Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 27, 2019

Securities Act of 19933 File No. 333-180308

Investment Company Act of 1940 File No. 811-22680

 

U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C.

 

FORM N-1A

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 [X]

 

Pre-Effective Amendment No.

 

Post-Effective Amendment No. 143

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 [X]

 

Amendment No. 146

 

(Check appropriate box or boxes)

ULTIMUS MANAGERS TRUST

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450

Cincinnati, Ohio 45246

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: (513) 587-3400

 

Matthew J. Beck

Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC

225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450

Cincinnati, Ohio 45246

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):

/   / immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
/ X / on September 27, 2019 pursuant to paragraph (b)
/   / 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a) (1)
/   / on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a) (1)
/   / 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a) (2)
/   / on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a) (2) of Rule 485(b)

 

If appropriate, check the following box:

 

/   / This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.

 

 

 

WAVELENGTH INTEREST RATE NEUTRAL FUND

(WAVLX)

 

Managed by
Wavelength Capital Management, LLC

 

PROSPECTUS

 

September 27, 2019

 

For information or assistance in opening an account,
please call toll-free 1-866-896-9292.

 

This Prospectus has information about the Fund that you should know before you invest. You should read it carefully and keep it with your investment records.

 

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved the Fund’s shares or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund’s shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the Fund or from your financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on a website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.

 

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically by contacting the Fund at 1-866-896-9292 or, if you own these shares through a financial intermediary, you may contact your financial intermediary.

 

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. You can inform the Fund that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by contacting the Fund at 1-866-896-9292. If you own shares through a financial intermediary, you may contact your financial intermediary or follow instructions included with this disclosure to elect to continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held with the fund complex or at your financial intermediary.

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Risk/Return Summary 3
Investment Objective, Investment Strategies and Related Risks 15
Fund Management 24
How the Fund Values Its Shares 26
How to Buy Shares 26
How to Redeem Shares 30
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes 32
Financial Highlights 34
Customer Privacy Notice 36
For Additional Information 38

 

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RISK/RETURN SUMMARY

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

 

The Wavelength Interest Rate Neutral Fund (the “Fund”) seeks total return.

 

FEES AND EXPENSES

 

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.

 

Shareholder Fees

(fees paid directly from your investment)

 

Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) None
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) None
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends None
Redemption Fee None

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses

(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

 

Management Fees 0.95%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees None
Other Expenses 0.46%
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses (1) 0.29%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 1.70%
Fee Reductions and/or Expense Reimbursements(2) (0.42%)
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Reductions and/or Expense Reimbursement 1.28%

 

(1) “Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses” and “Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Reductions and/or Expenses Reimbursement” will not correlate to the ratios of expenses to the average net assets in the Fund’s Financial Highlights, which reflect the operating expenses of the Fund and do not include “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses.”
(2) Wavelength Capital Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) has contractually agreed, until October 1, 2025 to reduce Management Fees and reimburse Other Expenses to the extent necessary to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (exclusive of brokerage costs, taxes, interest, borrowing costs such as interest and dividend expenses on securities sold short, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, and extraordinary expenses such as litigation and merger or reorganization costs and other expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business) to an amount not exceeding 0.99% of average daily net assets. Management Fee reductions and expense reimbursements by the Adviser are subject to repayment by the Fund for a period of three years after the date on which such fees and expenses were incurred, provided that the repayments do not cause Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (exclusive of such reductions and reimbursements) to exceed (i) the expense limitation then in effect, if any and (ii) the expense limitation in effect at the time the expenses to be repaid were incurred. Prior to October 1, 2025, this agreement may not be modified or terminated without the approval of the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of the Ultimus Managers Trust. This agreement will terminate automatically if the Fund’s investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) with the Adviser is terminated.

 

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Example

 

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, the operating expenses of the Fund remain the same and the contractual agreement to limit expenses remains in effect only until October 1, 2025. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
$130 $406 $702 $1,763

 

Portfolio Turnover

 

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 20% of the average value of its portfolio.

 

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

 

The Fund aims to achieve its investment objective by seeking to establish a balance of investment exposure across possible interest rate environments using global fixed income instruments, while buying and selling securities with a target of maintaining this balance amidst changing market and economic conditions. The Fund’s portfolio holdings will primarily include securities sold on United States (“U.S.”) exchanges and may include bonds (including government and inflation-linked bonds, the latter of which are U.S. and foreign government bonds with a nominal return indexed to inflation), exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), and derivative instruments (including futures contracts and exchange-traded notes (“ETNs”)). Investments represented by the ETFs and derivative instruments that the Fund may hold are likely to include, but are not limited to, developed-market government bonds, developed-market inflation-linked government bonds, emerging market U.S. Dollar-denominated fixed-income securities, sovereign debt, corporate debt, and convertible bonds. The Fund defines emerging market securities as those that provide exposure to companies that are domiciled in any country, or are issued by any country, included in the Bloomberg Barclays USD Emerging Markets Total Return Index. Depending on market conditions, the Fund’s portfolio structure, and other factors considered by the Adviser, the Fund’s portfolio may at times consist primarily of ETFs or primarily of the individual securities noted above.

 

The Adviser will not target any particular average credit quality or average maturity for the Fund. The Fund may purchase (directly or indirectly) fixed-income securities of any credit quality, maturity or yield. The Adviser intends to limit the Fund’s investment (direct or indirect) in high yield securities (junk bonds) to not more than 50% of its net assets.

 

The Adviser uses quantitative investment models for macroeconomic analysis, risk management, and portfolio construction purposes. To implement this investment process, and to facilitate efficiency and repeatability, the Adviser has automated many of the rules used in these areas. That is, the Adviser often creates and uses proprietary software that can automatically gather the data required for analysis, quantitatively evaluate investments as needed for portfolio construction, and generate target portfolio holdings on behalf of the Fund.

 

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In implementing the Fund’s investment strategy, the Adviser uses an “interest rate neutral” strategy, which means that the Adviser seeks to construct a portfolio with a “neutral” exposure to potential interest rate movements. Specifically, the Adviser targets the base interest rate in the U.S. economy, which is the federal funds rate, and seeks to achieve a neutral exposure to that rate. The Adviser believes that the macroeconomic conditions of growth and inflation are the two principal factors that influence the Federal Reserve’s decisions related to the federal funds rate. As such, the Adviser measures instruments’ statistical relationships with growth conditions and inflation conditions, and seeks to create a balance within the Fund’s portfolio of investment exposure between, on the one hand, instruments that the Adviser believes benefit when each such condition is rising, and, on the other hand, instruments that the Adviser believes benefit when each such condition is falling. Through this balance, the Adviser seeks to establish a portfolio that will likely be neutral (i.e., not materially affected) by movements in the U.S. interest rate environment. There is no assurance that the Adviser will be able to achieve a “neutral” exposure to potential interest rate environments within the portfolio.

 

The inputs the Adviser will use in targeting this balanced investment exposure include:

 

1. Macroeconomic inputs related to economic growth (e.g., changes in gross domestic product and industrial production) and inflation (e.g., changes in the consumer price index). In this regard, the Adviser evaluates fundamental relationships between asset classes and macroeconomic conditions as experienced over the long-term.

 

2. Quantitative inputs related to investment exposure (e.g., the standard deviation of investment returns and their maximum experienced losses over multiple timeframes). In this regard, the Adviser evaluates statistical measures of investment exposure for each market in which investments are made.

 

The Fund’s investment strategy is based on establishing a balance of investment exposure across possible interest rate environments using fixed-income instruments, and the Adviser will buy and sell securities with a target of maintaining this balance amidst changing market and economic conditions. The Fund may use ETFs as a means of implementing its strategy; and, when it does, the Fund’s returns from such ETFs are expected to be derived primarily from their total return. At times, a large portion of the Fund’s portfolio may be invested in ETFs.

 

The Fund will typically use derivative instruments, including but not limited to futures contracts and ETNs, in seeking to achieve its investment objective, subject to applicable law and any other restriction described in this Prospectus or the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”). The term “derivative” instruments generally refers to instruments that have a value based on (“derived from”) the value of an underlying asset, reference rate, index or some other variable. Futures contracts are contractual agreements related to future financial obligations, and the futures that the Fund will hold will primarily be U.S. Government bond futures. Synthetic leverage, including long and short exposures (but not borrowing of securities), may be created through futures transactions made by the Fund. The Fund’s use of derivative instruments can have the economic effect of financial leverage which increases the effect of price swings of an underlying asset. This can result in the potential for both greater gains and greater losses for the Fund than would be possible if the Fund did not use instruments with the economic effect of financial leverage. The percentage of the Fund’s assets invested in derivatives will fluctuate but collectively could represent economic exposure of 100% or more of the total assets of the Fund. While the use of derivative instruments is intended to reduce volatility, this can also cause the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) to be volatile, and there is no assurance that the use of derivative instruments will enable the Fund to achieve its investment objective. The rules and interpretations of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) impose certain limitations on the Fund’s ability to use leverage.

 

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At times, a significant portion of the Fund’s assets may also be held in cash or equivalent holdings that serve as collateral for other positions and earn income for the Fund. These cash or equivalent holdings may be held directly or indirectly and may include, but are not limited to, U.S. Government securities, U.S. Government agency securities, short-term fixed-income securities, overnight and/or fixed term repurchase agreements, money market mutual fund shares, and cash and cash equivalents with one year or less term to maturity.

 

Over short-to-medium periods of time, the Adviser expects the Fund’s NAV to fluctuate and exhibit volatility due in part to the use of derivative instruments and their potential effect of financial leverage, in addition to the expected levels of fluctuation within financial markets. The volatility of the Fund’s NAV is measured by the annualized standard deviation of its return. While the Fund’s holdings are intended to reduce the effect of market volatility, the Adviser generally expects that the annualized volatility target for the Fund’s NAV will generally range between 5% and 15% of the Fund’s total return. Actual or realized volatility can and will differ from this target forecast range and may be higher or lower depending on market conditions.

 

PRINCIPAL RISKS

 

As with any mutual fund investment, there is a risk that you could lose money by investing in the Fund. The success of the Fund’s investment strategy depends largely upon the Adviser’s skill in selecting securities for purchase and sale by the Fund and there is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. Because of the types of securities in which the Fund invests and the investment techniques the Adviser uses, the Fund is designed for investors who are investing for the long term. The Fund may not be appropriate for use as a complete investment program. The principal risks of an investment in the Fund are generally described below.

 

Asset Allocation Risk. The Fund invests in a broad array of asset classes and may allocate assets to an asset class that underperforms other asset classes. For example, the Fund may be overweight in instruments tied to rising growth, i.e. convertible bonds, when the stock market is falling and the fixed-income market is rising.

 

CFTC Regulation Risk. To the extent the Fund makes investments regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”), the Fund intends to do so in accordance with Rule 4.5 under the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended (“CEA”). The Trust on behalf of the Fund, has filed a notice of eligibility for exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” in accordance with Rule 4.5 and therefore, the Fund is not subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator under the CEA. If the Fund is unable to comply with the requirements of Rule 4.5, the Fund may be required to modify its investment strategies or be subject to CFTC registration requirements, either of which may have an adverse effect on the Fund.

 

Convertible Securities Risk. The Fund may buy securities convertible into common stock. Although to a lesser extent than with fixed-income securities, the market value of convertible bonds tends to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, tends to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, because of the conversion feature, the market value of convertible bonds tends to vary with fluctuations in the market value of the underlying common stock. While no securities investments are without risk, investments in convertible securities generally entail less risk than investments in common stock of the same issuer.

 

Counterparty Credit Risk. The Fund may invest in financial instruments involving counterparties for the purpose of attempting to gain exposure to a particular group of securities, index or asset class without actually purchasing those securities or investments, or to hedge a position. In these types of transactions, the counterparty represents the other party involved in a financial transaction with the Fund. The Fund’s use of such financial instruments, including swap agreements and structured notes, involves risks that are different from those related to ordinary portfolio securities transactions. These include the risk that the counterparty will default on its obligation to pay the Fund and the risk that the Fund will not be able to meet its obligations to pay the other party to the agreement without having to sell other Fund holdings for non-investment related reasons.

 

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Derivatives Risk. The use of derivative instruments requires special skills and knowledge of investment techniques that are different than those normally required for purchasing and selling stocks. If the Adviser uses a derivative instrument at the wrong time or incorrectly identifies market conditions, or if the derivative instrument does not perform as expected, these strategies may significantly reduce the Fund’s return. Derivative instruments may be difficult to value, may be illiquid and may be subject to wide swings in valuation caused by changes in the value of the underlying instrument. In addition, the cost of investing in such instruments generally increases as interest rates increase, which will lower the Fund’s return.

 

The Fund may maintain a substantial amount of its assets in cash and cash equivalents as required under U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules.

 

In addition, the Fund’s use of futures contracts creates leverage, which can magnify the Fund’s potential for gain or loss and therefore amplify the effect of market volatility on the Fund’s share price. Certain derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the initial investment.

 

Emerging Markets Risk. Investments in emerging markets involve all of the risks of foreign investments (see below), and also have additional risks. The markets of developing countries have been more volatile than the markets of developed countries with more mature economies. Many emerging markets companies in the early stages of development are dependent on a small number of products and lack substantial capital reserves. In addition, emerging markets often have less developed legal and financial systems. These markets often have provided significantly higher or lower rates of return than developed markets and usually carry higher risks to investors than securities of companies in developed countries.

 

ETF and Other Investment Company Risk. The Fund may invest in ETFs and other investment companies. Through its positions in ETFs and other investment companies, the Fund will be subject to the risks associated with such vehicle’s investments, including the possibility that the value of the securities or instruments held by an ETF or other investment company could decrease (or increase). Certain of the ETFs or other investment companies in which the Fund may invest may hold common portfolio positions, thereby reducing any diversification benefits. Investments in ETFs and other investment companies are also subject to additional risks, including:

 

Expenses. When the Fund invests in ETFs and other investment companies, your cost of investing in the Fund will generally be higher than the cost of investing directly in ETFs or other investment companies, since you will indirectly bear fees and expenses charged by the underlying ETFs and investment companies in which the Fund invests in addition to the Fund’s direct fees and expenses.

 

Fund of Funds Structure. The use of a fund of funds structure could affect the timing, amount, and character of the Fund’s distributions and therefore may increase the amount of your tax liability.

 

Market Value Risk. The market value of an ETF’s shares may differ from its NAV. This difference in price may be due to the fact that the supply and demand in the market for ETF shares at any point in time is not always identical to the supply and demand in the market for the underlying basket of securities. Accordingly, there may be times when an ETF trades at a premium (creating the risk that the Fund pays more than NAV for an ETF when making a purchase) or discount (creating the risks that the Fund’s NAV is reduced for undervalued ETFs it holds, and that the Fund receives less than NAV when selling an ETF).

 

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ETN Risk. The Fund may invest in ETNs, which are notes representing unsecured debt of the issuer whose returns are linked to a particular index. The ETNs are synthetic, and the Fund has no claim on the reference assets. ETNs held by the Fund are typically linked to the performance of a commodities index that reflects the potential return on leveraged and unleveraged investments in futures contracts of physical commodities, plus interest that could be earned on cash collateral, and minus the issuer’s fee. The value of an ETN may be influenced by fluctuations in the values of the underlying assets or instruments, time to maturity, level of supply and demand for the ETN, volatility and lack of liquidity in the underlying markets, changes in applicable interest rates, and changes in the issuer’s credit rating. The Fund will bear any fees and expenses associated with investment in ETNs, which will reduce the amount of return on investment at maturity or redemption. There may be restrictions on the Fund’s right to redeem its investment in an ETN meant to be held to maturity. There are no periodic interest payments for ETNs and principal is not protected. It may be difficult for the Fund to sell its ETN holdings. Investments in ETNs may also subject the Fund to other risks, including credit and counterparty risk, interest rate risk, leverage risk and tax risk.

 

Foreign Investing Risk. The Fund may invest in foreign securities that trade on U.S. exchanges or indirectly (i.e. through ETFs or other investment companies) in foreign securities that trade on foreign exchanges. Foreign securities markets can be volatile and securities prices can change drastically. Foreign investments may be adversely affected by governmental actions such as capital or currency controls, nationalization of a company or industry, expropriation of assets or imposition of higher taxes. Investments in foreign securities involve risks resulting from differences in regulations to which U.S. and foreign markets are subject. These risks include differing accounting and disclosure standards, currency exchange risks, settlement difficulties, market illiquidity, difficulties enforcing legal rights and greater transaction costs. The foregoing risks are more pronounced in investments in securities of issuers that are located in or have substantial operations in emerging market countries because such countries tend to develop sporadically and the securities may have lower trading volumes and less liquidity than developed markets.

 

Futures Contract Risk. Transactions in derivative instruments (e.g., futures) involve a risk of loss or depreciation due to: unanticipated adverse changes in securities prices, interest rates, indices, the other financial instruments’ prices or currency exchange rates; the inability to close out a position; default by the counterparty; imperfect correlation between a position and the desired hedge (if the derivative instrument is being used for hedging purposes); tax constraints on closing out positions; and portfolio management constraints on securities subject to such transactions. The loss on derivative instruments (other than purchased options) may substantially exceed the amount invested in these instruments. In addition, the entire premium paid for purchased options may be lost before they can be profitably exercised. Transaction costs are incurred in opening and closing positions.

 

The successful use of futures contracts depends upon the Adviser’s skill and experience with respect to such instruments and are subject to special risk considerations, including:

 

imperfect correlation between the change in market value of the instruments held by the Fund and the price of the forward or futures contract;
possible lack of a liquid secondary market for a forward or futures contract and the resulting inability to close a forward or futures contract when desired;
losses caused by unanticipated market movement, which are potentially unlimited;
the Adviser’s inability to correctly predict the direction of securities prices, interest rates, currency exchange rates and other economic factors;
the possibility that a counterparty will default in the performance of its obligations;

 

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the possibility that the Fund may have insufficient cash and have to sell securities from its portfolio to meet the daily variation margin requirements at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so;
the possibility that a failure to close a position may result in delivery of an illiquid commodity to the Fund or that rapid selling to avoid delivery may result in unfavorable execution prices; and
possible inefficiencies that are created by the need to “roll contracts” (i.e., sell out of a contract that is nearing delivery or settlement in favor of a contract with a delivery or settlement date that is further into the future).

 

Inflation Risk. Inflation risk is the risk that the price of an asset, or income generated by an asset, will not keep up with the cost of living. Almost all financial assets have some inflation risk.

 

Interest Rate Risk. The price of a fixed-income security is dependent, in part, upon prevailing market interest rates. The share price and total return of the Fund, when investing a significant portion of its assets in fixed-income securities, will vary in response to changes in interest rates. A rise in interest rates will generally cause the value of fixed-income securities to decrease. Conversely, a decrease in interest rates will generally cause the value of fixed-income securities to increase. Consequently, changes in interest rates may have a significant effect on the Fund, especially if the Fund is holding a significant portion of its assets in fixed-income securities that are particularly sensitive to interest rate fluctuations, such as fixed-income securities with long-term maturities, zero coupon bonds, and debentures. This risk may be heightened given the historically low interest rate environment and likelihood of increases in those interest rates in the future. A rise or potential rise in interest rates may increase redemptions, which could require the Adviser to liquidate portfolio securities at disadvantageous prices and times, resulting in losses to the Fund.

 

Investment Grade Securities Risk. Investment grade fixed-income securities are assigned credit ratings by ratings agencies based on the creditworthiness or risk of default of a bond issue. Ratings agencies review, from time to time, such assigned ratings of the securities and may subsequently downgrade the rating if economic circumstances affect the relevant bond issue.

 

Investment Model and Computer Software Risk. The Adviser relies heavily on quantitative investment models to assist with security selection. The Adviser’s extensive use of its quantitative models and proprietary software presents certain additional risks. Specifically, the Adviser cannot guarantee that the data used in the models will be accurate or complete. Moreover, the computer software, whether proprietary or obtained from third-parties, may fail or may have errors that go undetected by the Adviser. If issues are present in the data used by the Adviser or if there are errors in the computer software used by the Adviser, there may be adverse impacts to the Fund, including a decline in the Fund’s NAV. The Fund is at risk for any adverse financial impacts resulting from deficiencies in the Adviser’s quantitative investment process.

 

Issuer/Credit Risk. There is a possibility that issuers of securities in which the Fund may invest may default on the payment of interest or principal on the securities when due, which could cause the Fund to lose money.

 

High Yield Bond (Junk Bond) Risk. Fixed-income securities rated below Baa by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody's”) and BBB by S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”) or Fitch Ratings, Inc. (“Fitch”) and unrated securities of similar credit quality are generally considered speculative in nature and are generally subject to greater risks with respect to the non-payment of interest and principal and greater market fluctuations than higher-rated fixed-income securities. Lower-rated fixed-income securities are usually issued by companies without long track records of sales and earnings, or by companies with questionable credit strength. These fixed-income securities are considered below “investment grade.” The retail secondary market for these “junk bonds” may be less liquid than that of higher-rated fixed-income securities, and adverse conditions could make it difficult at times to sell certain securities or could result in lower prices than those used in calculating the Fund’s NAV. These risks can reduce the value of the Fund’s shares and the income it earns. Lower-rated securities carry a greater risk of default than investment grade securities.

 

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Leverage Risk. Futures contracts, forward contracts, swaps and certain other derivatives provide the economic effect of financial leverage by creating additional investment exposure, as well as the potential for greater loss. The NAV of the Fund when employing leverage will be more volatile and sensitive to market movements. Leverage may involve the creation of a liability that requires the Fund to pay interest.

 

Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk that a particular investment cannot be sold at the advantageous time or price. For example, if a fixed-income security is downgraded or drops in price, the market demand for that security may be limited, making that security difficult to sell. Additionally, the market for certain securities may become illiquid under adverse market or economic conditions. A reduction in dealer market-making capacity in the fixed-income markets also has the potential to decrease liquidity for fixed-income securities as a general matter. A potential rise in interest rates may result in periods of volatility and increased redemptions. Increases in redemptions may require the Adviser to liquidate portfolio securities at disadvantageous prices and times, which could reduce the Fund’s returns. Also, investments in derivatives, non-U.S. investments, restricted securities, securities having small market capitalizations, and securities having substantial market and/or credit and counterparty risk tend to involve greater liquidity risk.

 

Management Style Risk. The Adviser’s method of security selection may not be successful and the Fund may underperform relative to its benchmark index or to other mutual funds that employ similar investment strategies. In addition, the Adviser may select investments that fail to perform as anticipated. The ability of the Fund to meet its investment objective is directly related to the success of the Adviser’s investment process and there is no guarantee that the Adviser’s judgments about the attractiveness, value and potential appreciation of a particular investment for the Fund will be correct or produce the desired results.

 

Market Risk. The risk of losing money due to general market movements is called market risk. Factors such as domestic and foreign economic growth and market conditions, interest rates and political events may affect the securities and derivatives markets. Markets can be extremely volatile and tend to move in cycles with periods of falling and rising prices.

 

Maturity Risk. Maturity risk is another factor that can affect the value of the Fund’s fixed-income security holdings. In general, but not in all cases, the longer the maturity of a fixed-income security, the higher its yield and the greater its price sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Certain market conditions, such as inverted yield curves, may indicate that securities with longer maturities may result in lower yields. Conversely, the shorter the maturity, the lower the yield but the greater the price stability. The Fund will be subject to greater maturity risk to the extent it is invested in fixed-income securities with longer maturities.

 

Money Market Mutual Funds. Although a money market fund seeks to maintain the value of an investment at $1.00 per share, there is no assurance that it will be able to do so, and it is possible to lose money by investing in a money market fund. The Fund will incur additional indirect expenses due to acquired fund fees and other costs to the extent it invests in shares of money market mutual funds.

 

Political Risk. Changes in the political status of any country can have profound effects on the value of investments exposed to that country. Related risk factors are the regulatory environment within any country or industry and the sovereign health of the country. These risks can only be reduced by carefully monitoring the economic, political and regulatory atmosphere within countries and diversifying across countries.

 

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Reinvestment Risk. As issuers pay interest or return capital to investors, there is no guarantee that investors will be able to reinvest these payments and receive rates equal to or better than their original investment. If interest rates fall, the rate of return available to reinvested money will also fall. For example, purchasers of a 30-year, 5% coupon bond can anticipate that they will receive a 5% return on their original capital, but unless they can reinvest all of the interest receipts at or above 5%, the total return over 30 years will be below 5%. The higher the coupon and prepayment risk, the higher the reinvestment risk. An investor who plans on spending (as opposed to reinvesting) the income generated by his portfolio is less likely to be concerned with reinvestment risk and more likely to be concerned with inflation and interest rate risk than is an investor who will be reinvesting all income.

 

Sovereign Debt Risk. These investments are subject to the risk that a governmental entity may delay or refuse to pay interest or repay principal on its sovereign debt, due, for example, to cash flow problems, insufficient foreign currency reserves, political considerations, the relative size of the governmental entity’s debt position in relation to the economy or the failure to put in place economic reforms required by the International Monetary Fund or other multilateral agencies. If a governmental entity defaults, it may ask for more time in which to pay or for further loans. There is limited legal recourse for collecting sovereign debt that a government does not pay.

 

Taxation Risk. The Fund has elected and expects to qualify and be treated each taxable year as a “regulated investment company” under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. In order to qualify as a regulated investment company, the Fund must meet certain requirements. One of these requirements is that at least 90% of the Fund’s gross income in each taxable year be derived from certain sources (referred to below as “qualifying income”). The Fund invests in a manner that is consistent with its current understanding of these requirements. The U.S. Congress, the Internal Revenue Service or the Treasury Department can change or clarify these requirements at any time, possibly with retroactive effect. If Congress, the Treasury Department or the Internal Revenue Service were to take any action that altered the current understanding of these requirements, certain types of income representing a significant portion of the Fund’s gross income may not constitute qualifying income. In that case, the Fund could be forced to change the manner in which it pursues its investment strategy. In addition, it is not certain under current law whether the income and gain derived from particular investments, such as the Fund’s investments in commodity-linked ETNs, constitute qualifying income to the Fund. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Fund believes that the income and gain that it derives from its investments in commodity-linked ETNs should constitute qualifying income to the Fund. If the income from commodity-linked ETNs were determined by the Internal Revenue Service to not constitute qualifying income (together with any other non-qualifying income of the Fund) and the non-qualifying income represented more than 10% of the Fund’s gross income in any taxable year, the Fund could in some cases cure such failure of the gross income requirement by following certain procedural requirements and paying a Fund-level tax. If the Fund could not or did not cure such failure, it would cease to qualify for the special tax treatment accorded regulated investment companies under federal income tax law and the Fund would be liable for federal income tax at regular corporate income tax rates (approximately 21%) on all of its income for that taxable year. This would likely materially reduce the investment return to the Fund’s shareholders. Shareholders should consult with their tax advisors with respect to the specific tax consequences of an investment in the Fund. Please see the Fund’s SAI for more information.

 

Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (“U.S. TIPS”) and Inflation-Linked Bonds Risk. The value of inflation-protected securities generally fluctuates in response to changes in real interest rates, which are in turn tied to the relationship between nominal interest rates and the rate of inflation. Therefore, if inflation were to rise at a faster rate than nominal interest rates, real interest rates might decline, leading to an increase in the value of inflation-protected securities. In contrast, if nominal interest rates increase at a faster rate than inflation, real interest rates might rise, leading to a decrease in the value of inflation-protected securities. If the Fund purchases inflation-protected securities in the secondary market whose principal values have been adjusted upward due to inflation since issuance, the Fund may experience a loss if there is a subsequent period of deflation. The inflation protected securities markets are generally much smaller and less liquid than the nominal bonds from the same issuers and as such can suffer losses during times of economic stress or illiquidity.

 

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U.S. Government Securities Risk. Treasury obligations may differ in their interest rates, maturities, times of issuance and other characteristics. Obligations of U.S. Government agencies and authorities are supported by varying degrees of credit but generally are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. No assurance can be given that the U.S. Government will provide financial support to its agencies and authorities if it is not obligated by law to do so. Certain of the government agency securities the Fund may purchase are backed only by the credit of the government agency and not by full faith and credit of the United States.

 

Volatility Risk. The Fund may have investments that appreciate or decrease significantly in value over short periods of time. This may cause the Fund’s NAV per share to experience significant increases or declines, generally between 5% and 15% of the Fund’s total return, in value over short periods of time.

 

PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

 

The bar chart and table that follow provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year and by showing how the Fund’s average annual total returns for the one year, five year and since inception periods compare with those of a broad-based securities market index. How the Fund has performed in the past (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information, current through the most recent month end, is available by calling 1-866-896-9292 or by visiting the Fund’s website at www.wavelengthfunds.com.

 

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* The Fund’s year-to-date return through June 30, 2019 is 9.65%.

 

Quarterly Returns During This Time Period

 

Highest 3.39% (quarter ended June 30, 2014)
Lowest (4.26%) (quarter ended September 30, 2015)

 

Average Annual Total Returns

for Periods Ended December 31, 2018

One Year Five Year Since Inception (September 27, 2013)
Return Before Taxes (1.47%) 1.72% 1.60%
Return After Taxes on Distributions (2.47%) 0.74% 0.63%
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares (0.83%) 0.89% 0.80%
S&P/BG Cantor 0-3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 1.83% 0.59% 0.56%

 

After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account (“IRA”).

 

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MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

 

Wavelength Capital Management, LLC is the Fund’s investment adviser.

 

Portfolio Manager Investment Experience with the Fund Primary Title with Adviser
Andrew Dassori Manager of the Fund since its inception in 2013 Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of the Adviser

 

PURCHASE AND SALE OF FUND SHARES

 

Minimum Initial Investment

 

The minimum investment is $10,000 for regular accounts.

 

Minimum Additional Investments

 

The minimum additional investment is $100 for regular accounts ($50 for IRAs and UGMA/UTMA accounts).

 

General Information

 

You may purchase or redeem (sell) shares of the Fund on each day that the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open for business. Transactions may be initiated by written request, by telephone or through your financial intermediary. Written requests to the Fund should be sent to Wavelength Interest Rate Neutral Fund, c/o Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, P.O. Box 46707, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246-0707. For more information about purchasing and redeeming shares, please see “How to Buy Shares” and “How to Redeem Shares” in this Prospectus or call 1-866-896-9292 for assistance.

 

TAX INFORMATION

 

The Fund’s distributions are generally taxed as ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an IRA. Such tax-deferred arrangements may be taxed later upon withdrawal of monies from those arrangements.

 

PAYMENTS TO BROKER-DEALERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES

 

If you purchase the Fund through a broker-dealer or any other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. These payments are sometimes referred to as “revenue sharing”. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

 

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INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS

 

Investment Objective

 

The Fund seeks total return. The Fund reserves the right to change the investment objective without shareholder approval upon at least 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders.

 

Investment Strategy

 

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by seeking to obtain a balanced exposure to the global fixed-income securities market. The Fund’s portfolio holdings will primarily include securities sold on U.S. exchanges and may include bonds (including government and inflation-linked bonds), ETFs, and derivative instruments (including futures contracts and ETNs). Investments represented by the ETFs and derivative instruments that the Fund may hold are likely to include, but are not limited to, developed-market government bonds, developed-market inflation-linked government bonds, emerging market U.S. Dollar-denominated fixed-income securities, sovereign debt, corporate debt, and convertible bonds. Depending on market conditions, the Fund’s portfolio structure, and other factors considered by the Adviser, the Fund’s portfolio may at times consist primarily of ETFs or primarily of the individual securities noted above.

 

The Adviser will not target any particular average credit quality or average maturity for the Fund. The Fund may purchase (directly or indirectly) fixed-income securities of any credit quality, maturity or yield. The Adviser intends to limit the Fund’s investment (direct or indirect) in high yield securities (i.e. junk bonds) to not more than 50% of its net assets.

 

The Adviser uses quantitative investment models for macroeconomic analysis, risk management, and portfolio construction purposes. To implement this investment process, and to facilitate efficiency and repeatability, the Adviser has automated many of the rules used in these areas. That is, the Adviser often creates and uses proprietary software that can automatically gather the data required for analysis, quantitatively evaluate investments as needed for portfolio construction, and generate target portfolio holdings on behalf of the Fund.

 

In implementing the Fund’s investment strategy, the Adviser uses an “interest rate neutral” strategy, which means that the Adviser seeks to construct a portfolio with a “neutral” exposure to potential interest rate movements. Specifically, the Adviser targets the base interest rate in the U.S. economy, which is the federal funds rate, and seeks to achieve a neutral exposure to that rate. The Adviser believes that the macroeconomic conditions of growth and inflation are the two principal factors that influence the Federal Reserve’s decisions related to the federal funds rate. As such, the Adviser measures instruments’ statistical relationships with growth conditions and inflation conditions, and seeks to create a balance within the Fund’s portfolio of investment exposure between, on the one hand, instruments that the Adviser believes benefit when each such condition is rising, and, on the other hand, instruments that the Adviser believes benefit when each such condition is falling. Through this balance, the Adviser seeks to establish a portfolio that will likely be neutral (i.e., not materially affected) by movements in the U.S. interest rate environment. There is no assurance that the Adviser will be able to achieve a “neutral” exposure to potential interest rate environments within the portfolio.

 

The inputs the Adviser will use in targeting this balanced investment exposure include:

 

1. Macroeconomic inputs related to economic growth (e.g., changes in gross domestic product and industrial production) and inflation (e.g., changes in the consumer price index). In this regard, the Adviser evaluates fundamental relationships between asset classes and macroeconomic conditions as experienced over the long-term.

 

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2. Quantitative inputs related to investment exposure (e.g., the standard deviation of investment returns and their maximum experienced losses over multiple timeframes). In this regard, the Adviser evaluates statistical measures of investment exposure for each market in which investments are made.

 

The Fund’s investment strategy is based on establishing a balance of investment exposure across possible interest rate environments using fixed-income instruments, and the Adviser will buy and sell securities with a target of maintaining this balance amidst changing market and economic conditions. The Fund may use ETFs as a means of implementing its strategy; and, when it does, the Fund’s returns from such ETFs are expected to be derived primarily from their total return. At times, a large portion of the Fund’s portfolio may be invested in ETFs.

 

The Fund will typically use derivative instruments, including but not limited to futures contracts and ETNs, in seeking to achieve its investment objective, subject to applicable law and any other restriction described in this Prospectus or the Fund’s SAI. The term “derivative” instruments generally refers to instruments that have a value based on (“derived from”) the value of an underlying asset, reference rate, index or some other variable. Futures contracts are contractual agreements related to future financial obligations, and the futures that the Fund will hold will primarily be U.S. Government bond futures. Synthetic leverage, including long and short exposure (but not borrowing of securities), may be created through futures transactions made by the Fund. The Fund’s use of derivative instruments can have the economic effect of financial leverage which increases the effect of price swings of an underlying asset. This can result in the potential for both greater gains and greater losses for the Fund than would be possible if the Fund did not use instruments with the economic effect of financial leverage. While the use of derivative instruments is intended to reduce volatility, this can also cause the Fund’s NAV to be volatile, and there is no assurance that the use of derivative instruments will enable the Fund to achieve its investment objective. The rules and interpretations of the 1940 Act impose certain limitations on the Fund’s ability to use leverage.

 

At times a significant portion of the Fund’s assets may also be held in cash or equivalent holdings that serve as collateral for other positions and earn income for the Fund. These cash or equivalent holdings may be held directly or indirectly and may include, but are not limited to, U.S. Government securities, U.S. Government agency securities, short-term fixed-income securities, overnight and/or fixed term repurchase agreements, money market mutual fund shares, and cash and cash equivalents with one year or less term to maturity.

 

Over short-to-medium periods of time, the Adviser expects the Fund’s NAV to fluctuate and exhibit volatility due in part to the use of derivative instruments and their potential effect of financial leverage, in addition to the expected levels of fluctuation within financial markets. The volatility of the Fund’s NAV is measured by the annualized standard deviation of its return. While the Fund’s holdings are intended to reduce the effect of market volatility, the Adviser generally expects that the annualized volatility target for the Fund’s NAV will generally range between 5% and 15% of the Fund’s total return. Actual or realized volatility can and will differ from this target forecast range and may be higher or lower depending on market conditions.

 

The Fund may from time to time take temporary defensive positions that are inconsistent with its principal investment strategies. If the Adviser believes a temporary defensive position is warranted in view of market conditions, the Fund may hold cash or invest up to 100% of its assets in high-quality short-term government or corporate obligations, money market instruments or shares of money market mutual funds. Taking a temporary defensive position may prevent the Fund from achieving its investment objective.

 

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PRINCIPAL RISKS

 

The principal risks associated with the Fund’s investment strategies are generally described below. As with any mutual fund investment, there is a risk that you could lose money by investing in the Fund. The success of the Fund’s investment strategy depends largely upon the Adviser’s skill in selecting securities for purchase and sale by the Fund and there is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. Because of the types of securities in which the Fund invests and the investment techniques the Adviser uses, the Fund is designed for investors who are investing for the long term. The Fund may not be appropriate for use as a complete investment program.

 

Asset Allocation Risk. The Fund invests in a broad array of asset classes and may allocate assets to an asset class that underperforms other asset classes. The Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective depends upon the Adviser’s analysis of various factors and its ability to select an appropriate mix of asset classes based on that analysis. For example, the Fund may be overweight in instruments tied to rising growth, i.e., convertible bonds, when the stock market is falling and the fixed income market is rising. The Fund may therefore experience losses or poor relative performance.

 

CFTC Regulation Risk. To the extent the Fund makes investments regulated by the CFTC, the Fund intends to do so in accordance with Rule 4.5 under the CEA. The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, has filed a notice of eligibility for exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” in accordance with Rule 4.5 and therefore, the Fund is not subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator under the CEA. If the Fund is unable to comply with the requirements of Rule 4.5, the Fund may be required to modify its investment strategies or be subject to CFTC registration requirements, either of which may have an adverse effect on the Fund.

 

Convertible Securities Risk. The Fund may buy securities convertible into common stock if Convertible bonds are fixed-income securities that may be converted at a stated price within a specified period of time into a certain quantity of the common stock of the same or a different issuer. Convertible bonds 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 provides the investor the opportunity, through its conversion feature, to participate in the capital appreciation of the underlying common stock. Like other debt securities, the value of a convertible bond tends to vary inversely with the level of interest rates. However, to the extent that the market price of the underlying common stock approaches or exceeds the conversion price, the price of the convertible bond will be increasingly influenced by its conversion value (the security's worth, at market value, if converted into the underlying common stock). Although to a lesser extent than with fixed-income securities, the market value of convertible bonds tends to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, tends to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, because of the conversion feature, the market value of convertible bonds tends to vary with fluctuations in the market value of the underlying common stock. A unique feature of convertible securities is that as the market price of the underlying common stock declines, convertible securities tend to trade increasingly on a yield basis and so may not experience market value declines to the same extent as the underlying common stock. When the market price of the underlying common stock increases, the prices of the convertible securities tend to rise as a reflection of the value of the underlying common stock. While no securities investments are without risk, investments in convertible securities generally entail less risk than investments in common stock of the same issuer.

 

Counterparty Credit Risk. The Fund may invest in financial instruments involving counterparties for the purpose of attempting to gain exposure to a particular group of securities, index or asset class without actually purchasing those securities or investments, or to hedge a position. In these types of transactions, the counterparty represents the other party involved in a financial transaction with the Fund. The Fund’s use of such financial instruments, including swap agreements and structured notes, involves risks that are different from those related to ordinary portfolio securities transactions. These include the risk that the counterparty will default on its obligation to pay the Fund and the risk that the Fund will not be able to meet its obligations to pay the other party to the agreement without having to sell other Fund holdings for non-investment related reasons.

 

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Derivatives Risk. The use of derivative instruments requires special skills and knowledge of investment techniques that are different than those normally required for purchasing and selling stocks. If the Adviser uses a derivative instrument at the wrong time or incorrectly identifies market conditions, or if the derivative instrument does not perform as expected, these strategies may significantly reduce the Fund’s return. Derivative instruments may be difficult to value, may be illiquid and may be subject to wide swings in valuation caused by changes in the value of the underlying instrument. In addition, the cost of investing in such instruments generally increases as interest rates increase, which will lower the Fund’s return.

 

The Fund may maintain a substantial amount of its assets in cash and cash equivalents as required under SEC rules.

 

In addition, the Fund’s use of futures contracts creates leverage, which can magnify the Fund’s potential for gain or loss and therefore amplify the effect of market volatility on the Fund’s share price. Certain derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the initial investment.

 

Emerging Markets Risk. Investments in emerging markets involve all of the risks of foreign investments (see below), and also have additional risks. The markets of developing countries have been more volatile than the markets of developed countries with more mature economies. Many emerging markets companies in the early stages of development are dependent on a small number of products and lack substantial capital reserves. In addition, emerging markets often have less developed legal and financial systems. These markets often have provided significantly higher or lower rates of return than developed markets and usually carry higher risks to investors than securities of companies in developed countries.

 

ETF and Other Investment Company Risk. The Fund may invest in ETFs and other investment companies. Through its positions in ETFs and other investment companies, the Fund will be subject to the risks associated with such vehicle’s investments, including the possibility that the value of the securities or instruments held by an ETF or other investment company could decrease (or increase). Certain of the ETFs or other investment companies in which the Fund may invest may hold common portfolio positions, thereby reducing any diversification benefits. Investments in ETFs and other investment companies are also subject to additional risks, including:

 

Expenses. When the Fund invests in ETFs and other investment companies, your cost of investing in the Fund will generally be higher than the cost of investing directly in ETFs or other investment companies, since you will indirectly bear fees and expenses charged by the underlying ETFs and investment companies in which the Fund invests in addition to the Fund’s direct fees and expenses. Furthermore, the use of a fund of funds structure could affect the timing, amount, and character of the Fund’s distributions and therefore may increase the amount of your tax liability.

 

Fund of Funds Structure. The use of a fund of funds structure could affect the timing, amount, and character of the Fund’s distributions and therefore may increase the amount of your tax liability.

 

Market Value Risk. The market value of an ETF’s shares may differ from its NAV. This difference in price may be due to the fact that the supply and demand in the market for ETF shares at any point in time is not always identical to the supply and demand in the market for the underlying basket of securities. Accordingly, there may be times when an ETF trades at a premium (creating the risk that the Fund pays more than NAV for an ETF when making a purchase) or discount (creating the risks that the Fund’s NAV is reduced for undervalued ETFs it holds, and that the Fund receives less than NAV when selling an ETF).

 

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Operational Risks. There can be no assurance that an active trading market will develop and be maintained for the shares of the ETFs in which the Fund invests. Further, market makers (other than lead market makers) have no obligation to make markets in an ETF’s shares and may discontinue doing so at any time without notice. To the extent no market makers are willing to process creation and/or redemption orders for an ETF, shares of the ETF may trade like closed-end fund shares at a discount to NAV and the ETF may possibly face delisting. Trading in an ETF’s shares may be halted because of market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the exchange on which the ETF lists its shares, make trading in the ETF’s shares inadvisable. In addition, trading in an ETF’s shares is subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to “circuit breaker” rules. During stressed market conditions, the liquidity of an ETF’s shares may be less than the liquidity of the securities in the ETF’s portfolio. Any of the foregoing would have an adverse effect on the value of the Fund’s investment in the ETF’s shares.

 

Registration. Shareholders of ETFs that are registered under the Securities Act of 1933 but not the 1940 Act, such as certain ETFs that invest in commodities, do not have the protections of the 1940 Act.

 

Sampling Risk. Index-based ETFs may utilize a representative sampling approach to track their respective underlying indices. Index-based ETFs that utilize a representative sampling approach are subject to an increased risk of tracking error because the securities selected for the ETF in the aggregate may vary from the investment profile of the underlying index. Additionally, if using a representative sampling approach, an ETF will typically hold a smaller number of securities than the underlying index, and as a result, an adverse development to an ETF could result in a greater decline in NAV than would be the case if the ETF held all of the securities in the underlying index.

 

Tracking Risk. Index-based ETFs may not be able to replicate exactly the performance of the indices they track 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, ETFs may incur expenses not incurred by their applicable indices. Certain securities comprising these indices may, from time to time, temporarily be unavailable, which may further impede an ETF’s ability to track its applicable indices or match its performance.

 

ETN Risk. The Fund may invest in ETNs, which are notes representing unsecured debt of the issuer whose returns are linked to a particular index. The ETNs are synthetic, and the Fund has no claim on the referenced assets. ETNs held by the Fund are typically linked to the performance of a commodities index that reflects the potential return on leveraged and unleveraged investments in futures contracts of physical commodities, plus interest that could be earned on cash collateral, and minus the issuer’s fee. The value of an ETN may be influenced by fluctuations in the values of the underlying assets or instruments, time to maturity, level of supply and demand for the ETN, volatility and lack of liquidity in the underlying markets, changes in applicable interest rates, and changes in the issuer’s credit rating. The Fund will bear any fees and expenses associated with investment in ETNs, which will reduce the amount of return on investment at maturity or redemption. There may be restrictions on the Fund’s right to redeem its investment in an ETN meant to be held to maturity. There are no periodic interest payments for ETNs and principal is not protected. It may be difficult for the Fund to sell its ETN holdings. Investments in ETNs may also subject the Fund to other risks, including credit and counterparty risk, interest rate risk, leverage risk and tax risk.

 

Foreign Investing Risk. The Fund may invest in foreign securities that trade on U.S. exchanges or indirectly (i.e. through ETFs or other investment companies) in foreign securities that trade on foreign exchanges. Foreign securities markets can be volatile and securities prices can change drastically. Foreign investments may be adversely affected by governmental actions such as capital or currency controls, nationalization of a company or industry, expropriation of assets or imposition of higher taxes. Investments in foreign securities involve risks resulting from differences in regulations to which U.S. and foreign markets are subject. These risks include differing accounting and disclosure standards, currency exchange risks, settlement difficulties, market illiquidity, difficulties enforcing legal rights and greater transaction costs. The foregoing risks are more pronounced in investments in securities of issuers that are located in or have substantial operations in emerging market countries because such countries tend to develop sporadically and the securities may have lower trading volumes and less liquidity than developed markets.

 

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Futures Contract Risk. Transactions in derivative instruments (e.g., futures) involve a risk of loss or depreciation due to: unanticipated adverse changes in securities prices, interest rates, indices, the other financial instruments’ prices or currency exchange rates; the inability to close out a position; default by the counterparty; imperfect correlation between a position and the desired hedge (if the derivative instrument is being used for hedging purposes); tax constraints on closing out positions; and portfolio management constraints on securities subject to such transactions. The loss on derivative instruments (other than purchased options) may substantially exceed the amount invested in these instruments. In addition, the entire premium paid for purchased options may be lost before they can be profitably exercised. Transaction costs are incurred in opening and closing positions.

 

The successful use of futures contracts depends upon the Adviser’s skill and experience with respect to such instruments and are subject to special risk considerations, including:

 

imperfect correlation between the change in market value of the instruments held by the Fund and the price of the forward or futures contract;
possible lack of a liquid secondary market for a forward or futures contract and the resulting inability to close a forward or futures contract when desired;
losses caused by unanticipated market movement, which are potentially unlimited;
the Adviser’s inability to correctly predict the direction of securities prices, interest rates, currency exchange rates and other economic factors;
the possibility that a counterparty will default in the performance of its obligations;
the possibility that the Fund may have insufficient cash and have to sell securities from its portfolio to meet the daily variation margin requirements at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so;
the possibility that a failure to close a position may result in delivery of an illiquid commodity to the Fund or that rapid selling to avoid delivery may result in unfavorable execution prices; and
possible inefficiencies that are created by the need to “roll contracts” (i.e., sell out of a contract that is nearing delivery or settlement in favor of a contract with a delivery or settlement date that is further into the future).

 

High Yield Bond (Junk Bond) Risk. Fixed-income securities rated below Baa by Moody’s and BBB by S&P or Fitch and unrated securities of similar credit quality are generally considered speculative in nature and are generally subject to greater risks with respect to the non-payment of interest and principal and greater market fluctuations than higher-rated fixed-income securities. Lower-rated fixed-income securities are usually issued by companies without long track records of sales and earnings, or by companies with questionable credit strength. These fixed-income securities are considered below “investment grade.” The retail secondary market for these “junk bonds” may be less liquid than that of higher-rated fixed-income securities, and adverse conditions could make it difficult at times to sell certain securities or could result in lower prices than those used in calculating the Fund’s NAV. These risks can reduce the value of the Fund’s shares and the income it earns. Lower-rated securities carry a greater risk of default than investment grade securities.

 

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Inflation Risk. Inflation risk is the risk that the price of an asset, or income generated by an asset, will not keep up with the cost of living. Almost all financial assets have some inflation risk.

 

Interest Rate Risk. The price of a fixed-income security is dependent upon prevailing market interest rates. The share price and total return of the Fund, when investing a significant portion of its assets in fixed-income securities, will vary in response to changes in interest rates. A rise in interest rates will generally cause the value of fixed-income securities to decrease. Conversely, a decrease in interest rates will generally cause the value of fixed-income securities to increase. Consequently, changes in interest rates may have a significant effect on the Fund, especially if the Fund is holding a significant portion of its assets in fixed-income securities that are particularly sensitive to interest rate fluctuations, such as fixed-income securities with long-term maturities, zero coupon bonds, and debentures. This risk may be heightened given the historically low interest rate environment and likelihood of increases in those interest rates in the future. A rise or potential rise in interest rates may increase redemptions, which could require the Adviser to liquidate portfolio securities at disadvantageous prices and times, resulting in losses to the Fund.

 

Investment Grade Securities Risk. Investment grade fixed-income securities are assigned credit ratings by ratings agencies based on the creditworthiness or risk of default of a bond issue. Ratings agencies review, from time to time, such assigned ratings of the securities and may subsequently downgrade the rating if economic circumstances affect the relevant bond issue.

 

Investment Model and Computer Software Risk. The Adviser relies heavily on quantitative investment models to assist with security selection. The Adviser’s extensive use of its quantitative models and proprietary software presents certain additional risks. Specifically, the Adviser cannot guarantee that the data used in the models will be accurate or complete. Moreover, the computer software, whether proprietary or obtained from third-parties, may fail or may have errors that go undetected by the Adviser. If issues are present in the data used by the Adviser or if there are errors in the computer software used by the Adviser, there may be adverse impacts to the Fund, including a decline in the Fund’s NAV. The Fund is at risk for any adverse financial impacts resulting from deficiencies in the Adviser’s quantitative investment process.

 

Issuer/Credit Risk. There is a possibility that issuers of securities in which the Fund may invest may default on the payment of interest or principal on the securities when due, which could cause the Fund to lose money.

 

Leverage Risk. Futures contracts, forward contracts, swaps and certain other derivatives provide the economic effect of financial leverage by creating additional investment exposure, as well as the potential for greater loss. The NAV of the Fund when employing leverage will be more volatile and sensitive to market movements. Leverage may involve the creation of a liability that requires the Fund to pay interest.

 

Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk that a particular investment cannot be sold at the advantageous time or price. For example, if a fixed-income security is downgraded or drops in price, the market demand for that security may be limited, making that security difficult to sell. Additionally, the market for certain securities may become illiquid under adverse market or economic conditions. A reduction in dealer market-making capacity in the fixed-income markets also has the potential to decrease liquidity for fixed-income securities as a general matter. A potential rise in interest rates may result in periods of volatility and increased redemptions. Increases in redemptions may require the Adviser to liquidate portfolio securities at disadvantageous prices and times, which could reduce the Fund’s returns. Also, investments in derivatives, non-U.S. investments, restricted securities, securities having small market capitalizations, and securities having substantial market and/or credit and counterparty risk tend to involve greater liquidity risk.

 

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Management Style Risk. The Adviser’s method of security selection may not be successful and the Fund may underperform relative to its benchmark index or other mutual funds that employ similar investment strategies. In addition, the Adviser may select investments that fail to perform as anticipated. The ability of the Fund to meet its investment objective is directly related to the success of the Adviser’s investment process and there is no guarantee that the Adviser’s judgments about the attractiveness, value and potential appreciation of a particular investment for the Fund will be correct or produce the desired results.

 

Market Risk. The risk of losing money due to general market movements is called market risk. Factors such as domestic and foreign economic growth and market conditions, interest rates and political events may affect the securities and derivatives markets. Markets can be extremely volatile and tend to move in cycles with periods of falling and rising prices.

 

Maturity Risk. Maturity risk is another factor that can affect the value of the Fund’s fixed-income security holdings. In general, but not in all cases, the longer the maturity of a fixed-income security, the higher its yield and the greater its price sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Certain market conditions, such as inverted yield curves, may indicate that securities with longer maturities may result in lower yields. Conversely, the shorter the maturity, the lower the yield but the greater the price stability. The Fund will be subject to greater maturity risk to the extent it is invested in fixed-income securities with longer maturities.

 

Money Market Mutual Funds. Although a money market fund seeks to maintain the value of an investment at $1.00 per share, there is no assurance that it will be able to do so, and it is possible to lose money by investing in a money market fund. The Fund will incur additional indirect expenses due to acquired fund fees and other costs to the extent it invests in shares of money market mutual funds.

 

Political Risk. Changes in the political status of any country can have profound effects on the value of investments exposed to that country. Related risk factors are the regulatory environment within any country or industry and the sovereign health of the country. These risks can only be reduced by carefully monitoring the economic, political and regulatory atmosphere within countries and diversifying across countries.

 

Reinvestment Risk. As issuers pay interest or return capital to investors, there is no guarantee that investors will be able to reinvest these payments and receive rates equal to or better than their original investment. If interest rates fall, the rate of return available to reinvested money will also fall. For example, purchasers of a 30-year, 5% coupon bond can anticipate that they will receive a 5% return on their original capital, but unless they can reinvest all of the interest receipts at or above 5%, the total return over 30 years will be below 5%. The higher the coupon and prepayment risk, the higher the reinvestment risk. An investor who plans on spending (as opposed to reinvesting) the income generated by his portfolio is less likely to be concerned with reinvestment risk and more likely to be concerned with inflation and interest rate risk than is an investor who will be reinvesting all income.

 

Sovereign Debt Risk. These investments are subject to the risk that a governmental entity may delay or refuse to pay interest or repay principal on its sovereign debt, due, for example, to cash flow problems, insufficient foreign currency reserves, political considerations, the relative size of the governmental entity’s debt position in relation to the economy or the failure to put in place economic reforms required by the International Monetary Fund or other multilateral agencies. If a governmental entity defaults, it may ask for more time in which to pay or for further loans. There is limited legal recourse for collecting sovereign debt that a government does not pay.

 

Taxation Risk. The Fund has elected and expects to qualify and be treated each taxable year as a “regulated investment company” under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. In order to qualify as a regulated investment company, the Fund must meet certain requirements. One of these requirements is that at least 90% of the Fund’s gross income in each taxable year be derived from certain sources (referred to below as “qualifying income”). The Fund invests in a manner that is consistent with its current understanding of these requirements. The U.S. Congress, the Internal Revenue Service or the Treasury Department can change or clarify these requirements at any time, possibly with retroactive effect. If Congress, the Treasury Department or the Internal Revenue Service were to take any action that altered the current understanding of these requirements, certain types of income representing a significant portion of the Fund’s gross income may not constitute qualifying income. In that case, the Fund could be forced to change the manner in which it pursues its investment strategy. In addition, it is not certain under current law whether the income and gain derived from particular investments, such as the Fund’s investments in commodity-linked ETNs, constitute qualifying income to the Fund. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Fund believes that the income and gain that it derives from its investments in commodity-linked ETNs should constitute qualifying income to the Fund. If the income from commodity-linked ETNs were determined by the Internal Revenue Service to not constitute qualifying income (together with any other non-qualifying income of the Fund) and the non-qualifying income represented more than 10% of the Fund’s gross income in any taxable year, the Fund could in some cases cure such failure of the gross income requirement by following certain procedural requirements and paying a Fund-level tax. If the Fund could not or did not cure such failure, it would cease to qualify for the special tax treatment accorded regulated investment companies under federal income tax law and the Fund would be liable for federal income tax at regular corporate income tax rates (approximately 21%) on all of its income for that taxable year. This would likely materially reduce the investment return to the Fund’s shareholders. Shareholders should consult with their tax advisors with respect to the specific tax consequences of an investment in the Fund. Please see the Fund’s SAI for more information.

 

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Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (“U.S. TIPS”) and Inflation-Linked Bonds Risk. The value of inflation-protected securities generally fluctuates in response to changes in real interest rates, which are in turn tied to the relationship between nominal interest rates and the rate of inflation. Therefore, if inflation were to rise at a faster rate than nominal interest rates, real interest rates might decline, leading to an increase in the value of inflation-protected securities. In contrast, if nominal interest rates increase at a faster rate than inflation, real interest rates might rise, leading to a decrease in the value of inflation-protected securities. If the Fund purchases inflation-protected securities in the secondary market whose principal values have been adjusted upward due to inflation since issuance, the Fund may experience a loss if there is a subsequent period of deflation. The inflation protected securities markets are generally much smaller and less liquid than the nominal bonds from the same issuers and as such can suffer losses during times of economic stress or illiquidity.

 

U.S. Government Securities Risk. Treasury obligations may differ in their interest rates, maturities, times of issuance and other characteristics. Obligations of U.S. Government agencies and authorities are supported by varying degrees of credit but generally are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. No assurance can be given that the U.S. Government will provide financial support to its agencies and authorities if it is not obligated by law to do so. Certain of the government agency securities the Fund may purchase are backed only by the credit of the government agency and not by full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.

 

Volatility Risk. The Fund may have investments that appreciate or decrease significantly in value over short periods of time. This may cause the Fund’s NAV per share to experience significant increases or declines, generally between 5% and 15% of the Fund’s total return, in value over short periods of time.

 

In addition to the investment strategies and risks described above, the Fund may invest in other types of securities whose risks are described in the SAI.

 

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Additional Information. Whether the Fund is an appropriate investment for an investor will depend largely upon the investor’s financial resources and individual investment goals and objectives. The Fund may not be appropriate for investors who engage in short-term trading and/or other speculative strategies and styles.

 

Portfolio Holdings and Disclosure Policy. A description of the Fund’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of its portfolio holdings in available in the Fund’s SAI.

 

FUND MANAGEMENT

 

The Investment Adviser

 

Wavelength Capital Management, LLC, with a principal address of 545 Madison Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, New York 10022, serves as the investment adviser to the Fund. The Adviser was formed and commenced operations in March 2013 and has served as the investment adviser to the Fund since the Fund’s inception. Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement between the Fund and the Adviser (the “Advisory Agreement”), the Adviser provides the Fund with a continuous program of investing the Fund’s assets and determining the composition of the Fund’s portfolio. The Adviser may provide investment advisory services to separate accounts.

 

For its services, the Fund pays the Adviser a monthly investment advisory fee (the “Management Fee”) computed at the annual rate of 0.95% of its average daily net assets. The Adviser has contractually agreed under an expense limitation agreement (the “Expense Limitation Agreement”), until October 1, 2025, to reduce Management Fees and reimburse Other Expenses to the extent necessary to limit total annual fund operating expenses (exclusive of brokerage costs, taxes, interest, borrowing costs such as interest and dividend expenses on securities sold short, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, and extraordinary expenses such as litigation and merger or reorganization costs and other expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business) to an amount not exceeding 0.99% of average daily net assets. Management Fee reductions and expense reimbursements are subject to repayment by the Fund for a period of three years after the date that such fees and expenses were incurred, provided that the repayments do not cause Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (exclusive of such reductions and reimbursements) to exceed (i) the expense limitation then in effect, if any and (ii) the expense limitation in effect at the time the expenses to be repaid were incurred. It is expected that the Expense Limitation Agreement will continue from year-to-year provided such continuance is approved by the Board. The Expense Limitation Agreement may be terminated by the Adviser or Board, without approval by the other party, at the end of the then current term upon not less than 90 days’ notice to the other party as set forth in the Expense Limitation Agreement. The Expense Limitation Agreement will terminate automatically if the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser is terminated. As a result of the Expense Limitation Agreement, the Adviser reduced its management fee by $211,390 for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2019 for the Fund. The net aggregate Management Fee paid to the Adviser by the Fund for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2019 as a percentage of annual net assets was 0.53%.

 

A discussion of the factors considered by the Board in its approval of the Fund’s Interim Advisory Agreement and the Fund’s New Advisory Agreement with the Adviser, including the Board’s conclusions with respect thereto, is available in the Fund’s Semi-Annual Report to shareholders for the period ended November 30, 2018.

 

Portfolio Manager

 

The following individual has primary responsibility for day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio:

 

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Andrew Dassori has been the Portfolio Manager of the Fund since its inception in September 2013. Mr. Dassori is also a Founding Partner of the Adviser and serves as the firm’s Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director. Prior to founding the Adviser, Mr. Dassori was a portfolio manager at Credit Suisse Asset Management, LLC based in New York, and was responsible for researching global macro investment strategies for the firm’s Alpha Strategies Group. He was selected to be part of Credit Suisse’s Global Citizen’s program through which he established the firm’s partnership with Equity Bank in Nairobi, Kenya. While at Equity Bank, he built technical and fundamentally-based trading models for local fixed-income and foreign-exchange markets, and served as the Bank’s representative in meetings with various economic and government institutions. Mr. Dassori started his career at State Street Global Advisors. He graduated with a BSc (Honours) in Economic History from the London School of Economics.

 

The SAI provides additional information about the Portfolio Manager’s compensation, other accounts managed by the Portfolio Manager and his ownership of shares of the Fund.

 

The Administrator and Transfer Agent

 

Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (“Ultimus” or the “Transfer Agent”), located at 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246, serves as the Fund’s administrator (the “Administrator”), transfer agent and fund accounting agent. Management and administrative services of Ultimus include (i) providing office space, equipment and officers and clerical personnel to the Fund, (ii) obtaining valuations, calculating NAVs and performing other accounting, tax and financial services, (iii) recordkeeping, (iv) regulatory reporting services, (v) processing shareholder account transactions and disbursing dividends and distributions, and (vi) administering custodial and other third party service provider contracts on behalf of the Fund.

 

The Distributor

 

Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”), located at 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246, is the Fund’s principal underwriter and serves as the exclusive agent for the distribution of the Fund’s shares. The Distributor may sell the Fund’s shares to or through qualified securities dealers or other approved entities.

 

The SAI has more detailed information about the Adviser and other service providers to the Fund.

 

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HOW THE FUND VALUES ITS SHARES

 

The NAV of the Fund is calculated as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time) on each day that the NYSE is open for business. Currently, the NYSE is closed on weekends and in recognition of the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. To calculate NAV, the Fund’s assets are valued and totaled, liabilities are subtracted, and the balance is divided by the number of shares outstanding. The Fund generally values its portfolio securities at their current market values determined on the basis of available market quotations. The Fund’s equity securities are generally valued at market value from the primary market in which they are traded. The Fund normally uses independent pricing services to obtain such market quotations selected by the Administrator and approved by the Board. The Fund’s fixed-income securities are generally valued using price evaluations provided by independent pricing services selected by the Administrator and approved by the Board. If a fixed-income security price cannot be obtained from an independent pricing service, the Administrator is authorized to use a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary identified by the Adviser that is acting as a market marker in the security to value the fixed-income security. If market quotations are not available or are considered to be unreliable due to market or other events, portfolio securities will be valued at their fair values, as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE, as determined in good faith under procedures adopted by the Board. Trading in certain securities, such as corporate bonds, U.S. Government securities and money market instruments, is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of the NYSE; the values of such securities used in determining the NAV of the Fund’s shares are computed as of such times. Occasionally, events affecting the value of such securities may occur between the times trading is completed and the close of the NYSE, which will not be reflected in the computation of the Fund’s NAV. If events materially affecting the value of such securities occur during such period, then these securities may be valued at their fair market value as determined in good faith under procedures approved by the Trustees. When fair value pricing is employed, the prices of securities used by the Fund to calculate its NAV are based on the consideration by the Fund of a number of subjective factors and therefore may differ from quoted or published prices for the same securities. To the extent the assets of the Fund are invested in other registered investment companies that are not listed on an exchange, the Fund’s NAV is calculated based upon the NAVs reported by such registered investment companies, and the prospectuses for these companies explain the circumstances under which they will use fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value pricing. The Fund may hold portfolio securities that are primarily listed on foreign exchanges, and therefore may trade on weekends, U.S. holidays, or other days when the U.S. markets are closed and when the Fund does not price its shares. The Fund’s net asset value may therefore change on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or redeem the Fund’s shares.

 

Your order to purchase or redeem shares is priced at the NAV next calculated after your order is received in proper form by the Fund. An order is considered to be in “proper form” if it includes all necessary information and documentation related to the purchase or redemption request and, if applicable, payment in full of the purchase amount.

 

HOW TO BUY SHARES

 

Shares are available for purchase from the Fund every day the NYSE is open for business, at the NAV next calculated after receipt of a purchase order in proper form. The Fund reserves the right to reject any purchase request and/or suspend its offering of shares at any time. Investors who purchase shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary may be charged a fee by such broker-dealer or intermediary. The Fund mails you confirmations of all purchases or redemptions of Fund shares if shares are purchased directly through the Fund. Certificates representing Fund shares are not issued.

 

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Minimum Initial Investment

 

The minimum initial investment for regular accounts is $10,000. This minimum investment requirement may be waived or reduced for any reason at the discretion of the Fund.

 

Opening an Account

 

An account may be opened by mail or bank wire if it is submitted in proper form, as follows:

 

By Mail. To open a new account by mail:

 

Complete and sign the account application;

Enclose a check payable to the Wavelength Interest Rate Neutral Fund; and

Mail the application and the check to the Transfer Agent at the following address:

 

Wavelength Interest Rate Neutral Fund

c/o Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC

P.O. Box 46707

Cincinnati, Ohio 45246-0707

 

Shares will be issued at the NAV next computed after receipt of your application in proper form and check. All purchases must be made in U.S. dollars and checks must be drawn on U.S. financial institutions. The Fund does not accept cash, drafts, “starter” checks, travelers checks, credit card checks, post-dated checks, non-U.S. financial institution checks, cashier’s checks under $10,000, or money orders. In addition, the Fund does not accept checks made payable to third parties. When shares are purchased by check, the proceeds from the redemption of those shares will not be paid until the purchase check has been converted to federal funds, which could take up to 15 calendar days from the date of purchase. If an order to purchase shares is canceled because your check does not clear, you will be responsible for any resulting losses or other fees incurred by the Fund or the Transfer Agent in the transaction.

 

By sending your check to the Transfer Agent, please be aware that you are authorizing the Transfer Agent to make a one-time electronic debit from your account at the financial institution indicated on your check. Your bank account will be debited as early as the same day the Transfer Agent receives your payment in the amount of your check; no additional amount will be added to the total. The transaction will appear on your bank statement. Your original check will be destroyed once processed, and you will not receive your canceled check back. If the Transfer Agent cannot post the transaction electronically, you authorize the Transfer Agent to present an image copy of your check for payment.

 

By Wire. To open a new account by wire of federal funds, call the Transfer Agent at 1-866-896-9292 to obtain the necessary information to instruct your financial institution to wire your investment. A representative will assist you in obtaining an account application, which must be completed, signed and faxed (or mailed) to the Transfer Agent before payment by wire will be accepted.

 

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The Fund requires advance notification of all wire purchases in order to ensure that the wire is received in proper form and that your account is subsequently credited in a timely fashion. Failure to notify the Transfer Agent prior to the transmittal of the bank wire may result in a delay in purchasing shares of the Fund. An order, following proper advance notification to the Transfer Agent, is considered received when U.S. Bank, N.A., the Fund’s custodian, receives payment by wire. If your account application was faxed to the Transfer Agent, you must also mail the completed account application to the Transfer Agent on the same day the wire payment is made. See “Opening an Account – By Mail” above. Your financial institution may charge a fee for wiring funds. Shares will be issued at the NAV next computed after receipt of your wire in proper form.

 

Through Your Broker or Financial Institution. Shares of the Fund may be purchased through certain brokerage firms and financial institutions that are authorized to accept orders on behalf of the Fund at the NAV next determined after your order is received by such organization in proper form. These organizations are authorized to designate other intermediaries to receive purchase orders on the Fund’s behalf. The Fund will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when an authorized broker or, if applicable, a broker’s authorized designee, receives the order in proper form. Certain financial intermediaries may charge fees for purchase and/or redemption transactions by customers, depending on the nature and terms of the financial intermediaries’ particular platform. Additionally, investors purchasing shares from a broker or other financial intermediary may be required to pay a commission in connection with such purchase. Such investors should consult with their financial intermediary regarding any commissions and other fees and expenses of the shares being purchased. These organizations may charge you transaction fees on purchases of Fund shares and may impose other charges or restrictions or account options that differ from those applicable to shareholders who purchase shares directly through the Fund. These organizations may be the shareholders of record of your shares. The Fund is not responsible for ensuring that the organizations carry out their obligations to their customers. Shareholders investing in this manner should look to the organization through which they invest for specific instructions on how to purchase and redeem shares.

 

Subsequent Investments

 

Once an account is open, additional purchases of Fund shares may be made at any time in minimum amounts of $100, except for an IRA or UGMA/UTMA account, which must be in amounts of at least $50. Additional purchases must be submitted in proper form as described below. Additional purchases may be made:

 

By sending a check, made payable to the Wavelength Interest Rate Neutral Fund, c/o Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, P.O. Box 46707, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246-0707. Be sure to note your account number on the memo line of your check. The shareholder will be responsible for any fees incurred or losses suffered by the Fund as a result of any check returned for insufficient funds.

 

By wire to the account of the Fund as described under “Opening an Account – By Wire.” Shareholders are required to call the Transfer Agent at 1-866-896-9292 before wiring funds.

 

Through your brokerage firm or other financial institution.

 

Automatic Investment Plan and Direct Deposit Plans

 

You may make automatic monthly or quarterly investments in the Fund from your bank, savings and loan or other depository institution. The minimum investments under the automatic investment plan must be at least $100 under the plan and are made on the 15th and/or last business day of the month or quarter. The Transfer Agent currently pays the costs of this service, but reserves the right, upon 30 days written notice, to make reasonable charges. Your depository institution may impose its own charge for making transfers from your account.

 

Your employer may offer a direct deposit plan which will allow you to have all or a portion of your paycheck transferred automatically to purchase shares of the Fund. Social Security recipients may have all or a portion of their social security check transferred automatically to purchase shares of the Fund. Please call 1-866-896-9292 for more information about the automatic investment plan and direct deposit plans.

 

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Purchases in Kind

 

The Fund may accept securities in lieu of cash in payment for the purchase of shares of the Fund. The acceptance of such securities is at the sole discretion of the Adviser based upon the suitability of the securities as an investment for the Fund, the marketability of such securities, and other factors which the Fund may deem appropriate. If accepted, the securities will be valued using the same criteria and methods utilized for valuing securities to compute the Fund’s NAV.

 

Customer Identification and Verification

 

To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each person that opens a new account, and to determine whether such person’s name appears on government lists of known or suspected terrorists and terrorist organizations. As a result, the Fund must obtain the following information for each person that opens a new account:

 

Name;

Date of birth (for individuals);

Residential or business street address (although post office boxes are still permitted for mailing); and

Social security number, taxpayer identification number, or other identifying number.

 

You may also be asked for a copy of your driver’s license, passport, or other identifying document in order to verify your identity. In addition, it may be necessary to verify your identity by cross-referencing your identification information with a consumer report or other electronic database. Additional information may be required to open accounts for corporations and other entities. Federal law prohibits the Fund and other financial institutions from opening a new account unless they receive the minimum identifying information listed above.

 

After an account is opened, the Fund may restrict your ability to purchase additional shares until your identity is verified. The Fund also may close your account or take other appropriate action if they are unable to verify your identity within a reasonable time. If your account is closed for this reason, your shares will be redeemed at the NAV next calculated after the account is closed. In that case, your redemption proceeds may be worth more or less than your original investment. The Fund will not be responsible for any loss incurred due to the Fund’s inability to verify your identity.

 

Frequent Trading Policies

 

Frequent purchases and redemptions of Fund shares by a shareholder may harm other Fund shareholders by interfering with the efficient management of the Fund’s portfolio, increasing brokerage and administrative costs, and potentially diluting the value of the Fund’s shares. The Fund does not accommodate frequent purchases or redemptions of Fund shares that result in disruptive trading.

 

The Board has adopted policies and procedures in an effort to detect and prevent disruptive trading, including market timing in the Fund. The Fund, through its service providers, monitors shareholder trading activity to ensure it complies with the Fund’s policies. The Fund prepares reports illustrating purchase and redemption activity to detect disruptive trading activity. When monitoring shareholder purchases and redemptions, the Fund does not apply a quantitative definition to frequent trading. Instead the Fund uses a subjective approach that permits it to reject any purchase orders that it believes may be indicative of market timing or disruptive trading. The right to reject a purchase order applies to any purchase order, including a purchase order placed by financial intermediaries. The Fund may also modify any terms or conditions of purchases of Fund shares or withdraw all or any part of the offering made by this Prospectus. The Fund’s policies and procedures to prevent disruptive trading activity are applied uniformly to all shareholders. These actions, in the Board’s opinion, should help reduce the risk of abusive trading in the Fund.

 

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When financial intermediaries establish omnibus accounts in the Fund for their clients, the Fund reviews trading activity at the omnibus account level and looks for activity that may indicate potential frequent trading or disruptive trading. If the Fund detects potentially disruptive trading activity, the Fund will seek the assistance of the intermediary to investigate that trading activity and take appropriate action, including prohibiting additional purchases of Fund shares by the intermediary and/or its client. Each intermediary that offers the Fund’s shares through an omnibus account has entered into an information sharing agreement with the Fund designed to assist the Fund in stopping future disruptive trading. Intermediaries may apply frequent trading policies that differ from those described in this Prospectus. If you invest in the Fund through an intermediary, please read that firm’s program materials carefully to learn of any rules or fees that may apply.

 

Although the Fund has taken steps to discourage frequent purchases and redemptions of Fund shares, it cannot guarantee that such trading will not occur.

 

HOW TO REDEEM SHARES

 

Shares of the Fund may be redeemed on any day on which the Fund computes its NAV. Shares are redeemed at the NAV next determined after the Transfer Agent receives your redemption request in proper form as described below. Redemption requests may be made by mail or by telephone.

 

By Mail. You may redeem shares by mailing a written request to Wavelength Interest Rate Neutral Fund, c/o Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, P.O. Box 46707, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246-0707. Written requests must state the shareholder’s name, the account number and the shares or dollar amount to be redeemed and be signed exactly as the shares are registered with the Fund.

 

Signature Guarantees. If the shares to be redeemed have a value of greater than $50,000, or if the payment of the proceeds of a redemption of any amount is to be sent to a person other than the shareholder of record or to an address other than that on record with the Fund, you must have all signatures on written redemption requests guaranteed. If the name(s) or the address on your account has changed within the previous 15 days of your redemption request, the request must be made in writing with your signature guaranteed, regardless of the value of the shares being redeemed. The Transfer Agent will accept signatures guaranteed by a domestic bank or trust company, broker, dealer, clearing agency, savings association or other financial institution that participates in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program (“STAMP”) sponsored by the Securities Transfer Association. Signature guarantees from financial institutions which do not participate in STAMP will not be accepted. A notary public cannot provide a signature guarantee. The Transfer Agent has adopted standards for accepting signature guarantees from the above institutions. The Fund and the Transfer Agent reserve the right to amend these standards at any time without notice.

 

Redemption requests by corporate and fiduciary shareholders must be accompanied by appropriate documentation establishing the authority of the person seeking to act on behalf of the account. Forms of resolutions and other documentation to assist in compliance with the Transfer Agent’s procedures may be obtained by calling the Transfer Agent.

 

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By Telephone. Unless you specifically decline the telephone redemption privilege on your account application, you may also redeem shares having a value of $50,000 or less by telephone by calling the Transfer Agent at 1-866-896-9292.

 

Telephone redemptions may be requested only if the proceeds are to be sent to the shareholder of record and mailed to the address on record with the Fund. Account designations may be changed by sending the Transfer Agent a written request with all signatures guaranteed as described above. Upon request, redemption proceeds of $100 or more may be transferred electronically from an account you maintain with a financial institution by an Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) transaction, and proceeds of $1,000 or more may be transferred by wire, in either case to the account stated on the account application. Shareholders may be charged a fee of $15 by the Fund’s custodian for outgoing wires.

 

The Transfer Agent requires personal identification before accepting any redemption request by telephone, and telephone redemption instructions may be recorded. If reasonable procedures are followed by the Transfer Agent, neither the Transfer Agent nor the Fund will be liable for losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent telephone instructions. In the event of drastic economic or market changes, a shareholder may experience difficulty in redeeming shares by telephone. If such a case should occur, redemption by mail should be considered.

 

Through Your Broker or Financial Institution. You may also redeem your shares through a brokerage firm or financial institution that has been authorized to accept orders on behalf of the Fund at the NAV next determined after your order is received by such organization in proper form. These organizations are authorized to designate other intermediaries to receive redemption orders on the Fund’s behalf. The Fund calculates its NAV as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time.) Your brokerage firm or financial institution may require a redemption request to be received, in proper form, at an earlier time during the day in order for your redemption to be effective as of the day the order is received in proper form. Such an organization may charge you transaction fees on redemptions of Fund shares and may impose other charges or restrictions or account options that differ from those applicable to shareholders who redeem shares directly through the Transfer Agent.

 

Receiving Payment

 

The length of time the Fund typically expects to pay redemption proceeds is the same regardless of whether the payment is made by check, wire or ACH. The Fund typically expects to pay redemption proceeds for shares redeemed within the following days after receipt by the Transfer Agent of a redemption request in proper form:

 

For payment by check, the Fund typically expects to mail the check within one (1) to three (3) business days; and

For payment by wire or ACH, the Fund typically expects to process the payment within one (1) to three (3) business days.

 

Payment of redemption proceeds may take longer than the time the Fund typically expects and may take up to 7 days as permitted under the 1940 Act. Under unusual circumstances as permitted by the SEC, the Fund may suspend the right of redemption or delay payment of redemption proceeds for more than 7 days. When shares are purchased by check or through ACH, the proceeds from the redemption of those shares will not be paid until the purchase check or ACH transfer has been converted to federal funds, which could take up to 15 calendar days.

 

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Minimum Account Balance

 

Due to the high cost of maintaining shareholder accounts, the Fund may involuntarily redeem shares in an account, and pay the proceeds to the shareholder, if the shareholder’s activity causes the account balance to fall below the Fund’s minimum initial investment amount. Such automatic redemptions may cause a taxable event for the shareholder. An automatic redemption does not apply, however, if the balance falls below the minimum initial investment amount solely because of a decline in the Fund’s NAV. Before shares are redeemed to close an account, the shareholder is notified in writing and allowed 30 days to purchase additional shares to meet the minimum account balance requirement.

 

Automatic Withdrawal Plan

 

If the shares of the Fund in your account have a value of at least $5,000, you (or another person you have designated) may receive monthly or quarterly payments in a specified amount of not less than $100 each. There is currently no charge for this service, but the Transfer Agent reserves the right, upon 30 days written notice, to make reasonable charges. Call the Transfer Agent toll-free at 1-866-896-9292 for additional information.

 

Other Redemption Information

 

Generally, all redemptions will be paid in cash. The Fund typically expects to satisfy redemption requests by using holdings of cash or cash equivalents or selling portfolio assets. On a less regular basis and if the Adviser believes it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders not to sell portfolio assets, the Fund may satisfy redemption requests by using short-term borrowing from the Fund’s custodian. These methods normally will be used during both regular and stressed market conditions. In addition to paying redemption proceeds in cash, the Fund reserves the right to make payment for a redemption in securities rather than cash, which is known as a “redemption in kind.” Redemptions in kind will be made only under extraordinary circumstances and if the Fund deems it advisable for the benefit of all shareholders, such as a very large redemption that could affect Fund operations (for example, more than 1% of the Fund’s net assets). A redemption in kind will consist of securities equal in market value to the Fund shares being redeemed, using the same valuation procedures that the Fund uses to compute its NAV. Redemption in kind proceeds will typically be made by delivering a pro-rata amount of the Fund’s holdings to the redeeming shareholder within 7 days after the Fund’s receipt of the redemption order in proper form. If the Fund redeems your shares in kind, you will bear the market risks associated with maintaining or selling the securities that are transferred as redemption proceeds. In addition, when you sell these securities, you may pay taxes and brokerage charges associated with selling the securities.

 

DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES

 

The Fund expects to distribute substantially all of its net income to shareholders on a quarterly basis and its net realized capital gains to shareholders at least annually. These distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Fund unless you elect to receive them in cash. The Fund’s distributions of income and capital gains, whether received in cash or reinvested in additional shares, will be subject to federal income tax.

 

The Fund has qualified and intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company for federal income tax purposes, and as such, will not be subject to federal income tax on its taxable income and gains that it distributes to its shareholders. The Fund intends to distribute its income and gains in such a way that it will not be subject to a federal excise tax on certain undistributed amounts.

 

32 

 

Distributions attributable to ordinary income and short-term capital gains are generally taxed as ordinary income, although certain income dividends may be taxed to non-corporate shareholders at long-term capital gains rates. In the case of corporations that hold shares of the Fund, certain income from the Fund may qualify for a 50% dividends-received deduction. Distributions of long-term capital gains are generally taxed as long-term capital gains, regardless of how long you have held your Fund shares.

 

When you redeem Fund shares, you will generally realize a capital gain or loss if you hold the shares as capital assets. Except for investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or IRAs, and tax-exempt investors that do not borrow to purchase Fund shares, any gain realized on a redemption of Fund shares will be subject to federal income tax.

 

You will be notified by February 15th of each year about the federal tax status of distributions made by the Fund during the prior year. Depending on your residence for tax purposes, distributions also may be subject to state and local taxes.

 

Federal law requires the Fund to withhold taxes on distributions paid to shareholders who fail to provide a social security number or taxpayer identification number or fail to certify that such number is correct. Foreign shareholders may be subject to special withholding requirements.

 

Because everyone’s tax situation is not the same, you should consult your tax professional about federal, state and local tax consequences of an investment in the Fund.

 

33 

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five years. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). This information has been audited by the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, BBD, LLP, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Annual Report to shareholders, which may be obtained at no charge by calling the Fund at 1-866-896-9292 or by visiting the Fund’s website at www.wavelengthfunds.com.

 

34 

 

WAVELENGTH INTEREST RATE NEUTRAL FUND
Per Share Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period
    Year Ended May 31, 2019     Year Ended May 31, 2018     Year
Ended
May 31,
2017
    Year
Ended
May 31,
2016
    Year
Ended
May 31,
2015
 
Net asset value at beginning of period   $ 9.97     $ 9.99     $ 9.54     $ 10.09     $ 10.38  
                                         
Income (loss) from investment operations:                                        
Net investment income     0.27       0.22       0.20       0.21       0.23  
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments and futures contracts     0.28       (0.03 )     0.45       (0.56 )     (0.25 )
Total from investment operations     0.55       0.19       0.65       (0.35 )     (0.02 )
                                         
Less distributions:                                        
Distributions from net investment income     (0.26 )     (0.21 )     (0.20 )     (0.20 )     (0.23 )
Distributions from net realized gains     --       --                   (0.04 )
Total distributions     (0.26 )     (0.21 )     (0.20 )     (0.20 )     (0.27 )
                                         
Net asset value at end of period   $ 10.26     $ 9.97     $ 9.99     $ 9.54     $ 10.09  
                                         
Total return (a)     5.68 %     1.95 %     6.83 %     (3.37 %)     (0.17 %)
                                         
Net assets at end of period (000's)   $ 53,268     $ 48,434     $ 21,391     $ 16,761     $ 17,815  
                                         
Ratios/supplementary data:                                        
Ratio of total expenses to average net assets (d)     1.41 %     1.55 %     1.85 %     2.00 %     2.19 %
                                         
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets (b) (c)     0.99 %     0.99 %     0.99 %     0.99 %     0.99 %
                                         
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets (b) (c) (d)     2.65 %     2.17 %     2.01 %     2.16 %     2.52 %
                                         
Portfolio turnover rate     20 %     9 %     53 %     103 %     107 %

 

(a) Total return is a measure of the change in value of an investment in the Fund over the periods covered. The returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions, if any, or the redemption of Fund shares. The total returns would be lower if the Adviser had not reduced advisory fees and/or reimbursed expenses.
(b) The ratios of expenses to average net assets do not reflect the Fund’s proportionate share of expenses of the underlying investment companies in which the Fund invests.
(c) Ratio was determined after advisory fee reductions and/or expense reimbursements.
(d) Recognition of net investment income by the Fund is affected by the timing of the declarations of dividends by the underlying investment companies in which the Fund invests.

 

35 

 

CUSTOMER PRIVACY NOTICE

 

FACTS WHAT DOES WAVELENGTH INTEREST RATE NEUTRAL FUND (the “Fund”) DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?
Why? Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.
What?

The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:

▪ Social Security number

▪ Assets

▪ Retirement Assets

▪ Transaction History

▪ Checking Account Information

▪ Purchase History

▪ Account Balances

▪ Account Transactions

▪ Wire Transfer Instructions

When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.

How? All financial companies need to share your personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons the Fund chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

Reasons we can share your personal information Does the Fund share? Can you limit this sharing?

For our everyday business purposes –

Such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus

Yes No

For our marketing purposes –

to offer our products and services to you

No We don’t share
For joint marketing with other financial companies No We don’t share

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes –

information about your transactions and experiences

No We don’t share

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes –

information about your creditworthiness

No We don’t share
For nonaffiliates to market to you No We don’t share

 

Questions? Call 1-866-896-9292

 

36 

 

Who we are
Who is providing this notice?

Wavelength Interest Rate Neutral Fund

Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC (Distributor)

Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (Administrator)

What we do
How does the Fund protect my personal information?

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.

 

Our service providers are held accountable for adhering to strict policies and procedures to prevent any misuse of your nonpublic personal information.

How does the Fund collect my personal information?

We collect your personal information, for example, when you

▪ Open an account

▪ Provide account information

▪ Give us your contact information

▪ Make deposits or withdrawals from your account

▪ Make a wire transfer

▪ Tell us where to send the money

▪ Tell us who receives the money

▪ Show your government-issued ID

▪ Show your driver’s license

We also collect your personal information from other companies.

Why can’t I limit all sharing?

Federal law gives you the right to limit only

▪ Sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness

▪ Affiliates from using your information to market to you

▪ Sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you

State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing.

Definitions
Affiliates

Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

Wavelength Capital Management LLC, the investment adviser to the Fund, could be deemed to be an affiliate.

Nonaffiliates

Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies

The Fund does not share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you.

Joint marketing

A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.

The Fund does not jointly market.

 

37 

 

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

Additional information about the Fund is included in the SAI, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

 

Additional information about the Fund’s investments is available in the Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to shareholders. In the Fund’s Annual Report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year.

 

To obtain a free copy of the SAI, the Annual and Semi-Annual Reports or other information about the Fund, or to make inquiries about the Fund, please call toll-free:

 

1-866-896-9292

 

This Prospectus, the SAI and the most recent shareholder reports are also available without charge on the Fund’s website at www.wavelengthfunds.com or upon written request to the Fund at:

 

Wavelength Interest Rate Neutral Fund

c/o Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC

P.O. Box 46707

Cincinnati, Ohio 45246-0707

 

Only one copy of a Prospectus or an Annual or Semi-Annual Report will be sent to each household address. This process, known as “Householding,” is used for most required shareholder mailings. (It does not apply to confirmations of transactions and account statements, however). You may request an additional copy of a Prospectus or an Annual or Semi-Annual Report at any time by calling or writing the Fund. You may also request that Householding be eliminated from all your required mailings.

 

Reports and other information about the Fund is available on the EDGAR Database on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of information on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Internet site may be obtained, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov.

 

Investment Company Act File No. 811-22680

 

38 

 

Statement of Additional Information

September 27, 2019

 

WAVELENGTH INTEREST RATE NEUTRAL FUND

(WAVLX)

 

Series of

ULTIMUS MANAGERS TRUST

225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450

Cincinnati, Ohio 45246

 

This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus for Wavelength Interest Rate Neutral Fund (the “Fund”) dated September 27, 2019, which may be supplemented from time to time (the “Prospectus”). This SAI is incorporated by reference in its entirety into the Prospectus. Because this SAI is not itself a prospectus, no investment in shares of the Fund should be made solely upon the information contained herein. Copies of the Prospectus may be obtained without charge, upon request, by writing the Fund at P.O. Box 46707, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246-0707, or by calling toll-free 1-866-896-9292 or by visiting the Fund’s website at www.wavelengthfunds.com.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON INVESTMENTS, STRATEGIES AND RISKS 2
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS 26
CALCULATION OF SHARE PRICE 28
ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION 28
SPECIAL SHAREHOLDER SERVICES 29
MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST 29
INVESTMENT ADVISER 35
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS 37
THE DISTRIBUTOR 39
OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS 39
GENERAL INFORMATION 41
ADDITIONAL TAX INFORMATION 46
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 49
APPENDIX A 50
APPENDIX B 53
APPENDIX C 58
APPENDIX D 61

 

1 

 

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

Wavelength Interest Rate Neutral Fund (the “Fund”) is a diversified series of Ultimus Managers Trust (the “Trust”), an open-end management investment company. The Trust is an unincorporated business trust that was organized under Ohio law on February 28, 2012. The Fund’s investments are managed by Wavelength Capital Management LLC (the “Adviser”). For further information on the Fund, please call 1-866-896-9292 or visit the Fund’s website at www.wavelengthfunds.com.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON INVESTMENTS, STRATEGIES AND RISKS

 

Information contained in this SAI expands upon information contained in the Prospectus. All investments in securities and other financial instruments involve a risk of financial loss. Investors should carefully review the descriptions of the Fund’s investments and associated risks described in the Prospectus and this SAI. No assurance can be given that the Fund’s investment program will be successful. No investment in shares of the Fund should be made without first reading the Prospectus.

 

General Investment Risks. Prices of securities in which the Fund invests may fluctuate in response to many factors, including, but not limited to, the activities of the individual companies whose securities the Fund owns, general market and economic conditions, interest rates, and specific industry changes. Such price fluctuations subject the Fund to potential losses. In addition, regardless of any one company’s particular prospects, a declining stock market may produce a decline in prices for all securities, which could also result in losses for the Fund. Market declines may continue for an indefinite period of time, and investors should understand that during temporary or extended bear markets, the value of all types of securities, including securities held by the Fund, can decline.

 

Equity Securities. The Fund may invest, directly or indirectly through exchange traded funds (“ETFs”) in equity securities. The equity portion of the Fund’s portfolio will generally be comprised of common stock traded on domestic securities exchanges. The prices of equity securities in which the Fund invests may fluctuate in response to many factors, including, but not limited to, the activities of the individual companies, general market and economic conditions, interest rates, and specific industry changes. Such price fluctuations subject the Fund to potential losses. In addition, regardless of any one company’s particular prospects, a declining stock market may produce a decline in prices for all equity securities, which could also result in losses for the Fund. Market declines may continue for an indefinite period of time, and investors should understand that during temporary or extended bear markets, the value of equity securities including securities held by the Fund, will likely decline.

 

Foreign Securities. The Fund may invest in securities issued by foreign governments or foreign corporations, directly or indirectly through ETFs or derivative transactions (e.g., foreign currency futures). The Fund may invest in securities of foreign issuers that trade on United States (“U.S.”) stock exchanges or in the form of American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”). The Fund defines foreign securities as any security issued by a company that meets at least one of the following criteria at the time of purchase:

 

The company is organized under the laws of a foreign country.

  The company maintains its principal place of business in a foreign country.

  The principal trading market for the company’s securities is located in a foreign country.

  During its most recent fiscal year, at least 50% of the company’s revenues or profits were derived from operations in foreign countries.

  During its most recent fiscal year, at least 50% of the company’s assets were located in foreign countries.

 

2 

 

ADRs are receipts that evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign issuer. ADRs are generally issued by a U.S. bank or trust company to U.S. buyers as a substitute for direct ownership of a foreign security and are traded on U.S. exchanges. ADRs, in registered form, are designed for use in the U.S. securities markets. ADRs may be purchased through “sponsored” or “unsponsored” facilities. A sponsored facility is established jointly by the issuer of the underlying security and a depositary. A depositary may establish an unsponsored facility without participation by the issuer of the deposited security. The depositary of an unsponsored ADR is under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications received from the issuer of the deposited security or to pass through voting rights with respect to the deposited security. Investments in ADRs are subject to risks similar to those associated with direct investments in foreign securities.

 

Investing in the securities of foreign issuers involves special risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in U.S. companies. The performance of foreign markets does not necessarily track U.S. markets. Foreign investments may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency rates and exchange control regulations. There may be less publicly available information about a foreign company than about a U.S. company, and foreign companies may not be subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies. There may be less governmental supervision of securities markets, brokers and issuers of securities than in the U.S. Foreign securities often trade with less frequency and volume than domestic securities and therefore may exhibit less liquidity and greater price volatility than securities of U.S. companies. Changes in foreign exchange rates will affect the value of those securities which are denominated or quoted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Therefore, to the extent the Fund invests in a foreign security which is denominated or quoted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, there is the risk that the value of such security will decrease due to changes in the relative value of the U.S. dollar and the securities underlying foreign currency. Additional costs associated with an investment in foreign securities may include higher custodial fees than those applicable to domestic custodial arrangements, generally higher commission rates on foreign portfolio transactions, and transaction costs of foreign currency conversions. Investments in foreign securities may also be subject to other risks different from those affecting U.S. investments, including local political or economic developments, expropriation or nationalization of assets, restrictions on foreign investment and repatriation of capital, imposition of withholding taxes on dividend or interest payments, currency blockage (which would prevent cash from being brought back to the U.S.), limits on proxy voting and difficulty in enforcing legal rights outside the U.S. currency exchange rates and regulations may cause fluctuation in the value of foreign securities. In addition, foreign securities and dividends and interest payable on those securities may be subject to foreign taxes, including taxes withheld from payments on those securities.

 

Emerging Markets Investments. The Fund may invest directly and indirectly in emerging market equity and fixed-income securities. Emerging market countries may include, among others, countries in Asia, Latin, Central and South America, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa. In addition to the general risk of investing in foreign securities and foreign fixed-income securities described above and below, investing in emerging markets can involve greater and more unique risks than those associated with investing in more developed markets. The securities markets of emerging countries are generally small, less developed, less liquid, and more volatile than securities markets of the U.S. and other developed markets. The risks of investing in emerging markets include greater social, political and economic uncertainties. Emerging market economics are often dependent upon a few commodities or natural resources that may be significantly adversely affected by volatile price movements against those commodities or natural resources. Emerging market countries may experience high levels of inflation and currency devaluation and have fewer potential buyers for investments. The securities markets and legal systems in emerging market countries may only be in a developmental stage and may provide few, or none, of the advantages and protections of markets or legal systems in more developed countries. Some of these countries may have in the past failed to recognize private property rights and have at times nationalized or expropriated the assets of private companies. Additionally, if settlements do not keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, they may be delayed, potentially causing the Fund’s assets to be uninvested, the Fund to miss investment opportunities and potential returns, and the Fund to be unable to sell an investment. As a result of these various risks, investments in emerging markets are considered to be speculative and may be highly volatile.

 

3 

 

Foreign Debt Securities. The Fund may invest directly or indirectly in non-U.S. based debt securities, including foreign currency-denominated corporate and foreign government notes and bonds. Investing in foreign debt securities has the same risks as investing in foreign securities generally, In addition, foreign corporate bonds are subject to the risks that foreign companies may not be subject to uniform audit, financial reporting or disclosure standards, practices or requirements comparable to those found in the U.S., which may make it more difficult to evaluate the business and/or financial position of the issuer and the value of the bond. Foreign government bonds are also subject to the risks that governmental issuers of debt securities may be unwilling to pay interest and repay principal when due or may require that conditions for payment be renegotiated.

 

Foreign Government Debt Obligations. The Fund may invest, directly or indirectly in sovereign debt obligations. Investments in sovereign debt obligations involve special risks which are not present in corporate debt obligations. The foreign issuer of the sovereign debt or the foreign governmental authorities that control the repayment of the debt may be unable or unwilling to repay principal or interest when due, and the Fund may have limited recourse in the event of a default. During periods of economic uncertainty, the market prices of sovereign debt, and the net asset value (“NAV”) of the Fund, to the extent it invests in such securities, may be more volatile than prices of U.S. debt issuers. In the past, certain foreign countries 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 debt.

 

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 commitment on the part of these governments, agencies and others to make such disbursements may be conditioned on the implementation of economic reforms and/or economic performance and the timely service of such debtor’s obligations. Failure to implement such reforms, achieve such levels of economic performance or repay principal or interest when due may result in the cancellation of such third parties’ commitments to lend funds to the governmental entity, which may further impair such debtor’s ability or willingness to timely service its debts. Consequently, governmental entities may default on their sovereign debt.

 

Holders of sovereign debt may be requested to participate in the rescheduling of such debt and to extend further loans to governmental entities. In the event of a default by a governmental entity, there may be few or no effective legal remedies for collecting on such debt.

 

Foreign Exchange Risk and Currency Transactions. The value of foreign investments as measured in U.S. dollars may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in foreign currency rates and exchange control regulations. Currency exchange rates can also be affected unpredictably by intervention by U.S. or foreign governments or central banks, or the failure to intervene, or by currency controls or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. Foreign currency exchange transactions may be conducted on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in the foreign currency exchange market or through entering into derivative currency transactions. Currency futures contracts are exchange-traded and change in value to reflect movements of a currency or a basket of currencies. Settlement must be made in a designated currency.

 

4 

 

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are individually negotiated and privately traded so they are dependent upon the creditworthiness of the counterparty. Such contracts may be used to (i) gain exposure to a particular currency or currencies as a part of the Fund’s investment strategy, (ii) when a security denominated in a foreign currency is purchased or sold, or (iii) when the receipt in a foreign currency of dividend or interest payments on such a security is anticipated. With respect to subparagraphs (ii) and (iii), a forward contract can then “lock in” the U.S. dollar price of the security or the U.S. dollar equivalent of such dividend or interest payment, as the case may be. Additionally, when the Adviser believes that the currency of a particular foreign country may suffer a substantial decline against the U.S. dollar, it may enter into a forward contract to sell, for a fixed amount of dollars, the amount of foreign currency approximating the value of some or all of the securities held that are denominated in such foreign currency. The precise matching of the forward contract amounts and the value of the securities involved will not generally be possible. In addition, it may not be possible to hedge against long-term currency changes. Cross-hedging may be used by using forward contracts in one currency (or basket of currencies) to hedge against fluctuations in the value of securities denominated in a different currency. Use of a different foreign currency magnifies exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. Forward contracts may also be used to shift exposure to foreign currency exchange rate changes from one currency to another. Short-term hedging provides a means of fixing the dollar value of only a portion of portfolio assets.

 

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) includes foreign exchange forwards in the definition of “swap” as well as over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives and therefore contemplates that certain of these contracts may be exchange-traded, cleared by a clearinghouse and otherwise regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”). The CFTC has been granted authority to regulate forward foreign currency contracts and many of the final regulations already adopted by the CFTC will apply to such contracts, however a limited category of forward foreign currency contracts were excluded from certain of the Dodd-Frank Act regulations by the Secretary of the U.S. Treasury Department. Therefore, trading by the Fund in forward foreign currency contracts excluded by the Treasury Department are not subject to the CFTC regulations to which other forward foreign currency contracts are subject.

 

Currency transactions are subject to the risk of a number of complex political and economic factors applicable to the countries issuing the underlying currencies. Furthermore, unlike trading in most other types of instruments, there is no systematic reporting of last sale information with respect to the foreign currencies underlying the derivative currency transactions. As a result, available information may not be complete. In an OTC trading environment, there are no daily price fluctuation limits. There may be no liquid secondary market to close out options purchased or written, or forward contracts entered into, until their exercise, expiration or maturity. There is also the risk of default by, or the bankruptcy of, the financial institution serving as a counterparty.

 

Currency swaps involve the exchange of rights to make or receive payments in specified currencies and are individually negotiated. The entire principal value of a currency swap is subject to the risk that the other party to the swap will default on its contractual delivery obligations. The Fund’s performance may be adversely affected as the Adviser may be incorrect in its forecasts of market value and currency exchange rates.

 

Debt Securities. The Fund may invest, directly or indirectly, in corporate debt securities and U.S. Government obligations. Corporate securities include, but are not limited to, debt obligations offered by public or private corporations either registered or unregistered. The market value of such securities may fluctuate in response to interest rates and the creditworthiness of the issuer. A debt instrument’s credit quality depends on the issuer’s ability to pay interest on the security and repay the debt; the lower the credit rating, the greater the risk that the security’s issuer will default. The credit risk of a security may also depend on the credit quality of any bank or financial institution that provides credit enhancement for the security. The Fund may purchase debt securities of any credit quality, maturity or yield. Accordingly, the Fund may purchase investment grade securities, meaning securities rated BBB or better by S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”) or Fitch Ratings, Inc. (“Fitch”), Baa or better by Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”) or any comparable rating by another nationally recognized statistical rating organization (“NRSRO”) or, if unrated, as determined by the Adviser to be of comparable quality. In addition, the Fund may purchase lower-rated debt securities including, without limitation, “junk” bonds whose ratings are below investment grade.

 

5 

 

U.S. Government Obligations. The Fund may, directly or indirectly, invest in U.S. Government obligations. “U.S. Government obligations” include securities which are issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury, by various agencies of the U.S. Government, and by various instrumentalities which have been established or sponsored by the U.S. Government. U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government. U.S. Treasury obligations include Treasury Bills, Treasury Notes, and Treasury Bonds. Treasury Bills have initial maturities of one year or less; Treasury Notes have initial maturities of one to ten years; and Treasury Bonds generally have initial maturities of greater than ten years.

 

Agencies and instrumentalities established by the U.S. Government include the Federal Home Loan Banks, the Federal Land Bank, the Government National Mortgage Association, the Federal National Mortgage Association, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Small Business Administration, the Bank for Cooperatives, the Federal Intermediate Credit Bank, the Federal Financing Bank, the Federal Farm Credit Banks, the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation, the Resolution Funding Corporation, the Financing Corporation of America and the Tennessee Valley Authority. Some of these securities are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government while others are supported only by the credit of the agency or instrumentality, which may include the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury. In the case of U.S. Government obligations not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, the investor must look principally to the agency or instrumentality issuing or guaranteeing the obligation for ultimate repayment, and may not be able to assert a claim against the U.S. Government itself in the event the agency or instrumentality does not meet its commitment. U.S. Government obligations are subject to price fluctuations based upon changes in the level of interest rates, which will generally result in all those securities changing in price in the same way, i.e., all those securities experiencing appreciation when interest rates decline and depreciation when interest rates rise. Any guarantee of the U.S. Government will not extend to the yield or value of the Fund’s shares.

 

Below Investment Grade Debt Securities (“Junk Bonds”). Bonds rated below BBB by S&P, or Baa by Moody’s, or an equivalent rating by another NRSRO are commonly known as “junk bonds.” As noted above, the Fund may, directly or indirectly, invest in junk bonds. See “Description of Ratings” in Appendix B for further discussion regarding securities ratings. Below investment grade securities are deemed by the rating agencies to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Below investment grade securities, while generally offering higher yields than investment grade securities with similar maturities, involve greater risks, including the possibility of default or bankruptcy. The special risk considerations in connection with investments in these securities are discussed below.

 

Below investment grade securities generally offer a higher yield than that available from higher-rated issues with similar maturities, as compensation for holding a security that is subject to greater risk. Below investment grade securities are deemed by rating agencies to be predominately speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal and may involve major risk or exposure to adverse conditions. Lower-rated securities involve higher risks in that they are especially subject to (1) adverse changes in general economic conditions and in the industries in which the issuers are engaged, (2) adverse changes in the financial condition of the issuers, (3) price fluctuation in response to changes in interest rates and (4) limited liquidity and secondary market support.

 

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Effect of Interest Rates and Economic Changes. Interest-bearing securities typically experience appreciation when interest rates decline and depreciation when interest rates rise. The market values of below investment grade securities tend to reflect individual corporate developments to a greater extent than do higher rated securities, which react primarily to fluctuations in the general level of interest rates. Below investment grade securities also tend to be more sensitive to economic conditions than are higher-rated securities. As a result, they generally involve more credit risks than securities in the higher-rated categories. During an economic downturn or a sustained period of rising interest rates, highly leveraged issuers of below investment grade securities may experience financial stress which may adversely affect their ability to service their debt obligations, meet projected business goals, and obtain additional financing. Periods of economic uncertainty and changes would also generally result in increased volatility in the market prices of these securities and thus in the Fund’s NAV.

 

Payment Expectations. Below investment grade securities may contain redemption, call or prepayment provisions which permit the issuer of such securities to, at its discretion, redeem the securities. During periods of falling interest rates, issuers of these securities are likely to redeem or prepay the securities and refinance them with debt securities with a lower interest rate. To the extent an issuer is able to refinance the securities, or otherwise redeem them, the Fund may have to replace the securities with a lower yielding security, which would result in a lower return.

 

Credit Ratings. Credit ratings issued by credit-rating agencies are designed to evaluate the safety of principal and interest payments of rated securities. They do not, however, evaluate the market value risk of lower-quality securities and, therefore, may not fully reflect the risks of an investment. In addition, credit rating agencies may or may not make timely changes in a rating to reflect changes in the economy or in the condition of the issuer that affect the market value of the security. With regard to an investment in below investment grade securities, the achievement of the Fund’s investment objective may be more dependent on the Adviser’s own credit analysis than is the case for higher rated securities. Although the Adviser considers security ratings when making investment decisions, it does not rely solely on the ratings assigned by the rating services. Rather, the Adviser performs research and independently assesses the value of particular securities relative to the market. The Adviser’s analysis may include consideration of the issuer’s experience and managerial strength, changing financial condition, borrowing requirements or debt maturity schedules, and the issuer’s responsiveness to changes in business conditions and interest rates. It also considers relative values based on anticipated cash flow, interest or dividend coverage, asset coverage and earnings prospects.

 

The Adviser buys and sells debt securities principally in response to its evaluation of an issuer’s continuing ability to meet its obligations, the availability of better investment opportunities, and its assessment of changes in business conditions and interest rates.

 

Liquidity and Valuation. Below investment grade securities may lack an established retail secondary market, and to the extent a secondary trading market does exist, it may be less liquid than the secondary market for higher rated securities. The lack of a liquid secondary market may negatively impact the Fund’s ability to dispose of particular securities. The lack of a liquid secondary market for certain securities may also make it more difficult for the Fund to obtain accurate market quotations for purposes of valuing the Fund’s portfolio. In addition, adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may decrease the values and liquidity of below investment grade securities, especially in a thinly traded market.

 

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Inflation-Linked Bonds. The Fund may, directly or indirectly, invest in inflation-linked bonds, which are issued by the U.S. government and foreign governments with a nominal return indexed to the inflation rate in prices. Governments that issue inflation-indexed bonds may use different conventions for purposes of structuring their bonds and different inflation factors, with the same underlying principal of linking real returns and inflation.

 

For purposes of explanation, a U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (“U.S. TIPS”) bond will be used as an example of how inflation-linked bonds work. Inflation-linked bonds, like nominal bonds, pay coupons on a principal amount. For U.S. TIPS, and most inflation-linked bonds, the value of the principal is adjusted for inflation. In the United States, the index used to measure inflation is the non-seasonally adjusted U.S. City Average All Items Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (“CPI-U”). Interest payments are paid every six months, and are equal to a fixed percentage of the inflation-adjusted value of the principal. The final payment of principal of the security will not be less than the original par amount of the security at issuance.

 

The principal of the inflation-linked security is indexed to the non-seasonally adjusted CPI-U. To calculate the inflation-adjusted principal value for a particular valuation date, the value of the principal at issuance is multiplied by the index ratio applicable to that valuation date. The index ratio for any date is the ratio of the reference CPI applicable to such date, to the reference CPI applicable to the original issue date. Semi-annual coupon interest is determined by multiplying the inflation-adjusted principal amount by one-half of the stated rate of interest on each interest payment date.

 

Inflation-adjusted principal or the original par amount, whichever is larger, is paid on the maturity date as specified in the applicable offering announcement. If at maturity the inflation-adjusted principal is less than the original principal value of the security, an additional amount is paid at maturity so that the additional amount plus the inflation-adjusted principal equals the original principal amount. Some inflation-linked securities may be stripped into principal and interest components. In the case of a stripped security, the holder of the stripped principal component would receive this additional amount. The final interest payment, however, will be based on the final inflation-adjusted principal value, not the original par amount.

 

If the Fund invests in U.S. TIPS, it will be required to treat as original issue discount any increase in the principal amount of the securities that occurs during the course of its taxable year. If the Fund purchases such inflation-linked securities that are issued in stripped form (“OID Securities”), either as stripped bonds or coupons, it will be treated as if it had purchased a newly issued debt instrument having “original issue discount.” The Fund holding an obligation with original issue discount is required to accrue as ordinary income a portion of such original issue discount even though it receives no corresponding interest payment in cash. The Fund may have to sell other investments to obtain cash needed to make income distributions, which may reduce the Fund’s assets, increase its expense ratio and decrease its rate of return.

 

The higher yields and interest rates on OID Securities reflects the payment deferral and increased credit risk associated with such instruments and that such investment may represent a significantly higher credit risk than coupon loans. Further, OID Securities may have unreliable valuations because their continuing accruals require continuing judgments about the collectability of the deferred payments and the value of any associated collateral.

 

Commodities Instruments. The Fund may obtain exposure to commodities indirectly by investing in ETFs that invest in securities of companies engaged in the production and distribution of commodities and commodity-related products, exchange-traded notes (“ETNs”) that are linked to the returns of one or more commodity indices that reflect the potential return on leveraged and unleveraged investments in futures contracts of physical commodities, plus interest that could be earned on cash collateral, and minus the issuer’s fee (see “Exchange-Traded Notes” below), and such other instruments as deemed appropriate from time to time. The Fund may be exposed to a wide variety of commodity sectors, including, without limitation, agriculture, livestock, base/industrial metals, oil, energy and precious metals.

 

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Exposure to commodities may result in losses for the Fund. Commodity prices, and the value of stocks of companies exposed to commodities, can be extremely volatile and are affected by a wide range of factors, including market movements, supply and demand imbalances, inflationary trends or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments. The energy sector can be significantly affected by changes in the prices and supplies of oil and other energy fuels, energy conservation, the success of exploration projects, and tax and other government regulations, policies of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (“OPEC”) and relationships among OPEC members and between OPEC and oil importing nations. The metals sector can be affected by sharp price volatility over short periods caused by global economic, financial and political factors, resource availability, government regulation, economic cycles, changes in inflation or expectations about inflation in various countries, interest rates, currency fluctuations, metal sales by governments, central banks or international agencies, investment speculation and fluctuations in industrial and commercial supply and demand. Increased demand for commodities by emerging market countries may result in shortages and cause prices to rise, potentially resulting in speculative investments in commodities. In addition, with respect to the Fund’s exposure to commodities indirectly through companies in the commodities sector and ETNs, there are additional risks to the Fund as there is no guarantee that those companies’ investments and business strategies relating to commodities will be successful, and the value of the Fund’s investments in ETFs or other instruments exposed to companies in the commodities sector, and the value of the companies themselves, may fluctuate more than the value of the relevant underlying commodity or commodities or commodity index.

 

See “ETNs” below for specific risks relating to the Fund’s investments in ETNs that are linked to the returns of one or more commodity indices.

 

Commodity-Linked Notes. Commodity-linked notes and other related instruments purchased, directly or indirectly, by the Fund are generally privately negotiated debt obligations where the principal paid to the Fund by the counterparty at maturity or redemption is determined by reference to the performance of a specific reference commodity or group of commodities or commodity index. The principal amount payable upon maturity or redemption may fluctuate, depending upon changes in the value of the reference commodity or index. The terms of a commodity-linked note may provide that, in certain circumstances where the value of the reference commodity or index substantially declines, no principal is due to the buyer of the commodity-linked note at maturity and, therefore, may result in a total loss of invested capital by the Fund. The principal payments that may be made on a commodity-linked note may vary widely, depending on a variety of factors, including the volatility of the reference commodity or index. Commodity-linked notes may be positively or negatively indexed, so the appreciation of the reference commodity may produce an increase or a decrease in the value of the principal at maturity. The rate of return on commodity-linked notes may be determined by applying a multiplier to the performance or differential performance of reference commodities or indices. Application of a multiplier involves leverage that will serve to magnify the potential for gain and the risk of loss. The purchase of commodity-linked notes exposes the Fund to the credit risk of the issuer of the commodity-linked product. Commodity-linked notes may also be more volatile, less liquid, and more difficult to price accurately than less complex securities and instruments or more traditional debt securities.

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”). The Fund may invest, directly or indirectly, in REITs, which are companies that invest in real estate, mortgages and construction loans. REITs normally do not pay federal income tax but distribute their income to their shareholders who become liable for the tax. The Fund may invest, directly or indirectly, in any category of REIT and may purchase common stocks, preferred stocks or bonds issued by REITs. There are risks in investing, directly or indirectly, in REITs. The property owned by a REIT could decrease in value and loans held by a REIT could decline in value or become worthless.

 

9 

 

Investment Companies. The Fund may invest in securities of other investment companies, including, without limitation, money market funds and ETFs. Generally, under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), a fund may not acquire shares of another investment company if, immediately after such acquisition, (i) a fund would hold more than 3% of the other investment company’s total outstanding shares, (ii) a fund’s investment in securities of the other investment company would be more than 5% of the value of the total assets of the fund, or (iii) more than 10% of a fund’s total assets would be invested in investment companies. Under certain conditions, a fund may invest in registered and unregistered money market funds in excess of these limitations. The Fund generally expects to rely on Rule 12d1-1 under the 1940 Act when purchasing shares of a money market fund. Under Rule 12d1-1, the Fund may generally invest without limitation in money market funds as long as the Fund pays no sales charge (“sales charge”), as defined in rule 2830(b)(8) of the Conduct Rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), or service fee, as defined in rule 2830(b)(9) of the Conduct Rules of FINRA, charged in connection with the purchase, sale, or redemption of securities issued by the money market fund (“service fee”); or the Adviser waives its management fee in an amount necessary to offset any sales charge or service fee. The Fund generally expects to rely on Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act when purchasing shares of other investment companies that are not money market funds. Under Section 12(d)(1)(F), the Fund may generally acquire shares of another investment company unless, immediately after such acquisition, the Fund and its affiliated persons would hold more than 3% of the investment company’s total outstanding stock (the “3% Limitation”). To the extent the 3% Limitation applies to an investment the Fund wishes to make, the Fund may be prevented from allocating its investments in the manner that the Adviser considers optimal. Also, under the 1940 Act, to the extent that the Fund relies upon Section 12(d)(1)(F) in purchasing securities issued by another investment company, the Fund must either seek instructions from its shareholders with regard to the voting of all proxies with respect to its investment in such securities and vote such proxies only in accordance with the instructions, or vote the shares held by it in the same proportion as the vote of all other holders of the securities. In the event that there is a vote of investment company shares held by the Fund in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(F), the Fund intends to vote such shares in the same proportion as the vote of all other holders of such securities. Investment in other investment companies subjects the Fund to additional operating and management fees and expenses. For example, the Fund’s investors will indirectly bear fees and expenses charged by underlying investment companies in which the Fund invests, in addition to the Fund’s direct fees and expenses.

 

ETFs and Other Similar Instruments. Shares of ETFs and other similar instruments may be purchased by the Fund. An ETF is typically an investment company registered under the 1940 Act that holds a portfolio of common stocks designed to track the performance of a particular index or market sector. Alternatively, ETFs may be actively managed pursuant to a particular investment strategy, similar to other non-index based investment companies. ETFs sell and redeem their shares at NAV in large blocks (typically 50,000 of its shares) called “creation units.” Shares representing fractional interests in these creation units are also listed for trading on national securities exchanges and can be purchased and sold in the secondary market like ordinary stocks in lots of any size at any time during the trading day. ETFs are traded on a securities exchange based on their market value.

 

Instruments the Fund may purchase that are similar to ETFs represent beneficial ownership interests in specific “baskets” of stocks of companies within a particular industry sector or group. These securities may also be listed on national securities exchanges and purchased and sold in the secondary market, but unlike ETFs, are not investment companies under the 1940 Act. Such securities may also be exchange traded, but because they are not registered as investment companies, they are not subject to the percentage investment limitations imposed by the 1940 Act.

 

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An investment in an ETF generally presents the same primary risks as an investment in a conventional registered investment company (i.e., one that is not exchange traded), including the risk that the general level of stock prices, or that the prices of stocks within a particular sector, may increase or decrease, thereby affecting the value of the shares of an ETF. In addition, ETFs are subject to the following risks that do not apply to conventional investment companies: (1) the market price of the ETF’s shares may trade at a discount to the ETF’s NAV; (2) an active trading market for an ETF’s shares may not develop or be maintained; (3) trading of an ETF’s shares may be halted if the listing exchange deems such action appropriate; and (4) ETF shares may be delisted from the exchange on which they trade; and (5) activation of “circuit breakers” (which are tied to large decreases in stock prices) may halt trading of the ETF’s shares temporarily. ETFs are also subject to the risks of the underlying securities or sectors the ETF is designed to track.

 

Because ETFs and pools that issue similar instruments bear various fees and expenses, the Fund will pay a proportionate share of these expenses, as well as transaction costs, such as brokerage commissions. As with traditional investment companies, ETFs charge asset-based fees, although these fees tend to be relatively low as compared to other types of investment companies. ETFs do not charge initial sales loads or redemption fees and investors pay only customary brokerage fees to buy and sell ETF shares.

 

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) has granted orders for exemptive relief to certain ETFs that permit investments in those ETFs by other investment companies (such as the Fund) in excess of the limits discussed above under the section entitled “Investment Companies”. The Fund may invest in ETFs that have received such exemptive orders from the SEC, pursuant to the conditions specified in such orders. In accordance with Section 12(d)(1)(F)(i) of the 1940 Act, the Fund may also invest in ETFs that have not received such exemptive orders and in other investment companies in excess of these limits, as long as the Fund (and all of its affiliated persons, including the Adviser) does not acquire more than 3% of the total outstanding stock of such ETF or other investment company, unless otherwise permitted to do so pursuant to permission granted by the SEC.

 

In purchasing ETFs, the Fund will be subject to the 3% Limitation unless (i) the ETF or the Fund has received an SEC order for exemptive relief from the 3% Limitation from the SEC that is applicable to the Fund; and (ii) the ETF and the Fund take appropriate steps to comply with any conditions in such order. The SEC has issued such exemptive orders to numerous ETFs and their investment advisers, which permit investment companies, including the Fund, to invest in such ETFs (“Exempted ETFs”) beyond the 3% Limitation, subject to certain terms and conditions, including that such investment companies enter into an agreement with the Exempted ETF. The Fund may enter into such agreements with one or more Exempted ETFs so that the Fund will be permitted to invest in such Exempted ETFs in excess of the 3% Limitation. If the Fund seeks to redeem shares of an ETF or other investment company purchased in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(F), the investment company is not obligated to redeem an amount exceeding 1% of the investment company’s outstanding shares during a period of less than 30 days.

 

While the creation and redemption of creation units helps an ETF maintain a market value close to NAV, the market value of an ETF’s shares may differ from its NAV. This difference in price may be due to the fact that the supply and demand in the market for ETF shares at any point in time is not always identical to the supply and demand in the market for the ETF’s underlying basket of securities. Accordingly, there may be times when an ETF trades at a premium (creating the risk that the Fund pays more than NAV for an ETF when making a purchase) or discount (creating the risks that the Fund’s NAV is reduced for undervalued ETFs it holds, and that the Fund receives less than NAV when selling an ETF).

 

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Leveraged and Inverse ETF Risk. The Fund may invest in leveraged and inverse ETFs. Leveraged and inverse ETFs involve additional risks and considerations not present in traditional ETFs. Typically, shares of an index-based ETF are expected to increase in value as the value of the underlying benchmark increases. However, in the case of inverse ETFs (also called “short ETFs” or “bear ETFs”), shares are expected to increase in value as the value of the underlying benchmark decreases, similar to holding short positions in the underlying benchmark. Leveraged ETFs seek to deliver multiples (e.g., 2X or 3X) of the performance of the underlying benchmark, typically by using derivatives in an effort to amplify returns (or decline, in the case of inverse ETFs) of the underlying benchmark. While leveraged ETFs may offer the potential for greater return, the potential for loss and the speed at which losses can be realized also are greater.

 

Leveraged and inverse ETFs “reset” over short periods of time, meaning they are designed to deliver their stated returns only for the length of their reset periods (typically daily or monthly), and are not designed to deliver their returns intraday or over periods longer than the stated reset period. Because of the structure of these products, their rebalancing methodologies and the math of compounding, holding the ETFs beyond the reset period can lead to results very different from a simple doubling, tripling, or inverse of the benchmark's average return over the same period of time. This difference in results can be magnified in volatile markets. Further, leveraged and inverse ETFs may have lower trading volumes or may be less tax efficient than traditional ETFs and may be subject to additional regulation. To the extent that leveraged or inverse ETFs invest in derivatives, investments in such ETFs will be subject to the risks of investments in derivatives. For these reasons, leveraged and inverse ETFs are typically considered to be riskier investments than traditional ETFs.

 

ETNs. The Fund may invest in ETNs. ETNs are generally notes representing debt of the issuer, usually a financial institution. ETNs combine both aspects of bonds and ETFs. An ETN’s returns are based on the performance of one or more underlying assets, reference rates or indexes, minus fees and expenses. Similar to ETFs, ETNs are listed on an exchange and traded in the secondary market. However, unlike an ETF, an ETN can be held until the ETN’ s maturity, at which time the issuer will pay a return linked to the performance of the specific asset, index or rate (“reference instrument”) to which the ETN is linked minus certain fees. Unlike regular bonds, ETNs do not make periodic interest payments, and principal is not protected.

 

The value of an ETN may be influenced by, among other things, 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, the performance of the reference instrument, changes in the issuer’s credit rating and economic, legal, political or geographic events that affect the reference instrument. An ETN that is tied to a reference instrument may not replicate the performance of the reference instrument. ETNs also incur certain expenses not incurred by their applicable reference instrument. Some ETNs that use leverage can, at times, be relatively illiquid and, thus, they may be difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price. Leveraged ETNs are subject to the same risk as other instruments that use leverage in any form. While leverage allows for greater potential return, the potential for loss is also greater. Finally, additional losses may be incurred if the investment loses value because, in addition to the money lost on the investment, the loan still needs to be repaid.

 

Because the return on the ETN is dependent on the issuer’s ability or willingness to meet its obligations, the value of the ETN may change due to a change in the issuer’s credit rating, despite no change in the underlying reference instrument. The market value of ETN shares may differ from the value of the reference instrument. This difference in price may be due to the fact that the supply and demand in the market for ETN shares at any point in time is not always identical to the supply and demand in the market for the assets underlying the reference instrument that the ETN seeks to track.

 

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There may be restrictions on the Fund’s right to redeem its investment in an ETN, which are generally meant to be held until maturity. The Fund’s decision to sell its ETN holdings may be limited by the availability of a secondary market. An investor in an ETN could lose some or all of the amount invested.

 

Forwards, Futures, Swaps and Options. As described below, the Fund may purchase and sell in the U.S. or abroad futures contracts, forward contracts, swaps and put and call options on securities, futures, securities indices, swaps and currencies. In the future, the Fund may employ instruments and strategies that are not presently contemplated, but which may be subsequently developed, to the extent such investment methods are consistent with such Fund’s investment objectives, and are legally permissible. There can be no assurance that an instrument, if employed, will be successful.

 

The Fund may buy and sell these investments for a number of purposes, including hedging, investment or speculative purposes. For example, it may do so to try to manage its exposure to the possibility that the prices of its portfolio securities may decline, or to establish a position in the securities market as a substitute for purchasing individual securities. Some of these strategies, such as selling futures, buying puts and writing covered calls, may be used to hedge the Fund’s portfolio against price fluctuations. Other hedging strategies, such as buying futures and call options, tend to increase the Fund’s exposure to the securities market.

 

Special Risk Factors Regarding Forwards, Futures, Swaps and Options. Transactions in derivative instruments (e.g., futures, options, forwards, and swaps) involve a risk of loss or depreciation due to: unanticipated adverse changes in securities prices, interest rates, indices, the other financial instruments’ prices or currency exchange rates; the inability to close out a position; default by the counterparty; imperfect correlation between a position and the desired hedge (if the derivative instrument is being used for hedging purposes); tax constraints on closing out positions; and portfolio management constraints on securities subject to such transactions. The loss on derivative instruments (other than purchased options) may substantially exceed the amount invested in these instruments. In addition, the entire premium paid for purchased options may be lost before they can be profitably exercised. Transaction costs are incurred in opening and closing positions.

 

The Fund’s use of swaps, futures contracts, forward contracts and certain other derivative instruments will have the economic effect of financial leverage. Financial leverage magnifies exposure to the swings in prices of an asset underlying a derivative instrument and results in increased volatility, which means the Fund will have the potential for greater gains, as well as the potential for greater losses, than if the Fund does not use derivative instruments that have a leveraging effect. Leveraging tends to magnify, sometimes significantly, the effect of any increase or decrease in the Fund’s exposure to an asset and may cause the Fund’s NAV to be volatile. For example, if the Adviser seeks to gain enhanced exposure to a specific asset through a derivative instrument providing leveraged exposure to the asset and that derivative instrument increases in value, the gain to the Fund will be magnified; however, if that investment decreases in value, the loss to the Fund will be magnified. A decline in the Fund’s assets due to losses magnified by the derivative instruments providing leveraged exposure may require the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions to satisfy its obligations, to meet redemption requests or to meet asset segregation requirements when it may not be advantageous to do so. There is no assurance that the Fund’s use of derivative instruments providing enhanced exposure will enable the Fund to achieve its investment objective.

 

The Fund’s success in using derivative instruments to hedge portfolio assets depends on the degree of price correlation between the derivative instruments and the hedged asset. Imperfect correlation may be caused by several factors, including temporary price disparities among the trading markets for the derivative instrument, the assets underlying the derivative instrument and the Fund’s assets.

 

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OTC derivative instruments involve an increased risk that the issuer or counterparty will fail to perform its contractual obligations. Some derivative instruments are not readily marketable or may become illiquid under adverse market conditions. In addition, during periods of market volatility, a commodity exchange may suspend or limit trading in an exchange-traded derivative instrument, which may make the contract temporarily illiquid and difficult to price. Commodity exchanges may also establish daily limits on the amount that the price of a futures contract or futures option can vary from the previous day’s settlement price. Once the daily limit is reached, no trades may be made that day at a price beyond the limit. This may prevent the closing out of positions to limit losses. Certain purchased OTC options, and assets used as cover for written OTC options, may be considered illiquid. The ability to terminate OTC derivative instruments may depend on the cooperation of the counterparties to such contracts. For thinly traded derivative instruments, the only source of price quotations may be the selling dealer or counterparty. The use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that involves skills different from conducting ordinary portfolio securities transactions. There can be no assurance that the Adviser’s use of derivative instruments will be advantageous to the Fund.

 

Regulatory Matters Regarding Forwards, Futures, Swaps and Options. The Fund will be required to comply with and adhere to all applicable limitations on the manner and extent to which it effects transactions in derivative instruments (including futures and options on such futures) imposed by the provisions of the 1940 Act applicable to the issuance of senior securities. Additionally, the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” pursuant to Rule 4.5 under the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended (the “CEA”). Therefore, the Fund is not subject to regulation or registration as a commodity pool operator under the CEA. By claiming the exclusion, the Fund is limited in its ability to use certain derivatives, such as futures, certain options, and swaps, without the Fund becoming subject to CFTC regulation. On an annual basis, the Fund is required to reaffirm its eligibility to continue to claim the exclusion. If the Fund’s use of derivatives would prevent it from claiming the exclusion (or any other exclusion or exemption available under CFTC regulations), then the Adviser may be subject to regulation as a commodity pool operator or commodity trading advisor with respect to the Fund, and the Fund may become subject to regulation by the CFTC. The Fund may incur additional expenses in complying with the CFTC’s recordkeeping, reporting and disclosure requirements.

 

Legal and regulatory changes, and additional legal and regulatory changes in the future, may substantially affect OTC derivatives markets and such changes may impact the Fund’s use of such instruments to the extent such instruments are used by the Fund. The Dodd-Frank Act and related regulatory developments provide for new regulation of the derivatives market, including clearing, margin, reporting and registration requirements. These regulations could, among other things, restrict the Fund’s ability to engage in derivatives transactions or increase the costs of derivatives transactions (for example, by increasing margin or capital requirements), and the Fund’s ability to pursue its investment strategy could be adversely affected.

 

Transactions in futures and options by the Fund are subject to limitations established by futures and option exchanges governing the maximum number of futures and options that may be written or held by a single investor or group of investors acting in concert, regardless of whether the futures or options were written or purchased on the same or different exchanges or are held in one or more accounts or through one or more different exchanges or through one or more brokers. Thus the number of futures or options which the Fund may write or hold may be affected by futures or options written or held by other entities, including other investment companies advised by the Adviser. An exchange may order the liquidation of positions found to be in violation of those limits and may impose certain other sanctions.

 

Segregation of Assets. Consistent with SEC staff guidance, financial instruments that involve the Fund's obligation to make future payments to third parties will not be viewed as creating any senior security provided that the Fund covers its obligations as described below. Those financial instruments can include, among others, (i) reverse repurchase agreements, (ii) securities sold short (iii) swaps, (iv) futures contracts, (v) written options, (vi) forward currency contracts, and (vii) non-deliverable forwards.

 

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Consistent with SEC staff guidance, the Fund will consider its obligations involving such a financial instrument as “covered” when the Fund (1) maintains an offsetting financial position, or (2) segregates liquid assets (which include, but are not limited to, cash, cash equivalents, equities and debt instruments of any grade) equal to the Fund's exposures relating to the financial instrument, as determined on a daily basis. Any assets designated as segregated by the Fund, either physically or “earmarked” as segregated, for purposes of (2) above, shall be liquid, unencumbered and marked-to-market daily (any such assets designated as segregated, either physically or “earmarked” as segregated, are referred to in this SAI as “Segregated Assets”), and such Segregated Assets shall be maintained in accordance with pertinent positions of the SEC.

 

The Fund’s Segregated Assets procedures may require the Fund to sell a portfolio security or exit a transaction, including a transaction in a financial instrument, at a disadvantageous time or price in order for the Fund to be able to segregate the required amount of assets. If Segregated Assets decline in value, the Fund will need to segregate additional assets or reduce its position in the financial instruments. In addition, Segregated Assets may not be available to satisfy redemptions or for other purposes, until the Fund's obligations under the financial instruments have been satisfied. In addition, the Fund's ability to use the financial instruments identified above may under some circumstances depend on the nature of the instrument and amount of assets that the Segregated Assets procedures require the Fund to segregate. The Segregated Assets procedures provide, consistent with current SEC staff positions, that for futures and forward contracts that require only cash settlement, and swap agreements that call for periodic netting between the Fund and its counterparty, the segregated amount is the net amount due under the contract, as determined daily on a mark-to-market basis. For other kinds of futures, forwards and swaps, the Fund must segregate a larger amount of assets to cover its obligations, which essentially limits the Fund's ability to use these instruments. If the SEC staff changes its positions concerning the segregation of the net amount due under certain forwards, futures and swap contracts, the ability of the Fund to use the financial instruments could be negatively affected.

 

Forward Contracts. A forward contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific security, currency or other instrument for an agreed price at a future date that is individually negotiated and privately traded by traders and their customers. In contrast to contracts traded on an exchange (such as futures contracts), forward contracts are not guaranteed by any exchange or clearinghouse and are subject to the creditworthiness of the counterparty of the trade. Forward contracts are highly leveraged and highly volatile, and a relatively small price movement in a forward contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund. To the extent the Fund engages in forward contracts to generate total return, the Fund will be subject to these risks.

 

Forward contracts are not always standardized and are frequently the subject of individual negotiation between the parties involved. By contrast, futures contracts are generally standardized and futures exchanges have central clearinghouses which keep track of all positions.

 

Because there is no clearinghouse system applicable to forward contracts, there is no direct means of offsetting a forward contract by purchase of an offsetting position on the same exchange as one can with respect to a futures contract. Absent contractual termination rights, the Fund may not be able to terminate a forward contract at a price and time that it desires. In such event, the Fund will remain subject to counterparty risk with respect to the forward contract, even if the Fund enters into an offsetting forward contract with the same, or a different, counterparty. If a counterparty defaults, the Fund may lose money on the transaction.

 

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Depending on the asset underlying the forward contract, forward transactions can be influenced by, among other things, changing supply and demand relationships, government commercial and trade programs and policies, national and international political and economic events, weather and climate conditions, insects and plant disease, purchases and sales by foreign countries and changing interest rates.

 

Futures Contracts. U.S. futures contracts are traded on organized exchanges regulated by the CFTC. Transactions on such exchanges are cleared through a clearing corporation, which guarantees the performance of the parties to each contract. The Fund may also invest in non-U.S. futures contracts.

 

The Fund will cover its obligation under the futures transactions in which it participates by either (i) holding offsetting positions that appropriately equal the daily market value of the Fund’s position in the futures contract (less the initial margin and any variation margins deposited with its futures commission merchant (“FCM”)) or (ii) accruing such amounts on a daily basis and maintaining Segregated Assets to cover the futures contract. With respect to a futures contract that is not contractually required to “cash settle” the Fund will cover its open position by maintaining Segregated Assets equal to the contract’s full, notional value. However, the Fund may net non-cash settled futures contracts if the futures have the same expiration date and underlying instruments. With respect to a futures contract that is contractually required to “cash settle”, pursuant to the terms of the futures contract itself or through an agreement with the FCM, the Fund is permitted to maintain Segregated Assets in an amount equal to the Fund’s daily mark-to-market (net) obligation (that is, the Fund’s daily net liability if any) rather than the notional value (in other words the initial margin plus any variation margin (unrealized loss) due based on the previous day’s trading). The total cover required for all cash-settled futures contracts may be determined by netting the aggregate obligations of such contracts. By setting aside assets equal to only its net obligation under cash-settled futures contracts the Fund will have the ability to employ leverage to a greater extent that if the Fund were required to segregate assets equal to the full notional value of such contracts. The value of any liquid assets held as initial or variation margin with the Fund’s FCM for a futures contract may be deemed physically segregated or earmarked for “cover” purposes so long as such assets are held in compliance with Rule 17f-6 under the 1940 Act.

 

There are several risks in connection with the use of futures by the Fund. In the event futures are used by the Fund for hedging purposes, one risk arises because of the imperfect correlation between movements in the price of futures and movements in the price of the instruments which are the subject of the hedge. The price of futures may move more than or less than the price of the instruments being hedged. If the price of futures moves less than the price of the instruments which are the subject of the hedge, the hedge will not be fully effective, but, if the price of the instruments being hedged has moved in an unfavorable direction, the Fund would be in a better position than if it had not hedged at all. If the price of the instruments being hedged has moved in a favorable direction, this advantage will be partially offset by the loss on the futures. If the price of the futures moves more than the price of the hedged instruments, the Fund involved will experience either a loss or gain on the futures which will not be completely offset by movements in the price of the instruments which are the subject of the hedge.

 

To compensate for the imperfect correlation of movements in the price of instruments being hedged and movements in the price of futures contracts, the Fund may buy or sell futures contracts in a greater dollar amount than the dollar amount of instruments being hedged if the volatility over a particular time period of the prices of such instruments has been greater than the volatility over such time period of the futures, or if otherwise deemed to be appropriate by the Adviser. Conversely, the Fund may buy or sell fewer futures contracts if the volatility over a particular time period of the prices of the instruments being hedged is less than the volatility over such time period of the futures contract being used, or if otherwise deemed to be appropriate by the Adviser. It is also possible that, when the Fund sells futures to hedge its portfolio against a decline in the market, the market may advance and the value of the futures instruments held in the Fund may decline.

 

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Where futures are purchased to hedge against a possible increase in the price of securities before the Fund is able to invest its cash (or cash equivalents) in an orderly fashion, it is possible that the market may decline instead; if the Fund then concludes not to invest its cash at that time because of concern as to possible further market decline or for other reasons, the Fund will realize a loss on the futures contract that is not offset by a reduction in the price of the securities that were to be purchased.

 

Successful use of futures to hedge portfolio securities protects against adverse market movements but also reduces potential gain. For example, if the Fund has hedged against the possibility of a decline in the market adversely affecting securities held by it and securities prices increase instead, the Fund will lose part or all of the benefit to the increased value of its securities which it has hedged because it will have offsetting losses in its futures positions. In addition, in such situations, if the Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell securities to meet daily variation margin requirements (as described below). Such sales of securities may be, but will not necessarily be, at increased prices which reflect the rising market. The Fund may have to sell securities at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so.

 

The Fund may also use futures to attempt to gain exposure to a particular market, index, security, commodity or instrument or for speculative purposes to increase return. One or more markets, indices or instruments to which the Fund has exposure through futures may go down in value, possibly sharply and unpredictably. This means the Fund may lose money.

 

The price of futures may not correlate perfectly with movement in the cash market due to certain market distortions. Rather than meeting additional margin deposit requirements, investors may close futures contracts through offsetting transactions which could distort the normal relationship between the cash and futures markets. Further, with respect to financial futures contracts, the liquidity of the futures market depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants decide to make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced, thus producing distortions. In addition, from the point of view of speculators, the deposit requirements in the futures market are less onerous than margin requirements in the securities market. Therefore, increased participation by speculators in the futures market may also cause temporary price distortions. Due to the possibility of price distortion in the futures market, and because of the imperfect correlation between the movements in the cash market and movements in the price of futures, a correct forecast of general market trends or interest rate movements by the Adviser, as applicable, may still not result in a successful hedging transaction over a short time frame (in the event futures are used for hedging purposes).

 

Positions in futures may be closed out only on an exchange or board of trade which provides a secondary market for such futures. Although the Fund intends to purchase or sell futures only on exchanges or boards of trade where there appear to be active secondary markets, there is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on any exchange or board of trade will exist for any particular contract or at any particular time. When there is no liquid market, it may not be possible to close a futures investment position, and in the event of adverse price movements, the Fund would continue to be required to make daily cash payments of variation margin (as described below). In such circumstances, an increase in the price of the securities, if any, may partially or completely offset losses on the futures contract. However, as described above, there is no guarantee that the price of the securities will in fact correlate with the price movements in the futures contract and thus provide an offset on a futures contract.

 

Further, it should be noted that the liquidity of a secondary market in a futures contract may be adversely affected by “daily price fluctuation limits” established by commodities exchanges which limit the amount of fluctuation in a futures contract price during a single trading day. Once the daily limit has been reached in the contract, no trades may be entered into at a price beyond the limit, thus preventing the liquidation of open futures positions. The trading of futures contracts is also subject to the risk of trading halts, suspensions, exchange or clearing house equipment failures, government intervention, insolvency of a brokerage firm or clearing house or other disruptions of normal activity, which could at times make it difficult or impossible to liquidate existing positions or to recover equity.

 

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Stock Index Futures. The Fund may invest in stock index futures. A stock index assigns relative values to the common stocks included in the applicable index and fluctuates with the changes in the market value of those stocks.

 

Stock index futures are contracts based on the future value of the basket of securities that comprise the underlying stock index. The contracts obligate the seller to deliver and the purchaser to take cash to settle the futures transaction or to enter into an obligation contract. No physical delivery of the securities underlying the index is made on settling the futures obligation. No monetary amount is paid or received by the Fund on the purchase or sale of a stock index future. At any time prior to the expiration of the future, the Fund may elect to close out its position by taking an opposite position, at which time a final determination of variation margin is made and additional cash is required to be paid by or released to the Fund. Any gain or loss is then realized by the Fund on the future for tax purposes. Although stock index futures by their terms call for settlement by the delivery of cash, in most cases the settlement obligation is fulfilled without such delivery by entering into an offsetting transaction. All futures transactions are effected through a clearing house associated with the exchange on which the contracts are traded.

 

Futures Contracts on Securities. The Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts on securities. A futures contract sale creates an obligation by the Fund, as seller, to deliver the specific type of financial instrument called for in the contract at a specific future time for a specified price. A futures contract purchase creates an obligation by the Fund, as purchaser, to take delivery of the specific type of financial instrument at a specific future time at a specific price. The specific securities delivered or taken, respectively, at settlement date, would not be determined until or near that date. The determination would be in accordance with the rules of the exchange on which the futures contract sale or purchase was made.

 

Although futures contracts on securities by their terms call for actual delivery or acceptance of securities, in most cases the contracts are closed out before the settlement date without making or taking delivery of securities. The Fund may close out a futures contract sale by entering into a futures contract purchase for the same aggregate amount of the specific type of financial instrument and the same delivery date. If the price of the sale exceeds the price of the offsetting purchase, the Fund is immediately paid the difference and thus realizes a gain. If the offsetting purchase price exceeds the sale price, the Fund pays the difference and realizes a loss. Similarly, the Fund may close out of a futures contract purchase by entering into a futures contract sale. If the offsetting sale price exceeds the purchase price, the Fund realizes a gain, and if the purchase price exceeds the offsetting sale price, the Fund realizes a loss. Accounting for futures contracts will be in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

 

Swap Agreements. The Fund may enter into swap agreements with respect to securities, futures, currencies, indices, commodities and other instruments. Swap agreements can be individually negotiated and structured to include exposure to a variety of different types of investments or market factors, including securities, futures, currencies, indices, commodities and other instruments. Depending on their structure, swap agreements may increase or decrease the Fund’s exposure to long- or short-term interest rates (in the United States or abroad), foreign currency values, mortgage securities, corporate borrowing rates, or other factors such as security prices or inflation rates. Swap agreements can take many different forms and are known by a variety of names.

 

Swap agreements are two-party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a few weeks to more than one year. In a standard “swap” transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments. The gross returns to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties are calculated with respect to a “notional amount” (i.e., the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested at a particular interest rate, in a particular foreign currency, or in a “basket” of securities representing a particular index). The “notional amount” of the swap agreement is only a fictive basis on which to calculate the obligations that the parties to a swap agreement have agreed to exchange.

 

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Some swap agreements that may be entered into by the Fund may calculate the obligations of the parties to the agreements on a “net” basis. Consequently, the Fund’s obligations (or rights) under a swap agreement will generally be equal only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on the relative values of the positions held by each party to the agreement (the “net amount”). The Fund’s obligations under a swap agreement will be accrued daily (offset against any amounts owing to the Fund) and any accrued but unpaid net amounts owed to a swap counterparty will be covered by the maintenance of liquid assets in accordance with SEC staff positions on the subject.

 

Forms of swap agreements also include cap, floor and collar agreements. In a typical cap or floor agreement, one party agrees to make payments only under specified circumstances, usually in return for payment of a fee by the other party. For example, the buyer of an interest rate cap obtains the right to receive payments to the extent that a specified interest rate exceeds an agreed-upon level, while the seller of an interest rate floor is obligated to make payments to the extent that a specified interest rate falls below an agreed-upon level. An interest rate collar combines elements of buying a cap and selling a floor.

 

Swap agreements will tend to shift the Fund’s investment exposure from one type of investment to another. For example, if the Fund agreed to pay fixed rates in exchange for floating rates while holding fixed-rate bonds, the swap would tend to decrease the Fund’s exposure to long-term interest rates. Caps and floors have an effect similar to buying or writing options. Depending on how they are used, swap agreements may increase or decrease the overall volatility of the Fund’s investments and its share price and yield. The most significant factor in the performance of swap agreements is the change in the specific interest rate, currency, or other factors that determine the amounts of payments due to and from the Fund. If a swap agreement calls for payments by the Fund, whether in respect of periodic payments or margin, the Fund must be prepared to make such payments when due.

 

The Fund’s use of swap agreements may not be successful in furthering its investment objective as the Adviser may not accurately predict whether certain types of investments are likely to produce greater returns than other investments. Because they are two party contracts and because they may have terms of greater than seven days, swap agreements may be considered to be illiquid. If such instruments are determined to be illiquid, then the Fund will limit its investment in these instruments subject to its limitation on investments in illiquid securities. Moreover, the Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty. Certain restrictions imposed on the Fund by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) may limit the Fund’s ability to use swap agreements. The Fund may be able to eliminate its exposure under a swap agreement either by assignment or other disposition, or by entering into an offsetting swap agreement with the same party or a similarly creditworthy party. It is possible that developments in the swaps market, including potential government regulation, could adversely affect the Fund’s ability to terminate existing swap agreements or to realize amounts to be received under such agreements.

 

The Dodd-Frank Act and related regulatory developments requires the clearing and exchange-trading of certain standardized OTC derivative instruments the CFTC and the SEC have defined as “swaps.” Mandatory exchange trading and clearing is occurring on a phased-in basis based on the type of market participant involved and the CFTC’s approval of the contracts for central clearing. While central clearing and exchange trading are intended to reduce counterparty credit and liquidity risk, they do not make a swap transaction risk-free. The Adviser will continue to monitor developments in this area, particularly to the extent regulatory changes affect the Fund’s ability to enter into swap agreements.

 

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Credit Default Swap Agreement (“CDS”) and Credit Default Index Swap Agreement Risk (“CDX”). The Fund may enter into credit default swap agreements, credit default index swap agreements and similar agreements as a “buyer” or as a “seller” of credit protection. The credit default swap agreement or similar instruments may have as reference obligations one or more securities that are not then held by the Fund. The protection “buyer” in a credit default swap agreement is generally obligated to pay the protection “ seller” a periodic stream of payments over the term of the agreement, provided generally that no credit event on a reference obligation has occurred. In addition, at the inception of the agreement, the protection “buyer” may receive or be obligated to pay an additional up-front amount depending on the current market value of the contract. With respect to credit default swap agreements that are contractually required to cash settle, the Fund sets aside liquid assets in an amount equal to the Fund’s daily marked-to-market net obligations under the contracts. For credit default swap agreements that are contractually required to physically settle, the Fund sets aside the full notional value of such contracts. If a credit event occurs, an auction process is used to determine the “recovery value” of the contract. The seller then must pay the buyer the “par value” (full notional value) of the swap contract minus the “recovery value” as determined by the auction process. The Fund may be either the buyer or seller in the transaction. If the Fund is a buyer and no credit event occurs, the Fund’s net cash flows over the life of the contract will be the initial up-front amount paid or received minus the sum of the periodic payments made over the life of the contract. However, if a credit event occurs, the Fund may elect to receive a cash amount equal to the “par value” (full notional value) of the swap contract minus the “recovery value” as determined by the auction process. As a seller of protection, the Fund generally receives a fixed rate of income throughout the term of the swap provided that there is no credit event. In addition, at the inception of the agreement, the Fund may receive or be obligated to pay an additional up-front amount depending on the current market value of the contract. If a credit event occurs, the Fund will be generally obligated to pay the buyer the “par value” (full notional value) of the swap contract minus the “recovery value” as determined by the auction process. Credit default swaps could result in losses if the Adviser does not correctly evaluate the creditworthiness of the underlying instrument on which the credit default swap is based. Additionally, if the Fund is a seller of a credit default swap and a credit event occurs, the Fund could suffer significant losses.

 

Equity, Currency, Commodity and Futures Swaps. The Fund may enter into swaps with respect to a security, currency, commodity or futures contract (each, an “asset”); basket of assets; asset index; or index component (each, a “reference asset”). An equity, currency, commodity or futures swap is a two-party contract that generally obligates one party to pay the positive return and the other party to pay the negative return on a specified reference asset during the period of the swap. The payments based on the reference asset may be adjusted for transaction costs, interest payments, the amount of dividends paid on the referenced asset or other economic factors.

 

Equity, currency, commodity or futures swap contracts may be structured in different ways. For example, with respect to an equity swap, when the Fund takes a long position, the counterparty may agree to pay the Fund the amount, if any, by which the notional amount of the equity swap would have increased in value had it been invested in a particular stock (or group of stocks), plus the dividends that would have been received on the stock. In these cases, the Fund may agree to pay to the counterparty interest on the notional amount of the equity swap plus the amount, if any, by which that notional amount would have decreased in value had it been invested in such stock.

 

Therefore, in this case the return to the Fund on the equity swap should be the gain or loss on the notional amount plus dividends on the stock less the interest paid by the Fund on the notional amount. In other cases, when the Fund takes a short position, a counterparty may agree to pay the Fund the amount, if any, by which the notional amount of the equity swap would have decreased in value had the Fund sold a particular stock (or group of stocks) short, less the dividend expense that the Fund would have paid on the stock, as adjusted for interest payments or other economic factors. In these situations, the Fund may be obligated to pay the amount, if any, by which the notional amount of the swap would have increased in value had it been invested in such stock.

 

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Equity, currency, commodity or futures swaps normally do not involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets. Accordingly, the risk of loss with respect to these swaps is normally limited to the net amount of payments that the Fund is contractually obligated to make. If the other party to the swap defaults, the Fund’s risk of loss consists of the net amount of payments that such Fund is contractually entitled to receive, if any. Inasmuch as these transactions are offset by segregated cash or liquid assets to cover each of the Fund’s current obligations (or are otherwise covered as permitted by applicable law), the Fund and the Adviser believe that these transactions do not constitute senior securities under the 1940 Act.

 

Equity, currency, commodity or futures swaps are derivatives and their value can be very volatile. To the extent that the Adviser does not accurately analyze and predict future market trends, the values of assets or economic factors, the Fund may suffer a loss, which may be substantial. The swap markets in which many types of swap transactions are traded have grown substantially in recent years, with a large number of banks and investment banking firms acting both as principals and as agents. As a result, the markets for certain types of swaps have become relatively liquid.

 

Total Return and Interest Rate Swaps. In a total return swap, the buyer receives a periodic return equal to the total return of a specified security, securities or index, for a specified period of time. In return, the buyer pays the counterparty a variable stream of payments, typically based upon short term interest rates, possibly plus or minus an agreed upon spread.

 

Interest rate swaps are financial instruments that involve the exchange of one type of interest rate for another type of interest rate cash flow on specified dates in the future. Some of the different types of interest rate swaps are “fixed-for floating rate swaps,” “termed basis swaps” and “index amortizing swaps.” Fixed-for floating rate swaps involve the exchange of fixed interest rate cash flows for floating rate cash flows. Termed basis swaps entail cash flows to both parties based on floating interest rates, where the interest rate indices are different. Index amortizing swaps are typically fixed-for floating swaps where the notional amount changes if certain conditions are met. Like a traditional investment in a debt security, the Fund could lose money by investing in an interest rate swap if interest rates change adversely. For example, if the Fund enters into a swap where it agrees to exchange a floating rate of interest for a fixed rate of interest, the Fund may have to pay more money than it receives. Similarly, if the Fund enters into a swap where it agrees to exchange a fixed rate of interest for a floating rate of interest, the Fund may receive less money than it has agreed to pay.

 

Interest rate and total return swaps entered into in which payments are not netted may entail greater risk than a swap entered into a net basis. If there is a default by the other party to such a transaction, the Fund will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction.

 

Combined Transactions. The Fund may enter into multiple transactions, including multiple options transactions, multiple futures transactions, multiple currency transactions including forward currency contracts, multiple interest rate transactions and multiple swap transactions, and any combination of options, futures, currency, interest rate, and swap transactions (“component transactions”), instead of a single transaction, as part of a single or combined strategy when, in the opinion of the Adviser, 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 Adviser’s judgment that the combined strategies will reduce risk or otherwise more effectively achieve the desired portfolio management goal, it is possible that the combination will instead increase such risks or hinder achievement of the portfolio management objective.

 

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Leverage Risk. Futures contracts, forward contracts, swaps and certain other derivatives provide the economic effect of financial leverage by creating additional investment exposure, as well as the potential for greater loss. If the Fund uses leverage through activities such as borrowing, entering into short sales, purchasing securities on margin or on a “when-issued” basis or purchasing derivative instruments in an effort to increase its returns, the Fund has the risk of magnified capital losses that occur when losses affect an asset base, enlarged by borrowings or the creation of liabilities, that exceeds the net assets of the Fund. The NAV of the Fund when employing leverage will be more volatile and sensitive to market movements. Leverage may involve the creation of a liability that requires the Fund to pay interest.

 

Money Market Instruments. The Fund may invest in money market instruments. Money market instruments may include U.S. Government obligations or corporate debt obligations (including those subject to repurchase agreements) as described herein, provided that they mature in thirteen months or less from the date of acquisition and are otherwise eligible for purchase by the Fund. Money market instruments also may include Bankers’ Acceptances, Certificates of Deposit of domestic branches of U.S. banks, Commercial Paper, Variable Amount Demand Master Notes (“Master Notes”) and shares of money market investment companies. Bankers’ Acceptances are time drafts drawn on and “accepted” by a bank, which are the customary means of effecting payment for merchandise sold in import-export transactions and are a source of financing used extensively in international trade. When a bank “accepts” such a time draft, it assumes liability for its payment. When the Fund acquires a Banker’s Acceptance, the bank which “accepted” the time draft is liable for payment of interest and principal when due. The Banker’s Acceptance, therefore, carries the full faith and credit of such bank. A Certificate of Deposit (“CD”) is an unsecured interest-bearing debt obligation of a bank. CDs acquired by the Fund would generally be in amounts of $100,000 or more. Commercial Paper is an unsecured, short term debt obligation of a bank, corporation or other borrower. Commercial Paper maturity generally ranges from two to 270 days and is usually sold on a discounted basis rather than as an interest-bearing instrument. The Fund will invest in Commercial Paper only if it is rated in the highest rating category by any NRSRO or, if not rated, if the issuer has an outstanding unsecured debt issue rated in the three highest categories by any NRSRO or, if not so rated, is of equivalent quality in the Adviser’s assessment. Commercial Paper may include Master Notes of the same quality. Master Notes are unsecured obligations which are redeemable upon demand of the holder and which permit the investment of fluctuating amounts at varying rates of interest. Master Notes are acquired by the Fund only through the Master Note program of the custodian, acting as administrator thereof. The Adviser will monitor, on a continuous basis, the earnings power, cash flow and other liquidity ratios of the issuer of a Master Note held by the Fund. The Fund may invest in shares of money market investment companies to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act.

 

Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may invest in repurchase agreements. A repurchase agreement transaction occurs when an investor purchases a security (normally a U.S. Government security) from a counterparty (e.g., the Fund) with the understanding that the investor will later resell the security to the same counterparty (normally a member bank of the Federal Reserve or a registered government securities dealer). The Fund’s initial purchase is essentially a loan that is collateralized by the security (or securities substituted for them under the repurchase agreement). The Fund must return the security to the counterparty when the counterparty repurchases it at a later date and higher price. The repurchase price exceeds the purchase price by an amount that reflects an agreed upon market interest rate effective for the period of time during which the repurchase agreement is in effect. Delivery pursuant to the resale normally will occur within one to seven days of the purchase. Repurchase agreements are considered to be loans by the Fund under the 1940 Act.

 

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Illiquid Investments. The Fund may not purchase or otherwise acquire any investment if, immediately after the acquisition, the value of illiquid investments held by the Fund would exceed 15% of the Fund’s net assets. An illiquid investment is any investment that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. Illiquid investments pose risks of potential delays in resale and uncertainty in valuation. Limitations on resale may have an adverse effect on the marketability of portfolio investments and the Fund may be unable to dispose of illiquid investments promptly or at reasonable prices.

 

If through a change in values, net assets, or other circumstances, the Fund were in a position where more than 15% of its net assets were invested in illiquid investments, the Fund would seek to take appropriate steps to bring the Fund’s illiquid investments to or below 15% of its net assets per the requirements of Rule 22e-4 of the 1940 Act.

 

If the Fund invests in investments for which there is no ready market, it may not be able to readily sell such investments. Such investments are unlike investments that are traded in the open market, and which can be expected to be sold immediately if the market is adequate. The sale price of illiquid investments once realized may be lower or higher than the Adviser’s most recent estimate of their fair market value. Generally, less public information is available about the issuers of such investments than about companies whose investments are publicly traded.

 

Restricted Securities. Within its limitation on investment in illiquid securities, the Fund may purchase restricted securities that generally can be sold in privately negotiated transactions, pursuant to an exemption from registration under the federal securities laws, or in a registered public offering. Where registration is required, the Fund may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration expense and a considerable period may elapse between the time it decides to seek registration and the time the Fund may be permitted to sell a security under an effective registration statement. If during such a period adverse market conditions were to develop, the Fund might obtain a less favorable price than prevailed when it decided to seek registration of the security.

 

Restricted securities are generally considered to be illiquid unless it is determined, based upon a review of the trading markets for a specific restricted security, that such restricted security is liquid because it is so-called “4(a)(2) commercial paper” or is otherwise eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 (“144A Securities”). Investing in 144A Securities may decrease the liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio to the extent that qualified institutional buyers become for a time uninterested in purchasing these restricted securities. The purchase price and subsequent valuation of restricted and illiquid securities normally reflect a discount, which may be significant, from the market price of comparable securities for which a liquid market exists. Subject to the oversight of the Board, 144A Securities determined by the Adviser to be liquid in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board shall not be deemed “illiquid securities.”

 

Borrowing Money. The Fund may, to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, borrow money in order to meet redemption requests or for extraordinary or emergency purposes. Borrowing involves the creation of a liability that requires the Fund to pay interest. In the event the Fund should ever borrow money under these conditions, such borrowing could increase the Fund’s costs and thus reduce the value of the Fund’s assets. In an extreme case, if the Fund’s current investment income were not sufficient to meet the interest expense of borrowing, it could be necessary for the Fund to liquidate certain of its investments at an inappropriate time.

 

Lending of Portfolio Securities. In order to generate additional income, the Fund may lend portfolio securities in an amount up to 33% of its total assets to broker-dealers, major banks, or other recognized domestic institutional borrowers of securities that the Adviser has determined are creditworthy under guidelines established by the Board. In determining whether the Fund will lend securities, the Adviser will consider all relevant facts and circumstances. The Fund may not lend securities to any company affiliated with the Adviser. Each loan of securities will be collateralized by cash, securities, or letters of credit. The Fund might experience a loss if the borrower defaults on the loan.

 

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The borrower at all times during the loan must maintain with the Fund cash or cash equivalent collateral, or provide to the Fund an irrevocable letter of credit equal in value to at least 100% of the value of the securities loaned. While the loan is outstanding, the borrower will pay the Fund any dividends or interest paid on the loaned securities, and the Fund may invest the cash collateral to earn additional income. Alternatively, the Fund may receive an agreed-upon amount of interest income from the borrower who has delivered equivalent collateral or a letter of credit. It is anticipated that the Fund may share with the borrower some of the income received on the collateral for the loan or the Fund will be paid a premium for the loan. Loans are subject to termination at the option of the Fund or the borrower at any time. The Fund may pay reasonable administrative and custodial fees in connection with a loan, and may pay a negotiated portion of the income earned on the cash to the borrower or placing broker. As with other extensions of credit, there are risks of delay in recovery or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower fail financially. If the Fund invests the cash collateral from the borrower, there is the risk that such investment may result in a financial loss. In such an event, the Fund would be required to repay the borrower out of the Fund’s assets.

 

Where voting rights with respect to the loaned securities pass with the lending of the securities, the Adviser normally intends to call the loaned securities to vote proxies, or to use other practicable and legally enforceable means to obtain voting rights, when the Adviser has knowledge that, in its opinion, a material event affecting the loaned securities will occur or the Adviser otherwise believes it necessary to vote.

 

The Fund’s Custodian serves as Securities Lending Agent for the Fund, and provides services which include screening, selection and review of borrowers, monitoring availability of securities, negotiating rebates, daily marking to market of loans, monitoring and maintaining cash collateral levels, processing securities movements, and reinvesting cash collateral as directed.

 

Securities Lending Activity for the Fiscal Year 2019
Gross Income from Securities Lending Activity:  $84,878
Fees and/or Compensation:  
Revenue Split  $10,003
Cash Collateral Management $844
Administrative Fees  $0
Indemnification Fees  $0
Rebates Paid to Borrows  $50,688
Aggregate Fees and/or Compensation:  $61,535
Net Income from Securities Lending Activity:  $23,343

 

Economic and Regulatory Risks. As economic activity has improved both domestically and globally, the Federal Reserve and other foreign central banks have begun to retrench from the supportive policies introduced after the global financial crisis that began to unfold in 2007. These policies included open and market purchases of fixed-income securities and maintaining interest rates at or near historically low levels. More recently, the Federal Reserve has allowed interest rates to rise, if only gradually and moderately. In is unclear as to the level which the Federal Reserve will allow interest rates to continue to rise or if the Federal Reserve will take steps to reduce interest rates. Further reduction or withdrawal of support by the U.S. and the Federal Reserve and/or by other governments and their central banks, failure of such efforts or support in response to the crisis, or investor perception that such efforts or support are not succeeding could negatively affect financial markets generally, as well as result in higher interest rates, increased market volatility and reduced value and liquidity of certain securities, including securities held by the Fund.

 

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In addition, policy and legislative changes in the U.S. and in other countries have been implemented that are affecting many aspects of the financial markets and imposing additional regulatory requirements. Given the broad scope, sweeping nature, and relatively recent enactment of some of these changes, the potential impact they could have on securities held by the Fund is unclear and may not be fully known for some time. These changes and any future regulatory changes could adversely affect the Fund.

 

Operational Risk. An investment in the Fund involves operational risk arising from factors such as processing errors, human errors, inadequate or failed internal or external processes, failures in systems and technology, changes in personnel and errors caused by third-party service providers. Any of these failures or errors could result in a loss or compromise of information, regulatory scrutiny, reputational damage or other events, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the Fund. While the Fund seeks to minimize such events through controls and oversight, there is no guarantee that the Fund will not suffer losses due to operational risk.

 

Cybersecurity Risk. The Fund and its service providers may be subject to operational and information security risks resulting from breaches in cybersecurity. A breach in cybersecurity refers to both intentional and unintentional events that may cause the Fund to lose or compromise confidential or proprietary or non-public personal information, suffer data corruption or lose operational capacity. Breaches in cybersecurity include, among other things, stealing or corrupting data maintained online or digitally, denial of service attacks on websites, the unauthorized release of confidential, proprietary or non-public personal information or various other operational disruptions. Successful cybersecurity breaches of the Fund and/or the Fund’s investment adviser, distributor, custodian, the transfer agent or other third party service providers may adversely impact the Fund and its shareholders. For instance, a successful cybersecurity breach may interfere with the processing of shareholder transactions, impact the Fund’s ability to calculate its NAV, cause the release of non-public personal shareholder information, impede trading, subject the Fund to regulatory fines or financial losses, and/or cause reputational damage. The Fund relies on third-party service providers for many of the day-to-day operations, and is therefore subject to the risk that the protections and protocols implemented by those service providers will be ineffective in protecting the Fund from cybersecurity breaches. Similar types of cybersecurity risks are also present for issuers of securities in which the Fund may invest, which could result in material adverse consequences for such issuers and may cause the Fund’s investments in such companies to lose value. There is no guarantee the Fund will be successful in protecting against cybersecurity breaches.

 

Temporary Defensive Positions. The Fund may, but should not be expected to, take temporary defensive positions that are inconsistent with its principal investment strategies. If the Adviser believes a temporary defensive position is warranted in view of market conditions, the Fund may hold cash or invest up to 100% of its assets in high-quality short-term government or corporate obligations, money market instruments or shares of money market mutual funds. Taking a temporary defensive position may prevent the Fund from achieving its investment objective.

 

High Portfolio Turnover Risk. To the extent that the Fund makes investments on a shorter-term basis (including in derivative instruments and instruments with a maturity of one year or less at the time of acquisition), the Fund will likely as a result trade more frequently and incur higher levels of brokerage fees and commissions, and cause higher levels of current tax liability to shareholders in the Fund.

 

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Portfolio Turnover. The portfolio turnover rate for the Fund is calculated by dividing the lesser of the Fund’s purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the year by the monthly average value of the securities. The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may vary greatly from year to year as well as within a particular year, and may also be affected by cash requirements for redemption of shares. High portfolio turnover rates will generally result in higher transaction costs to the Fund, including brokerage commissions, and may result in additional tax consequences to the Fund’s shareholders. For the fiscal years below, the portfolio turnover rates of the Fund were:

 

Fiscal Year Ended May 31 Portfolio Turnover Rate
2019 20%*
2018 9%

 

* The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate increased during the last fiscal year due to an increase in portfolio transactions.

 

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

 

The Fund has adopted the following fundamental investment limitations that may not be changed without the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund. As used in the Prospectus and this SAI, the term “majority” of the outstanding shares of the Fund means the lesser of (1) 67% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund are present or represented at such meeting; or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. Unless otherwise indicated, percentage limitations apply at the time of purchase of the applicable securities. See the Prospectus for more information about the Fund’s investment objective and investment strategies, each of which are not fundamental and may be changed without shareholder approval.

 

FUNDAMENTAL RESTRICTIONS. As a matter of fundamental policy:

 

1. Borrowing Money. The Fund may not engage in borrowing (including, without limitation, borrowing to meet redemptions), except as permitted by the 1940 Act, any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or interpretations of the SEC or its staff. For purposes of this investment restriction, the entry into options, forward contracts, futures contracts, including those relating to indices, and options on futures contracts or indices shall not constitute borrowing.

 

2. Senior Securities. The Fund will not issue senior securities, except as permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or interpretations of the SEC or its staff.

 

3. Underwriting. The Fund will not act as underwriter, except to the extent that, in connection with the disposition of portfolio securities (including restricted securities), the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under certain federal securities laws or in connection with investments in other investment companies.

 

4. Real Estate. The Fund will not purchase or sell real estate. This limitation is not applicable to investments in marketable securities which are secured by or represent interests in real estate. This limitation does not preclude the Fund from holding or selling real estate acquired as a result of the Fund’s ownership of securities or other instruments, investing in mortgage-related securities or investing in companies engaged in the real estate business or that have a significant portion of their assets in real estate (including real estate investment trusts).

 

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5. Commodities. The Fund will not purchase or sell commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other investments. This limitation does not preclude the Fund from purchasing or selling options, forward contracts, or futures contracts, including those relating to indices, or and options on futures contracts or indices, or from investing in securities or other instruments backed by commodities or from investing in companies which are engaged in a commodities business or have a significant portion of their assets in commodities.

 

6. Loans. The Fund will not make loans to other persons, provided that the Fund may lend its portfolio securities in an amount up to 33% of total Fund assets, and provided further that, for purposes of this restriction, investments in U.S. Government obligations, short-term commercial paper, certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances, repurchase agreements and any other lending arrangement permitted by the 1940 Act, any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or interpretations of the SEC or its staff shall not be deemed to be the making of a “loan”. For purposes of this limitation, the term “loans” shall not include the purchase of a portion of an issue of publicly distributed bonds, debentures or other debt securities.

 

7. Concentration. The Fund will not invest more than 25% of its total assets in a particular industry or group of industries. This limitation is not applicable to investments in obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government (including its agencies and instrumentalities) or, in some instances, state or municipal governments (and their political subdivisions) or repurchase agreements with respect thereto. Investments in registered investment companies may contribute to an industry concentration to the extent that the underlying portfolio of that registered investment company contains investments in a particular industry or group of industries. If the Fund invests in a revenue bond tied to a particular industry, the Fund will consider such investment to be issued by a member of the industry to which the revenue bond is tied.

 

With respect to the “fundamental” investment restrictions above, if a percentage limitation or standard is adhered to at the time of investment, a later increase or decrease in percentage or departure from the standard resulting from any change in value or net assets or other factors will not result in a violation of such restriction (i.e., percentage limitations are determined at the time of purchase); provided, however, that the treatment of the fundamental restrictions related to borrowing money and issuing senior securities are exceptions to this general rule.

 

Senior securities may include any obligation or instrument issued by a fund evidencing indebtedness. The 1940 Act generally prohibits funds from issuing senior securities, although it does not treat certain transactions as senior securities, such as certain borrowings, short sales, reverse repurchase agreements, firm commitment agreements and standby commitments, with appropriate earmarking or segregation of assets to cover such obligation.

 

The 1940 Act permits the Fund to borrow money from banks 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). In general, the Fund may not issue any class of senior security, except that the Fund may (i) borrow from banks, provided that immediately following any such borrowing there is an asset coverage of at least 300% for all Fund borrowings and in the event such asset coverage falls below 300% the Fund will within three days (excluding holidays and Sundays) or such longer period as the SEC may prescribe by rules and regulation, reduce the amount of its borrowings to an extent that the asset coverage of such borrowings shall be at least 300%, and (ii) engage in trading practices which could be deemed to involve the issuance of a senior security, including options, futures, forward contracts and reverse repurchase agreements, provided that the Fund earmarks or segregates liquid assets in accordance with applicable SEC regulations and interpretations.

 

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CALCULATION OF SHARE PRICE

 

The share price or NAV of shares of the Fund is determined as of the close of the regular session of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) on each day the NYSE is open for trading. Currently, the NYSE is open for trading on every day except Saturdays, Sundays and the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

 

For purposes of computing the Fund’s NAV, securities are valued at market value as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE (normally, 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on each business day the NYSE is open. Securities listed on the NYSE or other exchanges are valued on the basis of their last sale prices on the exchanges on which they are primarily traded. If there are no sales on that day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and ask prices on the NYSE or other primary exchange for that day. The National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (“NASDAQ”) listed securities are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. If there are no sales on that day, the securities are valued at the mean of the most recently quoted bid and ask prices as reported by NASDAQ. Securities traded in the OTC market are valued at the last sale price, if available, otherwise at the mean of the most recently quoted bid and ask prices. In the event that market quotations are not readily available or are considered unreliable due to market or other events, securities and other assets are valued at fair value as determined in good faith in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board. Fixed-income securities are normally valued on the basis of prices obtained from independent third-party pricing services approved by the Board, which are generally determined with consideration given to institutional bid and last sale prices and take into account security prices, yield, maturity, call features, ratings, institutional sized trading in similar groups of securities and developments related to specific securities. Foreign securities are normally valued on the basis of fair valuation prices obtained from independent third-party pricing services approved by the Board, which are generally determined with consideration given to any change in price of the foreign security and any other developments related to the foreign security during the period from the last sale price on the exchange on which such foreign security primarily trades and the close of regular trading on the NYSE. One or more pricing services may be utilized to determine the fair value of securities held by the Fund. The methods used by independent pricing services and the quality of valuations so established are reviewed by the Adviser and the Fund’s administrator under the general supervision of the Board. To the extent the assets of the Fund are invested in other open-end investment companies that are registered under the 1940 Act and not traded on an exchange, the Fund’s NAV is calculated based upon the NAVs reported by such registered open-end investment companies, and the prospectuses for these companies explain the circumstances under which they will use fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value pricing.

 

ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION

 

Shares of the Fund are offered for sale on a continuous basis. Shares are sold and redeemed at their NAV, as next determined after receipt of the purchase or redemption order in proper form.

 

The Fund may suspend the right of redemption or postpone the date of payment for shares during a period when: (a) trading on the NYSE is restricted by applicable rules and regulations of the SEC; (b) the NYSE is closed for other than customary weekend and holiday closings; (c) the SEC has by order permitted these suspensions; or (d) an emergency exists as a result of which: (i) disposal by the Fund of securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable, or (ii) it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund to determine the value of its assets.

 

The Fund reserves the right to make payment for a redemption in securities rather than cash, which is known as a “redemption in kind”. Redemptions in kind will be made only under extraordinary circumstances and if the Fund deems it advisable for the benefit of its shareholders, such as a very large redemption that could affect Fund operations (for example, more than 1% of the Fund’s net assets). A redemption in kind will consist of liquid securities equal in market value to the Fund shares being redeemed, using the same valuation procedures that the Fund uses to compute its NAV. Redemption in kind proceeds will typically be made by delivering a pro-rata amount of the Fund’s holdings to the redeeming shareholder within 7 days after the Fund’s receipt of the redemption order in proper form. If the Fund redeems your shares in kind, you will bear the market risks associated with maintaining or selling the securities paid as redemption proceeds. In addition, when you sell these securities, you bear the risk that the securities have become less liquid and are difficult to sell. You also will pay taxes and brokerage charges associated with selling the securities.

 

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SPECIAL SHAREHOLDER SERVICES

 

As noted in the Prospectus, the Fund offers the following shareholder services:

 

Regular Account. The regular account allows for voluntary investments to be made at any time. Available to individuals, custodians, corporations, trusts, estates, corporate retirement plans and others, investors are free to make additions to and withdrawals from their account as often as they wish. When an investor makes an initial investment in the Fund, a shareholder account is opened in accordance with the investor’s registration instructions. Each time there is a transaction in a shareholder account, such as an additional investment or a redemption, the shareholder will receive a confirmation statement showing the current transaction.

 

Automatic Investment Plan. The automatic investment plan enables investors to make regular periodic investments in shares through automatic charges to their checking account. With shareholder authorization and bank approval, the Fund’s transfer agent will automatically charge the checking account for the amount specified ($100 minimum) which will be automatically invested in shares at the NAV on or about the fifteenth and/or the last business day of the month or quarter, or both. The shareholder may change the amount of the investment or discontinue the plan at any time by writing to the Fund.

 

Transfer of Registration. To transfer shares to another owner, send a written request to Wavelength Interest Rate Neutral Fund, c/o Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, P.O. Box 46707, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246-0707. Your request should include the following: (i) the Fund name and existing account registration; (ii) signature(s) of the registered owner(s) exactly as the signature(s) appear(s) on the account registration; (iii) if it is for a new account, a completed account application, or if it is to an existing account, the account number; (iv) Medallion signature guarantees (See the heading “How to Redeem Shares – Signature Guarantees” in the Prospectus); and (v) any additional documents that are required for transfer by corporations, administrators, executors, trustees, guardians, etc. If you have any questions about transferring shares, call or write the Fund.

 

MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST

 

Overall responsibility for management and supervision of the Fund and the Trust rests with the Board. The members of the Board (the “Trustees”) are elected by the Trust’s shareholders or existing members of the Board as permitted under the 1940 Act and the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust (the “Declaration of Trust”). Each Trustee serves for a term of indefinite duration until death, resignation, retirement or removal from office. The Trustees, in turn, elect the officers of the Trust to actively supervise the Trust’s day-to-day operations. The officers are elected annually. Certain officers of the Trust also may serve as Trustees.

 

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The Trust will be managed by the Board in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio governing business trusts. There are currently seven Trustees, six of whom are not “interested persons,” as defined by the 1940 Act, of the Trust (the “Independent Trustees”). The Independent Trustees receive compensation for their services as Trustees and attendance at meetings of the Board. Officers of the Trust receive no compensation from the Trust for performing the duties of their offices.

 

Attached in Appendix A is a list of the Trustees and executive officers of the Trust, their year of birth and address, their present position with the Trust, length of time served in their position, and their principal occupation(s) during the past five years, and any other directorships held by the Trustee. Those Trustees who are “interested persons” as defined in the 1940 Act and those Trustees who are Independent Trustees are identified in the table.

 

Leadership Structure and Qualifications of Trustees

 

The Board consists of seven Trustees, six of whom are Independent Trustees. The Board is responsible for the oversight of the series, or funds, of the Trust.

 

In addition to the Fund, the Trust has other series. The Board has engaged various investment advisers to oversee the day-to-day management of the Trust’s series. The Board is responsible for overseeing these investment advisers and the Trust’s other service providers in the operations of the Trust in accordance with the 1940 Act, other applicable federal and state laws, and the Declaration of Trust.

 

The Board meets at least four times throughout the year. The Board generally meets in person, but may meet by telephone as permitted by the 1940 Act. In addition, the Trustees may meet in person or by telephone at special meetings or on an informal basis at other times. The Independent Trustees also meet at least quarterly without the presence of any representatives of management.

 

Board Leadership. The Board is led by its Chairman, Mr. John J. Discepoli, who is also an Independent Trustee. The Chairman generally presides at all Board Meetings, facilitates communication and coordination between the Trustees and management, and reviews meeting agendas for the Board and the information provided by management to the Trustees. The Chairman works closely with Trust counsel and counsel to the Independent Trustees and is also assisted by the Trust’s President, who, with the assistance of the Trust’s other officers, oversees the daily operations of the Fund, including monitoring the activities of all of the Fund’s service providers.

 

The Board believes that its leadership structure, including having an Independent Trustee serve as Chairman and six out of seven Trustees as Independent Trustees, is appropriate and in the best interests of the Trust. The Board also believes its leadership structure facilitates the orderly and efficient flow of information to the Independent Trustees from Trust management.

 

Board Committees. The Board has established the following standing committees:

 

Committee of Independent Trustees (the “Independent Trustee Committee”): The principal functions of the Independent Trustee Committee are: (i) to appoint, retain and oversee the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm; (ii) to meet separately with the independent registered public accounting firm and receive and consider a report concerning its conduct of the audit, including any comments or recommendations it deems appropriate; (iii) to act as the Trust’s qualified legal compliance committee (“QLCC”), as defined in the regulations under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; and (iv) to act as a proxy voting committee if called upon under the Trust’s Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures when a matter with respect to which a series of the Trust is entitled to vote presents a conflict between the interest of the series’ shareholders, on the one hand, and those of the series’ investment manager on the other hand. Messrs. David M. Deptula, John J. Discepoli, Robert E. Morrison, and Clifford N. Schireson and Mses. Janine L. Cohen and Jacqueline A. Williams are the members of the Committee. Mr. Deptula is the Chairman of the Committee and presides at its meetings. The Committee met six times during the Fund’s prior fiscal year.

 

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Nominating Committee (the “Nominating Committee”): The Nominating Committee nominates and selects persons to serve as members of the Board, including Independent Trustees and “interested” Trustees. In selecting and nominating persons to serve as Independent Trustees, the Nominating Committee will not consider nominees recommended by shareholders of the Trust unless required by law. Messrs. Deptula, Discepoli, Morrison, and Schireson and Mses. Cohen and Williams are the members of the Nominating Committee. Ms. Cohen is the Chairwoman of the Nominating Committee and presides at its meetings. The Nominating Committee met four times during the Fund’s prior fiscal year.

 

Qualifications of the Trustees. The Nominating Committee reviews the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills of potential candidates for nomination or election by the Board. In evaluating a candidate for nomination or election as a Trustee, the Nominating Committee takes into account the contribution that the candidate would be expected to make to the diverse mix of experience, qualifications, attributes and skills that the Nominating Committee believes contribute to the oversight of the Trust’s affairs. The Board has concluded, based on the recommendation of the Nominating Committee, that each Trustee’s experience, qualifications, attributes or skills on both an individual basis and in combination with the other Trustees, that each Trustee is qualified to serve on the Board. The Board believes that the Trustees’ ability to review critically, evaluate, question and discuss information provided to them, to interact effectively with the Adviser, other service providers, legal counsel and the independent registered public accounting firm, and to exercise effective business judgment in the performance of their duties as Trustees support this conclusion. In determining that a particular Trustee is and will continue to be qualified to serve as a Trustee, the Board considers a variety of criteria, none of which, in isolation, is controlling.

 

In addition to the Trustee qualifications listed above, each of the Trustees has additional Trustee qualifications including, among other things, the experience identified in the “Trustees and Executive Officers” table included in Appendix A and as follows:

 

Interested Trustee

 

Robert G. Dorsey is a co-founder of Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (“Ultimus”) and Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”). Mr. Dorsey serves as Vice Chairman of Ultimus and its subsidiaries (except as otherwise noted for FINRA-regulated broker-dealer entities). Mr. Dorsey served as President and Managing Director of Ultimus and the Distributor since their founding in 1999 until April 2018 and served as Co-Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Ultimus from April 2018 until February 2019. Mr. Dorsey has over 30 years of experience in the mutual fund servicing industry. He holds a B.S. from Christian Brothers University and is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive). Mr. Dorsey has been a Trustee since February 2012.

 

Independent Trustees

 

John J. Discepoli, retired, was the owner of Discepoli Financial Planning, LLC, a personal financial planning firm from November 2004 until his retirement in January 2019. Mr. Discepoli has over 15 years of experience in the financial services industry. He holds a B.B.A. in Accounting from the University of Notre Dame and received a certificate from the Executive Development Program of Northwestern University – Kellogg School of Management. Mr. Discepoli is a Certified Public Accountant and Personal Financial Specialist. Mr. Discepoli has been the Chairman since May 2016 and a Trustee since June 2012.

 

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David M. Deptula has served as Vice President of Legal and Special Projects for Dayton Freight Lines, Inc. since February 1, 2016. Prior to that position, Mr. Deptula was Vice President of Tax Treasury for The Standard Register, Inc. (a company that provides solutions for companies to manage their critical communications, previously The Standard Register Company) since November 2011. (Standard Register, Inc., a newly formed subsidiary of Taylor Corporation, purchased assets of The Standard Register Company on July 31, 2015.) Prior to joining Standard Register, Mr. Deptula was a Tax Partner at Deloitte Tax LLP (“Deloitte”). Mr. Deptula joined Deloitte in 1984 and remained with Deloitte until October of 2011. During his tenure at Deloitte, he was actively involved in providing tax accounting services to open-end mutual funds and other financial services companies. Mr. Deptula holds a B.S. in Accounting from Wright State University and a Juris Doctor from University of Toledo. He is also a Certified Public Accountant. Mr. Deptula has been a Trustee since June 2012.

 

Janine L. Cohen, retired, was an executive at AER Advisors, Inc. (“AER”) from 2004 through her retirement in 2013. Ms. Cohen served as the Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) from 2004 to 2013 and Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) of from 2008 to 2013 at AER. During her tenure at AER, she was actively involved in developing financial forecasts, business plans, and SEC registrations. Prior to those roles at AER, Ms. Cohen was a Senior Vice President at State Street Bank. Ms. Cohen has over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. She holds a B.S. in Accounting and Math from the University of Minnesota and is a Certified Public Accountant. Ms. Cohen has been a Trustee since January 2016.

 

Jacqueline A. Williams has served as the Managing Member of Custom Strategies Consulting, LLC since 2017, where she provides consulting services to investment managers. Prior to that, she served as a Managing Director of Global Investment Research for Cambridge Associates, LLC since 2005. Earlier in her career, Ms. Williams served as a Principal at Equinox Capital Management, LLC where she was chairperson of the stock selection committee and the firm's financial services analyst. Ms. Williams also served as an Investment Analyst at IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Company where she monitored U.S. financial services stocks. Ms. Williams has over 25 years of experience in the investment management industry. Ms. Williams earned an A.B. in Religion from Duke University and a Ph.D. in Religious Studies from Yale University. She has been a Chartered Financial Analyst charter holder since 1990. Ms. Williams has been a Trustee since June 2019.

 

Clifford N. Schireson is the founder of Schireson Consulting, LLC, which he launched in 2017. Prior to that, from 2004 to 2017, he was Director of Institutional Services at Brandes Investment Partners, LP, an investment advisory firm, where he was a member of the fixed-income investment committee. From 1998 to 2004, he was a Managing Director at Weiss, Peck & Greer LLC specializing in fixed-income products for both taxable and municipal strategies for institutional clients. Mr. Schireson has over 20 years of experience in the investment management industry. Mr. Schireson holds an A.B. in Economics from Stanford University and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. Mr. Schireson has been a Trustee since June 2019.

 

Robert E. Morrison serves as a Senior Vice President at Huntington Private Bank, where he has worked since 2014. From 2006 to 2014, he served as the CEO, President and Chief Investment Officer of 5 Star Investment Management. Mr. Morrison has a B.S. in Forestry Management from Auburn University and is a graduate of the Personal Financial Planning program of Old Dominion University. Mr. Morrison previously served on the Ultimus Managers Trust Board of Trustees as the Founding Chairman of the Trust in 2012. Mr. Morrison retired from the Board in 2014 as a result of a business conflict that no longer exists. Mr. Morrison has over 32 years of financial services experience, focusing on asset management and wealth management. Mr. Morrison has been a Trustee since June 2019.

 

References above to the qualifications, attributes and skills of Trustees are pursuant to requirements of the SEC, do not constitute holding out the Board or any Trustee as having any special expertise or experience, and shall not impose any greater responsibility on any such person or on the Board by reason thereof.

 

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Risk Oversight. The operation of a mutual fund, including its investment activities, generally involves a variety of risks. As part of its oversight of the Fund, the Board oversees risk through various regular Board and committee activities. The Board, directly or through its committees, reviews reports from, among others, the Adviser, the Trust's CCO, the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm, and outside legal counsel, regarding risks faced by the Fund and the risk management programs of the Adviser, with respect to the Fund’s investments and trading activities, and certain service providers. The actual day-to-day risk management with respect to the Fund resides with the Adviser and other service providers to the Fund. Although the risk management policies of the Adviser and the service providers are designed to be effective, there is no guarantee that they will anticipate or mitigate all risks. Not all risks that may affect the Fund can be identified, eliminated or mitigated and some risks simply may not be anticipated or may be beyond the control of the Board or the Adviser or other service providers. The Independent Trustees meet separately with the Trust’s CCO at least annually, outside the presence of management, to discuss issues related to compliance. Furthermore, the Board receives an annual written report from the Trust’s CCO regarding the operation of the compliance policies and procedures of the Trust and its primary service providers. As part of its oversight function, the Board also may hold special meetings or communicate directly with Trust management or the Trust’s CCO to address matters arising between regular meetings.

 

The Board also receives quarterly reports from the Adviser on the investments and securities trading of the Fund, including the Fund’s investment performance, as well as reports regarding the valuation of the Fund’s securities. The Board also receives quarterly reports from the Fund’s administrator (the “Administrator”), transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”) and the Distributor on regular quarterly items and, where appropriate and as needed, on specific issues. In addition, in its annual review of the Fund’s investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) dated October 29, 2018 the Board will review information provided by the Adviser relating to its operational capabilities, financial condition and resources. The Board also conducts an annual self-evaluation that includes a review of its effectiveness in overseeing, among other things, the number of funds in the Trust and the effectiveness of the Board’s committee structure.

 

Trustees’ Ownership of Fund Shares. The following table shows each Trustee’s beneficial ownership of shares of the Fund and, on an aggregate basis, of shares of all funds within the Trust overseen by the Trustee. Information is provided as of December 31, 2018.

 

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Name of Trustee Dollar Range of Shares of the Fund Owned by Trustee * Aggregate Dollar Range of Shares of All Funds in Trust Overseen by Trustee
Interested Trustee
Robert G. Dorsey None Over $100,000
Independent Trustees
John J. Discepoli None None
David M. Deptula None None
Janine L. Cohen None None
Jacqueline A. Williams* None None
Clifford N. Schireson* None None
Robert E. Morrison* None None

 

* Ms. Williams’ and Messrs. Schireson’s and Morrison’s terms as Trustee commenced on June 18, 2019.

           

Ownership In Fund Affiliates. As of the date of this SAI, none of the Independent Trustees, nor members of their immediate families, owned, beneficially or of record, securities of the Adviser, the Distributor or any affiliate of the Adviser or the Distributor.

 

Trustee Compensation. No director, officer or employee of the Adviser or the Distributor receives any compensation from the Trust for serving as an officer or Trustee of the Trust. As of August 1, 2018, each Independent Trustee receives a $500 per meeting fee and a $1,300 annual retainer for each series of the Trust, except Mr. Discepoli who receives a $1,500 annual retainer for serving as Chairman. The Trust reimburses each Trustee and officer for his or her travel and other expenses incurred by attending meetings. The following table provides the amount of compensation paid to each Trustee during the Fund’s fiscal year ended May 31, 2019.

 

Name of Trustee Aggregate Compensation From the Fund Pension or Retirement Benefits Accrued As Part of Fund Expenses Estimated Annual Benefits Upon Retirement Total Compensation From all Funds Within the Trust
Interested Trustee
Robert G. Dorsey None None None None
Independent Trustees
John J. Discepoli $3, 200 None None $78,900
David M. Deptula $3,000 None None $74,000
Janine L. Cohen $3,000 None None $74,000
Jacqueline A. Williams* None None None None
Clifford N. Schireson* None None None None
Robert E. Morrison* None None None None

 

* Ms. Williams’ and Messrs. Schireson’s and Morrison’s terms as Trustee commenced on June 18, 2019.

           

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Principal Holders of Voting Securities. As of September 3, 2019, the Trustees and officers of the Trust as a group owned beneficially (i.e., had direct or indirect voting and/or investment power) less than 1% of the then-outstanding shares of the Fund. On the same date, the following shareholder owned of record more than 5% of the outstanding shares of beneficial interest of the Fund:

 

Name and Address of Record Owner Percentage Ownership

Interactive Brokers LLC

2 Pickwick Plaza

Greenwich, CT 06830

19.89%*

TD Ameritrade Inc/FBO Our Clients

P.O. Box 2226

Omaha, NE 68103

8.82%

E*Trade Savings Bank/FBO #99

P.O. Box 6503

Englewood, CO 80155

8.22%

 

* The Fund believes that such entity does not have a beneficial interest of such shares.

 

A shareholder owning of record or beneficially more than 25% of the Fund’s outstanding shares may be considered a controlling person. That shareholder’s vote could have a more significant effect on matters presented at a shareholders’ meeting than the vote of other shareholders.

 

INVESTMENT ADVISER

 

Wavelength Capital Management, LLC, located at 545 Madison Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, New York 10022, serves as the investment adviser to the Fund. The Adviser was formed and commenced operations in March 2013. Subject to the Fund’s investment objective and policies approved by the Board, the Adviser is responsible for providing the Fund with a continuous program of investing the Fund’s assets and determining the composition of the Fund’s portfolio. The Adviser also provides investment advisory services to separate accounts. The Adviser is controlled by Andrew Dassori, Mark Landis and MANG Investments LLC (“MANG”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of LVS Partners Limited (and together with MANG and other affiliated entities, the “GTS Group”). The GTS Group provides liquidity to investors across financial instruments and throughout the world and is a NYSE designated market maker.

 

The Advisory Agreement is effective for an initial two-year period, which commenced October 29, 2018, and will be renewed for periods of one year only so long as such renewal and continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Trustees or by vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities, provided the continuance is also approved by a majority of the Independent Trustees. The Advisory Agreement is terminable without penalty on 60 days’ notice by the Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the applicable Fund. The Advisory Agreement provides that it will terminate automatically in the event of its “assignment,” as such term is defined in the 1940 Act.

 

Under the Advisory Agreement, for its services, the Fund pays the Adviser a monthly investment advisory fee (the “Management Fee”) computed at the annual rate of 0.95% of its average daily net assets. Under an expense limitation agreement (the “Expense Limitation Agreement”), the Adviser has agreed to reduce its investment advisory fees and reimburse Fund expenses to the extent necessary to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (exclusive of brokerage costs, taxes, interest, borrowing costs such as interest and dividend expenses on securities sold short, Acquired Fund fees and expenses, and extraordinary expenses such as litigation and merger or reorganization costs and other expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business) to an amount not exceeding 0.99% of its average daily net assets until October 1, 2025. Management Fee reductions and expense reimbursements by the Adviser are subject to repayment by the Fund for a period of three years after such fees and expenses were incurred, provided that the repayment does not cause the Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (exclusive of such reductions and reimbursements) to exceed (i) the expense limitation then in effect, if any, and (ii) the expense limitation in effect at the time the expenses to be repaid were incurred.

 

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The table below provides the compensation paid to the Adviser by the Fund after Management Fee reductions and expense reimbursements made by the Adviser during the following fiscal years:

 

Fiscal Year Ended May 31 Management Fees Accrued Management Fee Reductions Expense Reimbursements Net Advisory Fees Received by Adviser
2019 $472,707 $211,390 $0 $261,317
2018 $295,580 $175,345 $0 $120,235
2017 $178,120 $161,894 $0 $16,226

 

The Adviser manages the Fund’s investments in accordance with the stated investment objective and policies of the Fund, subject to the oversight of the Board. The Adviser is responsible for investment decisions, and provides the Fund with a portfolio manager to execute purchases and sales of securities. The Advisory Agreement provides that the Adviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or for any loss suffered by the Trust or the Fund in connection with the performance of its duties, except 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 the amount set forth in Section (b)(3) of the 1940 Act) or a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Adviser in the performance of its duties, or from reckless disregard of its duties and obligations thereunder.

 

Portfolio Manager

 

The Fund is managed by Andrew Dassori (the “Portfolio Manager”), who is responsible for the day-to-day implementation of investment strategies for the Fund.

 

Other Accounts Managed by Portfolio Manager

 

In addition to the Fund, the Portfolio Manager is responsible for the day-to-day management of certain other accounts. The table below shows the number of, and total assets in, such other accounts as of May 31, 2019.

 

Portfolio Manager Type of Accounts Total Number of Other Accounts Managed Total Assets of Other Accounts Managed Number of Accounts Managed with Advisory Fee Based on Performance Total Assets of Accounts Managed with Advisory Fee Based on Performance
Andrew Dassori Registered Investment Companies 0 $0 0 $0
  Other Pooled Investment Vehicles 0 $0 0 $0
  Other Accounts 0 $0 0 $0

 

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Potential Conflicts of Interest

 

The Portfolio Manager’s management of other accounts (the “Other Accounts”), if any, may give rise to potential conflicts of interest in connection with his management of the Fund’s investments, on the one hand, and the investments of the Other Accounts, on the other. A potential conflict of interest may arise where an Other Account has the same investment objective as the Fund, similar strategies or otherwise may hold, purchase or sell securities that are eligible to be held, purchased or sold by the Fund, whereby the Portfolio Manager could favor one account over another. Another potential conflict could include the Portfolio Manager’s knowledge about the size, timing and possible market impact of Fund trades, whereby the Portfolio Manager could use this information to the advantage of Other Accounts and to the disadvantage of the Fund or vice versa. However, the Adviser has established policies and procedures to ensure that the purchase and sale of securities among all accounts it manages are fairly and equitably allocated.

 

A potential conflict of interest may arise as a result of the Portfolio Manager’s day-to-day management of the Fund. The Portfolio Manager knows the size and timing of trades for the Fund and the Other Accounts, and may be able to predict the market impact of the Fund’s trades. It is theoretically possible that the Portfolio Manager could use this information to the advantage of Other Accounts he manages and to the possible detriment of the Fund, or vice versa.

 

Compensation

 

Mr. Dassori receives compensation in his capacity as Portfolio Manager through his partial ownership interest in the profits of the Adviser. The profitability of the Adviser is primarily dependent upon the value of the Fund’s assets; however, compensation is not directly based upon the Fund’s performance or the value of the Fund’s assets.

 

Ownership of Fund Shares

 

The table below shows the value of shares of the Fund beneficially owned by the Portfolio Manager of the Fund as of May 31, 2019 stated as one of the following ranges: A = None; B = $1–$10,000; C = $10,001–$50,000; D = $50,001–$100,000; E = $100,001–$500,000; F = $500,001–$1,000,000; and G = over $1,000,000.

 

Name of Portfolio Manager Dollar Range of Shares of the Fund
Andrew G. Dassori G

 

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

 

Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser determines, subject to the general supervision of the Board and in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective, policies and restrictions, which securities are to be purchased and sold by the Fund and which brokers are eligible to execute the Fund’s portfolio transactions.

 

Purchases and sales of portfolio securities that are debt securities usually are principal transactions in which portfolio securities are normally purchased directly from the issuer or from an underwriter or market maker for the securities. Purchases from underwriters of portfolio securities generally include a commission or concession paid by the issuer to the underwriter, and purchases from dealers serving as market makers may include the spread between the bid and asked prices. Transactions on stock exchanges involve the payment of negotiated brokerage commissions. Transactions in the OTC market are generally principal transactions with dealers. With respect to the OTC market, the Fund, where possible, will deal directly with the dealers who make a market in the securities involved except under those circumstances where better price and execution are available elsewhere.

 

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Allocation of transactions, including their frequency, to various brokers and dealers is determined by the Adviser in its best judgment consistent with its obligation to seek best execution and in a manner deemed fair and reasonable to shareholders. The primary consideration is prompt execution of orders in an effective manner at the most favorable price. Subject to this consideration, brokers who provide investment research to the Adviser may receive orders for equity transactions on behalf of the Fund. Information so received is in addition to and not in lieu of services required to be performed by the Adviser and does not reduce the fees payable to the Adviser by the Fund. Such information may be useful to the Adviser in serving both the Fund and other clients and, conversely, supplemental information obtained by the placement of brokerage orders of other clients may be useful to the Adviser in carrying out its obligations to the Fund. While the Adviser generally seeks competitive commissions, the Fund may not necessarily pay the lowest commission available on each brokerage transaction for the reasons discussed above.

 

Consistent with the foregoing, under Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Adviser is authorized to pay a brokerage commission in excess of that which another broker might have charged for effecting the same transaction, in recognition of the value of brokerage and/or research services provided by the broker. The research received by the Adviser may include, without limitation: information on the United States and other world economies; information on specific industries, groups of securities, individual companies, political and other relevant news developments affecting markets and specific securities; technical and quantitative information about markets; analysis of proxy proposals affecting specific companies; accounting and performance systems that allow the Adviser to determine and track investment results; and trading systems that allow the Adviser to interface electronically with brokerage firms, custodians and other providers. Research is received in the form of written reports, telephone contacts, personal meetings, research seminars, software programs and access to computer databases. In some instances, research products or services received by the Adviser may also be used by the Adviser for functions that are not research related (i.e., not related to the making of investment decisions). Where a research product or service has a mixed use, the Adviser will make a reasonable allocation according to its use and will pay for the non-research function in cash using its own funds.

 

Subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act and procedures adopted by the Board, the Fund may execute portfolio transactions through any broker or dealer and pay brokerage commissions to a broker (i) which is an affiliated person of the Trust, (ii) which is an affiliated person of such person, or (iii) an affiliated person of which is an affiliated person of the Trust, the Adviser or the Trust’s principal underwriter. The Fund paid the following brokerage commissions during the following fiscal period/years:

 

Fiscal Year Ended May 31 Brokerage Commission Paid
2019 $7,674
2018 $6,928
2017 $6,364

 

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THE DISTRIBUTOR

 

The Distributor, located at 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246, is the exclusive agent for distribution of shares of the Fund. Pursuant to a Distribution Agreement (the “Distribution Agreement”) The Distributor is obligated to sell shares of the Fund on a best efforts basis only against purchase orders for the shares. Shares of the Fund are offered to the public on a continuous basis. The Distributor is compensated for its services to the Trust under a written agreement for such services. The Distributor is an affiliate of Ultimus. Robert G. Dorsey was a Managing Director of the Distributor from 1999 until April, 2018 and serves as a Trustee of the Trust.

 

By its terms, the Distribution Agreement remains effective for periods of one year so long as such renewal and continuance is approved at least annually by (1) the Board or (2) a vote of the majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting shares; provided that in either event continuance is also approved by a majority of the Independent Trustees, by a vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Distribution Agreement may be terminated at any time, on sixty days written notice, without payment of any penalty, by the Trust or by the Distributor. The Distribution Agreement automatically terminates in the event of its assignment, as defined by the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder. Under the Distribution Agreement, the Distributor is paid $6,000 per annum for its services by the Fund and/or the Adviser.

 

OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS

 

Administrator, Fund Accountant and Transfer Agent

 

Ultimus, located at 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246, serves as the Administrator, fund accountant (the “Fund Accountant”) and Transfer Agent to the Fund pursuant to a Master Services Agreement (the “Master Services Agreement”).

 

As Administrator, Ultimus assists in supervising all operations of the Fund (other than those performed by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement). Ultimus has agreed to perform or arrange for the performance of the following services (under the Master Services Agreement, Ultimus may delegate all or any part of its responsibilities thereunder):

 

prepares and assembles reports required to be sent to the Fund’s shareholders and arranges for the printing and dissemination of such reports;

  assembles reports required to be filed with the SEC and files such completed reports with the SEC;

  files the Fund’s federal income and excise tax returns and the Fund’s state and local tax returns;

  assists and advises the Fund regarding compliance with the 1940 Act and with its investment policies and limitations; and

  makes such reports and recommendations to the Board, as the Board reasonably requests or deems appropriate.

 

As Fund Accountant, Ultimus maintains the accounting books and records for the Fund, including journals containing an itemized daily record of all purchases and sales of portfolio securities, all receipts and disbursements of cash and all other debits and credits, general and auxiliary ledgers reflecting all asset, liability, reserve, capital, income and expense accounts, including interest accrued and interest received, and other required separate ledger accounts. Ultimus also maintains a monthly trial balance of all ledger accounts; performs certain accounting services for the Fund, including calculation of the NAV per share, calculation of the dividend and capital gain distributions, reconciles cash movements with the custodian, verifies and reconciles with the custodian all daily trade activities; provides certain reports; obtains dealer quotations or prices from pricing services used in determining NAV; and prepares an interim balance sheet, statement of income and expense, and statement of changes in net assets for the Fund.

 

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As Transfer Agent, Ultimus performs the following services in connection with the Fund’s shareholders: maintains records for the Fund’s shareholders of record; processes shareholder purchase and redemption orders; processes transfers and exchanges of shares of the Fund on the shareholder files and records; processes dividend payments and reinvestments; and assists in the mailing of shareholder reports and proxy solicitation materials.

 

Ultimus receives fees from the Fund for its services as Administrator, Fund Accountant and Transfer Agent, and is reimbursed for certain expenses assumed pursuant to the Master Services Agreement.

 

The Master Services Agreement between the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and Ultimus, unless otherwise terminated as provided in the Master Services Agreement, are renewed automatically for successive one-year periods.

 

The Master Services Agreement provides that Ultimus shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or any loss suffered by the Trust in connection with the matters to which the Master Services Agreement relates, except a loss from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties, or from the reckless disregard by Ultimus of its obligations and duties thereunder.

 

During the fiscal years, listed below, Ultimus received the following fees from the Fund for its services as Administrator, Fund Accountant and Transfer Agent:

 

Fiscal Year/Period Ended May 31 Administration Fund Accounting Transfer Agent
2019 $49,774 $34,978 $18,000
2018 $33,903 $33,120 $17,750
2017 $30,000 $31,882 $15,000

 

Custodian

 

U.S. Bank, N.A. (the “Custodian”), located at 425 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, serves as custodian to the Fund pursuant to a Custody Agreement. The Custodian’s responsibilities include safeguarding and controlling the Fund’s cash and securities, handling the receipt and delivery of securities, and collecting interest and dividends on the Fund’s investments. The Custodian also serves as Securities Lending Agent for the Fund, and provides services which include screening, selection and review of borrowers, monitoring availability of securities, negotiating rebates, daily marking to market of loans, monitoring and maintaining cash collateral levels, processing securities movements, and reinvesting cash collateral as directed.

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

BBD, LLP, located at 1835 Market Street, 3rd Floor, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103, serves as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2019, audits the annual financial statements of the Fund and assists in the preparation of the Fund’s federal, state and excise tax returns for the fiscal year ending May 31, 2020.

 

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Legal Counsel

 

Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP, located at 4208 Six Forks Road, Suite 1400, Raleigh, North Carolina 27609, serves as legal counsel to the Trust and the Trust’s Independent Trustees.

 

Compliance Consulting Agreement

 

Under the terms of a Compliance Consulting Agreement with the Trust, Ultimus provides an individual with the requisite background and familiarity with the Federal securities laws to serve as the Trust’s CCO and to administer the Trust’s compliance policies and procedures. For these services, the Fund pays Ultimus a base fee of $12,000 per annum, plus an asset-based fee computed at the annual rate of 0.01% of the average net assets of the Fund in excess of $100 million. In addition, the Fund reimburses Ultimus for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses relating to these compliance services.

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

 

Other Payments by the Fund. The Fund may enter into agreements with financial intermediaries pursuant to which the Fund may pay financial intermediaries for non-distribution-related sub-transfer agency, administrative, sub-accounting, and other shareholder services. Payments made pursuant to such agreements are generally based on either (1) a percentage of the average daily net assets of Fund shareholders serviced by a financial intermediary, or (2) the number of Fund shareholders serviced by a financial intermediary. Any payments made pursuant to such agreements may be in addition to, rather than in lieu of, distribution fees the Fund may pay to financial intermediaries pursuant to the Fund’s distribution plan.

 

Other Payments by the Adviser. The Adviser and/or its affiliates, in their discretion, may make payments from their own resources and not from Fund assets to affiliated or unaffiliated brokers, dealers, banks (including bank trust departments), trust companies, registered investment advisers, financial planners, retirement plan administrators, insurance companies, and any other institution having a service, administration, or any similar arrangement with the Fund, their service providers or their respective affiliates, as incentives to help market and promote the Fund and/or in recognition of their distribution, marketing, administrative services, and/or processing support.

 

These additional payments may be made to financial intermediaries that sell Fund shares or provide services to the Fund, the Distributor or shareholders of the Fund through the financial intermediary’s retail distribution channel and/or fund supermarkets. Payments may also be made through the financial intermediary’s retirement, qualified tuition, fee-based advisory, wrap fee bank trust, or insurance (e.g., individual or group annuity) programs. These payments may include, but are not limited to, placing the Fund in a financial intermediary’s retail distribution channel or on a preferred or recommended fund list; providing business or shareholder financial planning assistance; educating financial intermediary personnel about the Fund; providing access to sales and management representatives of the financial intermediary; promoting sales of Fund shares; providing marketing and educational support; maintaining share balances and/or for sub-accounting, administrative or shareholder transaction processing services. A financial intermediary may perform the services itself or may arrange with a third party to perform the services.

 

The Adviser and/or its affiliates may also make payments from their own resources to financial intermediaries for costs associated with the purchase of products or services used in connection with sales and marketing, participation in and/or presentation at conferences or seminars, sales or training programs, client and investor entertainment and other sponsored events. The costs and expenses associated with these efforts may include travel, lodging, sponsorship at educational seminars and conferences, entertainment and meals to the extent permitted by law.

 

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Revenue sharing payments may be negotiated based on a variety of factors, including the level of sales, the amount of Fund assets attributable to investments in the Fund by financial intermediaries’ customers, a flat fee or other measures as determined from time to time by the Adviser and/or its affiliates. A significant purpose of these payments is to increase the sales of Fund shares, which in turn may benefit the Adviser through increased fees as Fund assets grow.

 

Investors should understand that some financial intermediaries may also charge their clients fees in connection with purchases of shares or the provision of shareholder services.

 

Description of Shares

 

The Trust is an unincorporated business trust that was organized under Ohio law on February 28, 2012. The Declaration of Trust authorizes the Board to divide shares into series, each series relating to a separate portfolio of investments, and to further divide shares of a series into separate classes. In the event of a liquidation or dissolution of the Trust or an individual series or class, shareholders of a particular series or class would be entitled to receive the assets available for distribution belonging to such series or class. Shareholders of a series or class are entitled to participate equally in the net distributable assets of the particular series or class involved on liquidation, based on the number of shares of the series or class that are held by each shareholder. If any assets, income, earnings, proceeds, funds or payments are not readily identifiable as belonging to any particular series or class, the Board shall allocate them among any one or more series or classes as the Board, in its sole discretion, deems fair and equitable. Subject to the Declaration of Trust, determinations by the Board as to the allocation of liabilities, and the allocable portion of any general assets, with respect to the Fund are conclusive.

 

Shares of the Fund, when issued, are fully paid and non-assessable. Shares have no subscription, preemptive or conversion rights. Shares do not have cumulative voting rights. Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each full share held and a fractional vote for each fractional share held. Shareholders of all series and classes of the Trust, including the Fund, will vote together and not separately, except as otherwise required by law or when the Board determines that the matter to be voted upon affects only the interests of the shareholders of a particular series or class. Rule 18f-2 under the 1940 Act provides, in substance, that any matter required to be submitted to the holders of the outstanding voting securities of an investment company such as the Trust shall not be deemed to have been effectively acted upon unless approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of each series or class affected by the matter. A series or class is affected by a matter unless it is clear that the interests of each series or class in the matter are substantially identical or that the matter does not affect any interest of the series or class. Under Rule 18f-2, the approval of an investment advisory agreement, a distribution plan or any change in a fundamental investment policy would be effectively acted upon with respect to a series or class only if approved by a majority of the outstanding shares of such series or class. However, the Rule also provides that the ratification of the appointment of independent accountants and the election of Trustees may be effectively acted upon by shareholders of the Trust voting together, without regard to a particular series or class.

 

Trustee Liability

 

The Declaration of Trust provides that the Trustees will not be liable in any event in connection with the affairs of the Trust, except as such liability may arise from his or her own bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his/her duties to the Trust and its holders of beneficial interest. It also provides that all third parties shall look solely to the Trust’s property for satisfaction of claims arising in connection with the affairs of the Trust. With the exceptions stated, the Declaration of Trust provides that a Trustee or officer is entitled to be indemnified against all liability in connection with the affairs of the Trust.

 

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Trust Liability

 

Under Ohio law, liabilities of the Trust to third persons, including the liabilities of any series, extend to the whole of the trust estate to the extent necessary to discharge such liabilities. However, the Declaration of Trust contains provisions intended to limit the liabilities of each series to the applicable series and the Trustees and officers of the Trust intend that notice of such limitation be given in each contract, instrument, certificate, or undertaking made or issued on behalf of the Trust by the Trustees or officers. There is no guarantee that the foregoing steps will prove effective or that the Trust will be successful in preventing the assets of one series from being available to creditors of another series.

 

Code of Ethics

 

The Trust, the Adviser and the Distributor have each adopted a code of ethics (each a “COE” and, collectively, the “COEs”) that is designed to prevent their respective personnel subject to the COE from engaging in deceptive, manipulative, or fraudulent activities in connection with securities held or to be acquired by the Fund (which securities may also be held by persons subject to the COEs). These COEs permit personnel subject to the COEs to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund, but prohibit such personnel from engaging in personal investment activities which compete with or attempt to take advantage of the Fund’s planned portfolio transactions. Each of these parties monitors compliance with its respective COE.

 

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

 

The Trust and the Adviser have adopted Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures that describe how the Fund intends to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities. The Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures of the Trust and the Adviser are attached to this SAI as Appendix C and Appendix D, respectively. No later than August 31st of each year, information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the prior twelve-month period ended June 30th is available without charge upon request by calling 1-866-896-9292, or on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

Portfolio Holdings Disclosure Policy

 

The Board has adopted a policy to govern the circumstances under which disclosure regarding securities purchased, sold or held by the Fund (“Portfolio Securities”), and disclosure of purchases and sales of such securities, may be made to shareholders of the Fund or other persons. The Trust’s CCO is responsible for monitoring the use and disclosure of information relating to Portfolio Securities. Although no material conflicts of interest are believed to exist that could disadvantage the Fund or its shareholders, various safeguards have been implemented to protect the Fund and its shareholders from conflicts of interest, including: the adoption of the COEs pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act designed to prevent fraudulent, deceptive or manipulative acts by officers and employees of the Trust, the Adviser and the Distributor in connection with their personal securities transactions; the adoption by the Adviser and the Distributor of insider trading policies and procedures designed to prevent their employees’ misuse of material non-public information; and the adoption by the Trust of the COE for officers that requires the Chief Executive Officer and CFO of the Trust to report to the Board any affiliations or other relationships that could potentially create a conflict of interest with the Fund.

 

  Public disclosure regarding Portfolio Securities is made:

 

  o Following the end of each calendar month, the Fund generally will publicly disclose information regarding Portfolio Securities as of such month-end in a complete and uncertified schedule, or a list of top 10 holdings, posted on the Fund’s website or in advertising material that is posted on the Fund’s website or in advertising material that is posted on its website. This information is generally available within 15 days of the end of the calendar month and will remain available until the posting of the next monthly Portfolio Securities report.

 

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  o In the Fund’s Annual Reports and Semi-Annual Reports to shareholders, and in quarterly holdings reports on Form N-Q (“Official Reports”), which are available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

  Information regarding Portfolio Securities and other information regarding the investment activities of the Fund, may be disclosed to rating and ranking organizations for use in connection with their rating or ranking of the Fund, but only if such disclosure is approved and monitored by the Trust’s CCO. Each disclosure arrangement has been authorized by the Fund and/or the Adviser in accordance with the Fund’s disclosure of portfolio holdings policy upon a determination that this disclosure serves a legitimate business purpose of the Fund and that each organization is subject to a duty of confidentiality.

 

  The Trust’s CCO may approve the disclosure of holdings of or transactions in Portfolio Securities that is made on the same basis to all shareholders of the Fund.

 

  The Fund’s policy relating to disclosure of holdings of Portfolio Securities does not prohibit disclosure of information to the Adviser or to other Trust service providers, including the Trust’s administrator, distributor, custodian, legal counsel, accountants and printers/typesetters, N-PORT and N-CEN vendors, pricing and liquidity vendors and consultants, or to brokers and dealers through which the Fund purchases and sells Portfolio Securities. Below is a table that lists each service provider that may receive non-public portfolio information along with information regarding the frequency of access to, and limitations on use of, portfolio information.

 

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Type of Service Provider

Typical Frequency of Access to

Portfolio Information

Restrictions on Use
Adviser Daily Contractual and Ethical
Administrator and Distributor Daily Contractual and Ethical
Custodian Daily Ethical
Accountants During annual audit Ethical
Legal counsel Regulatory filings, board meetings, and if a legal issue regarding the portfolio requires counsel’s review Ethical
Printers/Typesetters Twice a year – printing of Semi-Annual and Annual Reports No formal restrictions in place – typesetter or printer would not receive portfolio information until at least 30 days old
Broker/dealers through which the Fund purchases and sells portfolio securities Daily access to the relevant purchase and/or sale – no broker/dealer has access to the Fund’s entire portfolio Contractual and Ethical
N-PORT and N-CEN Vendors Monthly or Annually Contractual and Ethical
Pricing and Liquidity Vendors Daily Contractual and Ethical

 

Such disclosures may be made without approval of the Trust’s CCO because the Board has determined that the Fund and its shareholders are adequately protected by the restrictions on use in those instances listed above.

 

  The Trust’s CCO may approve other arrangements under which information relating to Portfolio Securities held by the Fund, or purchased or sold by the Fund (other than information contained in Official Reports) may be disclosed. The Trust’s CCO shall approve such an arrangement only if he or she concludes (based on a consideration of the information to be disclosed, the timing of the disclosure, the intended use of the information and other relevant factors) that the arrangement is reasonably necessary to aid in conducting the ongoing business of the Trust and is unlikely to affect adversely the Fund or any shareholder of the Fund. The Trust’s CCO must inform the Board of any such arrangements that are approved by the Trust’s CCO, and the rationale supporting approval, at the next regular quarterly meeting of the Board following such approval.

 

  Neither the Adviser nor the Trust (or any affiliated person, employee, officer, trustee or director of the Adviser or the Trust) may receive any direct or indirect compensation in consideration of the disclosure of information relating to Portfolio Securities held, purchased or sold by the Fund.

 

Other Expenses

 

In addition to the Management Fee, the Fund pays all expenses not expressly assumed by the Adviser, including, without limitation, fund organizational expenses, the fees and expenses of its independent registered public accounting firm and of its legal counsel; the fees of the Administrator, Distributor, and Transfer Agent, the costs of printing and mailing to shareholders Annual and Semi-Annual Reports, proxy statements, prospectuses, SAIs and supplements thereto; bank transaction charges and custody fees; any costs associated with shareholder meetings, including proxy solicitors’ fees and expenses; registration and filing fees; federal, state or local income or other taxes; interest; membership fees of the Investment Company Institute and similar organizations; fidelity bond and liability insurance premiums; and any extraordinary expenses, such as indemnification payments or damages awarded in litigation or settlements made.

 

45 

 

Benchmark Descriptions

 

The Fund compares its performance to standardized indices or other measurements of investment performance. Specifically, the Fund compares its performance to the S&P/BG Cantor 0-3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index, which is a sub-index of the S&P/BG Cantor U.S. Treasury Bill Index comprised of the constituents with a 0 to 3-month maturity. Comparative performance may also be expressed by reference to a ranking prepared by a mutual fund monitoring service or by one or more newspapers, newsletters or financial periodicals.

 

ADDITIONAL TAX INFORMATION

 

The following summarizes certain additional tax considerations generally affecting the Fund and its shareholders that are not described in the Prospectus. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of the tax treatment of the Fund or its shareholders. The discussions here and in the Prospectus are not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning and are based on tax laws and regulations that are in effect on the date hereof; such laws and regulations may be changed by legislative, judicial, or administrative action. Investors are advised to consult their tax advisors with specific reference to their own tax situations.

 

The Fund qualifies and intends to remain qualified as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the IRS Code. In order to so qualify, the Fund must elect to be a regulated investment company or have made such an election for a previous year and must satisfy certain requirements relating to the amount of distributions and source of its income for a taxable year. At least 90% of the gross income of the Fund must be derived from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stocks, securities, or foreign currencies, and other income derived with respect to the Fund’s business of investing in such stock, securities, or currencies, and net income derived from an investment in a “qualified publicly traded partnership” as defined in section 851(h) of the Code (the “source-of-income test”). Any income derived by the Fund from a partnership (other than a “qualified publicly traded partnership”) or trust is treated as derived with respect to the Fund’s business of investing in stock, securities, or currencies only to the extent that such income is attributable to items of income that would have been qualifying income if realized by the Fund in the same manner as by the partnership or trust.

 

The Fund may not qualify as a regulated investment company for any taxable year unless it satisfies certain requirements with respect to the diversification of its investments at the close of each quarter of the taxable year (the “asset diversification tests”). In general, at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets must be represented by cash, cash items, government securities, securities of other regulated investment companies, and other securities which, with respect to any one issuer, do not represent more than 5% of the total assets of the Fund nor more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer. In addition, not more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets may be invested in the securities (other than government securities or the securities of other regulated investment companies) of any one issuer; the securities of two or more issuers (other than securities of another regulated investment company) if the issuers are controlled by the Fund and they are, pursuant to Treasury Regulations, engaged in the same or similar or related trades or businesses; or the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships.

 

46 

 

The Fund intends to satisfy all of the requirements of the source-of-income test and the asset diversification tests on an ongoing basis for continued qualification as a regulated investment company.

 

If the Fund fails to meet either the asset diversification test with respect to a taxable quarter or the source-of-income test with respect to a taxable year, the Code provides several remedies, provided certain procedural requirements are met, which will allow the Fund to retain its status as a “regulated investment company.” There is a remedy for failure to satisfy the asset diversification tests, if the failure was due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, subject to certain divestiture and procedural requirements and the payment of a tax. In addition, there is a remedy for a de minimis failure of the asset diversification tests, which would require corrective action but no tax. In addition, the Code allows for the remedy of a failure of the source-of-income test, if the failure was due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, subject to certain procedural requirements and the payment of a tax.

 

Under current tax law, qualifying corporate dividends are taxable at long-term capital gains tax rates. The long-term capital gains rate for individual taxpayers is currently at a maximum rate of 20%, with lower rates potentially applicable to taxpayers depending on their income levels. For 2019, individual taxpayers with taxable incomes above $434,550 ($488,850 for married couples filing jointly, and $461,700 for heads of households) are subject to a 20% rate of tax on long-term capital gains and qualified dividends. For individual taxpayers with taxable incomes not in excess of $39,375 ($78,750 for married couples filing jointly, and $52,750 for heads of household) the long-term capital gains rate and rate on qualified dividends is 0%. All other taxpayers are subject to a maximum 15% rate of tax on long-term capital gains and qualified dividends. The above income thresholds are subject to adjustment for inflation beginning in taxable years after 2019.

 

If the Fund designates a dividend as a capital gains distribution, it generally will be taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gains, regardless of how long the shareholders have held their Fund shares or whether the dividend was received in cash or reinvested in additional shares. All taxable dividends paid by the Fund other than those designated as qualified dividend income or capital gains distributions will be taxable as ordinary income to shareholders, whether received in cash or reinvested in additional shares. To the extent the Fund engages in increased portfolio turnover, short-term capital gains may be realized, and any distribution resulting from such gains will be considered ordinary income for federal tax purposes.

 

The Department of the Treasury recently issued Proposed Regulations which provide that regulated investment companies that receive qualified REIT dividend income may designate such amounts as Section 199A dividends. Qualified REIT dividend income is the excess of qualified REIT dividends received by the regulated investment company over the amount of the regulated investment company’s deductions that are properly allocable to such income. If the Fund designates a dividend as a Section 199A distribution, it may be treated by shareholders as a qualified REIT dividend that is taxed as ordinary income and for non-corporate taxpayers eligible for the 20% deduction for “qualified business income” under Code section 199A. Generally, only non-corporate shareholders who have held their shares for more than 45 days during the 91-day period beginning on the date which is 45 days prior to the ex-dividend date for such dividend are eligible for such treatment.

 

Shareholders who hold Fund shares in a tax-deferred account, such as a retirement plan, generally will not have to pay tax on Fund distributions until they receive distributions from their account.

 

The Fund will designate (1) any distribution that constitutes a qualified dividend as qualified dividend income; (2) any tax-exempt distribution as an exempt-interest dividend; (3) any distribution of long-term capital gains as a capital gain dividend; (4) any dividend eligible for the corporate dividends received deduction as such in a written notice provided to shareholders after the close of the Fund’s taxable year; and (5) any distribution that is comprised of qualified REIT dividend income as a Section 199A dividend as such in a written notice provided to shareholders after the close of the Fund’s taxable year. Shareholders should note that, upon the sale or exchange of Fund shares, if the shareholder has not held such shares for at least six months, any loss on the sale or exchange of those shares will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of the capital gain dividends received with respect to the shares.

 

47 

 

Foreign currency gains or losses on non-U.S. dollar denominated bonds and other similar debt instruments and on any non-U.S. dollar denominated futures contracts, options and forward contracts that are not Section 1256 contracts generally will be treated as ordinary income or loss.

 

To the extent that a distribution from the Fund is taxable, it is generally included in a shareholder’s gross income for the taxable year in which the shareholder receives the distribution. However, if the Fund declares a dividend in October, November, or December but pays it in January, it will be taxable to shareholders as if the dividend was received in the year it was declared. Each year, shareholders will receive a statement detailing the tax status of any Fund distributions for that year.

 

The Fund’s net realized capital gains from securities transactions will be distributed only after reducing such gains by the amount of any available capital loss carryforwards. Capital losses may be carried forward to offset any capital gains.

 

A 4% nondeductible excise tax is imposed on regulated investment companies that fail to currently distribute an amount equal to specified percentages of their ordinary taxable income and capital gain net income (excess of capital gains over capital losses). The Fund intends to make sufficient distributions or deemed distributions of its ordinary taxable income and any capital gain net income prior to the end of each calendar year to avoid liability for this excise tax.

 

If for any taxable year the Fund does not qualify for the special federal income tax treatment afforded regulated investment companies, all of its taxable income will be subject to federal income tax at regular corporate rates (without any deduction for distributions to its shareholders). Such distributions will be taxable to the shareholders as dividends to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. Such distributions may be eligible for (i) the dividends-received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders or (ii) treatment as “qualified dividend income” in the case of noncorporate shareholders.

 

In general, a shareholder who sells or redeems shares will realize a capital gain or loss, which will be long-term or short-term depending upon the shareholder’s holding period for Fund shares. An exchange of shares is treated as a sale and any gain may be subject to tax.

 

The Fund will be required in certain cases to withhold and remit to the U.S. Treasury a percentage (currently 24%) of taxable dividends or of gross proceeds realized upon sale paid to shareholders who have failed to provide a correct taxpayer identification number in the manner required, who are subject to withholding by the Internal Revenue Service for failure to include properly on their return payments of taxable interest or dividends, or who have failed to certify to the Fund that they are not subject to backup withholding when required to do so, or that they are “exempt recipients.”

 

Depending upon the extent of the Fund’s activities in states and localities in which its offices are maintained, in which its agents or independent contractors are located, or in which it is otherwise deemed to be conducting business, the Fund may be subject to the tax laws of such states or localities. In addition, in those states and localities that have income tax laws, the treatment of the Fund and its shareholders under such laws may differ from their treatment under federal income tax laws.

 

48 

 

Certain U.S. shareholders, including individuals and estates and trusts, will be subject to an additional 3.8% Medicare tax on all or a portion of their “net investment income,” which should include dividends from the Fund and net gains from the disposition of shares of the Fund. U.S. shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the implications of the additional Medicare tax resulting from an investment in the Fund.

 

The Fund will send shareholders information each year on the tax status of dividends and distributions. A dividend or capital gains distribution paid shortly after shares have been purchased, although in effect a return of investment, is subject to federal income taxation. Dividends from net investment income, along with capital gains, will be taxable to shareholders, whether received in cash or reinvested in Fund shares and no matter how long the shareholder has held Fund shares, even if they reduce the NAV of shares below the shareholder’s cost, and thus, in effect, result in a return of a part of the shareholder’s investment.

 

Withholding taxes may be imposed on certain types of payments made to “foreign financial institutions” (as specifically defined in the Code) and certain other non-United States entities (including financial intermediaries). A 30% withholding tax is imposed on “withholdable payments” to a foreign financial institution or to a foreign non-financial entity, unless (i) the foreign financial institution undertakes certain diligence and reporting obligations or (ii) the foreign non-financial entity either certifies it does not have any substantial United States owners or furnishes identifying information regarding each substantial United States owner.

 

For these purposes, a “withholdable payment” includes any United States source payments of interest, dividends, rents, compensation and other fixed or determinable annual or periodical gains, profits and income. If the payee is a foreign financial institution, it must enter into an agreement with the United States Department of the Treasury requiring, among other things, that it undertake to identify accounts held by certain United States persons or United States-owned foreign entities, annually report certain information about such accounts, and withhold 30% on payments to account holders whose actions prevent it from complying with these reporting and other requirements. Non-U.S. investors should consult their tax advisors regarding this legislation and the potential implications of this legislation on their particular circumstances.

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The Fund's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2019, including the Financial Highlights appearing in the Prospectus, are incorporated by reference and made a part hereof. You may request a copy of the Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to shareholders at no charge by calling the Fund at 1-866-896-9292 or visiting the Fund’s website at www.wavelengthfunds.com.

 

49 

 

APPENDIX A

 

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

 

Name and Year of Birth Length of
Time Served
Position(s) Held
with Trust
Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
Number of Funds in the Trust overseen by Trustee Directorships of Public Companies Held by Trustee During Past 5 Years
Interested Trustees:      
Robert G. Dorsey*^
 
Year of Birth:
 
1957
Since
February
2012
Trustee
(February 2012 to present);
 
President
(June 2012 to October 2013)
Vice Chairman (2019 to present); Managing Director (1999 to 2019); Co-CEO (2018 to 2019), and President (1999 to 2018) of Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC and its subsidiaries (except as otherwise noted for FINRA-regulated broker-dealer entities) 16 Interested Trustee of 10 series of the Capital Series Trust (a registered management company)
Independent Trustees:
John J. Discepoli^
 
Year of Birth:
 
1963
Since
June
2012
Chairman
(May 2016 to present);
 
Trustee
(June 2012 to present)
Retired since January 2019; Owner of Discepoli Financial Planning, LLC (personal financial planning company) from November 2004 to January 2019 16 n/a
David M. Deptula^
 
Year of Birth:
 
1958
Since
June
2012
Trustee Vice President of Legal and Special Projects at Dayton Freight Lines, Inc. since February 2016; Vice President of Tax Treasury at Standard Register, Inc. (formerly The Standard Register Company) from November 2011 to 2016 16 n/a
Janine L. Cohen^
 
Year of Birth:
 
1952
Since
January
2016
Trustee Retired since 2013; previously Chief Financial Officer from 2004 to 2013 and Chief Compliance Officer from 2008 to 2013 at AER Advisors, Inc. 16 n/a
Jacqueline A. Williams
 
Year of Birth:
 
1954
Since
June
2019
Trustee Managing Member of Custom Strategy Consulting, LLC (2017 to Present); Managing Director of Global Investment Research (2005 to 2017), Cambridge Associates, LLC. 16 n/a

 

50 

 

Name and Year of Birth Length of
Time Served
Position(s) Held
with Trust
Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
Number of Funds in the Trust overseen by Trustee Directorships of Public Companies Held by Trustee During Past 5 Years
Clifford N. Schireson
 
Year of Birth:
 
1953
Since
June
2019
Trustee Founder of Schireson Consulting, LLC (2017 to Present); Director of Institutional Services for Brandes Investment Partners, LP (2004-2017). 16 Trustee of the San Diego City Employees' Retirement System (August 2019 to present)
Robert E. Morrison
 
Year of Birth:
 
1957
Since
June
2019
Trustee Senior Vice President and National Practice Lead for Investment, Huntington National Bank/Huntington Private Bank (2014 to Present); CEO, CIO, President of 5 Star Investment Management Company (2006 to 2014). 16 Independent Trustee and Chairman of the Ultimus Managers Trust (2012 to 2014).

 

* Mr. Dorsey is considered an “interested person” of the Trust within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act because of his relationship with the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent, and distributor. Mr. Dorsey was President of the Trust from June 2012 to October 2013.

 

51 

 

Name and Year of Birth Length of
Time Served
Position(s) Held with Trust Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Executive Officers:
David R. Carson^
 
Year of Birth:
 
1958
Since
2013
President and Principal Executive Officer of its Series
(October 2013 to present);
 
Vice President
(April 2013 to October 2013)
President of Unified Series Trust (January 2017 to present); Vice President and Director of Client Strategies of Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (2013 to present)
Todd E. Heim^
 
Year of Birth:
 
1967
Since
2014
Vice President
(2014 to present)
Relationship Management Director and Vice President of Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (2018 to present); Client Implementation Manager of Ultimus Managers Trust (2014 to 2018); Naval Flight Officer of United States Navy (May 1989 to June 2017)
Jennifer L. Leamer^
 
Year of Birth:
 
1976
Since
2014
Treasurer
(October 2014 to present);
 
Assistant Treasurer
(April 2014 to October 2014)
Mutual Fund Controller of Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (2014 to present)
Daniel D. Bauer^
 
Year of Birth:
 
1977
Since
2016
Assistant Treasurer
(April 2016 to present)
 
Assistant Mutual Fund Controller (September 2015 to present) and Fund Accounting Manager (March 2012 to August 2015) of Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC
Matthew J. Beck^
 
Year of Birth:
 
1988
Since
2018
Secretary
(July 2018 to present)
 
 Senior Attorney of Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (May 2018 to present); Chief Compliance Officer of OBP Capital, LLC (2015 to May 2018); Vice President and General Counsel of The Nottingham Company (2014 to May 2018)
Natalie S. Anderson^
 
Year of Birth:
 
1975
Since
2016
Assistant Secretary
(April 2016 to present)
Legal Administration Manager (July 2016 to present) and Paralegal (January 2015 to June 2016) of Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (January 2015 to present); Senior Paralegal of Unirush, LLC (October 2011 to January 2015)
Charles C. Black^
 
Year of Birth:
 
1979
Since
2015
Chief Compliance Officer
(January 2016 to present);
Assistant Chief Compliance Officer
(April 2015 to January 2016)
Chief Compliance Officer of The Caldwell & Orkin Funds, Inc. (October 2016 to present); Senior Compliance Officer of Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (2015 to present); Senior Compliance Manager at Touchstone Mutual Funds (2013 to 2015)

 

^ Address is 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, OH 45246

 

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APPENDIX B

 

DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS

 

The Fund may acquire fixed-income or debt securities as described in the Prospectus and this SAI. The Fund is not restricted with respect to yield, maturity, or credit quality of any fixed-income or debt securities, so that the Fund may purchase fixed-income or debt securities that are of high quality “investment grade” (“Investment-Grade Debt Securities”) or of lower quality with significant risk characteristics (e.g., “junk bonds”). The various ratings used by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (each an “NRSRO”) are described below.

 

A rating by an NRSRO represents the organization’s opinion as to the credit quality of the security being rated. However, the ratings are general and are not absolute standards of quality or guarantees as to the creditworthiness of an issuer. Consequently, the Adviser believes that the quality of Investment-Grade Debt Securities in which the Fund may invest should be continuously reviewed and that individual analysts give different weightings to the various factors involved in credit analysis. A rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell, or hold a security, because it does not take into account market value or suitability for a particular investor. When a security has received a rating from more than one NRSRO, each rating is evaluated independently. Ratings are based on current information furnished by the issuer or obtained by the NRSROs from other sources that they consider reliable. Ratings may be changed, suspended, or withdrawn as a result of changes in or unavailability of such information, or for other reasons.

 

S&P® GLOBAL RATINGS. The following summarizes the highest four ratings used by S&P’s Global Ratings (“S&P”), a division of S&P Global Inc., for bonds which are deemed to be Investment-Grade Debt Securities by the Adviser:

 

AAA –An obligation rated “AAA” has the highest rating assigned by S&P. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is extremely strong.

 

AA – An obligation rated “AA” differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is very strong.

 

A – An obligation rated “A” is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is still strong.

 

BBB – An obligation rated “BBB” exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to weaken the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

 

Bonds rated “BB”, “B”, “CCC”, “C”, and “D” are not considered by the Adviser to be Investment-Grade Debt Securities and are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. BB indicates the least degree of speculation and “C” the highest. An obligation rated “D” is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions.

 

The ratings from “AA” to “CCC” may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the rating categories.

 

A short-term obligation rated “A-1” is rated in the highest category by S&P and indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on these obligations is extremely strong. A short-term obligation rated “A-2” is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is satisfactory.

 

53 

 

The rating SP-1 is the highest rating assigned by S&P to short term municipal notes and indicates strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+) designation. The rating SP-2 indicates a satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes. The rating SP-3 indicates a speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.

 

MOODY’S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. Ratings assigned on Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) global long-term and short-term rating scales are forward-looking opinions of the relative credit risk of financial obligations issued by non-financial corporates, financial institutions, structured finance vehicles, project finance vehicles, and public sector entities. Long-term ratings are assigned to issuers or obligations with an original maturity of one year or more and reflect both the likelihood of a default or impairment on contractual financial obligations and the expected financial loss suffered in the event of default or impairment. The highest four ratings are deemed to be Investment-Grade Debt Securities by the Adviser:

 

Aaa – Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, subject to the lowest level of credit risk.

 

Aa – Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.

 

A – Obligations rated A are judged to be upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.

 

Baa – Obligations rated Baa are judged to be medium grade and subject to moderate credit risk and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.

 

Obligations which are rated Ba, B, Caa, Ca or C by Moody’s are not considered “Investment-Grade Debt Securities” by the Adviser. Obligations rated Ba are judged to be speculative and are subject to substantial credit risk. Obligations rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk. Obligations rated Caa are judged to be speculative of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.

 

Note: Moody’s appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category. Additionally, a “(hvb)” indicator is appended to all ratings of hybrid securities issued by banks, insurers, finance companies, and securities firms.

 

Short-Term Ratings

Moody’s short-term ratings are assigned to obligations with an original maturity of thirteen months or less and reflect both on the likelihood of a default or impairment on contractual financial obligations and the expected financial loss suffered in the event of default or impairment.

 

Moody’s employs the following designations to indicate the relative repayment ability of rated issuers:

 

P-1 – Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

 

54 

 

P-2 – Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

 

P-3 – Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.

 

NP – Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.

 

US Municipal Short-Term Debt and Demand Obligation Ratings

 

Short -Tern Ratings - The Municipal Investment Grade (MIG) scale is used to rate U.S. municipal bond anticipation notes of up to five years maturity. Municipal notes rated on the MIG scale may be secured by either pledged revenues or proceeds of a take-out financing received prior to note maturity. MIG ratings expire at the maturity of the obligation, and the issuer’s long-term rating is only one consideration in assigning the MIG rating. MIG ratings are divided into three levels - MIG 1 through MIG 3 - while speculative grade short-term obligations are designated SG.

 

MIG 1 – This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.

 

MIG 2 – This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group.

 

MIG 3 – This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established.

 

SG – This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins of protection.

 

Demand Obligation Ratings – In the case of variable rate demand obligations (VRDOs), a two-component rating is assigned; a long or short-term debt rating and a demand obligation rating. The first element represents Moody’s evaluation of risk associated with scheduled principal and interest payments. The second element represents Moody’s evaluation of risk associated with the ability to receive purchase price upon demand ("demand feature"). The second element uses a rating from a variation of the MIG scale called the Variable Municipal Investment Grade (VMIG) scale. VMIG ratings of demand obligations with unconditional liquidity support are mapped from the short-term debt rating (or counterparty assessment) of the support provider, or the underlying obligor in the absence of third-party liquidity support, with VMIG 1 corresponding to P-1, VMIG 2 to P-2, VMIG 3 to P-3 and SG to not prime. For example, the VMIG rating for an industrial revenue bond with Company XYZ as the underlying obligor would normally have the same numerical modifier as Company XYZ’s prime rating. Transitions of VMIG ratings of demand obligations with conditional liquidity support differ from transitions on the Prime scale to reflect the risk that external liquidity support will terminate if the issuer’s long-term rating drops below investment grade.

 

VMIG 1 – This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by the superior short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

 

55 

 

VMIG 2 – This designation denotes strong credit quality. Good protection is afforded by the strong short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

 

VMIG 3 – This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Adequate protection is afforded by the satisfactory short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

 

SG – This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Demand features rated in this category may be supported by a liquidity provider that does not have an investment grade short-term rating or may lack the structural and/or legal protections necessary to ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

 

FITCH RATINGS. The following summarizes the highest four ratings used by Fitch Ratings, Inc. (“Fitch”):

 

National Long-Term Credit Ratings

 

AAA – “AAA” National Ratings denote the highest rating assigned by Fitch in its National Rating scale for that country. This rating is assigned to issuers or obligations with the lowest expectation of default risk relative to all other issuers or obligations in the same country or monetary union.

 

AA –“AA” National Ratings denote expectations of a very low default risk relative to other issuers or obligations in the same country or monetary union. The default risk inherent differs only slightly from that of the country’s highest rated issuers or obligations.

 

A –. “A” National Ratings denote expectations of a low default risk relative to other issuers or obligations in the same country or monetary union.

 

BBB – “BBB” National Ratings denote a moderate level of default risk relative to other issuers or obligations in the same country or monetary union.

 

Long-term securities rated below BBB by Fitch are not considered by the Adviser to be Investment-Grade Debt Securities. Securities rated BB denote an elevated default risk relative to other issuers or obligations in the same country or monetary union, and securities rated B denote a significantly elevated level of default risk relative to other issuers or obligations in the same country or monetary union.

 

A rating CCC denotes a very high level of default risk relative to other issuers or obligations in the same country or monetary union, while a rating CC denotes a level of default risk is among the highest relative to other issuers or obligations in the same country or monetary union. A rating C denotes that default or default-like process has begun, or the issuer is in standstill, or for a closed funding vehicle, payment capacity is irrevocably impaired. RD ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch’s opinion has experienced an uncured payment default on a bond, loan or other material financial obligation but that has not entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding-up procedure, and has not otherwise ceased business. This would include the selective payment default on a specific class or currency of debt, the uncured expiry of any applicable grade period, cure period or default forbearance period following a payment default on a bank loan, capital markets security or other material financial obligation, the extension of multiple waivers or forbearance periods upon a payment default on one or more material financial obligations, either in series or in parallel, or execution of a distressed debt exchange on one or more material financial obligation. D ratings denote an issuer that has entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding-up procedure or that has otherwise ceased business.

 

56 

 

Note: (+) or (-)may be appended to a National Rating to denote relative status within a major rating category. Such suffixes are not added to the AAA National Rating category or to categories below CCC.

 

National Short-Term Credit Ratings

 

F1 –Indicates the strongest capacity for timely payment of financial commitments relative to other issuers or obligations in the same country. Under the agency’s National Rating scale, this rating is assigned to the lowest default risk relative to others in the same country or monetary union. Where the liquidity profile is particularly strong, a + is added to the assigned rating.

 

F2 –Indicates a good capacity for timely payment of financial commitments relative to other issuers or obligations in the same country or monetary union. However, the margin of safety is not as great as in the case of the higher ratings.

 

F3 – Indicates an adequate capacity for timely payment of financial commitments relative to other issuers or obligations in the same country or monetary union.

 

B – Indicates an uncertain capacity for timely payment of financial commitments relative to other issuers or obligations in the same country or monetary union.

 

Short-term rates B, C, RD and D by Fitch are considered by the Adviser to be below Investment-Grade Debt Securities. Short-term securities rated C indicates a highly uncertain capacity for timely payment of financial commitments relative to other issuers or obligations in the same country or money union. Short-term securities rated RD indicates an entity that has defaulted on one or more of its financial commitments, although it continues to meet other financial obligations. RD ratings are applicable to entity ratings only. Short-term securities rated D indicate a broad-based default event for an entity, or the default of a short-term obligation.

 

Note: A (+) or (-) may be appended to a National Rating to denote relative status within a major rating category. Such suffixes are not added to Short-Term National Ratings other than F-1.

 

While the foregoing descriptions of the ratings systems used by the Adviser distinguish between “Investment-Grade Debt Securities” and more speculative debt securities, as stated above the Fund is not limited with respect to the yield, maturity or credit quality of the debt securities in which it invests. Accordingly, the Fund’s portfolio may be invested in Investment-Grade Debt Securities or debt securities that are not Investment-Grade Debt Securities in any proportion.

 

 

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APPENDIX C

 

ULTIMUS MANAGERS TRUST

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

PURPOSE; DELEGATION

 

The purpose of this memorandum is to describe the policies and procedures for voting proxies received from issuers whose securities are held by each series (individually, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”) of Ultimus Managers Trust (the “Trust”). The Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) believes that each Fund’s Investment Adviser is in the best position to make individual voting decisions for such Fund. Therefore, subject to the oversight of the Board, each Fund’s Investment Adviser is hereby delegated the duty to make proxy voting decisions for such Fund, and to implement and undertake such other duties as set forth in, and consistent with, these Policies and Procedures.

 

DEFINITIONS

 

Proxy. A proxy permits a shareholder to vote without being present at annual or special meetings. A proxy is the form whereby a person who is eligible to vote on corporate matters transmits written instructions for voting or transfers the right to vote to another person in place of the eligible voter. Proxies are generally solicited by management, but may be solicited by dissident shareholders opposed to management’s policies or strategies.

 

Proxy Manager. Proxy manager, as used herein, refers to the individual, individuals or committee of individuals appointed by the investment advisers to each Fund (each, an “Investment Adviser”) as being responsible for supervising and implementing these Policies and Procedures.

 

POLICY FOR VOTING PROXIES RELATED TO EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS AND OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

 

Pursuant to Section 12(d)(1)(E)(iii) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, all proxies from Exchange Traded Funds (“ETFs”) or other Investment Companies voted by a Fund, registered in the name of the Fund, will have the following voting instructions typed on the proxy form: “Vote these shares in the same proportion as the vote of all other holders of such shares. The beneficial owner of these shares is a registered investment company.”

 

POLICY FOR VOTING PROXIES RELATED TO OTHER PORTFOLIO SECURITIES

 

Fiduciary Considerations. Proxies with respect to securities other than ETFs or other investment companies are voted solely in the interests of the shareholders of the Trust. Any conflict of interest must be resolved in the way that will most benefit the shareholders.

 

Management Recommendations. Since the quality and depth of management is a primary factor considered when investing in a company, the recommendation of management on any issue should be given substantial weight. The vote with respect to most issues presented in proxy statements should be cast in accordance with the position of the company’s management, unless it is determined that supporting management’s position would adversely affect the investment merits of owning the stock. However, each issue should be considered on its own merits, and the position of the company’s management should not be supported in any situation where it is found not to be in the best interests of the Trust’s shareholders.

 

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CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

 

The Trust recognizes that under certain circumstances an Investment Adviser may have a conflict of interest in voting proxies on behalf of a Fund. Such circumstances may include, but are not limited to, situations where an Investment Adviser or one or more of its affiliates, including officers, directors or employees, has or is seeking a client relationship with the issuer of the security that is the subject of the proxy vote. The Investment Adviser shall periodically inform its employees that they are under an obligation to be aware of the potential for conflicts of interest on the part of the Investment Adviser with respect to voting proxies on behalf of a Fund, both as a result of the employee’s personal relationships and due to circumstances that may arise during the conduct of the Investment Adviser’s business, and to bring any conflict of interest of which they become aware to the attention of the proxy manager. With respect to securities other than ETFs or other investment companies, the Investment Adviser shall not vote proxies relating to such issuers on behalf of a Fund until it has determined that the conflict of interest is not material or a method of resolving such conflict of interest has been determined in the manner described below. A conflict of interest will be considered material to the extent that it is determined that such conflict has the potential to influence the Investment Adviser’s decision-making in voting a proxy. Materiality determinations will be based upon an assessment of the particular facts and circumstances. If the proxy manager determines that a conflict of interest is not material, the Investment Adviser may vote proxies notwithstanding the existence of a conflict. If the conflict of interest is determined to be material, either (i) the conflict shall be disclosed to the Trust’s Committee of Independent Trustees (the “Committee”) and the Investment Adviser shall follow the instructions of the Committee or (ii) the Investment Adviser shall vote the issue in question based upon the recommendation of an independent third party under a contractual arrangement approved by the Committee. The proxy manager shall keep a record of all materiality decisions and report them to the Committee on an annual basis.

 

ROUTINE PROPOSALS

 

Proxies for routine proposals (such as election of directors, selection of independent public accountants, stock splits and increases in capital stock) with respect to securities other than ETFs or other investment companies should generally be voted in favor of management.

 

PROXY MANAGER APPROVAL

 

Votes on non-routine matters and votes against a management’s recommendations with respect to securities other than ETFs or other investment companies are subject to approval by the proxy manager.

 

PROXY VOTING PROCEDURES

 

Proxy voting will be conducted in compliance with the policies and practices described herein and is subject to the proxy manager’s supervision. A reasonable effort should be made to obtain proxy material and to vote in a timely fashion. Each Investment Adviser shall maintain records regarding the voting of proxies under these Policies and Procedures.

 

FORM N-PX

 

A record of each proxy vote will be entered on Form N-PX. A copy of each Form N-PX will be signed by the President of the Trust. The Form is to be filed by August 31 each year. Each reporting period covered by the Form N-PX runs from July 1 to June 30. The Trust will disclose in its annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders and in its registration statement (in the SAI) filed with the SEC on or after August 31 that each Fund’s proxy voting record for the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 is available without charge upon request and is also available on the SEC’s Website at www.sec.gov.

 

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INVESTMENT ADVISERS’ VOTING PROCEDURES

 

The Trust acknowledges that the Investment Advisers to the various Funds have adopted voting policies and procedures for their clients that have been delivered to the Trust. To the extent that an Investment Adviser’s policies and procedures are consistent with these Policies and Procedures, the Investment Adviser may implement them with respect to voting proxies on behalf of each Fund managed by such Investment Adviser. However, the provisions of paragraph 5 of these Policies and Procedures relating to conflicts of interest shall supersede any comparable provisions of any Investment Adviser’s policies and procedures.

 

Securities Lending: If a Fund engages in securities lending, the proxy voting procedures of the Adviser of such Fund will include information on the recall of lent securities for voting purposes. More information can be found in the Securities Lending Procedures of the Trust.

 

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APPENDIX D

 

WAVELENGTH CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR VOTING PROXIES

 

Wavelength Capital Management, LLC has adopted the following proxy voting policies and procedures (the “Proxy Voting Policy”) for the voting of proxies on behalf of client accounts for which Wavelength Capital Management, LLC has voting discretion by contract, including the Wavelength Capital Management, LLC Funds. Under this Proxy Voting Policy, shares are to be voted in a timely manner and in the best interests of the client. Wavelength Capital Management, LLC’s CCO is responsible for monitoring compliance with these policies and procedures.

 

Routine issues will be voted with management in the majority of cases, while non-routine issues may be more frequently voted against management.

 

Routine issues include:

  Uncontested elections of Directors, including the number and terms of office, attendance, and the number of meetings held.

  Selection and ratification of auditors.

  Stock splits, dividend, and fractional share issues.

  Application for listing of securities.

  Corporate name changes.

  Pollution, environment, or conservation issues.

  Employment issues.

  Restore or eliminate pre-emptive rights.

  Fees paid to auditors for consultants.

  Business abroad.

  Date, location of annual meeting.

  Contributions to charity or for education.

  All other items which aren’t expected to have a material adverse effect on the price of stock.

  Increases in authorized shares, common or preferred.

 

Non-Routine Issues include:

  Acquisitions, mergers, and spin-offs.

  Significant changes in the Articles of Incorporation or By-Laws, such as anti-takeover provisions, poison pills, and rights issues.

  Proxy fight or other control contest.

  Remuneration of management, directors, and employees. Employee Stock Option Plans.

  Cumulative voting issues.

  Golden parachute plans or any unusual compensation benefits to be awarded contingent upon the merger or acquisition of the particular company.

 

In exercising his or her discretion, the Wavelength Capital Management, LLC Portfolio Manager for each client account where shares are held may take into account a variety of factors relating to the matter under consideration, the nature of the proposal and the company involved. As a result, the Portfolio Manager may vote in one manner in the case of one company and in a different manner in the case of another where, for example, the past history of the company, the character and integrity of its management, the role of outside directors, and the company's record of producing performance for investors justifies a high degree of confidence in the company and the effect of the proposal on the value of the investment.

 

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Similarly, poor past performance, uncertainties about management and future directions, and other factors may lead the Portfolio Manager to conclude that particular proposals present unacceptable investment risks and should not be supported. The Portfolio Manager also evaluates proposals in context. A particular proposal may be acceptable standing alone, but objectionable when part of an existing or proposed package. Special circumstances may also justify casting different votes for different clients with respect to the same proxy vote.

 

Wavelength Capital Management, LLC may choose not to vote proxies in certain situations or for a Client. This may occur, for example, in situations where the exercise of voting rights could restrict the ability to freely trade the security in question (as is the case, for example, in certain foreign jurisdictions known as "blocking markets"). In addition, voting certain international securities may involve unusual costs to clients. In other cases it may not be possible to vote certain proxies despite good faith efforts to do so, for instance when inadequate notice of the matter is provided. In the instance of loan securities, voting of proxies typically requires termination of the loan, so it is not usually in the best economic interests of clients to vote proxies on loaned securities. Wavelength Capital Management, LLC typically will not, but reserves the right to, vote where share blocking restrictions, unusual costs or other barriers to efficient voting apply. If Wavelength Capital Management, LLC does not vote, it would have made the determination that the cost of voting exceeds the expected benefit to the client. The Portfolio Manager shall record the reason for any proxy not being voted, which record shall be kept with the proxy voting records of Wavelength Capital Management, LLC.

 

Wavelength Capital Management, LLC may occasionally be subject to conflicts of interest in the voting of proxies due to business or personal relationships with persons having an interest in the outcome of certain votes. For example, Wavelength Capital Management, LLC or its affiliates may provide trust, custody, investment management, brokerage, underwriting, banking and related services to accounts owned or controlled by companies whose management is soliciting proxies. Occasionally, Wavelength Capital Management, LLC may also have business or personal relationships with other proponents of proxy proposals, participants in proxy contests, corporate directors or candidates for directorships. Wavelength Capital Management, LLC may also be required to vote proxies for securities issued by its affiliates or on matters in which Wavelength Capital Management, LLC has a direct financial interest, such as shareholder approval of a change in the advisory fees paid by a Fund.

 

Whether a relationship creates a material conflict will depend on the facts and circumstances. For example, even if the above listed persons do not attempt to persuade Wavelength Capital Management, LLC how to vote, the "value of the relationship" to Wavelength Capital Management, LLC may create a material conflict. If there is a known or potential conflict, in voting client proxies Wavelength Capital Management, LLC will disclose all such conflicts to its clients and to obtain their consent before voting. It is the responsibility of the CCO to review for any potential conflicts of interest on a regular basis.

 

Wavelength Capital Management, LLC has implemented the following process to administer proxy voting on behalf of our Clients:

 

  To avoid excessive storage space, Wavelength Capital Management, LLC retains only one copy of each annual report and proxy statement received from the reporting companies. All others will not be retained.

  All proxy ballots are collected and grouped with that company’s annual report and proxy statement.

  Every proxy ballot is recorded via an Excel spreadsheet on the day of receipt by:

  o Broker/dealer/custodian and account number

  o Date received in office of Wavelength Capital Management, LLC

 

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  o Stock symbol

  o Number of shares to be voted

  o Voting deadline

  o Shareholder name – where possible

  o Proxy control number (on proxy statement)

  Once the individual company’s proxies are received, that company is assigned to a designated Portfolio Manager.

  For companies with 5000 shares/votes or more, the Wavelength Capital Management, LLC Portfolio Manager for each client account where these shares are held will conduct an in-depth analysis of the entire proxy ballot and all corporate board proposals. This analysis will be conducted to avoid any actual or potential material conflicts of interest. If a conflict of interest is evident after in-depth analysis, Clients will be contacted prior to voting to discuss the exact nature of the conflict and to obtain consent prior to voting. The Portfolio Manager is responsible for maintaining evidence of the client contact.

  For companies with fewer than 5000 shares/votes, the assigned Portfolio Manager votes in the manner that he/she believes is in the best interest of the shareholder(s)/client(s).

  If for some reason, Wavelength Capital Management, LLC determines that it is in the best interest of the client to refrain from voting (i.e. the expense of voting outweighs any benefit, etc.), then the Portfolio Manager maintains documentation to support the reasoning. The CCO is responsible for maintaining evidence of the supporting rational for abstaining and the client notification.

  After making his/her decision, the designated Portfolio Manager then electronically votes each ballot.

  After voting the proxy ballots, an electronic confirmation of the vote(s) cast are sent to the CCO for his information and possibly comments.

  All electronic confirmations are printed, matched, and attached (by group) with the actual proxy ballots (ballot groupings).

  The reporting company’s annual report, proxy statement and ballot groupings are then be preserved and maintained and available for retrieval if requested by any client/shareholder. Wavelength Capital Management, LLC prepares and maintains the following records of its proxy voting:

  The proxy voting policies and procedures;

  Copies of proxy statements Wavelength Capital Management, LLC received for client securities;

  A record of each vote Wavelength Capital Management, LLC cast on behalf of a client;

  A copy of any document Wavelength Capital Management, LLC created that was material to making a decision on how to vote proxies on behalf of a client or that memorializes the basis for that decision; and

  A copy of each written client request for information on how Wavelength Capital Management, LLC voted proxies on behalf of the client, and a copy of any written response by Wavelength Capital Management, LLC to any (written or oral) client request for that information on behalf of the requesting client.

 

Clients are informed how they may obtain these proxy voting policies and procedures through Wavelength Capital Management, LLC’s Part 2A of Form ADV, on Wavelength Capital Management, LLC’s website, and in the Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) and shareholder’s reports for Funds managed by Wavelength Capital Management, LLC.

 

A report of proxies voted for Funds managed by Wavelength Capital Management, LLC is made quarterly to the Funds' Board, noting any proxies that were voted in exception to the Proxy Guidelines. Wavelength Capital Management, LLC’s proxy voting record will also be filed on Form N-PX. An annual record of all proxy votes cast for Funds managed by Wavelength Capital Management, LLC during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 can be obtained, free of charge, on the Fund’s website, and on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

 

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PART C. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 28. Exhibits

 

(a) Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated February 28, 2012, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a) of Registrant’s initial Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on March 23, 2012.
   
(b) Bylaws, dated February 28, 2012, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (b) of Registrant’s initial Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on March 23, 2012.
   
(c) Instruments Defining Rights of Security Holders are incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a) of Registrant’s initial Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on March 23, 2012.
   
(d)(1) Investment Advisory Agreement with Lyrical Asset Management LP, dated January 22, 2013, for Lyrical U.S. Value Equity Fund is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(iv) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on February 1, 2013.
   
(d)(2) Investment Advisory Agreement with Wavelength Capital Management, LLC, dated October 29, 2018, for Wavelength Interest Rate Neutral Fund is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(4)(ii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 128 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on November 28, 2018.
   
(d)(3) Investment Advisory Agreement with Edge Capital Group, LLC, dated October 29, 2018, for Blue Current Global Dividend Fund is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(5)(ii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 128 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on November 28, 2018.
   
(d)(4) Investment Advisory Agreement with Ryan Labs Asset Management Inc. (formerly Ryan Labs, Inc.), dated March 31, 2015, for Ryan Labs Core Bond Fund is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(7) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 108 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on June 28, 2017.
   
(d)(5)(A) Investment Advisory Agreement with Waycross Partners, LLC, dated April 20, 2015, for Waycross Long/Short Equity Fund is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(xi) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 38 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on April 29, 2015.

 

1 

 

(d)(5)(B) Amended Schedule A to the Investment Advisory Agreement, dated February 2, 2017, for the Waycross Long/Short Equity Fund is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(8)(B) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 108 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on June 28, 2017.
   
(d)(6) Investment Advisory Agreement with Ryan Labs Asset Management Inc. (formerly Ryan Labs, Inc.), dated November 13, 2015, for Ryan Labs Long Credit Fund and Ryan Labs Core Bond Fund, (collectively, the “Ryan Labs Funds”) is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(11) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 57 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on November 12, 2015.
   
(d)(7)(A) Investment Advisory Agreement with Alambic Investment Management, LP, dated August 19, 2015, for Alambic Mid Cap Growth Fund, Alambic Mid Cap Value Fund, Alambic Small Cap Value Plus Fund, and Alambic Small Cap Growth Plus Fund (the “Alambic Funds”), is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(13) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on August 19, 2015.
   
(d)(7)(B) Amended Schedule A, dated October 24, 2016, to the Investment Advisory Agreement with Alambic Investment Management, LP, dated August 19, 2015, for the Alambic Funds, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(12)(B) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 96 of Registrant’s Statement of Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on December 29, 2016.
   
(d)(8)(A) Investment Advisory Agreement with Marshfield Associates, Inc., dated December 27, 2015, for Marshfield Concentrated Opportunity Fund, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(15) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on December 24, 2015.
   
(d)(8)(B) Amended Schedule A to the Investment Advisory Agreement with Marshfield Associates, Inc., dated July 28, 2016, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(13)(B) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 108 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on June 28, 2017.
   
(d)(9) Investment Advisory Agreement with Ladder Capital Asset Management LLC for Ladder Select Bond Fund is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(16) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 85 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on September 20, 2016.
   
(d)(10) Investment Advisory Agreement with Hudson Valley Investment Advisors, Inc. for HVIA Equity Fund is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(17) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 86 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on September 20, 2016.

 

2 

 

(d)(11) Investment Advisory Agreement with Stralem & Company Incorporated, dated October 10, 2016, for the Stralem Equity Fund is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(17) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 100 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on February 28, 2017.
   
(d)(12) Investment Advisory Agreement with Edgemoor Investment Advisors, Inc., dated January 27, 2017, for the Meehan Focus Fund, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(18) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 106 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on May 22, 2017.
   
(d)(13) Investment Advisory Agreement with Kempner Capital Management, Inc., dated April 14, 2017, for the Kempner Multi-Cap Deep Value Fund is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(19) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 99 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on February 6, 2017.
   
(d)(14) Investment Advisory Agreement with Adler Asset Management, LLC is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(17) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 125 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on July 31, 2018.
   
(d)(15) Investment Advisory Agreement with Karner Blue Capital, LLC, for the Karner Blue Animal Impact Fund, is filed herewith.
   
(e)(1)(A)(i) Distribution Agreement with Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC, dated February 1, 2019, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (e)(1)(A) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 132 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on February 28, 2019.
   
(e)(1)(A)(ii) Amended Schedule A to the Distribution Agreement, for the Karner Blue Animal Impact Fund, is filed herewith.
   
(f) None
   
(g)(1)(A) Custody Agreement with U.S. Bank, dated June 5, 2012, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (g) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on September 11, 2012.
   
(g)(1)(B) Third Amendment, dated December 31, 2012, to the Custody Agreement with U.S. Bank, dated June 5, 2012, for Lyrical U.S. Value Equity Fund is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (g)(iii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on February 1, 2013.

 

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(g)(1)(C) Fifth Amendment, dated September 11, 2013, to the Custody Agreement with U.S. Bank, dated June 5, 2012, for Wavelength Interest Rate Neutral Fund, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (g)(v) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on September 27, 2013.
   
(g)(1)(D) Seventh Amendment, dated August 26, 2014, to the Custody Agreement with U.S. Bank, dated June 5, 2012, for Blue Current Global Dividend Fund, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (g)(vii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 25 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on September 15, 2014.
   
(g)(1)(E) Ninth Amendment, dated March 24, 2015, to the Custody Agreement with U.S. Bank, dated June 5, 2012, for Waycross Long/Short Equity Fund, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (g)(x) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 38 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on April 29, 2015.
   
(g)(1)(F) Tenth Amendment, dated April 6, 2015, to the Custody Agreement with U.S. Bank, dated June 5, 2012, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (g)(1)(J) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 57 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on November 12, 2015.
   
(g)(1)(G) Eleventh Amendment, dated July 9, 2015, to the Custody Agreement with U.S. Bank, dated June 5, 2012, for the Ryan Labs Long Credit Fund is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (g)(1)(M) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 69 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (file No. 333-180308), filed on March 29, 2016.
   
(g)(1)(H) Fourteenth Amendment to the Custody Agreement with U.S. Bank, for Ladder Select Bond Fund, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (e)(1)(B) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 84 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on September 19, 2016.
   
(g)(1)(I) Sixteenth Amendment to the Custody Agreement with U.S. Bank, dated May 24, 2017, for Meehan Focus Fund, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (g)(1)(N) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 108 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on June 28, 2017.
   
(g)(2)(A) Global Custody Agreement with MUFG Union Bank, N.A., dated July 21, 2015, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (g)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), for Alambic Small Cap Value Fund, filed on August 19, 2015.

 

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(g)(2)(B) Amended Appendix D to the Global Custody Agreement with MUFG Union Bank, N.A., for the Karner Blue Animal Impact Fund, is filed herewith.
   
(g)(3) Custody Agreement with Pershing, LLC, dated September 26, 2016, for Stralem Equity Fund, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (g)(3) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 90 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on October 11, 2016.
   
(h)(1)(A)(i) Master Services Agreement with Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC dated July 24, 2018, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 125 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on July 31, 2018.
   
(h)(1)(A)(ii) Amended Schedule A to the Master Services Agreement is filed herewith.
   
(h)(1)(B) Fund Accounting Addendum, dated July 24, 2018 to the Master Services Agreement with Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC for Adler Value Fund is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(1)(A) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 125 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on July 31, 2018.
   
(h)(1)(C) Amendment, dated January 23, 2019, to the Fund Administration Addendum, dated July 24, 2018 to the Master Services Agreement with Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC for Adler Value Fund is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(1)(B) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 132 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on February 28, 2019.
   
(h)(1)(D) Transfer Agent and Shareholder Services Addendum, dated July 24, 2018 to the Master Services Agreement with Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC for Adler Value Fund is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(1)(C) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 125 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on July 31, 2018.
   
(h)(2)(A)(i) Administration Agreement with Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, dated October 20, 2014, for the Ryan Labs Funds, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(xxxii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 32 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on December 24, 2014.
   
(h)(2)(A)(ii) Amended Schedule A, dated November 13, 2015, to the Administration Agreement with Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, dated October 20, 2014, for the Ryan Labs Funds, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(1)(F) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 57 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on November 12, 2015.

 

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(h)(2)(A)(iii) Amendment, dated August 29, 2018, to the Administration Agreement with Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, dated October 20, 2014, for the Ryan Labs Funds, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(2)(C)(iii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 128 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on November 28, 2018.
   
(h)(2)(B)(i) Administration Agreement with Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, dated April 20, 2015, for Waycross Long/Short Equity Fund, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(xxxviii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 38 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on April 29, 2015.
   
(h)(2)(B)(ii) Amendment, dated August 29, 2018, to the Administration Agreement with Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, dated April 20, 2015, for Waycross Long/Short Equity Fund, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(2)(D)(ii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 128 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on November 28, 2018.
   
(h)(2)(C)(i) Administration Agreement with Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, dated August 19, 2015, for the Alambic Funds, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(1)(H) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on August 19, 2015.
   
(h)(2)(C)(ii) Amended Schedule A to the Administration Agreement, dated October 24, 2016, with Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, dated August 19, 2015, for the Alambic Mid Cap Funds, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(1)(F)(ii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 96 of Registrant’s Statement of Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on December 29, 2016.
   
(h)(2)(C)(iii) Amendment, dated August 29, 2018, to the Administration Agreement with Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, dated August 19, 2015, for the Alambic Funds, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(2)(E)(iii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 128 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on November 28, 2018.
   
(h)(2)(D)(i) Administration Agreement with Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, dated January 24, 2017, for Meehan Focus Fund, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(18) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 106 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on May 22, 2017.
   
(h)(2)(D)(ii) Amendment, dated January 23, 2019, to the Administration Agreement with Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, dated January 24, 2017, for Meehan Focus Fund, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(2)(J)(ii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 132 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on February 28, 2019.

 

6 

 

(h)(2)(E)(i) Administration Agreement with Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, dated April 14, 2017, for Kempner Multi-Cap Deep Value Fund is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(1)(M) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 99 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on February 6, 2017.
   
(h)(2)(E)(ii) Amendment, dated January 23, 2019, to the Administration Agreement with Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, dated April 14, 2017, for Kempner Multi-Cap Deep Value Fund is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(2)(K)(ii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 132 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on February 28, 2019.
   
(h)(3)(A)(i) Compliance Consulting Agreement with Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, dated June 5, 2012, is incorporated by reference to Exhibits (h)(xxiv) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 25 of Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on, June 29, 2012.
   
(h)(3)(A)(ii) Amended Schedule A, to the Compliance Consulting Agreement with Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, is filed herewith.
   
(h)(4)(A)(i) Fund Accounting Agreement with Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, dated October 20, 2014, for the Ryan Labs Funds, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(xxxviii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 32 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on December 24, 2014.
   
(h)(4)(A)(ii) Amended Schedule A, dated November 13, 2015, to the Fund Accounting Agreement with Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, dated October 20, 2014, for the Ryan Labs Funds, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(3)(F) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 57 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on November 12, 2015.
   
(h)(4)(A)(iii) Amendment, dated August 29, 2018, to the Fund Accounting Agreement with Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, dated October 20, 2014, for the Ryan Labs Funds, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(4)(C)(iii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 128 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on November 28, 2018.
   
(h)(4)(B)(i) Fund Accounting Agreement with Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, dated April 20, 2015, for Waycross Long/Short Equity Fund, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(xxxix) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 38 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on April 29, 2015.

 

7 

 

(h)(4)(B)(ii) Amendment, dated August 29, 2018, to the Fund Accounting Agreement with Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, dated April 20, 2015, for Waycross Long/Short Equity Fund, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(4)(D)(ii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 128 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on November 28, 2018.
   
(h)(4)(C)(i) Fund Accounting Agreement with Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, dated August 19, 2015, for the Alambic Funds, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(3)(H) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on August 19, 2015.
   
(h)(4)(C)(ii) Amended Schedule A to the Fund Accounting Agreement, dated October 24, 2016, with Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, for the Alambic Funds, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(3)(F)(ii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 96 of Registrant’s Statement of Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on December 29, 2016.
   
(h)(4)(C)(iii) Amendment, dated August 29, 2018, to the Fund Accounting Agreement with Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, dated August 19, 2015, for the Alambic Funds, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(4)(E)(iii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 128 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on November 28, 2018.
   
(h)(4)(D)(i) Fund Accounting Agreement with Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, dated January 24, 2017, for Meehan Focus Fund, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(18) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 106 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on May 22, 2017.
   
(h)(4)(D)(ii) Amendment, dated August 29, 2018, to the Fund Accounting Agreement with Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, dated January 24, 2017, for Meehan Focus Fund, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(4)(J)(ii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 128 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on November 28, 2018.
   
(h)(4)(E)(i) Fund Accounting Agreement with Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, dated April 14, 2017, for Kempner Multi-Cap Deep Value Fund is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(3)(M) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 99 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on February 6, 2017.
   
(h)(4)(E)(ii) Amendment, dated August 29, 2018, to the Fund Accounting Agreement with Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, dated April 14, 2017, for Kempner Multi-Cap Deep Value Fund is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(4)(K)(ii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 128 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on November 28, 2018.

 

8 

 

(h)(5)(A)(i) Transfer Agent and Shareholder Services Agreement with Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, dated October 20, 2014, for the Ryan Funds, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(xxxiv) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 32 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on December 24, 2014.
   
(h)(5)(A)(ii) Amended Schedule A, dated November 13, 2015, to the Transfer Agent and Shareholder Services Agreement with Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, dated October 20, 2014, for the Ryan Funds, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(4)(F) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 57 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on November 12, 2015.
   
(h)(5)(B) Transfer Agent and Shareholder Services Agreement with Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, dated April 20, 2015, for Waycross Long/Short Equity Fund, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(xl) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 38 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on April 29, 2015.
   
(h)(5)(C)(i) Transfer Agent and Shareholder Services Agreement with Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, dated August 19, 2015, for the Alambic Funds, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(4)(H) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on August 19, 2015.
   
(h)(5)(C)(ii) Amended Schedule A to the Transfer Agent and Shareholder Services Agreement with Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, dated October 24, 2016, for the Alambic Funds, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(4)(F)(ii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 96 of Registrant’s Statement of Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on December 29, 2016.
   
(h)(5)(D) Transfer Agent and Shareholder Services Agreement with Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, dated January 24, 2017, for Meehan Focus Fund, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(18) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 106 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on May 22, 2017.
   
(h)(5)(E) Transfer Agent and Shareholder Services Agreement with Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, dated April 14, 2017, for Kempner Multi-Cap Deep Value Fund is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(4)(M) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 99 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on February 6, 2017.
   
(h)(6)(A) Expense Limitation Agreement with Wavelength Capital Management, LLC, dated April 25, 2019, for Wavelength Interest Rate Neutral Fund, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(6)(A) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 137 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on June 28, 2019.

 

9 

 

(h)(6)(C) Second Amended and Restated Expense Limitation Agreement with Lyrical Asset Management LP, dated November 1, 2018, for the Lyrical U.S. Value Equity Fund, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(6)(D) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 128 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on November 28, 2018.
   
(h)(6)(D) Expense Limitation Agreement with Edge Capital Group, LLC, dated October 29, 2018, for Blue Current Global Dividend Fund, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(6)(E)(ii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 128 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on November 28, 2018.
   
(h)(6)(E) Amended Expense Limitation Agreement with Ryan Labs Asset Management Inc., dated February 1, 2019, for Ryan Labs Funds, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(6)(E) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 132 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on February 28, 2019.
   
(h)(6)(F) Second Amended Expense Limitation Agreement with Waycross Partners, LLC, dated February 1, 2019, for Waycross Long/Short Equity Fund, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(6)(F) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 132 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on February 28, 2019.
   
(h)(6)(G) Second Amended and Restated Expense Limitation Agreement with Alambic Investment Management, LP, dated August 1, 2018, for the Alambic Funds, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(6)(H) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 128 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on November 28, 2018.
   
(h)(6)(H) Second Amended and Restated Expense Limitation Agreement with Marshfield Associates, Inc., dated November 1, 2018, for Marshfield Concentrated Opportunity Fund, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(6)(I) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 128 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on November 28, 2018.
   
(h)(6)(I) Amended and Restated Expense Limitation Agreement with Ladder Capital Asset Management LLC, dated August 1, 2018, for Ladder Select Bond Fund, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(6)(K) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 126 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on September 28, 2018.

 

10 

 

(h)(6)(J) Amended and Restated Expense Limitation Agreement with Hudson Valley Investment Advisors, Inc., dated August 1, 2018, for HVIA Equity Fund, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(6)(L) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 126 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on September 28, 2018.
   
(h)(6)(K) Amended and Restated Expense Limitation Agreement with Stralem & Company Incorporated, dated October 10, 2016, for Stralem Equity Fund, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(6)(M) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 126 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on September 28, 2018.
   
(h)(6)(L) Second Amended and Restated Expense Limitation Agreement with Edgemoor Investment Advisors, Inc., dated November 01, 2018, for Meehan Fund, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(6)(L) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 132 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on February 28, 2019.
   
(h)(6)(M) Amended and Restated Expense Limitation Agreement with Kempner Capital Management, Inc., dated November 1, 2018, for Kempner Multi-Cap Deep Value Fund is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(6)(N) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 128 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on November 28, 2018.
   
(h)(6)(N) Expense Limitation Agreement with Adler Asset Management, LLC is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(6)(P) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 125 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on July 31, 2018.
   
(h)(6)(O) Expense Limitation Agreement with Karner Blue Capital, LLC, for the Karner Blue Animal Impact Fund, is filed herewith.
   
(h)(7) Administrative Services Plan for the Karner Blue Animal Impact Fund is filed herewith.
   
(i) Inapplicable.
   
(j) Consents of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm are filed herewith.
   
(k) Inapplicable.
   
(l) Initial Capital Agreement is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (l) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on September 11, 2012.

 

11 

 

(m)(1)(i) Distribution (Rule 12b-1) Plan, dated June 5, 2012, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (m) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 25 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on September 15, 2014.
   
(m)(1)(ii) Amended Appendix A to the Distribution (12b-1) Plan, dated January 26, 2017, for the HVIA Equity Fund and Kempner Multi-Cap Deep Value Fund, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (m)(1)(ii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 108 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on June 28, 2017.
   
(n)(1) Rule 18f-3 Multi-Class Plan, dated June 6, 2013, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (n) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on June 6, 2013.
   
(n)(2) Amended Rule 18f-3 Multi-Class Plan, dated April 24, 2017, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (n)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 108 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on June 28, 2017.
   
(o) Reserved.
   
(p)(1) Code of Ethics of the Registrant, dated June 5, 2012, amended April 23, 2018, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (p)(1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 128 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on November 28, 2018.
   
(p)(2)(i) Code of Ethics of Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC, dated September 30, 2011, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (p)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 42 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on June 5, 2015.
   
(p)(2)(ii) Amended Code of Ethics of Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC, dated June 1, 2017, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (p)(2)(ii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 108 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on June 28, 2017.
   
(p)(3) Amended Code of Ethics of Lyrical Asset Management LP, dated October 2015, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (p)(5) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 108 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on June 28, 2017.
   
(p)(4) Amended Code of Ethics of Wavelength Capital Management, LLC, dated September 1, 2016, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (p)(7) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 99 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on February 6, 2017.

 

12 

 

(p)(5) Amended Code of Ethics of Edge Capital Partners, LLC, dated January 1, 2018, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (p)(7) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 124 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on June 28, 2018.
   
(p)(6) Amended Code of Ethics of Ryan Labs Asset Management, Inc., dated February 2017, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (p)(9) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 108 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on June 28, 2017.
   
(p)(7) Code of Ethics of Waycross Partners, LLC is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (o)(xii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 38 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on April 29, 2015.
   
(p)(8) Amended Code of Ethics of Alambic Investment Management, LP is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (p)(11) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 119 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on February 28, 2018.
   
(p)(9) Amended Code of Ethics of Marshfield Associates, Inc. is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (p)(12) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 119 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on February 28, 2018.
   
(p)(10) Amended Code of Ethics of Ladder Capital Asset Management LLC is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(17) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 125 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on July 31, 2018.
   
(p)(11) Code of Ethics of Hudson Valley Investment Advisors, Inc. is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (p)(17) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 86 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on September 20, 2016.
   
(p)(12) Code of Ethics of Stralem & Company Incorporated is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (p)(18) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 90 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on October 11, 2016.
   
(p)(13) Code of Ethics of Edgemoor Investment Advisors, Inc. is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(18) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 106 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on May 22, 2017.

 

13 

 

(p)(14) Code of Ethics of Kempner Capital Management, Inc., dated September 2017, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (p)(17) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 119 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on February 28, 2018.
   
(p)(15) Code of Ethics of Adler Asset Management, LLC is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (p)(15) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 137 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on June 28, 2019.
   
(p)(16) Code of Ethics of Karner Blue Capital, LLC is filed herewith.
   
(q)(1)(i) Powers of Attorney for David M. Deptula, John J. Discepoli, and Janine L. Cohen, dated July 27, 2018 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (q)(1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 125 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on July 31, 2018.
   
(q)(1)(ii) Powers of Attorney for Jacqueline A. Williams, Clifford Schireson, and Robert E. Morrison are incorporated by reference to Exhibit (q)(1)(ii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 136 of Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-180308), filed on June 25, 2019.

 

Item 29. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with Registrant

 

No person is directly or indirectly controlled by or under common control with the Registrant.

 

Item 30. Indemnification

 

Article VI of the Registrant’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification of officers and Trustees as follows:

 

Section 6.4   Indemnification of Trustees, Officers, etc.

 

Subject to and except as otherwise provided in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the 1940 Act, the Trust shall indemnify each of its Trustees and officers, including persons who serve at the Trust’s request as directors, officers or trustees of another organization in which the Trust has any interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise (hereinafter referred to as a “Covered Person”) against all liabilities, including but not limited to amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines and penalties, and expenses, including reasonable accountants’ and counsel fees, incurred by any Covered Person in connection with the defense or disposition of any action, suit or other proceeding, whether civil or criminal, before any court or administrative or legislative body, in which such Covered Person may be or may have been involved as a party or otherwise or with which such person may be or may have been threatened, while in office or thereafter, by reason of being or having been such a Trustee or officer, director or trustee, and except that no Covered Person shall be indemnified against any liability to the Trust or its Shareholders to which such Covered Person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such Covered Person’s office.

 

14 

 

Section 6.5   Advances of Expenses. The Trust shall advance attorneys’ fees or other expenses incurred by a Covered Person in defending a proceeding to the full extent permitted by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the 1940 Act, as amended, and Ohio Revised Code Chapter 1707, as amended. In the event any of these Federal laws conflict with Ohio Revised Code Section 1701.13I, as amended, these Federal laws, and not Ohio Revised Code Section 1701.13I, shall govern.

 

Section 6.6   Indemnification Not Exclusive, etc. The right of indemnification provided by this Article VI shall not be exclusive of or affect any other rights to which any such Covered Person may be entitled. As used in this Article VI, “Covered Person” shall include such person’s heirs, executors and administrators. Nothing contained in this article shall affect any rights to indemnification to which personnel of the Trust, other than Trustees and officers, and other persons may be entitled by contract or otherwise under law, nor the power of the Trust to purchase and maintain liability insurance on behalf of any such person.”

 

The Investment Advisory Agreements with Lyrical Asset Management LP, Wavelength Capital Management, LLC, Edge Capital Group, LLC, Ryan Labs Asset Management, Inc., Waycross Partners, LLC, Alambic Investment Management, LP, Marshfield Associates, Inc., Ladder Capital Asset Management LLC, Hudson Valley Investment Advisors, Inc., Stralem & Company Incorporated, Kempner Capital Management, Inc., Edgemoor Investment Advisors, Inc., Adler Asset Management, LLC, and Karner Blue Capital, LLC (the “Advisers”) provide that the Advisers shall not be liable for any error of judgment or for any loss suffered by the Trust or the Funds in connection with the performance of their duties, except 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 the amount set forth in Section 36(b)(3) of the 1940 Act) or a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Advisers in the performance of their duties, or from reckless disregard of its duties and obligations thereunder.

 

The Distribution Agreement with Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”) provides that the Distributor, its directors, officers, employees, shareholders and control persons shall not be liable for any loss, damage or expense (including the reasonable costs of investigation and reasonable attorneys’ fees) reasonably incurred by any of them in connection with the matters to which the Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from the failure of Distributor or any such other person to comply with applicable law or the terms of the Agreement, or from willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence, including clerical errors and mechanical failures, on the part of any of such persons in the performance of Distributor’s duties or from the reckless disregard by any of such persons of Distributor’s obligations and duties under the Agreement.

 

15 

 

The Distribution Agreement with the Distributor further also provides that the Distributor agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Trust and each person who has been, is, or may hereafter be a Trustee, officer, employee, shareholder or control person of the Trust against any loss, damage or expense (including the reasonable costs of investigation and reasonable attorneys’ fees) reasonably incurred by any of them in connection with any claim or in connection with any action, suit or proceeding to which any of them may be a party, which arises out of or is alleged to arise out of or is based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact, or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact necessary to make the statements not misleading, on the part of Distributor or any agent or employee of Distributor or any other person for whose acts Distributor is responsible, unless such statement or omission was made in reliance upon written information furnished by the Trust; (ii) Distributor’s failure to exercise reasonable care and diligence with respect to its services, if any, rendered in connection with investment, reinvestment, automatic withdrawal and other plans for Shares; and (iii) Distributor’s failure to comply with applicable laws and the Rules of FINRA.

 

The Registrant intends to maintain a standard mutual fund and investment advisory professional and directors and officers liability policy. The policy shall provide coverage to the Registrant, its Trustees and officers and the Adviser. Coverage under the policy will include losses by reason of any act, error, omission, misstatement, misleading statement, neglect or breach of duty.

 

Item 31. Business and Other Connections of the Investment Advisers

 

(a) Lyrical Asset Management LP (“Lyrical”), located at 250 West 55th Street, 37th Floor, New York, New York 10022, has been registered as an investment adviser since 2008. Lyrical provides investment advisory services to high net worth individuals, pension and profit sharing plans, corporations and other businesses and a UCITS fund.

 

The directors, officers, and partners of Lyrical are listed below, along with their position(s) within the firm and any other position in the capacity of director, officer, partner, or trustee, in any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature that they have engaged at any time during the past two years, if any.

 

(1) Andrew Wellington – Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer
(2) Jeffrey Keswin – Managing Partner
(3) Jeffrey Moses, Chief Compliance Officer
(4) Edward Peyton Gage, Chief Financial Officer

 

(b) Wavelength Capital Management, LLC (“Wavelength”), located at 250 West 57th Street, Suite 2032, New York, New York 10107, has been registered as an investment adviser since 2013.

 

The directors, officers, and partners of Wavelength are listed below, along with their position(s) within the firm and any other position in the capacity of director, officer, partner, or trustee, in any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature that they have engaged at any time during the past two years, if any.

 

16 

 

(1) Andrew G. Dassori – Founding Partner and Chief Investment Officer
a. Partner at Den LLC / Den II LLC
(2) Mark Landis – Founding Partner

 

(c) Edge Capital Group, LLC (“Edge”), located at 1380 Paces Ferry Road, NW, Suite 1000, Atlanta, Georgia 30327, has been registered as an investment adviser since 2006.

 

The directors, officers, and partners of Edge are listed below along with their position(s) within the firm and any other position in the capacity of director, officer, partner, or trustee, in any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature that they have engaged at any time during the past two years, if any.

 

(1) Henry M.T. Jones – Managing Partner
(2) William Maner – Partner
(3) Albert Rayle – Partner
(4) William Skeean – Partner
(5) Barrett Karvis – Chief Operating Officer
(6) Matthew Carney – Chief Compliance Officer
(7) Dennis Sabo – Partner
(8) Elizabeth Mackie - Partner

 

(d) Ryan Labs Asset Management, Inc. (“Ryan Labs”), located at 500 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2520, New York, New York 10110, has been registered as an investment adviser since 1989.

 

The directors, officers, and partners of Ryan Labs are listed below, along with their position(s) within the firm and any other position in the capacity of director, officer, partner, or trustee, in any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature that they have engaged at any time during the past two years, if any.

 

(1) Scott Davis – Board Member
a. General Counsel of Sun Life Financial
(2) John T. Donnelly – Board Member
a. Senior Managing Director, Strategic Investments, of Sun Life Financial
(3) Richard Familetti – Board Member, President, and Chief Investment Officer
(4) Stephen Preacher – Chairman of the Board
a. President of Sun Life Investment Management under Sun Life Financial
(5) Thomas Keresztes, Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Operating Officer
(6) William C. Adair – Board Member, Head of Sales, Client Service and Strategy

 

(e) Waycross Partners, LLC (“Waycross”) located at 4965 U.S. Highway 42, Suite 2900, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, has been registered as an investment adviser since 2015.

 

17 

 

The directors, officers, and partners of Waycross are listed below, along with their position(s) within the firm and any other position in the capacity of director, officer, partner, or trustee, in any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature that they have engaged at any time during the past two years, if any.

 

(1) Larry Walker – Member
a. Manager at Walker One, LLC
b. Member of Boca Properties, LLC
(2) John Ferreby – Member
(3) Matthew Bevin – Member
a. Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky
b. Owner of Integrity Holdings, Inc.
c. President Board Chair of Brittiney’s Wish, Inc.
d. Member of Heart and Soul Candies, LLC
e. Member of Golden Rule Signs, LLC
f. President of Bevin Bros.
g. Board Member and Investor in Neuronetric Solutions
h. Investor, Munder Capital Management
(4) Emily O’Leary, Chief Compliance Officer

 

(f) Alambic Investment Management, LP (“Alambic”), located at 655 Montgomery Street, Suite 1905, San Francisco, California 84000, has been registered as an investment adviser since 2015.

 

The directors, officers, and partners of Alambic are listed below, along with their position(s) within the firm and any other position in the capacity of director, officer, partner, or trustee, in any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature that they have engaged at any time during the past two years, if any.

 

(1) Albert Richards – Chief Executive Officer and Limited Partners
a. Director of and an investor in CETIP SA
(2) Brian Thompson – Chief Risk Officer, President, and Limited Partners
(3) Mike Oberhaus – Chief Financial Officer & Chief Operational Officer
(4) Robert Slaymaker – Partner
(5) Mary Phillips – Chief Compliance Officer

 

(g) Marshfield Associates, Inc. (“Marshfield”), located at 21 Dupont Circle NW, Suite 500, Washington, D.C. 20036, has been registered as an investment adviser since 1989.

 

The directors, officers, and partners of Marshfield are listed below, along with their position(s) within the firm and any other position in the capacity of director, officer, partner, or trustee, in any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature that they have engaged at any time during the past two years, if any.

 

18 

 

(1) Christopher M. Niemczewski – Managing Principal
(2) Elise J. Hoffmann – Principal
(3) Carolyn Miller – Principal
(4) Melissa Vinick – Principal
(5) William G. Stott – Principal
(6) John Beatson – Principal
(7) Chad Goldberg – Principal
(8) Kimberly Vinick – Director of Operations
(9) Carmen Colt – Chief Compliance Officer

 

The above individuals are also all principals and employees of Yogi Advisors, LLC and Bushido Capital Partners LLC.

 

(h) Ladder Capital Asset Management LLC (“Ladder”), located at 345 Park Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, New York 10154, has been registered as an investment adviser since July 2016.

 

The directors, officers, and partners of Ladder are listed below, along with their position(s) within the firm and any other position in the capacity of director, officer, partner, or trustee, in any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature that they have engaged at any time during the past two years, if any.

 

(1) Brian Harris – CEO and Member
a. CEO and Director of Ladder Capital Corp
(2) Pamela McCormack – President
(3) Marc Fox – Chief Financial Officer
(4) Thomas Harney – Head of Merchant Banking & Capital Markets
(5) Robert Perelman – Head of Asset Management
(6) Kelly Porcella – General Counsel
(7) Michelle Wallach – Chief Compliance Officer
(8) Kevin Moclair – Chief Accounting Officer

 

The above individuals are also co-employed by Ladder Capital Finance LLC, a commercial real estate finance company and subsidiary of Ladder Capital Corp (NYSE: LADR).

 

(i) Hudson Valley Investment Advisors, Inc. (“Hudson Valley”), located at 117 Grand Street, Suite 201, Goshen, New York 10924, has been registered as investment adviser since 1995.

 

The directors, officers, and partners of Hudson Valley are listed below, along with their position(s) within the firm and any other position in the capacity of director, officer, partner, or trustee, in any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature that they have engaged at any time during the past two years, if any.

 

(1) Gustave Scacco – CEO and Chief Investment Officer
a. Chief Operating Officer and Senior Equity Analyst at TigerShark Management, LLC (February 2011 – February 2015)

 

19 

 

(2) Mark Lazarczyk –Chief Compliance Officer
(3) Louis Heimbach –Director
a. Chairman, President and CEO of Sterling Forest LLC
b. Chairman of the Board of Directors of Orange County Trust Company
c. Director at Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation
d. Trustee of Orange County Citizens Foundation
e. Chairman of Stewart Airport Commission
(4) Michael Gilfeather – Director
a. President and CEO of Orange County Trust Company
(5) Thomas Guarino – Director
(6) Peter Larkin – Director
(7) Michael Markhoff – Director
a. Partner at Danziger & Markhoff LLP
(8) Jonathon Rouis, CPA– Director
a. Partner at Rouis & Company
b. Director and the Secretary of the Orange Regional Medical Center Board

 

(j) Stralem & Company Incorporated (“Stralem”), located at 551 Madison Avenue, 10th Floor, New York, New York 10022, has been registered as investment adviser since 1966.

 

The directors, officers, and partners of Stralem are listed below, along with their position(s) within the firm and any other position in the capacity of director, officer, partner, or trustee, in any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature that they have engaged at any time during the past two years, if any.

 

(1) Hirschel B. Abelson – Chairman
(2) Philippe T. Laduane – Executive Vice President
(3) Adam S. Abelson – Chief Investment Officer
(4) Andrea Baumann Lustig – President
(5) Joanne Paccione – Chief Compliance Officer

 

(k) Edgemoor Investment Advisors, Inc. (“Edgemoor”), located at 7250 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 315, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, has been registered as an investment adviser since 1999.

 

The directors, officers, and partners of Edgemoor are listed below, along with their position(s) within the firm and any other position in the capacity of director, officer, partner, or trustee, in any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature that they have engaged at any time during the past two years, if any.

 

(1) Thomas P. Meehan – President
(2) Paul P. Meehan – Managing Director and Chief Compliance Officer
(3) R. Jordan Smyth, Jr. – Managing Director

 

20 

 

(l) Kempner Capital Management, Inc. (“Kempner”), located at 2201 Market Street, Galveston, 12th Floor, Texas 77550, has been registered as an investment adviser since 1982.

 

The directors, officers, and partners of Kempner are listed below, along with their position(s) within the firm and any other position in the capacity of director, officer, partner, or trustee, in any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature that they have engaged at any time during the past two years, if any.

 

(1) Harris Leon Kempner, Jr. – President
(2) Diana Bartula – Vice President, Treasurer, and Chief Compliance Officer
(3) Vera, Greene – Vice President and Head Trader
(4) Michael S. Gault – Vice President and Portfolio Manager
(5) Bridgette Landis – Asst. Vice President and Trader

 

(m) Adler Asset Management, LLC (“Adler”), located at 600 Third Avenue, Suite 26, New York, New York 10016

 

The directors, officers, and partners of Adler are listed below, along with their position(s) within the firm and any other position in the capacity of director, officer, partner, or trustee, in any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature that they have engaged at any time during the past two years, if any.

 

(1) David R. Adler – Chief Executive Officer

 

(n) Karner Blue Capital, LLC (“Karner Blue”), located at 7315 Wisconsin Avenue, #400, Bethesda, Maryland 20814

 

The directors, officers, and partners of Karner Blue are listed below, along with their position(s) within the firm and any other position in the capacity of director, officer, partner, or trustee, in any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature that they have engaged at any time during the past two years, if any.

 

(1) Andrew K. Niebler – Managing Member, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer
(2) Vicky L. Benjamin – Managing Member, President and Treasurer
(3) Wayne P. Pacelle, Managing Member

 

Item 32. Principal Underwriters

 

(a) The Distributor also acts as the principal underwriter for the following other open-end investment companies:

 

21 

 

AlphaMark Investment Trust Oak Associates Funds
Capitol Series Trust Papp Investment Trust
Centaur Mutual Funds Trust Piedmont Investment Trust
Caldwell & Orkin Funds Inc. Peachtree Alternative Strategies Fund
Conestoga Funds Schwartz Investment Trust
CM Advisors Family of Funds Unified Series Trust
Chesapeake Investment Trust Valued Advisers Trust
The Cutler Trust Wilshire Mutual Funds, Inc.
Eubel Brady & Suttman Mutual Fund Trust Wilshire Variable Insurance Trust
The First Western Funds Trust Williamsburg Investment Trust
FSI Low Beta Absolute Return Fund WST Investment Trust
Hussman Investment Trust  
The Investment House Funds  

 

(b)

 

Name Position with Distributor Position with Registrant
Kevin M. Guerette President None
Stephen L. Preston Chief Compliance Officer None
Karyn Cunningham Vice President None
Douglas K. Jones Vice President None

 

The address of the Distributor and each of the above-named persons is 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246.

 

(c) Inapplicable

 

Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records

 

Accounts, books, and other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules promulgated thereunder will be maintained by the Registrant at the principal executive offices of its administrator or investment advisers:

 

Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC

225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450

Cincinnati, Ohio 45246

 

Adler Asset Management, LLC

600 Third Avenue, Suite 226

New York, New York 10016

 

Alambic Investment Management, LP

655 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, California 94111

 

22 

 

Edge Capital Group, LLC

1380 West Paces Ferry Rd., Suite 1000

Atlanta, Georgia 30327

 

 

Edgemoor Investment Advisors, Inc.

7250 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 315

Bethesda, Maryland 20814

 

Hudson Valley Investment Advisors, Inc.

117 Grand Street, Suite 201

Goshen, New York 10924

 

Karner Blue Capital, LLC

7315 Wisconsin Avenue, #400

Bethesda, Maryland 20814

 

Kempner Capital Management, Inc.

2201 Market Street

Galveston, Texas 77550

 

Ladder Capital Asset Management LLC

345 Park Avenue, 8th Floor

New York, New York 10154

 

Lyrical Asset Management LP

250 West 55th Street, 37th Floor

New York, New York 10022

 

Marshfield Associates, Inc.

21 Dupont Circle NW, Suite 500

Washington, District of Columbia 20036

 

Ryan Labs Asset Management Inc.

500 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2520

New York, NY 10110

 

Stralem & Company Incorporated

551 Madison Avenue, 10th Floor

New York, New York 10022

 

Wavelength Capital Management, LLC

545 Madison Avenue, 16th Floor

New York, New York 10022

 

23 

 

Waycross Partners, LLC

4965 U.S. Highway 42, Suite 2900

Louisville, Kentucky 40202

 

Certain records, including records relating to the possession of Registrant’s securities, may be maintained at the offices of Registrant’s custodians:

 

U.S. Bank, N.A.

425 Walnut Street

Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

 

MUFG Union Bank, N.A.

350 California Street, Suite 2018

San Francisco, California 94104

 

Pershing, LLC

One Pershing Plaza

Jersey City, New Jersey 07399

 

Item 34. Management Services Not Discussed in Parts A or B

 

Inapplicable

 

Item 35. Undertakings

 

Inapplicable

 

24 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) and the Investment Company Act of 1940, each as amended, the Registrant certifies that the Fund has caused this Post-Effective Amendment (“PEA”) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A under Rule 485(a)(1) under the Securities Act, to be signed below on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized, in Cincinnati, Ohio on September 27, 2019.

 

  ULTIMUS MANAGERS TRUST  
       
  By: /s/ David R. Carson  
    David R. Carson  
    President  

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this PEA has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature   Title   Date
         
/s/ Robert G. Dorsey   Trustee   September 27, 2019
Robert G. Dorsey        
         
/s/ Jennifer L. Leamer   Treasurer/Controller   September 27, 2019
Jennifer L. Leamer        
         
*   Trustee    
David M. Deptula       /s/ Matthew J. Beck
        Matthew J. Beck
*       Attorney-in-Fact*
John J. Discepoli   Trustee   September 27, 2019
         
*        
Janine L. Cohen   Trustee    
         
*        
Jacqueline A. Williams   Trustee    
         
*        
Clifford N. Schireson   Trustee    
         
*        
Robert E. Morrison   Trustee    

 

25 

 

Exhibit List

 

(d)(15) Investment Advisory Agreement with Karner Blue Capital, LLC
(e)(1)(A)(ii) Amended Schedule A to the Distribution Agreement
(g)(2)(B) Amended Appendix D to the Global Custody Agreement with MUFG Union Bank, N.A.
(h)(1)(A)(ii) Amended Schedule A to the Master Services Agreement
(h)(3)(A)(ii) Amended Schedule A to the Compliance Consulting Agreement
(h)(6)(O) Expense Limitation Agreement with Karner Blue Capital, LLC
(h)(7) Administrative Services Plan with Karner Blue Capital, LLC
(j) Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
(p)(16) Code of Ethics of Karner Blue Capital, LLC

 

26 

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

 

This Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into effective as of September 9, 2019, by and between Ultimus Managers Trust, an Ohio business trust (the “Trust”) on behalf of each series of the Trust set forth on Schedule A attached hereto (individually the “Fund” and collectively the “Funds”), a series of shares of the Trust, and Karner Blue Capital, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company (the “Adviser”).

 

WHEREAS, the Trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company, and offers for sale distinct series of shares of beneficial interest, each corresponding to a distinct portfolio, including, the Fund; and

 

WHEREAS, the Trust desires to avail itself of the services, information, advice, assistance and facilities of an investment adviser on behalf of the Fund, and to have that investment adviser provide or perform for the Fund various research, statistical and investment services; and

 

WHEREAS, the Adviser is registered as an investment advisor under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (“Advisers Act”), and engages in the business of asset management and is willing to furnish such services to the Fund on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, the Trust and the Adviser hereby agree as follows:

 

1. Employment of the Adviser. The Trust hereby employs the Adviser to invest and reinvest the assets of the Fund in the manner set forth in Section 2 of this Agreement subject to the direction of the Board of Trustees of the Trust (“Trustees”) and the officers of the Trust, for the period, in the manner, and on the terms set forth hereinafter. The Adviser hereby accepts such employment and agrees during such period to render the services and to assume the obligations herein set forth. The Adviser shall for all purposes herein be deemed to be an independent contractor and shall, except as expressly provided or authorized (whether herein or otherwise), have no authority to act for or represent the Trust in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Trust.

 

2. Obligations of Investment Adviser

 

(a) Services. The Adviser agrees to perform the following services (the “Services”) for the Trust:

 

(1) manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Fund;

 

(2) continuously review, supervise, and administer the investment program of the Fund;

 

(3) determine, in its discretion, the securities to be purchased, retained or sold (and implement those decisions) with respect to the Fund;

 

(4) provide the Trust and the Fund with records concerning the Adviser’s activities under this Agreement which the Trust and the Fund are required to maintain;

 

  

 

(5) render regular reports to the Trust’s Trustees and officers concerning the Adviser’s discharge of the foregoing responsibilities; and

 

(6) perform such other services as agreed by the Adviser and the Trust from time to time.

 

The Adviser shall discharge the foregoing responsibilities subject to the control of the Trustees and officers of the Trust and in compliance with (i) such policies as the Trustees may from time to time establish; (ii) the Fund’s objectives, policies, and limitations as set forth in its prospectus (“Prospectus”) and statement of additional information (“Statement of Additional Information”), as the same may be amended from time to time; and (iii) with all applicable laws and regulations. All Services to be furnished by the Adviser under this Agreement may be furnished through the medium of any directors, officers or employees of the Adviser or through such other parties as the Adviser may determine from time to time.

 

(b) Expenses and Personnel. The Adviser agrees, at its own expense or at the expense of one or more of its affiliates, to render the Services and to provide the office space, furnishings, equipment and personnel as may be reasonably required in the judgment of the Trustees and officers of the Trust to perform the Services on the terms and for the compensation provided herein. The Adviser shall authorize and permit any of its officers, directors and employees, who may be elected as Trustees or officers of the Trust, to serve in the capacities in which they are elected. Except to the extent expressly assumed by the Adviser herein and except to the extent required by law to be paid by the Adviser, the Trust shall pay all costs and expenses in connection with its operation.

 

(c) Books and Records. All books and records prepared and maintained by the Adviser for the Trust and the Fund under this Agreement shall be the property of the Trust and the Fund and, upon request therefor, the Adviser shall surrender to the Trust and the Fund such of the books and records so requested.

 

3. Fund Transactions. The Adviser is authorized to select the brokers or dealers that will execute the purchases and sales of portfolio securities for the Fund. With respect to brokerage selection, the Adviser shall seek to obtain the best overall execution for Fund transactions, which is a combination of price, quality of execution and other factors. The Adviser may, in its discretion, purchase and sell portfolio securities from and to brokers and dealers who provide the Adviser with brokerage, research, analysis, advice and similar services, and the Adviser may pay to these brokers and dealers, in return for such services, a higher commission or spread than may be charged by other brokers and dealers, provided that the Adviser determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in terms either of that particular transaction or of the overall responsibility of the Adviser to the Fund and its other clients and that the total commission paid by the Fund will be reasonable in relation to the benefits to the Fund and its other clients over the long-term. The Adviser will promptly communicate to the Trustees and the officers of the Trust such information relating to portfolio transactions as they may reasonably request.

 

4. Compensation of the Adviser. As compensation for the services that the Adviser is to provide or cause to be provided pursuant to Paragraph 2, the Fund shall pay to the Adviser an annual fee, computed and accrued daily and paid in arrears monthly, at the rate set forth on Schedule A, which shall be a percentage of the average daily net assets of the Fund (computed in the manner set forth in the Fund’s most recent Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information) determined as of the close of business on each business day throughout the month. If the Adviser shall so request in writing, with the approval of the Trustees, some or all of such fee shall be paid directly to a sub-adviser. The fee for any partial month under this Agreement shall be calculated on a proportionate basis.

 

2 

 

5. Status of Investment Adviser. The services of the Adviser to the Trust and the Fund are not to be deemed exclusive, and the Adviser shall be free to render similar services to others so long as its Services to the Trust and the Fund are not impaired thereby. The Adviser shall be deemed to be an independent contractor and shall, unless otherwise expressly provided or authorized, have no authority to act for or represent the Trust or the Fund in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Trust or the Fund. Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the right of any director, officer or employee of the Adviser, who may also be a trustee, officer or employee of the Trust, to engage in any other business or to devote his or her time and attention in part to the management or other aspects of any other business, whether of a similar nature or a dissimilar nature.

 

6. Permissible Interests. Trustees, agents, and stockholders of the Trust are or may be interested in the Adviser (or any successor thereof) as directors, partners, officers, or stockholders, or otherwise; and directors, partners, officers, agents, and stockholders of the Adviser are or may be interested in the Trust as Trustees, stockholders or otherwise; and the Adviser (or any successor) is or may be interested in the Trust as a stockholder or otherwise.

 

7. Limits of Liability; Indemnification. The Adviser assumes no responsibility under this Agreement other than to render the Services called for hereunder. The Adviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or for any loss suffered by the Trust or the Fund in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from 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 the amount set forth in Section 36(b)(3) of the Act) or a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard on its part in the performance of, or from reckless disregard by it of its obligations and duties under, this Agreement. It is agreed that the Adviser shall have no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the Trust’s registration statement under the Act or the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“1933 Act”), except for information supplied by the Adviser for inclusion therein. The Trust agrees to indemnify the Adviser to the full extent permitted by the Trust’s Declaration of Trust, a copy of which is on file with the Secretary of the State of Ohio. Notice is hereby given that this instrument is executed on behalf of the Trustees and not individually and that the obligations of this instrument are not binding upon any of the Trustees, officers or shareholders individually but are binding only upon the assets and property of the Trust (or if the matter relates only to a particular Fund, that Fund), and the Adviser shall look only to the assets of the Trust, or the particular Fund, for the satisfaction of such obligations or any liability arising in connection therewith, and no other series of the Trust shall incur any liability or obligation in connection therewith.

 

8. Term. This Agreement shall remain in effect for an initial term of two years from the date hereof, and from year to year thereafter provided such continuance is approved at least annually by the vote of a majority of the trustees of the Trust who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust, which vote must be cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval; provided, however, that:

 

3 

 

(a) the Trust may, at any time and without the payment of any penalty, terminate this Agreement upon 60 days written notice of a decision to terminate this Agreement by (i) the Trustees; or (ii) the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund;

 

(b) the Agreement shall immediately terminate in the event of its assignment (within the meaning of the Act and the Rules thereunder);

 

(c) the Adviser may, at any time and without the payment of any penalty, terminate this Agreement upon 60 days written notice to the Trust and the Fund; and

 

(d) the terms of paragraph 7 of this Agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

9. Amendments. No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, but only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought, and no amendment of this Agreement shall be effective until approved by vote of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities.

 

10. Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with, and governed by, the substantive laws of the State of Ohio without regard to the principles of the conflict of laws or the choice of laws.

 

11. Representations and Warranties

 

(a) Representations and Warranties of the Adviser. The Adviser hereby represents and warrants to the Trust as follows: (i) the Adviser is a limited liability corporation duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland and is fully authorized to enter into this Agreement and carry out its duties and obligations hereunder; and (ii) the Adviser is registered as an investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under the Advisers Act, and shall maintain such registration in effect at all times during the term of this Agreement.

 

(b) Representations and Warranties of the Trust. The Trust hereby represents and warrants to the Adviser as follows: (i) the Trust has been duly organized as a business trust under the laws of the State of Ohio and is authorized to enter into this Agreement and carry out its terms; (ii) the Trust is registered as an investment company with the SEC under the Act; (iii) shares of the Fund are registered for offer and sale to the public under the 1933 Act; and (iv) such registrations will be kept in effect during the term of this Agreement.

 

12. Structure of Agreement. The Trust is entering into this Agreement solely on behalf of the Fund or Funds named herein individually and not jointly. Notwithstanding any to the contrary in this Agreement, no breach of any term of this Agreement shall create a right or obligation with respect to any series of the Trust other than the Fund; (b) under no circumstances shall the Adviser have the right to set off claims relating to the Fund by applying property of any other series of the Trust; and (c) the business and contractual relationships created by this Agreement, consideration for entering into this Agreement, and the consequences of such relationship and consideration relate solely to the Trust and the Fund.

 

4 

 

13. Compliance Procedures. The Adviser will, in accordance with Rule 206(4)-7 of the Advisers Act, adopt and implement written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violations of the Advisers Act and will provide the Trust with copies of such written policies and procedures upon request.

 

14. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby and, to this extent, the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to be severable.

15. Notice. Notices of any kind to be given to the Trust hereunder by the Adviser shall be in writing and shall be duly given if mailed or delivered to the Ultimus Managers Trust at 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246, Attention: Director of Fund Administration, or to such other address or to such individual as shall be so specified by the Trust to the Adviser. Notices of any kind to be given to the Adviser hereunder by the Trust shall be in writing and shall be duly given if mailed or delivered to Karner Blue Capital, LLC at 7315 Wisconsin Avelue #400, Bethesda, Maryland, Attention: Vicki L. Benjamin, or at such other address or to such individual as shall be so specified by the Adviser to the Trust. Notices shall be deemed received when delivered in person or within four days after being deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, registered or certified mail, return receipt requested or upon receipt of proof of delivery when sent by overnight mail or overnight courier, addressed as stated above.

 

In Witness Whereof, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the day and the year first written above.

 

Ultimus Managers Trust, on behalf of the Fund listed on Schedule A   KARNER BLUE CAPITAL, LLC  
By: /s/ David R. Carson   By: Vicki L. Benjamin  
Name: David R. Carson   Name: Vicki L. Benjamin  
Title: President   Title: Chief Executive Officer  

 

5 

 

SCHEDULE A

TO

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

BETWEEN

ULTIMUS MANAGERS TRUST

AND

KARNER BLUE CAPITAL, LLC

 

Name of Fund Fee*
Karner Blue Animal Impact Fund 0.80%

 

* As a percent of average daily net assets. Note, however, that the Adviser shall have the right, but not the obligation, to voluntarily waive any portion of the advisory fee from time to time.

 

6 

AMENDED SCHEDULE A

Dated July 23, 2019

 

to the DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

Dated February 1, 2019

between

ULTIMUS MANAGERS TRUST

and

ULTIMUS FUND DISTRIBUTORS, LLC

 

TRUST SERIES

 

Adler Value Fund

Alambic Mid Cap Plus Fund

Alambic Small Cap Plus Fund

Blue Current Global Dividend Fund

HVIA Equity Fund

Karner Blue Animal Impact Fund

Kempner Multi-Cap Deep Value Fund

Ladder Select Bond Fund

Lyrical U.S. Value Equity Fund

Marshfield Concentrated Opportunity Fund

Meehan Focus Fund

Ryan Labs Core Bond Fund

Ryan Labs Long Credit Fund

Stralem Equity Fund

Wavelength Interest Rate Neutral Fund

Waycross Long/Short Equity Fund

 

Amended Appendix D

To the

Global Custody Agreement

 

This Amended Appendix D, dated September 9, 2019, to the Global Custody Agreement, dated July 21, 2015, between Ultimus Managers Trust (the “Principal”) and MUFG Union Bank, N.A. (the “Agreement”), lists each Portfolio on whose behalf the Principal has entered into the Agreement.

 

Portfolio Investment Manager Fiscal Year End
Adler Value Fund Adler Asset Management, LLC July 31
Alambic Small Cap Plus Fund Alambic Investment Management, L.P. August 31
Alambic Mid Cap Plus Fund Alambic Investment Management, L.P. August 31
HVIA Equity Fund Hudson Valley Investment Advisors, Inc. February 28
Karner Blue Animal Impact Fund Karner Blue Capital, LLC May 31
Kempner Multi-Cap Deep Value Fund Kempner Capital Management, Inc. July 31
Marshfield Concentrated Opportunity Fund Marshfield Associates, Inc. August 31

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this amended Appendix D as of the date first above written.

 

ULTIMUS MANAGERS TRUST   MUFG UNION BANK, N.A.  
       
By:   /s/ David R. Carson   By:   /s/Louis Nazzaro  
       
Name:   David R. Carson   Name:   Louis Nazzaro  
       
Title:     President   Title:     Vice President  

 

AMENDED SCHEDULE A

To the

Master Services Agreement

between

Ultimus Managers Trust

and

Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC

Dated July 24, 2018, Amended July 23, 2019

 

Fund Portfolio(s) (by fiscal year end)

 

HVIA Equity Fund February 28
Ladder Select Bond Fund February 28
Adler Value Fund July 31
Karner Blue Animal Welfare Fund May 31
Wavelength Interest Rate Neutral Fund May 31
Blue Current Global Dividend Fund August 31
Marshfield Concentrated Opportunity Fund August 31
Stralem Equity Fund October 31
Lyrical U.S. Value Equity Fund November 30

 

The parties duly executed this Amendment as of July 23, 2019.

 

  Ultimus Managers Trust     Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC  
           
By: /s/ David R. Carson   By: /s/ Kurt Krebs  
Name: David R. Carson   Name: Kurt Krebs  
Title: President   Title: Vice President and Chief Financial Officer  

 

AMENDED SCHEDULE A

dated July 23, 2019

to the

Compliance Services Agreement

dated June 5, 2012

between

ULTIMUS MANAGERS TRUST

and

ULTIMUS FUND SOLUTIONS, LLC

 

FEES AND EXPENSES

 

Fees. Ultimus shall receive the fees described below, which are computed and payable monthly.

 

Base Fee: $12,000 per year for each series of the Trust.
   
Asset-Based Fee: 0.01% per annum on average net assets of each series in excess of $100 million.

 

Out-of-Pocket Expenses. The fees set forth above shall be in addition to the payment of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, as provided for in Section 3 of the Agreement.

 

TRUST SERIES

 

Adler Value Fund Marshfield Concentrated Opportunity Fund
Alambic Mid Cap Plus Fund Meehan Focus Fund
Alambic Small Cap Plus Fund Ryan Labs Core Bond Fund
Blue Current Global Dividend Fund Ryan Labs Long Credit Fund
HVIA Equity Fund Stralem Equity Fund
Karner Blue Animal Impact Fund Wavelength Interest Rate Neutral Fund
Kempner Multi-Cap Deep Value Fund Waycross Long/Short Equity Fund
Ladder Select Bond Fund  
Lyrical U.S. Value Equity Fund  

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this amended Schedule A as of the date first above written.

 

ULTIMUS MANAGERS TRUST   ULTIMUS FUND SOLUTIONS, LLC  
       
By: /s/ David R. Carson   By: /s/ Kurt Krebs  
Name: David R. Carson   Name: Kurt Krebs  
Title: President   Title: Vice President and Chief Financial Officer  

 

EXPENSE LIMITATION AGREEMENT

FOR ULTIMUS MANAGERS TRUST

 

THIS EXPENSE LIMITATION AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”), dated as of September 9, 2019, is made and entered into by and between the ULTIMUS MANAGERS TRUST, an Ohio business trust (the “Trust”), on behalf of each series of the Trust set forth on Schedule A attached hereto (each a “Fund”), and Karner Blue Capital, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company (the “Adviser”).

 

WHEREAS, the Trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Adviser has been appointed the investment adviser of the Fund pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and the Adviser (the “Advisory Agreement”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Trust and the Adviser desire to enter into the arrangements described herein relating to certain expenses of the Fund in order to help maintain the Fund’s expense ratio within a certain operating expense limit; and

 

WHEREAS, the Fund may, from time to time, invest in affiliated or unaffiliated money market funds or other investment companies such as exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), such underlying investments collectively referred to herein as “Acquired Funds”;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, the Trust and the Adviser hereby agree as follows:

 

1. The Adviser agrees, subject to Section 2 hereof, to reduce the fees payable to it under the Advisory Agreement (but not below zero) and/or reimburse other expenses of each Fund, through the applicable termination date set forth on Schedule A, to the extent necessary to limit the total operating expenses of each class of shares of the Fund (exclusive of brokerage costs, taxes, interest, borrowing costs such as interest and dividend expenses on securities sold short, costs to organize the Fund, Acquired Fund fees and expenses, and extraordinary expenses such as litigation and merger or reorganization costs and other expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of such Fund’s business) to the amount of the “Maximum Operating Expense Limit” applicable to the Fund and each class of shares thereof as set forth on the attached Schedule A.

 

2. The Fund agrees to pay to the Adviser the amount of fees (including any amounts foregone through limitation or reimbursed pursuant to Section 1 hereof) that, but for Section 1 hereof, would have been payable by the Fund to the Adviser pursuant to the Advisory Agreement or which have been reimbursed in accordance with Section 1 hereof (the “Deferred Fees”), subject to the limitations provided in this Section 2. Such repayment shall be made monthly, but only if the operating expenses of the Fund (exclusive of brokerage costs, taxes, interest, borrowing costs such as interest and dividend expenses on securities sold short, costs to organize the Fund, Acquired Fund fees and expenses, and extraordinary expenses such as litigation and merger or reorganization costs and other expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of such Fund’s business) without regard to such repayment, are at an annual rate (as a percentage of the average daily net assets of the Fund) that is equal to or less than the “Maximum Operating Expense Limit” of the respective class of shares of the Fund, as set forth on Schedule A. Furthermore, the amount of Deferred Fees paid by the Fund in any month shall be limited so that the sum of (a) the amount of such payment and (b) the other operating expenses of the Fund (exclusive of brokerage costs, taxes, interest, borrowing costs such as interest and dividend expenses on securities sold short, costs to organize the Fund Acquired Fund fees and expenses, and extraordinary expenses such as litigation and merger or reorganization costs and other expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of such Fund’s business) do not exceed (x) the “Maximum Operating Expense Limit” for the respective class of shares of the Fund then in effect and (y) the Maximum Operating Expense Limit for the respective class of shares of the Fund in effect at the time the expenses to be repaid were incurred.

 

  

 

Deferred Fees are subject to repayment by the Fund for a period of 36 months after the end of the fiscal month in which the Deferred Fees were incurred. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, in no event will one Fund be obligated to pay any Deferred Fees with respect to any other series of the Trust.

 

3. This Agreement with respect to the Fund shall continue in effect until the applicable termination date set forth on Schedule A and annually thereafter provided each such continuance is specifically approved by a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who (i) are not “interested persons” of the Trust or any other party to this Agreement, as defined in the 1940 Act, and (ii) have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Agreement (“Non-Interested Trustees”). Nevertheless, this Agreement may be terminated by either party hereto, without payment of any penalty, upon written notice at least ninety (90) days prior to the end of the then-current term of the Agreement to the other party at its principal place of business; provided that, in the case of termination by the Trust, such action shall be authorized by resolution of a majority of the Non-Interested Trustees of the Trust or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. Any termination pursuant to this Section 3 shall become effective, unless otherwise specifically agreed upon, on the last day of the then-current term of the Agreement. This Agreement will terminate automatically as to the Fund if the Advisory Agreement with respect to that Fund is terminated. Upon the termination of the Agreement for any reason, the Adviser acknowledges and agrees that (i) it remains liable for all fee reductions and reimbursement obligations pursuant to Section 1 hereof that accrued prior to the termination of this Agreement and (ii) the obligations under Section 2 hereof shall cease and terminate as to the Fund if the entire Agreement is terminated, and if the entire Agreement is not terminated, as to each Fund with respect to which the Agreement is terminated.

 

4. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no other way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.

 

5. This agreement may be modified only at the request of either party and with the approval of the Board of Trustees (the “Board”).

 

Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to require the Trust or the Fund to take any action contrary to the Trust’s Declaration of Trust or By-Laws, or any applicable statutory or regulatory requirement to which it is subject or by which it is bound, or to relieve or deprive the Trust’s Board of its responsibility for and control of the conduct of the affairs of the Trust or the Fund.

 

2 

 

Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement, including but not limited to the investment advisory fee, the computations of net asset values, and the allocation of expenses, having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from the terms and provisions of the Advisory Agreement or the 1940 Act, shall have the same meaning as and be resolved by reference to such Advisory Agreement for the Fund or the 1940 Act.

 

Notice is hereby given that this Agreement is executed by the Trust on behalf of the Fund by an officer of the Trust as an officer and not individually and that the obligations of or arising out of this Agreement are not binding upon any of the Trustees, officers or shareholders individually but are binding only upon the assets and property belonging to the Fund.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

ULTIMUS MANAGERS TRUST   KARNER BLUE CAPITAL, LLC  
       
By: /s/ David R. Carson   By: /s/ Vicki L. Benjamin  
Name: David R. Carson   Name: Vicki L. Benjamin  
Title:   President   Title:   President  

 

3 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

to

 

EXPENSE LIMITATION AGREEMENT

DATED SEPTEMBER 9, 2019

 

FOR ULTIMUS MANAGERS TRUST

 

OPERATING EXPENSE LIMITS

 

Fund Name Class Maximum Operating Expense Limit* Termination Date
Karner Blue Animal Impact Fund Investor 1.25% September 30, 2021
  Institutional 1.00% September 30, 2021
  Butterfly 0.85% September 30, 2021

 

* Expressed as a percentage of a Fund’s average daily net assets. This amount is exclusive of brokerage costs, taxes, interest, borrowing costs such as interest and dividend expenses on securities sold short, costs to organize the Fund, Acquired Fund fees and expenses, and extraordinary expenses such as litigation and merger or reorganization costs and other expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of such Fund’s business.

 

4 

ULTIMUS MANAGERS TRUST
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES PLAN

 

Karner Blue Animal Impact Fund

 

Institutional Class

 

WHEREAS, Ultimus Managers Trust (the “Trust”) is registered as an open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”);

 

WHEREAS, the Trust issues shares of beneficial interest (“shares”) in separate series, with each series representing interests in a separate portfolio of securities and other assets;

 

WHEREAS, the Trust is authorized to issue shares of each of its series in separate classes of shares;

 

WHEREAS, the Karner Blue Animal Impact Fund (the “Fund”), offers of beneficial interests an Institutional Class;

 

WHEREAS, shareholders of the Institutional Class may require administrative, recordkeeping, and other services that are in addition to services required by other shareholders, and the provision of such services to shareholders requiring these services may benefit such shareholders and facilitate their ability to invest in the Fund;

 

WHEREAS, issuance of shares of the Fund in a class subject to a fee for the Fund’s cost of providing administrative, recordkeeping, and shareholder services would allocate the Fund’s expense of rendering such services to the shareholders who receive such additional services;

 

WHEREAS, the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, with respect to the Fund’s Institutional Class shares intends to enter into Shareholder Servicing Agreements (each an “Agreement”) pursuant to this Administrative Services Plan (the “Plan”) with various Service Organizations (each a “Service Organization”), either directly or through the Trust’s principal underwriter, Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”) or the Fund’s investment adviser, Karner Blue Capital, LLC (the “Manager”), pursuant to which the Service Organization will provide certain administrative, recordkeeping and shareholder services to its clients, members or customers who purchase Institutional Class shares of the Fund; and

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the Trust has determined that there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plan will benefit the Fund and its shareholders.

 

NOW THEREFORE, the Trust hereby adopts this Plan on the following terms and conditions:

 

1. The Trust (or the Manager or Distributor acting as agent of the Trust) shall pay a Service Organization with which the Fund (or the Manager or Distributor acting as agent of the Trust), regarding its Institutional Class, has an Agreement, for providing certain administrative services for Institutional Class shareholders, at a rate specified in paragraph 2 below, based upon the average daily net assets of the Fund attributable to Institutional Class shares.

 

2. Subject to the limitations of applicable law and regulations, including rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”), the Service Organization will be paid quarterly at an annual rate not to exceed 0.10% of the average daily net assets of the Fund attributable to Institutional Shares.

 

1 

 

3. The payment of fees to a Service Organization is subject to compliance by the Service Organization with the terms of the Agreement between the Service Organization and the Trust, on behalf of the Fund (or the Manager or Distributor acting as agent of the Trust). If Institutional Class shareholder ceases to be a client of a Service Organization that has entered into an Agreement with the Trust on behalf of the Fund (or the Manager or Distributor acting as agent of the Trust), but continues to hold such applicable Institutional Class shares, the Service Organization will be entitled to receive a similar payment in respect of the services provided to such investors. For the purposes of determining the fees payable under the Plan, the average daily net asset value of the Fund attributable to Institutional Shares, respectively, shall be computed in the manner specified in the Trust’s Declaration of Trust and current prospectus.

 

4. Services that a Service Organization will provide under an Agreement may include, but are not limited to, the following functions: receiving, aggregating and processing shareholder orders; furnishing shareholder sub-accounting; providing and maintaining elective shareholder services such as check writing and wire transfer services; providing and maintaining pre-authorized investment plans; communicating periodically with shareholders; acting as the sole shareholder of record and nominee for shareholders; maintaining accounting records for shareholders; answering questions and handling correspondence from shareholders about their accounts; issuing confirmations for transactions by shareholders; and performing similar account administrative services.

 

5. The Plan shall not take effect until it has been approved, together with any related agreements and supplements, by votes of a majority of both (a) the Board of Trustees of the Trust, and (b) those Trustees of the Trust who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan or any agreements related to it (the “Plan Trustees”), cast in person at a meeting (or meetings) called for the purpose of voting on the Plan and such related agreements.

 

6. The Plan shall continue in effect so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in the manner provided for approval of the Plan in paragraph 5.

 

7. Any person authorized to direct the disposition of monies paid or payable pursuant to the Plan or any related agreement shall provide to the Trust’s Board of Trustees, and the Board shall review, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts so expended and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.

 

8. Any agreement related to the Plan shall be in writing and shall provide: (a) that such agreement may be terminated at any time as to the Fund, without payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the Plan Trustees, on not more than sixty (60) days’ written notice to any other party to the agreement; and (b) that such agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.

 

9. The Plan may be amended at any time with respect to the Fund by the Board of Trustees, provided that any amendment to increase materially the costs that the Institutional Class may bear for administrative services pursuant to the Plan shall be effective only upon approval as provided in paragraph 5 hereof.

 

2 

 

10. While the Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of Trustees who are not interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust shall be committed to the discretion of the Trustees who are not interested persons.

 

11. The Trust shall preserve copies of the Plan, any related agreement and any report made pursuant to paragraph 7 hereof, for a period of not less than six (6) years from the date of the Plan, such agreement or report, as the case may be, the first two (2) years of which shall be in an easily accessible place.

 

12. It is understood and expressly stipulated that neither the holders of shares of the Fund nor any Trustee, officer, agent or employee of the Trust shall be personally liable hereunder, nor shall any resort be had to other private property for the satisfaction of any claim or obligation hereunder, but the Trust only shall be liable.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has adopted this Plan effective as of the 22nd day of July, 2019.

 

    ULTIMUS MANAGERS TRUST  
    On Behalf of the Karner Blue Animal Impact Fund  
       
  By: /s/ David R. Carson  
    David Carson  
    Chief Executive Officer and President  

 

3 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

We consent to the references to our firm in the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of the Ultimus Managers Trust and to the use of our report dated July 23, 2019 on the financial statements and financial highlights of Wavelength Interest Rate Neutral Fund, a series of shares of beneficial interest in Ultimus Managers Trust. Such financial statements and financial highlights appear in the May 31, 2019 Annual Report to Shareholders which is incorporated by reference into the Statement of Additional Information.

 

 
   
  BBD, LLP

 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

September 26, 2019

 

 

KARNER BLUE CAPITAL, LLC

 

Code of Ethics Statement

 

Background

 

This Code of Ethics has been adopted by Karner Blue Capital, LLC (“KBC”) pursuant to Section 204A of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and Rule 204A-1 thereunder, and Section 17(j) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and Rule 17j-1 thereunder, to:

 

Set forth applicable standards of conduct for its supervised persons and consultants (including compliance with federal securities laws);
Safeguard material non-public information about client transactions; and
Require access persons to report their personal securities transactions. In addition, the activities of an investment adviser and its personnel must comply with the broad antifraud provisions of Section 206 of the Advisers Act.

 

Introduction

 

As an investment advisory firm, KBC has an overarching fiduciary duty to its clients. They deserve its undivided loyalty and effort, and their interests come first. KBC has an obligation to uphold that fiduciary duty and see that its personnel do not take inappropriate advantage of their positions and the access to information that comes with their positions.

 

KBC holds its supervised persons and consultants accountable for adhering to and advocating for the following general standards to the best of their knowledge and ability:

 

Always place the interest of the clients first and never benefit at the expense of advisory clients;
Always act in an honest and ethical manner, including in connection with the handling and avoidance of actual or potential conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships;
Always maintain the confidentiality of information concerning the identity of security holdings and financial circumstances of clients;
Fully comply with applicable laws, rules and regulations of federal, state and local governments and other applicable regulatory agencies; and
Proactively promote ethical and honest behavior with KBC including, without limitation, the prompt reporting of violations of, and being accountable for adherence to, this Code of Ethics.

 

Failure to comply with KBC’s Code of Ethics may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment or termination of contractual relationships.

 

 

 

Definitions

 

Access Person” includes any supervised person who has access to non-public information regarding any client’s purchase or sale of securities, or non-public information regarding the portfolio holdings of any client account or any fund the adviser or its control affiliates manage, or is involved in making securities recommendations to clients, or has access to such recommendations that are non-public. All of the firm’s Managing Members, officers and employees are presumed to be access persons.

 

“Advisers Act” means Investment Advisers Act of 1940. “Adviser” means Karner Blue Capital, LLC.

 

Beneficial ownership” shall be interpreted in the same manner as it would be under Rule 16a- 1(a)(2) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934: a direct or indirect “pecuniary interest” that is held or shared by a person directly or indirectly in a security, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, which offers the opportunity to directly or indirectly profit or share in any profit from a transaction. An access person is presumed to have beneficial ownership of each account of any immediate family member who shares the same household as the access person.

 

CCO” means Chief Compliance Officer per rule 206(4)-7 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

 

For the purposes of this Code of Ethics, a “Conflict of Interest” will be deemed to be present when an individual’s private interest interferes in any way, or even appears to interfere, with the interests of the Adviser as a whole or the interests of a client of the Adviser.

 

Initial Public Offering” 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 Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

Investment personnel” means any employee of the Adviser or of any company in a control relationship to the Adviser who, in connection with his or her regular functions or duties, makes or participates in making recommendations regarding the purchase or sale of securities for clients.

 

Limited Offering” means an offering that is exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 pursuant to Section 4(2) or Section 4(6) thereof or pursuant to Rule 504 or Rule 506 thereunder.

 

"Reportable 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, preorganization 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, guaranty of, or warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase any of the foregoing, except:

 

 

 

Direct obligations of the Government of the United States;
Bankers' acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and high quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements;
Shares issued by money market funds;
Shares issued by open-end funds other than funds with respect to which KBC provides advisory or sub-advisory services;
Shares issued by unit investment trusts that are invested exclusively in one or more open-end funds, none of which are advised or sub-advised by KBC.

 

Supervised person” means each Managing Member and officer of the Adviser (or other persons occupying a similar status or performing similar functions); each employee of the Adviser; and any other person who provides investment advice on behalf of the Adviser and is subject to the Adviser’s supervision and control.

 

Compliance Procedures

 

Compliance with Laws and Regulations

 

Supervised persons and consultants of KBC must comply with applicable state and federal securities laws.

 

Without limiting the foregoing, supervised persons and consultants are not permitted, in connection with the purchase or sale, directly or indirectly, of a security held or to be acquired by a client:

 

To defraud such client in any manner;
To mislead such client, including making any statement that omits material facts;
To engage in any act, practice or course of conduct that operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon such client;
To engage in any manipulative practice with respect to such client;
To engage in any manipulative practice with respect to securities, including price manipulation.

 

Prohibited Purchases and Sales

 

Insider Trading

 

Illegal insider trading refers generally to 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. The SEC defines information as material if “there is a substantial likelihood that a reasonable shareholder would consider it important in making an investment decision.” Information is non-public if it has not been disseminated in a manner making it available to investors generally.

 

 

 

KBC strictly prohibits trading personally or on behalf of others (including any KBC client), directly or indirectly, based on the use of material, non-public or confidential information. KBC additionally prohibits the communication of material non-public information to others in violation of the law. Supervised persons and consultants who believe they are in possession of material, non-public information or who become aware of the potential misuse of material non- public information should immediately report such information to the CCO. This policy applies to all of KBC’s supervised persons and consultants without exception.

 

Please note that it is the SEC’s position that the term “material non-public information” relates not only to issuers but also to the adviser’s securities recommendations and client securities holdings and transactions.

 

Client Account Activity Requiring Pre-Clearance

 

Initial Public Offerings (IPOs)

 

No supervised person or consultant employee may acquire, directly or indirectly, beneficial ownership in any securities in an Initial Public Offering without first obtaining the prior approval of the CCO.

 

Limited or Private Offerings

 

No supervised person or consultant may acquire, directly or indirectly, beneficial ownership in any securities in a Limited or Private Offering without first obtaining the prior approval of the CCO. Investment personnel are required to disclose such investment to any client considering an investment in the issuer of such Limited or Private Offering.

 

Margin Accounts

 

Investment personnel are prohibited from purchasing securities on margin in any client account, unless pre-cleared by the CCO.

 

Option Transactions

 

Investment personnel are prohibited from purchasing options in any client account, unless pre- cleared by the CCO.

 

Short Sales

 

Investment personnel are prohibited from selling any security short, in their own accounts, that is owned by any client of the firm, except for short sales "against the box".

 

 

 

Short-Term Trading

 

Securities held in client accounts may not be purchased and sold, or sold and repurchased, within 30 calendar days by investment personnel. The CCO may, for good cause shown, permit a short- term trade, but shall record the reasons and grant of permission among the records relating to the client's account.

 

Prohibited Activities

 

Conflicts of Interest

 

KBC has an affirmative duty of care, loyalty, honesty, and good faith to act in the best interest of its clients. A conflict of interest may arise if a person’s personal interest interferes, or appears to interfere, with the interests of KBC or its clients. A conflict of interest can arise whenever a person takes action or has an interest that makes it difficult for him or her to perform his or her duties and responsibilities for KBC honestly, objectively and effectively.

 

While it is impossible to describe all of the possible circumstances under which a conflict of interest may arise, listed below are situations that most likely could result in a conflict of interest and that are prohibited under this Code of Ethics:

 

Access persons may not favor the interest of one client over another client (e.g., larger accounts over smaller accounts, accounts compensated by performance fees over accounts not so compensated, accounts in which employees have made material personal investments, accounts of close friends or relatives of supervised persons or consultants). This kind of favoritism would constitute a breach of fiduciary duty;
Access persons are prohibited from using knowledge about pending or currently considered securities transactions for clients to profit personally, directly or indirectly, as a result of such transactions, including by purchasing or selling such securities.

 

Access persons are prohibited from recommending, implementing or considering any securities transaction for a client without having disclosed any material beneficial ownership, business or personal relationship, or other material interest in the issuer or its affiliates, to the CCO. If the CCO deems the disclosed interest to present a material conflict, the investment personnel may not participate in any decision-making process regarding the securities of that issuer.

 

Political and Charitable Contributions

 

Supervised persons and consultants may make political contributions, in cash or services, only after obtaining the prior written approval of the CCO who will compile and report thereon as required under relevant regulations. Supervised persons and consultants are prohibited from considering the Adviser’s current or anticipated business relationships as a factor in making political or charitable contributions.

 

 

 

Gifts and Entertainment

 

Supervised persons and consultants shall not accept inappropriate gifts, favors, entertainment, special accommodations, or other things of material value that could influence their decision- making or make them feel beholden to any person or entity. Similarly, supervised persons and consultants shall not offer gifts, favors, entertainment or other things of value that could be viewed as overly generous or aimed at influencing decision-making or making a client feel beholden to the firm or the individual making the gift.

 

No supervised person or consultant may receive any gift, service, or other thing of more than de minimis value from any person or entity that does business with or on behalf of KBC without obtaining the prior written approval of the CCO. No supervised person or consultant may give or offer any gift of more than de minimis value to existing clients, prospective clients, or any entity that does business with or on behalf of the Adviser without obtaining the prior written approval of the CCO. The annual receipt of gifts from the same source valued at $100 or less shall be considered de minimis. Additionally, the receipt of an occasional dinner, a ticket to a sporting event or the theater, or comparable entertainment also shall be considered to be of de minimis value if the person or entity providing the entertainment is present at the event.

 

All gifts, given and received, will be reported to the CCO and recorded in a Gift Log.

 

No supervised person or consultant may give or accept cash gifts or cash equivalents to or from a client, prospective client, or any entity that does business with or on behalf of the adviser.

 

Bribes and kickbacks are criminal acts, strictly prohibited by law. Supervised persons and consultants must not offer, give, solicit or receive any form of bribe or kickback.

 

Service on Board of Directors

 

Supervised persons and consultants shall not serve on the board of directors of publicly traded companies without obtaining the prior written approval of the CCO. Any such approval may only be made if it is determined that such board service will be consistent with the interests of KBC and its clients, and that such person serving as a director will be isolated from those persons making KBC's investment decisions with respect to such company by appropriate procedures. A director of a private company may be required to resign, either immediately or at the end of the current term, if the company goes public during his or her term as director.

 

Supervised persons who serve on the board of directors of a private company or a non-profit shall report that relationship to the CCO as an outside business activity.

 

Confidentiality

 

Supervised persons and consultants shall respect the confidentiality of information acquired in the course of their work and shall not disclose such information, except when they are authorized or legally obliged to disclose the information. They may not use confidential information acquired in the course of their work for their personal advantage or on behalf of any other person or business entity. Supervised persons must keep information about clients (including former clients) in strict confidence, including the client’s identity (unless the client consents), the client’s financial circumstances, the client’s security holdings, and advice furnished to the client by the firm.

 

 

 

Pre-Clearance

 

For any activity where the Compliance Manual or this Code of Ethics requires pre-clearance, the following procedure shall be utilized:

 

Pre-clearance requests must be submitted by the requesting supervised person or consultant to the CCO via email, with all relevant supporting information included as attachments. The subject line should include “Pre-Clearance Request – Time-Sensitive Matter”. The email must describe in detail what is being requested, any relevant information about the proposed activity, and the anticipated start date of the activity;
The CCO will respond via email to the request as quickly as is practical, either approving or declining the request, or requesting additional information for clarification;
Pre-clearance authorizations expire 48 hours after the approval, except as otherwise provided in this manual or in the CCO’s written authorization response email;
Records of pre-clearance requests and responses will be maintained by the CCO for monitoring purposes and ensuring the Code of Ethics is followed.

 

Personal Securities Reporting and Monitoring

 

Holdings Reports (see Sample 6)

 

Every access person shall, no later than ten (10) days after the person becomes an access person and annually thereafter, file a holdings report containing the following information:

The title, exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number (when available), type of security, 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 becomes an access person;
The name of any broker, dealer or bank with whom the access person maintains an account in which any securities are held for the direct or indirect benefit of the access person;
The date that the report was submitted by the access person.

 

Access persons may attach duplicate brokerage account statements to the Holdings Report in lieu of creating a separate list of Reportable Securities, provided that the required information is contained in the statements.

 

The holdings report information must be current as of a date no more than 45 days prior to becoming an access person for initial reports. For annual reports, the information must be as of December 31st of the applicable year end.

 

 

 

Transaction Reports (see Sample 7)

 

Every access person shall, no later than thirty (30) days after the end of calendar quarter, file transaction reports containing the following information:

For each transaction involving a Reportable Security in which the access person had, or as a result of the transaction acquired, any direct or indirect beneficial interest, the access person must provide the date of the transaction, the title, exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number (when available), type of security, the interest rate and maturity date (if applicable), number of shares and principal amount of each involved in the transaction;
The nature of the transaction (e.g., purchase, sale);
The price of the security at which the transaction was effected;
The name of any broker, dealer or bank through which the transaction was effected;
The date that the report was submitted by the access person.

 

Access persons may use duplicate brokerage confirmations and account statements in lieu of submitting quarterly transaction reports, provided that the required information is contained in those confirmations and statements.

 

Report Confidentiality

 

Holdings and transaction reports will be held strictly confidential, except to the extent necessary to implement and enforce the provisions of the Code of Ethics or to comply with requests for information from government agencies.

 

Exceptions to Reporting Requirements

 

Access persons do not need to submit:

 

Any report with respect to securities held in accounts over which the access person had no direct or indirect influence or control;
A transaction report with respect to transactions effected pursuant to an automatic investment plan;
A transaction report if the report would duplicate information contained in broker trade confirmations or account statements that the firm holds in its records so long as it receives the confirmations or statements no later than 30 days after the end of the applicable calendar quarter.

 

Review of Personal Securities

 

KBC is required by the Advisers Act to review access persons’ initial Holdings report and to do so annually thereafter. Transaction reports are reviewed at least quarterly. The CCO is responsible for reviewing these transactions and holdings reports. The CCO’s personal securities transactions and reports shall be reviewed by the President or Chief Executive Officer.

 

Access persons are subject to the reporting requirements detailed above for personal accounts and all accounts in which they have any beneficial ownership in any reportable securities. For clarification, these terms are defined in this Code.

 

 

 

Small Advisers

 

If at any time KBC only has one access person, the person will not be required to submit reports but will maintain records of all holdings and transactions. It is assumed that all trades by the sole access person are reviewed as the trades are entered.

 

Certification of Compliance

 

Initial Certification

 

The firm is required to provide supervised persons and consultants with a copy of this Code. Supervised persons and consultants are to certify in writing via a KBC attestation statement (see Exhibit 1 and Exhibit 2) that they have: (a) received a copy of this Code; (b) read and understand all applicable provisions of this Code; and (c) agreed to comply with the applicable provisions of this Code.

 

Acknowledgement of Amendments

 

The firm must provide supervised persons and consultants with any amendments to this Code and supervised persons and consultants must submit a written acknowledgement that they have received, read, and understood the amendments to this Code.

 

Annual Certification

 

Supervised persons and consultants must annually certify via a KBC attestation statement that they have read, understood, and complied with this Code of Ethics and that the supervised person and consultant has made the reports required by this code and has not engaged in any prohibited conduct.

 

The CCO shall maintain records of these certifications of compliance. A template of an attestation statement is included as Exhibit 1 and Exhibit 2.

 

Reporting Violations and Whistleblower Provisions

 

Supervised persons and consultants must report violations of the firm’s Code of Ethics promptly to the CCO. If the CCO is involved in the violation or is unreachable, supervised persons and consultants may report directly to the CEO or other managing member of the firm. If a supervised person or consultant prefers he or she may also report violations of the firm’s Code of Ethics to KBC’s third-party compliance consultant, RIA-in-a-Box, by contacting Jametriss Boone at (904) 447-8019 or jboone@riainabox.com. Reports of violations will be treated confidentially to the extent permitted by law and investigated promptly and appropriately. Persons may report violations of the Code of Ethics on an anonymous basis. Examples of violations that must be reported include (but are not limited to):

 

 

 

Noncompliance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations;
Fraud or illegal acts involving any aspect of the firm’s business;
Material misstatements in regulatory filings, internal books and records, clients records or reports;
Activity that is harmful to clients, including fund shareholders (if applicable);
Deviations from required controls and procedures that safeguard clients and the firm; and
Violations of the firm’s Code of Ethics.

 

No retribution will be taken against a person for reporting, in good faith, a violation or suspected violation of this Code of Ethics.

 

Retaliation against an individual who reports a violation is prohibited and constitutes a further violation of the Code.

 

Compliance Officer Duties

 

Training and Education

 

CCO shall be responsible for training and educating supervised persons and consultants regarding this Code. Training will occur at least annually and as needed and supervised persons and consultants are required to attend any training sessions or read any applicable materials.

 

Recordkeeping

 

The CCO shall ensure that KBC maintains the following records in a readily accessible place:

 

A copy of each Code of Ethics that has been in effect at any time during the past five years;
A record of any violation of the Code and any action taken as a result of such violation for five years from the end of the fiscal year in which the violation occurred;
A record of written acknowledgements and/or attestation statements of receipt of the Code and amendments for each person who is currently, or within the past five years was, a supervised person or consultant. These records must be kept for five years after the individual ceases to be a supervised person or consultant of the firm;
Holdings and transactions reports made pursuant to the Code, including any brokerage confirmation and account statements made in lieu of these reports;
A list of the names of persons who are currently, or within the past five years were, access persons, supervised persons or consultants of the firm;

A record of any decision and supporting reasons for approving the acquisition of securities by access persons, supervised persons or consultants in Initial Public Offerings and limited offerings for at least five years after the end of the fiscal year in which approval was granted;
A record of any decisions that grant supervised persons or consultants a waiver from or exception to the Code.

 

 

 

Annual Review

 

CCO shall review at least annually the adequacy of this Code of Ethics and the effectiveness of its implementation and make any changes needed.

 

Sanctions

 

Any violations discovered by or reported to the CCO shall be reviewed and investigated promptly, and reported through the CCO to the CEO or other managing member(s) of the firm. Such report shall include the corrective action taken and any recommendation for disciplinary action deemed appropriate by the CCO. Such recommendation shall be based on, among other things, the severity of the infraction, whether it is a first or repeat offense, and whether it is part of a pattern of disregard for the letter and intent of this Code of Ethics. Upon recommendation of the CCO, the managing members of the firm who are not involved in the violation may impose such sanctions for violation of this Code of Ethics as they deem appropriate, including, but not limited to:

 

Letter of censure;
Suspension or termination of employment;
Reversal of a securities trade at the violator’s expense and risk, including disgorgement of any profit;
In serious cases, referral to law enforcement or regulatory authorities.