kansas City, Missouri 64105
 
Attn:  Legal Department
 
Facsimile No.:  816-435-8630
 
If to the Fund:
 
RiverNorth Opportunity Fund
 
1290 Broadway, Suite 1100
 
Denver, Colorado 80203
 
Attn:  Secretary
 
Facsimile No.: 303-623-7850
 
Or to such other address as shall have been specified in writing by the party to    whom such notice is to be given.
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N. The representations and warranties contained herein shall survive the execution of this Agreement.  The representations and warranties contained in this Agreement, the terms and provisions of this Agreement regarding DST’s maintenance and retention of records, Section 8 hereof, and this sentence shall survive the expiration, cancellation and termination of the Agreement and of the performance of services hereunder until any statute of limitations applicable to the matter at issues shall have expired.
 
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective duly authorized officers, to be effective as of the day and year first above written.
 
DST SYSTEMS, INC. 
 
       
By:
   
       
Title:
   
       
 
RIVERNORTH OPPORTUNITY FUND, INC. 
 
     
By:
   
Name:
Thomas A. Carter
 
Title: 
President
 
 
Signature Page to
Agency Agreement
 

Schedule I
 
LIST OF TRUSTS
 
Name:
CUSIP
RiverNorth Opportunity Fund
76881Y 109
 
 

DST SYSTEMS, INC. RIVERNORTH FEE SCHEDULE
 
TERM: 5 YEARS
 
DECEMBER 1, 2015 – NOVEMBER 30, 2020
 
A. CUSIP MINIMUM FEE
 
CUSIP Minimum Fee $25,000 per year per CUSIP
 
*Note: Minimum is compared to fees in section B
 
B. ACCOUNT SERVICE FEES
 
Open Account Fee $10.00 per acct per year
Closed Account Fee $1.00 per acct per year
On-line History Purge $3.51 per 1,000 history lines
 
C. PROGRAMMING/IMPLEMENTATION FEES*:
 
Computer/Technical Personnel (2015 Standard Rates):

Business Analyst/Tester:
Dedicated $113,087 per year (1,690 hours)
On Request $90.48 per hour
 
COBOL Programmer:
Dedicated $173,663 per year (1,690 hours)
On Request $135.20 per hour
 
Workstation Programmer:
Dedicated $220,630 per  year  (1,690 hours) On
Request $180.96 per hour
 
Web Developer:
Dedicated $260,543 per year (1,690 hours)
On Request $215.28 per hour
 
Full Service Support:
Senior Support 7.50 per hour
Staff Support $57.50 per hour
Clerical Support $47.50 per hour
 

RIVERNORTH
FEE SCHEDULE
PAGE 2 OF 4

NOTES:
 
1) Reimbursable Expenses are billed  as  incurred.  Reimbursable  expenses  include  but  are  not limited to: forms, postage (to be paid in advance if so requested), mailing services, quarterly statements, telecommunications equipment, telephone line and long distance charges, printing, ACH bank charges, customized programming/enhancements, federal wire fees, bank fees, DTC charges, microfilm/microfiche, escheatment, freight, TIN Certification (W8 & W9), off-site record storage (including ancillary charges such as, by way of example and not limitation, those imposed for document/record retrieval), second site disaster recovery 1 * (currently priced at $0.206 per account), transmission of  statement data for  remote processing, lost shareholder vendor (search/tracking) charges, customer identification program charges, proxy processing (other than managing) if required, etc.
 
2) All travel, per diem and other billable items incurred by DST personnel traveling to, at and from the Fund at the request of the fund, are considered reimbursable expenses. Any costs or charges incurred by DST as purchasing (or selling) agent such as brokerage fees or charges, transactional fees or charges or DTC fees or charges incurred by DST in connection with the purchase or sale of shares of the Fund on the open market are considered reimbursable expenses.
 

1 The annual charge of is paid monthly in increments of one-twelfth of the annual charge and will increase proportionate to any  increase in DST’s costs to provide the recovery service or in the event that the current recovery goal is shortened.  The current   recovery goal is to have the TA2000 System as provided for in the Business Contingency Plan operational 4 hours after DST’s declaration of a disaster. Data communications expenses for connectivity to the backup sites (DST owned or recovery vendor  provided) are part of the DST network charges and are billed monthly as an out-of-pocket expense  unless  network  is  Fund-  provided,  in  which  case  connectivity  is  the responsibility of Fund.
 

RIVERNORTH
FEE SCHEDULE
PAGE 3 OF 4

Summary of Services
 
· Distribution Center
§ Receipt and sort of incoming mail
§ Remittance/Check Processing
§ Creation of electronic images for all paper received
§ Scan all paper source documentation received from incoming mail into AWD
§ Index such documentation in accordance with written procedures
§ Retain all original source documentation, which has been scanned into AWD, and then arrange for such documentation to be shipped to a long term storage facility by DST
§ Automated distribution of work based on assigned priority
 
· Transaction Processing
§ New Account Establishment
§ Account Maintenance
§ Open Market Share Buy events as part of a Dividend Reinvestment Plan
§ Open Market Share Buy events as part of a Voluntary Purchase Plan
§ Open Market Share Sell events as allowed by the Fund
§ Account Correction/Adjustments
§ Direct account transfers
§ Critical Report Monitoring (SEC and Corporate guidelines)
 
· Control Functions
§ Input of daily prices for either NAV or closing market price
§ Processing of dividend and capital gain and other distributions
§ Daily reconciliation of bank accounts
§ Daily cash and share control and reconciliation
§ Outgoing wire release
§ Fund audit confirmation
§ Manual checks
§ Conversion/merger balancing
§ Issuance of liquidation, repurchase, redemption, dividend/distribution,and replacement checks/payments (as applicable)
§ Nightly audit review
 
· Closed-End Fund Processing/DRS Agent
§ Daily registrar reconciliation
§ Daily control balancing between the Fund, the Fund’s custodian and DST
§ Timely and accurate reporting to Investment Accounting
§ Distribution processing
§ Open Market Share Buy event or Creation of Original Issuance shares as part of Dividend Reinvestment Plan
§ Allocation of Discount Income amounts
 

RIVERNORTH
FEE SCHEDULE
PAGE 4 OF 4

§ Open Market Share Buy events as part of a Voluntary Purchase Plan
§ Open Market Share Sell events as allowed by the Fund
§ Transaction processing
§ Tracking of Fund Treasury Shares
§ DTC processing for Direct Registration System (DRS)
§ DTC FAST Agent activities and balancing
§ Participation in Fund-initiated Rights Offering or Tender Offer events
§ Participation in proxy solicitation for annual security holder meeting
 
· Shareholder Servicing
§ Correspondence
§ Incoming and Outgoing Phone calls
 
· Year-End
§ IRS Reporting
 
· AML/CIP/Compliance
 
· Production Support and Services
§ Issue resolution
§ AWD workflow management
§ DST Systems Management
§ Fund set-up and change management
§ Business continuation and disaster recovery
§ System enhancement testing
 
· Bank Match Programs
§ State filings
 
· Abandoned Property
§ Provide escheatment services pursuant to State Law and otherwise report unclaimed property of lost securityholders to each state in compliance with Rule 17Ad-17, other applicable law and the Procedures
 
· Lost Security Holder Searches
§ Search for lost securityholders in accordance with the Procedures and Rule 17Ad-17
 

TO BE ADDED
 
Exhibit A.2
 
Vision
 
Exhibit A.3
 
Sales Connect
 
Exhibit A.4
 
Fanmail
 
Exhibit A.5 Cash
 
Utilization

 

Exhibit A.6
 
NSCC FEES AND OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES
 

 
To be added

 

Exhibit A.7
 
POWERSELECT PRICING
 

 
To be added
 

Exhibit B
 
AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL
 
Pursuant to Section 8.A. of the Agency Agreement between RiverNorth Opportunity Fund Inc. (the "Fund") and DST Systems, Inc. (“DST” and such agreement, the "Agreement"), the Fund authorizes the following Fund personnel to provide instructions to DST, and receive inquiries from DST in connection with the Agreement:

Name
Title
Thomas A. Carter
President
Patrick Buchanan
Treasurer
Erin D. Nelson
Chief Compliance Officer
Abigail Murray
Secretary
Valerie Ruppel
Assistant Secretary
 
This Exhibit may be revised by the Fund by providing DST with a substitute Exhibit B. Any such substitute Exhibit B shall become effective twenty-four (24) hours after DST's receipt of the document  and shall be incorporated into the Agreement.
 
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RECEIPT:
 
DST SYSTEMS, INC.
RIVERNORTH OPPORTUNITY FUND, INC.
           
By:
   
By:
   
           
Name:
   
Name:
Thomas A. Carter
 
           
Title:
   
Title:
President
 
           
Date:
   
Date:
   
 
 

Exhibit C
 
INFORMATION PROTECTION PROGRAM
 
DST has a formal Information Protection Program (IPP) that was established and exists as a working roadmap for DST security. DST does Risk Assessments, Security Assessments, Security Awareness for the corporation as a whole, targeted training for specific applicable groups, and other security related activities. DST has a program and process pursuant to which DST reviews its technology and architecture and security requirements and needs.
 
Integral to the function of the IPP are the Information Protection Committee (IPC) and the Information Protection Board (IPB). The IPC convenes periodically during the year and is responsible for 1) identifying, measuring and rating risks, 2) approving policies, standards, and practices, and  3)  assessing and reporting progress towards compliance. The IPB convenes periodically during the year and is responsible for providing executive level oversight and guidance to the Information Protection Program.
 
A component of the IPP is DST’s Policies, Control Standards, and Technology Baselines. DST’s Security Management Console (SMC) is an on-line system DST obtained from Archer Technologies  that provides Security Policies, Control Standards, and Technical Baselines, oriented to the financial industry. The policies and standards incorporated in the SMC are designed to be consistent and evolve with ISO27001, HIPAA, Data Protection Act of 1998, IS Forum Standards, FFIEC IS Booklet, and MAS to the extent DST deems them applicable to its business.
 
DST has in place security log and activity monitoring, on a 24x7x365 basis. DST has an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) implemented to keep us informed on network activity. DST has an incident response process to deal with unexplainable logs and activities that are observed. This process is reviewed for validity and effectiveness for the purpose. DST also uses third party security reviews to provide the information to support DST’s security efforts.
 
All of the foregoing policies and procedures are subject to regular review and modification without notice, it being agreed that (i) no change to the foregoing shall diminish the over-all level of security and protections afforded to The Fund Data as maintained on the DST Subaccounting System and the DST Facilities and (ii) DST hereby undertakes that it shall at all times have in place data security policies and standards that are reasonably designed to be consistent and evolve with ISO27001, HIPAA, Data Protection Act of 1998, IS Forum Standards, FFIEC IS Booklet, and MAS to the extent DST reasonably deems them applicable to its business.
 
DST will continue to provide The Fund with a SSAE 16 report once every six (6) months, which details DST’s internal controls surrounding the TA2000 Mutual Fund Transfer Agent Processing system.
 
 
DISTRIBUTION ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT
 
This Distribution Assistance Agreement (the “Agreement”), dated as of                                        , 2015, is entered into by and among, the RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”), a Maryland Corporation, ALPS Advisors, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of the state of Colorado (the “Adviser”) and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of the state of Colorado (“ALPS”).
 
In consideration for ALPS’ provision of distribution assistance services as set forth in Appendix A to this Agreement, to the Fund in connection with the offering of common shares of the Fund pursuant to the Fund’s prospectus dated    , 2015 (the “Offering”), the Fund hereby agrees to pay ALPS up to 0.10% of the amount of the Offering, as further described below.
 
The Fund will pay up to 0.10% of the total public offering price (inclusive of any exercise of the overallotment) (the “Fee”), provided that, the Fund has not otherwise paid expenses relating to the Offering (exclusive of sales load, but inclusive of the reimbursement of underwriter expenses) up to the cap of $0.04 per common share of the Fund. In addition, the Fund shall reimburse ALPS for up to $250,000 of its reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses related to the road show (the “Expenses”) to the extent that the Fund has not otherwise paid expenses related to the Offering (exclusive of sales load, but inclusive of the reimbursement of underwriter expenses and the Fee) up to the reimbursement cap of $0.04 per common share of the Fund.
 
This Agreement shall be governed by, construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Colorado, without regard to principles of conflicts of law.
 
In the event the Offering does not proceed, ALPS will not receive any Fees or Expenses under this Agreement. If the amount described in the above paragraph paid by the Fund to ALPS is less than the sum of the Fee plus Expenses, the Adviser shall pay ALPS the difference.
 
This Agreement shall terminate upon the payment of the entire amount of the Fee and Expenses payable under this Agreement or in the event the Offering does not proceed.
 
The Fund and ALPS acknowledge and agree that the compensation set forth above shall be the only compensation ALPS will receive from the Fund for its distribution assistance in connection with the Offering.
 
[ signature page follows ]

RIVERNORTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND, INC.
   
    
Name:
 
Title:
 
   
ALPS ADVISORS, INC.
 
   
    
Name:
 
Title:
 
   
ALPS PORTFOLIO SOLUTIONS DISTRIBUTOR, INC.
   
    
Name:
 
Title:
 
 

APPENDIX A
 
Services

ALPS will execute the roadshow by providing the Fund with a sales team for the roadshow including regional wholesalers, internal wholesalers and members of ALPS’ senior management team. ALPS will, or will cause an affiliated party to: (a) assist in writing and developing all sales and marketing materials for the Fund; (b); coordinate the roadshow and syndication; (c) provide secondary market support to the Fund with the wholesaling team; (d) provide a toll free phone line with registered representatives; (e) produce marketing pieces (including fact sheets, slicks and brochures); (f) create presentations related to the Fund; and (g) create web architecture, design, layout and maintenance.
 
 
November __, 2015
 
RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc.
351 West Camden Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
 
Re: Registration Statement on Form N-2
 
Ladies and Gentlemen:
 
We have acted as Maryland counsel to RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “ Company ”), in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form N-2 (Registration Nos. 333-169317 and 811-22472) (the “ Registration Statement ”) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”), including the Prospectus included therein (the “ Prospectus ”), for the offering by the Company of _________ shares (the “ Shares ”) of Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share, of the Company (“ Common Stock ”). This opinion is being provided at your request in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement.
 
In connection with our representation of the Company, and as a basis for the opinion hereinafter set forth, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the following documents (collectively, the “ Documents ”):

1. The Registration Statement and the related form of prospectus included therein (the “ Prospectus ”), in the form in which it was transmitted to the Commission under the Securities Act;

2. The charter of the Company (the “ Charter ”), certified as of a recent date by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (the “ SDAT ”);

3. The Bylaws of the Company (the “ Bylaws ”), certified as of the date hereof by the Secretary of the Company;

4. Resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Board ”) relating to the registration, sale and issuance of the Shares, certified as of the date hereof by the Secretary of the Company;

6. A certificate of the SDAT as to the good standing of the Company, dated as of the date hereof; and

7. A certificate executed by Erin D. Nelson, Secretary of the Company, dated as of the date hereof.

RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc.
November __, 2015
Page 2
 
In expressing the opinion set forth below, we have assumed the following:

1. Each individual executing any of the Documents, whether on behalf of such individual or another person, is legally competent to do so.

2. Each individual executing any of the Documents on behalf of a party (other than the Company) is duly authorized to do so.

3. Each of the parties (other than the Company) executing any of the Documents has duly and validly executed and delivered each of the Documents to which such party is a signatory, and such party’s obligations set forth therein are legal, valid and binding.

4. 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 such Documents are genuine. All public records reviewed or relied upon by us or on our behalf are true and complete. All statements and information contained in the Documents are true and complete. There has been no oral or written modification or amendment to the Documents, or waiver of any provision of the Documents, by action or omission of the parties or otherwise.

5. Prior to the issuance of the Shares, the Board, or an authorized committee thereof, will adopt resolutions satisfying the requirements of Sections 2-203 and 2-208 of the Maryland General Corporation Law, if applicable.

6. The Company will issue the Shares in accordance with the resolutions of the Board and, prior to the issuance of any shares of Common Stock, the Company will have available for issuance, under the Charter, the requisite number of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock. As of the date hereof, the Company has available for issuance, under the Charter, the requisite number of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock for the issuance of the Shares.

7. The Company does not intend to issue certificates representing the Shares. The Company will send in writing to each stockholder of the Company the information required by the Charter and the Bylaws and the information as contemplated by Section 2-210(c) of the Maryland General Corporation Law for any Shares to be issued, on request by a stockholder of the Company.

RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc.
November __, 2015
Page 3
 
Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated herein, it is our opinion that, upon issuance and delivery of the Shares as contemplated by the resolutions of the Board and upon payment therefor, the Shares will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

The foregoing opinion is limited to the substantive laws of the State of Maryland and we do not express any opinion herein concerning any other law. We express no opinion as to compliance with the securities (or “blue sky”) laws of the State of Maryland. The opinion expressed herein is subject to the effect of judicial decisions which may permit the introduction of parol evidence to modify the terms or the interpretation of agreements.

We assume no obligation to supplement this opinion if any applicable law changes after the date hereof or if we become aware of any fact that might change the opinion expressed herein after the date hereof. This opinion is limited to the matters set forth herein, and no other opinion should be inferred beyond the matters expressly stated.

This opinion is being furnished to you for submission to the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.
 
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use of the name of our firm therein. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.
 
 
Very truly yours,
 
FOLEY & LARDNER LLP
 
 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

As independent registered public accountants, we hereby consent to the use of our report dated November 24, 2015,   on the financial statement of RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”), as of November 20, 2015 and to all references to our firm included in or made a part of this Pre-Effective Amendment under the Securities Act of 1933 and Pre-Effective Amendment under the Investment Company Act of 1940 to the RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc’s. Registration Statement on Form N-2.

/s/Cohen Fund Audit Services
COHEN FUND AUDIT SERVICES, LTD.
Cleveland, Ohio
November 24, 2015

 
RIVERNORTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND, INC.
 
Subscription Agreement
 
This Subscription Agreement made as of November 20, 2015, by and between RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “ Fund ”), and ALPS Advisors, Inc., a Colorado corporation (the “ Purchaser ”).
 
WHEREAS , the Fund intends to carry on business as a closed-end management investment company;
 
WHEREAS , the Purchaser is the investment adviser to the Fund;
 
WHEREAS, pursuant to its Articles of Incorporation  dated September 9, 2010, as amended from time to time, and applicable law, the Fund may issue  up to 37,500,000 common shares of beneficial interest $0.0001 par value;

WHEREAS , the Purchaser wishes to subscribe for and purchase, and the Fund wishes to sell to the Purchaser, 5,155 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (the “ Shares ”), or such other amounts as the officers of the Fund may approve, for a purchase price of $19.40 per Share, or at such other prices as the officers of the Fund may approve; and
 
WHEREAS , the Purchaser is purchasing the Shares for the purpose of acquiring the initial Shares of the Fund.

NOW, THEREFORE , the parties hereto agree as follows:

1.                   The Purchaser subscribes for and agrees to purchase from the Fund the Shares for a purchase price of $19.40 per Share and an aggregate purchase price of $100,007, or for such other prices as the officers of the Fund may approve.  The Purchaser agrees to make payment for the Shares at such time as demand for payment may be made by an officer of the Fund.

2.                   The Purchaser agrees and acknowledges that: (i) it is purchasing the Shares to provide seed capital to the Fund; (ii) the Shares subscribed for hereunder are being sold in a transaction not involving any public offering within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and have not been and will not be registered thereunder or under any state securities laws.

3.                   To further induce the Fund to accept its subscription and issue the Shares subscribed for, the Purchaser:

a.                   Represents and warrants that the Shares subscribed for are being and will be acquired for investment for its own account and not on behalf of any other person or persons and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, any public distribution thereof, which would be in violation of the Securities Act;
 
 

b.                   Further agrees and acknowledges that if in the future it decides to offer, sell, or otherwise transfer any of such Shares, such Shares may not be offered, sold or otherwise transferred unless they are registered under the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws or the transaction is exempt from such registration; and

c.                   Consents, as the sole holder of the Fund’s common shares of beneficial interest and pursuant to Section 23(b)(2) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, to the issuance by the Fund of common shares of beneficial interest at a price per share as set forth in the underwriting agreement relating to the public offering of the common shares of beneficial interest of the Fund.

4.                   This Agreement shall be subject to and construed in a manner consistent with Section 14(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

[ Remainder of the page intentionally left blank ]
 

Executed as of the date first set forth above.

ALPS ADVISORS, INC.
 
     
/s/ Thomas A. Carter
 
By:
Thomas A. Carter
 
Title:
President
 
     
RIVERNORTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND, INC.
 
     
/s/ Valerie L. Ruppel
 
By:
Valerie L. Ruppel
 
Title:
Assistant Secretary
 

 
Exhibit H.1.c.
 
 
ALPS Code of Ethics

Dated:  May 1, 2010
Amended Last:  August 1, 2015
 



Table of Contents
   
Introduction
3
Applicability
4
General Standards of Business Conduct
8
Conflicts of Interest
8
Protecting Confidential Information
8
Insider Trading and Tipping
9
Excess Trading
9
Front Running
9
Gifts and Entertainment
9
Improper Payments or Rebates
10
Service on a Board of Directors/Outside Business Activities
10
Political Contributions
11
Personal Securities Transactions – Restrictions & Reporting Requirements
12
Access Persons
12
Investment Persons
15
Sanctions
20
Reporting Forms
24
Appendix A – Gift Disclosure Form
25
Appendix B – Broker/Dealers with Electronic Feeds
26
Appendix C – Broker/Dealer Duplicate Statement/Confirmation Request Letter
27
Appendix D – Sub-Advisers to ALPS Advisors, Inc.
28
 
2


 
Introduction

This Code of Ethics (“Code”) has been adopted by ALPS Holdings, Inc. and applies to its subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively referred to herein as “ALPS”) The Code   is designed to comply with Rule 204A-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (“Advisers Act”) and Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”).  By adopting and adhering to a code that meets the applicable requirements under the Advisers Act and 1940 Act, it is intended that ALPS employees who are deemed to be Access Persons and/or Investment Persons, will not also be subject to duplicative reporting requirements under various other codes for Fund Companies for which they may serve as an officer or are otherwise deemed to be an Access Person.  However, all such persons should check with each company’s Compliance or Legal representatives to confirm their status.

ALPS and its employees are subject to certain laws and regulations governing personal securities trading.  This Code also sets forth procedures and limitations which govern personal securities transactions.  Employees who are also registered with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) as a Registered Representative may have additional requirements and/or restrictions in addition to those described herein.  Those Registered Representatives should consult their Written Supervisory Procedures for additional requirements.

ALPS and its employees are prohibited from engaging in fraudulent, deceptive or manipulative conduct.  The Code is designed to reinforce ALPS’ reputation for integrity by avoiding even the appearance of impropriety in the conduct of our business. This Code was developed to promote the highest standards of behavior and ensure compliance with applicable laws.

Employees are required to report any known violations of the Code to the Director of Compliance Services of ALPS Fund Services, Inc. (“DCS”).  This includes violations that come to your attention that may have been inadvertent and/or violations that other employees may have committed.  The DCS (or his designee) will promptly investigate the matter and take action if needed.  There will be no retribution against any employee for making such a report, and every effort will be made to protect the identity of the reporting employee.  There may be additional provisions for reporting violations that are covered under the firm’s Whistle Blower Policy and employees should make themselves familiar with this policy or consult with ALPS’ DCS.

Employees should be aware that they may be held personally liable for any improper or illegal acts committed during their course of employment, and that “ignorance of the law” is not a defense. All ALPS employees are expected to read the Code carefully and observe and adhere to its guidance at all times.  Failure to comply with the provisions of the Code may result in serious sanctions including, but not limited to: disgorgement of profits, dismissal, substantial personal liability and referral to law enforcement agencies or other regulatory agencies. Employees should also understand that a material breach of the provisions of the Code may constitute grounds for disciplinary action, including termination of employment with ALPS.

The provisions of the Code are not all-inclusive.   Rather, they are intended as a guide for employees of ALPS in their conduct.  In those situations where an employee may be uncertain as to the intent or purpose of the Code, he/she is advised to consult with the DCS.  The DCS may grant exceptions to certain provisions contained in the Code, only in those situations when it is clear beyond dispute that the interests of our Clients will not be adversely affected or compromised.  All questions arising in connection with personal securities trading should be resolved in favor of the Client, even at the expense of the interests of employees.

The DCS will periodically report to senior management/board of directors of ALPS and the respective fund boards where ALPS serves in the capacity of investment adviser and/or distributor to document compliance or non-compliance with this Code.  Each employee is responsible for knowing their responsibilities under the Code. Employees should retain a copy of the Code in their records for future reference. Any questions regarding the Code should be directed to the DCS.
 
3

 

Applicability

ALPS Employees

This Code is applicable to all ALPS employees. This includes full-time, part-time, benefited and non-benefited, officers, directors, exempt and non-exempt personnel. Additionally, each new employee’s offer letter will include a copy of the Code of Ethics and a statement advising the individual that he/she will be subject to the Code of Ethics if he/she accepts the offer of employment.  Employees with access to certain information (as determined by their job position or as so designated by the DCS) may also be deemed to be “Access Persons” or “Investment Persons.”  Each such distinction has specific restrictions, limitations, reporting requirements and other policies and procedures that apply to persons defined as such.  All ALPS employees have an obligation to promptly notify the Compliance Department if there is a change to their duties, responsibilities or title which affects their reporting status under the code.

Family Members and Related Parties

The Code applies to the accounts of applicable employees, his/her spouse or domestic partner, his/her minor children, his/her immediate family members residing in the same household as the employee (e.g. adult children or parents living at home), and any relative, person or entity for whom the employee directs the investments. Joint account holders will also be included if an ALPS employee is one of the joint account holders (Please refer to the definition of an “account”).

Contractors and Consultants

ALPS contractor/consultant/temporary employee contracts may include the Code as an addendum, and each contractor/consultant/temporary employee may be required to sign an acknowledgement that he/she has read the Code and will abide by it.  Certain sections, such as those pertaining to the pre-clearance and reporting provisions, may be excepted.
 
4

 
 
Definitions

Access Person - “Access Person” shall mean any Director, Trustee, Officer, Partner, Investment Person, or Employee of ALPS Holdings Inc. or its affiliates, who:

 
x
has access to non-public information regarding any Clients’ Securities Transactions, or non-public information regarding the portfolio holdings of any fund(s) of a Client or any ALPS fund(s) or fund(s) of an affiliate;
 
x
is involved in making Securities Transactions recommendations to Clients, or has access to such recommendations that are non-public;
 
x
in connection with his or her regular functions or duties, makes, participates in or obtains information regarding a Fund’s Securities Transactions or whose functions relate to the making of any recommendations with respect to a Fund Securities Transactions;
 
x
obtains information regarding a Fund’s Securities Transactions or whose functions relate to the making of any recommendations with respect to a Fund’s Securities Transactions; or
 
x
any other person designated by the DCS or the Ethics Committee has having access to non -public information.

Account   - “Account” shall mean any accounts of any employee which includes accounts of the employee’s immediate family members (any relative by blood or marriage) living in the employee’s household, and any account in which he or she has a direct or indirect beneficial interest, such as trusts and custodial accounts or other accounts in which the employee has a beneficial interest or exercises investment discretion.  Some accounts may be subject to restrictions, please refer to Restricted Accounts definition below.

Automatic Investment Plan - “Automatic Investment Plan” means a program in which regular periodic purchases (or withdrawals) are made automatically in (or from) investment accounts in accordance with a predetermined scheduled and allocation.  An Automatic Investment Plan includes a dividend reinvestment plan.

Beneficial Ownership - For purposes of the Code, “Beneficial Ownership” shall be interpreted in the same manner as it would be in Rule 16a-1(a)(2) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) in determining whether a person is subject to the provisions of Section 16 under the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations there under. Generally speaking, beneficial ownership encompasses those situations where the beneficial owner has the right to enjoy some economic benefits which are substantially equivalent to ownership regardless of who is the registered owner. This would include, but is not limited to:
     
 
x
securities which a person holds for his or her own benefit either in bearer form, registered in his or her own name or otherwise, regardless of whether the securities are owned individually or jointly;
 
x
securities held in the name of a member of his or her immediate family sharing the same household;
 
x
securities held by a trustee, executor, administrator, custodian or broker;
 
x
securities owned by a general partnership of which the person is a member or a limited partnership of which such person is a general partner;
 
x
securities held by a corporation which can be regarded as a personal holding company of a person; and
 
x
securities recently purchased by a person and awaiting transfer into his or her name.

Chief Compliance Officer   (“CCO”) - The CCO shall be a person so designated by ALPS.

Client   – The term “Client” shall include any investment company or any unregistered fund (e.g. hedge fund, limited partnership) who has a business relationship with ALPS and/or for whom ALPS performs a business service.  Please refer to the Compliance Department Intranet Web Page for a current listing of Clients.
 
5

 
 
Client Funds – The term “Client Funds” as used within this Code, refers to any funds (open-end, closed-end, Exchange-Traded Funds, Unit Investment Trusts) of ALPS’ Clients.  Please refer to the Compliance Department Intranet Web Page for a current listing of Client Funds.

Covered Associate – “Covered Associate” shall mean any employee that is required to comply with the provisions under Rule 206(4)-5 of the Advisers Act as well as the Political Contributions Policy within ALPS Advisors, Inc.’s Compliance Program.  A person is generally considered to be a covered associate for these purposes:
     
 
x
if he or she is a President, managing director, VP in charge of a business unit and any other employee who performs a policy-making function of ALPS Advisors, Inc. (“AAI”);
 
x
if he or she is an employee who solicits a government entity for AAI and such employee’s direct or indirect supervisor;
 
x
a political action committee controlled by AAI or by any of AAI’s covered associates; or
 
x
any other AAI employee so designated by the CCO of ALPS Advisors, Inc. (“AAI”).

Covered Securities – For purposes of the Code, “Covered Securities” will include all Securities (as defined below).  In addition, “Covered Securities” will also include all Client Funds (as defined above) or any equivalents in local non-US jurisdictions, single stock futures and both the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) regulated futures.

Employee “Employee” shall include all employees of ALPS Holdings, Inc. and its affiliates, including directors, officers, partners of AAI (or other persons occupying similar status), any temporary worker, contractor, or independent contractor if so designated by the DCS or the Ethics Committee.

Financial Institution – For purposes of the Code, “Financial Institution” refers to: broker, dealer, trust company, record keeper, bank, transfer agent or other financial firm holding and/or allowing securities transactions in Covered Securities.

Foreign Official –  the term “Foreign Official” includes:

 
x
government officials;
 
x
political party leaders;
 
x
candidates for office;
 
x
employees of state-owned enterprises (such as state-owned banks or pension plans); and
 
x
relatives or agents of a Foreign Official if a payment is made to such relative or agent of a Foreign Official with the knowledge or intent that it ultimately would benefit the Foreign Official.

Fund Transactions – For purposes of the Code, “Fund Transactions” refers to any transactions of the Fund itself. It does not include “Securities Transactions” of an employee (Securities Transactions are defined below).

Investment Persons – “Investment Person” shall mean any Access Person (within ALPS) who makes investment decisions for AAI or Clients, who provides investment related information or advice to portfolio managers, or helps to execute and/or implement a portfolio manager’s decisions. This typically includes for example, portfolio managers, portfolio assistants, traders, and securities analysts.

Registered Representative – The term “Registered Representative” as used within this Code, refers to an employee who holds a securities license, and is actively registered, with FINRA.
 
6

 
 
Restricted Accounts – Employees are restricted from establishing external managed accounts (also referred to as a discretionary account) with any adviser that conducts business with ALPS Advisors, Inc.  A managed account is defined as an investment account that is owned by an individual investor but is managed by a hired professional money manager.  Investment in a hedge fund is not deemed to be managed account.  See Appendix D for a list of advisers that work with AAI.

Securities – For purposes of the Code, “Security” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(36) of the 1940 Act. This definition of “Security” includes, but is not limited to: any note, stock, treasury stock, bond, debenture, evidence of indebtedness, certificates of interest or participation in any profit-sharing agreement, any put, call, straddle, option or privilege on any Security or on any group or index of Securities, or any put, call, straddle, option or privilege entered into on a national securities exchange relating to foreign currency, any exchange-traded vehicle (including, but not limited to, closed-end mutual funds, exchange-traded notes and exchange-traded funds). Further, for the purpose of the Code, “Security” shall include any commodity contracts as defined in Section 2(a)(1)(A) of the Commodity Exchange Act. This definition includes but is not limited to futures contracts on equity indices.

“Security” shall not include direct obligations of the government of the United States or any other sovereign country or supra-national agency, bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and high quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements, variable and fixed insurance products.

Securities Transactions – The term “Securities Transactions” as used within this Code typically refers to the purchase and/or sale of Securities, (as defined herein), by an employee.   Securities Transactions shall include any gift of Covered Securities that is given or received by the employee, including any inheritance received that includes Covered Securities.
 
7

 

General Standards of Business Conduct

All employees are subject to, and expected to abide by the Code, including, but not limited to the General Standards of Business Conduct and all reporting requirements outlined herein.  The following activities are prohibited.  Persons who violate any reporting requirement or prohibition may be required to pay a monetary fine and/or disgorge any profits realized in connection with such violation to a charitable organization selected by the Ethics Committee and may be subject to other sanctions imposed by the Ethics Committee, as outlined in the Sanctions section of the Code.

No employee may cause ALPS or a Client to take action, or to fail to take action, for personal benefit, rather than to benefit ALPS or such Client.  For example, a person would violate this Code by causing a Client to purchase securities owned by the Access Person for the purpose of supporting or increasing the price of that security or by causing a Client to refrain from selling securities in an attempt to protect a personal investment, such as an option on that security.

Employees may not use knowledge of Fund Transactions or Securities Transactions made or contemplated by ALPS or Clients to profit, or cause others to profit, by the market effect of such transactions.

Employees have an obligation to safeguard material non-public information regarding ALPS and its Clients. Accordingly, employees may not disclose current Fund Transactions or Securities Transactions made or contemplated or any other non-public information to anyone outside of ALPS, without approval from the DCS or the Ethics Committee.

Employees may not engage in fraudulent conduct in connection with the purchase or sale of securities, including without limitation:

 
x
Employing any device, scheme or artifice to defraud;
 
x
Making any untrue statement of material fact or omitting to state to a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, misleading;
 
x
Engaging in any act, practice or course of business which operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit;
 
x
Engaging in any manipulative practice; and
 
x
Investing in derivatives to evade the restrictions of this Code. Accordingly, individuals may not use derivatives to take positions in securities that would be otherwise prohibited by the Code if the positions were taken directly.

Conflicts of Interest

Employees may not act on behalf of ALPS in any transaction involving other persons or organizations with whom they may have any financial or any other connection without prior approval from the DCS.  It is the responsibility of each employee to avoid participation in such situations or, if avoidance is not possible, to deal with any conflicts in a fair and ethical manner.  If personal interest might affect an employee’s ability to represent ALPS as they would in an unbiased “arms length” transaction, the employee should remove them self from the transaction.

Protecting Confidential Information

Employees may receive information about ALPS, its Clients and other parties that, for various reasons, should be treated as confidential.  All employees are expected to strictly comply with measures necessary to preserve the confidentiality of the information.  Refer to ALPS Corporate Security Policy, Technology Resources Acceptable Use Policy, and Identity Theft Prevention Program for additional information.
 
8

 

Insider Trading and Tipping

The misuse of material nonpublic information, or inside information, constitutes a fraud under the securities laws of the United States and many other countries.  Fraudulent misuse of inside information includes buying or selling securities while in possession of material nonpublic information for an employee or employee-related account, a proprietary account or for the account of any Client.  Fraudulent misuse of inside information also includes disclosing or tipping such information to someone else who then trades on it, or using such information as a basis for recommending the purchase or sale of a security.  Information is material when it has market significance and there is a likelihood that a reasonable investor would consider the information important in deciding whether to buy or sell the securities of the company involved.  It is nonpublic if it has not been broadly disseminated.

In no event, may any employee who receives inside information use that information to trade or recommend securities affected by such information for personal benefit, the benefit of ALPS or any affiliate or the benefit of a third party. More specifically:
     
 
x
No employee may, while in possession of inside information affecting a security, purchase or sell such security for the account of such employee, a Client or any other person or entity;
 
x
No employee may disclose inside information to any person outside of ALPS.  However, discussions with legal counsel and disclosures authorized by ALPS or the Client in furtherance of a related project or transaction are permitted; and
 
x
No employee may recommend or direct the purchase from or sale of a security to anyone while in the possession of inside information, however obtained.

Excess Trading

While active personal trading may not in and of itself raise issues under applicable laws and regulations, we believe that a very high volume of personal trading can be time consuming and can increase the possibility of actual or apparent conflicts with portfolio transactions.  Accordingly, an unusually high level of personal trading activity is strongly discouraged and may be monitored by the Compliance Department to the extent appropriate for the category of person, and a pattern of excessive trading may lead to the taking of appropriate action under the Code.

Front Running

Employees may not engage in “front running,” that is, the purchase or sale of securities for their own accounts on the basis of their knowledge of a Fund’s trading positions or plans. Trading activity will be monitored by Compliance Department to the extent appropriate for the category of person.

Gifts and Entertainment

All employees are required to follow the standards below regarding the receipt of or the giving of gifts and entertainment with respect to Clients:

 
x
Employees should avoid any excessive or disreputable entertainment that would reflect unfavorably on ALPS or its Clients;
 
x
Employees may not offer or accept cash or its equivalent as a gift;
 
9

 
 
 
x
Employees may recognize that promotional gifts such as those that bear the logo of a company’s name or that routinely are made available to the general public are generally acceptable business gifts (and are not required to be reported unless the estimated value exceeds $250);
 
x
Employees must fully, fairly and accurately account on the books and records of ALPS for any expense associated with a gift or entertainment;
 
x
Employees may not accept any gift or bequest under a will or trust from a Client of ALPS; and
 
x
Employees who are also registered with FINRA as a Registered Representative may have additional requirements and/or restrictions that are different than these policies.  These polices do not override any requirements of FINRA.

For purposes of the Code, the gifts and entertainment limit will be $250.00 or the local equivalent.  In order for an employee to accept or give a gift or entertainment above the limit, he/she must obtain written approval from the DCS.  A copy of the Gift Disclosure Form may be found under Appendix A of this Code.

Improper Payments or Rebates

Associates must not offer or receive gratuities, bribes, kickbacks, or improper rebates from public officials, officials of foreign governments, competitors or suppliers.

Pursuant to the Foreign Corruption Practices Act (“FCPA”),  employees are prohibited from making or offering to make any payment to or for the benefit of any Foreign Official if the purpose of such payment is to improperly influence or induce that Foreign Official to obtain or retain business for the company (a so-called bribe or kickback). All payments, whether large or small, are prohibited if they are, in essence, bribes or kickbacks, including:
 
x
cash payments;
 
x
gifts;
 
x
entertainment;
 
x
services; and
 
x
amenities.

If an employee is unsure about whether he/she are being asked to make an improper payment, he/she should not make the payment.  Employees must promptly report to the DCS any request made by a Foreign Official for a payment that would be prohibited under the guidelines set above and any other actions taken to induce such a payment. If you have any questions or need any guidance, please contact the DCS.

Service on a Board of Directors/Outside Business Activities

All employees are required to comply with the following provisions:
     
 
x
Employees are to avoid any business activity, outside employment or professional service that competes with ALPS or conflicts with the interests of ALPS or its Clients.
 
x
An employee is required to obtain the approval from the DCS before becoming a director, officer, partner or sole proprietor of a “for profit” organization. The request for approval should disclose the name of the organization, the nature of the business, whether any conflicts of interest could reasonably result from the association, whether fees, income or other compensation will be earned and whether there are any relationships between the organization and ALPS.
 
10

 
 
 
x
Employees may not accept any personal fiduciary appointments such as administrator, executor or trustee other than those arising from family or other close personal relationships.
 
x
Employees may not use ALPS resources, including computers, software, proprietary information, letterhead and other property in connection with any employment or other activity outside ALPS.
 
x
Employees must disclose to the Compliance Department a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict with ALPS or Clients and discuss how to control the risk.

When completing the Annual Certification acknowledging receipt and understanding of the Code of Ethics, employees may be asked to disclose all outside affiliations. Any director/trustee positions with public companies or companies likely to become public are prohibited without prior written approval of the DCS.

Political Contributions

All political activities of employees must be kept separate from employment and expenses may not be charged to ALPS.  Employees may not use ALPS facilities for political campaign purposes.

All employees who are deemed Covered Associates are required to comply with the provisions under Rule 206(4)-5 of the Advisers Act as well as the Political Contributions Policy within AAI’s Compliance Program.  A person is generally considered to be a Covered Associate for these purposes:
 
 
x
if he or she is a President, managing director, VP in charge of a business unit and any other employee who performs a policy-making function of AAI;
 
x
if he or she is an employee who solicits a government entity for AAI and such employee’s direct or indirect supervisor;
 
x
a political action committee controlled by AAI or by any of AAI’s Covered Associates; or
 
x
any other AAI employee so designated by the CCO of AAI.

Spouses and household family members of each Covered Associate are also subject to the provisions under Rule 206(4)-5.

Covered Associates are prohibited from making political contributions on behalf of AAI or individually in their capacity as a covered associate unless their contribution is within the de minimis exception.  The de minimis exception permits contributions according to the following guidelines:

 
x
Up to $350 per candidate per election cycle, to incumbents or candidates for whom they are eligible to vote
 
x
Up to $150 per candidate per election cycle, to other incumbents or candidates

Covered Associates will be required to obtain a pre-approval for all political contributions, including but not limited to those noted above.

On a quarterly basis, the CCO of AAI or designee will request a reporting of political contributions during the previous quarter by all Covered Associates.  The reporting should include contributions by spouses, household family members and all contributions by other parties (lawyers, affiliated companies, acquaintances, etc.) directed by the Covered Associate.  The report should include the individual or election committee receiving the contribution, the office for which the individual is running, the current elected office held, if any, the dollar amount of the contribution or value of the donated item and whether or not the Covered Associate is eligible to vote for the candidate.  The Covered Associate report must be completed within 30 days of each quarter end so that if an inadvertent political contribution (of $350.00 or less) has been made to an official for whom the Covered Associate is not entitled to vote, the contributor may be required to request the return of the contribution in order to avoid the two year compensation ban against AAI.
 
11

 
 
Personal Securities Transactions – Restrictions & Reporting Requirements

Access Persons

Trading Restrictions

Initial Public Offering (“IPO”) - Access Persons are prohibited from acquiring securities through an allocation by the underwriter of an initial public offering (“IPO”). Exceptions may be made with prior written disclosure to and written approval from the DCS, whereby an Access Person could acquire shares in an IPO of his/her employer.

Limited or Private Offerings - Access   Persons are prohibited from purchasing securities in a private offering unless the purchase is approved in writing by the DCS. Private placements include certain co-operative investments in real estate, commingled investment vehicles such as hedge funds, and investments in family owned businesses. Time-shares and cooperative investments in real estate used as a primary or secondary residence are not considered to be private placements.

Investment Clubs - Access Persons are prohibited from participating in investment clubs unless such membership is approved in writing by the DCS.

Short-Term Trading - Access Persons investing in any “Client Funds” are subject to a sixty (60) calendar day holding period. The following funds are exempt from these requirements: money market funds; short-term income funds; and any non-proprietary ETFs (non -proprietary means ALPS is not the investment adviser for the ETF) .

Excess Trading - While active personal trading may not in and of itself raise issues under applicable laws and regulations, a very high volume of personal trading can be time consuming and can increase the possibility of actual or apparent conflicts with portfolio transactions. Accordingly, an unusually high level of personal trading activity is strongly discouraged and may be monitored by the Compliance Department to the extent appropriate for the category of person, and a pattern of excessive trading may lead to the taking of appropriate action under the Code.

Front Running - Access Persons may not engage in “front running,” that is, the purchase or sale of securities for their own accounts on the basis of their knowledge of a Fund’s trading positions or plans.

Material Nonpublic Information - Access Persons   possessing material nonpublic information regarding any issuer of securities must refrain from purchasing or selling securities of that issuer until the information becomes public or is no longer considered material.

Account Restrictions

Managed Accounts – Access Persons are restricted from establishing an external managed account (also referred to as a discretionary account) with any adviser that conducts business with ALPS Advisors, Inc.   See Appendix D for a list of advisers that work with AAI.  See Appendix D for a list of advisers that work with AAI.
 
12

 
 
Reporting Requirements

Access Persons are subject to the following Initial, Quarterly and Annual Reporting requirements unless specifically exempted by Rule 204A-1 or 17j-1.

All Covered Securities are subject to the reporting requirements of the Code.  The following securities are exempt from the reporting requirements:
         
 
x
Transactions made in an account where the employee, pursuant to a valid legal instrument, has given full investment discretion to an unaffiliated/unrelated third party
 
x
Direct Obligations of any sovereign government or supra-national agency;
 
x
Bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and high quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements;
 
x
Investments in dividend reinvestment plans;
 
x
Variable and fixed insurance products;
 
x
Non-Client open-end mutual funds; and
 
x
Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) Plans, except if held in a self-directed brokerage account or if any Covered Securities are held in the Plan.
     
 
a.
Initial Holdings Reports for Access Persons
     
 
Within ten (10) calendar days of being designated as, or determined to be, an Access Person (which may be upon hire), each such person must provide the Compliance Department with a statement of all Covered Securities holdings and financial accounts. More specifically, each such person must provide the following information:
 
 
x
The title, number of shares and principal amount of each Covered Security in which the employee had any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership when the person became an employee;
 
x
The name of any financial institution with whom the employee maintained an account in which any securities were held for the direct or indirect benefit of the employee as of the date the person became an employee; and
 
x
The date the report is submitted by the employee.
 
 
b.
Duplicate Statements/Electronic Feeds
     
   
All new employees and any new account(s) opened by existing employees after April 1, 2015 shall be limited to the financial institutions listed in Appendix B – Broker/Dealers with Electronic Feeds of the Code.
     
   
Upon employment employees who are deemed an Access Person must instruct his/her financial institution through which he/she has an account to send transaction activity information directly to the ALPS Compliance Department.  This applies to all accounts in which an Access Persons has direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership. A sample letter with the Compliance address is located under Appendix C of this Code.
     
   
If an account is held with a financial institution that does not supply electronic feeds to ALPS, new employees who are deemed an Access Person will have 30 calendar days to close the existing account and are asked to only open an account with a firm listed in Appendix B of the Code.
     
   
Existing employees hired prior to April 1, 2015, who are deemed an Access Person, with existing accounts can maintain those accounts and continue satisfying their quarterly reporting requirements in the system as they have in the past.  However, existing employees will only be allowed to open any new accounts with financial institutions listed in Appendix B of the Code.
 
13

 
 
 
c.
Quarterly Transaction Reports
     
   
Each Access Person is required to submit quarterly his/her Quarterly Securities Report within thirty (30) calendar days of each calendar quarter end to the Compliance Department. If no transactions were executed or if transactions were exempt from reporting, this should be noted on the quarterly report.
     
   
Specific information to be provided includes:
     
   
1. With respect to any Securities Transaction* during the quarter in a Covered Security in which any employee had any direct or indirect beneficial ownership:
 
     
x
The date of the transaction, the title, the interest rate and maturity date (if applicable), the number of shares and the principal amount of each Security involved;
     
x
The nature of the transaction, (i.e., purchase, sale, or other type of acquisition or disposition);
     
x
The price of the Security at which the transaction was effected;
     
x
The name of the financial institution with or through which transaction was effected; and
     
x
The date that the report is submitted by the employee.
 
   
*
Transactions effected pursuant to an Automatic Investment Plan need not be reported in the Quarterly Securities Report but holdings in Covered Securities are subject to the annual holdings reporting requirement discussed below.
         
   
2. With respect to any account established by the Access Person in which any securities were held during the quarter for the direct or indirect benefit of the Access Person:
 
     
x
The name of the financial institution with whom the employee established the account;
     
x
The date the account was established; and
     
x
The date the report is submitted by the employee.
 
 
d.
Annual Holdings Reports
     
   
Each Access Person is required to submit annually (i.e., once each and every calendar year) a list of applicable holdings, which is current as of a date no more than forty five (45) calendar days before the report is submitted.  In addition, each employee is required to certify annually that he/she has reviewed and understands the provisions of the Code.
     
   
Specific information to be provided includes:
 
     
x
The title, number of shares and principal amount of each Covered Security in which the employee had any direct or indirect beneficial ownership;
     
x
The name of any financial institution with whom the employee maintains an account in which any securities are held for the direct or indirect benefit of the employee; and
     
x
The date that the report is submitted by the employee.
 
14

 
 
Investment Persons
Trading Restrictions

Initial Public Offering (“IPO”) - Investment Persons are prohibited from acquiring securities through an allocation by the underwriter of an initial public offering (“IPO”). Exceptions may be made with prior written disclosure to and written approval from the DCS, whereby an Investment Person could acquire shares in an IPO of his/her employer.

Limited or Private Offerings - Investment Persons are prohibited from purchasing securities in a private offering unless the purchase is approved in writing by the DCS. Private placements include certain co-operative investments in real estate, commingled investment vehicles such as hedge funds, and investments in family owned businesses. Time-shares and cooperative investments in real estate used as a primary or secondary residence are not considered to be private placements.

Investment Clubs - Investment Persons are prohibited from participating in investment clubs unless such membership is approved in writing by the DCS.

Options - Investment Persons are prohibited from buying or selling options on Covered Securities. There is an exception for persons who have received options from a prior employer.  In those instances, the exercising or selling of options received from the prior employer is subject to the pre-clearance and reporting requirements of this Code.

Short-Term Trading - Investment Persons are prohibited from the purchase and sale or sale and purchase of the same Covered Securities within thirty (30) calendar days.  In addition, Client Funds are subject to a sixty (60) calendar day holding period. The following funds are exempt from these requirements: money market funds; short-term income funds; and any non-proprietary ETFs (non-proprietary means ALPS is not the investment adviser for the ETF).

Blackout Period   Blackout periods may be determined and established by the DCS.  Any such periods will be communicated to all affected persons as necessary.

Excess Trading - While active personal trading may not in and of itself raise issues under applicable laws and regulations, a very high volume of personal trading can be time consuming and can increase the possibility of actual or apparent conflicts with portfolio transactions. Accordingly, an unusually high level of personal trading activity is strongly discouraged and may be monitored by the Compliance Department to the extent appropriate for the category of person, and a pattern of excessive trading may lead to the taking of appropriate action under the Code.

Front Running -   Investment Persons may not engage in “front running,” that is, the purchase or sale of securities for their own accounts on the basis of their knowledge of a Fund’s trading positions or plans.

Material Nonpublic Information – Investment Persons possessing material nonpublic information regarding any issuer of securities must refrain from purchasing or selling securities of that issuer until the information becomes public or is no longer considered material.

Shorting of Securities - Investment Persons may not engage in the practice of short selling securities.

Restricted List - Investment Persons of Red Rocks Capital, LLC (“Red Rocks”) may not purchase or sell any security that Red Rocks holds or is being considered for purchase or sale by the Red Rocks Research Department for any account in which he/she has any beneficial interest.  The list of Restricted Securities (the “Restricted List”) includes the Red Rocks Listed Private Equity SM Universe of securities and their subsidiaries.
 
15

 
 
Account Restrictions

Managed Accounts – Investment Persons are restricted from establishing an external managed account (also referred to as a discretionary account) with any adviser that conducts business with ALPS Advisors, Inc.  See Appendix D for a list of advisers that work with AAI.  See Appendix D for a list of advisers that work with AAI.

Pre-Clearance

Unless the investment transaction is exempted from pre-clearance requirements all Investment Persons must request and receive pre-clearance prior to engaging in the purchase or sale of a Covered Security.

Pre-clearance approval is only good until midnight local time of the day after approval is obtained. “Good-till-Cancelled” orders are not permitted. “Limit” orders must receive pre -clearance every day the order is open.

As there could be many reasons for pre-clearance being granted or denied, Investment Persons should not infer from the pre-clearance response anything regarding the security for which pre-clearance was requested.

Exempted Securities/Transactions

Pre-clearance by Investment Persons is not required for the following transactions:
 
 
x
Transactions that meet the de minimis exception (defined below);
 
x
Transactions made in an account where the employee, pursuant to a valid legal instrument, has given full investment discretion to an unaffiliated/unrelated third party;
 
x
Purchases or sales of direct obligations of the government of the United States or other sovereign government or supra-national agency, high quality short-term debt instruments, bankers acceptances, certificates of deposit (“CDs”), commercial paper, repurchase agreements.
 
x
Automatic investments in programs where the investment decisions are non-discretionary after the initial selections by the account owner (although the initial selection requires pre-clearance);
 
x
Investments in dividend reinvestment plans;
 
x
Exercised rights, warrants or tender offers;
 
x
General obligation municipal bonds;
 
x
Transactions in Employee Stock Ownership Programs (“ESOPs”);
 
x
Securities received via a gift or inheritance; and
 
x
Non-Client open-end mutual funds.

De Minimis Exception

A “de minimis transaction” is a personal trade that meets the following conditions:  (a) less than 1,000 shares and (b) is made with no knowledge that a Client Fund have purchased or sold the Covered Security, or the Client Fund or its investment adviser considered purchasing or selling the Covered Security.  Transactions effected pursuant to the de minimis exception remain subject to reporting requirements of the Code.
 
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Serving on a Board of Directors

Investment Personnel may not serve on the board of directors of a publicly traded company without prior written authorization from the Ethics Committee. No such service shall be approved without a finding by the Ethics Committee that the board service would be consistent with the interests of Clients. If board service is authorized by the Ethics Committee, in some instances, it may be required that the Investment Personnel serving as a Director may be isolated from making investment decisions with respect to the company involved through the use of “Chinese Walls” or other procedures.

Reporting Requirements

Investment Persons are subject to the following Initial, Quarterly and Annual Reporting requirements unless specifically exempted by Rule 204A-1 or 17j-1.

All Covered Securities are subject to the reporting requirements of the Code.  The following securities are exempt from the reporting requirements:
       
 
x
Transactions made in an account where the employee, pursuant to a valid legal instrument, has given full investment discretion to an unaffiliated/unrelated third party
 
x
Direct Obligations of any sovereign government or supra-national agency;
 
x
Bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and high quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements;
 
x
Investments in dividend reinvestment plans;
 
x
Variable and fixed insurance products;
 
x
Non-Client open-end mutual funds; and
 
x
Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) Plans except if held in a self-directed brokerage account or if any Covered Securities are held in the Plan. Examples of ERISA Plans include 401(k) Plans, Employee Stock Ownership Plans, 403(b) Plans.
     
 
a.
Initial Holdings Reports for Investment
     
   
Within ten (10) calendar days of being designated as, or determined to be, an Investment Person (which may be upon hire), each such person must provide the Compliance Department with a statement of all Covered Securities holdings and brokerage accounts. More specifically, each such person must provide the following information:
 
   
x
The title, number of shares and principal amount of each Covered Security in which the employee had any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership when the person became an employee;
   
x
The name of any financial institution with whom the employee maintained an account in which any securities were held for the direct or indirect benefit of the employee as of the date the person became an employee; and
   
x
The date the report is submitted by the employee.
 
17

 
 
 
b.
Duplicate Statements/ Electronic Feeds
     
   
All new employees and any new account(s) opened by existing employees after April 1, 2015 shall be limited to the financial institutions listed in Appendix B – Broker/Dealers with Electronic Feeds of the Code.
     
   
Upon employment, employees who are deemed an Investment Person must instruct his/her financial institution through which he/she has an account to send transaction activity information directly to the ALPS Compliance Department.  This applies to all accounts in which an employee has direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership. A sample letter with the Compliance address is located under Appendix C of this Code.
     
   
If an account is held with a financial institution that does not supply electronic feeds to ALPS, new employees who are deemed an Investment Person will have 30 calendar days to close the existing account and are asked to only open an account with a firm listed in Appendix B of the Code.
     
   
Existing employees hired prior to April 1, 2015, who are deemed an Investment Person, with existing accounts can maintain those accounts and continue satisfying their quarterly reporting requirements in the system as they have in the past.  However, existing employees will only be allowed to open any new accounts with financial institutions listed in Appendix B of the Code.
     
 
c.
Quarterly Transaction Reports
     
   
Each Investment Person is required to submit quarterly his/her Quarterly Securities Report within thirty (30) calendar days of each calendar quarter end to the Compliance Department.  If no transactions were executed or if transactions were exempt from reporting, this should be noted on the quarterly report.
     
   
Specific information to be provided includes:
     
   
1. With respect to any Securities Transaction* during the quarter in a Covered Security in which any employee had any direct or indirect beneficial ownership:
 
   
x
The date of the transaction, the title, the interest rate and maturity date (if applicable), the number of shares and the principal amount of each Security involved;
   
x
The nature of the transaction, (i.e., purchase, sale, or other type of acquisition or disposition);
   
x
The price of the Security at which the transaction was effected;
   
x
The name of the financial institution with or through which transaction was effected; and
   
x
The date that the report is submitted by the employee.
 
 
*
Transactions effected pursuant to an Automatic Investment Plan need not be reported in the Quarterly Securities Report but holdings in Covered Securities are subject to the annual holdings reporting requirement discussed below.
       
 
2. With respect to any account established by the employee in which any securities were held during the quarter for the direct or indirect benefit of the employee:
 
   
x
The name of the financial institution with whom the employee established the account;
   
x
The date the account was established; and
   
x
The date the report is submitted by the employee.
 
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d.
Annual Holdings Reports
       
   
Each Investment Person is required to submit annually (i.e., once each and every calendar year) a list of applicable holdings, which is current as of a date no more than forty five (45) calendar days before the report is submitted. In addition, each employee is required to certify annually that he/she has reviewed and understands the provisions of the Code.
 
 
Specific information to be provided includes:
 
   
x
The title, number of shares and principal amount of each Covered Security in which the employee had any direct or indirect beneficial ownership;
   
x
The name of any financial institution with whom the employee maintains an account in which any securities are held for the direct or indirect benefit of the employee; and
   
x
The date that the report is submitted by the employee.
 
19

 
 
Sanctions

Upon discovering a violation of this Code by an employee or his/her family member or related party, the DCS may impose such sanctions as he/she deems appropriate, including, among other things, the following:
     
 
x
A letter of censure to the violator;
 
x
A monetary fine levied on the violator;
 
x
Suspension of the employment of the violator;
 
x
Termination of the employment of the violator;
 
x
Civil referral to the SEC or other civil regulatory authorities determined by ALPS; or
 
x
Criminal referral – determined by ALPS.

Examples of possible sanctions include, but are not limited to:
     
 
x
A verbal warning, warning letter, with a copy to the employee’s direct report, for a first time pre-clearance or reporting violation;
 
x
Monetary fines and disgorgement of profits when an employee profits on the purchase of a security he/she should not have purchased or redeemed; and
 
x
Recommendation for suspension or termination if an employee is a serial violator of the Code.

Violations and proposed sanctions will be documented by the Compliance Department and will be submitted to the DCS (or his designee) for review and approval.  In some cases, the Code of Ethics Committee may assist in determining the materiality of the violation and appropriate sanctions.  Records of all reviews are the responsibility of and will be maintained by the Compliance Department.

In determining the materiality of the violation, reviewers may consider:
     
 
x
Indications of fraud, neglect or indifference to Code of Ethics provisions;
 
x
Evidence of violation of law, policy or guideline;
 
x
Frequency of repeat violations;
 
x
Level of influence of the violator;
 
x
Any mitigating circumstances that may exist.

In assessing the appropriate penalties, other factors considered may include:
     
 
x
The extent of harm (actual or potential) to client interests;
 
x
The extent of personal benefit or profit;
 
x
Prior record of the violator;
 
x
The degree to which there is a personal benefit or perceived benefit from unique knowledge obtained through employment with ALPS;
 
x
The level of accurate, honest and timely cooperation from the violator; and
 
x
Any mitigating circumstances that may exist.

Appeals Process

If an employee decides to appeal a sanction, he/she should contact the DCS who will refer the issue to the Ethics Committee for their review and consideration.
 
20

 
 
Compliance and Supervisory Procedures

The DCS or his designee is responsible for implementing supervisory and compliance review procedures. Supervisory procedures can be divided into two classifications: prevention of violations and detection of violations. Compliance review procedures include preparation of special and annual reports, record maintenance and review and confidentiality preservation.

Prevention of Violations

To prevent violations of the Rules, the DCS or his/her designee should, in addition to enforcing the procedures outlined in the Rules:
     
 
1.
Review and update the procedures as necessary, at least once annually, including but not limited to a review of the Code by the DCS, the Ethics Committee and/or counsel;
 
2.
Answer questions regarding the Code;
 
3.
Request from all persons upon commencement of services, and annually thereafter, any applicable forms and reports as required by the procedures;
 
4.
Identify all Access Persons and Investment Persons, and notify them of their responsibilities and reporting requirements;
 
5.
With such assistance from the Human Resources Department as may be appropriate, maintain a continuing education program consisting of the following:

   
x
Orienting employees who are new to ALPS and the Rules; and
   
x
Further educating employees by distributing memos or other materials that maybe issued by outside organizations such as the Investment Company Institute which discuss the issue of insider trading and other issues raised by the Rules.

Detection of Violations

To detect violations of these procedures, the DCS, or designee, should, in addition to enforcing the policies, implement procedures to review holding and transaction reports, forms and statements relative to applicable restrictions, as provided under the Code.

Compliance Procedures

Reports of Potential Deviations or Violations

Upon learning of a potential deviation from or violation of the policies, the DCS shall either present the information at the next regular meeting of the Ethics Committee or conduct a special meeting. The Ethics Committee shall thereafter take such action as it deems appropriate (see Penalty Guidelines).

Annual Reports

The DCS shall prepare a written report to the Ethics Committee and Senior Management at least annually. The written report shall include any certification required by Rule 17j-1. This report shall set forth the following information:
     
 
x
Copies of the Code, as revised, including a summary of any changes made since the last report;
 
21

 
 
 
x
Identification of any material issues including material violations requiring significant remedial action since the last report;
 
x
Identification of any material conflicts arising since the last report; and
 
x
Recommendations, if any, regarding changes in existing restrictions or procedures based upon experience under these Rules, evolving industry practices, or developments in applicable laws or regulations.

Records

Compliance Department shall maintain the following records:

 
x
A copy of this Code and any amendment thereof which is or at any time within the past five years has been in effect;
 
x
A record of any violation of this Code, or any amendment thereof, and any action taken as a result of such violation;
 
x
Files for personal securities account statements, all reports and other forms submitted by employees pursuant to these Rules and any other pertinent information;
 
x
A list of all persons who are, or have been, required to submit reports pursuant to this Code;
 
x
A list of persons who are, or within the last five years have been responsible for, reviewing transaction and holdings reports; and
 
x
A copy of each report produced pursuant to this Code.

Inspection

The records and reports maintained by the Compliance Department pursuant to the Rules shall at all times be available for inspection, without prior notice, by any member of the Ethics Committee.

Confidentiality

All procedures, reports and records monitored, prepared or maintained pursuant to this Code shall be considered confidential and proprietary to ALPS and shall be maintained and protected accordingly. Except as otherwise required by law or this Code, such matters shall not be disclosed to anyone other than to members of the Ethics Committee or the Compliance Department, as requested.

The Ethics Committee

The purpose of this section is to describe the Ethics Committee. The Ethics Committee was created to provide an effective mechanism for monitoring compliance with the standards and procedures contained in the Rules and to take appropriate action at such times as violations or potential violations are discovered.

Membership of the Ethics Committee

The Committee consists of the Chief Compliance Officer(s) of ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc.,  ALPS Distributors, Inc., and ALPS Advisors, Inc., the Director of Compliance Services of ALPS Fund Services, Inc., the Human Resources Director of ALPS Fund Services, Inc., the President(s) of ALPS Fund Services, Inc.,   ALPS Advisors, Inc., ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. and ALPS Distributors, Inc., and the Chief Operating Officer of ALPS Fund Services, Inc.
 
22

 
 
The Director of Compliance Services of ALPS Fund Services, Inc. currently serves as the Chairman of the Committee.  The composition of the Committee may be changed from time-to-time and the Committee may seek input of other employees concerning matters related to this Code as they deem appropriate.

Committee Meetings

The Committee shall meet approximately every six months, or as often as necessary, to review operation of this Code and to consider technical deviations from operational procedures, inadvertent oversights or any other potential violation of the Rules.  Deviations alternatively may be addressed by including them in the employee’s personnel records maintained by ALPS.  Committee meetings are primarily intended for consideration of the general operation of the compliance procedures as well as for substantive or serious departures from the standards and procedures in the Rules.

Other persons may attend a Committee meeting, at the discretion of the Committee, as the Committee shall deem appropriate.  Any individual whose conduct has given rise to the meeting may also be called upon, but shall not have the right, to appear before the Committee.  It is not required that minutes of Committee meetings be maintained; in lieu of minutes the Committee may issue a report describing any action taken. The report shall be included in the confidential file maintained by the DCS with respect to the particular employee whose conduct has been the subject of the meeting.

If a Committee member has committed, or is the subject of, a violation, he or she shall not be considered a voting member of the Committee or be involved in the review or decisions of the Committee with respect to his or her activities, or sanctions.

Special Discretion

The Committee shall have the authority by unanimous action to exempt any person or class of persons or transaction or class of transactions from all or a portion of the Rules provided that:
     
 
x
The Committee determines, on advice of counsel, that the particular application of all or a portion of the Code is not legally required;
 
x
The Committee determines that the likelihood of any abuse of the Code by such exempted person(s) or as a result of such exempted transaction is remote;
 
x
The terms or conditions upon which any such exemption is granted is evidenced in writing; and
 
x
The exempted person(s) agrees to execute and deliver to the DCS, at least annually, a signed Acknowledgment Form, which Acknowledgment shall, by operation of this provision, describe such exemptions and the terms and conditions upon which it was granted.

The Committee shall also have the authority by unanimous action to impose such additional requirements or restrictions as it, in its sole discretion, determines appropriate or necessary, as outlined in the Penalty Guidelines.

Any exemption, and any additional requirement or restriction, may be withdrawn by the Committee at any time (such withdrawal action is not required to be unanimous).
 
 
23
 
 
Compliance Policies and Procedures Manual

Section 6 - C ODE   OF E THICS
 
This Code of Ethics (the “Code”) is a joint Code for RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) and RiverNorth Funds (the “RiverNorth Funds”). It reflects the requirements of Section 204A of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, Rule 204A-1 under that Act, and Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Adviser and the RiverNorth Funds are often referred to collectively as “RiverNorth”.

I.
S TANDARDS   OF C ONDUCT   AND F IDUCIARY D UTY
 
The Adviser has a fiduciary duty to its investment advisory clients, including the RiverNorth Funds. That duty requires each Employee to act solely for the benefit of RiverNorth’s clients. The conduct of the Adviser and its Employees must recognize that the clients’ interests always have priority over those of the Adviser and its Employees (including with respect to any Employee’s personal trading activity) and is based upon fundamental principles of openness, integrity, honesty and trust.
 
Each Employee is expected to adhere to the highest standard of professional and ethical conduct and should be sensitive to situations that may give rise to an actual conflict or the appearance of a conflict with RiverNorth’s clients’ interests. Such conflicts could also have the potential to cause damage to the Adviser’s reputation. Each Employee is also required to comply with all applicable Federal Securities Laws. Each Employee must exercise reasonable care and professional judgment to avoid actions that could put the image or reputation of the Adviser at risk.
 
This Code sets forth the policy regarding Employee conduct in those situations in which conflicts with our clients’ interests are most likely to be present or develop. The Code does not attempt to identify all possible conflicts of interest, and literal compliance with the Code will not shield the Employee from sanctions for personal trading or other conduct that violates a fiduciary duty to clients. It is expected that Employees will embrace and comply with both the letter and the spirit of the Code.
 
Adherence to the Code is a basic condition of employment. If an Employee has any doubt as to the appropriateness of any activity, believes that he or she has violated the Code, or becomes aware of a violation of the Code by another Employee, the Employee is obligated to bring these matters to the attention of the Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) or any member of the Compliance Group, as defined herein.

II.
D EFINITIONS
 
“Access Person” means any person who is either an Adviser Access Person or a Fund Access Person.

“Adviser Access Person” means any Employee or any other person identified by the CCO as an Adviser Access Person. The CCO shall designate as an Adviser Access Person any supervised person who (i) has access to non-public information regarding any purchase or sale of securities for an Adviser client, or non-public information regarding the portfolio holdings of any Reportable Fund, or (ii) is involved in making securities recommendations to Adviser clients, or who has access to such recommendations that are non-public. Since providing investment advice is the Adviser’s primary business, all of the Adviser’s members (other than passive investors), officers and employees are presumed to be Adviser Access Persons.
 
“Active Consideration” means the period of time during which an Adviser portfolio manager is considering the purchase or sale of a security for any client accounts.
 
“Adviser” means RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC.
 
“Advisers Act” means the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and rules promulgated thereunder.

“Automatic Investment Plan” means a program, including a dividend reinvestment program, in which regular periodic purchases or withdrawals are made automatically in or from investment accounts in accordance with a predetermined schedule and allocation.
 
“Beneficial Ownership” means that a person, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares a direct or indirect pecuniary interest in a security. A “pecuniary interest” in a security means the opportunity, directly or indirectly, to profit or share in any profit derived from a transaction in such security. An Employee is presumed to have beneficial ownership in the following: (i) securities owned by an Employee in his or her name; (ii) securities owned by an individual Employee indirectly through an account or investment vehicle for his or her benefit, such as an IRA, family trust, or family partnership; (iii) securities owned in which the Employee has a joint ownership interest, such as a joint brokerage account; (iv) securities in which a member of the Employee’s immediate family (currently defined as one’s spouse, domestic partner, minor children, adult children living at home, other dependent relatives and other adult relatives sharing living arrangements) has a direct, indirect or joint ownership interest if the immediate family member resides in the same household as the Employee; and (v) securities owned by a trust, private foundation or other charitable accounts in which the Employee (or a member of the Employee’s immediate family) has both a pecuniary interest and investment discretion. This definition shall be interpreted in the same manner as it would be under Rule 16a-1(a)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the text of which is attached as Exhibit A to the Code.
 
“Blackout Period” means the period during which an Adviser Access Person is prohibited from engaging in a Personal Securities Transaction in a particular security because (i) a transaction in the same security is pending or anticipated for client accounts; (ii) a transaction for client accounts is under Active Consideration by a portfolio manager of the Adviser; (iii) a transaction in the same security for client accounts occurred within two (2) business days prior to the Adviser Access Person’s request for approval of a Personal Securities Transaction, or (iv) a transaction in a security which, although not restricted, was restricted within the last five (5) business days (a “cooling off period”).
 
“CCO” means the Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser. Such person may also be designated as the Chief Compliance Officer of the RiverNorth Funds.
 
“Compliance Group” means the Adviser’s committee charged with overseeing the Adviser’s compliance policies and procedures. The committee is comprised of the Chief Compliance Officer, the Chief Risk Officer and such other persons as may be designated by the Chief Compliance Officer from time to time. A list of the current Compliance Group members is attached as Exhibit B to the Code.
 
“Control” means the power to exercise a controlling influence over the management or policies of a company, unless such power is solely the result of an official position with such company.
 
“Employee” means an employee of the Adviser, a member of the Adviser (other than passive investors who are not employed by the Adviser in another capacity), and any temporary employee or independent contractor of the Adviser who is contracted to work onsite in the offices of the Adviser for more than seven (7) days (unless steps are taken to prevent such person from gaining access to proprietary or trading information related to the Adviser of its clients). All Employees are deemed to be Adviser Access Persons and, by definition, Fund Access Persons.
 
“Entertainment Event” means events ( e.g., lunches, dinners, golf outings, cocktail parties and regular season sporting events) with Organizations that are not primarily intended for the purpose of conducting Adviser business. Entertainment Event does not include, for example, meals incidental to a research conference.
 
“ETF” means an exchange traded fund, whether organized as an open-end fund or a unit investment trust.
 
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
“Exempt Transactions” means transactions in securities that are exempt from the prior approval and/or the reporting requirements of this Code. Refer to Exhibit C for a list of security types that fall into this category.
 
“Federal Securities Laws” means the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, Title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, any rules adopted by the SEC under any of these statutes, the Bank Secrecy Act as it applies to Funds and investment advisers, any rules adopted thereunder by the SEC or the Department of the Treasury or the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act to the extent and as it pertains to investments advisers and investment companies.

“Frequent Trading” means the frequent trading in shares of an open-end fund in violation of the fund’s prospectus and/or trading policies, including any trading designed to exploit perceived inefficiencies in the prices of Fund shares.
 
“Front Running” means engaging in a Personal Securities Transaction in advance of a transaction in the same security for a client’s account.
 
“Fund” means an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
 
“Fund Access Person” means any trustee or officer of the RiverNorth Funds who is not also an Adviser Access Person.
 
“Independent Trustee” means a trustee of the RiverNorth Funds who is not an “interested person” of the RiverNorth Funds within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940.
 
“Initial Public Offering” or “IPO” means an offering of securities registered under the Securities Act of 1933, the issuer of which, immediately before the registration, was not subject to the reporting requirements of Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
“Insider Trading” is not defined in the Federal Securities Laws, but generally refers to the buying or selling a security, in breach of a fiduciary duty or other relationship of trust and confidence, while in possession of Material, Non-Public Information about the security.
 
“Investment Company Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended and the rules promulgated thereunder.
 
“Late Trading” means the illegal practice of pricing a purchase or redemption order for shares of an open-end Fund with the current day share price even though the order is received after the pricing time established in the Fund’s prospectus. Late trading often involves a coordinated effort by the investor and a broker or service provider for the Fund.
 
“Limited Offering” means an offering ( e.g. , limited partnership) that is exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 pursuant to Section 4(2) or Section 4(6) or pursuant to Rule 504, Rule 505, or Rule 506 under the Securities Act of 1933.
 
“Material, Non-Public Information” means information for which there is substantial likelihood that a reasonable investor would consider important in making an investment decision, or is reasonably certain to have an effect on the price of the issuer’s security, but which has not been made available to the public, has not been disseminated broadly to the marketplace, or has not had sufficient time post-dissemination for the marketplace to react to the information.
 
“Organizations” means entities, and the individuals that work for them, that provide services, or seek to provide services, to individual clients through the Adviser’s relationship with the client. Examples include brokers, consultants, companies that the Adviser researches for possible investment, and companies in which the Adviser invests for client accounts.
 
“Personal Securities Transaction” means a Reportable Transaction in which an Access Person has Beneficial Ownership in the security.
 
“Reportable Account” means investment accounts in which Reportable Securities are held.
 
“Reportable Fund” means any Fund: (i) for which the Adviser serves as the investment adviser or sub-adviser; or (ii) whose investment adviser or principal underwriter controls the Adviser, is controlled by the Adviser, or is under common control with the Adviser. For purposes of this Code, the Reportable Funds are the RiverNorth Funds.

“Reportable Security” means a Security, except that it does not include any of the following: (i) direct obligations of the government of the United States; (ii) bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and high quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements; (iii) shares issued by money market Funds; (iv) shares issued by unit investment trusts that are invested exclusively in one or more open-end Funds, none of which are Reportable Funds. The definition of “Reportable Security” also excludes securities held through certain qualified tuition programs established pursuant to Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (“529 Plans”), provided the Adviser or a control affiliate does not manage, distribute, market or underwrite the 529 Plan or the investments and strategies underlying the 529 Plan. However, ETFs and mutual funds are included in the definition of “Reportable Security” whether held directly with the issuer or its transfer agent or in a brokerage account.
 
“Reportable Transaction” means a transaction by an Access Person in a Reportable Security.
 
“RiverNorth Funds” means RiverNorth Funds, an Ohio business trust and each of its series, as they may be added from time to time. Each series of the RiverNorth Funds may also be referred to individually as a “fund”. See Exhibit D for a list of the current series of the RiverNorth Funds.
 
Rumor ” means a statement not based on verified information. An expression of opinion is not a Rumor.

“Security” means any note, stock, treasury stock, security future, bond, debenture, evidence of indebtedness, certificate of interest or participation in any profit sharing agreement, collateral trust certificate, reorganization certificate or subscription, transferable share, investment contract, voting-trust certificate, certificate of deposit for a security, fractional undivided interest in oil, gas, or other mineral rights, any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege on any, security (including a certificate of deposit) or on any group or index of securities (including any interest therein or based on the value thereof), or any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege entered into on a national securities exchange relating to foreign currency, or, in general, any interest or instrument commonly known as a “security,” or any certificate of interest or participation in, temporary or interim certificate for, receipt for, guarantee of, or warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase, any of the foregoing.
 
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules promulgated thereunder.
 
“Trading Day” means any day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for regular, unrestricted trading.
 
Terms not defined above or in this Code have the meaning set forth in the Advisers Act. If terms are ambiguous to any person potentially covered by the Code, it is suggested that the Chief Compliance Officer be contacted for clarification before engaging in any conduct or activity that may be covered under the Code.

III.
P OLICY   ON P ERSONAL S ECURITIES T RANSACTIONS
 
Each Access Person must comply with the following policies for all of his or her Personal Securities Transactions.

 
A.
Initial Public Offerings
 
An Adviser Access Person may not participate in an initial public offering, unless the IPO falls into one of the following categories:

 
1.
An IPO of securities of a mutual insurance company as a result of the Adviser Access Person’s ownership of an insurance policy; or

 
2.
An IPO of securities of a spinoff company as a result of the Adviser Access Person’s ownership of shares of the company that spins off the issuer of the IPO.
 
An Adviser Access Person must give prompt notice to the CCO when acquiring Beneficial Ownership in securities of an IPO that are subject to either of the two exceptions set forth above. If an Adviser Access Person believes participation in an IPO may be appropriate, for example, in situations similar to the two situations identified above, but not covered by those two situations, the Adviser Access Person may submit a written request for approval, and the CCO may grant approval if the investment is deemed acceptable.

 
B.
Limited Offerings
 

An Adviser Access Person may purchase or sell securities in a Limited Offering only with the prior written approval from a member of the Compliance Group. The Compliance Group member shall consider the following factors in determining whether to approve a transaction in a Limited Offering:

 
1.
Whether the investment opportunity should be reserved for clients;

 
2.
Whether the Adviser Access Person is being offered the investment opportunity due to his or her employment with the Adviser; and

 
3.
Any other relevant factors ( e.g. , whether the Adviser has any business dealings with the issuer, general partner, or any of the individuals named in the offering documents, or if the Adviser Access Person has knowledge of an impending IPO by the issuer).
 
The Compliance Group member may approve a single transaction in a Limited Offering or additional investments in previously-approved Limited Offerings (such as subsequent investments in the same limited partnership). The approval may be subject to limitations, including timing of investments, number of investments, or amount of investments.

 
C.
Frequent Trading (Open-End Funds)
 
Frequent Trading can harm shareholders in various ways, including reducing the returns to long-term shareholders by increasing costs to the fund and disrupting portfolio management strategies. Adviser Access Persons are required to comply with the policies of any open-end funds in which they invest regarding purchases, redemptions and exchanges, and are prohibited from engaging in Frequent Trading in open-end funds which indicate in their prospectus or statement of additional information that the funds prohibit or restrict Frequent Trading.

 
D.
Late Trading (Open-End Funds)
 
Late Trading is prohibited by law and, with respect to Reportable Funds, may represent a violation of fiduciary duty. This Code prohibits Adviser Access Persons from engaging in or facilitating Late Trading in shares of any open-end Fund.

 
E.
Short-Term Trading (All Securities)
 
The Adviser considers short-term trading problematic because it (1) may interfere with the Adviser Access Person’s duties, obligations or loyalties to the Adviser or the Adviser’s clients; (2) may be indicative of using Material, Non-Public Information, or (3) may be in violation of applicable laws, rules and regulations or the Adviser’s or issuer’s policies and procedures.
 
Accordingly, all Adviser Access Persons are required to hold securities for a minimum of 90 days, to avoid short-term trading practices. The Compliance Group may approve exceptions to the 90-day holding period in certain limited circumstances, for instance to reduce the level of investment losses to the Adviser Access Person if the security has significantly decreased in value.
 
The Compliance Group may impose restrictions on Personal Securities Transactions, or deny a request for prior approval of Personal Securities Transactions, if it believes that the transactions may interfere with the Adviser Access Person’s duties, obligations or loyalties to the Adviser or the Adviser’s clients, impose undue burden on the Adviser, or may otherwise be contrary to the interests of the Adviser or the Adviser’s clients.

 
F.
Options Trading
 
Adviser Access Persons are permitted to invest in options. All personal securities transactions involving options must be pre-approved through Compliance 11 and are subject to the mandatory 90-day holding period detailed in Section III.E. Access Persons may not take an options position opposite of any options holding in the Adviser’s or a Client’s accounts (same underlying security, same strike price, same expiration).

 
G.
Closed-End Funds
 

Because of the Adviser’s expertise and access to analytic information regarding the closed-end fund markets, caution must be exercised to avoid an appearance of a conflict of interest when investing in any closed-end fund. All personal securities transactions involving closed-end funds must be pre-approved through Compliance 11 and are subject to the mandatory 90-day holding period detailed in Section III.E.

 
H.
Blackout Period
 
To avoid Front Running or other conflict of interest with client accounts, or the appearance of Front Running or a conflict of interest with client accounts, no Adviser Access Person may engage in a Personal Securities Transaction in a security that is in a Blackout Period, subject however to a de minimus exception.
 
Requests for a waiver of the Blackout Period will be considered by a member of the Compliance Group on a case-by-case basis. Factors that may be considered include, but are not limited to, the size of the proposed Personal Securities Transaction in relation to average daily trading volumes, whether transactions for client accounts have been completed, and whether the proposed Personal Securities Transaction is directionally aligned or opposed to transactions for client accounts.

 
I.
De Minimis Exception
 
Purchases or sales in an amount of less than $50,000 within a thirty (30) business day period in a Reportable Security of an issuer that is a component security in the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index are exempt from the prohibitions with respect to whether the Adviser is trading the same or equivalent security for the accounts of its clients under this Code, and are exempt from the prohibitive sections of the Code.
 
Purchases or sales of broad based index open-ended exchange traded funds (ETFs) with either a market capitalization exceeding $1 billion OR an average daily trading volume exceeding 1 million shares (measured over a 90 day period) are exempt from the prohibitive sections of the Code.
 
However, it should be noted that trades falling within these de minimis exceptions must be submitted for approval and reported in Compliance 11 pursuant to the applicable requirements of the Code and are subject to the mandatory 90-day holding period detailed in Section III.E.

 
J.
Prior Approval Required
 
Adviser Access Persons must obtain prior approval for all Personal Securities Transactions (other than Personal Securities Transactions in securities set forth below in Section V, A DMINISTRATION   OF   THE C ODE   OF E THICS ).

 
K.
Disgorgement of Profits
 
If, within any 10 calendar day period, an Access Person transacts in a security in a more advantageous manner than a Client account, the Chief Compliance Officer may require disgorgement of the profits realized vis-à-vis the Client account.
 
Each Adviser Access Person is responsible for ensuring that his or her Personal Securities Transactions for which he or she requests prior approval will not violate the Adviser’s policies or applicable Federal Securities Laws.

IV.
R EPORTING   AND C ERTIFICATION R EQUIREMENTS
 
Each Access Person must comply with the following reporting and certification requirements:

 
A.
Initial Holdings Report
 
Each new Access Person is required to complete and submit an Initial Holdings Report to the CCO or designee within ten (10) calendar days of becoming an Access Person. The new Access Person must disclose all the security holdings in which he or she may have a Beneficial Interest, including in all Reportable Accounts holding Reportable Securities, including Limited Offerings and Reportable Funds. The new Access Person must also disclose all of his or her brokerage accounts and all other accounts that hold Reportable Securities at that time (including IRA accounts and custodial accounts), even if the only securities held in such accounts are Reportable Funds. Personal Securities Transactions are prohibited until the Initial Holdings Report is filed.

The Initial Holdings Report must be current as of a date no more than forty-five (45) days prior to the date the person becomes an Access Person. The Initial Holdings Report must contain the following information:

 
1.
The title and type of security, and as applicable the exchange ticker or CUSIP number, number of shares, and principal amount of each Reportable Security in which the Access Person has any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership when the person became an Access Person;

 
2.
The name of any broker, dealer or bank with which the Access Person maintains an account in which any securities are held for the Access Person’s direct or indirect benefit as of the date the person became an Access Person;

 
3.
The number and title of each account in which the Access Person has any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership; and

 
4.
The date the Access Person submits the Initial Holdings Report.

 
B.
Duplicate Confirmations
 
Access Persons may maintain accounts with any broker or brokers of their choosing, but are strongly encouraged to utilize a broker from list of preferred brokers maintained by the Compliance Group. In certain instances, the Compliance Group may require Access Persons to move accounts from existing brokers to a preferred broker. Adviser Access Persons must instruct their brokers to send duplicate confirmations for their Reportable Transactions to the Adviser’s CCO. Duplicate confirmations are used to reconcile the Quarterly Transaction Reports submitted by each Adviser Access Person. The CCO can provide sample letters requesting duplicate confirmations. Alternatively, a feed of certain data direct from your broker may be acceptable to the Compliance Group.

 
C.
Initial Conflicts of Interest Questionnaire
 
Each new Adviser Access Person is required to complete and submit an Initial Conflicts of Interest Questionnaire to the CCO or designee within ten (10) calendar days of becoming an Adviser Access Person. The CCO may request additional details based upon the information furnished by the Adviser Access Person.

 
D.
Quarterly Transaction Report
 
Each Access Person must complete and submit a Quarterly Transaction Report to the CCO or designee within thirty (30) calendar days following the close of the quarter, even if there were no transactions in Reportable Securities during the period. Such reports may be completed using Compliance 11, a compliance software product.
 
The Quarterly Transaction Report must contain the following information:

 
1.
With respect to any Personal Securities Transaction:

 
a.
The date of the transaction, the title of the security, and as applicable the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, the interest rate and maturity date (if applicable), the number of shares and principal amount of each Reportable Security involved;

 
b.
The nature of the transaction ( i.e. , purchase, sale, gift or any other type of acquisition or disposition);

 
c.
The price of the security at which the transaction was effected;

 
d.
The name of the broker, dealer or bank with or through which the transaction was effected.

 
2.
Any additions (including the date the account was established), deletions or changes to the securities account information previously provided by the Access Person that are necessary to bring it up to date.

 
3.
The date the Access Person submits the Quarterly Transaction Report.

Transactions effected through an Automatic Investment Plan do not need to be reported on a Quarterly Transaction Report, unless the transaction(s) overrides the pre-set schedule or allocations of the Automatic Investment Plan, in which case the transaction(s) must be reported.


 
E.
Annual Holdings Report
 
Each Access Person is required to complete and submit an Annual Holdings Report to the CCO or designee within thirty (30) calendar days following the close of the calendar year. Such reports may be completed using Compliance 11, a compliance software product.
 
The Annual Holdings Report must be current as of a date no more than forty-five (45) days prior to the date the report is submitted and contain the following information:

 
1.
The title and type of security, and as applicable the exchange ticker or CUSIP number, number of shares, and principal amount of each Reportable Security in which the Access Person has any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership;

 
2.
The name of any broker, dealer or bank with which the Access Person maintains an account in which any securities are held for the Access Person’s direct or indirect benefit;

 
3.
The number and title of each account in which the Access Person has any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership; and

 
4.
The date the Access Person submits the Annual Holdings Report.

 
F.
Annual Certifications
 
Each Adviser Access Person is required to certify annually that he or she has received, read, and understands the Code, including any amendments thereto, recognizes that he or she is subject to the Code and will continue to comply with all requirements set forth in the Code. In addition, each Adviser Access Person is required to certify annually that he or she has disclosed or reported all Reportable Transactions. Certifications may be requested of Access Persons, and may be submitted by Access Persons, manually or electronically.
 
The Adviser will provide each Adviser Access Person with a copy of the Code, and any amendments thereto.

 
G.
Annual Conflicts of Interest Questionnaire
 
Each Adviser Access Person is required to complete and submit an Annual Conflicts of Interest Questionnaire. The CCO reviews the information furnished on the Questionnaire and may request additional details based upon the information furnished by the Adviser Access Person.

 
H.
Independent Trustees

An Independent Trustee does not need to provide the following reports or certifications: Initial or Annual Holdings Reports, Duplicate Confirmations, or Initial or Annual Conflict of Interest Questionnaire. An Independent Trustee need not file Quarterly Transaction Reports, unless the Independent Trustee knew or, in the ordinary course of fulfilling his or her official duties as an Independent Trustee, should have known that during the 15-day period immediately before or after the Independent Trustee’s transaction in a Reportable Security, the RiverNorth Funds purchased or sold the Reportable Security, or the Adviser considered purchasing or selling the Reportable Security.

V.
A DMINISTRATION   OF   THE C ODE   OF E THICS

 
A.
Prior Approval Requirements and Procedures
 
Adviser Access Persons must obtain prior approval for Personal Securities Transactions in certain Reportable Securities in accordance with these procedures. It is encouraged that all Access Persons seek prior approval for all Personal Securities Transactions through Compliance 11, although alternative approval, including written or verbal approval, may be granted. In the case of verbal approval, the Compliance Group will document the reasons written approval was not possible.
 
Adviser Access Persons must request prior approval via Compliance 11. Unless the CCO permits or requests a different form, the request must contain the following information:

 
1.
The name of the security;


 
2.
The exchange ticker or CUSIP number;

 
3.
Whether the transaction is a purchase or sale;

 
4.
The quantity of shares or principal amount; and

 
5.
The account or broker or dealer where the transaction will take place.
 
The Adviser Access Person will receive a response from a member of the Compliance Group or Compliance 11. If prior approval is granted, the Adviser Access Person must execute his or her Personal Securities Transaction no later than the close of business on the same Trading Day. Approval expires at the close of business on the Trading Day. If the Adviser Access Person receives prior approval for a Personal Securities Transaction and places a limit order with his or her broker, that limit order must either execute or expire no later than the close of business on the Trading Day.
 
If the Personal Securities Transaction is not executed within the specified timeframe, the Adviser Access Person must re-submit his or her prior approval request if he or she still desires to execute the Personal Securities Transaction.
 
An Adviser Access Person is prohibited from engaging in a Personal Securities Transaction in advance of receiving written approval, even if he or she expects that approval will be forthcoming.

Investments in IPOs and Limited Offerings are governed by Section III of the Code, not the requirements of this section of the Code.
 
Note – transactions in retirement accounts of an Access Person’s immediate family member that can only invest in unaffiliated mutual funds do not require pre-approval or entry in Compliance 11, although periodic reporting may be required and an Access Person may need to periodically certify that the account can only hold unaffiliated mutual funds.

 
B.
Some Reasons for Denial of Prior Approval
 
Adviser Access Persons are reminded that engaging in Personal Securities Transactions in Reportable Securities is a privilege and not a right.
 
Although this list is not meant to be exhaustive, an Adviser Access Person will be denied prior approval of a Personal Securities Transaction if the security is subject to a Blackout Period. Approval can also be denied if: the CCO or any member of the Compliance Group believes that the Adviser Access Person’s pattern of trading is inconsistent with the spirit of the Code regardless of whether it meets the letter of the Code; if a Reportable Security was the subject of a newly-issued or changed outlook of the Adviser within five (5) business days prior to the request; or to avoid a conflict, or the appearance of a conflict, with the interests of the Adviser’s clients. Approvals are denied without prejudice, so an Adviser Access Person can resubmit his or her request for prior approval for reconsideration at any time.

 
C.
Managed Account Exemption
 
Transactions in accounts holding Reportable Securities in which an Access Person has Beneficial Ownership but over which the Access Person and his or her family members have no direct or indirect influence or control may be exempted from the definition of Reportable Transactions.
 
An example of an eligible managed account would be an account managed by an independent investment professional that neither consults with nor accepts guidance from the account owner on specific securities transactions prior to execution.
 
Exemption of a managed account from the prior approval and reporting requirements of this Code must be requested in writing by the Adviser Access Person to the CCO.

 
D.
Written Report to RiverNorth Funds Board
 

No less frequently than annually, the Adviser must furnish to the RiverNorth Funds Board of Trustees, and the RiverNorth Funds Board of Trustees must consider, a written report that:

 
1.
Describes any issues arising under this Code or procedures since the last report to the Board, including but not limited to information about violations of the Code or procedures or sanctions imposed in response to the violations;

 
2.
Discusses whether any significant conflicts of interest arose during the reporting period, even if the conflicts have not resulted in a violation of the Code;

 
3.
Discusses any waivers that might be considered important by the Board that were granted during the reporting period; and

 
4.
Certifies that the RiverNorth Funds and the Adviser have adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent Access Persons from violating the Code.

VI.
D UTY   OF C ONFIDENTIALITY
 
Confidentiality is a cornerstone of the Adviser’s fiduciary obligation to its clients. Adviser Access Persons owe a duty of confidentiality to both the Adviser and its clients. Information acquired in the course of employment by the Adviser, including but not limited to information regarding actual or contemplated investment decisions, securities under Active Consideration, portfolio composition, client interests, non-public client information, research, research recommendations, Adviser activities and new business initiatives is confidential.
 
Adviser Access Persons must not discuss client business ( e.g., strategy, holdings, assets under management, etc.), including the existence of a client relationship, with outsiders except as necessary to perform his or her job responsibilities.
 
In addition, Adviser Access Persons should be familiar with the RiverNorth Funds’ Policies and Procedures Regarding Selective Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings, which addresses the requirements for disclosure of the RiverNorth Funds’ portfolio holdings to ensure equality of dissemination.

VII.
P ROHIBITION A GAINST I NSIDER T RADING
 
Insider Trading undermines investor confidence in the fairness and integrity of the securities markets and is a violation of this Code, as well as a violation of the Federal Securities Laws.
 
The laws of Insider Trading are complex, but the general guidelines are simple. Once a person obtains Material, Non-Public Information, he or she may not:

 
1.
Trade on the Material, Non-Public Information;

 
2.
Communicate to another (tip) Material, Non-Public Information;

 
3.
Recommend the purchase or sale of a security on the basis of such information; or

 
4.
Assist someone who is engaged in the activities described above.
 
Any Access Person found to have engaged in Insider Trading will be subject to sanctions, up to and including termination of employment. In addition, such activity could include enforcement action by the SEC and/or criminal prosecution by the Department of Justice.

 
A.
Ways in which the Adviser might obtain Material, Non-Public Information
 
Although not intended to be exhaustive, this list gives possible ways in which an Access Person might come into possession of Material, Non-Public Information:

 
1.
Disclosed to the Access Person by a company director, officer or employee (who could be a neighbor, friend, spouse or relative);

 
2.
Disclosed to the Access Person by persons with business relationships with the subject company ( e.g. , its investment banker, lawyers, or accountants);

 
3.
Disclosed to the Access Person by a sell-side analyst.


 
B.
Examples of Material Information
 
Whether information is considered Material Information is fact-specific and depends on the circumstances. However, such information could include the following:

 
1.
Significant mergers or acquisition proposals or agreements;

 
2.
Earnings estimates;

 
3.
Changes in previously released earnings estimates;

 
4.
Extraordinary management changes;

 
5.
Dividend changes;

 
6.
Major litigation;

 
7.
Liquidation problems;

 
8.
A joint venture;

 
9.
Borrowing of significant funds;

 
10.
Government investigations;

 
11.
A major labor dispute; and

 
12.
The Adviser’s securities recommendations and client securities holdings and transactions.

 
C.
Responsibilities and Reporting Procedures
 
When an Access Person receives information about a company, he or she has the following responsibilities related to that information:

 
1.
The Access Person must refrain from trading while in possession of that information unless and until determining that the information is not Material, Non-Public Information; and

 
2.
If the Access Person suspects that the information is Material, Non-Public Information, he or she is obligated to report it to the CCO and the Chief Investment Officer. The Access Person must refrain from disclosing the information to others, such as family, friends, business or social acquaintances, which do not have a legitimate business purpose for receiving that information.
 
The CCO and the Chief Investment Officer will determine if the information is Material, Non-Public Information. If the information fits within the definition, a trading ban, extending to client accounts and Personal Securities Transactions, will be imposed until such time as the information is publicly disclosed or no longer Material, Non-Public Information. The CCO shall maintain a list of securities for which trading bans were implemented.

 
D.
Rumors
 
Markets trade on the constant exchange of ideas and information and this policy is not intended to chill legitimate communications, but spreading a false Rumor to manipulate the market is illegal. No Access Person shall originate or, except as permitted below, circulate in any manner a false or misleading Rumor about a security or its issuer for the purpose of influencing the market price of the security.
 
Access Persons are also expressly prohibited from engaging in any other type of activity that constitutes illegal market manipulation.
 
Any Access Person found to have engaged in the spread of false or misleading Rumors for the purpose of influencing market prices will be subject to sanctions, up to and including termination of employment and/or reporting of any improper conduct to the SEC or other regulatory authorities.
 
Access Persons who suspect a violation or become aware of a violation of this prohibition are required to report promptly the suspected violation to the CCO.


VIII.
G IFTS   AND B USINESS E NTERTAINMENT
 
As a fiduciary, our clients’ interests come first and neither the Adviser nor any Adviser Access Persons can allow gifts or business entertainment opportunities to influence our activities undertaken for our clients or compromise the Adviser’s ability to carry out its fiduciary obligations.
 
There is no formal regulatory guidance specifically for investment advisers on the subject of gifts and business entertainment. Generally, an Adviser Access Person cannot accept a gift or participate in an Entertainment Event offered by an Organization if the frequency and/or value of the gift or Entertainment Event may be considered or have the appearance of being excessive or extravagant.
 
Adviser Access Persons must use their reasonable judgment when assessing the value of a gift or the appropriateness of an Entertainment Event. Any concerns or questions about the appropriateness of a gift or Entertainment Event should be brought to the attention of the CCO or other member of the Compliance Group for further review.
 
The following guidelines do not apply to personal gifts or offers of Adviser Access Person-owned tickets between Adviser Access Persons. Those Adviser Access Persons who are also registered representatives of a broker-dealer may have other more stringent obligations with regard to the giving, receipt or reporting of personal gifts and entertainment.

 
A.
Gifts

Adviser Access Persons may only accept from Organizations gifts (other than Entertainment Events) of a value not exceeding $100. The limit of $100 is an aggregate limit, per Adviser Access Person, per Organization on an annual basis. Promotional items of negligible value ( e.g., mugs, pens, t-shirts, etc.) do not need to be considered toward the aggregate annual limit. Gifts exceeding the $100 value limit should be returned to the giver, or donated to charity if appropriate. Adviser Access Persons are prohibited from accepting cash gifts, including cash equivalents such as gift certificates or gift cards from Organizations.
 
The Adviser recognizes that, under appropriate circumstances, it may be acceptable for the Adviser or an Adviser Access Person to give a gift to individuals within an Organization. The gift must be valued at less than $100, which is an aggregate limit, per recipient, on an annual basis. Further, the Adviser Access Person must have a reasonable belief that the giving of the gift complies with any applicable code of conduct of the recipient.
 
Adviser Access Persons are not required to obtain prior approval before accepting or giving a gift, but must promptly report to the CCO the receipt of or the giving of the gift so it can be recorded on the Adviser’s Gift Log in Compliance 11. The giving or receiving of promotional items of negligible value ( e.g. , mugs, pens, t-shirts, etc.) do not have to be reported to the CCO or recorded on the Gift Log.

 
B.
Exceptions to Gift Giving Limits
 
The limits set forth above generally do not apply to personal gifts from individuals within Organizations, such as a wedding gift or a congratulatory gift for the birth of a child, provided that these gifts are not in relation to the business of the Adviser or as a result of the Adviser’s business with the Organization.

 
C.
Entertainment Events
 
The Adviser recognizes that participating in Entertainment Events with Organizations may help further legitimate business purposes and objectives. Examples of permissible Entertainment Events include lunches, dinners, golf outings, cocktail parties and regular season sporting events.
 
Adviser Access Persons are not required to obtain prior approval before participating in or hosting an Entertainment Event, but must promptly advise the CCO of the event so it can be recorded in the Adviser’s Entertainment Log in Compliance 11.

 
D.
Soliciting Gifts, Entertainment Events, or Contributions
 

Adviser Access Persons may not solicit gifts, entertainment opportunities, sponsorships, or charitable or political contributions from Organizations without approval of the Compliance Group.

 
E.
Maintenance of the Gifts and Entertainment Logs
 
The CCO, or designee, is responsible for maintaining and monitoring the Gift and Entertainment Logs.


IX.
O UTSIDE A FFILIATIONS
 
The Adviser recognizes that an Adviser Access Person has outside affiliations to which he or she dedicates personal time.

 
A.
Directorships
 
An Adviser Access Person who wishes to serve on the Board of Directors of any organization must first obtain approval from the CCO, or another member of the Compliance Group, prior to accepting the position. The Compliance Group will determine if a new Adviser Access Person can continue to serve as a director of a publicly-traded company if he or she is already in that position prior to joining the Adviser. In either case, approval will be granted only if the Compliance Group determines that the activity does not present a significant conflict of interest with the Adviser or the Adviser’s clients.
 
The above restrictions and procedures for approval do not apply to unpaid service with a charitable or non-profit organization.

 
B.
Outside Employment
 
Each Adviser Access Person is required to disclose whether or not he or she is engaged in any paid employment, business venture or service outside the business of the Adviser. No paid employment or participation in a venture or service relating to the provision of investment advisory services is permitted.
 
These disclosures are required on the Initial Conflicts of Interest and annually thereafter on the Annual Conflicts of Interest Questionnaire.

X.
O VERSIGHT   OF   THE C ODE   OF E THICS

 
A.
Compliance Group
 
The Compliance Group, led by the CCO, is responsible for monitoring and oversight of this Code.

 
B.
Responsibilities of Each Employee
 
It is expected that Employees will embrace and comply with both the letter and spirit of the Code and to uphold the bedrock principle that our client’s interests come before the Adviser’s interests or the personal interests of individual Employees.
 
Adherence to the Code is a basic condition of employment. If an Employee has any doubt as to the appropriateness of any activity, believes that he or she has violated the Code, or becomes aware of a violation of the Code by another Employee, the Employee is obligated to bring these matters to the attention of the Compliance Group.

 
C.
Enforcement of the Code

Potential violations of the Code will be investigated and considered by the Compliance Group.
 
Violations of the Code’s provisions are taken seriously and may result in sanctions or other consequences, including but not limited to the following:

 
1.
A warning;

 
2.
A reversal of a Personal Securities Transaction or the return of the gift;

 
3.
Disgorgement of profits from the Personal Securities Transaction or of the value of a gift;


 
4.
A limitation or restriction on engaging in Personal Securities Transactions;

 
5.
A monetary fine;

 
6.
Termination of employment; and

 
7.
Referral to civil or criminal authorities.
 
As described above in Section V, A DMINISTRATION   OF   THE C ODE   OF E THICS , violations are reported to the Board of Trustees of the RiverNorth Funds no less frequently than annually.
 
Any questions about the Code of Ethics or the existence of a conflict of interest, or the appearance of a conflict of interest, should be brought to the attention of the CCO or other member of the Compliance Group.

Exhibit A
Text of Rule 16a-1(a)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
Rule 16a-1(a)(2) Other than for purposes of determining whether a person is a beneficial owner of more than ten percent of any class of equity securities registered under Section 12 of the Act, the term beneficial owner shall mean any person who, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares a direct or indirect pecuniary interest in the equity securities, subject to the following:
 
(i) The term pecuniary interest in any class of equity securities shall mean the opportunity, directly or indirectly, to profit or share in any profit derived from a transaction in the subject securities.
 
(ii) The term indirect pecuniary interest in any class of equity securities shall include, but not be limited to:
 
(A) Securities held by members of a person’s immediate family sharing the same household; provided, however, that the presumption of such beneficial ownership may be rebutted; see also § 240.16a-1(a)(4) ;
 
(B) A general partner’s proportionate interest in the portfolio securities held by a general or limited partnership. The general partner’s proportionate interest, as evidenced by the partnership agreement in effect at the time of the transaction and the partnership’s most recent financial statements, shall be the greater of:
 
(1) The general partner’s share of the partnership’s profits, including profits attributed to any limited partnership interests held by the general partner and any other interests in profits that arise from the purchase and sale of the partnership’s portfolio securities; or
 
(2) The general partner’s share of the partnership capital account, including the share attributable to any limited partnership interest held by the general partner.
 
(C) A performance-related fee, other than an asset-based fee, received by any broker, dealer, bank, insurance company, investment company, investment adviser, investment manager, trustee or person or entity performing a similar function; provided, however, that no pecuniary interest shall be present where:
 
(1) The performance-related fee, regardless of when payable, is calculated based upon net capital gains and/or net capital appreciation generated from the portfolio or from the fiduciary’s overall performance over a period of one year or more; and

 (2) Equity securities of the issuer do not account for more than ten percent of the market value of the portfolio. A right to a nonperformance-related fee alone shall not represent a pecuniary interest in the securities;
 
(D) A person’s right to dividends that is separated or separable from the underlying securities. Otherwise, a right to dividends alone shall not represent a pecuniary interest in the securities;
 
(E) A person’s interest in securities held by a trust, as specified in § 240.16a-8(b); and
 
(F) A person’s right to acquire equity securities through the exercise or conversion of any derivative security, whether or not presently exercisable.
 
(iii) A shareholder shall not be deemed to have a pecuniary interest in the portfolio securities held by a corporation or similar entity in which the person owns securities if the shareholder is not a controlling shareholder of the entity and does not have or share investment control over the entity’s portfolio.


Exhibit B
Members of Compliance Group
 
Marc Collins, Chief Compliance Officer
Jon Mohrhardt
Melissa Braun

 
Compliance Policies and Procedures Manual


Exhibit C
Exempt Transactions
 
The following transactions shall be exempt from the pre-clearance requirements and other provisions of this Code of Ethics, but the reporting and disclosure requirements of the Code shall apply:
 
A. Non-discretionary Transactions
 
Purchases or sales effected in any account over which an Access Person has no direct or indirect influence or control, or in any account of the Access Person which is managed on a discretionary basis by a person: (a) unrelated to the Access Person; (b) whom the Access Person does not, in fact, influence or control; and (c) with whom the Access Person does not confer or otherwise participate in connection with the purchase and sale of securities in the account.
 
Note: Any registered investment adviser retained by an Access Person shall be pre-approved by the Compliance Officer before the Access Person may rely upon this exemption. For this purpose, transactions effected under a power of attorney or a brokerage account agreement are not eligible for this exemption unless they contain an express delegation of investment discretion.
 
B. Non-volitional Transactions
 
Purchases or sales that are non-volitional on the part of the Access Person, including mergers, recapitalizations or similar transactions. Non-volitional transactions also include gifts of a Reportable Security to an Access Person over which the Access Person has no control of the timing.
 
C. Automatic Investment Plans
 
A program in which regular periodic purchases or sales are made automatically in or from investment accounts in accordance with a predetermined schedule and allocation, including an issuer’s automatic dividend reinvestment plan.
 
D. Rights Issuances
 
Purchases effected upon the exercise of rights issued by the issuer pro rata to all holders of a class of its securities, to the extent such rights were acquired from such issuer, and sales of such rights so acquired.

Exhibit D
List of RiverNorth Funds
 
RiverNorth Core Opportunity Fund
RiverNorth/DoubleLine Strategic Income Fund
RiverNorth/Manning & Napier Dividend Income Fund
RiverNorth Dynamic Buy-Write Fund
RiverNorth/Oaktree High Income Fund


 
RIVERNORTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND, INC.
 
POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
I, the undersigned Director of the RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Fund”), hereby appoint Abigail Murray and Valerie Ruppel, with full power of substitution, and full power to sign for her and in her name in the appropriate capacities, any registration statements on Form N-2 filed by the Fund in connection with the offering of its common shares, including any and all amendments to such registration statement and supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in our names and behalf in connection therewith as said attorney-in-fact deems necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and all related requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
This Power of Attorney, which shall not be affected by the disability of the undersigned, is executed and effective as of the date set forth below.
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF we have hereunto set our hands on the dates set opposite our respective signatures.
 
By:
/s/Thomas A. Carter
 
By:
/s/John Carter
 
Thomas A. Carter
Director and Chairman of the Board
   
John Carter
Director
         
Date:
November 20, 2015
 
Date:
November 20, 2015
 
By:
/s/Patrick W. Galley
 
By:
/s/J. Wayne Hutchens
 
Patrick W. Galley
Director
   
J. Wayne Hutchens
Director
         
Date:
November 20, 2015
 
Date
November 20, 2015
 
By:
/s/John Oakes
 
By:
/s/David M. Swanson
 
John Oakes
Director
   
David M. Swanson
Director
         
Date:
November 20, 2015
 
Date:
November 20, 2015