Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 14, 2020

 

1933 Act Registration File No. 033-20827

1940 Act Registration File No. 811-05518

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM N-1A

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 [ X ]
Pre-Effective Amendment No.     [     ]
Post-Effective Amendment No. 260   [ X ]

 

and/or

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 [ X ]
Amendment No. 264   [ X ]

 

(Check Appropriate Box or Boxes)

 

THE RBB FUND, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

615 East Michigan Street

Milwaukee, Wisconsin  53202

(Address of Principal Executive Offices, including Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: (609) 731-6256

Copies to:

 

SALVATORE FAIA MICHAEL P. MALLOY, ESQUIRE
The RBB Fund, Inc. Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
615 East Michigan Street, One Logan Square, Suite 2000
Milwaukee, Wisconsin  53202-5207 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103-6996

 

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

 

  [     ] immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
  [     ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (b)
  [     ] 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
  [     ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
  [ X ] 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
  [     ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485.

 

If appropriate, check the following box:

 

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

 

 

The information in this Prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This Prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted

 

Subject to Completion—Dated February 14, 2020

 

 

Summit Global Investments

Prospectus

 

SGI U.S. Large Cap Equity VI Portfolio
(Ticker: [  ])

 

[  ], 2020

 

of The RBB Fund, Inc.

 

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), paper copies of the Portfolio's annual and semi-annual shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports. 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 Portfolio electronically anytime by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or a bank).

 

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all portfolios held in your account if you invest through your financial intermediary.

 

This prospectus gives vital information about the SGI U.S. Large Cap Equity VI Portfolio (the "Portfolio"), an investment portfolio of The RBB Fund, Inc. (the "Company"), including information on investment policies, risks and fees. For your own benefit and protection, please read it before you invest and keep it on hand for future reference.

 

Shares of the Portfolio are offered to separate accounts of participating life insurance companies for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies. Shares of the Portfolio are not offered directly to the general public.

 

THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED IN THIS PROSPECTUS HAVE BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE SEC. THE SEC, HOWEVER, HAS NOT JUDGED THESE SECURITIES FOR THEIR INVESTMENT MERIT AND HAS NOT DETERMINED THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANYONE WHO TELLS YOU OTHERWISE IS COMMITTING A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

A look at the goals, strategies, risks and financial history of the Portfolio.
Details about the Portfolio's service providers.
Policies and instructions for opening, maintaining and closing an account in the Portfolio.

 

SUMMARY SECTION 1
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT  THE PORTFOLIO'S INVESTMENTS AND RISKS 6
MANAGEMENT OF THE PORTFOLIO 9
Investment Adviser 9
Portfolio Managers 9
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION 11
Pricing of Portfolio Shares 11
Market Timing 12
Purchase of Portfolio Shares 12
Redemption of Portfolio Shares 13
Voting Rights 16
Dividends and Distributions 14
Taxes 15
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 16
Appendix A — Prior Performance of Similarly Advised Account A-1
FOR MORE INFORMATION Back Cover

 

 

SUMMARY SECTION

 

U.S. Large Cap Equity VI Portfolio

 

Investment Objective

 

The SGI U.S. Large Cap Equity VI Portfolio (the "Portfolio") seeks to outperform the S&P 500®  Index over a market cycle while reducing overall volatility. There can be no guarantee that the Portfolio will achieve its investment objective.

 

Expenses and Fees

 

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Portfolio. This table does not reflect the fees and expenses associated with any variable annuity contract or variable life insurance policy that uses the Portfolio as an investment option. Had those fees and expenses been included, overall fees and expenses would be higher.

 

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 (as a percentage of amount redeemed, if applicable) 

None
   
Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)  
Management Fees  0.70%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees  None
Other Expenses (1)  0.20%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses  0.90%

 

 
(1)  "Other Expenses" are estimated for the current fiscal year.

 

Example:

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Portfolio with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. This Example does not reflect the fees and expenses associated with any variable annuity contract or variable life insurance policy that uses the Portfolio as an investment option. Had those fees and expenses been included, the costs shown below would be higher. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolio's operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

1 Year 3 Years
$[  ] $[  ]

1

 

Portfolio Turnover

 

The Portfolio 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 Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolio's performance. No portfolio turnover rate is provided for the Portfolio because the Portfolio had not commenced operations prior to the date of this Prospectus.

 

Principal Investment Strategies

 

Under normal circumstances, the Portfolio will invest at least 80% of its net assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities, primarily common stocks, of companies within the Russell 1000®  Index and S&P 500®  Index. The Portfolio's investments will generally consist of securities, which may include common stocks, preferred stocks, warrants to acquire common stock, and securities convertible into common stock. The Portfolio purchases equity securities traded in the U.S. on registered exchanges or the over-the-counter market. The Portfolio may also invest in other registered investment companies, including exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”).

 

Summit Global Investments, LLC (the "Adviser") attempts to lower the Portfolio’s market risk by investing in U.S. equity securities that lower the overall volatility of the Portfolio’s portfolio as compared to the S&P 500®  Index. Volatility is a statistical measurement of the magnitude of up and down fluctuations in the value of a financial instrument or index. The Portfolio invests in stocks that often exhibit less volatile stock price patterns, strengthening business metrics (i.e., earnings, debt, return on assets, competition, customers, industry, etc.) and quantitative factors such as earnings variability, leverage, volatility, price/book, price/cash flow, etc. In addition, the Adviser reviews the idiosyncratic risks associated with each stock if these risks are deemed elevated with increased downside risks, due to environmental, social and/or governance ("ESG") issues. The Adviser selects securities for the Portfolio that it anticipates will produce a portfolio with less volatility with more capital protection and consistent returns. While the Adviser attempts to manage the Portfolio’s volatility, there is no guarantee that the strategy will be successful or that the Portfolio’s portfolio will not experience periods of volatility.

 

The Portfolio may sell a stock if the Adviser identifies fundamental, ESG, or legal risks and/or if the risk/return ranking declines due to increasing risk and/or decreasing return potential. The Portfolio may also decrease weight in an investment for risk control purposes.

 

Principal Risks

 

Loss of money is a risk of investing in the Portfolio. The value of your investment in the Portfolio, as well as the amount of return you receive on your investment, may fluctuate significantly from day to day and over time. You may lose part or all of your investment in the Portfolio or your investment may not perform as well as other similar investments. The Portfolio's principal risks are presented in alphabetical order to facilitate finding particular risks and comparing them with other funds. Each risk summarized below is considered a “principal risk” of investing in the Portfolio, regardless of the order in which it appears. Different risks may be more significant at different times depending on market conditions or other factors.

 

Common Stock Risk. Investments in common stocks are subject to market, economic and business risks that will cause their price to fluctuate over time. Therefore, an investment in the Portfolio may be more suitable for long-term investors who can bear the risk of these fluctuations. In the event an issuer is liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the claims of owners of bonds and preferred stock take precedence over the claims of those who own common stock.

 

Convertible Securities Risk. Securities that can be converted into common stock, such as certain securities and preferred stock, are subject to the usual risks associated with fixed income investments, such as interest rate risk and credit risk. In addition, because they react to changes in the value of the equity securities into which they will convert, convertible securities are also subject to the risks associated with equity securities.

2

 

Cyber Security Risk. Cyber security risk is the risk of an unauthorized breach and access to Portfolio assets, Portfolio or customer data (including private shareholder information), or proprietary information, or the risk of an incident occurring that causes the Portfolio, the Adviser, custodian, transfer agent, distributor and other service providers and financial intermediaries to suffer data breaches, data corruption or lose operational functionality or prevent Portfolio investors from purchasing, redeeming or exchanging shares or receiving distributions. The Portfolio and its investment adviser have limited ability to prevent or mitigate cyber security incidents affecting third-party service providers. Successful cyber-attacks or other cyber-failures or events affecting the Portfolio or its service providers may adversely impact and cause financial losses to the Portfolio or its shareholders.

 

Environmental, Social and Governance Investing Risk. ESG investing risk is the risk stemming from the environmental, social and governance factors that the Portfolio applies in selecting securities. The Portfolio intends to invest in companies with measurable high ESG ratings relative to their sector peers, and screen out particular companies that do not meet its ESG criteria. This may affect the Portfolio’s exposure to certain companies or industries and cause the Portfolio to forego certain investment opportunities. The Portfolio’s results may be lower than other funds that do not seek to invest in companies based on ESG ratings and/or screen out certain companies or industries. The Portfolio seeks to identify companies that it believes may have a societal impact outcome, but investors may differ in their views of what constitutes positive or negative societal impact outcomes. As a result, the Portfolio may invest in companies that do not reflect the beliefs and values of any particular investor.

 

High Portfolio Turnover Risk. The risk that when investing on a shorter-term basis, the Portfolio may 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 of the Portfolio. A portfolio turnover rate of 100% is considered to be high. The Portfolio's portfolio turnover rate is expected to vary from year to year. The Adviser may engage in active trading, and will not consider portfolio turnover a limiting factor in making decisions for the Portfolio.

 

Investment Companies and ETFs Risk. Investing in other investment companies, including ETFs, may result in duplication of expenses, including advisory fees, in addition to the Portfolio’s own expenses. The risk of owning an investment company or ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying investments the investment company or ETF holds. The Portfolio may incur brokerage fees in connection with its purchase of ETF shares. Certain ETFs maybe thinly traded and experience large spreads between the "ask" price quoted by a seller and the "bid" price offered by a buyer.

 

Large-Cap Companies Risk. The stocks of large capitalization companies as a group could fall out of favor with the market, causing the Portfolio to underperform investments that focus solely on small- or medium- capitalization stocks.

 

Low Volatility Risk. Although subject to the risks of common stocks, low volatility stocks are seen as having a lower risk profile than the overall markets. However, a portfolio comprised of low volatility stocks may not produce investment exposure that has lower variability to changes in such stocks' price levels. Investing in low volatility stocks may limit the Portfolio's gains in rising markets.

 

Management Risk. The Portfolio is subject to the risk of poor stock selection. In other words, the individual stocks in the Portfolio may not perform as well as expected, and/or the Portfolio's portfolio management practices may not work to achieve their desired result.

3

 

Market Risk. The net asset value ("NAV") of the Portfolio will change with changes in the market value of its portfolio positions. Investors may lose money. Although the Portfolio will invest in stocks the Adviser believes will produce less volatility, there is no guarantee that the stocks will perform as expected.

 

Mid-Cap Companies Risk. The stocks of mid-sized companies may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than stocks of larger, more established companies.

 

New Portfolio Risk. The Portfolio is new with no operating history and there can be no assurance that the Portfolio will grow to or maintain an economically viable size.

 

Opportunity Risk. As with all mutual funds, the Portfolio is subject to the risk of missing out on an opportunity because the assets necessary to take advantage of it are tied up in less advantageous investments.

 

Warrants Risk. The purchase of warrants involves the risk that the Portfolio could lose the purchase value of a warrant if the right to subscribe to additional shares is not executed prior to the warrant's expiration. Also, the purchase of warrants involves the risk that the effective price paid for the warrant added to the subscription price of the related security may exceed the value of the subscribed security's market price such as when there is no movement in the level of the underlying security.

 

Performance Information

 

Performance information for the Portfolio is not included because the Portfolio had not commenced operations prior to the date of this prospectus. Performance information will be available once the Portfolio has at least one calendar year of performance. Updated performance information may be obtained at www.sgiam.com or by calling 1-855-744-8500.

 

Management of the Portfolio

 

Investment Adviser

 

Summit Global Investments, LLC

 

Portfolio Managers

 

Name Title with Adviser Tenure with the Portfolio
David Harden President and Portfolio Manager Since Inception in 2020
Matthew Hanna Portfolio Manager Since Inception in 2020
Aash Shah Portfolio Manager Since Inception in 2020

 

Purchase and Sale of Portfolio Shares

 

Portfolio shares are not sold directly to the public. Portfolio shares may be purchased and redeemed by separate accounts that fund variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts issued by participating insurance companies. Orders received from separate accounts to purchase or redeem Portfolio shares are effected on business days. Individual investors may purchase or redeem Portfolio shares indirectly through variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies offered through the separate accounts.

 

Tax Information

 

Provided that the Portfolio and separate accounts investing in the Portfolio satisfy applicable tax requirements, the Portfolio will not be subject to federal tax, and the separate accounts will not be taxable on distributions from, or gains with respect to, the Portfolio. Special tax rules apply to life insurance companies, variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance contracts. For information on federal income taxation of owners of variable annuity or variable life insurance contracts, see the prospectus for the applicable contract.

4

 

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

 

The Portfolio may pay participating insurance companies and securities dealers for the sale of Portfolio shares and other related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the insurance company and your salesperson to recommend the Portfolio over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your insurance company’s website for more information.

5

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PORTFOLIO’S INVESTMENTS AND RISKS

 

 

This section provides some additional information about the Portfolio's investments and certain portfolio management techniques that the Portfolio may use. More information about the Portfolio's investments and portfolio management techniques, and related risks, is included in the SAI.

 

Investment Objectives

 

The Portfolio's investment objective may be changed by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Company without shareholder approval. Shareholders will, however, receive 60 days' prior notice of any changes. Any such changes may result in the Portfolio having an investment objective different from the objective that the shareholder considered appropriate at the time of investment in the Portfolio.

 

The Portfolio invests in stocks that exhibit lower volatile stock price patterns strengthening business metrics and quantitative factors that the Adviser anticipates will produce lower volatility. The Portfolio may sell a stock if it no longer meets one or more investment criteria, including if the Adviser identifies fundamental, ESG or legal risks or if the risk/return ranking declines due to increasing risk and/or decreasing return potential.

 

Portfolio Composition

 

The Portfolio has a policy to invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities, primarily common stocks, of companies within the Russell 1000®  Index and S&P 500®  Index (for this paragraph only, the "80% Policy"). The 80% Policy is non-fundamental and can be changed by the Board upon 60 days' prior notice to shareholders. The Portfolio must comply with its 80% Policy at the time the Portfolio invests its assets. Accordingly, when the Portfolio no longer meets the 80% requirement as a result of circumstances beyond its control, such as changes in the value of portfolio holdings, it would not have to sell its holdings, but any new investments it makes would be consistent with its 80% Policy.

 

Additional Information About the Portfolio's Principal Investments and Risks

 

Borrowing. The Portfolio may borrow money for temporary or emergency (not leveraging) purposes. The Portfolio will not make any additional investments while borrowings exceed 5% of its total assets.

 

Convertible Securities. Convertible securities have characteristics of both equity and fixed income securities. The value of a convertible security tends to move with the market value of the underlying stock, but may also be affected by interest rates, the credit quality of the issuer and any call provisions. In particular, when interest rates rise, fixed income securities will decline in value.

 

Cyber Security Risk. With the increased use of technologies such as the internet to conduct business, the Portfolio is susceptible to operational, information security and related risks. In general, cyber incidents can result from deliberate attacks or unintentional events. Cyber-attacks include, but are not limited to, gaining unauthorized access to digital systems (e.g., through "hacking" or malicious software coding) for purposes of misappropriating assets or sensitive information, corrupting data, or causing operational disruption. Cyber-attacks may also be carried out in a manner that does not require gaining unauthorized access, such as causing denial-of-service attacks on websites (i.e., efforts to make network services unavailable to intended users). Cyber security failures or breaches by the Portfolio's Adviser and other service providers (including, but not limited to, portfolio accountant, custodian, transfer agent and administrator), and the issuers of securities in which the Portfolio invests, have the ability to cause disruptions and impact business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses, interference with the Portfolio's ability to calculate its NAV, impediments to trading, the inability of Portfolio shareholders to transact business, violations of applicable privacy and other laws, regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs, or additional compliance costs. In addition, substantial costs may be incurred in order to prevent any cyber incidents in the future. While the Adviser has established business continuity plans in the event of, and risk management systems to prevent, such cyber-attacks, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems including the possibility that certain risks have not been identified. Furthermore, the Portfolio cannot control the cyber security plans and systems put in place by service providers to the Portfolio and issuers in which the Portfolio invests. The Portfolio and its shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result.

6

 

ESG Investing Risk. ESG investing risk is the risk stemming from the ESG factors that the Portfolio applies in selecting securities. The Portfolio intends to invest in companies with measurable high ESG ratings relative to their sector peers, and screen out particular companies that do not meet their ESG criteria. This may affect the Portfolio's exposure to certain companies or industries and cause the Portfolio to forego certain investment opportunities. The Portfolio's results may be lower than other funds that do not seek to invest in companies based on ESG ratings and/or screen out certain companies or industries. The Portfolio seeks to identify companies that it believes may have a societal impact outcome, but investors may differ in their views of what constitutes positive or negative societal impact outcomes. As a result, the Portfolio may invest in companies that do not reflect the beliefs and values of any particular investor.

 

Equity and Equity-Related Securities. The Portfolio will invest in equity securities as part of its principal investment strategies, including exchange-traded and over-the-counter common and preferred stocks, warrants and convertible securities. Investments in equity securities are subject to market risks that may cause their prices to fluctuate over time. The value of a convertible security may not increase or decrease as rapidly as the underlying common stock. Common stocks may decline over short or even extended periods of time. The purchase of warrants involves the risk that the Portfolio could lose the purchase value of a warrant if the right to subscribe to additional shares is not executed prior to the warrant's expiration. The value of such securities convertible into equity securities, such as warrants or convertible debt, is also affected by prevailing interest rates, the credit quality of the issuer and any call provision. The market value of a portfolio holding may fluctuate, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. The prices of equity securities change in response to many factors, including the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer, the value of its assets, general economic conditions, interest rates, investor perceptions and market liquidity. Decreases in market value of the Portfolio's portfolio securities could adversely affect the Portfolio's NAV.

 

Mid-Cap Companies. The Portfolio may invest in mid-cap company securities as part of its principal investment strategies. Investing in securities of companies with mid-sized capitalizations tends to be riskier than investing in securities of companies with large capitalizations. Securities of companies with mid-sized capitalizations tend to be more volatile than those of large cap companies and, on occasion, may fluctuate in the opposite direction of large cap company securities or the broader stock market averages.

 

Other Investment Companies and ETFs. The Portfolio may invest up to 10% of its total assets in the securities of other investment companies and ETFs not affiliated with the Adviser, but may not invest more than 5% of its total assets in the securities of any one investment company or acquire more than 3% of the voting securities of any other investment company. Among other things, the Portfolio may invest in money market mutual funds for cash management purposes by "sweeping" excess cash balances into such funds until the cash is invested or otherwise utilized. Rule 12d1-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), permits the Portfolio to invest an unlimited amount of its uninvested cash in a money market fund so long as, among other things, said investment is consistent with the Portfolio's investment objectives and policies. The Portfolio will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any management fees and other expenses paid by investment companies in which it invests in addition to the advisory and administration fees paid by the Portfolio.

 

Portfolio Turnover. The Portfolio may engage in active and frequent trading, resulting in high portfolio turnover. This may lead to the realization and distribution to shareholders of higher capital gains, increasing their tax liability. Frequent trading may also increase transaction costs, which could detract from the Portfolio's performance.

7

 

Temporary Investments. The Portfolio may depart from its principal investment strategy in response to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions by taking a temporary defensive position (up to 100% of its assets) in cash, cash equivalents and all types of money market and short-term debt securities. The value of money market instruments tends to fall when current interest rates rise. Money market instruments are generally less sensitive to interest rate changes than longer-term securities. If the Portfolio were to take a temporary defensive position, it may be unable to achieve its investment objective for a period of time.

 

Broad-Based Securities Market Index

 

The S&P 500®  Index is an unmanaged index composed of 500 common stocks, classified in eleven industry sectors, which represent approximately 75% of the U.S. equities market. The S&P 500®  Index assigns relative values to the stocks included in the index, weighted according to each stock's total market value relative to the total market value of the other stocks included in the index.

 

Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings

 

A description of the Company's policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Portfolio's portfolio securities is available in the SAI. The SAI is incorporated herein.

8

 

MANAGEMENT OF THE PORTFOLIO

 

Investment Adviser

 

The Adviser's principal address is 620 South Main Street, Bountiful, Utah 84010. The Adviser provides investment management and investment advisory services to investment companies and other institutional accounts. The Adviser is 100% privately-owned, and was founded in 2010.

 

Pursuant to an investment advisory agreement with the Company, the Adviser is entitled to an advisory fee computed daily and payable monthly at the annual rate of 0.70% of the Portfolio's net assets. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive management fees and reimburse expenses through [ ], 2021 to the extent that Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) of the Portfolio exceed 0.98% of the Portfolio's average daily net assets.

 

In determining the Adviser's obligation to waive advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses with respect to the Portfolio, the following expenses are not taken into account and could cause net Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses to exceed 0.98%: acquired fund fees and expenses, short sale dividend expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes. This contractual limitation may not be terminated before [ ], 2021 without the approval of the Board. If at any time the Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses for that year are less than 0.98%, the Adviser is entitled to reimbursement by the Portfolio of the advisory fees forgone and other payments remitted by the Adviser to the Portfolio within three years from the date on which such waiver or reimbursement was made, provided such reimbursement does not cause the Portfolio to exceed expense limitations that were in effect at the time of the waiver or reimbursement.

 

A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the investment advisory agreement for the Portfolio with the Adviser will be available in the Portfolio’s next Semi-Annual or Annual Report to Shareholders.

 

Portfolio Managers

 

The President of the Adviser, David Harden, is primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Portfolio's investment portfolio. Mr. Harden founded the Adviser in 2010, and has managed the Portfolio since its inception in 2020. He started his career in 1993 and has worked for such firms as Fidelity Investments, Wellington Management and Evergreen Investments. From 2007 to 2012, Mr. Harden worked with Ensign Peak Advisors, Inc., most recently as Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager, where he managed and oversaw day-to-day research, portfolio management and trading for all index, quantitative and low volatility strategies.

Matthew Hanna is a Portfolio Manager of the Adviser and is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Portfolio’s investment portfolio. Mr. Hanna joined the Adviser in 2017 as a Portfolio Manager.  At the Adviser, Mr. Hanna focuses on all aspects of the investment process with a primary focus on quantitative investment management.  Some of Mr. Hanna’s key responsibilities are factor research, optimization methodologies, asset allocation, and portfolio risk management. Mr. Hanna was previously employed at Raymond James for over 10 years in the Asset Management Services. Mr. Hanna’s role as an officer involved leading research on asset allocation, risk management, and global market analysis on over $35 billion. Mr. Hanna earned his Master of Science in Finance from the University of Tampa. He is a CFA Charterholder, Certified FRM, and CAIA Charterholder.

 

Aash Shah is a Portfolio Manager of the Adviser and is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Portfolio’s investment portfolio. Mr. Shah joined the Adviser in 2017 as a Portfolio Manager.  Mr. Shah has over 26 years of investment management experience including over 21 years as a portfolio manager. Previously, Mr. Shah managed small, mid, and large cap funds for Federated Investors in both New York City and Pittsburgh. Mr. Shah also managed private client portfolios for Key Bank in Denver prior to joining the Adviser. Mr. Shah has a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering and an MBA in Finance and Accounting from the Tepper School at Carnegie Mellon University. He also holds a CFA charter.

9

 

The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers' compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers and the portfolio managers’ ownership of shares of the Portfolio.

10

 

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

 

Pricing of Portfolio Shares

 

The Portfolio's shares are priced at its NAV. The NAV per Share of the Portfolio is calculated as follows:

 

    Value of Assets Attributable to the Portfolio  
  NAV = -Value of Liabilities Attributable to the Portfolio  
    Number of Outstanding Shares of the Portfolio  

 

The Portfolio's NAV is calculated once daily at the close of regular trading hours on the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day the NYSE is open. The NYSE is generally open Monday through Friday, except national holidays. The NYSE also may be closed on national days of mourning or due to natural disaster or other extraordinary events or emergency. The Portfolio will effect purchases and redemptions of shares at the NAV next calculated after receipt by the Transfer Agent of your purchase order or redemption request in good order as described below. If the Portfolio holds securities that are primarily listed on non-U.S. exchanges, the NAV of the Portfolio's shares may change on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or redeem the Portfolio's shares.

 

The Portfolio's equity securities listed on any national or foreign exchange market system will be valued at the last sale price, except for the National Association of Securities Dealers Automatic Quotation System ("NASDAQ"). Equity securities listed on the NASDAQ will be valued at the official closing price. Equity securities traded in the over-the-counter market are valued at their closing prices. If there were no transactions on that day, equity securities will be valued at the mean of the last bid and ask prices prior to the market close. Fixed income securities are valued using an independent pricing service, which considers such factors as security prices, yields, maturities and ratings, and deemed representative of market values at the close of the market.

 

Investments in other open-end investment companies are valued based on the NAV of those investment companies (which may use fair value pricing as discussed in their prospectuses). Investments in exchange-traded and closed-end funds will be valued at their market price.

 

If market quotations are unavailable or deemed unreliable by the Portfolio's administrator, in consultation with the Adviser, securities will be valued by the Adviser in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board and under the Board’s ultimate supervision. Relying on prices supplied by pricing services or dealers or using fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Portfolio to price its investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other investment companies and investors to price the same investments.

11

 

Market Timing

 

In accordance with the policy adopted by its Board, the Company discourages and does not accommodate market timing and other excessive trading practices. Purchases should be made with a view to longer-term investment only. Excessive short-term (market timing) trading practices may disrupt portfolio management strategies, increase brokerage and administrative costs, harm Portfolio performance and result in dilution in the value of Portfolio shares held by long-term shareholders. The Company and the Adviser reserve the right to (i) reject a purchase or exchange order, (ii) delay payment of immediate cash redemption proceeds for up to seven calendar days, (iii) revoke a shareholder's privilege to purchase Portfolio shares (including exchanges), or (iv) limit the amount of any exchange involving the purchase of Portfolio shares. An investor may receive notice that their purchase order or exchange has been rejected after the day the order is placed or after acceptance by a financial intermediary. It is currently expected that a shareholder would receive notice that its purchase order or exchange has been rejected within 48 hours after such purchase order or exchange has been received by the Company in good order. The Company and the Adviser will not be liable for any loss resulting from rejected purchase orders. To minimize harm to the Company and its shareholders (or the Adviser), the Company (or the Adviser) will exercise its right if, in the Company's (or the Adviser's) judgment, an investor has a history of excessive trading or if an investor's trading, in the judgment of the Company (or the Adviser), has been or may be disruptive to the Portfolio. No waivers of the provisions of the policy established to detect and deter market timing and other excessive trading activity are permitted that would harm the Portfolio and its shareholders or would subordinate the interests of the Portfolio and its shareholders to those of the Adviser or any affiliated person or associated person of the Adviser.

 

Portfolio shares are generally held through omnibus arrangements maintained by participating insurance companies or other intermediaries. There is no assurance that the Adviser will be able to identify market timers, particularly if they are investing through intermediaries.

 

If necessary, the Company may prohibit additional purchases of Portfolio shares by a financial intermediary or by certain customers of the financial intermediary. Financial intermediaries may also monitor their customers' trading activities in the Portfolio. The criteria used by intermediaries to monitor for excessive trading may differ from the criteria used by the Company. If a financial intermediary fails to enforce the Company's excessive trading policies, the Company may take certain actions, including terminating the relationship.

 

Purchase of Portfolio Shares

 

General. Shares of the Portfolio are not sold directly to the public. Instead, Portfolio shares are sold to separate accounts that fund variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts issued by participating insurance companies. You may purchase or sell (redeem) shares of the Portfolio through variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies offered through separate accounts. The variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies are described in the separate prospectuses issued by the participating insurance companies. You should refer to those prospectuses for information on how to purchase a variable annuity contract or variable life insurance policy, how to select the Portfolio as an investment option for your contract or policy and how to redeem monies from the Portfolio.

 

The separate accounts of the participating insurance companies place orders to purchase and redeem shares of the Portfolio based on, among other things, the amount of premium payments to be invested and the amount of surrender and transfer requests (as defined in the prospectus describing the variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies issued by the participating insurance companies) to be effected on that day pursuant to variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies.

 

Shares of the Portfolio may be purchased by separate accounts of both affiliated and unaffiliated participating insurance companies in order to fund both variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts, and also may be purchased by qualified plans. This may present certain conflicts of interests among variable annuity owners, variable life insurance policy owners and plan investors. The Board will monitor the Company for the existence of any materials irreconcilable conflict of interest. The Company currently does not foresee any disadvantages to the holders of variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies arising from the fact that interests of the holders of variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies may differ due to differences of tax treatment or other considerations or due to conflicts among the participating insurance companies. If, however, a material irreconcilable conflict arises between the holders of variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies of participating insurance companies, a participating insurance company may be required to withdraw the assets allocable to some or all of the separate accounts from the Portfolio. Any such withdrawal could disrupt orderly portfolio management to the potential detriment of such holders.

12

 

The Portfolio does not currently anticipate offering shares directly to qualified pension and profit-sharing plans.

 

Good Order. A purchase request is considered to be in good order when all necessary information is provided and all required documents are properly completed, signed and delivered. Purchase requests not in good order may be delayed. Purchase orders received by the Transfer Agent in good order will be executed at the Portfolio’s next determined NAV.

 

Other Purchase Information. The Company reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to suspend the offering of shares or to reject purchase orders when, in the judgment of management, such suspension or rejection is in the best interests of the Portfolio. The Adviser will monitor the Portfolio’s total assets and may decide to close the Portfolio at any time to new investments or to new accounts due to concerns that a significant increase in the size of the Portfolio may adversely affect the implementation of the Portfolio’s strategy. Subject to the Board’s discretion, the Adviser may also choose to reopen the Portfolio to new investments at any time and may subsequently close the Portfolio again should concerns regarding the Portfolio’s size recur. If thye Portfolio closes to new investments, the Portfolio would be offered only to certain existing shareholders of the Portfolio.

 

Distributions to all shareholders of the Portfolio will be reinvested unless a shareholder elects otherwise. The Adviser reserves the right to implement other purchases limitations at the time of closing, including limitations on current shareholders.

 

Redemption of Portfolio Shares

 

General. Redemption requests may be placed by separate accounts of participating insurance companies. Redemption requests are effected at the NAV next calculated after receipt of the redemption request by the Transfer Agent in good order. The Portfolio’s NAV is calculated once daily at the close of regular trading hours on the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day the NYSE is open. Shares of the Portfolio can be redeemed only on days the NYSE is open. Redemptions by wire are charged a transaction fee of $15. 

 

Other Redemption Information. Payment of the redemption proceeds will be made within seven days after receipt of an order for a redemption. The Company may suspend the right of redemption or postpone the date at times when the NYSE is closed or under any emergency circumstances as determined by the SEC. The Portfolio typically expects to meet redemption requests by paying out proceeds from cash or cash equivalent portfolio holdings, or by selling portfolio securities. In stressed market conditions, redemption methods may include redeeming in kind.

 

If the Board determines that it would be detrimental to the best interests of the remaining shareholders of the Portfolio to make payment wholly or partly in cash, redemption proceeds may be paid in whole or in part by an in-kind distribution of readily marketable securities held by the Portfolio instead of cash in conformity with applicable rules of the SEC and the Company’s Policy and Procedure Related to the Processing of In-Kind Redemptions. If a shareholder receives redemption proceeds in-kind, the shareholders will bear the market risk of the securities received in the redemption until their disposition and should expect to incur transaction costs upon the disposition of the securities. The Company has elected, however, to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, so that the Portfolio is obligated to redeem its shares solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the Portfolio’s NAV during any 90-day period for any one shareholder of the Portfolio.

13

 

Good Order. A redemption request is considered to be in good order when all necessary information is provided and all required documents are properly completed, signed and delivered. Redemption requests not in good order may be delayed. Redemption orders received by the Transfer Agent in good order will be executed at the Portfolio’s next determined NAV.

 

Voting Rights

 

Participating insurance companies, not the owners of the variable annuity contracts or variable life insurance policies or participants therein, are shareholders of the Portfolio. To the extent required by law:

 

●       The participating insurance companies will vote Portfolio shares held in the separate accounts in a manner consistent with timely voting instructions received from the holders of variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies.

 

●       The participating insurance companies will vote Portfolio shares held in the separate accounts for which no timely instructions are received from the holders of variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies, as well as shares they own, in the same proportion as those shares for which voting instructions are received.

 

As a result of proportional voting, a small number of holders of variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies could determine the outcome of a proposition subject to shareholder vote. It is anticipated that Portfolio shares held by unregistered separate accounts or qualified plans generally will be voted for or against any proposition in the same proportion as all other Portfolio shares are voted unless the unregistered separate account’s participating insurance company or the plan makes other arrangements.

 

Additional information concerning voting rights of the participants in the separate accounts is more fully set forth in the prospectus relating to those accounts issued by the participating insurance companies.

 

Dividends and Distributions

 

The Portfolio will distribute substantially all of its net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, to its shareholders. All distributions are reinvested in the form of additional full and fractional shares unless a shareholder elects otherwise.

 

The Portfolio will declare and pay dividends from net investment income annually. Net realized capital gains (including net short-term capital gains), if any, will be distributed at least annually.

 

The ex-dividend, record and payable dates of any annual distribution will be available by calling 855-744-8500.

 

All distributions are reinvested in the form of additional full and fractional Portfolio shares unless you elect one the following options: (1) receive dividends in cash while reinvesting capital gain distributions in additional Portfolio shares; (2) receive capital gain distributions in cash while reinvesting dividends in additional Portfolio shares; or (3) receive all distributions in cash. If you elect to receive distributions and/or capital gains paid in cash, and the U.S. Postal Service cannot deliver the check, or if a check remains outstanding for six months, the Portfolio reserves the right to reinvest the distribution check in your account, at the Portfolio's current NAV, and to reinvest all subsequent distributions. You may change the distribution option on your account as any time. You should notify the Transfer Agent in writing or by telephone at least five (5) days prior to the next distribution.

14

 

Taxes

 

The Portfolio is treated as a separate corporate entity for federal tax purposes. The Portfolio has elected to be treated as a regulated investment company and intends to qualify for such treatment for each taxable year under Subchapter M of Subtitle A, Chapter 1, of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). In addition, the Portfolio intends to qualify under the Code with respect to the diversification requirements related to variable contracts. Provided that the Portfolio and a separate account investing in the Portfolio satisfy applicable tax requirements, the Portfolio will not be subject to federal tax, and the separate accounts will not be taxable on distributions from, or gains with respect to, the Portfolio.

 

Persons investing in variable annuity or variable life insurance contracts should refer to the prospectuses with respect to such contracts for further information regarding the tax treatment of the contracts and the separate accounts in which the contracts are invested.

 

Additional Information

 

NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR IN THE PORTFOLIO'S SAI INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE, IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING MADE BY THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR ITS DISTRIBUTOR. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFERING BY THE COMPANY OR BY THE DISTRIBUTOR IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFERING MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE.

15

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

No financial highlights are presented because the Portfolio had not commenced investment operations prior to the date of this Prospectus.

16

 

Appendix A PRIOR PERFORMANCE OF SIMILARILY ADVISED ACCOUNT

 

The following performance information is of the SGI U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund, an investment portfolio of the Company (the “Fund”). The Adviser serves as investment adviser to both the Portfolio and the Fund. The Portfolio and the Fund also share the same portfolio managers. The Portfolio’s portfolio will be managed substantially similarly to that of the Fund and therefore the following performance information below indicates some of the risks of investing in the Portfolio.

 

The chart below illustrates the long-term performance of the Fund. The information shows you how the Fund’s performance has varied year by year and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund, and therefore the Portfolio. The performance for the Portfolio would differ from the information below only to the extent that the Portfolio and the Fund do not have the same expenses. If the fees and expenses imposed by the investment vehicle through which an investment in the Portfolio is made were reflected, they would reduce returns. The chart assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Past performance (before and after taxes) does not necessarily indicate how the Fund or the Portfolio will perform in the future.

 

TOTAL RETURNS FOR THE CALENDAR YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31*

 

 

 
* The returns in the bar chart are for Class I Shares.

 

Best and Worst Quarterly Performance (for the period reflected in the chart above):

 

Best Quarter: [  ]% (quarter ended [  ])

Worst Quarter: [  ]% (quarter ended [  ])

 

Year-to-date total return for the three months ended March 31, 2020: [ ]%

A-1

 

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS

 

The following table compares the Fund's Class I Shares average annual total returns for the periods indicated to the average annual total returns of a broad-based securities market index for the same periods. Past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indicator of how the Fund will perform in the future.

 

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS FOR THE PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019

 

U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund 1 Year 5 Years Since Inception
Class I Shares*     [  ]
Return Before Taxes [  ] [  ] [  ]
Return After Taxes on Distributions(1)  [  ] [  ] [  ]
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares(1)  [  ] [  ] [  ]

S&P 500®  Index (reflects reinvestment of dividends and no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)

[  ] [  ] [  ]

 

 
(1)  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 Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts ("IRAs"). [In certain cases, the figure representing “Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares ” may be higher than the other return figures for the same period, since a higher after-tax return results when a capital loss occurs upon redemption and provides an assumed tax deduction that benefits the investor.]

 

* Class I Shares of the Fund commenced operations on February 29, 2012.

A-2

 

PRIVACY NOTICE

 

FACTS WHAT DO THE SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS FUNDS 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

●      account balances

●      account transactions

●      transaction history

●      wire transfer instructions

●      checking account information

 

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 customers' 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 Summit Global Investments Funds chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

Reasons we can share your information

Do the Summit Global Investments Funds share?

Can you limit this sharing?

For our everyday business purpose —

 

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

Yes

No

For joint marketing with other financial companies Yes No

For affiliates’ everyday business purposes —

 

information about your transactions and experiences

Yes

No

For affiliates’ everyday business purposes —

 

information about your creditworthiness

No

We don't share

For our affiliates to market to you No We don't share
For nonaffiliates to market to you No We don't share

 

Questions? Call 1-888-251-4847 or go to www.sgiam.com

 

 

What we do    
How do the Summit Global Investments Funds 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.  
How do the Summit Global Investments Funds 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 a wire transfer

●      tell us where to send the money

 

We also collect your information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or 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.

 

●      Our affiliates include Summit Global Investments, LLC, the investment adviser to the SGI U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund, SGI U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund, SGI Global Equity Fund and SGI U.S. Large Cap Equity VI Portfolio.

 
Nonaffiliates

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

and nonfinancial companies.

 

●      SGI U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund, SGI U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund, SGI Global Equity Fund, and SGI U.S. Large Cap Equity VI Portfolio don't 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.

 

●      SGI U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund, SGI U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund, SGI Global Equity Fund, and SGI U.S. Large Cap Equity VI Portfolio may share your information with other financial institutions with whom they have joint marketing arrangements who may suggest additional fund services or other investment products which may be of interest to you. We do not currently have any joint marketing arrangements with other financial institutions.

 

 

 

SGI U.S. LARGE CAP EQUITY VI PORTFOLIO

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

 

This Prospectus contains important information you should know before you invest. Read it carefully and keep it for future reference. More information about the Portfolio is available free of charge, upon request, including:

 

Annual/Semi-Annual Reports:

 

As of the date of this Prospectus, annual and semi-annual reports for the Portfolio are not yet available as the Portfolio had not commenced operations. The annual and semi-annual reports will provide additional information about the Portfolio’s investments, as well as the most recent financial reports and portfolio listings. The annual report will contain a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that affected the Portfolio’s performance during the last fiscal year.

 

Statement of Additional Information:

 

The Portfolio's SAI, dated [  ], 2020, has been filed with the SEC. The SAI, which includes additional information about the Portfolio, along with the Portfolio's annual and semi-annual reports, once available, will be available on the Adviser's website at www.sgiam.com or may be obtained free of charge by calling 855-744-8500. The SAI, as supplemented from time to time, is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and is legally considered a part of this Prospectus.

 

Shareholder Account Service Representatives:

 

Representatives are available to discuss account balance information, mutual fund prospectuses, literature, programs and services available. Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Eastern time) Monday-Friday. Call: 855-744-8500.

 

Purchases and Redemptions:

 

Call your registered representative or 855-744-8500.

 

Written Correspondence

 

Post Office Address:

Summit Global Investments Funds

c/o U.S. Bank Global Fund Services

PO Box 701

Milwaukee, WI 53201-0701

Street Address:

Summit Global Investments Funds

c/o U.S. Bank Global Fund Services

615 East Michigan Street

Milwaukee, WI 53202

 

Securities and Exchange Commission:

 

You may view and copy information about the Company and the Portfolio, including the SAI, by visiting the EDGAR Database on the SEC's Internet site at www.sec.gov. You may also obtain copies of Portfolio documents by paying a duplicating fee and sending an electronic request to the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov.

 

INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT FILE NO. 811-05518

 

SGI-001

 

 

The information in this Statement of Additional Information is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This Statement of Additional Information is not an offer to sell securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to Completion—Dated February 14, 2020

 

 

 

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

SGI U.S. LARGE CAP EQUITY VI PORTFOLIO

 

Ticker Symbol: [ ]

 

[ ], 2020

 

Investment Adviser:

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS, LLC (the “Adviser”)

 

a series of THE RBB FUND, INC

 

This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) provides supplementary information pertaining to the SGI U.S. Large Cap Equity VI Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) of The RBB Fund, Inc. (the “Company”). This SAI is not a prospectus and should be read only in conjunction with the Portfolio's Prospectus dated [ ], 2020 (the “Prospectus”). Investors in the Portfolio will be informed of the Portfolio’s progress through periodic reports. Financial statements certified by an independent registered public accounting firm will be submitted to shareholders at least annually. Since the Portfolio had not commenced operations prior to the date of this SAI, financial statements are not currently available. The Annual Report for this Portfolio will become available after the Portfolio has commenced investment operations and has completed its first fiscal year. Copies of the Prospectus and Annual and Semi-Annual Reports, when available, may be obtained free of charge by calling toll-free 855-744-8500.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES 1
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RISKS 1
NON-PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RISKS 6
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS 15
DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS 17
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER 18
MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY 18
CODE OF ETHICS 26
PROXY VOTING 26
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES 27
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES 27
INVESTMENT ADVISER 27
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS 28
ADMINISTRATION AND ACCOUNTING AGREEMENT 29
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT 30
TRANSFER AGENCY AGREEMENT 30
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION 30
PAYMENTS TO FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES 31
FUND TRANSACTIONS 32
PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION 33
TELEPHONE TRANSACTION PROCEDURES 34
VALUATION OF SHARES 34
TAXES 35
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING COMPANY SHARES 37
MISCELLANEOUS 38
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 39
APPENDIX A A-1
APPENDIX B B-1

1

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

 

The Company is an open-end management investment company currently consisting of 34 separate portfolios.  The Company is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “1940 Act”) and was organized as a Maryland corporation on February 29, 1988.  This SAI pertains to the Portfolio, a diversified portfolio. Shares of the Portfolio may be purchased and held by the separate accounts (“Separate Accounts”) of participating insurance companies (“Participating Insurance Companies”) for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies. Shares of the Portfolio are not offered directly to the general public. Summit Global Investments, LLC (“Summit” or the “Adviser”) serves as the investment adviser to the Portfolio.

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES

 

The following supplements the information contained in the Prospectus concerning the investment objectives and policies of the Portfolio.

 

The Portfolio seeks to outperform the S&P 500® Index over a market cycle while reducing overall volatility.

 

During unusual economic or market conditions, or for temporary defensive or liquidity purposes, the Portfolio may invest up to 100% of its assets in money market instruments that would not ordinarily be consistent with the Portfolio’s objective.

 

There can be no guarantee that the Portfolio will achieve its investment objective.  The Portfolio may not necessarily invest in all of the instruments or use all of the investment techniques permitted by the Prospectus and this SAI, or invest in such instruments or engage in such techniques to the full extent permitted by the Portfolio’s investment policies and limitations.

 

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RISKS

 

Cyber Security Risk. The Portfolio and its service providers may be prone to operational and information security risks resulting from breaches in cyber security. A breach in cyber security refers to both intentional and unintentional events that may cause the Portfolio to lose proprietary information, suffer data corruption, or lose operational capacity. Breaches in cyber security include, among other behaviors, stealing or corrupting data maintained online or digitally, denial of service attacks on websites, the unauthorized release of confidential information or various other forms of cyber-attacks. Cyber security breaches affecting the Portfolio or the Adviser, custodian, transfer agent, intermediaries and other third-party service providers may adversely impact the Portfolio. For instance, cyber security breaches may interfere with the processing of shareholder transactions, impact the Portfolio’s ability to calculate its NAV, cause the release of private shareholder information or confidential business information, impede trading, subject the Portfolio to regulatory fines or financial losses and/or cause reputational damage. The Portfolio may also incur additional costs for cyber security risk management purposes. Similar types of cyber security risks are also present for issuers of securities in which the Portfolio may invest, which could result in material adverse consequences for such issuers and may cause the Portfolio’s investment in such companies to lose value. While the Portfolio and its service providers have established IT and data security programs and have in place business continuity plans and other systems designed to prevent losses and mitigate cyber security risk, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems, including the possibility that certain risks have not been identified or that cyber-attacks may be highly sophisticated. Furthermore, the Portfolio has limited ability to prevent or mitigate cyber security incidents affecting third-party service providers.

 

Equity Securities.  Equity securities represent ownership interests in a company and consist of common stocks, preferred stocks, warrants to acquire common stock, and securities convertible into common stock.  Investments in equity securities in general are subject to market risks that may cause their prices to fluctuate over time. Fluctuations in the value of equity securities in which the Portfolio invests will cause the net asset value (“NAV”) of the Portfolio to fluctuate. The Portfolio purchases equity securities traded in the U.S. on registered exchanges or the over-the-counter market. Equity securities are described in more detail below:

 

Common Stock.  Common stock represents an equity or ownership interest in an issuer.  In the event an issuer is liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the claims of owners of bonds and preferred stock take precedence over the claims of those who own common stock.

1

 

 

Preferred Stock. Preferred stock represents an equity or ownership interest in an issuer that pays dividends at a specified rate and that has precedence over common stock in the payment of dividends.  In the event an issuer is liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the claims of owners of bonds take precedence over the claims of those who own preferred and common stock.

 

Warrants.  Warrants are instruments that entitle the holder to buy an equity security at a specific price for a specific period of time.  Changes in the value of a warrant do not necessarily correspond to changes in the value of its underlying security.  The price of a warrant may be more volatile than the price of its underlying security, and a warrant may offer greater potential for capital appreciation as well as capital loss. Warrants do not entitle a holder to dividends or voting rights with respect to the underlying security and do not represent any rights in the assets of the issuing company.  A warrant ceases to have value if it is not exercised prior to its expiration date.  These factors can make warrants more speculative than other types of investments.

 

Convertible Securities. Convertible securities are bonds, debentures, notes, preferred stocks or other securities that may be converted or exchanged (by the holder or by the issuer) into shares of the underlying common stock (or cash or securities of equivalent value) at a stated exchange ratio. A convertible security may also be called for redemption or conversion by the issuer after a particular date and under certain circumstances (including a specified price) established upon issue. If a convertible security held by the Portfolio is called for redemption or conversion, the Portfolio could be required to tender it for redemption, convert it into the underlying common stock, or sell it to a third party.

 

Convertible securities generally have less potential for gain or loss than common stocks. Convertible securities generally provide yields higher than the underlying common stocks, but generally lower than comparable non-convertible securities. Because of this higher yield, convertible securities generally sell at a price above their “conversion value,” which is the current market value of the stock to be received upon conversion.  The difference between this conversion value and the price of convertible securities will vary over time depending on changes in the value of the underlying common stocks and interest rates. When the underlying common stocks decline in value, convertible securities will tend not to decline to the same extent because of the interest or dividend payments and the repayment of principal at maturity for certain types of convertible securities.  However, securities that are convertible other than at the option of the holder generally do not limit the potential for loss to the same extent as securities convertible at the option of the holder.  When the underlying common stocks rise in value, the value of convertible securities may also be expected to increase.  At the same time, however, the difference between the market value of convertible securities and their conversion value will narrow, which means that the value of convertible securities will generally not increase to the same extent as the value of the underlying common stocks. Because convertible securities may also be interest-rate sensitive, their value may increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise.  Convertible securities are also subject to credit risk, and are often lower-quality securities.

 

Small and Medium Capitalization Issuers.  Investing in equity securities of small and medium capitalization companies often involves greater risk than is customarily associated with investments in larger capitalization companies.  This increased risk may be due to the greater business risks of smaller size, limited markets and financial resources, narrow product lines and frequent lack of depth of management.  The securities of smaller companies are often traded in the over-the-counter market and even if listed on a national securities exchange may not be traded in volumes typical for that exchange.  Consequently, the securities of smaller companies are less likely to be liquid, may have limited market stability, and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than securities of larger, more established companies or the market averages in general.

 

Foreign Custody Risk. The Portfolio may hold foreign securities and cash with foreign banks, agents, and securities depositories appointed by the Portfolio’s custodian (each a “Foreign Custodian”). Some Foreign Custodians may be recently organized or new to the foreign custody business. In some countries, Foreign Custodians may be subject to little or no regulatory oversight over or independent evaluation of their operations. Further, the laws of certain countries may place limitations on the Portfolio’s ability to recover its assets if a Foreign Custodian enters bankruptcy. Investments in emerging markets may be subject to even greater custody risks than investments in more developed markets. Custody services in emerging market countries are very often undeveloped and may be considerably less well-regulated than in more developed countries, and thus may not afford the same level of investor protection as would apply in developed countries.

2

 

Foreign Securities. Investments in foreign securities involve higher costs than investments in U.S. securities, including higher transaction costs as well as the imposition of additional taxes by foreign governments. In addition, foreign investments may include additional risks associated with currency exchange rates, less complete financial information about the issuers, less market liquidity and political stability. Volume and liquidity in most foreign bond markets are less than in the United States and, at times, volatility or price can be greater than in the United States. Future political and economic information, the possible imposition of withholding taxes on interest income, the possible seizure or nationalization of foreign holdings, the possible establishment of exchange controls, or the adoption of other governmental restrictions, might adversely affect the payment of principal and interest on foreign obligations. Inability to dispose of securities due to settlement problems could result either in losses to an underlying investment company due to subsequent declines in value of the securities, or, if the underlying investment company has entered into a contract to sell the securities, could result in possible liability to the purchaser. Individual foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth or gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments position. Fixed commissions on foreign securities exchanges are generally higher than negotiated commissions on U.S. exchanges. There is generally less government supervision and regulation of securities exchanges, brokers, dealers and listed companies than in the United States.

 

Settlement mechanics may be slower or less reliable than within the United States, thus increasing the risk of delayed settlements of portfolio transactions or loss of certificates for portfolio securities. Foreign markets also have different clearance and settlement procedures, and in certain markets there have been times when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions. Such delays in settlement could result in temporary periods when a portion of the assets of an underlying investment company is uninvested and no return is earned thereon. The inability of an underlying investment company to make intended security purchases due to settlement problems could cause the underlying investment company to miss attractive investment opportunities.

 

The Portfolio values its securities and other assets in U.S. dollars. As a result, if the Portfolio invests in securities denominated in foreign currencies, the NAV of the Portfolio’s shares may fluctuate with U.S. dollar exchange rates as well as the price changes of the Portfolio’s securities in the various local markets and currencies. Thus, an increase in the value of the U.S. dollar compared to the currencies in which the Portfolio makes its investments could reduce the effect of increases and magnify the effect of decreases in the price of the Portfolio’s securities in their local markets. Conversely, a decrease in the value of the U.S. dollar may have the opposite effect of magnifying the effect of increases and reducing the effect of decreases in the prices of the Portfolio’s securities in its foreign markets. In addition to favorable and unfavorable currency exchange rate developments, the Portfolio is subject to the possible imposition of exchange control regulations or freezes on convertibility of currency.

 

If the Portfolio invests in obligations of foreign branches of U.S. banks (Eurodollars) and U.S. branches of foreign banks (Yankee dollars) or foreign branches of foreign banks, these investments involve risks that are different from investments in securities of U.S. banks, including potential unfavorable political and economic developments, different tax provisions, seizure of foreign deposits, currency controls, interest limitations or other governmental restrictions which might affect payment of principal or interest. The Portfolio may also invest in debt securities issued or guaranteed by foreign governments, including Yankee bonds, which are issued by foreign governments and their agencies and foreign corporations, but pay interest in U.S. dollars and are typically issued in the United States.

 

European countries can be affected by the significant fiscal and monetary controls that the European Economic and Monetary Union (“EMU”) imposes for membership. Europe’s economies are diverse, its governments are decentralized, and its cultures vary widely. Several European Union (“EU”) countries, including Greece, Ireland, Italy, Spain and Portugal, have faced budget issues, some of which may have negative long-term effects for the economies of those countries and other EU countries. There is continued concern about national-level support for the euro and the accompanying coordination of fiscal and wage policy among EMU member countries. Member countries are required to maintain tight control over inflation, public debt, and budget deficit to qualify for membership in the EMU. These requirements can severely limit the ability of EMU member countries to implement monetary policy to address regional economic conditions.

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In June of 2016, the United Kingdom (the “UK”) approved a referendum to leave the EU, commonly referred to as “Brexit,” which sparked depreciation in the value of the British pound and heightened risk of continued worldwide economic volatility. Pursuant to Article 50 of the Treaty of Lisbon, the UK gave notice in March 2017 of its withdrawal from the EU and commenced negotiations on the terms of withdrawal. It is unclear what the potential consequences may be. In addition, it is possible that measures could be taken to revote the issue of the withdrawal, or that regions of the UK could seek to separate and remain a part of the EU. As a result of the scheduled withdrawal, the Portfolio may be exposed to volatile trading markets and significant and unpredictable currency fluctuations over a short period of time, and potentially lower economic growth in the UK, Europe and globally. Securities issued by companies domiciled in the UK could be subject to changing regulatory and tax regimes. Banking and financial services companies that operate in the UK or EU could be disproportionately affected by Brexit. Further insecurity in EU membership or the abandonment of the euro could exacerbate market and currency volatility and negatively affect the Portfolio’s investments in securities of issuers located in the EU. The effects of these actions, especially if they occur in a disorderly fashion, are not clear but could be significant and far-reaching. Negotiations are ongoing and subject to further developments. The terms of withdrawal are in flux as of the date of this SAI.

 

Investment Company Shares.  The Portfolio may invest in shares of other investment companies to the extent permitted by applicable law and subject to certain restrictions. These investment companies typically incur fees that are separate from those fees incurred directly by the Portfolio. The Portfolio’s purchase of such investment company securities results in the layering of expenses, such that shareholders would indirectly bear a proportionate share of the operating expenses of such investment companies, including advisory fees, in addition to paying the Portfolio’s expenses. Unless an exception is available, Section 12(d)(1)(A) of the 1940 Act prohibits a portfolio from (i) acquiring more than 3% of the voting shares of any one investment company, (ii) investing more than 5% of its total assets in any one investment company, and (iii) investing more than 10% of its total assets in all investment companies combined.  These limits will not apply to the investment of uninvested cash balances in shares of registered or unregistered money market funds whether affiliated or unaffiliated.  The foregoing exemption, however, only applies to an unregistered money market fund that (i) limits its investments to those in which a money market fund may invest under Rule 2a-7 of the 1940 Act, and (ii) undertakes to comply with all the other provisions of Rule 2a-7.

 

For hedging or other purposes, the Portfolio may invest in investment companies that seek to track the composition and/or performance of specific indexes or portions of specific indexes. Certain of these investment companies, known as exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), are traded on a securities exchange. The market prices of index-based investments will fluctuate in accordance with changes in the underlying portfolio securities of the investment company and also due to supply and demand of the investment company’s shares on the exchange upon which the shares are traded. Index-based investments may not replicate or otherwise match the composition or performance of their specified index due to transaction costs, among other things.

 

Investments by the Portfolio in other investment companies, including ETFs, will be subject to the limitations of the 1940 Act except as permitted by SEC orders.  The Portfolio may rely on SEC orders that permit them to invest in certain ETFs beyond the limits contained in the 1940 Act, subject to certain terms and conditions.  Generally, these terms and conditions require Board to approve policies and procedures relating to certain of the Portfolio’s investments in ETFs.  These policies and procedures require, among other things, that (i) the Adviser conducts the Portfolio’s investment in ETFs without regard to any consideration received by the Portfolio or any of its affiliated persons and (ii) the Adviser certifies to the Board quarterly that it has not received any consideration in connection with an investment by the Portfolio in an ETF, or if it has, the amount and purpose of the consideration will be reported to the Board and an equivalent amount of advisory fees shall be waived by the Adviser.

 

Certain investment companies whose securities are purchased by the Portfolio may not be obligated to redeem such securities in an amount exceeding 1% of the investment company’s total outstanding securities during any period of less than 30 days.  Therefore, such securities that exceed this amount may be illiquid.

 

If required by the 1940 Act, the Portfolio expects to vote the shares of other investment companies that are held by it in the same proportion as the vote of all other holders of such securities.

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Real Estate Investment Trust Securities. The Portfolio may invest in real estate investment trusts (“REITs”). REITs generally invest directly in real estate, in mortgages or in some combination of the two. Individual REITs may own a limited number of properties and may concentrate in a particular region or property type. A REIT is a corporation, or a business trust that would otherwise be taxed as a corporation, which meets the definitional requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The Code permits a qualifying REIT to deduct dividends paid, thereby effectively eliminating corporate level Federal income tax and making the REIT a pass-through vehicle for Federal income tax purposes. To meet the definitional requirements of the Code, a REIT must, among other things, invest substantially all of its assets in interests in real estate (including mortgages and other REITs) or cash and government securities, derive most of its income from rents from real property or interest on loans secured by mortgages on real property, and distribute to shareholders annually a substantial portion of its otherwise taxable income.

 

Generally, REITs can be classified as equity REITs, mortgage REITs and hybrid REITs. Equity REITs invest the majority of their assets directly in real property and derive their income primarily from rents and capital gains from appreciation realized through property sales. Mortgage REITs invest the majority of their assets in real estate mortgages and derive their income primarily from interest payments. Hybrid REITs combine the characteristics of both equity and mortgage REITs. The values of securities issued by REITs are affected by tax and regulatory requirements and by perceptions of management skill. They also are subject to heavy cash flow dependency, defaults by borrowers or tenants, self-liquidation and the possibility of failing to qualify for tax-free status under the Code or to maintain exemption from the 1940 Act. Unexpected high rates of default on the mortgages held by a mortgage pool may adversely affect the value of a mortgage-backed security and could result in losses to a mortgage REIT. The risk of such defaults is generally higher in the case of mortgage pools that include subprime mortgages. To the extent that a mortgage REIT’s portfolio is exposed to lower-rated, unsecured or subordinated instruments, the risk of loss may increase, which may have a negative impact on the Portfolio.

 

The REITs in which the Portfolio may invest may be affected by economic forces and other factors related to the real estate industry. REITs are sensitive to factors such as changes in real estate values, property taxes, interest rates, cash flow of underlying real estate assets, occupancy rates, government regulations affecting zoning, land use and rents, and management skill and creditworthiness of the issuer. Companies in the real estate industry may also be subject to liabilities under environmental and hazardous waste laws. REITS whose underlying assets include long-term health care properties; such as nursing, retirement and assisted living homes, may be impacted by federal regulations concerning the health care industry. The Portfolio will indirectly bear its proportionate share of expenses, including management fees, paid by each REIT in which it invests in addition to the expenses of the Portfolio. The Portfolio is also subject to the risk that the REITs in which it invests will fail to qualify for tax-free pass-through of income under the Code, and/or fail to qualify for an exemption from registration as an investment company under the 1940 Act. Mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of the credit extended. A REIT’s return may be adversely affected when interest rates are high or rising.

 

Investing in REITs may involve risks similar to those associated with investing in small capitalization companies. REITs may have limited financial resources, may trade less frequently and in a limited volume and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than larger company securities. Historically, small capitalization stocks, such as REITs, have been more volatile in price than the larger capitalization stocks included in the S&P 500®.

 

Special Note Regarding Market Events.  Events in the financial sector over the past several years have resulted in reduced liquidity in credit and fixed income markets and an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestically and internationally. While entire markets have been impacted, issuers that have exposure to the real estate, mortgage and credit markets have been particularly affected.  These events and the potential for continuing market turbulence may have an adverse effect on the Portfolio’s investments.  It is uncertain how long these conditions will continue.

 

The instability in the financial markets has led the U.S. government to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and certain segments of the financial markets. Federal, state and foreign governments, regulatory agencies, and self-regulatory organizations may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the Portfolio invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the Portfolio’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

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Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such ownership or disposition may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the Portfolio.

 

NON-PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RISKS

 

Borrowing.  The Portfolio may borrow money from a bank equal to 5% of its total assets for temporary purposes to meet redemptions or to pay dividends.  Borrowing may exaggerate changes in the NAV of the Portfolio’s shares and in the return on the Portfolio's portfolio.  Although the principal of any borrowing will be fixed, the Portfolio’s assets may change in value during the time the borrowing is outstanding.  The Portfolio may be required to liquidate portfolio securities at a time when it would be disadvantageous to do so in order to make payments with respect to any borrowing.  The Portfolio may be required to earmark or segregate liquid assets in an amount sufficient to meet its obligations in connection with such borrowings. In an interest rate arbitrage transaction, the Portfolio borrows money at one interest rate and lends the proceeds at another, higher interest rate.  These transactions involve a number of risks, including the risks that the borrower will fail or otherwise become insolvent or that there will be a significant change in prevailing interest rates.

 

Commercial Paper. Commercial paper is the term used to designate unsecured short-term promissory notes issued by corporations and other entities.  Maturities on these issues vary from a few to 270 days.

 

Corporate Obligations. The Portfolio may invest in debt obligations, such as bonds and debentures, issued by corporations and other business organizations without limit on credit quality or maturity.  See Appendix “A” to this SAI for a description of corporate debt ratings. An issuer of debt obligations may default on its obligation to pay interest and repay principal. Also, changes in the financial strength of an issuer or changes in the credit rating of a security may affect its value.

 

Forward Commitment and When-Issued Transactions. The Portfolio may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis (subject to its investment policies and restrictions). These transactions involve a commitment by the Portfolio to purchase or sell securities at a future date (ordinarily one or two months later).  The price of the underlying securities (usually expressed in terms of yield) and the date when the securities will be delivered and paid for (the settlement date) are fixed at the time the transaction is negotiated. When-issued purchases and forward commitments are negotiated directly with the other party, and such commitments are not traded on exchanges. The Portfolio will not enter into such transactions for the purpose of leverage.

 

When-issued purchases and forward commitments enable the Portfolio to lock in what is believed by the Adviser to be an attractive price or yield on a particular security for a period of time, regardless of future changes in interest rates. For instance, in periods of rising interest rates and falling prices, the Portfolio might sell securities it owns on a forward commitment basis to limit its exposure to falling prices. In periods of falling interest rates and rising prices, the Portfolio might sell securities it owns and purchase the same or a similar security on a when-issued or forward commitment basis, thereby obtaining the benefit of currently higher yields. When-issued securities or forward commitments involve a risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased declines prior to the settlement date.

 

The value of securities purchased on a when-issued or forward commitment basis and any subsequent fluctuations in their value are reflected in the computation of the Portfolio’s NAV starting on the date of the agreement to purchase the securities, and the Portfolio is subject to the rights and risks of ownership of the securities on that date. The Portfolio does not earn interest on the securities it has committed to purchase until they are paid for and delivered on the settlement date. When the Portfolio makes a forward commitment to sell securities it owns, the proceeds to be received upon settlement are included in the Portfolio’s assets. Fluctuations in the market value of the underlying securities are not reflected in the Portfolio’s NAV as long as the commitment to sell remains in effect. Settlement of when-issued purchases and forward commitment transactions generally takes place within two months after the date of the transaction, but the Portfolio may agree to a longer settlement period.

 

The Portfolio will make commitments to purchase securities on a when-issued basis or to purchase or sell securities on a forward commitment basis only with the intention of completing the transaction and actually purchasing or selling the securities. If deemed advisable as a matter of investment strategy, however, the Portfolio may dispose of or renegotiate a commitment after it is entered into. The Portfolio also may sell securities it has committed to purchase before those securities are delivered to the Portfolio on the settlement date. The Portfolio may realize a capital gain or loss in connection with these transactions, and its distributions from any net realized capital gains will be taxable to shareholders. When the Portfolio purchases securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis, the Portfolio or the custodian will maintain in a segregated account cash or liquid securities having a value (determined daily) at least equal to the amount of the Portfolio’s purchase commitments. These procedures are designed to ensure that the Portfolio will maintain sufficient assets at all times to cover its obligations under when-issued purchases and forward commitments.

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Futures and Options on Futures.  Futures contracts provide for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of a specific security at a specified future time and at a specified price. An option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right, in exchange for a premium, to assume a position in a futures contract at a specified exercise price during the term of the option. The Portfolio will reduce the risk that it will be unable to close out a futures contract by only entering into futures contracts that are traded on a national futures exchange regulated by the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”).  The Portfolio may use futures contracts and related options for: bona fide hedging; attempting to offset changes in the value of securities held or expected to be acquired or be disposed of; attempting to minimize fluctuations in foreign currencies; attempting to gain exposure to a particular market, index or instrument; or other risk management purposes. To the extent futures and/or options on futures are employed by the Portfolio, the Portfolio will limit such investments in commodity futures, commodity options contracts and swaps to below the de minimis thresholds adopted by the CFTC in its recent amendments to Rule 4.5 (see below for a description of these thresholds).  For this reason, the Adviser is not required to register as a “commodity pool operator” (“CPO”) under the Commodity Exchange Act at this time.

 

With respect to investments in swap transactions, commodity futures, commodity options or certain other derivatives used for purposes other than bona fide hedging purposes, an investment company must meet one of the following tests under the amended regulations in order to claim an exemption from being considered a “commodity pool” or a CPO. First, the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish an investment company’s positions in such investments may not exceed five percent (5%) of the liquidation value of the investment company’s portfolio (after accounting for unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such investments). Alternatively, the aggregate net notional value of such instruments, determined at the time of the most recent position established, may not exceed one hundred percent (100%) of the liquidation value of the investment company’s portfolio (after accounting for unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions). In addition to meeting one of the foregoing trading limitations, the investment company may not market itself as a commodity pool or otherwise as a vehicle for trading in the commodity futures, commodity options or swaps and derivatives markets. In the event that the Adviser was required to register as a CPO with respect to the Portfolio, the disclosure and operations of the Portfolio would need to comply with all applicable CFTC regulations.

 

An index futures contract is a bilateral agreement pursuant to which two parties agree to take or make delivery of an amount of cash equal to a specified dollar amount times the difference between the index value at the close of trading of the contract and the price at which the futures contract is originally struck. No physical delivery of the securities comprising the index is made; generally, contracts are closed out prior to the expiration date of the contract.

 

When the Portfolio purchases or sells a futures contract, or sells an option thereon, the Portfolio is required to “cover” its position in order to limit leveraging and related risks.  To cover its position, the Portfolio may segregate (and mark-to-market on a daily basis) cash or liquid securities that, when added to any amounts deposited with a futures commission merchant as margin, are equal to the market value of the futures contract or otherwise “cover” its position in a manner consistent with the 1940 Act or the rules and SEC interpretations thereunder. The segregated account functions as a practical limit on the amount of leverage which the Portfolio may undertake and on the potential increase in the speculative character of the Portfolio’s outstanding portfolio securities.  Additionally, such segregated accounts will generally assure the availability of adequate funds to meet the obligations of the Portfolio arising from such investment activities.

 

The Portfolio may also cover its long position in a futures contract by purchasing a put option on the same futures contract with a strike price (i.e., an exercise price) as high or higher than the price of the futures contract.  In the alternative, if the strike price of the put is less than the price of the futures contract, the Portfolio will segregate cash or liquid securities equal in value to the difference between the strike price of the put and the price of the futures contract.  The Portfolio may also cover its long position in a futures contract by taking a short position in the instruments underlying the futures contract, or by taking positions in instruments with prices which are expected to move relatively consistently with the futures contract.  The Portfolio may cover its short position in a futures contract by taking a long position in the instruments underlying the futures contracts, or by taking positions in instruments with prices which are expected to move relatively consistently with the futures contract.

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The Portfolio may cover its sale of a call option on a futures contract by taking a long position in the underlying futures contract at a price less than or equal to the strike price of the call option.  In the alternative, if the long position in the underlying futures contract is established at a price greater than the strike price of the written (sold) call, the Portfolio will maintain in a segregated account cash or liquid securities equal in value to the difference between the strike price of the call and the price of the futures contract.  The Portfolio may also cover its sale of a call option by taking positions in instruments with prices which are expected to move relatively consistently with the call option.  The Portfolio may cover its sale of a put option on a futures contract by taking a short position in the underlying futures contract at a price greater than or equal to the strike price of the put option, or, if the short position in the underlying futures contract is established at a price less than the strike price of the written put, the Portfolio will maintain in a segregated account cash or liquid securities equal in value to the difference between the strike price of the put and the price of the futures contract.  The Portfolio may also cover its sale of a put option by taking positions in instruments with prices which are expected to move relatively consistently with the put option.

 

There are significant risks associated with the Portfolio’s use of futures contracts and related options, including the following: (1) the success of a hedging strategy may depend on the Adviser’s ability to predict movements in the prices of individual securities, fluctuations in markets and movements in interest rates; (2) there may be an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the securities held by the Portfolio and the prices of futures and options on futures; (3) there may not be a liquid secondary market for a futures contract or option; (4) trading restrictions or limitations may be imposed by an exchange; and (5) government regulations may restrict trading in futures contracts and options on futures. In addition, some strategies reduce the Portfolio’s exposure to price fluctuations, while others tend to increase its market exposure.

 

Illiquid Investments.  Pursuant to Rule 22e-4 under the 1940 Act, the Portfolio may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid investments. An illiquid investment is an investment that the Portfolio reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions within 7 calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. To the extent an investment held by the Portfolio is deemed to be an illiquid investment or a less liquid investment, the Portfolio will be exposed to greater liquidity risk.

 

The Company has implemented a liquidity risk management program and related procedures to identify illiquid investments pursuant to Rule 22e-4. If the limitation on illiquid investments is exceeded, other than by a change in market values, the condition will be reported to the Board and, when required, to the SEC.

 

Inflation-Protected Securities. The Portfolio may invest in inflation-protected securities issued by the U.S. Treasury, known as “TIPs” or “Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities,” which are debt securities whose principal and interest payments are adjusted for inflation and interest is paid on the adjusted amount. The inflation adjustment, which is typically applied monthly to the principal of the bond, follows a designated inflation index, such as the consumer price index. A fixed coupon rate is applied to the inflation-adjusted principal so that as inflation rises, both the principal value and the interest payments increase. This can provide investors with a hedge against inflation, as it helps preserve the purchasing power of the investment. Inflation-protected securities normally will decline in price when real interest rates rise. (A real interest rate is calculated by subtracting the inflation rate from a nominal interest rate. For example, if a 10-year Treasury note is yielding 5% and inflation is 2%, the real interest rate is 3%.) If inflation is negative, the principal and income of an inflation-protected security will decline and could result in losses for the Portfolio.

 

Any increase in principal for an inflation-protected security resulting from inflation adjustments is considered by Internal Revenue Service regulations to be taxable income in the year it occurs. For direct holders of an inflation-protected security, this means that taxes must be paid on principal adjustments even though these amounts are not received until the bond matures. By contrast, the Portfolio holding these securities distributes both interest income and the income attributable to principal adjustments in the form of cash or reinvested shares, which are taxable to shareholders.

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Initial Public Offerings. To the extent consistent with its investment policies and limitations, the Portfolio may purchase stock in an initial public offering (“IPO”). An IPO is a company’s first offering of stock to the public. Risks associated with IPOs may include considerable fluctuation in the market value of IPO shares due to certain factors, such as the absence of a prior public market, unseasoned trading, a limited number of shares available for trading, lack of information about the issuer and limited operating history. The purchase of IPO shares may involve high transaction costs. When the Portfolio’s asset base is small, a significant portion of the Portfolio’s performance could be attributable to investments in IPOs, because such investments would have a magnified impact on the underlying investment company. As the Portfolio’s assets grow, the effect of the Portfolio’s investments in IPOs on the Portfolio’s performance probably will decline, which could reduce the Portfolio’s performance. Because of the price volatility of IPO shares, the Portfolio may choose to hold IPO shares for a very short period of time. This may increase the turnover of the Portfolio’s portfolio and may lead to increased expenses to the Portfolio, such as commissions and transaction costs. In addition, the Portfolio cannot guarantee continued access to IPOs.

 

Large Shareholder Purchase and Redemption Risk. The Portfolio may experience adverse effects when certain large shareholders purchase or redeem large amounts of shares of the Portfolio.  Such large shareholder redemptions may cause the Portfolio to sell its securities at times when it would not otherwise do so, which may negatively impact the Portfolio’s NAV and liquidity.  Similarly, large share purchases may adversely affect the Portfolio’s performance to the extent that the Portfolio is delayed in investing new cash and is required to maintain a larger cash position than it ordinarily would.  In addition, a large redemption could result in the Portfolio’s current expenses being allocated over a smaller asset base, leading to an increase in the Portfolio’s expense ratio.  However, this risk may be limited to the extent that the Adviser and the Portfolio have entered into a fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement arrangement.

 

Money Market Securities.  During unusual economic or market conditions, or for temporary defensive or liquidity purposes, the Portfolio may invest up to 100% of its assets in money market instruments (the types of which are discussed below) that would not ordinarily be consistent with the Portfolio’s objective.  For purposes of these policies, money market securities include (i) short-term U.S. government securities, including custodial receipts evidencing separately traded interest and principal components of securities issued by the U.S. Treasury; (ii) commercial paper rated in the highest short-term rating category by a nationally recognized statistical ratings organization (“NRSRO”), such as S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”) or Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”), or determined by the Adviser to be of comparable quality at the time of purchase; (iii) short-term bank obligations (certificates of deposit, time deposits and bankers’ acceptances) of U.S. domestic banks, foreign banks and foreign branches of domestic banks, and commercial banks with assets of at least $1 billion as of the end of their most recent fiscal year; and (iv) repurchase agreements involving such securities.  Each of these types of money market securities is discussed in more detail below. For a description of ratings, see Appendix A to this SAI.

 

Obligations of Domestic Banks, Foreign Banks and Foreign Branches of U.S. Banks.  The Portfolio may invest in obligations issued by banks and other savings institutions. Investments in bank obligations include obligations of domestic branches of foreign banks and foreign branches of domestic banks.  Such investments in domestic branches of foreign banks and foreign branches of domestic banks may involve risks that are different from investments in securities of domestic branches of U.S. banks.  These risks may include future unfavorable political and economic developments, possible withholding taxes on interest income, seizure or nationalization of foreign deposits, currency controls, interest limitations, or other governmental restrictions which might affect the payment of principal or interest on the securities held by the Portfolio. Additionally, these institutions may be subject to less stringent reserve requirements and to different accounting, auditing, reporting and recordkeeping requirements than those applicable to domestic branches of U.S. banks.  In addition, investments in bank loans may not be deemed to be securities and may not have the protections of the federal securities laws. Bank obligations include the following:

 

Bankers’ Acceptances.  Bankers’ acceptances are bills of exchange or time drafts drawn on and accepted by a commercial bank.  Corporations use bankers’ acceptances to finance the shipment and storage of goods and to furnish dollar exchange.  Maturities are generally six months or less.

 

Certificates of Deposit.  Certificates of deposit are interest-bearing instruments with a specific maturity.  They are issued by banks and savings and loan institutions in exchange for the deposit of funds and normally can be traded in the secondary market prior to maturity.  Certificates of deposit with penalties for early withdrawal will be considered illiquid.

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Time Deposits.  Time deposits are non-negotiable receipts issued by a bank in exchange for the deposit of funds.  Like a certificate of deposit, it earns a specified rate of interest over a definite period of time; however, it cannot be traded in the secondary market.  Time deposits with a withdrawal penalty or that mature in more than seven days are considered to be illiquid securities.

 

Options.  The Portfolio may purchase and write put and call options on securities and securities indices and enter into related closing transactions. A put option on a security gives the purchaser of the option the right to sell, and the writer of the option the obligation to buy, the underlying security at any time during the option period. A call option on a security gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and the writer of the option the obligation to sell, the underlying security at any time during the option period.  The premium paid to the writer is the consideration for undertaking the obligations under the option contract.

 

Put and call options on securities indices are similar to options on securities except that options on an index give the holder the right to receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount of cash if the closing level of the underlying index is greater than (or less than, in the case of puts) the exercise price of the option. This amount of cash is equal to the difference between the closing price of the index and the exercise price of the option, expressed in dollars multiplied by a specified number. Thus, unlike options on individual securities, all settlements are in cash, and gain or loss depends on price movements in the particular market represented by the index generally, rather than the price movements in individual securities.

 

All options written on indices or securities must be covered. When the Portfolio writes an option on a security or an index, it will establish a segregated account containing cash or liquid securities in an amount at least equal to the market value of the option and will maintain the account while the option is open or will otherwise cover the transaction.

 

The Portfolio may trade put and call options on securities and securities indices, as the Adviser determines is appropriate in seeking the Portfolio’s investment objective, and except as restricted by the Portfolio’s investment limitations.  See “Investment Limitations.”

 

The initial purchase (sale) of an option contract is an “opening transaction.” In order to close out an option position, the Portfolio may enter into a “closing transaction,” which is simply the sale (purchase) of an option contract on the same security with the same exercise price and expiration date as the option contract originally opened. If the Portfolio is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction with respect to an option it has written, it will not be able to sell the underlying security until the option expires or the Portfolio delivers the security upon exercise.

 

The Portfolio may purchase put and call options on securities to protect against a decline in the market value of the securities in its portfolio or to anticipate an increase in the market value of securities that the Portfolio may seek to purchase in the future. The Portfolio purchasing put and call options pays a premium therefor. If price movements in the underlying securities are such that exercise of the options would not be profitable for the Portfolio, loss of the premium paid may be offset by an increase in the value of the Portfolio’s securities or by a decrease in the cost of acquisition of securities by the Portfolio.

 

The Portfolio may write covered call options on securities as a means of increasing the yield on its assets and as a means of providing limited protection against decreases in its market value. When the Portfolio writes an option, if the underlying securities do not increase or decrease to a price level that would make the exercise of the option profitable to the holder thereof, the option generally will expire without being exercised and the Portfolio will realize as profit the premium received for such option. When a call option of which the Portfolio is the writer is exercised, the Portfolio will be required to sell the underlying securities to the option holder at the strike price, and will not participate in any increase in the price of such securities above the strike price. When a put option of which the Portfolio is the writer is exercised, the Portfolio will be required to purchase the underlying securities at a price in excess of the market value of such securities.

 

The Portfolio may purchase and write options on an exchange or over-the-counter. Over-the-counter options (“OTC options”) differ from exchange-traded options in several respects. They are transacted directly with dealers and not with a clearing corporation, and therefore entail the risk of non-performance by the dealer. OTC options are available for a greater variety of securities and for a wider range of expiration dates and exercise prices than are available for exchange-traded options. Because OTC options are not traded on an exchange, pricing is done normally by reference to information from a market maker. It is the SEC’s position that OTC options are generally illiquid.

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The market value of an option generally reflects the market price of an underlying security. Other principal factors affecting market value include supply and demand, interest rates, the pricing volatility of the underlying security and the time remaining until the expiration date.

 

Risks associated with options transactions include: (1) the success of a hedging strategy may depend on an ability to predict movements in the prices of individual securities, fluctuations in markets and movements in interest rates; (2) there may be an imperfect correlation between the movement in prices of options and the securities underlying them; (3) there may not be a liquid secondary market for options; and (4) while the Portfolio will receive a premium when it writes covered call options, it may not participate fully in a rise in the market value of the underlying security.

 

Repurchase Agreements.  The Portfolio may enter into repurchase agreements with financial institutions. A repurchase agreement is an agreement under which the Portfolio acquires a fixed income security (generally a security issued by the U.S. government or an agency thereof, a banker’s acceptance, or a certificate of deposit) from a commercial bank, broker, or dealer, and simultaneously agrees to resell such security to the seller at an agreed upon price and date (normally, the next business day).  Because the security purchased constitutes collateral for the repurchase obligation, a repurchase agreement may be considered a loan that is collateralized by the security purchased. The acquisition of a repurchase agreement may be deemed to be an acquisition of the underlying securities as long as the obligation of the seller to repurchase the securities is collateralized fully.  The Portfolio follows certain procedures designed to minimize the risks inherent in such agreements. These procedures include effecting repurchase transactions only with creditworthy financial institutions whose condition will be continually monitored by the Adviser. The repurchase agreements entered into by the Portfolio will provide that the underlying collateral at all times shall have a value at least equal to 102% of the resale price stated in the agreement and consist only of securities permissible under Section 101(47)(A)(i) of the Bankruptcy Code (the Adviser monitors compliance with this requirement). Under all repurchase agreements entered into by the Portfolio, the custodian or its agent must take possession of the underlying collateral. In the event of a default or bankruptcy by a selling financial institution, the Portfolio will seek to liquidate such collateral. However, the exercising of the Portfolio’s right to liquidate such collateral could involve certain costs or delays and, to the extent that proceeds from any sale upon a default of the obligation to repurchase were less than the repurchase price, the Portfolio could suffer a loss. It is the current policy of the Portfolio not to invest in repurchase agreements that do not mature within seven days if any such investment, together with any other illiquid assets held by the Portfolio, amounts to more than 15% of the Portfolio’s total assets. The investments of the Portfolio in repurchase agreements, at times, may be substantial when, in the view of the Adviser, liquidity or other considerations so warrant.

 

Restricted Securities.  The Portfolio may purchase securities which are not registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (“1933 Act”) but which may be sold to “qualified institutional buyers” in accordance with Rule 144A under the 1933 Act (“Restricted Securities”). These securities will not be considered illiquid so long as it is determined by the Adviser that an adequate trading market exists for the securities. This investment practice could have the effect of increasing the level of illiquidity in an underlying investment company during any period that qualified institutional buyers become uninterested in purchasing restricted securities.  In reaching liquidity decisions, the Adviser may consider, among others, the following factors: (1) the unregistered nature of the security; (2) the frequency of trades and quotes for the security; (3) the number of dealers wishing to purchase or sell the security and the number of other potential purchasers; (4) dealer undertakings to make a market in the security; and (5) the nature of the security and the nature of the marketplace trades (e.g., the time needed to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offers and the mechanics of the transfer).

 

The purchase price and subsequent valuation of Restricted Securities normally reflect a discount from the price at which such securities trade when they are not restricted, since the restriction makes them less liquid. The amount of the discount from the prevailing market price is expected to vary depending upon the type of security, the character of the issuer, the party who will bear the expenses of registering the Restricted Securities and prevailing supply and demand conditions.

 

As consistent with the Portfolio’s respective investment objective, the Portfolio may also invest in Section 4(2) commercial paper. Section 4(2) commercial paper is issued in reliance on an exemption from registration under Section 4(2) of the 1933 Act and is generally sold to institutional investors who purchase for investment. Any resale of such commercial paper must be in an exempt transaction, usually to an institutional investor through the issuer or investment dealers who make a market in such commercial paper. The Company believes that Section 4(2) commercial paper is liquid to the extent it meets the criteria established by the Board. The Company intends to treat such commercial paper as liquid and not subject to the investment limitations applicable to illiquid securities or restricted securities.

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Reverse Repurchase Agreements. The Portfolio may enter into reverse repurchase agreements with respect to portfolio securities for temporary purposes (such as to obtain cash to meet redemption requests) when the liquidation of portfolio securities is deemed disadvantageous or inconvenient by the Adviser. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities held by the Portfolio subject to the Portfolio’s agreement to repurchase the securities at an agreed-upon price, date and rate of interest. Such agreements may be considered borrowings under the 1940 Act and may be entered into only for temporary or emergency purposes. While reverse repurchase transactions are outstanding, the Portfolio will maintain in a segregated account with the Portfolio’s custodian or a qualified sub-custodian, cash or liquid securities of an amount at least equal to the market value of the securities, plus accrued interest, subject to the agreement and will monitor the account to ensure that such value is maintained. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the market value of the securities sold by the Portfolio may decline below the price of the securities the Portfolio is obligated to repurchase and the interest received on the cash exchanged for the securities.

 

Rights Offerings and Purchase Warrants.  Rights offerings and purchase warrants are privileges issued by a corporation which enable the owner to subscribe to and purchase a specified number of shares of the corporation at a specified price during a specified period of time. Subscription rights normally have a short lifespan to expiration. The purchase of rights or warrants involves the risk that the Portfolio could lose the purchase value of a right or warrant if the right to subscribe to additional shares is not executed prior to the right’s or warrant’s expiration. Also, the purchase of rights and/or warrants involves the risk that the effective price paid for the right and/or warrant added to the subscription price of the related security may exceed the value of the subscribed security’s market price such as when there is no movement in the level of the underlying security.

 

Risk Considerations of Lower Rated Securities. The Portfolio may invest in fixed income securities that are not investment grade but are rated as low as B by Moody’s or B by S&P (or their equivalents or, if unrated, determined by the Adviser to be of comparable credit quality). In the case of a security that is rated differently by two or more rating services, the higher rating is used in connection with the foregoing limitation. In the event that the rating on a security held in the Portfolio’s portfolio is downgraded by a rating service, such action will be considered by the Adviser in its evaluation of the overall investment merits of that security, but will not necessarily result in the sale of the security. The widespread expansion of government, consumer and corporate debt within the U.S. economy has made the corporate sector, especially cyclically sensitive industries, more vulnerable to economic downturns or increased interest rates. An economic downturn could severely disrupt the market for high yield fixed income securities and adversely affect the value of outstanding fixed income securities and the ability of the issuers to repay principal and interest.

 

The Portfolio may invest in high yield debt obligations, such as bonds and debentures, issued by corporations and other business organizations. The Portfolio will invest in high yield debt instruments when the Adviser believes that such instruments offer a better risk/reward profile than comparable equity opportunities. High yield fixed income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are considered speculative investments while generally providing greater income than investments in higher rated securities, involve greater risk of loss of principal and income (including the possibility of default or bankruptcy of the issuers of such securities) and may involve greater volatility of price (especially during periods of economic uncertainty or change) than securities in the higher rating categories. Since yields vary over time, no specific level of income can ever be assured.

 

The prices of high yield fixed income securities have been found to be less sensitive to interest rate changes than higher-rated investments but more sensitive to adverse economic changes or individual corporate developments. Also, during an economic downturn or substantial period of rising interest rates, highly leveraged issuers may experience financial stress, which would adversely affect their ability to service their principal and interest payment obligations, to meet projected business goals and to obtain additional financing. If the issuer of a fixed income security owned by the Portfolio defaulted, the Portfolio could incur additional expenses in attempting to obtain a recovery. In addition, periods of economic uncertainty and changes can be expected to result in increased volatility of market prices of high yield fixed income securities and the Portfolio’s NAV to the extent it holds such securities.

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High yield fixed income securities also present risks based on payment expectations. For example, high yield fixed income securities may contain redemption or call provisions. If an issuer exercises these provisions in a declining interest rate market, the Portfolio may, to the extent it holds such fixed income securities, have to replace the securities with a lower yielding security, which may result in a decreased return for investors. Conversely, a high yield fixed income security’s value will decrease in a rising interest rate market, as will the value of the Portfolio’s assets, to the extent it holds such fixed income securities.  In addition, to the extent that there is no established retail secondary market, there may be thin trading of high yield fixed income securities, and this may have an impact on the Adviser’s ability to accurately value such securities and the Portfolio’s assets and on the Portfolio’s ability to dispose of such securities. Adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may decrease the values and liquidity of high yield fixed income securities, especially in a thinly traded market.

 

New laws proposed or adopted from time to time may have an impact on the market for high yield securities.

 

Finally, there are risks involved in applying credit or dividend ratings as a method for evaluating high yield securities. For example, ratings evaluate the safety of principal and interest or dividend payments, not market value risk of high yield securities. Also, since rating agencies may fail to timely change the credit ratings to reflect subsequent events, the Portfolio will continuously monitor the issuers of high yield securities in its portfolio, if any, to determine if the issuers will have sufficient cash flow and profits to meet required principal and interest payments, and to assure the security’s liquidity so the Portfolio can meet redemption requests.

 

Risk Considerations of Medium Grade Securities.  Debt obligations in the lowest investment grade (i.e., BBB or Baa), referred to as “medium grade” obligations, have speculative characteristics, and changes in economic conditions and other factors are more likely to lead to weakened capacity to make interest payments and repay principal on these obligations than is the case for higher rated securities. In the event that a security purchased by the Portfolio is subsequently downgraded below investment grade, the Adviser will consider such event in its determination of whether the Portfolio should continue to hold the security.

 

Securities Lending.  The Portfolio may lend its portfolio securities to financial institutions. Such loans would involve risks of delay in receiving additional collateral in the event the value of the collateral decreases below the value of the securities loaned or of delay in recovering the securities loaned or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, loans will be made only to borrowers which the Adviser deems to be of good standing and only when, in the Adviser’s judgment, the income to be earned from the loans justifies the attendant risks. The Portfolio may not make loans in excess of 331/3% of the value of its total assets. The Portfolio may pay a part of the interest earned from the investment of collateral, or other fee, to an unaffiliated or, to the extent consistent with the 1940 Act or the rules and SEC interpretations thereunder, affiliated third party for acting as the Portfolio’s securities lending agent.

 

By lending its securities, the Portfolio may increase its income by receiving payments from the borrower that reflect the amount of any interest or any dividends payable on the loaned securities as well as by either investing cash collateral received from the borrower in short-term instruments or obtaining a fee from the borrower when U.S. government securities or letters of credit are used as collateral. The Portfolio does not have the right to vote loaned securities. The Portfolio may attempt to call loaned securities back to permit the exercise of voting rights if time and jurisdictional restrictions permit. There is no guarantee that all loans can be recalled.

 

Special Situation Companies. The Portfolio may invest in “Special Situations.” The term “Special Situation” shall be deemed to refer to a security of a company in which an unusual and possibly non-repetitive development is taking place which, in the opinion of the Adviser, may cause the security to attain a higher market value independently, to a degree, of the trend in the securities market in general. The particular development (actual or prospective), which may qualify a security as a Special Situation, may be one of many different types.

 

Such developments may include, among others, a technological improvement or important discovery or acquisition which, if the expectation for it materialized, would effect a substantial change in the company’s business; a reorganization; a recapitalization or other development involving a security exchange or conversion; a merger, liquidation or distribution of cash, securities or other assets; a breakup or workout of a holding company; litigation which, if resolved favorably, would improve the value of the company’s stock; a new or changed management; or material changes in management policies. A Special Situation may often involve a comparatively small company, which is not well known, and which has not been closely watched by investors generally, but it may also involve a large company. The fact, if it exists, that an increase in the company’s earnings, dividends or business is expected, or that a given security is considered to be undervalued, would not in itself be sufficient to qualify as a Special Situation. The Portfolio may invest in securities (even if not Special Situations) which, in the opinion of the Adviser, are appropriate investments for the Portfolio, including securities which the Adviser believes are undervalued by the market. The Portfolio is not required to invest any minimum percentage of their aggregate portfolio in “Special Situations,” nor are they required to invest any minimum percentage of their aggregate portfolio in securities other than “Special Situations.”

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Temporary Defensive Positions.  In anticipation of or in response to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions, the Portfolio may take temporary defensive positions (up to 100% of its assets) in cash, cash equivalents and all types of money market and short-term debt securities. If the Portfolio were to take a temporary defensive position, it may be unable to achieve its investment objective for a period of time.

 

U.S. Government Securities.  The Portfolio may invest in U.S. government securities. Securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities include U.S. Treasury securities, which are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury and which differ only in their interest rates, maturities, and times of issuance. U.S. Treasury bills have initial maturities of one-year or less; U.S. Treasury notes have initial maturities of one to ten years; and U.S. Treasury bonds generally have initial maturities of greater than ten years.  Certain U.S. government securities are issued or guaranteed by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. government including, but not limited to, obligations of U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities such as Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”), Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”), the Small Business Administration, the Federal Farm Credit Administration, the Federal Home Loan Banks, Banks for Cooperatives (including the Central Bank for Cooperatives), the Federal Land Banks, the Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Export-Import Bank of the United States, the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Federal Financing Bank, the Student Loan Marketing Association, the National Credit Union Administration and the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (“Farmer Mac”).

 

Some obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies and instrumentalities, including, for example, Ginnie Mae pass-through certificates, are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury. Other obligations issued by or guaranteed by federal agencies, such as those securities issued by Fannie Mae, are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase certain obligations of the federal agency, while other obligations issued by or guaranteed by federal agencies, such as those of the Federal Home Loan Banks, are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, while the U.S. government provides financial support to such U.S. government-sponsored federal agencies, no assurance can be given that the U.S. government will always do so, since the U.S. government is not so obligated by law. U.S. Treasury notes and bonds typically pay coupon interest semi-annually and repay the principal at maturity.

 

The extreme and unprecedented volatility and disruption that impacted the capital and credit markets during late 2008 and into 2009 have led to increased market concerns about Freddie Mac’s and Fannie Mae’s ability to withstand future credit losses associated with securities held in their investment portfolios, and on which they provide guarantees, without the direct support of the federal government.  On September 6, 2008, both Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae were placed under the conservatorship of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”).  Under the plan of conservatorship, the FHFA has assumed control of, and generally has the power to direct, the operations of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, and is empowered to exercise all powers collectively held by their respective shareholders, directors and officers, including the power to (1) take over the assets of and operate Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae with all the powers of the shareholders, the directors, and the officers of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae and conduct all business of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae; (2) collect all obligations and money due to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae; (3) perform all functions of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae which are consistent with the conservator’s appointment; (4) preserve and conserve the assets and property of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae; and (5) contract for assistance in fulfilling any function, activity, action or duty of the conservator.  In addition, in connection with the actions taken by the FHFA, the U.S. Treasury Department (the “Treasury”) has entered into certain preferred stock purchase agreements with each of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae which establish the Treasury as the holder of a new class of senior preferred stock in each of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, which stock was issued in connection with financial contributions from the Treasury to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.  The conditions attached to the financial contribution made by the Treasury to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae and the issuance of this senior preferred stock place significant restrictions on the activities of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.  Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae must obtain the consent of the Treasury to, among other things, (i) make any payment to purchase or redeem its capital stock or pay any dividend other than in respect of the senior preferred stock, (ii) issue capital stock of any kind, (iii) terminate the conservatorship of the FHFA except in connection with a receivership, or (iv) increase its debt beyond certain specified levels.  In addition, significant restrictions are placed on the maximum size of each of Freddie Mac’s and Fannie Mae’s respective portfolios of mortgages and mortgage-backed securities portfolios, and the purchase agreements entered into by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae provide that the maximum size of their portfolios of these assets must decrease by a specified percentage each year.  The future status and role of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae could be impacted by (among other things) the actions taken and restrictions placed on Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae by the FHFA in its role as conservator, the restrictions placed on Freddie Mac’s and Fannie Mae’s operations and activities as a result of the senior preferred stock investment made by the Treasury, market responses to developments at Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, and future legislative and regulatory action that alters the operations, ownership, structure and/or mission of these institutions, each of which may, in turn, impact the value of, and cash flows on any mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.

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U.S. Treasury Obligations.  U.S. Treasury obligations consist of bills, notes and bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury and separately traded interest and principal component parts of such obligations that are transferable through the federal book-entry system known as Separately Traded Registered Interest and Principal Securities (“STRIPS”) and Treasury Receipts (“TRs”).

 

Receipts.  Interests in separately traded interest and principal component parts of U.S. government obligations that are issued by banks or brokerage firms and are created by depositing U.S. government obligations into a special account at a custodian bank.  The custodian bank holds the interest and principal payments for the benefit of the registered owners of the certificates or receipts.  The custodian bank arranges for the issuance of the certificates or receipts evidencing ownership and maintains the register. TRs and STRIPS are interests in accounts sponsored by the U.S. Treasury.  Receipts are sold as zero coupon securities.

 

U.S. Government Zero Coupon Securities.  STRIPS and receipts are sold as zero coupon securities, that is, fixed income securities that have been stripped of their unmatured interest coupons.  Zero coupon securities are sold at a (usually substantial) discount and redeemed at face value at their maturity date without interim cash payments of interest or principal.  The amount of this discount is accreted over the life of the security, and the accretion constitutes the income earned on the security for both accounting and tax purposes.  Because of these features, the market prices of zero coupon securities are generally more volatile than the market prices of securities that have similar maturity but that pay interest periodically.  Zero coupon securities are likely to respond to a greater degree to interest rate changes than are non-zero coupon securities with similar maturity and credit qualities.

 

U.S. Government Agencies.  Some obligations issued or guaranteed by agencies of the U.S. government are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury, others are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the Treasury, while still others are supported only by the credit of the instrumentality.  Guarantees of principal by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. government may be a guarantee of payment at the maturity of the obligation so that in the event of a default prior to maturity there might not be a market and thus no means of realizing on the obligation prior to maturity. Guarantees as to the timely payment of principal and interest do not extend to the value or yield of these securities nor to the value of the Portfolio’s shares.

 

INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS

 

The Portfolio has adopted the following fundamental investment limitations which may not be changed without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Portfolio’s outstanding shares (as defined in Section 2(a) (42) of the 1940 Act). As used in this SAI and in the Prospectus, “shareholder approval” and a “majority of the outstanding shares” of the Portfolio means, with respect to the approval of an investment advisory agreement, a distribution plan or a change in a fundamental investment limitation, the lesser of (1) 67% of the shares of the Portfolio represented at a meeting at which the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Portfolio are present in person or by proxy, or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Portfolio. Unless otherwise noted, the Portfolio’s investment goals and strategies described in the Prospectus may be changed by the Board without the approval of the Portfolio’s shareholders.

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The Portfolio may not:

 

1. Borrow money or issue senior securities, except that the Portfolio may borrow from banks and enter into reverse repurchase agreements provided that there is at least 300% asset coverage for the borrowings of the Portfolio. The Portfolio may not mortgage, pledge or hypothecate any assets, except in connection with any such borrowing and then in amounts not in excess of one-third of the value of the Portfolio’s total assets at the time of such borrowing. However, the amount shall not be in excess of lesser of the dollar amounts borrowed or 331/3% of the value of the Portfolio’s total assets at the time of such borrowing, provided that: (a) short sales and related borrowings of securities are not subject to this restriction; and (b) for the purposes of this restriction, collateral arrangements with respect to options, short sales, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, collateral arrangements with respect to initial and variation margin and collateral arrangements with respect to derivatives instruments are not deemed to be a pledge or other encumbrance of assets. Securities held in escrow or separate accounts in connection with the Portfolio’s investment practices are not considered to be borrowings or deemed to be pledged for purposes of this limitation;

 

2. Act as an underwriter of securities within the meaning of the 1933 Act, except insofar as it might be deemed to be an underwriter upon disposition of certain portfolio securities acquired within the limitation on purchases of restricted securities;

 

3. Purchase or sell real estate (including real estate limited partnership interests), provided that the Portfolio may invest: (a) in securities secured by real estate or interests therein or issued by companies that invest in real estate or interests therein; or (b) in real estate investment trusts;

 

4. Purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts, except that the Portfolio may purchase and sell options, futures contracts and related options on such futures contracts;

 

5. Make loans, except through loans of portfolio securities and repurchase agreements, provided that for purposes of this restriction the acquisition of bonds, debentures or other debt instruments or interests therein and investment in government obligations, loan participations and assignments, short-term commercial paper, certificates of deposit and bankers’ acceptances shall not be deemed to be the making of a loan;

 

6. Invest 25% or more of its total assets, taken at market value at the time of each investment, in the securities of one or more issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry, provided that (a) there is no limitation with respect to (i) instruments issued or guaranteed by the United States, any state, territory or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia or any of their authorities, agencies, instrumentalities or political subdivisions, and (ii) repurchase agreements secured by the instruments described in clause (i); (b) wholly-owned finance companies will be considered to be in the industries of their parents if their activities are primarily related to financing the activities of the parents; and (c) utilities will be divided according to their services, for example, gas, gas transmission, electric and gas, electric and telephone will each be considered a separate industry; or

 

7. Purchase the securities of any one issuer, other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities, if immediately after and as a result of such purchase, more than 5% of the value of the Portfolio’s total assets would be invested in the securities of such issuer, or more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer would be owned by the Portfolio, except that up to 25% of the value of the Portfolio’s total assets may be invested without regard to such limitations.

 

In addition to the fundamental investment limitations specified above, the Portfolio is subject to the following non-fundamental limitations, which may be changed without shareholder approval, in compliance with applicable law and regulatory policy. The Portfolio may not:

 

1. Make investments for the purpose of exercising control or management, but investments by the Portfolio in wholly-owned investment entities created under the laws of certain countries will not be deemed the making of investments for the purpose of exercising control or management; or

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2. Purchase securities on margin, except that the Portfolio may use margin to the extent necessary to engage in short sales and may obtain such short-term credits as are necessary for the clearance of portfolio transactions; and provided that margin deposits in connection with options, futures contracts, options on futures contracts or other derivative instruments shall not constitute purchasing securities on margin.

 

The Portfolio may invest in securities issued by other investment companies within the limits prescribed by the 1940 Act. As a shareholder of another investment company, the Portfolio would bear, along with other shareholders, its pro rata portion of the other investment company’s expenses, including advisory fees. These expenses would be in addition to the advisory and other expenses that the Portfolio bears directly in connection with its own operations.

 

Securities held by the Portfolio generally may not be purchased from, sold or loaned to the Adviser or its affiliates or any of their directors, officers or employees, acting as principal, unless pursuant to a rule or exemptive order under the 1940 Act.

 

If a percentage restriction under one of the Portfolio’s investment policies or limitations or the use of assets is adhered to at the time a transaction is effected, later changes in percentages resulting from changing values will not be considered a violation (except with respect to any restrictions that may apply to borrowings or senior securities issued by the Portfolio).

 

DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

 

The Company has adopted, on behalf of the Portfolio, a policy relating to the selective disclosure of the Portfolio’s portfolio holdings by the Adviser, Board, officers, or third party service providers, in accordance with regulations that seek to ensure that disclosure of information about portfolio holdings is in the best interest of Portfolio shareholders.  The policies relating to the disclosure of the Portfolio’s portfolio holdings are designed to allow disclosure of portfolio holdings information where necessary to the Portfolio’s operation without compromising the integrity or performance of the Portfolio.  It is the policy of the Company that disclosure of the Portfolio’s portfolio holdings to a select person or persons prior to the release of such holdings to the public (“selective disclosure”) is prohibited, unless there are legitimate business purposes for selective disclosure.

 

The Company discloses portfolio holdings information as required in regulatory filings and shareholder reports, discloses portfolio holdings information as required by federal and state securities laws and may disclose portfolio holdings information in response to requests by governmental authorities.  As required by the federal securities laws, including the 1940 Act, the Company will disclose the Portfolio’s portfolio holdings in applicable regulatory filings, including shareholder reports, reports on Form N-CSR, Form N-CEN, and Form N-PORT) or such other filings, reports or disclosure documents as the applicable regulatory authorities may require.

 

Generally, after the 30th business day of the month following each calendar quarter end, the Portfolio may provide, at the Adviser’s discretion, its portfolio holdings to various rating and ranking organizations. In addition, generally after the 30th business day of the month following each calendar quarter end, the Portfolio may post to its website a list of its top ten holdings or full portfolio holdings at the discretion of the Adviser. The timing, frequency and type (i.e., ratings/rankings/holdings) of disclosure may change at the Adviser’s discretion, as well as whether to post to the Portfolio’s website.

 

The Company may distribute or authorize the distribution of information about the Portfolio’s portfolio holdings that is not publicly available to its third-party service providers, which include U.S. Bank, N.A., the custodian; U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, doing business as U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (“Fund Services”), the administrator, accounting agent and transfer agent; [ ], the Portfolio's independent registered public accounting firm; Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, legal counsel; FilePoint, the financial printer; the Portfolio’s proxy voting service(s); and the Company’s liquidity classification agent. These service providers are required to keep such information confidential, and are prohibited from trading based on the information or otherwise using the information except as necessary in providing services to the Portfolio.  Such holdings are released on conditions of confidentiality, which include appropriate trading prohibitions. “Conditions of confidentiality” include confidentiality terms included in written agreements, implied by the nature of the relationship (e.g. attorney-client relationship), or required by fiduciary or regulatory principles (e.g., custody services provided by financial institutions).  Portfolio holdings may also be provided earlier to shareholders and their agents who receive redemptions in kind that reflect a pro rata allocation of all securities held in the Portfolio's portfolio.

17

 

Portfolio holdings may also be disclosed, upon authorization by a designated officer of the Adviser, to (i) certain independent reporting agencies recognized by the SEC as acceptable agencies for the reporting of industry statistical information and (ii) financial consultants to assist them in determining the suitability of the Portfolio as an investment for their clients, in each case in accordance with the anti-fraud provisions of the federal securities laws and the Company’s and the Adviser’s fiduciary duties to Portfolio shareholders.  Disclosures to financial consultants are also subject to a confidentiality agreement and/or trading restrictions.  The foregoing disclosures are made pursuant to the Company’s policy on selective disclosure of portfolio holdings.  The Board or a committee thereof may, in limited circumstances, permit other selective disclosure of portfolio holdings subject to a confidentiality agreement and/or trading restrictions.

 

The Adviser reserves the right to refuse to fulfill any request for portfolio holdings information from a shareholder or non-shareholder if it believes that providing such information will be contrary to the best interests of the Portfolio.

 

The Board provides ongoing oversight of the Company’s policies and procedures and compliance with such policies and procedures.  As part of this oversight function, the Board receives from the Company’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) as necessary, reports on compliance with these policies and procedures.  In addition, the Board receives an annual assessment of the adequacy and effectiveness of the policies and procedures with respect to the Portfolio, and any changes thereto, and an annual review of the operation of the policies and procedures.  Any violation of the policy set forth above as well as any corrective action undertaken to address such violation must be reported by the Adviser, director, officers or third party service providers to the Company’s CCO, who will determine whether the violation should be reported immediately to the Board or at its next quarterly Board meeting.

 

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

 

Portfolio turnover measures the percentage of the Portfolio’s total portfolio market value that was purchased or sold during the period. The Portfolio's turnover rate provides an indication of how transaction costs (which are not included in the Portfolio’s expenses) may affect the Portfolio’s performance. Also, funds with a high turnover may be more likely to distribute capital gains that may be taxable to shareholders.

 

No portfolio turnover rate information is provided for the Portfolio because the Portfolio had not commenced operations prior to the date of this SAI.

 

MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY

 

The business and affairs of the Company are managed under the oversight of the Board of Directors, subject to the laws of the State of Maryland and the Company’s Charter. The Directors are responsible for deciding matters of overall policy and overseeing the actions of the Company’s service providers. The officers of the Company conduct and supervise the Company’s daily business operations.

 

Directors who are not deemed to be “interested persons” of the Company (as defined in the 1940 Act) are referred to as “Independent Directors.” Directors who are deemed to be “interested persons” of the Company are referred to as “Interested Directors.” The Board is currently composed of seven Independent Directors and one Interested Director. The Board has selected Arnold M. Reichman, an Independent Director, to act as Chairman. Mr. Reichman’s duties include presiding at meetings of the Board and interfacing with management to address significant issues that may arise between regularly scheduled Board and Committee meetings. In the performance of his duties, Mr. Reichman will consult with the other Independent Directors and the Company’s officers and legal counsel, as appropriate. The Chairman may perform other functions as requested by the Board from time to time.

 

The Board meets as often as necessary to discharge its responsibilities. Currently, the Board conducts regular, in-person meetings at least four times a year, and holds special in-person or telephonic meetings as necessary to address specific issues that require attention prior to the next regularly scheduled meeting. The Board also relies on professionals, such as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firms and legal counsel, to assist the Directors in performing their oversight responsibilities.

 

The Board has established nine standing committees — Audit, Contract, Executive, Investment and Liquidity Risk, Nominating and Governance, Product Development, Regulatory Oversight, Strategic Oversight, and Valuation Committees. The Board may establish other committees, or nominate one or more Directors to examine particular issues related to the Board’s oversight responsibilities, from time to time. Each Committee meets periodically to perform its delegated oversight functions and reports its findings and recommendations to the Board. For more information on the Committees, see the section entitled “Standing Committees.”

18

 

The Board has determined that the Company’s leadership structure is appropriate because it allows the Board to effectively perform its oversight responsibilities.

19

 

Directors and Executive Officers

 

The Directors and executive officers of the Company, their ages, business addresses and principal occupations during the past five years are set forth below.

 

Name, Address,

and Age

Position(s)

Held with

Company

Term of Office

and

Length of

Time

Served1

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

Number of

Portfolios in

Fund

Complex

Overseen by

Director*

Other

Directorships

Held by Director

in the Past 5 Years

INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

Julian A. Brodsky
615 East Michigan Street, Milwaukee

WI 53202
Age: 86

Director 1988 to present From 1969 to 2011, Director and Vice Chairman, Comcast Corporation (cable television and communications). 34 AMDOCS Limited (service provider to telecommunications companies).

J. Richard Carnall
615 East Michigan Street, Milwaukee

WI 53202  
Age: 81

Director 2002 to present

Since 1984, Director of Haydon Bolts, Inc. (bolt manufacturer) and Parkway Real Estate Company (subsidiary of Haydon Bolts, Inc.); since 2004, Director of Cornerstone Bank.

34 None

Gregory P. Chandler
615 East Michigan Street, Milwaukee

WI 53202
Age: 53

Director 2012 to present

Since 2009, Chief Financial Officer, Emtec, Inc. (information technology consulting/services).

 

34

Emtec, Inc.; FS Investment Corporation (business development company) (until December 2018); FS Energy and Power Fund (business development company); Wilmington Funds (12 portfolios) (registered investment company).

Nicholas A. Giordano
615 East Michigan Street, Milwaukee

WI 53202  
Age: 76

Director 2006 to present Since 1997, Consultant, financial services organizations. 34

IntriCon Corporation (biomedical device manufacturer);

Kalmar Pooled Investment Trust (registered investment company) (until September 2017); Wilmington Funds (12 portfolios) (registered investment company); Independence Blue Cross (healthcare insurance).

20

 

Name, Address,

and Age

Position(s)

Held with

Company

Term of Office

and

Length of

Time

Served1

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

Number of

Portfolios in

Fund

Complex

Overseen by

Director*

Other

Directorships

Held by Director

in the Past 5 Years

Arnold M. Reichman
615 East Michigan Street, Milwaukee

WI 53202
Age: 71

Chairman

Director

2005 to present

1991 to present

From 2006-2016, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Lifebooker, LLC (online beauty and health appointment booking service).

34 Independent Trustee of EIP Investment Trust (registered investment company).

Brian T. Shea

615 East Michigan Street, Milwaukee

WI 53202
Age: 59

Director 2018 to present From 2014-2017, Chief Executive Officer, BNY Mellon Investment Services (fund services, global custodian and securities clearing firm); from 1983-2014, Chief Executive Officer and various positions, Pershing LLC (broker dealer, clearing and custody firm). 34

WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (asset management company) (until March 2019); Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. (financial services technology company); Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (financial services company).

 

Robert A. Straniere
615 East Michigan Street, Milwaukee

WI 53202  
Age: 78

Director 2006 to present

Since 2009, Administrative Law Judge, New York City; since 1980, Founding Partner, Straniere Law Group (law firm).

34

Reich and Tang Group (asset management)(until 2015).

 

INTERESTED DIRECTOR2

Robert Sablowsky
615 East Michigan Street, Milwaukee

WI 53202  
Age: 81

Vice Chairman

Director

 

2016 to present

 

1991 to present

 

Since 2002, Senior Director – Investments and prior thereto, Executive Vice President, of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. (a registered broker-dealer).

34 None

21

 

Name, Address,

and Age

Position(s)

Held with

Company

Term of Office

and

Length of

Time

Served1

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

Number of

Portfolios in

Fund

Complex

Overseen by

Director*

Other

Directorships

Held by Director

in the Past 5 Years

OFFICERS

Salvatore Faia, JD,
CPA, CFE
Vigilant Compliance, LLC
Gateway Corporate
Center Suite 216
223 Wilmington West
Chester Pike
Chadds Ford, PA 19317
Age: 57

President

 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

2009 to present

 

2004 to present

 

Since 2004, President, Vigilant Compliance, LLC (investment management services company); since 2005, Independent Trustee of EIP Investment Trust (registered investment company).

 

N/A N/A

James G. Shaw
615 East Michigan Street, Milwaukee

WI 53202
Age: 59

 

Treasurer

and

Secretary

 

2016 to present Since 2016, Treasurer and Secretary of The RBB Fund, Inc.; from 2005 to 2016, Assistant Treasurer of The RBB Fund, Inc.; from 1995 to 2016, Senior Director and Vice President of BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (financial services company). N/A N/A

Craig A. Urciuoli

615 East Michigan Street, Milwaukee

WI 53202

Age: 45

Director of Marketing & Business Development 2019 to present Since 2019, Director of Marketing & Business Development, The RBB Fund, Inc.; from 2000-2019, Managing Director, Third Avenue Management LLC. N/A N/A

Jennifer Witt

615 East Michigan Street, Milwaukee

WI 53202

Age: 37

 

Assistant Treasurer 2018 to present Since 2016, Assistant Vice President, U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (fund administrative services firm); from 2007 to 2016, Supervisor, Nuveen Investments (registered investment company). N/A N/A

Edward Paz

615 East Michigan Street, Milwaukee

WI 53202

Age: 49

Assistant Secretary

 

2016 to present

Since 2007, Vice President and Counsel, U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (fund administrative services firm).

N/A N/A

22

 

Name, Address,

and Age

Position(s)

Held with

Company

Term of Office

and

Length of

Time

Served1

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

Number of

Portfolios in

Fund

Complex

Overseen by

Director*

Other

Directorships

Held by Director

in the Past 5 Years

Michael P. Malloy
One Logan Square
Suite 2000
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Age: 60

 

Assistant Secretary 1999 to present Since 1993, Partner, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (law firm). N/A N/A

Jillian L. Bosmann

One Logan Square, Suite 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Age: 41

Assistant Secretary 2017 to present Partner, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (law firm) (2017-Present); Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (2006-Present). N/A N/A

 

* Each Director oversees 34 portfolios of the Company.

1. Subject to the Company’s Retirement Policy, each Director may continue to serve as a Director until the last day of the calendar year in which the applicable Director attains age 75 or until his successor is elected and qualified or his death, resignation or removal. The Board reserves the right to waive the requirements of the Policy with respect to an individual Director. The Board has approved waivers of the policy with respect to Messrs. Brodsky, Carnall, Giordano, Sablowsky and Straniere. Each officer holds office at the pleasure of the Board until the next special meeting of the Company or until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, or until he or she dies, resigns or is removed.

2. Mr. Sablowsky is considered an “interested person” of the Company as that term is defined in the 1940 Act and is referred to as an “Interested Director.” Mr. Sablowsky is considered an “Interested Director” of the Company by virtue of his position as a senior officer of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc., a registered broker-dealer.

 

Director Experience, Qualifications, Attributes and/or Skills

 

The information above includes each Director’s principal occupations during the last five years.  Each Director possesses extensive additional experience, skills and attributes relevant to his qualifications to serve as a Director.  The cumulative background of each Director led to the conclusion that each Director should serve as a Director of the Company.  Mr. Giordano has years of experience as a consultant to financial services organizations and also serves on the boards of other registered investment companies. Mr. Reichman brings decades of investment management experience to the Board, in addition to senior executive-level management experience.  Mr. Straniere has been a practicing attorney for over 30 years and has served on the boards of an asset management company and another registered investment company.  Mr. Brodsky has over 40 years of senior executive-level management experience in the cable television and communications industry.  Mr. Sablowsky has demonstrated leadership and management abilities as evidenced by his senior executive-level positions in the financial services industry.  Mr. Carnall has decades of senior executive-level management experience in the banking and financial services industry and also serves on the boards of various corporations and a bank. Mr. Chandler has demonstrated leadership and management abilities as evidenced by his senior executive-level positions in the investment technology consulting/services and investment banking/brokerage industries, and also serves on various boards. Mr. Shea has demonstrated leadership and management abilities as evidenced by his senior executive-level positions in the brokerage, clearing and investment services industry, including service on the boards of industry regulatory organizations and a university.

 

Standing Committees

 

The responsibilities of each Committee of the Board and its members are described below.

 

Audit Committee. The Board has an Audit Committee comprised of three Independent Directors. The current members of the Audit Committee are Messrs. Brodsky, Chandler and Giordano. The Audit Committee, among other things, reviews results of the annual audit and approves the firm(s) to serve as independent auditors. The Audit Committee convened three times during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019.

23

 

Contract Committee. The Board has a Contract Committee comprised of the Interested Director and three Independent Directors. The current members of the Contract Committee are Messrs. Brodsky, Chandler, Sablowsky and Straniere. The Contract Committee reviews and makes recommendations to the Board regarding the approval and continuation of agreements and plans of the Company. The Contract Committee convened four times during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019.

 

Executive Committee. The Board has an Executive Committee comprised of the Interested Director and three Independent Directors. The current members of the Executive Committee are Messrs. Chandler, Giordano, Reichman and Sablowsky. The Executive Committee may generally carry on and manage the business of the Company when the Board is not in session. The Executive Committee did not meet during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019.

 

Investment and Liquidity Risk Committee. The Board has an Investment and Liquidity Risk Committee comprised of the Interested Director and two Independent Directors. The current members of the Investment and Liquidity Risk Committee are Messrs. Reichman, Sablowsky and Shea. The Investment and Liquidity Risk Committee ensures that the Company’s investment advisers have adopted investment risk and liquidity management policies and procedures. The Investment and Liquidity Risk Committee met one time during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019.

 

Nominating and Governance Committee. The Board has a Nominating and Governance Committee comprised of three Independent Directors. The current members of the Nominating and Governance Committee are Messrs. Carnall, Giordano and Reichman. The Nominating and Governance Committee recommends to the Board all persons to be nominated as Directors of the Company. The Nominating and Governance Committee will consider nominees recommended by shareholders. Recommendations should be submitted to the Committee care of the Company’s Secretary. The Nominating and Governance Committee convened two times during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019.

 

Product Development Committee. The Board has a Product Development Committee comprised of the Interested Director and one Independent Director. The current members of the Product Development Committee are Messrs. Reichman and Sablowsky. The Product Development Committee oversees the process regarding the addition of new investment advisers and investment products to the Company. The Product Development Committee convened two times during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019.

 

Regulatory Oversight Committee. The Board has a Regulatory Oversight Committee comprised of the Interested Director and four Independent Directors. The current members of the Regulatory Oversight Committee are Messrs. Carnall, Reichman, Sablowsky, Shea and Straniere. The Regulatory Oversight Committee monitors regulatory developments in the mutual fund industry and focuses on various regulatory aspects of the operation of the Company. The Regulatory Oversight Committee convened four times during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019.

 

Strategic Oversight Committee. The Board has a Strategic Oversight Committee comprised of the Interested Director and three Independent Directors. The current members of the Strategic Oversight Committee are Messrs. Carnall, Chandler, Reichman and Sablowsky. The Strategic Oversight Committee assists the Board in its oversight and review of the Company’s strategic plan and operations. The Strategic Oversight Committee did not meet during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019.

 

Valuation Committee. The Board has a Valuation Committee comprised of the Interested Director and two officers of the Company. The members of the Valuation Committee are Messrs. Faia, Sablowsky and Shaw. The Valuation Committee is responsible for reviewing fair value determinations. The Valuation Committee convened four times during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019.

 

Risk Oversight

 

The Board performs its risk oversight function for the Company through a combination of (1) direct oversight by the Board as a whole and Board committees and (2) indirect oversight through the Company’s investment advisers and other service providers, Company officers and the Company’s CCO.  The Company is subject to a number of risks, including but not limited to investment risk, compliance risk, operational risk, reputational risk, credit risk and counterparty risk.  Day-to-day risk management with respect to the Company is the responsibility of the Company’s investment advisers or other service providers (depending on the nature of the risk) that carry out the Company’s investment management and business affairs.  Each of the investment advisers and the other service providers have their own independent interest in risk management and their policies and methods of risk management will depend on their functions and business models and may differ from the Company’s and each other’s in the setting of priorities, the resources available or the effectiveness of relevant controls.

24

 

The Board provides risk oversight by receiving and reviewing on a regular basis reports from the Company’s investment advisers or other service providers, receiving and approving compliance policies and procedures, periodic meetings with the Company’s portfolio managers to review investment policies, strategies and risks, and meeting regularly with the Company’s CCO to discuss compliance reports, findings and issues.  The Board also relies on the Company’s investment advisers and other service providers, with respect to the day-to-day activities of the Company, to create and maintain procedures and controls to minimize risk and the likelihood of adverse effects on the Company’s business and reputation.

 

Board oversight of risk management is also provided by various Board Committees.  For example, the Audit Committee meets with the Company’s independent registered public accounting firms to ensure that the Company’s respective audit scopes include risk-based considerations as to the Company’s financial position and operations.

 

The Board may, at any time and in its discretion, change the manner in which it conducts risk oversight.  The Board’s oversight role does not make the Board a guarantor of the Company’s investments or activities.

 

Director Ownership of Shares of the Company

 

The following table sets forth the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by each Director in all of the portfolios of the Company (which for each Director comprise all registered investment companies within the Company’s family of investment companies overseen by him), as of December 31, 2019. Shares of the Portfolio are offered only to Separate Accounts of Participating Insurance Companies for the purpose of funding various annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies and are not available for direct investment by the Directors.

25

 

Name of Director

Dollar Range of

Equity Securities

in the

Portfolio

Aggregate Dollar

Range of Equity

Securities in All

Registered Investment

Companies Overseen

by Director

within the

Family of Investment

Companies

  INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS  
Julian A. Brodsky None Over $100,000
J. Richard Carnall None $10,001-$50,000
Gregory P. Chandler None $1-$10,000

Nicholas A. Giordano 

None $10,001-$50,000
Arnold M. Reichman None Over $100,000
Brian T. Shea None None
Robert A. Straniere None $1-$10,000
  INTERESTED DIRECTOR  
Robert Sablowsky None Over $100,000

 

Directors’ and Officers’ Compensation

 

Effective April 1, 2019, the Company pays each Director a retainer at the rate of $125,000 annually, $10,000 for each regular meeting of the Board, $3,500 for each committee meeting attended in-person, and $2,000 for each committee meeting attended telephonically or special meeting of the Board attended in-person or telephonically. The Chairman of the Audit Committee and Chairman of the Regulatory Oversight Committee each receives an additional fee of $20,000 for his services. The Chairman of the Contract Committee and the Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee each receives an additional fee of $10,000 per year for his services. The Chairman of the Investment and Liquidity Risk Committee receives an additional fee of $7,500 per year for his services. The Vice Chairman of the Board receives an additional fee of $35,000 per year for his services in this capacity and the Chairman of the Board receives an additional fee of $75,000 per year for his services in this capacity.

 

From January 1, 2018, to March 31, 2019, the Company paid each Director a retainer at the rate of $100,000 annually, $10,000 for each regular meeting of the Board, $3,500 for each committee meeting attended in-person, and $2,000 for each committee meeting attended telephonically or special meeting of the Board attended in-person or telephonically. The Chairman of the Audit Committee and Chairman of the Regulatory Oversight Committee each received an additional fee of $15,000 for his services. The Chairman of the Contract Committee received an additional fee of $10,000 per year for his services, and the Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee and Chairman of the Investment and Liquidity Risk Committee each received an additional fee of $7,500 per year for his services. The Vice Chairman of the Board received an additional fee of $25,000 per year for his services in this capacity and the Chairman of the Board received an additional fee of $50,000 per year for his services in this capacity.

 

Directors are reimbursed for any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending meetings of the Board or any committee thereof.  An employee of Vigilant Compliance, LLC serves as President and Chief Compliance Officer of the Company. Vigilant Compliance, LLC is compensated for the services provided to the Company, and such compensation is determined by the Board.  For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019, Vigilant Compliance LLC received $46,480 from the U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund, $3,584 from the U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund, and $2,074 from the Global Equity Fund, respectively, and $770,742 in the aggregate from all series of the Company for its services. An employee of the Company serves as a Treasurer and Secretary and is compensated for services provided. For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019, each of the following members of the Board and the Treasurer and Secretary received compensation from the Company in the following amounts:

26

 

Name of 

Director/Officer 

Aggregate

Compensation

from the Portfolio

Pension or

Retirement

Benefits Accrued

Estimated

Annual

Benefits

Upon

Retirement

Total

Compensation

From

Fund Complex

Paid to

Directors

or Officer

Independent Directors:        
Julian A. Brodsky, Director $0 N/A N/A $148,750
J. Richard Carnall, Director $0 N/A N/A $152,250
Gregory P. Chandler, Director $0 N/A N/A $178,500
Nicholas A. Giordano, Director $0 N/A N/A $156,875

Arnold M. Reichman, Director and Chairman 

$0 N/A N/A $208,500
Brian T. Shea, Director $0 N/A N/A $152,500
Robert A. Straniere, Director $0 N/A N/A $155,750
Interested Director:        
Robert Sablowsky, Director $0 N/A N/A $205,250
Officer:        
James G. Shaw, Treasurer and Secretary $0 N/A N/A $288,000

 

Each compensated Director is entitled to participate in the Company’s deferred compensation plan (the “DC Plan”). Under the DC Plan, a compensated Director may elect to defer all or a portion of his compensation and have the deferred compensation treated as if it had been invested by the Company in shares of one or more of the portfolios of the Company. The amount paid to the Directors under the DC Plan will be determined based upon the performance of such investments.

 

As of December 31, 2019, the Independent Directors and their respective immediate family members (spouse or dependent children) [did not own beneficially or of record any securities of the Company’s investment advisers or distributor, or of any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment advisers or distributor.]

 

CODE OF ETHICS

 

The Company and the Adviser have each adopted a code of ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act that permits personnel subject to the codes to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Company, subject to certain restrictions.

 

PROXY VOTING

 

The Board has delegated the responsibility of voting proxies with respect to the portfolio securities purchased and/or held by the Portfolio to the Adviser, subject to the Board’s continuing oversight.  In exercising its voting obligations, the Adviser is guided by its general fiduciary duty to act prudently and in the interest of the Portfolio.  The Adviser will consider factors affecting the value of the Portfolio’s investments and the rights of shareholders in its determination on voting portfolio securities.

27

 

The Adviser will vote proxies in accordance with its proxy policies and procedures, which are included in Appendix B to this SAI.

 

The Company is required to disclose annually the Portfolio’s complete proxy voting record on Form N-PX.  The Portfolio’s proxy voting record for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th will be available upon request by calling 1-855-744-8500 or by writing to the Portfolio at: Summit Global Investments Funds, c/o U.S. Bank Global Fund Services, PO Box 701, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201-0701. The Portfolio’s Form N-PX will be also available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

 

As the Portfolio had not commenced operations prior to the date of this SAI, none of the Directors beneficially own shares of the Portfolio. Any shareholder that owns 25% or more of the outstanding shares of a portfolio or class may be presumed to “control” (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) the portfolio or class. Shareholders controlling a portfolio or class could have the ability to vote a majority of the shares of the portfolio or class on any matter requiring approval of the shareholders of the portfolio or class.

 

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES

 

INVESTMENT ADVISER

 

Summit Global Investments, LLC (“Summit” or the “Adviser”) is a limited liability company registered with the State of Utah in October 2010.  The Adviser is 100% privately-owned and is controlled by David Harden.

 

Advisory Agreement with the Company.  The Adviser renders advisory services to the Portfolio pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement. Subject to the supervision of the Board, the Adviser will provide for the overall management of the Portfolio including (i) the provision of a continuous investment program for the Portfolio, including investment research and management with respect to all securities, investments, cash and cash equivalents, (ii) the determination from time to time of the securities and other investments to be purchased, retained, or sold by the Portfolio, and (iii) the placement from time to time of orders for all purchases and sales of securities and other investments made for the Portfolio.  The Adviser will provide the services rendered by it in accordance with the Portfolio’s investment objective, restrictions and policies as stated in the Prospectus and in this SAI.  The Adviser will not be liable for any error of judgment, mistake of law, or for any loss suffered by the Portfolio in connection with the performance of the Advisory Agreement, except a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for services 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 obligations and duties under the Advisory Agreement.

 

For its services to the Portfolio, the Adviser is entitled to an advisory fee computed daily and payable monthly at the annual rate of 0.70% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets.  The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its management fees and reimburse expenses through [ ], 2021, to the extent that the Portfolio’s total annual operating expenses (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, short sale dividend expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest and taxes) exceed 0.98%. If at any time the Portfolio's Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses for that year are less than 0.98%, the Adviser is entitled to reimbursement by the Portfolio of the advisory fees forgone and other payments remitted by the Adviser to the Portfolio within three years from the date on which such waiver or reimbursement was made, provided such reimbursement does not cause the Portfolio to exceed expense limitations that were in effect at the time of the waiver or reimbursement.

 

The Adviser will pay all expenses incurred by it in connection with its activities under the Advisory Agreement.  The Portfolio bears all of its own expenses not specifically assumed by the Adviser.  General expenses of the Company not readily identifiable as belonging to a portfolio of the Company are allocated among all investment portfolios by or under the direction of the Board in such manner as it deems to be fair and equitable. Expenses borne by the Portfolio include, but are not limited to the following (or the Portfolio’s share of the following): (a) the cost (including brokerage commissions) of securities purchased or sold by the Portfolio and any losses incurred in connection therewith; (b) fees payable to and expenses incurred on behalf of the Portfolio by the Adviser; (c) filing fees and expenses relating to the registration and qualification of the Company and the Portfolio’s shares under federal and/or state securities laws and maintaining such registrations and qualifications; (d) fees and salaries payable to the Company’s Directors and officers; (e) taxes (including any income or franchise taxes) and governmental fees; (f) costs of any liability and other insurance or fidelity bonds; (g) any costs, expenses or losses arising out of a liability of or claim for damages or other relief asserted against the Company or the Portfolio for violation of any law; (h) legal, accounting and auditing expenses, including legal fees of special counsel for the independent Directors; (i) charges of custodians and other agents; (j) expenses of setting in type and printing prospectuses, statements of additional information and supplements thereto for existing shareholders, reports, statements, and confirmations to shareholders and proxy material that are not attributable to a class; (k) costs of mailing prospectuses, statements of additional information and supplements thereto to existing shareholders, as well as reports to shareholders and proxy materials that are not attributable to a class; (1) any extraordinary expenses; (m) fees, voluntary assessments and other expenses incurred in connection with membership in investment company organizations; (n) costs of mailing and tabulating proxies and costs of shareholders’ and Directors’ meetings; (o) costs of independent pricing services to value a portfolio’s securities; and (p) the costs of investment company literature and other publications provided by the Company to its Directors and officers.  Distribution expenses, transfer agency expenses, expenses of preparation, printing and mailing prospectuses, statements of additional information, proxy statements and reports to shareholders, and organizational expenses and registration fees, identified as belonging to a particular class of the Company, are allocated to such class.

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No advisory fee information is provided for the Portfolio because the Portfolio had not commenced operations prior to the date of this SAI.

 

The Advisory Agreement provides that the Adviser shall at all times have all rights in and to the Portfolio’s name and all investment models used by or on behalf of the Portfolio.  The Adviser may use the Portfolio’s name or any portion thereof in connection with any other mutual fund or business activity without the consent of any shareholder, and the Company has agreed to execute and deliver any and all documents required to indicate its consent to such use.

 

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

 

This section includes information about the Portfolio’s portfolio managers, including information about other accounts they manage, the dollar range of Portfolio shares they own and how they are compensated.

 

Description of Compensation.  As of the date of this SAI, The Adviser compensates the Portfolio's portfolio managers for their management of the Portfolio.  The portfolio managers are compensated through equity ownership of the Adviser, adjusted to reflect current market rates, and therefore compensation is in part based on the value of the Portfolio’s net assets and other client accounts they are managing.  The Adviser’s Board of Managers reviews the compensation of each portfolio manager periodically and may make modifications in compensation as it deems necessary to reflect changes in the market.

 

Other Accounts.  In addition to the Portfolio, each portfolio manager is responsible for the day-to-day management of certain other accounts, as listed below.  The information below is provided as of March 31, 2020.

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Name of Portfolio Manager 

or Team Member 

Type of Accounts

Total

# of

Accounts

Managed

Total Assets

# of Accounts

Managed that

Advisory Fee

Based on

Performance

Total Assets

that Advisory

Fee Based on

Performance

(in millions)

David Harden Other Registered Investment Companies: [...] [...] [...] [...]
  Other Pooled Investment Vehicles: [...] [...] [...] [...]
  Other Accounts: [...] [...] [...] [...]
Mathew Hanna Other Registered Investment Companies: [...] [...] [...] [...]
  Other Pooled Investment Vehicles: [...] [...] [...] [...]
  Other Accounts: [...] [...] [...] [...]
Aash Shah Other Registered Investment Companies: [...] [...] [...] [...]
  Other Pooled Investment Vehicles: [...] [...] [...] [...]
  Other Accounts: [...] [...] [...] [...]

 

Conflict of Interest. The portfolio managers’ management of other accounts may give rise to potential conflicts of interest in connection with his management of the Portfolio’s investments, on the one hand, and the investments of the other accounts, on the other.  The other accounts may have the same investment objective as the Portfolio.  Therefore, a potential conflict of interest may arise as a result of the identical investment objectives, whereby a portfolio manager could favor one account over another.  Another potential conflict could include the portfolio managers’ knowledge about the size, timing and possible market impact of Portfolio trades, whereby a portfolio manager could use this information to the advantage of other accounts and to the disadvantage of the Portfolio.  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.

 

Securities Ownership. No portfolio manager ownership information is provided for the Portfolio because the Portfolio had not commenced operations prior to the date of this SAI.

 

ADMINISTRATION AND ACCOUNTING AGREEMENT

 

Fund Services, located at 615 East Michigan Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202, serves as fund administrator to the Portfolio pursuant to a fund administration servicing agreement and serves as fund accountant pursuant to a fund accounting servicing agreement (the “Administration Agreements”).  Under the fund accounting servicing agreement, Fund Services has agreed to furnish to the Portfolio statistical and research data, clerical, accounting and bookkeeping services, and certain other services required by the Portfolio.  Under the fund administration servicing agreement, Fund Services has agreed to provide fund administration services to the Company.  These services include the preparation and coordination of the Company’s annual post-effective amendment filing and supplements to the Portfolio's registration statement, the preparation and assembly of board meeting materials, and certain other services necessary to the Company’s fund administration. In addition, Fund Services has agreed to prepare and file various reports with the appropriate regulatory agencies and prepare materials required by the SEC or any state securities commission having jurisdiction over the Portfolio.

 

The Administration Agreements provide that Fund Services shall be obligated to exercise reasonable care in the performance of its duties and that Fund Services shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or any loss suffered by the Company in connection with its duties under the Administration Agreements, except a loss resulting from Fund Services’ refusal or failure to comply with the terms of the applicable Administration Agreement or from its bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties thereunder.

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Fund Services receives a fee under the Administration Agreements based on the average daily net assets of the Company. No administration fee information is provided for Portfolio because the Portfolio had not commenced operations prior to the date of this SAI.

 

CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT

 

U.S. Bank, N.A., (the “Custodian”), 1555 North RiverCenter Drive, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212, is custodian of the Portfolio's assets pursuant to a custodian agreement (the “Custodian Agreement”).  Under the Custodian Agreement, the Custodian: (a) maintains a separate account or accounts in the name of the Portfolio; (b) holds and transfers portfolio securities on account of the Portfolio; (c) accepts receipts and makes disbursements of money on behalf of the Portfolio; (d) collects and receives all income and other payments and distributions on account of the Portfolio's portfolio securities; and (e) makes periodic reports to the Board concerning the Portfolio's operations.  The Custodian is authorized to select one or more banks or trust companies to serve as sub-custodian on behalf of the Portfolio, provided that the Custodian remains responsible for the performance of all of its duties under the Custodian Agreement and holds the Portfolio harmless from the acts and omissions of any affiliate, sub-custodian or domestic sub-custodian.  For its services to the Portfolio under the Custodian Agreement, the Custodian receives a fee based on the Portfolio's average gross assets calculated daily and payable monthly. Transaction charges and out-of-pocket expenses are also charged to the Portfolio. Fund Services and the Custodian are affiliates.

 

TRANSFER AGENCY AGREEMENT

 

Fund Services, 615 East Michigan Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202, serves as the transfer and dividend disbursing agent for the Portfolio pursuant to a transfer agency and servicing agreement (the “Transfer Agency Agreement”), under which Fund Services:  (a) issues and redeems shares of the Portfolio; (b) addresses and mails all communications by the Portfolio to record owners of the shares, including reports to shareholders, dividend and distribution notices and proxy materials for its meetings of shareholders; (c) maintains shareholder accounts and, if requested, sub-accounts; and (d) makes periodic reports to the Board concerning the operations of the Portfolio.  Fund Services may, subject to the Board’s approval, assign its duties as transfer and dividend disbursing agent to any affiliate. For its services to the Portfolio under the Transfer Agency Agreement, Fund Services receives an annual fee based on the number of accounts in the Portfolio and the Portfolio's average gross assets calculated daily and payable monthly. Transaction charges and out-of-pocket expenses are also charged to the Portfolio.

 

Fund Services also provides services relating to the implementation of the Company’s Anti-Money Laundering Program.  In addition, Fund Services provides services relating to the implementation of the Portfolio's Customer Identification Program, including verification of required customer information and the maintenance of records with respect to such verification.

 

DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

Quasar Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”), whose principal business address is 777 Wisconsin Avenue, 6th Floor, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202, serves as the underwriter to the Portfolio pursuant to the terms of a distribution agreement (the “Distribution Agreement”).  The Distributor is a registered broker-dealer and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”).  The Distributor is not affiliated with the Company or the Adviser.

 

Under the Distribution Agreement with the Portfolio, the Distributor acts as the agent of the Company in connection with the continuous offering of shares of the Portfolio.  The Distributor continually distributes shares of the Portfolio on a best efforts basis.  The Distributor has no obligation to sell any specific quantity of Portfolio shares.  The Distributor and its officers have no role in determining the investment policies or which securities are to be purchased or sold by the Company.

 

The Distributor may enter into agreements with selected broker-dealers, banks or other financial intermediaries for distribution of shares of the Portfolio.  With respect to certain financial intermediaries and related fund “supermarket” platform arrangements, the Portfolio and/or the Adviser, rather than the Distributor, typically enter into such agreements.  These financial intermediaries may charge a fee for their services and may receive shareholder service or other fees from parties other than the Distributor.  These financial intermediaries may otherwise act as processing agents and are responsible for promptly transmitting purchase, redemption and other requests to the Portfolio.

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Investors who purchase shares through financial intermediaries will be subject to the procedures of those intermediaries through which they purchase shares, which may include charges, investment minimums, cutoff times and other restrictions in addition to, or different from, those listed herein.  Information concerning any charges or services will be provided to customers by the financial intermediary through which they purchase shares.  Investors purchasing shares of the Portfolio through financial intermediaries should acquaint themselves with their financial intermediary’s procedures and should read the Prospectus in conjunction with any materials and information provided by their financial intermediary.  The financial intermediary, and not its customers, will be the shareholder of record, although customers may have the right to vote shares depending upon their arrangement with the financial intermediary.  The Distributor does not receive compensation from the Portfolio for its distribution services except the distribution/service fees with respect to the shares of those classes for which a Rule 12b-1 distribution plan is effective.  The Adviser pays the Distributor a fee for certain distribution-related services.

 

The Distribution Agreement has an initial term of up to two years and will continue in effect only if such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Board or by vote of a majority of the Portfolio’s outstanding voting securities in accordance with the 1940 Act.  The Distribution Agreement is terminable without penalty by the Company on behalf of the Portfolio on no less than 60 days’ written notice when authorized either by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio or by vote of a majority of the members of the Board who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Company and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Distribution Agreement, or by the Distributor, and will automatically terminate in the event of its “assignment” (as defined in the 1940 Act).  The Distribution Agreement provides that the Distributor shall not be liable for any loss suffered by the Company in connection with the performance of the Distributor’s obligations and duties under the Distribution Agreement, except a loss resulting from the Distributor’s willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence in the performance of such duties and obligations, or by reason of its reckless disregard thereof.

 

PAYMENTS TO FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES

 

The Adviser and/or its affiliates, at their discretion, may make payments from their own resources and not from Portfolio 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 Portfolio, its service providers or their respective affiliates, as incentives to help market and promote the Portfolio 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 Portfolio shares or provide services to the Portfolio, the Distributor or shareholders of the Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 Portfolio; providing access to sales and management representatives of the financial intermediary; promoting sales of Portfolio 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.

 

Revenue sharing payments may be negotiated based on a variety of factors, including the level of sales, the amount of Portfolio assets attributable to investments in the Portfolio 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 Portfolio shares, which in turn may benefit the Adviser through increased fees as Portfolio assets grow.

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FUND TRANSACTIONS

 

Subject to policies established by the Board and applicable rules, the Adviser is responsible for the execution of portfolio transactions and the allocation of brokerage transactions for the Portfolio.  In executing portfolio transactions, the Adviser seeks to obtain the best price and most favorable execution for the Portfolio, taking into account such factors as the price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), size of the order, difficulty of execution and operational facilities of the firm involved.  While the Adviser generally seeks reasonably competitive commission rates, payment of the lowest commission or spread is not necessarily consistent with obtaining the best price and execution in particular transactions.

 

Brokerage Transactions

 

Generally, equity securities, both listed and over-the-counter, are bought and sold through brokerage transactions for which commissions are payable. Purchases from underwriters will include the underwriting commission or concession, and purchases from dealers serving as market makers will include a dealer’s mark-up or reflect a dealer’s mark-down. Money market securities and other debt securities are usually bought and sold directly from the issuer or an underwriter or market maker for the securities. Generally, the Portfolio will not pay brokerage commissions for such purchases. When a debt security is bought from an underwriter, the purchase price will usually include an underwriting commission or concession. The purchase price for securities bought from dealers serving as market makers will similarly include the dealer’s mark up or reflect a dealer’s mark down. When the Portfolio executes transactions in the over-the-counter market, it will generally deal with primary market makers unless prices that are more favorable are otherwise obtainable.

 

In addition, the Adviser may place a combined order for two or more accounts they manage, including the Portfolio, engaged in the purchase or sale of the same security if, in its judgment, joint execution is in the best interest of each participant and will result in best price and execution. Transactions involving commingled orders are allocated in a manner deemed equitable to each account and the Portfolio. Although it is recognized that, in some cases, the joint execution of orders could adversely affect the price or volume of the security that a particular account or the Portfolio may obtain, it is the opinion of the Adviser and the Board that the advantages of combined orders outweigh the possible disadvantages of separate transactions. Nonetheless, the Adviser believes that the ability of the Portfolio to participate in higher volume transactions will generally be beneficial to the Portfolio.

 

No brokerage commissions information is provided for the Portfolio because the Portfolio had not commenced operations prior to the date of this SAI.

 

No ownership information of regular broker-dealers is provided for the Portfolio because the Portfolio had not commenced operations prior to the date of this SAI.

 

Brokerage Selection

 

The Company does not expect to use one particular broker or dealer, and when one or more brokers is believed capable of providing the best combination of price and execution, the Adviser may select a broker based upon brokerage or research services provided to the Adviser. The Adviser may pay a higher commission than otherwise obtainable from other brokers in return for such services only if a good faith determination is made that the commission is reasonable in relation to the services provided.

 

Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, permits an investment adviser, under certain circumstances, to cause a portfolio to pay a broker or dealer a commission for effecting a transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting the transaction in recognition of the value of brokerage and research services provided by the broker or dealer. In addition to agency transactions, the Adviser may receive brokerage and research services in connection with certain riskless principal transactions, in accordance with applicable SEC guidance. Brokerage and research services include: (1) furnishing advice as to the value of securities, the advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling securities, and the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities; (2) furnishing analyses and reports concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy, and the performance of accounts; and (3) effecting securities transactions and performing functions incidental thereto (such as clearance, settlement, and custody). In the case of research services, the Adviser believes that access to independent investment research is beneficial to their investment decision-making processes and, therefore, to the Portfolio.

33

 

To the extent research services may be a factor in selecting brokers, such services may be in written form or through direct contact with individuals and may include information as to particular companies and securities as well as market, economic, or institutional areas and information which assists in the valuation and pricing of investments. Examples of research-oriented services for which the Adviser might utilize Portfolio commissions include research reports and other information on the economy, industries, sectors, groups of securities, individual companies, statistical information, political developments, technical market action, pricing and appraisal services, credit analysis, risk measurement analysis, performance and other analysis. The Adviser may use research services furnished by brokers in servicing all client accounts and not all services may necessarily be used in connection with the account that paid commissions to the broker providing such services. Information so received by the Adviser will be in addition to and not in lieu of the services required to be performed by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement. Any advisory or other fees paid to the Adviser are not reduced as a result of the receipt of research services.

 

In some cases, the Adviser may receive a service from a broker that has both a “research” and a “non-research” use. When this occurs, the Adviser makes a good faith allocation, under all the circumstances, between the research and non-research uses of the service. The percentage of the service that is used for research purposes may be paid for with client commissions, while the Adviser will use its own funds to pay for the percentage of the service that is used for non-research purposes. In making this good faith allocation, the Adviser faces a potential conflict of interest, but the Adviser believes that its allocation procedures are reasonably designed to ensure that it appropriately allocates the anticipated use of such services to their research and non-research uses.

 

From time to time, the Portfolio may purchase new issues of securities for clients in a fixed price offering. In these situations, the seller may be a member of the selling group that will, in addition to selling securities, provide the Adviser with research services. FINRA has adopted rules expressly permitting these types of arrangements under certain circumstances. Generally, the seller will provide research “credits” in these situations at a rate that is higher than that which is available for typical secondary market transactions. These arrangements may not fall within the safe harbor of Section 28(e).

 

No soft-dollar arrangement information is provided for the Portfolio because the Portfolio had not commenced operations prior to the date of this SAI.

 

PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION

 

Read the Portfolio's Prospectus for information regarding the purchase and redemption of Portfolio shares. The following information supplements information in the Prospectus.

 

You may purchase shares through an account maintained by your brokerage firm, financial institutions and industry professionals (“Service Organizations”).  The Company reserves the right, if conditions exist which make cash payments undesirable, to honor any request for redemption or repurchase of the Portfolio’s shares by making payment in whole or in part in securities chosen by the Company and valued in the same way as they would be valued for purposes of computing the Portfolio’s NAV.  If payment is made in securities, a shareholder may incur transaction costs in converting these securities into cash.  A shareholder will also bear any market risk or tax consequences as a result of a payment in securities.  The Company has elected, however, to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act so that the Portfolio is obligated to redeem its shares solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of its NAV during any 90-day period for any one shareholder of the Portfolio. A shareholder will bear the risk of a decline in market value and any tax consequences associated with a redemption in securities.

 

Under the 1940 Act, the Company may suspend the right to redemption or postpone the date of payment upon redemption for any period during which the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (the “NYSE”) is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings), or during which the SEC restricts trading on the NYSE or determines an emergency exists as a result of which disposal or valuation of portfolio securities is not reasonably practicable, or for such other periods as the SEC may permit.  (The Company may also suspend or postpone the recordation of the transfer of its shares upon the occurrence of any of the foregoing conditions).

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Shares of the Portfolio are subject to redemption by the Company, at the redemption price of such shares as in effect from time to time, including, without limitation: (1) to reimburse the Portfolio for any loss sustained by reason of the failure of a shareholder to make full payment for shares purchased by the shareholder or to collect any charge relating to a transaction effected for the benefit of a shareholder as provided in the Prospectus from time to time; (2) if such redemption is, in the opinion of the Board, desirable in order to prevent the Company or the Portfolio from being deemed a “personal holding company” within the meaning of the Code; (3) or if the net income with respect to any particular class of common stock should be negative or it should otherwise be appropriate to carry out the Company’s responsibilities under the 1940 Act.

 

The Portfolio has the right to redeem your shares at current NAV at any time and without prior notice if, and to the extent that, such redemption is necessary to reimburse the Portfolio for any loss sustained by reason of your failure to make full payment for shares of the Portfolio you previously purchased or subscribed for.

 

Other Purchase Information

 

If shares of the Portfolio are held in a “street name” account with an authorized dealer, all recordkeeping, transaction processing and payments of distributions relating to the beneficial owner’s account will be performed by the authorized dealer, and not by the Portfolio and its Transfer Agent.  Since the Portfolio will have no record of the beneficial owner’s transactions, a beneficial owner should contact the authorized dealer to purchase, redeem or exchange shares, to make changes in or give instructions concerning the account or to obtain information about the account.  The transfer of shares in a “street name” account to an account with another dealer or to an account directly with the Portfolio involves special procedures and will require the beneficial owner to obtain historical purchase information about the shares in the account from the authorized dealer.

 

TELEPHONE TRANSACTION PROCEDURES

 

The Company’s telephone transaction procedures include the following measures: (1) requiring the appropriate telephone transaction privilege forms; (2) requiring the caller to provide the names of the account owners, the account social security number and name of the Portfolio, all of which must match the Company’s records; (3) requiring the Company’s service representative to complete a telephone transaction form, listing all of the above caller identification information; (4) permitting exchanges (if applicable) only if the two account registrations are identical; (5) requiring that redemption proceeds be sent only by check to the account owners of record at the address of record, or by electronic funds transfer through the ACH network or by wire only to the owners of record at the bank account of record; (6) sending a written confirmation for each telephone transaction to the owners of record at the address of record within five (5) business days of the call; and (7) maintaining tapes of telephone transactions for six months, if the Company elects to record shareholder telephone transactions. For accounts held of record by broker-dealers, financial institutions, securities dealers, financial planners and other industry professionals, additional documentation or information regarding the scope of a caller’s authority is required. Finally, for telephone transactions in accounts held jointly, additional information regarding other account holders is required.

 

VALUATION OF SHARES

 

In accordance with procedures adopted by the Board, the NAV per share of the Portfolio is calculated by determining the value of the net assets attributed to the Portfolio and dividing by the number of outstanding shares of the Portfolio. All securities are valued on each Business Day as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE (normally, but not always, 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) or such other time as the NYSE or National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations System (“NASDAQ”) market may officially close. The term “Business Day” means any day the NYSE is open for trading, which is Monday through Friday except for holidays. The NYSE is generally closed on the following holidays: New Year’s Day (observed), Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Washington’s Birthday (observed), Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

 

The time at which transactions and shares are priced and the time by which orders must be received may be changed in case of an emergency or if regular trading on the NYSE is stopped at a time other than 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The Company reserves the right to reprocess purchase, redemption and exchange transactions that were initially processed at a NAV other than the Portfolio’s official closing NAV (as the same may be subsequently adjusted), and to recover amounts from (or distribute amounts to) shareholders based on the official closing NAV. The Company reserves the right to advance the time by which purchase and redemption orders must be received for same business day credit as otherwise permitted by the SEC. In addition, the Portfolio may compute its NAV as of any time permitted pursuant to any exemption, order or statement of the SEC or its staff.

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The securities of the Portfolio are valued under the direction of the Portfolio's administrator and under the general supervision of the Board.  Prices are generally determined using readily available market prices.  Subject to the approval of the Board, the Portfolio may employ outside organizations, which may use a matrix or formula method that takes into consideration market indices, matrices, yield curves and other specific adjustments in determining the approximate market value of portfolio investments.  This may result in the investments being valued at a price that differs from the price that would have been determined had the matrix or formula method not been used.  All cash, receivables, and current payables are carried on the Portfolio’s books at their face value.  Other assets, if any, are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Portfolio's Valuation Committee under the direction of the Board.

 

The procedures used by any pricing service and its valuation results are reviewed by the officers of the Company under the general supervision of the Board.

 

The Portfolio may hold portfolio securities that are listed on foreign exchanges.  These securities may trade on weekends or other days when the Portfolio does not calculate NAV.  As a result, the value of these investments may change on days when you cannot purchase or sell Portfolio shares.

 

TAXES

 

Shares of the Portfolio are offered to Separate Accounts that Portfolio variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies issued by Participating Insurance Companies. See the prospectuses for such contracts or policies for a discussion of the special taxation of insurance companies with respect to the Separate Accounts, the variable annuity contracts, variable life insurance policies and the holders thereof.

 

The following summarizes certain tax considerations generally affecting the Portfolio, the underlying investment companies, and Portfolio shareholders that are not fully described in the Prospectus. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of the tax treatment of the Portfolio, the underlying investment companies, or Portfolio shareholders, and the discussions here and in the Prospectus are not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. Potential investors should consult their tax advisers with specific reference to their own tax situations.

 

The discussions of the federal tax consequences in the Prospectus and this SAI are based on the Code and the regulations issued under it, and court decisions and administrative interpretations, as in effect on the date of this SAI. Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may significantly alter the statements included herein, and any such changes or decisions may be retroactive.

 

General

 

The holders of variable life insurance policies or annuity contracts should not be subject to tax with respect to distributions made on, or redemptions of, Portfolio shares, assuming that the variable life insurance policies and annuity contracts qualify under the Code, as life insurance or annuities, respectively, and that the Separate Accounts (rather than the holders of such policies or contracts) are treated as owners of the Portfolio shares. Thus, this summary does not describe the tax consequences to a holder of a life insurance policy or annuity contract as a result of the ownership of such policies or contracts. Policy or contract holders must consult the prospectuses of their respective policies or contracts for information concerning the federal income tax consequences of owning such policies or contracts. This summary also does not describe the tax consequences applicable to the owners of the Portfolio shares because the Portfolio shares will be sold only to insurance companies. Thus, purchasers of Portfolio shares must consult their own tax advisers regarding the federal, state, and local tax consequences of owning Portfolio shares.

 

The Portfolio and each underlying investment company intends to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of Subtitle A, Chapter 1, of the Code. As such, the Portfolio and underlying investment company generally will be exempt from federal income tax on its net investment income and realized capital gains that it distributes to shareholders. To qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company, the Portfolio and underlying investment company must meet three important tests each year.

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First, the Portfolio and underlying investment company must derive with respect to each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, certain payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock or securities or foreign currencies, other income derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities, or currencies or net income derived from interests in qualified publicly traded partnerships.

 

Second, generally, at the close of each quarter of the Portfolio’s and each underlying investment company’s taxable year, at least 50% of the value of the Portfolio’s and the underlying investment companies’ assets must consist of cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, securities of other regulated investment companies and securities of other issuers (as to which the Portfolio or underlying investment company has not invested more than 5% of the value of its total assets in securities of such issuer and as to which the Portfolio or underlying investment company does not hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer), and no more than 25% of the value of the Portfolio’s and each underlying investment company’s total assets may be invested in the securities of (1) any one issuer (other than U.S. government securities and securities of other regulated investment companies), (2) two or more issuers that the Portfolio or underlying investment company controls and which are engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses, or (3) one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships.

 

Third, the Portfolio and underlying investment company must distribute an amount equal to at least the sum of 90% of the Portfolio’s or underlying investment company’s investment company taxable income (net investment income and the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss) before taking into account any deduction for dividends paid, and 90% of its tax-exempt income, if any, for the year.

 

The Portfolio and underlying investment company intends to comply with these requirements. If the Portfolio or underlying investment company were to fail to make sufficient distributions, it could be liable for corporate income tax and for excise tax in respect of the shortfall or, if the shortfall is large enough, the Portfolio or underlying investment company could be disqualified as a regulated investment company. If for any taxable year the Portfolio or underlying investment company were not to qualify as a regulated investment company, all its taxable income would be subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to shareholders. Moreover, a failure of the Portfolio to qualify as a regulated investment company could cause Separate Accounts that invest in the Portfolio to fail to meet the applicable diversification requirements described below, which in turn, could have adverse tax effects on policy or contract holders.

 

The Code imposes a nondeductible 4% excise tax on regulated investment companies that fail to distribute each year an amount equal to specified percentages of their ordinary taxable income and capital gain net income (excess of capital gains over capital losses). The Portfolio and underlying investment company intends to make sufficient distributions or deemed distributions each year to avoid liability for this excise tax.

 

The Portfolio intends to comply with the diversification requirements imposed by Section 817(h) of the Code and the regulations thereunder. Under Code Section 817(h), a variable life insurance or annuity contract will not be treated as a life insurance policy or annuity contract, respectively, under the Code, unless the Separate Account upon which such contract or policy is based is “adequately diversified.” A Separate Account will be adequately diversified if it satisfies one of two alternative tests set forth in the Treasury regulations. Specifically, the Treasury regulations provide that, except as permitted by the “safe harbor” discussed below, as of the end of each calendar quarter (or within 30 days thereafter) no more than 55% of the Separate Account’s total assets may be represented by any one investment, no more than 70% by any two investments, no more than 80% by any three investments and no more than 90% by any four investments. For this purpose, all securities of the same issuer are considered a single investment, and each U.S. government agency and instrumentality is considered a separate issuer. As a safe harbor, a Separate Account will be treated as being adequately diversified if the diversification requirements under Subchapter M of Subtitle A, Chapter 1, of the Code are satisfied and no more than 55% of the value of the account’s total assets are cash and cash items, U.S. government securities and securities of other regulated investment companies. In addition, a Separate Account with respect to a variable life insurance contract is treated as adequately diversified to the extent of its investment in securities issued by the United States Treasury.

 

For purposes of these alternative diversification tests, a Separate Account investing in shares of a regulated investment company generally will be entitled to “look through” the regulated investment company to its pro rata portion of the regulated investment company’s assets, provided that the shares of such regulated investment company are generally held only by insurance companies in their general account or in Separate Accounts and certain fund managers (a “Closed Portfolio”). Public access to such regulated investment company is available exclusively through the purchase of a variable contract. The Portfolio will be a Closed Portfolio.

37

 

If the Separate Account upon which a variable contract is based is not “adequately diversified” under the foregoing rules, then the variable contract will not be treated as a life insurance contract or annuity contract under the Code, and the taxation and treatment of a policy or contract holder will be other than as described in the applicable prospectus of such policy or contract and generally will be more adverse to the holder.

 

In addition, if the Portfolio did not constitute a Closed Portfolio or the holders of the contracts and annuities which invest in the Portfolio through a Separate Account were able, or were treated as able, to direct the Portfolio’s investment in any particular asset, those holders might be treated as owners of Portfolio shares and might be subject to tax on distributions made by the Portfolio. The IRS may consider several factors in determining whether a contract holder has an impermissible level of investor control. One factor the IRS considers when a Separate Account invests in one or more regulated investment companies is whether a regulated investment company’s investment strategies are sufficiently broad to prevent a contract holder from being deemed to be making particular investment decisions through its investment in the Separate Account. Current IRS guidance indicates that typical regulated investment company investment strategies, even those with a specific sector or geographic focus, are generally considered sufficiently broad to prevent a contract holder from being deemed to be making particular investment decisions through its investment in a Separate Account. Another factor that the IRS examines concerns actions of contract holders. Under the IRS pronouncements, a contract holder may not select or control particular investments, other than choosing among broad investment choices such as selecting a particular regulated investment company. A contract holder thus may not select or direct the purchase or sale of a particular investment of the Portfolio. The relationship between the Portfolio and the variable contracts is designed to satisfy the current expressed view of the IRS on this subject, such that the investor control doctrine should not apply.

 

Taxation of Certain Investments

 

The tax principles applicable to transactions in financial instruments, such as futures contracts and options, that may be engaged in by the Portfolio or an underlying investment company, and investments in passive foreign investment companies (“PFICs”), are complex and, in some cases, uncertain. Such transactions and investments may cause the Portfolio or an underlying investment company to recognize taxable income prior to the receipt of cash, thereby requiring the Portfolio or the underlying investment company to liquidate other positions, or to borrow money, so as to make sufficient distributions to shareholders to avoid corporate-level tax. Moreover, some or all of the taxable income recognized may be ordinary income or short-term capital gain, so that the distributions may be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income.

 

In addition, in the case of any shares of a PFIC in which the Portfolio or an underlying investment company invests, the Portfolio or the underlying investment company may be liable for corporate-level tax on any ultimate gain or distributions on the shares if the Portfolio or the underlying investment company fails to make an election to recognize income annually during the period of its ownership of the shares.

 

State and Local Taxes

 

Although the Portfolio and the underlying investment company expects to qualify as a regulated investment company and to be relieved of all or substantially all federal income taxes, depending upon the extent of its 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 Portfolio or an underlying investment company may be subject to the tax laws of such states or localities.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING COMPANY SHARES

 

The Company has authorized capital of 100 billion shares of common stock at a par value of $0.001 per share. Currently, [ ] billion shares have been classified into [ ] classes; however, the Company only has [ ] active share classes that have begun investment operations. Under the Company’s charter, the Board has the power to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of common stock from time to time.

38

 

Each share that represents an interest in the Portfolio has an equal proportionate interest in the assets belonging to the Portfolio with each other share that represents an interest in the Portfolio, even where a share has a different class designation than another share representing an interest in the Portfolio.  Shares of the Company do not have preemptive or conversion rights.  When issued for payment as described in the Prospectus, shares of the Company will be fully paid and non-assessable.

 

The Company does not currently intend to hold annual meetings of shareholders except as required by the 1940 Act or other applicable law.  The Company’s amended By-Laws provide that shareholders owning at least ten percent of the outstanding shares of all classes of common stock of the Company have the right to call for a meeting of shareholders to consider the removal of one or more directors. To the extent required by law, the Company will assist in shareholder communication in such matters.

 

Holders of shares of the Portfolio will vote in the aggregate on all matters, except where otherwise required by law. Further, shareholders of the Company will vote in the aggregate and not by portfolio 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 portfolio or class of shares. Rule 18f-2 under the 1940 Act provides that any matter required to be submitted by the provisions of such Act or applicable state law, or otherwise, to the holders of the outstanding voting securities of an investment company such as the Company shall not be deemed to have been effectively acted upon unless approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of each portfolio affected by the matter. Rule 18f-2 further provides that a portfolio shall be deemed to be affected by a matter unless it is clear that the interests of each portfolio in the matter are identical or that the matter does not affect any interest of the portfolio. Under Rule 18f-2 the approval of an investment advisory agreement or distribution agreement or any change in a fundamental investment objective or fundamental investment policy would be effectively acted upon with respect to a portfolio only if approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of such portfolio. However, the Rule also provides that the ratification of the selection of independent public accountants and the election of directors are not subject to the separate voting requirements and may be effectively acted upon by shareholders of an investment company voting without regard to a portfolio.  Shareholders of the Company are entitled to one vote for each full share held (irrespective of class or portfolio) and fractional votes for fractional shares held.  Voting rights are not cumulative and, accordingly, the holders of more than 50% of the aggregate shares of common stock of the Company may elect all of the Directors.

 

Notwithstanding any provision of Maryland law requiring a greater vote of shares of the Company’s common stock (or of any class voting as a class) in connection with any corporate action, unless otherwise provided by law (for example by Rule 18f-2 discussed above), or by the Company’s Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws, the Company may take or authorize such action upon the favorable vote of the holders of more than 50% of all of the outstanding shares of Common Stock voting without regard to class (or portfolio).

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Anti-Money Laundering Program

 

The Portfolio has established an Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Program (the “Program”) as required by the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (“USA PATRIOT Act”). To ensure compliance with this law, the Portfolio's Program provides for the development of internal practices, procedures, and controls, designation of anti-money laundering compliance officers, an ongoing training program, and an independent audit function to determine the effectiveness of the Program.

 

Procedures to implement the Program include, but are not limited to, determining that certain of their service providers have established proper anti-money laundering procedures, reporting suspicious and/or fraudulent activity, and conducting a complete and thorough review of all new account applications. The Portfolio will not transact business with any person or legal entity whose identity and beneficial owners, if applicable, cannot be adequately verified under the provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act.

 

Counsel

 

The law firm of Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, One Logan Square, Suite 2000, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103-6996, serves as independent counsel to the Company and the Independent Directors.

39

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

[ ], serves as the Portfolio’s independent registered public accounting firm, and in that capacity audits the Portfolio's financial statements.

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Financial statements certified by an independent registered public accounting firm will be submitted to shareholders at least annually. The Portfolio had not commenced operations prior to the date of this SAI and does not yet have financial statements.

 

Once available, copies of the Annual and Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders may be obtained, without charge, upon request by calling the telephone number listed on the cover of this SAI.

40

 

APPENDIX A

 

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS

 

Short-Term Credit Ratings

 

An S&P Global Ratings short-term issue credit rating is generally assigned to those obligations considered short-term in the relevant market. The following summarizes the rating categories used by S&P Global Ratings for short-term issues:

 

“A-1” - A short-term obligation rated “A-1” is rated in the highest category by S&P Global Ratings. 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 commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.

 

“A-2” - 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.

 

“A-3” - A short-term obligation rated “A-3” exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to weaken an obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

 

“B” - A short-term obligation rated “B” is regarded as vulnerable and has significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties that could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments.

 

“C” - A short-term obligation rated “C” is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

 

“D” - A short-term obligation rated “D” is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the “D” rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P Global Ratings believes that such payments will be made within any stated grace period. However, any stated grace period longer than five business days will be treated as five business days. The “D” rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. A rating on an obligation is lowered to “D” if it is subject to a distressed exchange offer.

 

Local Currency and Foreign Currency Ratings - S&P Global Ratings’ issuer credit ratings make a distinction between foreign currency ratings and local currency ratings. A foreign currency rating on an issuer will differ from the local currency rating on it when the obligor has a different capacity to meet its obligations denominated in its local currency, versus obligations denominated in a foreign currency.

 

Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”) short-term ratings are forward-looking opinions of the relative credit risks of financial 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.

A-1

 

“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.

 

“NR” - Is assigned to an unrated issuer.

 

Fitch, Inc. / Fitch Ratings Ltd. (“Fitch”) short-term issuer or obligation rating is based in all cases on the short-term vulnerability to default of the rated entity and relates to the capacity to meet financial obligations in accordance with the documentation governing the relevant obligation. Short-term deposit ratings may be adjusted for loss severity. Short-term ratings are assigned to obligations whose initial maturity is viewed as “short-term” based on market convention. Typically, this means up to 13 months for corporate, sovereign, and structured obligations and up to 36 months for obligations in U.S. public finance markets. The following summarizes the rating categories used by Fitch for short-term obligations:

 

“F1” - Securities possess the highest short-term credit quality. This designation indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.

 

“F2” - Securities possess good short-term credit quality. This designation indicates good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.

 

“F3” - Securities possess fair short-term credit quality. This designation indicates that the intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate.

 

“B” - Securities possess speculative short-term credit quality. This designation indicates minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus heightened vulnerability to near term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

 

“C” - Securities possess high short-term default risk. Default is a real possibility.

 

“RD” - Restricted default. Indicates an entity that has defaulted on one or more of its financial commitments, although it continues to meet other financial obligations. Typically applicable to entity ratings only.

 

“D” - Default. Indicates a broad-based default event for an entity, or the default of a short-term obligation.

 

Plus (+) or minus (-) - The “F1” rating may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show the relative status within that major rating category.

 

“NR” - Is assigned to an unrated issue of a rated issuer.

 

The DBRS® Ratings Limited (“DBRS”) short-term debt rating scale provides an opinion on the risk that an issuer will not meet its short-term financial obligations in a timely manner. Ratings are based on quantitative and qualitative considerations relevant to the issuer and the relative ranking of claims. The R-1 and R-2 rating categories are further denoted by the sub-categories “(high)”, “(middle)”, and “(low)”.

 

The following summarizes the ratings used by DBRS for commercial paper and short-term debt:

 

“R-1 (high)” - Short-term debt rated “R-1 (high)” is of the highest credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is exceptionally high. Unlikely to be adversely affected by future events.

A-2

 

“R-1 (middle)” - Short-term debt rated “R-1 (middle)” is of superior credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is very high. Differs from “R-1 (high)” by a relatively modest degree. Unlikely to be significantly vulnerable to future events.

 

“R-1 (low)” - Short-term debt rated “R-1 (low)” is of good credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is substantial. Overall strength is not as favorable as higher rating categories. May be vulnerable to future events, but qualifying negative factors are considered manageable.

 

“R-2 (high)” - Short-term debt rated “R-2 (high)” is considered to be at the upper end of adequate credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is acceptable. May be vulnerable to future events.

 

“R-2 (middle)” - Short-term debt rated “R-2 (middle)” is considered to be of adequate credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is acceptable. May be vulnerable to future events or may be exposed to other factors that could reduce credit quality.

 

“R-2 (low)” - Short-term debt rated “R-2 (low)” is considered to be at the lower end of adequate credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is acceptable. May be vulnerable to future events. A number of challenges are present that could affect the issuer’s ability to meet such obligations.

 

“R-3” - Short-term debt rated “R-3” is considered to be at the lowest end of adequate credit quality. There is a capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due. May be vulnerable to future events and the certainty of meeting such obligations could be impacted by a variety of developments.

 

“R-4” - Short-term debt rated “R-4” is considered to be of speculative credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is uncertain.

 

“R-5” - Short-term debt rated “R-5” is considered to be of highly speculative credit quality. There is a high level of uncertainty as to the capacity to meet short-term financial obligations as they fall due.

 

“D” - Short-term debt rated “D” is assigned when the issuer has filed under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or winding up statute or there is a failure to satisfy an obligation after the exhaustion of grace periods, a downgrade to “D” may occur. DBRS may also use “SD” (Selective Default) in cases where only some securities are impacted, such as the case of a “distressed exchange”.

 

Long-Term Credit Ratings

 

The following summarizes the ratings used by S&P Global Ratings for long-term issues:

 

“AAA” - An obligation rated “AAA” has the highest rating assigned by S&P Global Ratings. 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.

A-3

 

“BB,” “B,” “CCC,” “CC” and “C” - Obligations rated “BB,” “B,” “CCC,” “CC” and “C” are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. “BB” indicates the least degree of speculation and “C” the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposure to adverse conditions.

 

“BB” - An obligation rated “BB” is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions that could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

 

“B” - An obligation rated “B” is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated “BB”, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

 

“CCC” - An obligation rated “CCC” is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitments on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

 

“CC” - An obligation rated “CC” is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. The “CC” rating is used when a default has not yet occurred but S&P Global Ratings expects default to be a virtual certainty, regardless of the anticipated time to default.

 

“C” - An obligation rated “C” is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, and the obligation is expected to have lower relative seniority or lower ultimate recovery compared with obligations that are rated higher.

 

“D” - An obligation rated “D” is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the “D” rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P Global Ratings believes that such payments will be made within five business days in the absence of a stated grace period or within the earlier of the stated grace period or 30 calendar days. The “D” rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. An obligation’s rating is lowered to “D” if it is subject to a distressed exchange offer.

 

Plus (+) or minus (-) - 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.

 

“NR” - This indicates that a rating has not been assigned, or is no longer assigned.

 

Local Currency and Foreign Currency Risks - S&P Global Ratings’ issuer credit ratings make a distinction between foreign currency ratings and local currency ratings. An issuer’s foreign currency rating will differ from its local currency rating when the obligor has a different capacity to meet its obligations denominated in its local currency, versus obligations denominated in a foreign currency.

 

Moody’s long-term ratings are forward-looking opinions of the relative credit risks of financial obligations with an original maturity of one year or more. Such ratings reflect both on the likelihood of default or impairment on contractual financial obligations and the expected financial loss suffered in the event of default or impairment. The following summarizes the ratings used by Moody’s for long-term debt:

 

“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.

A-4

 

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

 

“Ba” - Obligations rated “Ba” are judged to be speculative and are subject to substantial credit risk.

 

“B” - Obligations rated “B” are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.

 

“Caa” - Obligations rated “Caa” are judged to be speculative of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.

 

“Ca” - Obligations rated “Ca” are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.

 

“C” - Obligations rated “C” are the lowest rated and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.

 

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.

 

“NR” - Is assigned to unrated obligations.

 

The following summarizes long-term ratings used by Fitch:

 

“AAA” - Securities considered to be of the highest credit quality. “AAA” ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk. They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

 

“AA” - Securities considered to be of very high credit quality. “AA” ratings denote expectations of very low credit risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

 

“A” - Securities considered to be of high credit quality. “A” ratings denote expectations of low credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

 

“BBB” - Securities considered to be of good credit quality. “BBB” ratings indicate that expectations of credit risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate, but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.

 

“BB” - Securities considered to be speculative. “BB” ratings indicate that there is an elevated vulnerability to credit risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met.

 

“B” - Securities considered to be highly speculative. “B” ratings indicate that material credit risk is present.

 

“CCC” - A “CCC” rating indicates that substantial credit risk is present.

 

“CC” - A “CC” rating indicates very high levels of credit risk.

 

“C” - A “C” rating indicates exceptionally high levels of credit risk.

 

Defaulted obligations typically are not assigned “RD” or “D” ratings but are instead rated in the “CCC” to “C” rating categories, depending on their recovery prospects and other relevant characteristics. Fitch believes that this approach better aligns obligations that have comparable overall expected loss but varying vulnerability to default and loss.

A-5

 

Plus (+) or minus (-) may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the “AAA” obligation rating category, or to corporate finance obligation ratings in the categories below “CCC”.

 

“NR” - Is assigned to an unrated issue of a rated issuer.

 

The DBRS long-term rating scale provides an opinion on the risk of default. That is, the risk that an issuer will fail to satisfy its financial obligations in accordance with the terms under which an obligation has been issued. Ratings are based on quantitative and qualitative considerations relevant to the issuer, and the relative ranking of claims. All rating categories other than AAA and D also contain subcategories “(high)” and “(low)”. The absence of either a “(high)” or “(low)” designation indicates the rating is in the middle of the category. The following summarizes the ratings used by DBRS for long-term debt:

 

“AAA” - Long-term debt rated “AAA” is of the highest credit quality. The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is exceptionally high and unlikely to be adversely affected by future events.

 

“AA” - Long-term debt rated “AA” is of superior credit quality. The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is considered high. Credit quality differs from “AAA” only to a small degree. Unlikely to be significantly vulnerable to future events.

 

“A” - Long-term debt rated “A” is of good credit quality. The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is substantial, but of lesser credit quality than “AA.” May be vulnerable to future events, but qualifying negative factors are considered manageable.

 

“BBB” - Long-term debt rated “BBB” is of adequate credit quality. The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is considered acceptable. May be vulnerable to future events.

 

“BB” - Long-term debt rated “BB” is of speculative, non-investment grade credit quality. The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is uncertain. Vulnerable to future events.

 

“B” - Long-term debt rated “B” is of highly speculative credit quality. There is a high level of uncertainty as to the capacity to meet financial obligations.

 

“CCC”, “CC” and “C” - Long-term debt rated in any of these categories is of very highly speculative credit quality. In danger of defaulting on financial obligations. There is little difference between these three categories, although “CC” and “C” ratings are normally applied to obligations that are seen as highly likely to default, or subordinated to obligations rated in the “CCC” to “B” range. Obligations in respect of which default has not technically taken place but is considered inevitable may be rated in the “C” category.

 

“D” - A security rated “D” is assigned when the issuer has filed under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or winding up statute or there is a failure to satisfy an obligation after the exhaustion of grace periods, a downgrade to “D” may occur. DBRS may also use “SD” (Selective Default) in cases where only some securities are impacted, such as the case of a “distressed exchange”.

 

Municipal Note Ratings

 

An S&P Global Ratings U.S. municipal note rating reflects S&P Global Ratings’ opinion about the liquidity factors and market access risks unique to the notes. Notes due in three years or less will likely receive a note rating. Notes with an original maturity of more than three years will most likely receive a long-term debt rating. In determining which type of rating, if any, to assign, S&P Global Ratings’ analysis will review the following considerations:

A-6

 

Amortization schedule - the larger the final maturity relative to other maturities, the more likely it will be treated as a note; and

 

Source of payment - the more dependent the issue is on the market for its refinancing, the more likely it will be treated as a note.

 

Municipal Short-Term Note rating symbols are as follows:

 

“SP-1” - A municipal note rated “SP-1” exhibits a 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.

 

“SP-2” - A municipal note rated “SP-2” exhibits a satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.

 

“SP-3” - A municipal note rated “SP-3” exhibits a speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.

 

“D” - This rating is assigned upon failure to pay the note when due, completion of a distressed exchange offer, or the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions.

 

Moody’s uses the Municipal Investment Grade (“MIG”) scale 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”. The following summarizes the ratings used by Moody’s for short-term municipal obligations:

 

“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.

 

“NR” - Is assigned to an unrated obligation.

 

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 or “VMIG” scale. The rating transitions on the VMIG scale differ from those on the Prime scale to reflect the risk that external liquidity support generally 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.

A-7

 

“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.

 

“NR” - Is assigned to an unrated obligation.

 

About Credit Ratings

 

An S&P Global Ratings issue credit rating is a forward-looking opinion about the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation, a specific class of financial obligations, or a specific financial program (including ratings on medium-term note programs and commercial paper programs). It takes into consideration the creditworthiness of guarantors, insurers, or other forms of credit enhancement on the obligation and takes into account the currency in which the obligation is denominated. The opinion reflects S&P Global Ratings’ view of the obligor’s capacity and willingness to meet its financial commitments as they come due, and this opinion may assess terms, such as collateral security and subordination, which could affect ultimate payment in the event of default.

 

Ratings assigned on Moody’s global long-term and short-term rating scales are forward-looking opinions of the relative credit risks of financial obligations issued by non-financial corporates, financial institutions, structured finance vehicles, project finance vehicles, and public sector entities.

 

Fitch’s credit ratings relating to issuers are an opinion on the relative ability of an entity to meet financial commitments, such as interest, preferred dividends, repayment of principal, insurance claims or counterparty obligations. Fitch credit ratings are used by investors as indications of the likelihood of receiving the money owed to them in accordance with the terms on which they invested. Fitch’s credit ratings cover the global spectrum of corporate, sovereign financial, bank, insurance, and public finance entities (including supranational and sub-national entities) and the securities or other obligations they issue, as well as structured finance securities backed by receivables or other financial assets.

 

Credit ratings provided by DBRS are forward-looking opinions about credit risk which reflect the creditworthiness of an issuer, rated entity, security and/or obligation. Credit ratings are not statements of fact. While historical statistics and performance can be important considerations, credit ratings are not based solely on such; they include subjective considerations and involve expectations for future performance that cannot be guaranteed. To the extent that future events and economic conditions do not match expectations, credit ratings assigned to issuers, entities, securities and/or obligations can change. Credit ratings are also based on approved and applicable Methodologies (“Methodologies”), which are periodically updated and when material changes are deemed necessary, this may also lead to rating changes.

 

Credit ratings typically provide an opinion on the risk that investors may not be repaid in accordance with the terms under which the obligation was issued. In some cases, credit ratings may also include consideration for the relative ranking of claims and recovery, should default occur. Credit ratings are meant to provide opinions on relative measures of risk and are not based on expectations of any specific default probability, nor are they meant to predict such.

 

The data and information on which DBRS bases its opinions is not audited or verified by DBRS, although, DBRS conducts a reasonableness review of information received and relied upon in accordance with its Methodologies and policies.

A-8

 

DBRS uses rating symbols as a concise method of expressing its opinion to the market, but there are a limited number of rating categories for the possible slight risk differentials that exist across the rating spectrum and DBRS does not assert that credit ratings in the same category are of “exactly” the same quality.

A-9

 

APPENDIX B

 

Proxy Voting

 

Issue

 

Rule 206(4)-6 under the Advisers Act requires every investment adviser to adopt and implement written policies and procedures, reasonably designed to ensure that the adviser votes proxies in the best interest of its clients.  The procedures must address material conflicts that may arise in connection with proxy voting.  The Rule further requires the adviser to provide a concise summary of the adviser’s proxy voting process and offer to provide copies of the complete proxy voting policy and procedures to clients upon request.  Lastly, the Rule requires that the adviser disclose to clients how they may obtain information on how the adviser voted their proxies.

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS, LLC does vote proxies on behalf of its clients.

 

Policy

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS, LLC does vote proxies on behalf of its clients.

 

Procedures:

 

1. Upon receipt of proxy voting request, review items to be voted upon and Board recommendations.

2. Log into the proper online voting site and vote in accordance with Board recommendations unless otherwise notified by the Investment Committee.

3. Document the company, items voted on, and how SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS, LLC voted on the proxy spreadsheet.

 

Procedures for SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS, LLC’s Receipt of Class Actions

 

The following procedures outline SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS, LLC’s receipt of “Class Action” documents from clients and custodians.  It is SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS, LLC’s position not to file these “Class Action” documents, but if received will follow these guidelines:

 

1.        If “Class Action” documents are received by SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS, LLC from the Client, SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS, LLC will gather any requisite information it has and forward to the client, to enable the client to file the “Class Action” at the client’s discretion.  SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS, LLC will not file “Class Actions” on behalf of any client.

 

2.        Similarly, if “Class Action” documents are received by SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS, LLC from the Custodian, SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS, LLC will gather any requisite information it has and forward to the client, to enable the client to file the “Class Action” at the client’s discretion.  SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS, LLC will not file “Class Actions” on behalf of any client.

B-1

 

THE RBB FUND, INC.

PEA 260/264

PART C: OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 28. EXHIBITS

 

(a)   Articles of Incorporation.
     
  (1) Articles of Incorporation of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 24, 1988, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.
     
  (2) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 24, 1988, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.
     
  (3) Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 12, 1988, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.
     
  (4) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 12, 1988, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.
     
  (5) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on April 27, 1990, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.
     
  (6) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 1, 1990, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.
     
  (7) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 15, 1992, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.
     
  (8) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 22, 1992, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.
     
  (9) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 1993, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.

 

  (10) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 1993, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.
  (11) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 19, 1994, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.
     
  (12) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 19, 1994, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.
     
  (13) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 19, 1994, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.
     
  (14) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 19, 1994, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.
     
  (15) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 31, 1995.
     
  (16) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 34 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 16, 1996.
     
  (17) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 39 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 11, 1996.
     
  (18) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 9, 1997.
     
  (19) Articles of Amendment to Charter of the Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 46 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 25, 1997.
     
  (20) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 46 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 25, 1997.

 

  (21) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 1998.
     
  (22) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 1998.
     
  (23) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 63 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 14, 1998.
     
  (24) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 63 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 14, 1998.
     
  (25) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 67 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 30, 1999.
     
  (26) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 69 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 29, 1999.
     
  (27) Articles of Amendment to Charter of the Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 71 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 29, 2000.
     
  (28) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 71 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 29, 2000.
     
  (29) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 71 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 29, 2000.
     
  (30) Articles of Amendment to Charter of the Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 71 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 29, 2000.
     
  (31) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 73 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 15, 2001.
     
  (32) Articles of Amendment to Charter of the Registrant (Boston Partners Bond Fund – Institutional Class and Boston Partners Bond Fund – Investor Class) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 77 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 15, 2002.
     
  (33) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund – Institutional Class and Boston Partners Bond Fund – Institutional Class) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 77 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 15, 2002.

 

  (34) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Schneider Value Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 78 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 16, 2002.
     
  (35) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Institutional Liquidity Fund for Credit Unions and Liquidity Fund for Credit Union Members) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 84 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 29, 2003.
     
  (36) Articles of Amendment to Charter of the Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 89 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 30, 2004.
     
  (37) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Robeco WPG Core Bond Fund – Investor Class, Robeco WPG Core Bond Fund – Institutional Class, Robeco WPG Tudor Fund – Institutional Class, Robeco WPG Large Cap Growth Fund – Institutional Class) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 93 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 4, 2005.
     
  (38) Certificate of Correction of Registrant is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 95 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 23, 2005.
     
  (39) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Robeco WPG Core Bond Fund – Investor Class, Robeco WPG Core Bond Fund – Institutional Class, Robeco WPG Tudor Fund – Institutional Class, Robeco WPG 130/30 Large Cap Core Fund f/k/a Robeco WPG Large Cap Growth Fund – Institutional Class) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 95 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 23, 2005.
     
  (40) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Senbanc Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 96 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 6, 2005.
     
  (41) Articles of Amendment of Registrant (Robeco WPG Core Bond Fund – Retirement Class) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 97 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on August 19, 2005.
     
  (42) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Robeco WPG Core Bond Fund – Investor Class) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 99 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 27, 2005.
     
  (43) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Bear Stearns CUFS MLP Mortgage Portfolio) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 104 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 18, 2006.
     
  (44) Articles of Amendment to Charter of the Registrant (Bear Stearns CUFS MLP Mortgage Portfolio) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 108 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 14, 2006.
     
  (45) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Bear Stearns Ultra Short Income Fund f/k/a Bear Stearns Enhanced Income Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 109 to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 15, 2006.

 

  (46) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Marvin & Palmer Large Cap Growth Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 109 to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 15, 2006.
     
  (47) Articles of Amendment to Charter of the Registrant (Bear Stearns Ultra Short Income Fund f/k/a Bear Stearns Enhanced Income Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 111 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on February 28, 2007.
     
  (48) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Bear Stearns Ultra Short Income Fund f/k/a Bear Stearns Enhanced Income Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 111 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on February 28, 2007.
     
  (49) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Free Market U.S. Equity Fund, Free Market International Equity Fund, Free Market Fixed Income Fund) incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 112 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 1, 2007.
     
  (50) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Robeco WPG 130/30 Large Cap Core Fund – Investor Class) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 113 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 13, 2007.
     
  (51) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (SAM Sustainable Water Fund, SAM Sustainable Climate Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 114 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 17, 2007.
     
  (52) Articles of Amendment of Registrant (Robeco WPG 130/30 Large Cap Core Fund – Institutional Class) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 116 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 4, 2007.
     
  (53) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Bear Stearns Multifactor 130/30 US Core Equity Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 123 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 17, 2007.
     
  (54) Articles of Amendment to Charter of the Registrant (Bear Stearns Ultra Short Income Fund f/k/a Bear Stearns Enhanced Income Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 124 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 28, 2007.
     
  (55) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (SAM Sustainable Global Active Fund, SAM Sustainable Themes Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 128 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on April 23, 2009.
     
  (56) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 129 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 2, 2009.
     
  (57) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (S1 Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 135 to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 19, 2010.

 

  (58) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 136 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on August 4, 2010.
     
  (59) Articles of Amendment of Registrant (Robeco WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund f/k/a Robeco WPG Small Cap Value Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 141 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 28, 2010.
     
  (60) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Robeco Boston Partners Global Equity Fund and Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 142 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 14, 2011.
     
  (61) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 144 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 15, 2011.
     
  (62) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Free Market U.S. Equity Fund, Free Market International Equity Fund, Free Market Fixed Income Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 149 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 2012.
     
  (63) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Robeco Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 152 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 29, 2013.
     
  (64) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund – Institutional Class) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 157 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 2013.
     
  (65) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio, Matson Money International VI Equity Portfolio, Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 159 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 20, 2013.
     
  (66) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Scotia Dynamic U.S. Growth Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 161 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 27, 2013.
     
  (67) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund – Institutional Class) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 168 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 30, 2014.
     
  (68) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund and Adara Smaller Companies Fund (f/k/a Altair Smaller Companies Fund)) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 168 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 30, 2014.
     
  (69) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Campbell Core Trend Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 171 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 16, 2014.

 

  (70) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Free Market U.S. Equity Fund, Free Market International Equity Fund, Free Market Fixed Income Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 174 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 23, 2014.
     
  (71) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Boston Partners Investment Funds) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 174 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 23, 2014.
     
  (72) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Boston Partners Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 182 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 16, 2015.
     
  (73) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Campbell Core Carry Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 182 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 16, 2015.
     
  (74) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Boston Partners Alpha Blue Dynamic Equity Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 182 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 16, 2015.
     
  (75) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund – Class C) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 184 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 30, 2015.
     
  (76) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund – Institutional Class) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 187 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 29, 2015.
     
  (77) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 195 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 30, 2016.
     
  (78) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Fasanara Capital Absolute Return Multi-Asset Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 198 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on April 29, 2016.
     
  (79) Articles of Amendment of Registrant (Campbell Dynamic Trend Fund f/k/a Campbell Core Trend Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 207 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 28, 2016.
     
  (80) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (MFAM Global Opportunities Fund (f/k/a Motley Fool Independence Fund), MFAM Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund (f/k/a Motley Fool Great America Fund), and MFAM Emerging Markets Fund (f/k/a Motley Fool Epic Voyage Fund)) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 206 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 21, 2016.
     
  (81) Articles of Amendment of Registrant (MFAM Emerging Markets Fund (f/k/a Motley Fool Epic Voyage Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 212 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on February 28, 2017.

 

  (82) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Orinda Income Opportunities Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 216 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on April 10, 2017.
     
  (83) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund — Class T) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 216 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on April 10, 2017.
     
  (84) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Campbell Managed Futures 10V Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 224 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 28, 2017.
     
  (85) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Boston Partners Emerging Markets Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 226 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on August 23, 2017.
     
  (86) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Motley Fool 100 Index ETF) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 235 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on January 19, 2018.
     
  (87) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund – Class I) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 238 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on February 21, 2018.
     
  (88) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund – Institutional Class) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 238 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on February 21, 2018.
     
  (89) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Free Market U.S. Equity Fund, Free Market International Equity Fund, Free Market Fixed Income Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 238 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on February 21, 2018.
     
  (90) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Aquarius International Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 238 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on February 21, 2018.
     
  (91) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Abbey Capital Multi Asset Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 238 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on February 21, 2018.
     
  (92) Articles of Amendment of Registrant (Summit Global Investments Global Low Volatility Fund (f/k/a Dynamic U.S. Growth Fund)) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 238 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on February 21, 2018.
     
  (93) Articles of Amendment of Registrant (Summit Global Investments Global Low Volatility Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 242 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 19, 2018.
     
      (94) Articles of Amendment of Registrant (Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 242 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 19, 2018.

 

  (95) Articles of Amendment of Registrant (Adara Smaller Companies Fund (f/k/a Altair Smaller Companies Fund)) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 242 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 19, 2018.
     
  (96) Articles of Amendment of Registrant (MFAM Global Opportunities Fund (f/k/a Motley Fool Independence Fund) and MFAM Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund (f/k/a Motley Fool Great America Fund)) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 242 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 19, 2018.
     
  (97) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (MFAM Small-Cap Growth ETF (f/k/a Motley Fool Small-Cap Growth ETF)) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 247 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 23, 2018.
     
  (98) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Motley Fool Innovation ETF) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 247 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 23, 2018.
     
  (99) Articles of Amendment of Registrant (MFAM Global Opportunities Fund, MFAM Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund, MFAM Emerging Markets Fund and MFAM Small-Cap Growth ETF) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 251 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 8, 2019.
     
  (100) Articles of Amendment of Registrant (MFAM Mid-Cap Growth Fund (f/k/a MFAM Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 251 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 8, 2019.
     
  (101) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Boston Partners Global Equity Advantage Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 254 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (No. 811-05518) filed on May 21, 2019.
     
  (102) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Campbell Advantage Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 254 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (No. 811-05518) filed on May 21, 2019.
     
  (103) Articles of Amendment of Registrant (SGI U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund, (f/k/a Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund), SGI Global Equity Fund (f/k/a Summit Global Investments Global Low Volatility Fund), and SGI U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund (f/k/a Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund)) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 254 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (No. 811-05518) filed on May 21, 2019.
     
  (104) Articles of Amendment of Registrant (Campbell Systematic Macro Fund (f/k/a Campbell Managed Futures 10V Fund)) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 254 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 21, 2019.
     
  (105) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (SGI U.S. Large Cap Equity VI Portfolio) will be filed by amendment.

 

(b)   By-Laws.
     
  (1) By-Laws, as amended, are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 28, 2011.
     
(c)   Instruments Defining Rights of Security Holders.
     
  (1) See Articles VI, VII, VIII, IX and XI of Registrant’s Articles of Incorporation dated February 17, 1988 which are incorporated herein by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 24, 1988, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.
     
  (2) See Articles II, III, VI, XIII, and XIV of Registrant’s By-Laws as amended through August 25, 2004, which are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 89 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 30, 2004.
     
(d)   Investment Advisory Contracts.
     
  (1) Investment Advisory Agreement (Schneider Small Cap Value Fund) between Registrant and Schneider Capital Management Company is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 1998.
     
  (2) Investment Advisory Agreement (Bogle Investment Management Small Cap Growth Fund) between Registrant and Bogle Investment Management, L.P. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 67 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 30, 1999.
     
  (3) Investment Advisory Agreement (Free Market U.S. Equity Fund, Free Market International Equity Fund, Free Market Fixed Income Fund) between Registrant and Matson Money, Inc. (f/k/a Abundance Technologies, Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 125 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on February 27, 2008.
     
  (4) Amendment No. 1 to the Investment Advisory Agreement (Free Market U.S. Equity Fund, Free Market International Equity Fund and Free Market Fixed Income Fund) between Registrant and Matson Money, Inc. (f/k/a Abundance Technologies, Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 157 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 2013.
     
  (5) Expense Limitation and Reimbursement Agreement (Schneider Small Cap Value Fund) between Registrant and Schneider Capital Management Company is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 256 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 20, 2019.
     
  (6) Expense Limitation and Reimbursement Agreement (Boston Partners Investment Funds) between Registrant and Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc. will be filed by amendment.
     
  (7) Investment Advisory Agreement (SGI U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund, f/k/a Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund) between Registrant and Summit Global Investments, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 160 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 23, 2013.

 

  (8)

Expense Limitation and Reimbursement Agreement (SGI U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund, f/k/a Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund, SGI U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund, f/k/a Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund, and SGI Global Equity Fund, f/k/a Summit Global Investments Global Low Volatility Fund) between Registrant and Summit Global Investments, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 256 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 20, 2019.

     
  (9) Investment Advisory Agreement (Boston Partners Investment Funds) between Registrant and Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc. (f/k/a Robeco Investment Management, Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 157 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 2013.
     
  (10) Addendum No. 1 to Investment Advisory Agreement (Robeco Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund) between Registrant and Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc. (f/k/a Robeco Investment Management, Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 160 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 23, 2013.
     
  (11) Investment Advisory Agreement (SGI Global Equity Fund, f/k/a Summit Global Investments Global Low Volatility Fund) between Registrant and Summit Global Investments, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 249 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 21, 2018.
     
  (12) Contractual Fee Waiver Agreement (SGI Global Equity Fund, f/k/a Summit Global Investments Global Low Volatility Fund) between Registrant and Summit Global Investments, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 249 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 21, 2018.
     
  (13) Investment Advisory Agreement (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund) between Registrant and Abbey Capital Limited is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 168 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 30, 2014.
     
  (14) Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund) between Abbey Capital Offshore Fund SPC (f/k/a Abbey Capital Offshore Fund Limited) and Abbey Capital Limited is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 252 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 22, 2019.
     
  (15) Reserved.
     
  (16) Trading Advisory Agreement (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund) among Abbey Capital Onshore Series LLC, Abbey Capital Limited, Abbey Capital Offshore Fund SPC and Cantab Capital Partners, LLP is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 252 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 22, 2019.
     
  (17) Trading Advisory Agreement (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund) among Abbey Capital Onshore Series LLC, Abbey Capital Limited, Abbey Capital Offshore Fund SPC and Eclipse Capital Management, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 252 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 22, 2019.
     
  (18) Trading Advisory Agreement (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund) among Abbey Capital Onshore Series LLC, Abbey Capital Limited, Abbey Capital Offshore Fund SPC and Graham Capital Management, LP is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 252 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 22, 2019.

 

  (19) Trading Advisory Agreement (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund) among Abbey Capital Onshore Series LLC, Abbey Capital Limited, Abbey Capital Offshore Fund SPC and P/E Global, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 252 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 22, 2019.
     
  (20) Trading Advisory Agreement (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund) among Abbey Capital Onshore Series LLC, Abbey Capital Limited, Abbey Capital Offshore Fund SPC and Revolution Capital Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 252 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 22, 2019.
     
  (21) Trading Advisory Agreement (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund) among Abbey Capital Onshore Series LLC, Abbey Capital Limited, Abbey Capital Offshore Fund SPC and Trigon Investment Advisors LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 252 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 22, 2019.
     
  (22) Addendum No. 2 to Investment Advisory Agreement (Robeco WPG Small/Micro Cap Fund) between Registrant and Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc. (f/k/a Robeco Investment Management, Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 168 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 30, 2014.
     
  (23) Investment Advisory Agreement (Adara Smaller Companies Fund (f/k/a Altair Smaller Companies Fund)) between Registrant and Altair Advisers LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 249 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 21, 2018.
     
  (24) Reserved.
     
  (25) Investment Advisory Agreement (Campbell Dynamic Trend Fund, f/k/a Campbell Core Trend Fund) between Registrant and Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 249 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 21, 2018.
     
  (26) Investment Advisory Agreement (Campbell Dynamic Trend Fund, f/k/a Campbell Core Trend Fund) between Campbell Core Offshore Limited and Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 249 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 21, 2018.
     
  (27) Sub-Advisory Agreement (Adara Smaller Companies Fund (f/k/a Altair Smaller Companies Fund)) among Registrant, Altair Advisers LLC and Aperio Group, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 249 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 21, 2018.
     
  (28) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement (Adara Smaller Companies Fund (f/k/a Altair Smaller Companies Fund)) among Registrant, Altair Advisers LLC and Driehaus Capital Management LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 249 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 21, 2018.

 

  (29)

Reserved.

     
  (30) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement (Adara Smaller Companies Fund (f/k/a Altair Smaller Companies Fund)) among Registrant, Altair Advisers LLC and Pacific Ridge Capital Partners, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 249 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 21, 2018.
     
  (31) Sub-Advisory Agreement (Adara Smaller Companies Fund (f/k/a Altair Smaller Companies Fund)) among Registrant, Altair Advisers LLC and Pier Capital, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 247 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 23, 2018.
     
  (32) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement (Adara Smaller Companies Fund (f/k/a Altair Smaller Companies Fund)) among Registrant, Altair Advisers LLC and River Road Asset Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 249 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 21, 2018.
     
  (33) Addendum No. 3 to Investment Advisory Agreement (Boston Partners Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund) between Registrant and Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc. (f/k/a Robeco Investment Management, Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 256 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 20, 2019.
     
  (34) Investment Advisory Agreement (SGI U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund, f/k/a Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund) between Registrant and Summit Global Investments, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 251 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 8, 2019.
     
  (35) Contractual Fee Waiver (SGI U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund, f/k/a Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund) between Registrant and Summit Global Investments, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 249 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 21, 2018.
     
  (36) Expense Limitation and Reimbursement Agreement (Bogle Investment Management Small Cap Growth Fund) between Registrant and Bogle Investment Management is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 256 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 20, 2019.
     
  (37) Expense Limitation and Reimbursement Agreement (Campbell Dynamic Trend Fund) between Registrant and Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 256 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 20, 2019.
     
  (38) Reserved.
     
  (39) Investment Advisory Agreement (Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio, Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio, and Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio) between Registrant and Matson Money, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 256 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 20, 2019.

 

  (40) Expense Limitation and Reimbursement Agreement (Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio, Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio, and Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio) between Registrant and Matson Money Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 256 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 20, 2019.
     
  (41) Addendum No. 4 to Investment Advisory Agreement (Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund) between Registrant and Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc. (f/k/a Robeco Investment Management, Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 247 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 23, 2018.
     
  (42) First Amendment to Investment Advisory Agreement (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund) between Registrant and Abbey Capital Limited is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 216 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on April 10, 2017.
     
  (43) Trading Advisory Agreement (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund) among Abbey Capital Onshore Series LLC, Abbey Capital Limited, Abbey Capital Offshore Fund SPC and Aspect Capital Limited is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 252 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 22, 2019.
     
  (44) Investment Advisory Agreement (Orinda Income Opportunities Fund) between Registrant and Orinda Asset Management LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 249 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 21, 2018.
     
  (45) Expense Limitation and Reimbursement Agreement (Orinda Income Opportunities Fund) between Registrant and Orinda Asset Management LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 251 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 8, 2019.
     
  (46) Form of Investment Advisory Agreement (Campbell Systematic Macro Fund) between Registrant and Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 254 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 21, 2019.
     
  (47) Form of Investment Advisory Agreement (Campbell Systematic Macro Fund) between Campbell Systematic Macro Offshore Limited and Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 254 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 21, 2019.
     
  (48) Form of Expense Limitation and Reimbursement Agreement (Campbell Systematic Macro Fund) between Registrant and Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 257 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 27, 2019.
     
  (49) Addendum No. 5 to Investment Advisory Agreement (Boston Partners Emerging Markets Fund) between Registrant and Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 247 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 23, 2018.
     
  (50) Reserved.

 

  (51) Investment Advisory Agreement (MFAM Global Opportunities Fund (f/k/a Motley Fool Independence Fund) and MFAM Mid-Cap Growth Fund (f/k/a Motley Fool Great America Fund)) between Registrant and Motley Fool Asset Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 247 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 23, 2018.
     
  (52) Expense Limitation and Reimbursement Agreement (MFAM Global Opportunities Fund and MFAM Mid-Cap Growth Fund (f/k/a MFAM Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund) between Registrant and Motley Fool Asset Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 249 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 21, 2018.
     
  (53) Expense Limitation and Reimbursement Agreement (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund and Abbey Capital Multi Asset Fund) between Registrant and Abbey Capital Limited is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 256 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 20, 2019.
     
  (54) Investment Advisory Agreement (Motley Fool 100 Index ETF) between Registrant and Motley Fool Asset Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 247 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 23, 2018.
     
  (55) Investment Advisory Agreement (Aquarius International Fund) between Registrant and Altair Advisers LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 247 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 23, 2018.
     
  (56) Sub-Advisory Agreement (Aquarius International Fund) among Registrant, Altair Advisers LLC and Aperio Group, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 249 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 21, 2018.
     
  (57) Sub-Advisory Agreement (Aquarius International Fund) among Registrant, Altair Advisers LLC and Driehaus Capital Management LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 249 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 21, 2018.
     
  (58) Sub-Advisory Agreement (Aquarius International Fund) among Registrant, Altair Advisers LLC and Mawer Investment Management Ltd. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 249 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 21, 2018.
     
  (59) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement (Aquarius International Fund) among Registrant, Altair Advisers LLC and Setanta Asset Management Limited is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 247 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 23, 2018.
     
  (60) Investment Advisory Agreement (Abbey Capital Multi Asset Fund) between Registrant and Abbey Capital Limited is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 256 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 20, 2019.
     
  (61) Investment Advisory Agreement (Abbey Capital Multi Asset Fund) between Abbey Capital Multi Asset Offshore Fund Limited and Abbey Capital Limited is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 256 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 20, 2019.

 

  (62) Trading Advisory Agreement (Abbey Capital Multi Asset Fund) among Registrant, Abbey Capital Limited, Abbey Capital Multi Asset Offshore Fund Limited and Aspect Capital Limited is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 256 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 20, 2019.
     
  (63) Trading Advisory Agreement (Abbey Capital Multi Asset Fund) among Registrant, Abbey Capital Limited, Abbey Capital Multi Asset Offshore Fund Limited and Eclipse Capital Management, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 256 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 20, 2019.
     
  (64) Trading Advisory Agreement (Abbey Capital Multi Asset Fund) among Registrant, Abbey Capital Limited, Abbey Capital Multi Asset Offshore Fund Limited and Revolution Capital Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 256 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 20, 2019.
     
  (65) Trading Advisory Agreement (Abbey Capital Multi Asset Fund) among Registrant, Abbey Capital Limited, Abbey Capital Multi Asset Offshore Fund Limited and Welton Investment Partners LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 256 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 20, 2019.
     
  (66) Reserved.
     
  (67) Trading Advisory Agreement (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund) among Abbey Capital Onshore Series LLC, Abbey Capital Limited, Abbey Capital Offshore Fund SPC and Welton Investment Partners LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 252 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 22, 2019.
     
  (68) Amendment No. 2 to the Investment Advisory Agreement (Free Market U.S. Equity Fund, Free Market International Equity Fund and Free Market Fixed Income Fund) between Registrant and Matson Money, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 249 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 21, 2018.
     
  (69) Trading Advisory Agreement (Abbey Capital Multi Asset Fund) among Registrant, Abbey Capital Limited, Abbey Capital Multi Asset Offshore Fund Limited and Tudor Investment Corporation is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 256 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 20, 2019.
     
  (70) Trading Advisory Agreement (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund) among Abbey Capital Onshore Series LLC, Abbey Capital Limited, Abbey Capital Offshore Fund SPC and Tudor Investment Corporation is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 252 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 22, 2019.
     
  (71) Investment Advisory Agreement (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund) between Abbey Capital Onshore Series LLC and Abbey Capital Limited is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 252 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 22, 2019.
     
  (72) Investment Advisory Agreement (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund) between Abbey Capital Master Offshore Fund Limited and Abbey Capital Limited is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 252 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 22, 2019.
     

 

  (73) Investment Advisory Agreement (MFAM Small-Cap Growth ETF (f/k/a Motley Fool Small Cap Growth ETF)) between Registrant and Motley Fool Asset Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 247 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 23, 2018.
     
  (74) Trading Advisory Agreement (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund) among Abbey Capital Onshore Series LLC, Abbey Capital Limited, Abbey Capital Offshore Fund SPC and Episteme Capital Partners (UK) LLP is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 252 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 22, 2019.
     
  (75) Investment Co-Advisory Agreement (Boston Partners Global Equity Advantage Fund) among Registrant, Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc., and Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 254 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 21, 2019.
     
  (76) Expense Limitation and Reimbursement Agreement (Boston Partners Global Equity Advantage Fund) among Registrant, Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc., and Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 254 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 21, 2019.
     
  (77) Investment Advisory Agreement (Campbell Advantage Fund) between Registrant and Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 254 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 21, 2019.
     
  (78) Investment Advisory Agreement (Campbell Advantage Fund) between Campbell Advantage Offshore Limited and Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 254 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 21, 2019.
     
  (79) Addendum No. 6 to Investment Advisory Agreement (Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II and Boston Partners Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 256 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 20, 2019.
     
  (80) Trading Advisory Agreement (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund) among Abbey Capital Onshore Series LLC, Abbey Capital Limited, Abbey Capital Offshore Fund SPC and Crabel Capital Management, LLC is filed herewith.
     
  (81) Investment Advisory Agreement (SGI U.S. Large Cap Equity VI Portfolio) between Registrant and Summit Global Investments, LLC will be filed by amendment.
     
(e)   Underwriting Contracts.
     
  (1) Distribution Agreement between Registrant, Quasar Distributors, LLC, and Abbey Capital Limited dated June 30, 2016 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 207 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 28, 2016.

 

  (2) Distribution Agreement between Registrant, Quasar Distributors, LLC, and Altair Advisers LLC dated June 30, 2016 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 207 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 28, 2016.
     
  (3) Distribution Agreement between Registrant, Quasar Distributors, LLC, and Bogle Investment Management, L.P. dated June 30, 2016 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 207 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 28, 2016.
     
  (4) Distribution Agreement between Registrant, Quasar Distributors, LLC, and Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc. dated June 30, 2016 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 207 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 28, 2016.
  (5) Distribution Agreement between Registrant, Quasar Distributors, LLC, and Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC dated June 30, 2016 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 207 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 28, 2016.
     
  (6) Distribution Agreement between Registrant, Quasar Distributors, LLC, and Matson Money, Inc. dated June 30, 2016 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 207 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 28, 2016.
     
  (7) Distribution Agreement between Registrant, Quasar Distributors, LLC, and Schneider Capital Management Company dated June 30, 2016 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 207 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 28, 2016.
     
  (8) Distribution Agreement between Registrant, Quasar Distributors, LLC, and Summit Global Investments, LLC dated June 30, 2016 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 207 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 28, 2016.
     
  (9) Distribution Agreement (MFAM Global Opportunities Fund (f/k/a Motley Fool Independence Fund) and MFAM Mid-Cap Growth Fund (f/k/a Motley Fool Great America Fund)) between Registrant and Foreside Funds Distributors LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 247 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 23, 2018.
     
  (10) Distribution Agreement (Orinda Income Opportunities Fund) between Registrant, Quasar Distributors, LLC, and Orinda Asset Management LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 251 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 8, 2019.
     
  (11) Amendment to the Distribution Agreement (Campbell Systematic Macro Fund (f/k/a Campbell Managed Futures 10V Fund)) between Registrant, Quasar Distributors, LLC, and Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 224 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 28, 2017.
     
  (12) Amendment to the Distribution Agreement between Registrant, Quasar Distributors, LLC, and Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc. dated June 30, 2016 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 247 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 23, 2018.

 

  (13) Amendment to Distribution Agreement between Registrant, Quasar Distributors, LLC, and Abbey Capital Limited dated July 11, 2017 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 232 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 28, 2017.
     
  (14) ETF Distribution Agreement (Motley Fool 100 Index ETF) between Registrant, Quasar Distributors, LLC, and Motley Fool Asset Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 251 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 8, 2019.
     
  (15) Form of Amendment to the Distribution Agreement (Aquarius International Fund) between Registrant, Quasar Distributors, LLC, and Altair Advisers LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 238 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on February 21, 2018.
     
  (16) Amendment to Distribution Agreement (Abbey Capital Multi-Asset Fund) between Registrant, Quasar Distributors, LLC and Abbey Capital Limited is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 243 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 23, 2018.
     
  (17) First Amendment to the ETF Distribution Agreement (MFAM Small-Cap Growth ETF (f/k/a Motley Fool Small-Cap Growth ETF)) between Registrant, Quasar Distributors, LLC and Motley Fool Asset Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 247 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 23, 2018.
     
  (18) Amendment to Distribution Agreement (Boston Partners Global Equity Advantage Fund) between Registrant, Quasar Distributors, LLC, and Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 254 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 21, 2019.
     
(f)   Bonus or Profit Sharing Contracts.
     
  (1) Form of Deferred Compensation Plan is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 160 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 23, 2013.
     
  (2) Form of Deferred Compensation Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 160 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 23, 2013.
     
(g)   Custodian Agreement.
     
  (1) Amended and Restated Custody Agreement between Registrant and U.S. Bank National Association dated June 30, 2019 is filed herewith.
     
(h)   Other Material Contracts.

 

  (1) Non 12b-1 Shareholder Services Plan and Agreement (Bogle Investment Management Small Cap Growth - Investor Shares) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 67 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 30, 1999.
     
  (2) Non-12b-1 Shareholder Services Plan and Related Form of Shareholder Servicing Agreement (Robeco WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund f/k/a Robeco WPG Tudor Fund – Institutional Class) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 100 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 25, 2005.
     
  (3)

Services Plan for Class I Shares and Form of Servicing Agreement (SGI Global Equity Fund, f/k/a Summit Global Investments Global Low Volatility Fund, f/k/a Scotia Dynamic U.S. Growth Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 161 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 27, 2013.

     
  (4) Services Plan for Class II Shares and Form of Servicing Agreement (SGI Global Equity Fund, f/k/a Summit Global Investments Global Low Volatility Fund, f/k/a Scotia Dynamic U.S. Growth Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 161 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 27, 2013.
     
  (5) Amended and Restated Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement between Registrant and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC dated June 30, 2019 is filed herewith.
     
  (6) Amended and Restated Fund Administration Servicing Agreement between Registrant and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC dated June 30, 2019 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 256 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 20, 2019.
     
  (7) Amended and Restated Transfer Agent Servicing Agreement between Registrant and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC dated June 30, 2019 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 256 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 20, 2019.
     
(i) (1)  Opinion of Counsel is filed herewith.
     
  (2)   Consent of Counsel is filed herewith.
     
(j)    Not Applicable.
     
(k)   None.
     
(l)   Initial Capital Agreements.
     
  (1) Subscription Agreement, relating to Classes A through N, is incorporated herein by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 12, 1988, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.
     
  (2) Subscription Agreement between Registrant and Planco Financial Services, Inc., relating to Classes O and P is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 14, 1990.

 

  (3) Subscription Agreement between Registrant and Planco Financial Services, Inc., relating to Class Q is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 14, 1990.
     
  (4) Subscription Agreement between Registrant and Counselors Securities Inc. relating to Classes R, S, and Alpha 1 through Theta 4 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 15, 1992, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.
  (5) Purchase Agreement between Registrant and Boston Partners Asset Management, L.P. relating to Classes TT and UU (Boston Partners Mid Cap Value Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 46 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 25, 1997.
     
  (6) Purchase Agreement between Registrant and Schneider Capital Management Company relating to Class YY (Schneider Small Cap Value Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 1998.
     
  (7) Purchase Agreement between Registrant and Boston Partners Asset Management, L.P. relating to Classes DDD and EEE (Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II (formerly Micro Cap Value)) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 1998.
     
  (8) Purchase Agreement between Registrant and Boston Partners Asset Management relating to Classes III and JJJ (Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund (formerly Market Neutral)) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 63 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 14, 1998.
     
  (9) Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and Boston Partners Asset Management, L. P. relating to Classes KKK and LLL (Boston Partners Fund (formerly Long-Short Equity)) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 19, 1999.
     
  (10) Purchase Agreement (Bogle Investment Management Small Cap Growth Fund) between Registrant and Bogle Investment Management, L.P. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 67 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 30, 1999.
     
  (11) Purchase Agreement (Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund) between Registrant and Boston Partners Asset Management, L.P. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 80 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 1, 2002.
     
  (12) Purchase Agreement (Robeco WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund f/k/a Robeco WPG Tudor Fund) between Registrant and Weiss, Peck & Greer Investments is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 96 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 6, 2005.
     
  (13) Form of Purchase Agreement (Free Market U.S. Equity Fund) between Registrant and Matson Money, Inc. (f/k/a Abundance Technologies, Inc.), is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 112 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 1, 2007.

 

  (14) Form of Purchase Agreement (Free Market International Equity Fund) between Registrant and Matson Money, Inc. (f/k/a Abundance Technologies, Inc.), is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 112 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 1, 2007.
     
  (15) Form of Purchase Agreement (Free Market Fixed Income Fund) between Registrant and Matson Money, Inc. (f/k/a Abundance Technologies, Inc.), is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 112 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 1, 2007.
     
  (16) Purchase Agreement (Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund) between Registrant and Robeco Investment Management Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 136 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on August 4, 2010.
     
  (17) Form of Purchase Agreement (Robeco Boston Partners Global Equity Fund) between Registrant and Robeco Investment Management Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 142 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 14, 2011.
     
  (18) Form of Purchase Agreement (Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund) between Registrant and Robeco Investment Management Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 142 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 14, 2011.
     
  (19) Purchase Agreement (SGI U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund, f/k/a Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund) between Registrant and Summit Global Investments, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 157 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 2013.
     
  (20) Form of Purchase Agreement (Robeco Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund-Investor Class) between Registrant and Robeco Investment Management Inc. is incorporated hereby by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 160 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 23, 2013.
     
  (21) Form of Purchase Agreement (Robeco Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund-Institutional Class) between Registrant and Robeco Investment Management Inc. is incorporated hereby by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 160 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 23, 2013.
     
  (22) Form of Purchase Agreement (Robeco Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund-Investor Class) between Registrant and Robeco Investment Management Inc. is incorporated hereby by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 160 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 23, 2013.
     
  (23) Form of Purchase Agreement (SGI Global Equity Fund, f/k/a Summit Global Investments Global Low Volatility Fund, f/k/a Scotia Dynamic U.S. Growth Fund) between Registrant and Scotia Institutional Asset Management US, Ltd. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 168 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 30, 2014.

 

  (24) Form of Purchase Agreement (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund) between Registrant and Abbey Capital Limited is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 168 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 30, 2014.
     
  (25) Form of Purchase Agreement (Adara Smaller Companies Fund (f/k/a Altair Smaller Companies Fund)) between Registrant and Altair Advisers LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 172 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 17, 2014.
     
  (26) Form of Purchase Agreement (Campbell Core Trend Fund) between Registrant and Campbell & Company, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 175 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 23, 2014.
     
  (27) Purchase Agreement (Boston Partners Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund) between Registrant and Robeco Investment Management, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 187 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 29, 2015.
     
  (28) Form of Purchase Agreement (SGI U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund, f/k/a Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund) between Registrant and Summit Global Investments, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 195 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 30, 2016.
     
  (29) Form of Purchase Agreement (MFAM Global Opportunities Fund (f/k/a Motley Fool Independence Fund) and MFAM Mid-Cap Growth Fund (f/k/a Motley Fool Great America Fund)) between Registrant and Motley Fool Asset Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 206 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 21, 2016.
     
  (30) Form of Purchase Agreement (Orinda Income Opportunities Fund) between Registrant and Orinda Asset Management LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 219 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 1, 2017.
     
  (31) Form of Purchase Agreement (Campbell Managed Futures 10V Fund) between Registrant and Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 220 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 9, 2017.
     
  (32) Form of Purchase Agreement (Boston Partners Emerging Markets Fund) between Registrant and Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 226 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on August 23, 2017.
     
  (33) Form of Purchase Agreement (Motley Fool 100 Index ETF) between Registrant and Motley Fool Asset Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 235 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on January 19, 2018.
     
  (34) Purchase Agreement (Aquarius International Fund) between Registrant and Altair Advisers LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 247 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 23, 2018.

 

  (35) Form of Purchase Agreement (Abbey Capital Multi Asset Fund) between Registrant and Abbey Capital Limited is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 243 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 23, 2018.
     
  (36) Purchase Agreement (MFAM Small-Cap Growth ETF (f/k/a Motley Fool Small-Cap Growth ETF)) between Registrant and Motley Fool Asset Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 247 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 23, 2018.
     
  (37) Purchase Agreement (Boston Partners Global Equity Advantage Fund) between Registrant and Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 254 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 21, 2019.
     
  (38) Purchase Agreement (Campbell Advantage Fund) between Registrant and Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 254 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 21, 2019.
     
  (39) Purchase Agreement (SGI U.S. Large Cap Equity VI Portfolio) between Registrant and Summit Global Investments, LLC will be filed by amendment.
     
(m)   Rule 12b-1 Plan.
     
  (1) Plan of Distribution (Boston Partners Mid Cap Value Fund - Investor Class) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 9, 1997.
     
  (2) Plan of Distribution (Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II (formerly Micro Cap Value) - Investor Class) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 53 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on April 10, 1998.
     
  (3) Amendment to Plans of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 63 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 14, 1998.
     
  (4) Plan of Distribution (Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund (formerly Market Neutral) - Investor Class) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 62 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 12, 1998.
     
  (5) Plan of Distribution (Boston Partners Fund (formerly Long Short Equity) - Investor Class) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 19, 1999.
     
  (6) Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 80 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 1, 2002.
     
  (7) Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund — Investor Class) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 141 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 28, 2010.

 

  (8) Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (Robeco Boston Partners Global Equity Fund — Investor Class) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 142 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 14, 2011.
     
  (9) Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund — Investor Class) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 142 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 14, 2011.
     
  (10) Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (SGI U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund, f/k/a Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund — Retail Class) is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 144 to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 15, 2011.
     
  (11) Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (SGI U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund, f/k/a Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund – Class A) is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 144 to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 15, 2011.
     
  (12) Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (Robeco Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund — Investor Class) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 154 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 11, 2013.
     
  (13) Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund — Class A) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 168 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 30, 2014.
     
  (14) Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund — Class C) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 168 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 30, 2014.
     
  (15) Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (SGI U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund, f/k/a Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund —Class C) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 184 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 30, 2015.
     
  (16) Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (SGI U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund, f/k/a Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund – Retail Class) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 195 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 30, 2016.
     
  (17) Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (SGI U.S. Small-Cap Equity Fund, f/k/a Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund – Class C) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 195 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 30, 2016.
     
  (18) Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund — Class T) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 216 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on April 10, 2017.
     
  (19) Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (Orinda Income Opportunities Fund — Class A) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 219 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 1, 2017.

 

  (20) Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (Orinda Income Opportunities Fund — Class D) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 219 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 1, 2017.
     
  (21) Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (Campbell Systematic Macro Fund — Class A) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 257 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 27, 2019.
     
  (22) Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (Campbell Systematic Macro Fund — Class P) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 257 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 27, 2019.
     
  (23) Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (Campbell Systematic Macro Fund — Class C) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 257 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 27, 2019.
     
  (24) Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (SGI Global Equity Fund, f/k/a Summit Global Investments Global Low Volatility Fund – Class A Shares (formerly Class II Shares)) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 232 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 28, 2017.
     
  (25) Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (SGI Global Equity Fund, f/k/a Summit Global Investments Global Low Volatility Fund – Class C Shares (formerly Institutional Shares)) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 232 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 28, 2017.
     
  (26) Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (Abbey Capital Multi Asset Fund – Class A Shares) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 243 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 23, 2018.
     
  (27) Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (Abbey Capital Multi Asset Fund – Class C Shares) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 243 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 23, 2018.
     
(n)   Rule 18f-3 Plan.
     
    Amended Rule 18f-3 Plan is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 256 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 20, 2019.
     
(p)   Code of Ethics.
     
  (1) Code of Ethics of the Registrant is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 232 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 28, 2017.
     
  (2) Code of Ethics of Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 256 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 20, 2019.
     
  (3) Code of Ethics of Schneider Capital Management Company is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 129 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 2, 2009.

 

  (4) Code of Ethics of Bogle Investment Management, L.P. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 256 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 20, 2019.
     
  (5) Code of Ethics of Matson Money, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 145 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 30, 2011.
     
  (6) Code of Ethics of Foreside Funds Distributors LLC is filed herewith.
     
  (7) Code of Ethics of Summit Global Investments, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 145 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 30, 2011.
     
  (8) Code of Ethics of Abbey Capital Limited is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 168 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 30, 2014.
     
  (9) Code of Ethics of Altair Advisers LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 172 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 17, 2014.
     
  (10) Code of Ethics of Aperio Group, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 256 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 20, 2019.
     
  (11) Code of Ethics of Driehaus Capital Management LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 172 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 17, 2014.
     
  (12) Code of Ethics of Pacific Ridge Capital Partners, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 172 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 17, 2014.
     
  (13) Code of Ethics of Pier Capital LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 172 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 17, 2014.
     
  (14) Code of Ethics of River Road Asset Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 247 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 23, 2018.
     
  (15) Code of Ethics of Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 175 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 23, 2014.
     
  (16) Code of Ethics of Motley Fool Asset Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 249 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 21, 2018.

 

  (17) Code of Ethics of Quasar Distributors, LLC is filed herewith.
     
  (18) Code of Ethics of Orinda Asset Management LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 256 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 20, 2019.
     
  (19) Code of Ethics of Mawer Investment Management Ltd. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 242 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 19, 2018.
     
  (20) Code of Ethics of Setanta Asset Management Limited is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 249 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 21, 2018.

 

Item 29. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH REGISTRANT

 

None.

 

Item 30. INDEMNIFICATION

 

Sections 1, 2, 3 and 4 of Article VIII of Registrant’s Articles of Incorporation, as amended, incorporated herein by reference as Exhibits (a)(1) and (a)(3), provide as follows:

 

Section 1. To the fullest extent that limitations on the liability of directors and officers are permitted by the Maryland General Corporation Law, no director or officer of the Corporation shall have any liability to the Corporation or its shareholders for damages. This limitation on liability applies to events occurring at the time a person serves as a director or officer of the Corporation whether or not such person is a director or officer at the time of any proceeding in which liability is asserted.

 

Section 2. The Corporation shall indemnify and advance expenses to its currently acting and its former directors to the fullest extent that indemnification of directors is permitted by the Maryland General Corporation Law. The Corporation shall indemnify and advance expenses to its officers to the same extent as its directors and to such further extent as is consistent with law. The Board of Directors may by law, resolution or agreement make further provision for indemnification of directors, officers, employees and agents to the fullest extent permitted by the Maryland General Corporation law.

 

Section 3. No provision of this Article shall be effective to protect or purport to protect any director or officer of the Corporation against any liability to the Corporation or its security holders to which he would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office.

 

Section 4. References to the Maryland General Corporation Law in this Article are to the law as from time to time amended. No further amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation shall decrease, but may expand, any right of any person under this Article based on any event, omission or proceeding prior to such amendment. Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

Section 12 of the Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc. (“Boston Partners”) (f/k/a Robeco Investment Management, Inc.), incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(9), provides for the indemnification of Boston Partners against certain losses.

 

Section 12 of the Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Bogle Investment Management, L.P. (“Bogle”), dated September 15, 1999 and incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(2) provides for the indemnification of Bogle against certain losses.

 

Section 12 of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Schneider Capital Management (“Schneider”) incorporated herein by reference as exhibit (d)(1) provides for the indemnification of Schneider against certain losses.

 

Section 12 of each of the Investment Advisory Agreements between the Registrant and Matson Money, Inc. (f/k/a Abundance Technologies, Inc.), (“Matson Money”) incorporated herein by reference as exhibits (d)(3) and (d)(39) provides for the indemnification of Matson Money against certain losses.

 

Section 12 of each of the Investment Advisory Agreements between the Registrant and Summit Global Investments, LLC (“SGI”) incorporated herein by reference as exhibits (d)(7), (d)(11) and (d)(34) provides for the indemnification of SGI against certain losses.

 

Section 12 of each of the Investment Advisory Agreements with Abbey Capital Limited (“Abbey Capital”) incorporated herein by reference as exhibits (d)(13), (d)(60) and (d)(61) provides for the indemnification of Abbey Capital against certain losses.

 

Section 13 of each of the Investment Advisory Agreements with Abbey Capital incorporated herein by reference as exhibits (d)(14) and (d)(71) provides for the indemnification of Abbey Capital against certain losses.

 

Section 12 of each of the Investment Advisory Agreements between the Registrant and Altair Advisers LLC (“Altair”) incorporated herein by reference as exhibits (d)(23) and (d)(55) provide for indemnification of Altair against certain losses.

 

Section 12 of each of the Investment Advisory Agreements between the Registrant and Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC (“CCIA”) incorporated herein by reference as exhibits (d)(25), (d)(26), (d)(46), (d)(47), (d)(77), and (d)(78) provide for indemnification of CCIA against certain losses.

 

Section 12 of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant, Boston Partners, and CCIA incorporated herein by reference as exhibit (d)(75) provides for indemnification of Boston Partners and CCIA against certain losses.

 

Section 12 of each of the Investment Advisory Agreements between the Registrant and Motley Fool Asset Management, LLC (“Motley Fool”) incorporated herein by reference to exhibits (d)(51), (d)(54), and (d)(73) provides for indemnification of Motley Fool against certain losses.

 

Section 12 of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Orinda Asset Management LLC (“Orinda”) incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(44) provides for indemnification of Orinda against certain losses.

 

Section 8 of each of the Distribution Agreements between Registrant and Quasar Distributors, LLC incorporated herein by reference to exhibits (e)(1) – (e)(8), (e)(10) and (e)(14) provide for the indemnification of Quasar Distributors, LLC against certain losses.

 

Section 7 of the Distribution Agreement between Registrant and Foreside Funds Distributors, LLC incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (e)(9) provides for the indemnification of Foreside Funds Distributors, LLC against certain losses.

 

Item 31. BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF THE INVESTMENT ADVISERS.

 

  1.

Bogle Investment Management, LP:

 

The sole business activity of Bogle Investment Management, LP (“Bogle”), 2310 Washington Street, Suite 310, Newton Lower Falls, MA 02462, is to serve as an investment adviser. Bogle is registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

 

The directors and officers have not held any positions with other companies during the last two fiscal years.

 

  2.

Schneider Capital Management Company:

 

The sole business activity of Schneider Capital Management Company (“Schneider”), 1000 Westlakes Drive, Suite 150, Berwyn, Pennsylvania 19312, is to serve as an investment adviser. Schneider is registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Information as to the directors and officers of Schneider is as follows:

 

Name and Position with Schneider Other Company Position With Other Company
Arnold C. Schneider, III Turnbridge Management Partners Corp. President
President and Chief Investment Officer    

 

3.

Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc.

 

The sole business activity of Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc. (“Boston Partners”), One Grand Central Place, 60 East 42nd Street, Suite 1550, New York, New York 10165, is to serve as an investment adviser. Boston Partners provides investment advisory services to the Boston Partners Funds and the WPG Partners Funds.

 

Boston Partners is registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and serves as an investment adviser to domestic and foreign institutional investors, investment companies, commingled trust funds, private investment partnerships and collective investment vehicles. Information as to the directors and officers of Boston Partners is as follows:

 

 

Name and Position with Boston Partners Other Company Position With Other Company

Joseph F. Feeney, Jr.

Chief Executive Officer,
Chief Investment Officer

Robeco US Holding, Inc. Director

William George Butterly, III

General Counsel, Director of Sustainability & Engagement

Robeco Institutional Asset Management US Inc.

 

Chief Legal Officer, Chief Compliance Officer & Secretary

 

  Boston Partners Securities LLC Chief Legal Officer
  Robeco Trust Company Chief Operating Officer, Secretary & Director
  RobecoSAM USA, Inc. Chief Legal Officer, Chief Compliance Officer & Secretary
  Robeco Boston Partners (UK) Limited Director, Chief Operating Officer & Secretary
Gregory Varner
Chief Financial Officer
   

Matthew Davis

Chief Administrative Officer

Robeco Institutional Asset Management US Inc.  President, Treasurer & Director 
  Boston Partners Securities LLC Chief Financial Officer
  Robeco Trust Company Director, President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer & Director
  Robeco Boston Partners (UK) Limited Chief Financial Officer

Mark Kuzminskas

Chief Operating Officer

   

David Steyn

Director

Orix Corporation Europe N.V. Chief Executive Officer

Leni M. Boeren

Director

Orix Corporation Europe N.V. Chief Operating Officer
  Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. Director
  RobecoSAM AG Director
  RobecoSAM USA, Inc. Director

Martin Mlynár

Director

Corestone Investment Managers AG Chief Executive Officer
  Source Capital AG Board Member
  Source Capital Holding AG Board Member

 

  4.

Matson Money, Inc.:

 

The sole business activity of Matson Money, Inc. (“Matson Money”), 5955 Deerfield Blvd., Mason, Ohio 45040, is to serve as an investment adviser. Matson Money is registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

 

Below is a list of each executive officer and director of Matson Money indicating each business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature in which each such person has been engaged within the last two years, for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, partner or trustee.

 

Name and Position with Matson Money, Inc. Name of Other Company Position With Other Company

Mark E. Matson

CEO

Keep It Tight Fitness, LLC

 

50% owner

 

Mark E. Matson

CEO

The Matson Family Foundation

100% owner

 

Michelle Matson

Vice President/ Secretary

None None

Daniel J. List

Chief Compliance Officer

None None

 

  5.

Summit Global Investments, LLC:

 

The sole business activity of Summit Global Investments, LLC (“SGI”), 620 South Main Street, Bountiful, Utah 84010, is to serve as an investment adviser. SGI is registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

 

The only employment of a substantial nature of each of SGI’s directors and officers is with SGI.

     
  6.

Abbey Capital Limited:

 

The only employment of a substantial nature of each of Abbey Capital Limited directors and officers is with Abbey Capital Limited.

     
  7.

Altair Advisers LLC:

 

The only employment of a substantial nature of each of Altair Advisers LLC directors and officers is with Altair Advisers LLC.

     
  8.

Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC:

 

The principal business activity of Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC (“CCIA”), 2850 Quarry Lake Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21209, is to serve as an investment adviser. CCIA is registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

    Below is a list of each executive officer and director of CCIA indicating each business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature in which each such person has been engaged within the last two years, for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, partner or trustee.

 

Name and Position with CCIA Name of Other Company Position With Other Company

G. Williams Andrews 

Chief Executive Officer

Campbell & Company, LP

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

  Campbell & Company, LLC Director and Chief Executive Officer
  Campbell Financial Services, LLC Director
  Campbell Core Offshore Limited Director
  Campbell  Equity Advantage Offshore Fund Limited Director
  Campbell Advantage Offshore Limited Director
  Campbell Offshore Fund Limited Director

Dr. Kevin Cole

Chief Investment Officer

Campbell & Company, LP

 

Chief Investment Officer

 

  Campbell & Company, LLC Director and Chief Investment Officer

Thomas P. Lloyd

General Counsel & Secretary

Campbell & Company, LP General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer, and Secretary
  Campbell & Company, LLC Director and Secretary
  Campbell Core Offshore Limited Director
 

Campbell Financial Services, LLC

 

Director, President, Chief Compliance Officer, and Secretary
  Campbell Advantage Offshore Limited Director

Gabriel A. Morris 

Chief Operating Officer 

Campbell & Company, LP

 

Chief Operating Officer 
 

Campbell Financial Services, LLC

 

Director, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and Treasurer 
  Campbell & Company, LLC Director and Chief Operating Officer
     
 

9.

 

Motley Fool Asset Management, LLC:

 

A description of any other business, profession, vocation, or employment of a substantial nature in which Motley Fool Asset Management, LLC and each director, officer, or partner of Motley Fool Asset Management, LLC is or has been engaged within the last two fiscal years for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, employee, partner or trustee, is set forth in the Form ADV of Motley Fool Asset Management, LLC, as filed with the SEC on September 9, 2019, and is incorporated herein by this reference.

 

  10.

Orinda Asset Management, LLC:

 

A description of any other business, profession, vocation, or employment of a substantial nature in which Orinda Asset Management, LLC and each director, officer, or partner of Orinda Asset Management, LLC is or has been engaged within the last two fiscal years for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, employee, partner or trustee, is set forth in the Form ADV of Orinda Asset Management LLC, as filed with the SEC on October 7, 2019, and is incorporated herein by this reference.

 

Item 32. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER

 

(a)(1) Quasar Distributors, LLC, acts as principal underwriter for the following investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended:

 

Advisors Series Trust Managed Portfolio Series
Aegis Funds Manager Directed Portfolios
Allied Asset Advisors Funds Matrix Advisors Fund Trust
Alpha Architect ETF Trust Matrix Advisors Value Fund, Inc.
Angel Oak Funds Trust Monetta Trust
Barrett Opportunity Fund, Inc. Nicholas Equity Income Fund, Inc.
Bridges Investment Fund, Inc. Nicholas Family of Funds, Inc.
Brookfield Investment Funds North Capital Funds Trust
Buffalo Funds Permanent Portfolio Family of Funds
CG Funds Trust Perritt Funds, Inc.
Chestnut Street Fund PRIMECAP Odyssey Funds
Cushing®  Mutual Funds Trust Procure ETF Trust I
DoubleLine Funds Trust Procure ETF Trust II
ETF Series Solutions Professionally Managed Portfolios
First American Funds, Inc. Prospector Funds, Inc.
FundX Investment Trust Provident Mutual Funds, Inc.
Glenmede Fund, Inc. Rainier Investment Management Mutual Funds
Glenmede Portfolios The RBB Fund, Inc.
GoodHaven Funds Trust RBC Funds Trust
Greenspring Fund, Inc. Series Portfolios Trust
Harding Loevner Funds, Inc. Thompson IM Funds, Inc.
Hennessy Funds Trust TIGERSHARES Trust
Horizon Funds TrimTabs ETF Trust
Hotchkis & Wiley Funds Trust for Professional Managers
Intrepid Capital Management Funds Trust Trust for Advised Portfolios
Jacob Funds, Inc. USA Mutuals
Jensen Quality Growth Fund Inc. USCA Fund Trust
Kirr Marbach Partners Funds, Inc. USQ Core Real Estate Fund
LKCM Funds Wall Street EWM Funds Trust
LoCorr Investment Trust Westchester Capital Funds
Lord Asset Management Trust Wisconsin Capital Funds, Inc.
MainGate Trust YCG Funds

 

(a)(2) Foreside Funds Distributors LLC serves as principal underwriter for the following investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended:

 

1. FundVantage Trust
2. GuideStone Funds
3. Matthews International Funds (d/b/a Matthews Asia Funds)
4. MFAM Funds, series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
5. New Alternatives Fund
6. Old Westbury Funds, Inc.
7. The Torray Fund
8. Versus Capital Multi-Manager Real Estate Income Fund LLC (f/k/a Versus Global Multi-Manager Real Estate Income Fund LLC)
9. Versus Capital Real Assets Fund LLC

 

(b)(1) The directors and executive officers of Quasar Distributors, LLC are as follows:

 

Name and Principal

Business Address 

Position and Offices with Quasar

Distributors, LLC

Positions and Offices with Registrant
Teresa Cowan(1)  President, Board Member, Board Chairperson None
Andrew M. Strnad(2)  Vice President, Secretary None
Joseph C. Neuberger(1)  Board Member None
Anita M. Zagrodnik(1)  Board Member None
Stephanie J. Parise(1)  Board Member None
Susan LaFond(1)  Vice President, Treasurer, Co-Chief Compliance Officer None
Peter A. Hovel(1)  Chief Financial Officer None
Jennifer Brunner(1)  Vice President, Co-Chief Compliance Officer None
Brett Scribner(3)  Assistant Treasurer None
Thomas A. Wolden(3)  Assistant Treasurer None
(1)  This individual is located at 777 East Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53202.
(2)  This individual is located at 10 West Market Street, Suite 1150, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46204.
(3)  This individual is located at 800 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55402.

 

(b)(2) The following are the Officers and Manager of Foreside Funds Distributors LLC, one of the Registrant’s underwriters. The main business address is 899 Cassatt Road, 400 Berwyn Park, Suite 110, Berwyn, Pennsylvania 19312.

 

Name Address Position with Underwriter Position with Registrant
Richard J. Berthy Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME  04101 President, Treasurer and Manager None
Mark A. Fairbanks Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101 Vice President None
Jennifer K. DiValerio 899 Cassatt Road, 400 Berwyn Park, Suite 110, Berwyn, PA 19312 Vice President None
Susan K. Moscaritolo 899 Cassatt Road, 400 Berwyn Park, Suite 110, Berwyn, PA 19312 Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer None
Jennifer E. Hoopes Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME  04101 Secretary None

 

  (c) Not Applicable

 

Item 33. LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS

 

(1) Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc., One Grand Central Place, 60 East 42nd Street, Suite 1550, New York, New York 10165 (records relating to its function as investment adviser).

 

(2) Schneider Capital Management Co., 1000 Westlakes Drive, Suite 150, Berwyn, Pennsylvania 19312 (records relating to its function as investment adviser).

 

(3) Bogle Investment Management, L.P., 2310 Washington Street, Suite 310, Newton Lower Falls, Massachusetts 02462 (records relating to its function as investment adviser).

 

(4) Matson Money, Inc. (formerly Abundance Technologies, Inc.), 5955 Deerfield Blvd., Mason, Ohio 45040 (records relating to its function as investment adviser).

 

(5) Summit Global Investments, LLC, 620 South Main Street, Bountiful, Utah 84010 (records relating to its function as investment adviser).

 

(6) Abbey Capital Limited, 1-2 Cavendish Row, Dublin 1, Ireland (records relating to its function as investment adviser).

 

(7) Altair Advisers LLC, 303 West Madison, Suite 600, Chicago, Illinois 60606 (records relating to its function as investment adviser).

 

(8) Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC, 2850 Quarry Lake Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21209 (records relating to its function as investment adviser).

 

(9) Motley Fool Asset Management, LLC, 2000 Duke Street, Suite 275, Alexandria, Virginia 22314 (records relating to its function as investment adviser).

 

(10) Orinda Asset Management, LLC, 3390 Mt. Diablo Boulevard, Suite 250, Lafayette, California 94549 (records relating to its function as investment adviser).

 

(11) U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, 615 East Michigan Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202 (records relating to its function as administrator, transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent).

 

(12) U.S. Bank, N.A., 1555 North RiverCenter Drive, Suite 302, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53212 (records relating to its function as custodian).

 

(13)

Quasar Distributors, LLC, 777 East Wisconsin Avenue, Floor 6, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202 (records relating to its function as underwriter).

 

(14) Foreside Funds Distributors LLC, 899 Cassatt Road, 400 Berwyn Park, Suite 110, Berwyn, Pennsylvania 19312 (records related to its function as underwriter).

 

Item 34. MANAGEMENT SERVICES

 

None.

 

Item 35. UNDERTAKINGS

 

(a) Registrant hereby undertakes to hold a meeting of shareholders for the purpose of considering the removal of directors in the event the requisite number of shareholders so request.

 

(b) Registrant hereby undertakes to furnish each person to whom a prospectus is delivered a copy of Registrant’s latest annual report to shareholders upon request and without charge.

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment to its Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized, in the City of Chadds Ford, and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on February 14, 2020.

 

  THE RBB FUND, INC.  
     
  By: /s/ Salvatore Faia  
    Salvatore Faia  
    President  

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the 1933 Act, this Amendment to Registrant’s Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

SIGNATURE   TITLE   DATE
         
/s/ Salvatore Faia   President (Principal Executive Officer) and Chief Compliance Officer   February 14, 2020.
Salvatore Faia      
         
/s/ James G. Shaw   Treasurer (Chief Financial Officer)   February 14, 2020.
James G. Shaw   and Secretary    
         
*J. Richard Carnall   Director   February 14, 2020.
J. Richard Carnall        
         
*Julian A. Brodsky   Director   February 14, 2020.
Julian A. Brodsky        
         
*Arnold M. Reichman   Director   February 14, 2020.
Arnold M. Reichman        
         
*Robert Sablowsky   Director   February 14, 2020.
Robert Sablowsky        
         
*Robert Straniere   Director   February 14, 2020.
Robert Straniere        
         
*Nicholas A. Giordano   Director   February 14, 2020.
Nicholas A. Giordano        
         
*Gregory P. Chandler   Director   February 14, 2020.
Gregory P. Chandler        
         
*Brian T. Shea   Director   February 14, 2020.
Brian T. Shea        

 

*By:   /s/ Salvatore Faia  
Salvatore Faia  
Attorney-in-Fact  

 

THE RBB FUND, INC.

 

(the “Company”)

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Know All Men by These Presents, that the undersigned, Julian A. Brodsky, hereby constitutes and appoints Salvatore Faia, Michael P. Malloy, James G. Shaw, Edward Paz, and Robert Amweg, his true and lawful attorneys, to execute in his name, place, and stead, in his capacity as Director or officer, or both, of the Company, the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and said attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and perform in his name and on his behalf, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, said acts of said attorneys being hereby ratified and approved.

 

DATED: February 16, 2017  
     
  /s/ Julian A. Brodsky  
     
  Julian A. Brodsky  

 

THE RBB FUND, INC.

 

(the “Company”)

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Know All Men by These Presents, that the undersigned, J. Richard Carnall, hereby constitutes and appoints Salvatore Faia, Michael P. Malloy, James G. Shaw, Edward Paz, and Robert Amweg, his true and lawful attorneys, to execute in his name, place, and stead, in his capacity as Director or officer, or both, of the Company, the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and said attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and perform in his name and on his behalf, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, said acts of said attorneys being hereby ratified and approved.

 

DATED: February 16, 2017  
     
  /s/ J. Richard Carnall  
     
  J. Richard Carnall  

 

THE RBB FUND, INC.

 

(the “Company”)

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Know All Men by These Presents, that the undersigned, Nicholas A. Giordano, hereby constitutes and appoints Salvatore Faia, Michael P. Malloy, James G. Shaw, Edward Paz, and Robert Amweg, his true and lawful attorneys, to execute in his name, place, and stead, in his capacity as Director or officer, or both, of the Company, the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and said attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and perform in his name and on his behalf, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, said acts of said attorneys being hereby ratified and approved.

 

DATED: February 16, 2017  
     
  /s/ Nicholas A. Giordano  
     
  Nicholas A. Giordano  

 

THE RBB FUND, INC.

 

(the “Company”)

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Know All Men by These Presents, that the undersigned, Arnold M. Reichman, hereby constitutes and appoints Salvatore Faia, Michael P. Malloy, James G. Shaw, Edward Paz, and Robert Amweg, his true and lawful attorneys, to execute in his name, place, and stead, in his capacity as Director or officer, or both, of the Company, the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and said attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and perform in his name and on his behalf, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, said acts of said attorneys being hereby ratified and approved.

 

DATED: February 16, 2017  
     
  /s/ Arnold M. Reichman  
     
  Arnold M. Reichman  

 

THE RBB FUND, INC.

 

(the “Company”)

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Know All Men by These Presents, that the undersigned, Robert Sablowsky, hereby constitutes and appoints Salvatore Faia, Michael P. Malloy, James G. Shaw, Edward Paz, and Robert Amweg, his true and lawful attorneys, to execute in his name, place, and stead, in his capacity as Director or officer, or both, of the Company, the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and said attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and perform in his name and on his behalf, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, said acts of said attorneys being hereby ratified and approved.

 

DATED: February 16, 2017  
     
  /s/ Robert Sablowsky  
     
  Robert Sablowsky  

 

THE RBB FUND, INC.

 

(the “Company”)

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Know All Men by These Presents, that the undersigned, Robert A. Straniere, hereby constitutes and appoints Salvatore Faia, Michael P. Malloy, James G. Shaw, Edward Paz, and Robert Amweg, his true and lawful attorneys, to execute in his name, place, and stead, in his capacity as Director or officer, or both, of the Company, the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and said attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and perform in his name and on his behalf, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, said acts of said attorneys being hereby ratified and approved.

 

DATED: February 16, 2017  
     
  /s/ Robert Straniere  
     
  Robert Straniere  

 

THE RBB FUND, INC.

 

(the “Company”)

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Know All Men by These Presents, that the undersigned, Gregory P. Chandler, hereby constitutes and appoints Salvatore Faia, Michael P. Malloy, James G. Shaw, Edward Paz, and Robert Amweg, his true and lawful attorneys, to execute in his name, place, and stead, in his capacity as Director or officer, or both, of the Company, the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and said attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and perform in his name and on his behalf, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, said acts of said attorneys being hereby ratified and approved.

 

DATED: February 17, 2017  
     
  /s/ Gregory P. Chandler  
     
  Gregory P. Chandler  

 

THE RBB FUND, INC.

 

(the “Company”)

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Know All Men by These Presents, that the undersigned, Brian T. Shea, hereby constitutes and appoints Salvatore Faia, Michael P. Malloy, James G. Shaw, Edward Paz, and Robert Amweg, his true and lawful attorneys, to execute in his name, place, and stead, in his capacity as Director or officer, or both, of the Company, the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and said attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and perform in his name and on his behalf, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, said acts of said attorneys being hereby ratified and approved.

 

DATED: May 10, 2018  
     
  /s/ Brian T. Shea  
     
  Brian T. Shea  

 

PEA 260/264

 

EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION
(d)(80) Trading Advisory Agreement (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund) among Abbey Capital Onshore Series LLC, Abbey Capital Limited, Abbey Capital Offshore Fund SPC and Crabel Capital Management, LLC
(g)(1) Amended and Restated Custody Agreement between Registrant and U.S. Bank National Association dated June 30, 2019
(h)(5) Amended and Restated Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement between Registrant and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC dated June 30, 2019
(i)(1) Opinion of Counsel
(i)(2) Consent of Counsel
(p)(6) Code of Ethics of Foreside Funds Distributors LLC
(p)(17) Code of Ethics of Quasar Distributors, LLC

 

 

TRADING ADVISORY AGREEMENT

 

Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund

 

Trading Advisory Agreement (this “Agreement”) entered into as of the 1st day of November, 2019, by and among Abbey Capital Onshore Series LLC (the “Onshore LLC”) a Delaware series limited liability company acting for and on behalf of the series designated as Series 12 (“Series 12”), ABBEY CAPITAL LIMITED an Irish private company limited by shares (the “Adviser”), Abbey Capital Offshore Fund SPC, a Segregated Portfolio Company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Company”) acting for and on behalf of the segregated portfolio designated as Segregated Portfolio 12 (“SPC 12”) and Crabel Capital Management, LLC, a company incorporated under U.S. law, with its principal office at 10250 Constellation BLVD, Suite 2650, Los Angeles, CA 90067 (the “Trader”) (the Onshore LLC, the Adviser, the Company and the Trader, together the “Parties”)

 

WHEREAS, the Adviser has entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement dated 25th day of June 2014 (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”) with The RBB Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”), relating to the provision of investment advisory services to the Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund (the “Portfolio”);

 

WHEREAS, the Onshore LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Portfolio;

 

WHEREAS, the Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Abbey Capital Master Offshore Fund Limited an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands and Abbey Capital Master Offshore Fund Limited is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Portfolio

 

WHEREAS, the Adviser has also entered into an investment advisory agreement dated the 1st day of October, 2018 (the “Delaware IMA”) with the Onshore LLC relating to the provision of investment advisory services to the Onshore LLC and each of its segregated series including the series designated as Series 12.

 

WHEREAS, the Adviser has entered into an Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement dated the 1st day of October 2018 (the “Company IMA”) (the Investment Advisory Agreement Delaware IMA and Company IMA, together the “Advisory Agreements”) with the Company, relating to the provision of investment advisory services to the Company and each of its segregated portfolios including SPC 12;

 

WHEREAS, the Adviser, on behalf of the Portfolio, may allocate a portion of the Portfolio’s assets not to exceed in the aggregate 25% of its assets to the Company and a portion of the Portfolio’s assets to the Onshore LLC;

 

WHEREAS, each Advisory Agreement provides that the Adviser may delegate any or all of its investment advisory responsibilities under the Advisory Agreement to one or more sub-advisers;

 

WHEREAS, this Agreement shall take effect on the date that Series 12 or SP12 initially deposits cash or securities in the Managed Account (as defined in the Supplemental Trading Agreement dated 1 November 2019 between the Parties (the “Supplemental Trading Agreement”)) (the “Effective Date”).

 

WHEREAS, the Adviser and the Board of Directors of the Fund desire to retain the Trader to render portfolio management services to Series 12 and SPC 12 in the manner and on the terms set forth in this Agreement, and the Trader is willing to provide such services.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants hereinafter set forth, the Parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1. The Company

 

(a) Segregated Portfolio Company

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Under the Companies Law (Revised) of the Cayman Islands, the Company is permitted to create segregated portfolios in order to segregate the assets and liabilities attributable to a particular segregated portfolio of the Company from the assets and liabilities attributable to each other segregated portfolio of the Company, and from the Company’s general assets and liabilities. The Company has established and maintains separate and distinct segregated portfolios and has established and maintains the segregated portfolio referred to herein as “SPC 12”. Assets attributable to each segregated portfolio of the Company shall only be available to meet liabilities to creditors in respect of that segregated portfolio and the assets of that segregated portfolio shall not be available to satisfy the claims of creditors of the Company who are not creditors in respect of that segregated portfolio.

 

(b) Assets and Liabilities of Each Segregated Portfolio are Separate.

 

In accordance with the foregoing, the Parties hereto agree that the right to claim or proceed against SPC 12 in terms of this Agreement is limited to the assets of SPC 12, and no such claim, liability or obligation may be levied or set-off against any other assets of the Company or any other segregated portfolio. In the event that the assets of SPC 12 are insufficient to meet the obligations of SPC 12 under this Agreement, SPC 12’s obligations shall be limited to such assets and Trader agrees that it shall not seek, whether in any proceedings or other means whatsoever or wheresoever, to establish any claim or interest in or recourse against any asset of the Company or any other segregated portfolio of the Company.

 

2. The Onshore LLC

 

(a)        The Onshore LLC is a series limited liability company incorporated under the laws of the Limited Liability Company Act of the State of Delaware, 2 Del. Code Title s. 18-215 (the “Law”). Under the Law the Onshore LLC can create segregated series in order to segregate the assets and liabilities attributable to a particular series from the assets and liabilities attributable to each other series and from the Onshore LLC general assets and liabilities. The Onshore LLC has established and maintains separate and distinct segregated series and has established and maintains the series referred to herein as “Series 12”. Assets attributable to each series of the Onshore LLC shall only be available to meet liabilities to creditors in respect of that series and the assets of that series shall not be available to satisfy the claims of creditors of the Onshore LLC who are not creditors in respect of that series.

 

(b) Assets and Liabilities of Each Series are Separate. In accordance with the foregoing, the Parties hereto agree that the right to claim or proceed against Series 12 in terms of this Agreement is limited to the assets of Series 12, and no such claim liability or obligation may be levied or set-off against any other assets of the Onshore LLC or any other series. In the event that the assets of Series 12 are insufficient to meet the obligations of Series 12 under this Agreement, Series 12’s obligations shall be limited to such assets and the Trader agrees that it shall not seek, whether in any proceedings or other means whatsoever or wheresoever to establish any claim or interest in or recourse against any asset of the Onshore LLC or any other series of the Onshore LLC.

 

3. Trading Services.

 

(a) The Adviser hereby appoints the Trader to act as a commodity trading advisor (“CTA”) to Series 12 and SPC 12 with respect to assets allocated to Series 12 and SPC 12’s from time to time by the Adviser for the periods and on the terms herein set forth (the “Allocated Assets”). The Trader accepts such appointment and agrees to render the services herein set forth, for the compensation herein provided. To the extent the Allocated Assets are traded under SPC 12, the Trader acknowledges and agrees that SPC 12 is subject to the limitations set forth in paragraphs 1 (a) and (b) above. To the extent the Allocated Assets are traded under Series 12, the Trader acknowledges and agrees that Series 12 is subject to the limitations set forth in paragraphs 2 (a) and (b) above.

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(b) The Trader shall, subject to the supervision and oversight of the Adviser, trade the Allocated Assets on behalf of Series 12 and SPC 12 in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Supplemental Trading Agreement entered into by the Adviser and the Trader in relation to the Allocated Assets and in accordance with (i) the investment objective, policies and restrictions of the Series 12, SPC 12 and the Portfolio in relation to the Onshore LLC and the Company set forth in the Portfolio’s prospectus and statement of additional information, as they may be amended from time to time, any additional policies or guidelines, including without limitation compliance policies and procedures, established by the Adviser, the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer, or by the Fund’s Board of Directors (“Board”), all of which have been furnished in writing to the Trader, (ii) the written instructions and directions received from the Adviser and the Fund as delivered; and (iii) all laws applicable to the Onshore LLC and the Company and the Trader’s duties under this Agreement, all as may be in effect from time to time. The foregoing are referred to below together as the “Policies.”

 

For purposes of compliance with the Policies, the Trader shall be entitled to treat the Allocated Assets as though the Allocated Assets constituted the entire Onshore LLC or Company, and the Trader shall not be responsible in any way for the compliance of any assets of the Onshore LLC or Company, other than the Allocated Assets, with the Policies. Subject to the foregoing, the Trader is authorized, in its discretion and without prior consultation with the Adviser, to buy, sell, lend and otherwise trade in any commodity interests, including futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward contracts or commodities and swaps (the “Commodity Interests”) on behalf of Series 12 and/or SPC 12, without regard to the length of time the Commodity Interests have been held and the resulting rate of portfolio turnover or any tax considerations; and the majority or the whole of the Allocated Assets may be invested in such proportions of Commodity Interests as the Trader shall determine. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this paragraph 3(b), however, (i) the Trader shall, upon and in accordance with written instructions from the Adviser, effect such portfolio transactions for the Allocated Assets as the Adviser shall determine are necessary in order for the Onshore LLC and/or Company to comply with the Policies, and (ii) upon notice to the Trader, the Adviser may effect in-kind redemptions with shareholders of the Portfolio with securities included within the Allocated Assets. For the avoidance of doubt and except as required by applicable law, Trader shall treat Series 12 and SPC 12 as separate entities for purpose of compliance with the Policies.

 

(c) Absent instructions from the Adviser or the officers of the Fund to the contrary, the Trader shall place orders pursuant to its determinations with any executing broker, counterparty or futures commission merchant the Trader so chooses, provided, however, the orders are settled with an approved counterparty or futures commission merchant (“Broker”) with which Series 12 and/or SPC 12 as applicable, has an account.

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(d) The Trader hereby agrees that it shall not consult with any other investment adviser or CTA to the Fund with respect to transactions in Commodity Interests for the Allocated Assets or any other transactions in the Fund’s assets, other than for the purposes of complying with the conditions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of Rule 12d3-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”).

 

(e) The Trader has provided the Adviser with a true and complete copy of its compliance policies and procedures pursuant to best practices for all CTAs registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) or, if applicable, Rule 206(4)-7 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”) (the “Trader Compliance Policies”). The Trader’s chief compliance officer (“Trader CCO”) shall provide to the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer (“Fund CCO”) or his or her delegatee promptly (and in no event in more than 10 business days) the following:

 

i. a report of any material changes to the Trader Compliance Policies;

 

ii. a report of any “material compliance matters,” as defined by Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act, that have occurred in connection with the Trader Compliance Policies;

 

iii. an executive summary of the Trader CCO’s report with respect to the annual review of the Trader Compliance Policies (the “Trader CCO’s Report”) pursuant to Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act, if applicable. The Trader agrees that the executive summary shall be a fair representation of the Trader’s CCO Report and that if the Fund CCO has follow up questions on the executive summary, the Trader CCO will cooperate with providing whatever additional information is requested; and

 

iv. an annual (or more frequently as the Fund CCO may request) certification regarding the Trader’s compliance with Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act, if applicable, and Section 38a-1 of the 1940 Act as well as the foregoing sub-paragraphs (i) – (iii).

 

(f) The Trader may, on occasions when it deems the purchase or sale of a Commodity Interest to be in the best interests of Series 12 and/or SPC 12 as well as other fiduciary or agency accounts managed by the Trader, aggregate, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, the Commodity Interests to be sold or purchased in order to obtain the best overall terms available. In such event, allocation of Commodity Interests so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Trader in the manner it considers to be most fair and equitable over time to Series 12 and/or SPC 12 and to its other accounts. In that connection, however, the Trader agrees that: (i) in rendering consulting, advisory and management services to other Commodity Interest trading accounts and entities, it will use its best efforts to achieve an equitable treatment of all accounts and will use a fair and reasonable system of order entry for all accounts; and (ii) it will not deliberately use any trading strategies for Series 12 and/or SPC 12 which it or its principals know are inferior to those employed by other accounts. The Trader further agrees to be aware of the position limits imposed on certain Commodity Interest contracts by the CFTC or applicable contract market. The Trader will be entitled to use that portion of the applicable position limits that bears the same relationship that the Allocated Assets bears to all of Series 12 and/or SPC 12 assets, as applicable, and that relationship will be communicated in writing by the Adviser to the Trader at the commencement of trading and at the point of any subsequent change in that relationship. If, at any time during the term of this Agreement, the Trader is required to aggregate Series 12 and/or SPC 12’s Commodity Interest positions with the positions of any other person for purposes of applying the CFTC or exchange imposed speculative position limits, the Trader will promptly notify the Adviser if Series 12 and/or SPC 12’s positions are included in an aggregate amount which exceeds the applicable speculative position limit. If the speculative positions limits are reached in any Commodity Interest contract, the Trader will modify the trading instructions to Series 12 and/or SPC 12 as applicable and its other accounts in a reasonable and good faith effort to achieve an equitable treatment of all accounts. The Trader currently believes and represents that such speculative limits will not materially affect its trading recommendations or strategy for Series 12 and/or SPC 12 given the Trader's current accounts and all proposed accounts for which the Trader has a contract to act as a CTA.

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(g) The Trader, in connection with its rights and duties with respect to Series 12 and/or SPC 12 and the Fund shall use the care, skill, prudence and diligence under the circumstances then prevailing that a person acting in a like capacity and familiar with such matters would use in the conduct of an enterprise of a like character and with like aims. This paragraph shall be interpreted consistent with the provisions of Sections 17(i) and 36(b) of the 1940 Act.

 

(h) The services of the Trader hereunder are not deemed exclusive and the Trader shall be free to render similar services to others (including other investment companies) so long as its services under this Agreement are not impaired thereby. The Adviser acknowledges that the performance of the Allocated Assets and of other accounts managed by the Trader implementing the same, or a substantially similar, investment program will differ due to a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to, the investment policies, guidelines or restrictions; trading counterparties; degree of leverage; trading level changes; and fees and expense incurred.

 

(i) The Trader shall furnish the Adviser and the administrator of the Fund (the “Administrator”) daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual reports concerning portfolio transactions and performance of the Allocated Assets as the Adviser may reasonably determine in such form as may be mutually agreed upon, and agrees to review the Allocated Assets with the Adviser and discuss the management of the Allocated Assets. The Trader shall promptly respond to requests by the Adviser, the Administrator, and the Fund CCO or their delegates for copies of the pertinent books and records maintained by the Trader relating directly to Series 12 and/or SPC 12. The Trader shall also provide the Adviser with such other information and reports, including information and reports related to compliance matters, as may reasonably be requested by it from time to time, including without limitation all material requested by or required to be delivered to the Board.

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(j) The Trader shall not have the power, discretion or responsibility to vote any proxies in connection with Commodity Interests in which the Allocated Assets may be invested, and the Adviser shall retain such responsibility.

 

(k) The Trader shall cooperate promptly and fully with the Adviser, the Company, the Onshore LLC and/or the Fund in responding to any regulatory or compliance examinations or inspections (including any information requests) relating to the Fund, the Portfolio, the Company, the Onshore LLC or the Adviser brought by any governmental or regulatory authorities. The Trader shall provide to the Fund CCO or his or her delegate notice of any deficiencies that are identified by the CFTC or the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) in written correspondence to the Trader and that relate to the services provided by the Trader to Series 12 and SPC 12 pursuant to this Agreement. The Trader shall provide such notification within a reasonable period after receiving the correspondence. The Trader shall provide additional information with respect to such deficiencies as is reasonably requested by the Fund CCO or his or her delegatee.

 

(l) The Trader shall maintain separate detailed records of all matters pertaining to the Allocated Assets, including, without limitation, brokerage and other records of all securities transactions. Any records required to be maintained and preserved, pursuant to the provisions of Rule 31a-1 and Rule 31a-2 promulgated under the 1940 Act and/or by the CFTC, that are prepared or maintained by the Trader on behalf of the Portfolio, Series 12 and/or SPC 12 are the property of the Fund and will be surrendered promptly to the Fund upon request. The Trader further agrees to preserve for the periods, prescribed in Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act the records required to be maintained under Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act, and/or by the CFTC.

 

(m) The Trader shall promptly notify the Adviser of any financial condition that is likely to impair the Trader’s ability to fulfill its commitments under this Agreement.

 

4. Representations and Warranties of the Parties

 

(a) The Trader represents and warrants to the Adviser as follows:

 

(i) The Trader is a registered CTA with the CFTC;

 

(ii) The Trader will carry at all times professional errors and omissions liability insurance covering services provided hereunder by the Trader in an appropriate amount;

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(iii) The Trader will furnish the Adviser with certificates of insurance in forms and substance reasonably acceptable to the Adviser evidencing the coverages specified in paragraph 4(a)(ii) hereof and will provide notice of termination of such coverages, if any, to the Adviser and the Fund, all as promptly as reasonably possible. The Trader will notify the Adviser promptly, and in any event within 10 business days, when the Trader receives notice of any termination of the specified coverage; and

 

(iv) This Agreement has been duly authorized and executed by the Trader.

 

(b) The Adviser represents and warrants to the Trader as follows:

 

(i) The Adviser is registered under the Advisers Act;

 

(ii) The Portfolio is registered with the CFTC as a 4.12 (c)(3) exempted commodity pool;

 

(iii) The Company is registered with the CFTC as a 4.7 exempted commodity pool;

 

(iv) The Onshore Series is registered with the CFTC as a 4.7 exempted commodity pool;

 

(v) the Allocated Assets are not assets of (1) an “employee benefit plan” as defined in and subject to the fiduciary responsibility provisions of the U.S. Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), (2) a “plan” as defined in and subject to Section 4975 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or (3) an entity that holds “plan assets” as defined in Section 3(42) of ERISA; and

 

(vi) Each of the Adviser and the Fund has duly authorized the execution of this Agreement by the Adviser.

 

(c) Each Party undertakes to notify the other Parties in the event of an occurrence that renders a representation no longer valid.

 

5. Obligations of the Adviser.

 

(a) The Adviser shall provide (or cause Series 12 and/or SPC 12’s Custodian (as defined in paragraph 6 hereof) to provide) timely information to the Trader regarding such matters as the composition of the Allocated Assets, cash requirements and cash available for investment in the Allocated Assets, and all other information as may be reasonably necessary for the Trader to perform its responsibilities hereunder.

 

(b) The Adviser has furnished the Trader with a copy of the prospectus and statement of additional information of the Portfolio and the Adviser agrees during the continuance of this Agreement to furnish the Trader copies of any revisions or supplements thereto at, or, if practicable, before the time the revisions or supplements become effective. The Adviser agrees to furnish the Trader with copies of any financial statements or reports made by the Portfolio to its shareholders, and any further materials or information that the Trader may reasonably request to enable it to perform its functions under this Agreement.

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6. Custodian.

 

The Adviser shall provide the Trader with a copy of Series 12 and SPC 12's agreement with any custodian designated to hold the assets of Series 12 or SPC 12, respectively (the “Custodian”), and any material modifications thereto (the “Custody Agreement”) that may affect the Trader’s duties, copies of such modifications to be provided to the Trader reasonably in advance of the effectiveness of such modifications. The Allocated Assets shall be maintained in the custody of the Custodian identified in, and in accordance with the terms and conditions of, the Custody Agreement (or any sub-custodian properly appointed as provided in the Custody Agreement). The Trader shall have no responsibility to oversee the Custodian and shall have no liability for the acts or omissions of the Custodian, unless such act or omission is taken solely in reliance upon instruction given to the Custodian by a representative of the Trader properly authorized to give such instruction under the Custody Agreement. Any assets added to Series 12 and/or SPC 12 shall be delivered directly to the Custodian; the Trader shall not have custody of any Allocated Assets.

 

7. Use of Name.

 

During the term of this Agreement, the Adviser shall have permission to use the Trader’s name in the marketing of the Portfolio, and agrees to furnish the Trader, for its prior approval (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) via email, all prospectuses, proxy statements and reports to shareholders prepared for distribution to shareholders of the Portfolio or the public that refer to the Trader in any way. If the Adviser does not receive a response from the Trader with respect to such materials within five business days of its submission for approval, such materials shall be deemed accepted by the Trader. The Trader agrees that Adviser may request that the Trader approve use of a certain type, and that Adviser need not provide for approval each additional piece of marketing material that is of substantially the same type.

 

During the term of this Agreement, the Trader shall not use the Adviser’s name or the Fund’s name without the prior consent of the Adviser and the Fund.

 

8. Expenses.

 

During the Term of this Agreement, the Trader will pay all expenses incurred by it in connection with the performance of its duties under paragraph 3 hereof other than the cost (including taxes, brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, if any) of the Commodity Interests or other investment instruments purchased or sold for Series 12 and/or SPC 12.

 

9. Compensation of the Trader.

 

As full compensation for all services rendered, facilities furnished and expenses borne by the Trader hereunder, the Trader shall be paid the fees in the amounts and in the manner set forth in Appendix A hereto.

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10. Independent Contractor Status.

 

The Trader shall for all purposes hereof be deemed to be an independent contractor and shall, unless otherwise provided or authorized, have no authority to act for or represent the Company, the Onshore LLC, the Portfolio, the Fund or the Adviser in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Company, the Onshore LLC, the Portfolio, the Fund or the Adviser.

 

11. Liability and Indemnification.

 

(a)          Liability. The duties of the Trader shall be confined to those expressly set forth herein with respect to the Allocated Assets. The Trader shall not be liable for any loss arising out of any portfolio investment or disposition hereunder, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties, or by reason of reckless disregard of its obligations and duties hereunder. Under no circumstances shall the Trader be liable for any loss arising out of any act or omission taken by another CTA, or any other third party, in respect of any portion of the Fund’s assets not managed by the Trader pursuant to this Agreement.

 

(i)The Trader hereby acknowledges, understands and agrees that (i) the Company is registered as a Segregated Portfolio Company (ii) the Company is entering into this Agreement on behalf of SPC 12 in respect of the Allocated Assets, (iii) all of the liabilities and obligations of SPC 12 to the Trader under this Agreement are expressly limited to the assets of SPC 12 comprising the Allocated Assets. Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing the Trader hereby waives any right to seek redress against any person, entity or property (including the Company, the Fund, the Adviser and any of their respective shareholder, members, partners, directors, officers, principals and affiliates) for amounts or damages due or alleged to be due to the Trader from SPC 12 arising out of or relating to this Agreement.

 

(ii)The Trader hereby acknowledges, understands and agrees that (i) the Onshore LLC is registered as a Delaware series limited liability company (ii) the Onshore LLC is entering into this Agreement on behalf of Series 12 in respect of the Allocated Assets, (iii) all of the liabilities and obligations of Series 12 to the Trader under this Agreement are expressly limited to the assets of Series 12 comprising the Allocated Assets. Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing the Trader hereby waives any right to seek redress against any person, entity or property (including the Onshore LLC, the Portfolio, the Fund, the Adviser and any of their respective shareholder, members, partners, directors, officers, principals and affiliates) for amounts or damages due or alleged to be due to the Trader from Series 12 arising out of or relating to this Agreement.

 

(b) Indemnification.

 

(i) The Trader shall indemnify the Adviser, the Fund, the Portfolio and Series 12 and SPC 12, and their respective affiliates and controlling persons (collectively, the “Adviser Indemnified Persons”) for any liability and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, which the Adviser, the Fund, the Portfolio and/or the Series 12 and SPC 12 and their respective affiliates and controlling persons may sustain as a result of the Trader’s breach of this Agreement or its representations and warranties herein or as a result of the Trader’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of its duties hereunder or violation of applicable law; provided, however, that the Adviser Indemnified Persons shall not be indemnified for any liability or expenses that may be sustained as a result of the Adviser’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of its duties hereunder.

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(ii)           The Adviser shall indemnify the Trader, its affiliates and their respective controlling persons (collectively, the “Trader Indemnified Persons”) for any liability and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, arising from, or in connection with, the Adviser’s breach of this Agreement or its representations and warranties herein or as a result of the Adviser’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, reckless disregard of its duties hereunder or violation of applicable law; provided, however, that the Trader Indemnified Persons shall not be indemnified for any liability or expenses that may be sustained as a result of the Trader’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of its duties hereunder.

 

12. Effective Date and Termination. This Agreement shall become effective as of the Effective Date, and:

 

(a) unless otherwise terminated, this Agreement shall continue in effect until August 16, 2020 and from year to year thereafter so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually (i) by the Board or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio, and (ii) by vote of a majority of the Directors of the Fund who are not interested persons of the Fund, the Adviser or the Trader, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval;

 

(b) this Agreement may at any time be terminated on 60 days’ written notice to the Trader either by vote of the Board or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio;

 

(c) this Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its assignment or upon the termination of the Advisory Agreement; and

 

(d) this Agreement may be terminated by the Trader on 60 days’ written notice to the Adviser and the Fund, or by the Adviser immediately upon notice to the Trader.

 

Termination of this Agreement pursuant to this paragraph 12 shall be without the payment of any penalty.

 

13. Amendment.

 

This Agreement may be amended at any time by mutual consent of the Adviser and the Trader, provided that, if required by law, such amendment shall also have been approved by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio and by vote of a majority of the Directors of the Fund who are not interested persons of the Fund, the Adviser, or the Trader, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.

 

14. Assignment.

 

The Trader may not assign this Agreement and this Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of an “assignment,” as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(4) of the 1940 Act. The Trader shall notify the Adviser in writing sufficiently in advance of any proposed change of “control,” as defined in Section 2(a)(9) of the 1940 Act, so as to enable the Fund and/or the Adviser to: (a) consider whether an assignment will occur, (b) consider whether to enter into a new Trading Agreement with the Trader, and (c) prepare, file, and deliver any disclosure document to the Portfolio’s shareholders as may be required by applicable law.

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15. Miscellaneous.

 

The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect. 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. Save for paragraphs 1 (a) and (b) and paragraph 11(a)(i) of this Agreement which is subject to and governed by the laws of the Cayman Islands this Agreement shall be construed in accordance with applicable federal law and the laws of the State of Delaware and shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Parties hereto and their respective successors (subject to paragraph 12 (c) hereof) and, to the extent provided in paragraph 11 hereof, each Trader Indemnified Person and Adviser Indemnified Person. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, this Agreement shall not be construed to require, or to impose any duty upon, either of the Parties to do anything in violation of any applicable laws or regulations. Any provision in this Agreement requiring compliance with any statute or regulation shall mean such statute or regulation as amended and in effect from time to time.

 

16. Regulation S-P.

 

In accordance with Regulation S-P, if non-public personal information regarding any party’s customers or consumers is disclosed to the other party in connection with this Agreement, the other party receiving such information will not disclose or use that information other than as necessary to carry out the purposes of this Agreement.

 

17. Confidentiality.

 

Any information or recommendations supplied by either the Adviser or the Trader, that are not otherwise in the public domain or previously known to the other party in connection with the performance of its obligations and duties hereunder, including without limitation portfolio holdings of Series 12 and/or SPC 12, financial information or other information relating to a party to this Agreement, are to be regarded as confidential (“Confidential Information”) and held in the strictest confidence. Except as may be required by applicable law or rule as requested by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction over a party or as requested by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction over a party to this Agreement, Confidential Information may be used only by the party to which said information has been communicated and such other persons as that party believes are necessary to carry out the purposes of this Agreement, including the Custodian, and persons as the Adviser may deem necessary in connection with the Allocated Assets; provided that all such other persons are subject to confidentiality obligations consistent with this paragraph 17.

 

18. Counterparts.

 

This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank – signature page to follow]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Parties hereto have caused the Agreement to be duly executed.

 

For and on behalf of
Crabel Capital Management, LLC
     
Signed: /s/ Rick Rusin  
     
Date: 04-NOV-19  
     
Name: Rick Rusin  
     
Title: Chief Operating Officer  

 

For and on behalf of For and on behalf of

Abbey Capital Limited

Abbey Capital Limited

           
Signed: /s/ Mick Swift   Signed: /s/ Tony Gannon  
           
Date: 6/11/19   Date: 6/11/19  
           
Name: Mick Swift   Name: Tony Gannon  
           
Title: Director   Title: Director  

 

For and on behalf of Abbey Capital Offshore Fund SPC acting for and on behalf of the segregated portfolio designated as Segregated Portfolio 12 

     
Signed: /s/ Peter Carney  
     
Date: 6th Nov. 2019  
     
Name: Peter Carney  
     
Title: Director  

 

For and on behalf of Abbey Capital Onshore Series LLC acting for and on behalf of the series designated as Series 12

 

Signed:/s/ James G. Shaw  
     
Date: 11/7/19  
     
Name: James G. Shaw  
     
Title: CFO/Treasurer and Secretary  

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Appendix A

 

Trading Fees

 

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED CUSTODY AGREEMENT

 

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED CUSTODY AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made and entered into as of June 30, 2019, by and between THE RBB FUND, INC., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), and U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America with its principal place of business in Minneapolis, Minnesota (the “Custodian”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Custodian entered into a Custody Agreement, dated June 30, 2016 as amended and an ETF Custody Agreement, dated January 29, 2018, as amended (together the “Custody Agreements”);

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Custodian agree, that this Agreement will supersede and replace the Custody Agreements, with the exception of the attached Custody Agreement Addendum, dated January 5, 2017 for the establishments of accounts for any series of the RBB Fund, Inc for the investment in Vietnam. This addendum becomes a part of this Agreement.

 

WHEREAS, the Company is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company, and is authorized to issue shares of beneficial interest in separate series, with each such series representing interests in a separate portfolio of securities and other assets;

 

WHEREAS, the Custodian is a bank having the qualifications prescribed in Section 26(a)(1) of the 1940 Act;

 

WHEREAS, the Company has issued shares of beneficial interest (“Shares”) of its series that are open end mutual funds (each a “Mutual Fund Series”) and exchange-traded funds (each an “ETF Series”);

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to retain the Custodian to act as custodian of the cash and securities of each Mutual Fund Series and ETF Series of the Company listed on Exhibit A attached hereto (as amended from time to time) (each Mutual Fund Series and ETF Series a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company has delegated to the Custodian the responsibilities set forth in Rule 17f-5(c) under the 1940 Act and the Custodian is willing to undertake the responsibilities and serve as the foreign custody manager for the Company.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants herein contained, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, do hereby agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

 

Whenever used in this Agreement, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings set forth below unless the context otherwise requires:

 

1.01           “Authorized Person” means any Officer or person who has been designated as such by written notice and named in Exhibit B and delivered to the Custodian by the Company, or if the Company has notified the Custodian in writing that it has an authorized investment manager or other agent, delivered to the Custodian by the Company’s investment advisor or other agent. Such Officer or person shall continue to be an Authorized Person until such time as the Custodian receives Written Instructions from the Company or the Company’s investment advisor or other agent that any such person is no longer an Authorized Person.

 

1.02           “Board of Directors” shall mean the directors from time to time serving under the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, as amended from time to time.

 

1.03           “Book-Entry System” shall mean a federal book-entry system as provided in Subpart O of Treasury Circular No. 300, 31 CFR 306, in Subpart B of 31 CFR Part 350, or in such book-entry regulations of federal agencies as are substantially in the form of such Subpart O.

 

1.04           “Business Day” shall mean any day recognized as a settlement day by The New York Stock Exchange, Inc. and any other day for which the Company computes the net asset value of Shares of the Fund.

 

1.05           “Eligible Foreign Custodian” has the meaning set forth in Rule 17f-5(a)(1) under the 1940 Act, including a majority-owned or indirect subsidiary of a U.S. Bank (as defined in Rule 17f-5), a bank holding company meeting the requirements of an Eligible Foreign Custodian (as set forth in Rule 17f-5 or by other appropriate action of the SEC), or a foreign branch of a Bank (as defined in Section 2(a)(5) of the 1940 Act) meeting the requirements of a custodian under Section 17(f) of the 1940 Act; the term does not include any Eligible Securities Depository.

 

1.06           “Eligible Securities Depository” has the meaning set forth in Rule 17f-7(b)(1) under the 1940 Act.

 

1.07           “Foreign Securities” means any investments of a Fund (including foreign currencies) for which the primary market is outside the United States and such cash and cash equivalents as are reasonably necessary to effect such Fund’s transactions in such investments.

 

1.08           “Fund Custody Account” shall mean any of the accounts in the name of the Fund, which is provided for in Section 3.2 below.

 

1.09           “IRS” shall mean the Internal Revenue Service.

 

1.10           “FINRA” shall mean the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

 

1.11           “Loan” means any U.S. dollar denominated commercial loan, or participation therein, made by a bank or other financial institution that by its terms provides for payments of principal and/or interest, including discount obligations and payment- in-kind obligations, acquired by any Fund from time to time.

 

1.12           “Loan Checklist” means a list delivered to the Custodian in connection with delivery of a Loan to the Custodian that identifies the items contained in the related Loan File.

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1.13           “Loan Documents” means those documents to the extent delivered to the Custodian.

 

1.14           “Loan File” means, with respect to each Loan delivered to the Custodian, each of the Loan Documents identified on the related Loan Checklist.

 

1.15           “Noteless Loan” means a Loan with respect to which (i) the related loan agreement does not require the obligor to execute and deliver an Underlying Note to evidence the indebtedness created under such Loan and (ii) no Underlying Notes are outstanding with respect to the portion of the Loan transferred to a Fund.

 

1.16           “Officer” shall mean the Chairman, President, any Vice President, any Assistant Vice President, the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary, the Treasurer, or any Assistant Treasurer of the Company or any other position deemed as an officer by the Board of Directors.

 

1.17           “Participation” means an interest in a Loan that is acquired indirectly by way of a participation from a selling institution.

 

1.18           “SEC” shall mean the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

1.19           “Securities” shall include, without limitation, common and preferred stocks, bonds, call options, put options, debentures, notes, bank certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances, Loans, mortgage-backed securities or other obligations, and any certificates, receipts, warrants or other instruments or documents representing rights to receive, purchase or subscribe for the same, or evidencing or representing any other rights or interests therein, or any similar property or assets that the Custodian or its agents have the facilities to clear and service.

 

1.20           “Securities Depository” shall mean The Depository Trust Company and any other clearing agency registered with the SEC under Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), which acts as a system for the central handling of Securities where all Securities of any particular class or series of an issuer deposited within the system are treated as fungible and may be transferred or pledged by bookkeeping entry without physical delivery of the Securities.

 

1.21           “Shares” shall mean, with respect to a Fund, the units of beneficial interest issued by the Company on account of the Fund.

 

1.22           “Sub-Custodian” shall mean and include (i) any branch of a “U.S. bank,” as that term is defined in Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act, and (ii) any “Eligible Foreign Custodian” having a contract with the Custodian which the Custodian has determined will provide reasonable care of assets of the Fund based on the standards specified in Section 3.3 below. Such contract shall be in writing and shall include provisions that provide: (i) for indemnification or insurance arrangements (or any combination of the foregoing) such that the Fund will be adequately protected against the risk of loss of assets held in accordance with such contract; (ii) that the Foreign Securities will not be subject to any right, charge, security interest, lien or claim of any kind in favor of the Sub-Custodian or its creditors except a claim of payment for their safe or value other than for safe custody or administration, in the case of cash deposits, liens or rights in favor of creditors of the Sub-Custodian arising under bankruptcy, insolvency, or similar laws; (iii) that beneficial ownership for the Foreign Securities will be freely transferable without the payment of money or value other than for safe custody or administration ; (iv) that adequate records will be maintained identifying the assets as belonging to the Fund or as being held by a third party for the benefit of the Fund; (v) that the Fund’s independent public accountants will be given access to those records or confirmation of the contents of those records; and (vi) that the Fund will receive periodic reports with respect to the safekeeping of the Fund’s assets, including, but not limited to, notification of any transfer to or from a Fund's account or a third party account containing assets held for the benefit of the Fund. Such contract may contain, in lieu of any or all of the provisions specified in (i)-(vi) above, such other provisions that the Custodian determines will provide, in their entirety, the same or a greater level of care and protection for Fund assets as the specified provisions.

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1.23           “Trade Confirmation” means a confirmation to the Custodian from the Company (or Fund) of a Fund’s acquisition of a Loan, and setting forth applicable information with respect to such Loan, which confirmation may be in the form of Exhibit C attached hereto and made a part hereof, subject to such changes or additions as may be agreed to by, or in such other form as may be agreed to by, the Custodian and the Company from time to time.

 

1.24           “Underlying Note” means the one or more promissory notes executed by an obligor evidencing a Loan.

 

1.25           “Written Instructions” shall mean (i) written communications actually received by the Custodian and signed by an Authorized Person, (ii) communications by facsimile or electronic e-mail or any other such system from one or more persons reasonably believed by the Custodian to be an Authorized Person.

 

ARTICLE II.  

 

APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN

 

2.01           Appointment. The Company hereby appoints the Custodian as custodian of all Securities and cash owned by or in the possession of a Fund at any time during the period of this Agreement, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, and the Custodian hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to perform the services and duties set forth in this Agreement. The Company hereby delegates to the Custodian, subject to Rule 17f-5(b) under the 1940 Act, the responsibilities with respect to a Fund’s Foreign Securities, and the Custodian hereby accepts such delegation as foreign custody manager with respect to a Fund. The services and duties of the Custodian shall be confined to those matters expressly set forth herein, and no implied duties are assumed by or may be asserted against the Custodian hereunder.

 

2.02           Documents to be Furnished. The following documents, including any amendments thereto, will be provided contemporaneously with the execution of the Agreement to the Custodian by the Company:

 

(a) A copy of the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, certified by the Secretary;

 

(b) A copy of the Company’s by-laws, certified by the Secretary;

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(c) A copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company appointing the Custodian, certified by the Secretary;

 

(d) A copy of the current prospectuses of each Fund (the “Prospectus”);

 

(e) A certification of the Chairman or the President and the Secretary of the Company setting forth the names and signatures of the current Officers of the Company and other Authorized Persons; and

 

(f) An executed authorization required by the Shareholder Communications Act of 1985, attached hereto as Exhibit D.

 

2.03           Notice of Appointment of Transfer Agent. The Company agrees to notify the Custodian in writing of the appointment, termination or change in appointment of any transfer agent of the Funds.

 

ARTICLE III.            

 

CUSTODY OF CASH AND SECURITIES

 

3.01           Segregation. All Securities and non-cash property held by the Custodian for the account of each Fund (other than Securities maintained in a Securities Depository, Eligible Securities Depository or Book-Entry System) shall be physically segregated from other Securities and non-cash property in the possession of the Custodian (including the Securities and non-cash property of the other series of the Company, if applicable) and shall be identified as subject to this Agreement.

 

3.02           Fund Custody and Cash Accounts. As to each Fund, the Custodian shall open and maintain in its trust department: (x) a custody account in the name of the Company coupled with the name of the Fund, subject only to draft or order of the Custodian, in which the Custodian shall enter and carry all Securities (other than Loans), cash and other assets of such Fund which are delivered to it and (y) cash accounts, including any subaccounts, in the name of the Company coupled with the name of the Fund, subject only to draft or order of the Custodian, in which the Custodian shall enter and carry all principal and interest received with respect to the Loans. The amounts held in the cash accounts shall be transferred in the respective Fund’s custody account on a daily basis. Absent a written agreement between the Custodian and the Company, securities and cash held by the Custodian shall not be re-hypothecated, pledged, assigned, invested or otherwise disposed of by the Custodian and beneficial ownership shall be freely transferable without payment of money or value other than for safe custody and administration.

 

3.03           Appointment of Agents.

 

(a) In its discretion, the Custodian may appoint one or more Sub-Custodians to establish and maintain arrangements with (i) Eligible Securities Depositories or (ii) Eligible Foreign Custodians who are members of the Sub-Custodian’s network to hold Securities and cash of a Fund and to carry out such other provisions of this Agreement as it may determine; provided, however, that the appointment of any such agents and maintenance of any Securities and cash of a Fund shall be at the Custodian's expense and shall not relieve the Custodian of any of its obligations or liabilities under this Agreement. The Custodian shall be liable for the actions of any Sub-Custodians (regardless of whether assets are maintained in the custody of a Sub-Custodian, a member of its network or an Eligible Securities Depository) appointed by it as if such actions had been done by the Custodian. If, after the initial appointment of Sub-Custodians by the Board of Directors in connection with this Agreement, the Custodian wishes to appoint other Sub-Custodians to hold property of a Fund, it will so notify the Company and make the necessary determinations as to any such new Sub-Custodian's eligibility under Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act.

5

 

(b) In performing its delegated responsibilities as foreign custody manager to place or maintain a Fund’s assets with a Sub-Custodian, the Custodian will determine that a Fund’s assets will be subject to reasonable care, based on the standards applicable to custodians in the country in which a Fund’s assets will be held by that Sub-Custodian, after considering all factors relevant to safekeeping of such assets, including, without limitation the factors specified in Rule 17f-5(c)(1) under the 1940 Act.

 

(c) The agreement between the Custodian and each Sub-Custodian acting hereunder shall contain the required provisions set forth in Rule 17f-5(c)(2) under the 1940 Act.

 

(d) At the end of each calendar quarter, the Custodian shall provide written reports notifying the Board of Directors of the withdrawal or placement of the Securities and cash of the Fund with a Sub-Custodian and of any material changes in the Fund’s arrangements. Such reports shall include an analysis of the custody risks associated with maintaining assets with any Eligible Securities Depositories. The Custodian shall promptly take such steps as may be required to withdraw assets of the Fund from any Sub-Custodian arrangement that has ceased to meet the requirements of Rule 17f-5 or Rule 17f-7 under the 1940 Act, as applicable, and shall promptly notify the Board of Directors of the circumstances of such action.

 

(e) With respect to its responsibilities under this Section 3.03, the Custodian hereby warrants to the Company that it agrees to exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence such as a person having responsibility for the safekeeping of property of the Company; provided, however, with respect to custody of any Loans, the Custodian’s responsibility shall be limited to the exercise of reasonable care by the Custodian in the physical custody of any such documents delivered to it, and any related instrument, security, credit agreement, assignment agreement and/or other agreements or documents, if any, that may be delivered to it. The Custodian further warrants that each Fund's assets will be subject to reasonable care if maintained with a Sub-Custodian, after considering all factors relevant to the safekeeping of such assets, including, without limitation: (i) the Sub-Custodian's practices, procedures, and internal controls for certificated securities (if applicable), its method of keeping custodial records, and its security and data protection practices; (ii) whether the Sub-Custodian has the requisite financial strength to provide reasonable care for Fund assets; (iii) the Sub-Custodian's general reputation and standing and, in the case of a Securities Depository, the Securities Depository's operating history and number of participants; (iv) whether a Fund will have jurisdiction over and be able to enforce judgments against the Sub-Custodian, such as by virtue of the existence of any offices of the Sub-Custodian in the United States or the Sub-Custodian's consent to service of process in the United States; and (v) ensuring that Fund assets held by a Sub-Custodian shall not be sold, re-hypothecated, pledged, assigned, invested or otherwise disposed by the Sub-Custodian and beneficial ownership of the Securities held by such Sub-Custodian shall be freely transferable without payment of money or value other than that for safe custody and administration.

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(f) The Custodian shall establish a system or ensure that its Sub-Custodian has established a system to monitor on a continuing basis (i) the appropriateness of maintaining a Fund’s assets with a Sub-Custodian or Eligible Foreign Custodians who are members of a Sub-Custodian’s network; (ii) the performance of the contract governing a Fund’s arrangements with such Sub-Custodian or Eligible Foreign Custodian’s members of a Sub-Custodian’s network; and (iii) the custody risks of maintaining assets with an Eligible Securities Depository. The Custodian must promptly notify a Fund or its investment adviser of any material change in these risks.

 

(g) The Custodian shall use commercially reasonable efforts to collect all income and other payments with respect to Foreign Securities to which the Fund shall be entitled and shall credit such income, as collected, to the Company. In the event that extraordinary measures are required to collect such income, the Company and Custodian shall consult as to the measures and as to the compensation and expenses of the Custodian relating to such measures.

 

3.04           Delivery of Assets to Custodian.

 

(a) The Company shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Custodian all of a Fund's Securities, cash and other investment assets, including (i) all payments of income, payments of principal and capital distributions received by the Fund with respect to such Securities, cash or other assets owned by the Fund at any time during the period of this Agreement, and (ii) all cash received by the Fund for the issuance of Shares. With respect to Loans, the Loan Documents and other underlying loan documents may be delivered to the Custodian at the address identified below in Section 15.08. With respect to assets other than Loans, such assets shall be delivered to the Custodian, and at the address identified below in Section 15.08.  Except to the extent otherwise expressly provided herein, delivery of Securities to the Custodian shall be in Street Name or other good delivery form. The Custodian shall not be responsible for such Securities, cash or other assets until actually delivered to, and received by it.

 

3.05           Securities Depositories and Book-Entry Systems. The Custodian may deposit and/or maintain Securities (excluding Loans) of the Funds in a Securities Depository or in a Book-Entry System, subject to the following provisions:

 

(a) The Custodian, on an on-going basis, shall deposit in a Securities Depository or Book-Entry System all Securities eligible for deposit therein and shall make use of such Securities Depository or Book-Entry System to the extent possible and practical in connection with its performance hereunder, including, without limitation, in connection with settlements of purchases and sales of Securities, loans of Securities, and deliveries and returns of collateral consisting of Securities.

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(b) Securities (other than Loans) of a Fund kept in a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository shall be kept in an account (“Depository Account”) of the Custodian in such Book-Entry System or Securities Depository which includes only assets held by the Custodian as a fiduciary, custodian or otherwise for customers.

 

(c) The records of the Custodian with respect to Securities of a Fund maintained in a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository shall, by book-entry, identify such Securities (other than Loans) as belonging to the Fund.

 

(d) If Securities purchased by a Fund are to be held in a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository, the Custodian shall pay for such Securities upon (i) receipt of advice from the Book-Entry System or Securities Depository that such Securities have been transferred to the Depository Account, and (ii) the making of an entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect such payment and transfer for the account of the Fund. If Securities sold by a Fund are held in a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository, the Custodian shall transfer such Securities upon (i) receipt of advice from the Book-Entry System or Securities Depository that payment for such Securities has been transferred to the Depository Account, and (ii) the making of an entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect such transfer and payment for the account of the Fund.

 

(e) The Custodian shall provide the Company with copies of any report (obtained by the Custodian from a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository in which Securities of a Fund are kept) on the internal accounting controls and procedures for safeguarding Securities deposited in such Book-Entry System or Securities Depository.

 

(f) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Custodian shall be liable to the Company for any loss or damage to the Fund resulting from (i) the use of a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository by reason of any negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Custodian or any Sub-Custodian, or (ii) failure of the Custodian or any Sub-Custodian to enforce effectively such rights as it may have against a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository. At its election, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Custodian with respect to any claim against a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository or any other person from any loss or damage to the Fund arising from the use of such Book-Entry System or Securities Depository, if and to the extent that the Fund has not been made whole for any such loss or damage.

 

(g) With respect to its responsibilities under this Section 3.05 and pursuant to Rule 17f-4 under the 1940 Act, the Custodian hereby warrants to the Company that it agrees to (i) exercise due care in accordance with reasonable commercial standards in discharging its duty as a securities intermediary to obtain and thereafter maintain such assets, (ii) provide, promptly upon request by the Company, such reports as are available concerning the Custodian’s internal accounting controls and financial strength, and (iii) require any Sub-Custodian to exercise due care in accordance with reasonable commercial standards in discharging its duty as a securities intermediary to obtain and thereafter maintain assets corresponding to the security entitlements of its entitlement holders.

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3.06           Disbursement of Moneys from Fund Custody Account. Upon receipt of Written Instructions, the Custodian shall disburse moneys from the Fund Custody Account but only in the following cases:

 

(a) For the purchase of Securities for a Fund but only in accordance with Section 4.01 of this Agreement and only (i) in the case of Securities (other than options on Securities, futures contracts and options on futures contracts), against the delivery to the Custodian (or any Sub-Custodian) of such Securities registered as provided in Section 3.09 below or in proper form for transfer, or if the purchase of such Securities is effected through a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository, in accordance with the conditions set forth in Section 3.05 above; (ii) in the case of options on Securities, against delivery to the Custodian (or any Sub-Custodian) of such receipts as are required by the customs prevailing among dealers in such options; (iii) in the case of futures contracts and options on futures contracts, against delivery to the Custodian (or any Sub-Custodian) of evidence of title thereto in favor of the Fund or any nominee referred to in Section 3.09 below; and (iv) in the case of repurchase or reverse repurchase agreements entered into between the Company and a bank which is a member of the Federal Reserve System or between the Company and a primary dealer in U.S. Government securities, against delivery of the purchased Securities either in certificate form or through an entry crediting the Custodian's account at a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository with such Securities;

 

(b) In connection with the conversion, exchange or surrender, as set forth in Section 3.07(f) below, of Securities owned by a Fund;

 

(c) For the payment of any dividends or capital gain distributions declared by a Fund;

 

(d) In payment of the redemption price of Shares as provided in Section 5.01 below;

 

(e) For the payment of any expense or liability incurred by a Fund, including, but not limited to, the following payments for the account of the Fund: interest; taxes; administration, investment advisory, accounting, auditing, transfer agent, custodian, director and legal fees; and other operating expenses of the Fund; in all cases, whether or not such expenses are to be in whole or in part capitalized or treated as deferred expenses;

 

(f) For transfer in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the Company, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the 1934 Act and a member of FINRA, relating to compliance with rules of the Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered national securities exchange (or of any similar organization or organizations) regarding escrow or other arrangements in connection with transactions by a Fund;

 

(g) For transfer in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the Company, the Custodian and a futures commission merchant registered under the Commodity Exchange Act, relating to compliance with the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and/or any contract market (or any similar organization or organizations) regarding account deposits in connection with transactions by a Fund;

9

 

(h) For the funding of any uncertificated time deposit or other interest-bearing account with any banking institution (including the Custodian), which deposit or account has a term of one year or less; and

 

(i) For any other proper purpose, but only upon receipt of Written Instructions, specifying the amount and purpose of such payment, declaring such purpose to be a proper corporate purpose, and naming the person or persons to whom such payment is to be made.

 

3.07           Delivery of Securities from Fund Custody Account. Upon receipt of Written Instructions, the Custodian shall release and deliver, or cause the Sub-Custodian to release and deliver, Securities from the Fund Custody Account or Loan Documents but only in the following cases:

 

(a) Upon the sale of Securities for the account of a Fund but only against receipt of payment therefor in cash, by certified or cashiers check or bank credit;

 

(b) In the case of a sale effected through a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository, in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.05 above;

 

(c) To an offeror’s depository agent in connection with tender or other similar offers for Securities of a Fund; provided that, in any such case, the cash or other consideration is to be delivered to the Custodian;

 

(d) To the issuer thereof or its agent (i) for transfer into the name of the Fund, the Custodian or any Sub-Custodian, or any nominee or nominees of any of the foregoing, or (ii) for exchange for a different number of certificates or other evidence representing the same aggregate face amount or number of units; provided that, in any such case, the new Securities are to be delivered to the Custodian;

 

(e) To the broker selling the Securities, for examination in accordance with the “street delivery” custom;

 

(f) For exchange or conversion pursuant to any plan of merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or readjustment of the issuer of such Securities, or pursuant to provisions for conversion contained in such Securities, or pursuant to any deposit agreement, including surrender or receipt of underlying Securities in connection with the issuance or cancellation of depository receipts; provided that, in any such case, the new Securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered to the Custodian;

 

(g) Upon receipt of payment therefor pursuant to any repurchase or reverse repurchase agreement entered into by a Fund;

 

(h) In the case of warrants, rights or similar Securities, upon the exercise thereof, provided that, in any such case, the new Securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered to the Custodian;

 

(i) For delivery in connection with any loans of Securities of a Fund, but only against receipt of such collateral as the Company shall have specified to the Custodian in Written Instructions;

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(j) For delivery as security in connection with any borrowings by a Fund requiring a pledge of assets by the Company, but only against receipt by the Custodian of the amounts borrowed;

 

(k) Pursuant to any authorized plan of liquidation, reorganization, merger, consolidation or recapitalization of the Company;

 

(l) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the Company, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the 1934 Act and a member of FINRA, relating to compliance with the rules of the Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered national securities exchange (or of any similar organization or organizations) regarding escrow or other arrangements in connection with transactions by the Fund;

 

(m) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the Company, the Custodian and a futures commission merchant registered under the Commodity Exchange Act, relating to compliance with the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and/or any contract market (or any similar organization or organizations) regarding account deposits in connection with transactions by a Fund;

 

(n) For any other proper corporate purpose, but only upon receipt of Written Instructions, specifying the Securities to be delivered, setting forth the purpose for which such delivery is to be made, declaring such purpose to be a proper corporate purpose, and naming the person or persons to whom delivery of such Securities shall be made; or

 

(o) To brokers, clearing banks or other clearing agents for examination or trade execution in accordance with market custom; provided that in any such case the Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for any loss arising from the delivery of such securities prior to receiving payment for such securities except as may arise from the Custodian’s own negligence or willful misconduct.

 

3.08           Actions Not Requiring Written Instructions. Unless otherwise instructed by the Company, the Custodian shall with respect to all Securities held for a Fund:

 

(a) Subject to Section 9.04 below, collect on a timely basis all income and other payments to which the Fund is entitled either by law or pursuant to custom in the securities business;

 

(b) Present for payment and, subject to Section 9.04 below, collect on a timely basis the amount payable upon all Securities which may mature or be called, redeemed, or retired, or otherwise become payable;

 

(c) Endorse for collection, in the name of a Fund, checks, drafts and other negotiable instruments;

 

(d) Surrender interim receipts or Securities in temporary form for Securities in definitive form;

 

(e) Execute, as custodian, any necessary declarations or certificates of ownership under the federal income tax laws or the laws or regulations of any other taxing authority now or hereafter in effect, and prepare and submit reports to the IRS and the Company at such time, in such manner and containing such information as is prescribed by the IRS;

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(f) Hold for a Fund, either directly or, with respect to Securities held therein, through a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository, all rights and similar Securities issued with respect to Securities of the Fund; and

 

(g) In general, and except as otherwise directed in Written Instructions, attend to all non-discretionary details in connection with the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase, transfer and other dealings with Securities and other assets of a Fund.

 

3.09           Registration and Transfer of Securities. All Securities (other than Loans) held for the Funds that are issued or issuable only in bearer form shall be held by the Custodian in that form, provided that any such Securities shall be held in a Book-Entry System if eligible therefor. All other Securities (other than Loans) held for a Fund may be registered in the name of the Fund, the Custodian, a Sub-Custodian or any nominee thereof, or in the name of a Book-Entry System, Securities Depository or any nominee of either thereof. The records of the Custodian with respect to foreign securities of a Fund that are maintained with a Sub-Custodian in an account that is identified as belonging to the Custodian for the benefit of its customers shall identify those securities as belonging to the Fund. The Company shall furnish to the Custodian appropriate instruments to enable the Custodian to hold or deliver in proper form for transfer, or to register in the name of any of the nominees referred to above or in the name of a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository, any Securities (other than Loans) registered in the name of the Fund.

 

3.10           Records.

 

(a) The Custodian shall maintain complete and accurate records with respect to Securities, cash or other property held for each Fund, including (i) journals or other records of original entry containing an itemized daily record in detail of all receipts and deliveries of Securities and all receipts and disbursements of cash; (ii) ledgers (or other records) reflecting (A) Securities in transfer, (B) Securities in physical possession, (C) monies and Securities borrowed and monies and Securities loaned (together with a record of the collateral therefor and substitutions of such collateral), (D) dividends and interest received, and (E) dividends receivable and interest receivable; (iii) canceled checks and bank records related thereto; and (iv) all records relating to its activities and obligations under this Agreement. The Custodian shall keep such other books and records of the Fund as the Company shall reasonably request, or as may be required by the 1940 Act, including, but not limited to, Section 31 of the 1940 Act and Rule 31a-2 promulgated thereunder.

 

(b) All such books and records maintained by the Custodian shall (i) be maintained in a form acceptable to the Company and in compliance with the rules and regulations of the SEC, (ii) be the property of the Company and at all times during the regular business hours of the Custodian be made available upon request for inspection by duly authorized officers, employees or agents of the Company and employees or agents of the SEC, and (iii) if required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act, be preserved for the periods prescribed in Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2 under the 1940 Act.

 

3.11           Fund Reports by Custodian. The Custodian shall furnish the Company with a daily activity statement and a summary of all transfers to or from each Fund Custody Account on the day following such transfers. At least monthly, the Custodian shall furnish the Company with a detailed statement of the Securities and moneys held by the Custodian and the Sub-Custodians for the Funds under this Agreement.

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3.12           Other Reports by Custodian. As the Company may reasonably request from time to time, the Custodian shall provide the Company with reports on the internal accounting controls and procedures for safeguarding Securities which are employed by the Custodian or any Sub-Custodian.

 

3.13           Proxies and Other Materials. The Custodian shall cause all proxies relating to Securities which are not registered in the name of the Fund to be promptly executed by the registered holder of such Securities, without indication of the manner in which such proxies are to be voted, and shall promptly deliver to the Company such proxies, all proxy soliciting materials and all notices relating to such Securities. With respect to the foreign Securities, the Custodian will use reasonable commercial efforts to facilitate the exercise of voting and other shareholder rights, subject to the laws, regulations and practical constraints that may exist in the country where such securities are issued. The Company acknowledges that local conditions, including lack of regulation, onerous procedural obligations, lack of notice and other factors may have the effect of severely limiting the ability of the Company to exercise shareholder rights.

 

3.14           Information on Corporate Actions. The Custodian shall promptly deliver to the Company all information received by the Custodian and pertaining to Securities being held by the Funds with respect to optional tender or exchange offers, calls for redemption or purchase, or expiration of rights or similar transaction. If the Company desires to take action with respect to any tender offer, exchange offer or other similar transaction, the Company shall notify the Custodian at least three Business Days prior to the date on which the Custodian is to take such action. The Company will provide or cause to be provided to the Custodian all relevant information for any Security which has unique put/option provisions at least three Business Days prior to the beginning date of the tender period.

 

ARTICLE IV.

 

PURCHASE AND SALE OF INVESTMENTS OF THE FUNDS

 

4.01           Purchase of Securities.

 

(a) Promptly upon each purchase of Securities (other than Loans) for a Fund, Written Instructions shall be delivered to the Custodian, specifying (i) the name of the issuer or writer of such Securities, and the title or other description thereof, (ii) the number of shares, principal amount (and accrued interest, if any) or other units purchased, (iii) the date of purchase and settlement, (iv) the purchase price per unit, (v) the total amount payable upon such purchase, and (vi) the name of the person to whom such amount is payable. The Custodian shall upon receipt of such Securities purchased by the Fund pay out of the moneys held for the account of the Fund the total amount specified in such Written Instructions to the person named therein. The Custodian shall not be under any obligation to pay out moneys to cover the cost of a purchase of Securities for a Fund, if in the Fund Custody Account there is insufficient cash available to the Fund for which such purchase was made.

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(b) (i) In connection with its acquisition of a Loan or other delivery of a Security constituting a Loan, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Custodian a properly completed Trade Confirmation containing such information in respect of such Loan as the Custodian may reasonably require in order to enable the Custodian to perform its duties hereunder in respect of such Loan on which the Custodian may conclusively rely without further inquiry or investigation, in such form and format as the Custodian reasonably may require, and may, but is not required, deliver to the Custodian the Loan Documents for all Loans, including the Loan Checklist.

(ii)      Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, delivery of Loans acquired by the Company (or, if applicable, Subsidiary thereof) which constitute Noteless Loans or Participations or which are otherwise not evidenced by a “security” or “instrument” as defined in Section 8-102 and Section 9-102(a)(47) of the UCC, respectively, shall be made by delivery to the Custodian of (i) in the case of a Noteless Loan, a copy of the loan register with respect to such Noteless Loan evidencing registration of such Loan on the books and records of the applicable obligor or bank agent to the name of a Fund or, if applicable, a Subsidiary (or, in either case, its nominee) or a copy (which may be a facsimile copy) of an assignment agreement in favor of the Company (or the applicable Subsidiary) as assignee, and (ii) in the case of a Participation, a copy of the related participation agreement. Any duty on the part of the Custodian with respect to the custody of such Loans shall be limited to the exercise of reasonable care by the Custodian in the physical custody of any such documents delivered to it, and any related instrument, security, credit agreement, assignment agreement and/or other agreements or documents, if any (collectively, “Financing Documents”), that may be delivered to it. Nothing herein shall require the Custodian to credit to the Securities Account or to treat as a financial asset (within the meaning of Section 8-102(a)(9) of the UCC) any such Loan or other asset in the nature of a general intangible (as defined in Section 9-102(a)(42) of the UCC) or to “maintain” a sufficient quantity thereof.

 

(iii)     The Custodian may assume the genuineness of any such Financing Document it may receive and the genuineness and due authority of any signatures appearing thereon, and shall be entitled to assume that each such Financing Document it may receive is what it purports to be. If an original “security” or “instrument” as defined in Section 8-102 and Section 9-102(a)(47) of the UCC, respectively, is or shall be or become available with respect to any Loan to be held by the Custodian under this Agreement, it shall be the sole responsibility of the Company (or Fund) to make or cause delivery thereof to the Custodian, and the Custodian shall not be under any obligation at any time to determine whether any such original security or instrument has been or is required to be issued or made available in respect of any Loan or to compel or cause delivery thereof to the Custodian.

 

(iv)       Contemporaneously with the acquisition of any Loan, the Company may (i) cause the Loan Documents evidencing such Loan to be delivered to the Custodian; (ii) if requested by the Custodian, provide to the Custodian an amortization schedule of principal payments and a schedule of the interest payable date(s) identifying the amount and due dates of all scheduled principal and interest payments for such Loan and (iii) a properly completed Trade Confirmation containing such information in respect of such Loan as the Custodian may reasonably require in order to enable the Custodian to perform its duties hereunder in respect of such Loan on which the Custodian may conclusively rely without further inquiry or investigation, in such form and format as the Custodian reasonably may require; (iv) take all actions reasonably necessary for the Fund to acquire good title to such Loan; and (v) take all actions as may be reasonably necessary (including appropriate payment notices and instructions to bank agents or other applicable paying agents) to cause (A) all payments in respect of the Loan to be made to the Custodian and (B) all notices, solicitations and other communications in respect of such Loan to be directed to the Company. The Custodian shall have no liability for any delay or failure on the part of the Company to provide necessary information to the Custodian, or for any inaccuracy therein or incompleteness thereof, or for any delay or failure on the part of the Company to give such effective payment instruction to bank agents and other paying agents, in respect of the Loans. With respect to each such Loan, the Custodian shall be entitled to rely on any information and notices it may receive from time to time from the related bank agent, obligor or similar party with respect to the related Loan Asset, and shall be entitled to update its records (as it may deem necessary or appropriate), or from the Company or Fund, on the basis of such information or notices received, without any obligation on its part independently to verify, investigate or recalculate such information.

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4.02           Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of Securities Purchased. In any and every case where payment for the purchase of Securities for a Fund is made by the Custodian in advance of receipt of the Securities purchased and in the absence of specified Written Instructions to so pay in advance, the Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for such payment.

 

4.03           Sale of Securities. Promptly upon each sale of Securities by a Fund, Written Instructions shall be delivered to the Custodian, specifying (i) the name of the issuer or writer of such Securities, and the title or other description thereof, (ii) the number of shares, principal amount (and accrued interest, if any), or other units sold, (iii) the date of sale and settlement, (iv) the sale price per unit, (v) the total amount payable upon such sale, and (vi) the person to whom such Securities are to be delivered. Upon receipt of the total amount payable to the Fund as specified in such Written Instructions, the Custodian shall deliver such Securities to the person specified in such Written Instructions. Subject to the foregoing, the Custodian may accept payment in such form as shall be satisfactory to it, and may deliver Securities and arrange for payment in accordance with the customs prevailing among dealers in Securities.

 

4.04           Delivery of Securities Sold. Notwithstanding Section 4.03 above or any other provision of this Agreement, the Custodian, when instructed to by the Company deliver Securities or Loan Documents against payment, shall be entitled, if in accordance with generally accepted market practice, to deliver such Securities or Loan Documents prior to actual receipt of final payment therefor. In any such case, the Fund shall bear the risk that final payment for such Securities may not be made or that such Securities may be returned or otherwise held or disposed of by or through the person to whom they were delivered, and the Custodian shall have no liability for any for the foregoing.

 

4.05           Payment for Securities Sold. In its sole discretion and from time to time, the Custodian may credit a Fund Custody Account, prior to actual receipt of final payment thereof, with (i) proceeds from the sale of Securities which it has been instructed to deliver against payment, (ii) proceeds from the redemption of Securities or other assets of the Fund, and (iii) income from cash, Securities or other assets of the Fund. Any such credit shall be conditional upon actual receipt by Custodian of final payment and may be reversed if final payment is not actually received in full. The Custodian may, in its sole discretion and from time to time, permit a Fund to use funds so credited to the Fund Custody Account in anticipation of actual receipt of final payment. Any such funds shall be repayable immediately upon demand made by the Custodian at any time prior to the actual receipt of all final payments in anticipation of which funds were credited to the Fund Custody Account.

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4.06           Advances by Custodian for Settlement. The Custodian may, in its sole discretion and from time to time, advance funds to the Company to facilitate the settlement of a Fund's transactions in the Fund Custody Account. Any such advance shall be repayable immediately upon demand made by Custodian.

 

ARTICLE V.

 

REDEMPTION OF FUND SHARES

 

5.01           Transfer of Funds. From such funds as may be available for the purpose in the relevant Fund Custody Account, and upon receipt of Written Instructions specifying that the funds are required to redeem Shares of the Fund, the Custodian shall wire each amount specified in such Written Instructions to or through such bank or broker-dealer as the Company may designate.

 

5.02           No Duty Regarding Paying Banks. Once the Custodian has wired amounts to a bank or broker-dealer pursuant to Section 5.01 above, the Custodian shall not be under any obligation to effect any further payment or distribution by such bank or broker-dealer.

 

ARTICLE VI.

 

SEGREGATED ACCOUNTS

 

6.01       Upon receipt of Written Instructions, the Custodian shall establish and maintain a segregated account or accounts for and on behalf of a Fund, into which account or accounts may be transferred cash and/or Securities, including Securities maintained in a Depository Account:

 

(a) in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the Company, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the 1934 Act and a member of FINRA (or any futures commission merchant registered under the Commodity Exchange Act), relating to compliance with the rules of the Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered national securities exchange (or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission or any registered contract market), or of any similar organization or organizations, regarding escrow or other arrangements in connection with transactions by the Fund;

 

(b) for purposes of segregating cash or Securities in connection with securities options purchased or written by the Fund or in connection with financial futures contracts (or options thereon) purchased or sold by the Fund;

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(c) which constitute collateral for loans of Securities made by the Fund;

 

(d) for purposes of compliance by the Fund with requirements under the 1940 Act for the maintenance of segregated accounts by registered investment companies in connection with reverse repurchase agreements and when-issued, delayed delivery and firm commitment transactions; and

 

(e) for other proper corporate purposes, but only upon receipt of Written Instructions, setting forth the purpose or purposes of such segregated account and declaring such purposes to be proper corporate purposes.

 

6.02           Each segregated account established under this Article VI shall be established and maintained for the Fund only. All Written Instructions relating to a segregated account shall specify the Fund.

 

ARTICLE VII.

 

COMPENSATION OF CUSTODIAN

 

7.01           Compensation. The Custodian shall be compensated for providing the services set forth in this Agreement as follows: For Mutual Fund Series, in accordance with the fee schedule set forth on Schedule I attached hereto; and, for ETF Series, in accordance with the fee schedule set forth on Schedule II attached hereto (each as amended from time to time).

 

The Custodian shall also be reimbursed for such miscellaneous expenses (e.g., telecommunication charges, postage and delivery charges, and reproduction charges) as are reasonably incurred by the Custodian in performing its duties hereunder. The Company shall pay all such fees and reimbursable expenses within 30 calendar days following receipt of the billing notice, except for any fee or expense subject to a good faith dispute. The Company shall notify the Custodian in writing within 30 calendar days following receipt of each invoice if the Company is disputing any amounts in good faith. The Company shall pay such disputed amounts within 10 calendar days of the day on which the parties agree to the amount to be paid. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, amounts owed by the Company to the Custodian shall only be paid out of the assets and property of the particular Fund involved.

 

7.02           Overdrafts. The Company is responsible for maintaining an appropriate level of short term cash investments to accommodate cash outflows. The Company may obtain a formal line of credit for potential overdrafts of its custody account. In the event of an overdraft or in the event the line of credit is insufficient to cover an overdraft, the overdraft amount or the overdraft amount that exceeds the line of credit will be charged in accordance with the fee schedule set forth on the exhibits attached hereto (as amended from time to time)

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ARTICLE VIII.

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

8.01           Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company hereby represents and warrants to the Custodian, which representations and warranties shall be deemed to be continuing throughout the term of this Agreement, that:

 

(a) It is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with full power to carry on its business as now conducted, to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder;

 

(b) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company in accordance with all requisite action and constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and secured parties; and

 

(c) It is conducting its business in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations, both state and federal, and has obtained all regulatory approvals necessary to carry on its business as now conducted; there is no statute, rule, regulation, order or judgment binding on it and no provision of its charter, bylaws or any contract binding it or affecting its property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement.

 

8.02           Representations and Warranties of the Custodian. The Custodian hereby represents and warrants to the Company, which representations and warranties shall be deemed to be continuing throughout the term of this Agreement, that:

 

(a) It is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with full power to carry on its business as now conducted, to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder;

 

(b) It is a U.S. Bank as defined in section (a)(7) of Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act.

 

(c) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Custodian in accordance with all requisite action and constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Custodian, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and secured parties; and

 

(d) It is conducting its business in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations, both state and federal, and has obtained all regulatory approvals necessary to carry on its business as now conducted; there is no statute, rule, regulation, order or judgment binding on it and no provision of its charter, bylaws or any contract binding it or affecting its property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement.

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ARTICLE IX.

 

CONCERNING THE CUSTODIAN

 

9.01           Standard of Care. The Custodian shall exercise reasonable care in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. The Custodian shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Company in connection with its duties under this Agreement, except a loss arising out of or relating to the Custodian’s (or a Sub-Custodian’s) refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement (or any sub-custody agreement) or from its (or a Sub-Custodian’s) bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties under this Agreement (or any sub-custody agreement). The Custodian shall be entitled to rely on and may act upon advice of counsel on all matters, and shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to such advice, provided that the action or inaction is consistent with the Custodian’s rights and responsibilities hereunder. The Custodian shall promptly notify the Company of any action taken or omitted by the Custodian pursuant to advice of counsel.

 

9.02           Actual Collection Required. The Custodian shall not be liable for, or considered to be the custodian of, any cash belonging to a Fund or any money represented by a check, draft or other instrument for the payment of money, until the Custodian or its agents actually receive such cash or collect on such instrument.

 

9.03           No Responsibility for Title, etc. So long as and to the extent that it is in the exercise of reasonable care, the Custodian shall not be responsible for the title, validity or genuineness of any property or evidence of title thereto received or delivered by it pursuant to this Agreement.

 

9.04           Limitation on Duty to Collect. Custodian shall not be required to enforce collection, by legal means or otherwise, of any money or property due and payable with respect to Securities held for a Fund if such Securities are in default or payment is not made after due demand or presentation.

 

9.05           Reliance Upon Documents and Instructions. The Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon any certificate, notice or other instrument in writing received by it and reasonably believed by it to be genuine. The Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon any Written Instructions actually received by it pursuant to this Agreement.

 

9.06           Cooperation. (a) The Custodian shall cooperate with and supply necessary information to the entity or entities appointed by the Company to keep the books of account of a Fund and/or compute the value of the assets of the Fund. The Custodian shall take all such reasonable actions as the Company may from time to time request to enable the Company to obtain, from year to year, favorable opinions from the Company's independent accountants with respect to the Custodian's activities hereunder in connection with (i) the preparation of the Company's reports on Form N-1A and Form N-CEN and any other reports required by the SEC, and (ii) the fulfillment by the Company of any other requirements of the SEC.

 

  (b) The Custodian shall perform its duties hereunder in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and provide any sub-certifications reasonably requested by the Company in connection with any certification required by the Company pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 or any rules or regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder, provided the same shall not be deemed to change the Custodian’s standard of care set forth herein.

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  (c) In order to assist the Company in satisfying the requirements of Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act (the “Rule”), the Custodian will provide the Company’s Chief Compliance Officer with reasonable access to the Custodian’s personnel and records relating to the services provided by it under this Agreement, and will provide quarterly compliance reports and related certifications regarding any Materials Compliance Matter (as defined in the Rule) involving the Custodian that affect or could affect the Company.

 

ARTICLE X.

 

INDEMNIFICATION

 

10.01         Indemnification by Company. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless the Custodian, any Sub-Custodian and any nominee thereof (each, an “Indemnified Party” and collectively, the “Indemnified Parties”) from and against any and all claims, demands, losses, expenses and liabilities of any and every nature (including reasonable attorneys' fees) that an Indemnified Party may sustain or incur or that may be asserted against an Indemnified Party by any person arising directly or indirectly (i) from the fact that Securities are registered in the name of any such nominee, (ii) from any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Custodian or such Sub-Custodian (a) at the request or direction of or in reliance on the advice of the Company, or (b) upon Written Instructions, or (iii) from the performance of its obligations under this Agreement or any sub-custody agreement, provided that neither the Custodian nor any such Sub-Custodian shall be indemnified and held harmless from and against any such claim, demand, loss, expense or liability arising out of or relating to its refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement (or any sub-custody agreement), or from its bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties under this Agreement (or any sub-custody agreement). This indemnity shall be a continuing obligation of the Company, its successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement. As used in this paragraph, the terms “Custodian” and “Sub-Custodian” shall include their respective directors, officers and employees.

 

10.02         Indemnification by Custodian. The Custodian shall indemnify and hold harmless the Company from and against any and all claims, demands, losses, expenses, and liabilities of any and every nature (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) that the Company may sustain or incur or that may be asserted against the Company by any person arising directly or indirectly out of any action taken or omitted to be taken by an Indemnified Party as a result of the Indemnified Party’s refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement (or any sub-custody agreement), or from its bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties under this Agreement (or any sub-custody agreement). This indemnity shall be a continuing obligation of the Custodian, its successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement. As used in this paragraph, the term “Company” shall include the Company’s directors, officers and employees.

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10.03         Security. If the Custodian advances cash or Securities to a Fund for any purpose, either at the Company's request or as otherwise contemplated in this Agreement, or in the event that the Custodian or its nominee incurs, in connection with its performance under this Agreement, any claim, demand, loss, expense or liability (including reasonable attorneys' fees) (except such as may arise from its or its nominee's bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct), then, in any such event, any property at any time held for the account of the Fund shall be security therefor, and should the Fund fail promptly to repay or indemnify the Custodian, the Custodian shall be entitled to utilize available cash of such Fund and to dispose of other assets of such Fund to the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement or indemnification.

 

10.04         Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Neither party to this Agreement shall be liable to the other party for consequential, special or punitive damages under any provision of this Agreement.

 

(b) The Company is a series company, and each Fund is a separate and distinct series of the Company. As such, the debts, liabilities, obligations and expenses incurred, contracted for or otherwise existing as a result of this Agreement with respect to the Company shall be enforceable against the assets of each Fund separately, and not against the assets of the Company generally or the assets of any other Fund or portfolio or series of the Company.

 

(c) The indemnity provisions of this Article shall indefinitely survive the termination and/or assignment of this Agreement.

 

(d) In order that the indemnification provisions contained in this section shall apply, it is understood that if in any case the indemnitor may be asked to indemnify or hold the indemnitee harmless, the indemnitor shall be fully and promptly advised of all pertinent facts concerning the situation in question, and it is further understood that the indemnitee will use all reasonable care to notify the indemnitor promptly concerning any situation that presents or appears likely to present the probability of a claim for indemnification and will keep the indemnitor advised with respect to all developments concerning such claim. The indemnitor shall be entitled to participate at its own expense in the defense, or if it so elects, to assume the defense of any claim that may be the subject of this indemnification, but if the indemnitor elects to assume the defense, such defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by the indemnitor and approved by the indemnitee, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. In the event the indemnitor elects to assume the defense of any such suit and retain such counsel, the indemnitee in such suit shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by them. If the indemnitor does not elect to assume the counsel cannot effectively represent the interests of both the indemnitor and the indemnitee defense of any such suit, or in case the indemnitee does not, in the exercise of reasonable judgment, approve of counsel chosen by the indemnitor, or if under prevailing law or legal codes of ethics, the same, the indemnitor will reimburse the indemnitee for the reasonable fees and expenses of any counsel retained by them.

21

 

ARTICLE XI.

 

FORCE MAJEURE

 

Neither the Custodian nor the Company shall be liable for any failure or delay in performance of its obligations under this Agreement arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes; fires; floods; wars; civil or military disturbances; acts of terrorism; sabotage; strikes; epidemics; riots; power failures; computer failure and any such circumstances beyond its reasonable control as may cause interruption, loss or malfunction of utility, transportation, computer (hardware or software) or telephone communication service; accidents; labor disputes; acts of civil or military authority; governmental actions; or inability to obtain labor, material, equipment or transportation; provided, however, that in the event of a failure or delay, the Custodian (i) shall not discriminate against the Fund in favor of any other customer of the Custodian in making computer time and personnel available to input or process the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and (ii) shall use its best efforts to ameliorate the effects of any such failure or delay.

 

ARTICLE XII.

 

PROPRIETARY AND CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

 

12.01         The Custodian agrees on behalf of itself and its directors, officers, and employees to treat confidentially and as proprietary information of the Company, all records and other information relative to the Company and prior, present, or potential shareholders of the Company (and clients of said shareholders), and not to use such records and information for any purpose other than the performance of its responsibilities and duties hereunder, except (i) after prior notification to and approval in writing by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld and may not be withheld where the Custodian may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt proceedings for failure to comply, (ii) when requested to divulge such information by duly constituted authorities although the Custodian will promptly report such disclosure to the Company if disclosure is permitted by applicable law and regulation, or (iii) when so requested by the Company. Records and other information which have become known to the public through no wrongful act of the Custodian or any of its employees, agents or representatives, and information that was already in the possession of the Custodian prior to receipt thereof from the Company or its agent, shall not be subject to this paragraph.

 

12.02         Further, the Custodian will adhere to the privacy policies adopted by the Company pursuant to Title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, as may be modified from time to time. In this regard, the Custodian shall have in place and maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards reasonably designed to protect the security, confidentiality and integrity of, and to prevent unauthorized access to or use of, records and information relating to the Company and its shareholders and shall comply with the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and any state laws concerning privacy.

22

 

ARTICLE XIII.

 

EFFECTIVE PERIOD; TERMINATION

 

13.01         Effective Period and Termination. This Agreement shall become effective as of the date first written above and will continue in effect for a period of three (3) years. Subsequent to the end of the three (3) year period, this Agreement continues until one party gives 90 days prior written notice to the other party or such shorter notice period as is mutually agreed upon by the parties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be terminated by any party upon the breach of the other party of any material term of this Agreement if such breach is not cured within 15 days of notice of such breach to the breaching party. However, this cure period only applies to the first two such breaches of the same material term of this Agreement. Either party may terminate this Agreement after the third such breach of the same material term of this Agreement. In addition, the Company may, at any time, immediately terminate this Agreement in the event of the appointment of a conservator or receiver for the Custodian by regulatory authorities or upon the happening of a like event at the direction of an appropriate regulatory agency or court of competent jurisdiction or upon its “assignment” as defined under the1940 Act.

 

13.02         Appointment of Successor Custodian. If a successor custodian shall have been appointed by the Board of Directors, the Custodian shall, upon receipt of a notice of acceptance by the successor custodian, on such specified date of termination (i) deliver directly to the successor custodian all Securities (other than Securities held in a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository) and cash then owned by the Fund and held by the Custodian as custodian, and (ii) transfer any Securities held in a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository to an account of or for the benefit of the Fund at the successor custodian, provided that the Company shall have paid to the Custodian all fees, reasonable expenses and other amounts to the payment or reimbursement of which it shall then be entitled. In addition, the Custodian shall, at the reasonable expense of the Company, transfer to such successor all relevant books, records, correspondence, and other data established or maintained by the Custodian under this Agreement in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company (if such form differs from the form in which the Custodian has maintained the same, the Company shall pay any reasonable expenses associated with transferring the data to such form), and will cooperate in the transfer of such duties and responsibilities, including provision for assistance from the Custodian’s personnel in the establishment of books, records, and other data by such successor. Upon such delivery and transfer, the Custodian shall be relieved of all obligations under this Agreement.

 

13.03         Failure to Appoint Successor Custodian. If a successor custodian is not designated by the Company on or before the date of termination of this Agreement, then the Custodian shall have the right to deliver to a bank or trust company of its own selection, which bank or trust company (i) is a “bank” as defined in the 1940 Act, and (ii) has aggregate capital, surplus and undivided profits as shown on its most recent published report of not less than $25 million, all Securities, cash and other property held by Custodian under this Agreement and to transfer to an account of or for the Fund at such bank or trust company all Securities of the Fund held in a Book-Entry System or Securities Depository. Upon such delivery and transfer, such bank or trust company shall be the successor custodian under this Agreement and the Custodian shall be relieved of all obligations under this Agreement. In addition, under these circumstances, all books, records and other data of the Company shall be returned to the Company.

23

 

ARTICLE XIV.

CLASS ACTIONS

 

The Custodian shall use its best efforts to identify and file claims for the Fund(s) involving any class action litigation that impacts any security the Fund(s) may have held during the class period. The Company agrees that the Custodian may file such claims on its behalf and understands that it may be waiving and/or releasing certain rights to make claims or otherwise pursue class action defendants who settle their claims. Further, the Company acknowledges that there is no guarantee these claims will result in any payment or partial payment of potential class action proceeds and that the timing of such payment, if any, is uncertain.

 

However, the Company may instruct the Custodian to distribute class action notices and other relevant documentation to the Fund(s) or its designee and, if it so elects, will relieve the Custodian from any and all liability and responsibility for filing class action claims on behalf of the Fund(s).

 

In the event the Fund(s) are closed, the Custodian shall only file the class action claims upon written instructions by an authorized representative of the closed Fund(s). Any reasonable expenses associated with such filing will be assessed against the proceeds received of any class action settlement.

 

ARTICLE XV.

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

15.01     Compliance with Laws. The Company has and retains primary responsibility for all compliance matters relating to the Fund, including but not limited to compliance with the 1940 Act, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the USA Patriot Act of 2001 and the policies and limitations of the Funds relating to its portfolio investments as set forth in its Prospectus and statement of additional information. The Custodian’s services hereunder shall not relieve the Company of its responsibilities for assuring such compliance or the Board of Director’s oversight responsibility with respect thereto. The provisions in this section shall not have any affect upon the services the Custodian is required to provide or the standard of care and liability the Custodian has set forth in Section 9.01 of this Agreement.

 

15.02     Amendment. This Agreement may not be amended or modified in any manner except by written agreement executed by the Custodian and the Company, and authorized or approved by the Board of Directors.

 

15.03     Assignment. This Agreement shall extend to and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not be assignable by the Company without the written consent of the Custodian, or by the Custodian without the written consent of the Company accompanied by the authorization or approval of the Board of Directors.

24

 

15.04     Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to conflicts of law principles. To the extent that the applicable laws of the State of Delaware, or any of the provisions herein, conflict with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control, and nothing herein shall be construed in a manner inconsistent with the 1940 Act or any rule or order of the SEC thereunder.

 

15.05     No Agency Relationship. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize or empower either party to act as agent for the other party to this Agreement, or to conduct business in the name, or for the account, of the other party to this Agreement.

 

15.06     Services Not Exclusive. Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the Custodian from providing services to other parties that are similar or identical to some or all of the services provided hereunder.

 

15.07     Invalidity. Any provision of this Agreement which may be determined by competent authority to be prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. In such case, the parties shall in good faith modify or substitute such provision consistent with the original intent of the parties.

 

15.08     Notices. Any notice required or permitted to be given by either party to the other shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given on the date delivered personally or by courier service, or three days after sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, or on the date sent and confirmed received by facsimile transmission to the other party’s address set forth below:

 

All notices to the Custodian shall be sent to:

 

U.S Bank, N.A.

1555 N. Rivercenter Dr., MK-WI-S302

Milwaukee, WI 53212

Attn: Tom Fuller

Phone: 414-905-6118

Fax: 866-350-5066

 

If applicable, a copy of notices related to Loans or Loan Documents, to

U.S. Bank National Association

One Federal Street, 3rd Floor

Boston, MA 02110

Ref: The RBB Fund, Inc.

 

and notice to the Company shall be sent to:

 

The RBB Fund, Inc.

c/o Vigilant Compliance Services

Brandywine Two 5 Christy Drive

Suite 208

Chadds Ford, PA 19317

Attn: Salvatore Faia, JD

25

 

With copy to:

Michael P. Malloy

Drinker, Biddle & Reath, LLP

One Logan Square, Suite 2000

Philadelphia, PA, 19103

 

15.09     Multiple Originals. This Agreement may be executed on two or more counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

 

15.10     No Waiver. No failure by either party hereto to exercise, and no delay by such party in exercising, any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof. The exercise by either party hereto of any right hereunder shall not preclude the exercise of any other right, and the remedies provided herein are cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided at law or in equity.

 

15.11     Rights and Obligations of Each Fund. No Fund shall receive any rights or have any liabilities arising from any action or inaction of any other Fund of the Company under this Agreement.

 

15.12     References to Custodian. The Company shall not circulate any printed matter which contains any reference to Custodian without the prior written approval of Custodian, excepting printed matter contained in the Prospectus or statement of additional information for the Fund and such other printed matter as merely identifies Custodian as custodian for the Fund. The Company shall submit printed matter requiring approval to Custodian in draft form, allowing sufficient time for review by Custodian and its counsel prior to any deadline for printing.

 

Signatures on the following page

26

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by a duly authorized officer on one or more counterparts as of the date first above written.

 

THE RBB FUND, INC.   U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION  
           
By:

/s/ Salvatore Faia

  By: /s/ Anita M. Zagrodnik  
           
Name: Salvatore Faia   Name: Anita M. Zagrodnik  
           
Title: President   Title: Sr VP 10/16/2019  

27

 

SCHEDULE I to the Amended and Restated Custody Agreement – The RBB Fund, Inc. (the “Company”)

 

Domestic and Global Custody Services Fee Schedule at June, 2019

 

Annual Fee Based Upon Market Value on Net Assets Per Fund*

[  ] basis points on all assets

 

Plus portfolio transaction fees

 

Portfolio Transaction Fees

$[  ] – Book entry DTC transaction, Federal Reserve transaction, principal paydown
$[  ] – Repurchase agreement, reverse repurchase agreement, time deposit/CD or other non-depository transaction
$[  ] – Option/SWAPS/future contract written, exercised or expired
$[  ] – Mutual fund trade, Fed wire, margin variation Fed wire
$[  ] – Physical security transaction
$[  ] – Check disbursement (waived if U.S. Bancorp is Administrator)

 

A transaction is a purchase/sale of a security, free receipt/free delivery, maturity, tender or exchange.

 

Miscellaneous Expenses

All miscellaneous fees and expenses, including but not limited to the following, will be separately billed as incurred: expenses incurred in the safekeeping, delivery and receipt of securities, shipping, transfer fees, deposit withdrawals at custodian (DWAC) fees, SWIFT charges, negative interest charges and extraordinary expenses based upon complexity.

 

Additional Services

Additional fees apply for global servicing.
Sub Advised Funds - $[  ] per custody account per year
$[  ] – Segregated account per year
Class Action Services – $[  ] filing fee per class action per account, plus [  ] % of gross proceeds, up to a maximum per recovery not to exceed $[  ]
No charge for the initial conversion free receipt.

Overdrafts – charged to the account at prime interest rate plus [  ] unless a line of credit is in place.

 

Fees are calculated pro rata and billed monthly.

28

 

Schedule I (continued) to the Custody Agreement – The RBB Fund, Inc. - Additional Global Sub-Custodial Services Annual Fee Schedule

 

[table omitted]

* Safekeeping and transaction fees are assessed on security and currency transactions.

29

 

Schedule I (continued) to the Custody Agreement-The RBB Fund, Inc. - Additional Global Sub-Custodial Services Annual Fee Schedule

 

Base Fee - $[ ] monthly base fee per account

 

(Euroclear – Eurobonds only. Eurobonds are held in Euroclear at a standard rate, but other types of securities (including but not limited to equities, domestic market debt and mutual funds) will be subject to a surcharge. In addition, certain transactions that are delivered within Euroclear or from a Euroclear account to a third party depository or settlement system, will be subject to a surcharge.

 

For all other markets specified above, surcharges may apply if a security is held outside of the local market.

 

Tax Reclamation Services: Tax reclaims that have been outstanding for more than [  ] ([  ]) months with the client will be charged $[  ] per claim.

 

Miscellaneous Expenses

Charges incurred by U.S. Bank, N.A. directly or through sub-custodians for account opening fees, local taxes, stamp duties or other local duties and assessments, stock exchange fees, foreign exchange transactions, postage and insurance for shipping, facsimile reporting, extraordinary telecommunications fees, proxy services and other shareholder communications, recurring administration fees, negative interest charges, overdraft charges or other expenses which are unique to a country in which the client or its clients is investing will be passed along as incurred.

 

A surcharge may be added to certain miscellaneous expenses listed herein to cover handling, servicing and other administrative costs associated with the activities giving rise to such expenses. Also, certain expenses are charged at a predetermined flat rate.

 

SWIFT reporting and message fees.

30

 

SCHEDULE II to the Amended and Restated Custody Agreement – The RBB Fund, Inc. (the “Company”)

 

Domestic and Global Custody Services Fee Schedule at June, 2019

 

Base Fee for Custody Services

 

The following reflects the greater of the basis point fee or annual minimum for certain series of The RBB Fund, Inc.

 

[  ] basis points on all assets

 

Plus portfolio transaction fees

 

Portfolio Transaction Fees Associated with Sponsor Trades

 

“Sponsor trades” are defined as any trades put through the Portfolio, on behalf of the Fund by any portfolio manager/sub advisor and their affiliates authorized by the BOT to act on behalf of the Fund, outside of the create/redeem process.
Cash-in-Lieu proceeds received as part of the create/redeem process, and their related transactions are not considered to be “Sponsor trades”.

 

A transaction is a purchase/sale of a security, free receipt/free delivery, maturity, tender or exchange.

31

 

Schedule II (continued) to the Custody Agreement – The RBB Fund, Inc. - Additional Global Sub-Custodial Services Annual Fee Schedule

 

[table omitted]

* Safekeeping and transaction fees are assessed on security and currency transactions.

32

 

Schedule II (continued) to the Custody Agreement-The RBB Fund, Inc. - Additional Global Sub-Custodial Services Annual Fee Schedule

 

Base Fee - $[  ] monthly base fee per account

 

(Euroclear – Eurobonds only. Eurobonds are held in Euroclear at a standard rate, but other types of securities (including but not limited to equities, domestic market debt and mutual funds) will be subject to a surcharge. In addition, certain transactions that are delivered within Euroclear or from a Euroclear account to a third party depository or settlement system, will be subject to a surcharge.

 

For all other markets specified above, surcharges may apply if a security is held outside of the local market.

 

Tax Reclamation Services: Tax reclaims that have been outstanding for more than [  ] ([  ]) months with the client will be charged $[  ] per claim.

 

Miscellaneous Expenses

Charges incurred by U.S. Bank, N.A. directly or through sub-custodians for account opening fees, local taxes, stamp duties or other local duties and assessments, stock exchange fees, foreign exchange transactions, postage and insurance for shipping, facsimile reporting, extraordinary telecommunications fees, proxy services and other shareholder communications, recurring administration fees, negative interest charges, overdraft charges or other expenses which are unique to a country in which the client or its clients is investing will be passed along as incurred.

 

A surcharge may be added to certain miscellaneous expenses listed herein to cover handling, servicing and other administrative costs associated with the activities giving rise to such expenses. Also, certain expenses are charged at a predetermined flat rate.

 

SWIFT reporting and message fees.

33

 

Exhibit A to the Amended and Restated Custody Agreement

 

The separate Mutual Fund Series and ETF Series of the RBB Fund, Inc. and Certain Related Entities

 

Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund

Abbey Capital Onshore Series LLC

Abbey Capital Master Offshore Fund Limited

Abbey Capital Offshore Fund SPC

Abbey Capital Multi Asset Fund

Abbey Capital Multi Asset Offshore Fund Limited

Adara Smaller Companies Fund

Aquarius International Fund

Bogle Investment Management Small Cap Growth Fund

Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II

Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund

Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund

Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund

WPG Partners Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

Boston Partners Global Equity Fund

Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund

Boston Partners Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund

Boston Partners Emerging Markets Long/Short Offshore Fund Ltd.

Boston Partners Emerging Markets Fund

Boston Partners Global Equity Advantage Fund

Campbell Dynamic Trend Fund

Campbell Core Offshore Limited

Campbell Managed Futures LV Offshore Limited

Campbell Systematic Macro Fund

Campbell Advantage Fund

Campbell Advantage Offshore Limited

Free Market Fixed Income Fund

Free Market International Equity Fund

Free Market US Equity Fund

MATSON MONEY U.S. EQUITY VI PORTFOLIO

MATSON MONEY INTERNATIONAL EQUITY VI PORTFOLIO

MATSON MONEY FIXED INCOME VI PORTFOLIO

Schneider Small Cap Value Fund

SGI Global Equity Fund

SGI U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund

SGI U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund

34

 

MFAM Global Opportunities Fund

MFAM Mid Cap Growth Fund

MFAM Small-CAP Growth ETF

Motley Fool 100 Index ETF

Orinda Income Opportunities Fund

35

 

Exhibit B to the The RBB Fund, Inc. Custody Agreement

 

AUTHORIZED PERSONS

 

Set forth below are the names and specimen signatures of the persons authorized by the series of the Company to administer the Fund Custody Accounts.

 

Authorized Persons Specimen Signatures
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

36

 

Exhibit C to the The RBB Fund, Inc. Custody Agreement

Loan Trade Confirmation

 

List of Data Elements for Loan Trade Confirmation

 

Trade Date

 

Issuer Description

 

Investment Description

 

CUSIP/Investment ID

 

Maturity Date

 

Coupon Rate

 

Currency

 

Quantity

 

Price

 

Trade Fees

 

Accrued Interest

 

Broker

 

Comments

 

 

Exhibit D

 

SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS ACT AUTHORIZATION

 

The RBB Fund, Inc.

 

The Shareholder Communications Act of 1985 requires banks and trust companies to make an effort to permit direct communication between a company which issues securities and the shareholder who votes those securities.

 

Unless you specifically require us to NOT release your name and address to requesting companies, we are required by law to disclose your name and address.

 

Your “yes” or “no” to disclosure will apply to all securities U.S. Bank holds for you now and in the future, unless you change your mind and notify us in writing.

 

______ YES U.S. Bank is authorized to provide the Company’s name, address and security position to requesting companies whose stock is owned by the Company.  
   
______ NO U.S. Bank is NOT authorized to provide the Company’s name, address and security position to requesting companies whose stock is owned by the Company.  

 

The RBB Fund, Inc. on behalf of each series listed on Exhibit A

 

By:    
     
Title: Salvatore Faia, President  
     
Date:    

 

38

 

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED FUND ACCOUNTING SERVICING AGREEMENT

 

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED FUND ACCOUNTING SERVICING AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made and entered into as of June 30, 2019 by and between THE RBB FUND, INC., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”) and U.S. BANCORP FUND SERVICES, LLC, a Wisconsin limited liability company (“USBFS”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company and USBFS entered into a Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement, dated June 30, 2016, as amended and an ETF Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement, dated February 2, 2018, as amended (together the “Fund Accounting Servicing Agreements”);

 

WHEREAS, the Company and USBFS agree, that this Agreement will supersede and replace the Fund Accounting Servicing Agreements;

 

WHEREAS, the Company is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company, and is authorized to issue shares of beneficial interest in separate series, with each such series representing interests in a separate portfolio of securities and other assets;

 

WHEREAS, the Company has issued shares of beneficial interest (“Shares”) of its series that are open end mutual funds (each a “Mutual Fund Series”) and exchange-traded funds (each an “ETF Series”);

 

WHEREAS, USBFS is, among other things, in the business of providing mutual fund accounting services to investment companies; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to retain USBFS to provide accounting services to each Mutual Fund Series and ETF Series of the Company listed on Exhibit A attached hereto (as amended from time to time) (each Mutual Fund Series and ETF Series a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”).

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants herein contained, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, do hereby agree as follows:

 

1. Appointment of USBFS as Fund Accountant

 

The Company hereby appoints USBFS as fund accountant of the Company on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, and USBFS hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to perform the services and duties set forth in this Agreement. The services and duties of USBFS shall be confined to those matters expressly set forth herein, and no implied duties are assumed by or may be asserted against USBFS hereunder.

 

2. Services and Duties of USBFS

 

USBFS shall provide the following accounting services to the Fund:

 

A. Portfolio Accounting Services:

 

(1) Maintain portfolio records on a trade date+1 basis using security trade information communicated from the Fund’s investment adviser.

 

(2) For each valuation date (with “valuation date” meaning the time at which a Fund’s net asset value is determined), obtain prices from a pricing source or pricing sources approved by the board of directors of the Company (the “Board of Directors”) and apply those prices to the portfolio positions. For those securities where market quotations are not readily available, the Board of Directors shall approve, in good faith, procedures for determining the fair value for such securities.

 

(3) Identify interest and dividend accrual balances as of each valuation date and calculate gross earnings on investments for each accounting period.

 

(4) Determine gain/loss on security sales and identify them as short-term or long-term; account for periodic distributions of gains or losses to shareholders and maintain undistributed gain or loss balances as of each valuation date.

 

(5) On a daily basis, reconcile cash of the Fund with the Fund’s custodian.

 

(6) As necessary, reconcile holdings and positions of the Fund with the Fund’s custodian.

 

(7) Transmit a copy of the portfolio valuation to the Fund’s investment adviser daily.

 

(8) Review the impact of current day’s activity on a per share basis, and review changes in market value.

 

B. Expense Accrual and Payment Services:

 

(1) For each valuation date, calculate the expense accrual amounts as directed by the Company as to methodology, rate or dollar amount.

 

(2) Process and record payments for Fund expenses upon receipt of written authorization from the Company.

 

(3) Account for Fund expenditures and maintain expense accrual balances at the level of accounting detail, as agreed upon by USBFS and the Company.

2

 

(4) Provide expense accrual and payment reporting.

 

C. Fund Valuation and Financial Reporting Services:

 

(1) Account for Fund share purchases, sales, exchanges, transfers, dividend reinvestments, and other Fund share activity as reported by the Fund’s transfer agent on a timely basis.

 

(2) Determine net investment income (earnings) for the Fund as of each valuation date. Account for periodic distributions of earnings to shareholders and maintain undistributed net investment income balances as of each valuation date.

 

(3) Maintain a general ledger and other accounts, books, and financial records for the Fund in the form as agreed upon between the parties to this Agreement.

 

(4) Determine the net asset value of each Fund according to the accounting policies and procedures set forth in the Fund's current prospectus and statement of additional information.

 

(5) Calculate per share net asset value, per share net earnings, and other per share amounts reflective of Fund operations at such time as required by the nature and characteristics of each Fund.

 

(6) Communicate to the Company, at an agreed upon time, the per share net asset value for each valuation date.

 

(7) With respect to the Mutual Fund Series, report the per share net asset value for each valuation date to NASDAQ and as agreed upon with the Company.

 

(8) With respect to the ETF Series, report per share net asset value for each valuation date to each ETF Series’ respective listing exchange and any other relevant reports to such listing exchange as agreed upon by the Company.

 

(9) Prepare monthly reports that document the adequacy of accounting detail to support month-end ledger balances.

 

(10) Prepare monthly security transactions listings.

 

D. Tax Accounting Services:

3

 

(1) Maintain accounting records for the investment portfolio of each Fund to support the tax reporting required for “regulated investment companies” under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).

 

(2) Maintain tax lot detail for each Fund’s investment portfolio.

 

(3) Calculate taxable gain/loss on security sales using the tax lot relief method designated by the Company.

 

(4) Provide the necessary financial information to calculate the taxable components of income and capital gains distributions to support tax reporting to the shareholders.

 

E. Compliance Control Services:

 

(1) Support reporting to regulatory bodies and support financial statement preparation by providing accounting information as reasonably requested by the Company and making each Fund's accounting records available to the Company, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and the independent accountants.

 

(2) Maintain accounting records according to the 1940 Act and regulations provided thereunder.

 

(3) Perform its duties hereunder in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and provide any sub-certifications reasonably requested by the Company in connection with any certification required of the Company pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “SOX Act”) or any rules or regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder, provided the same shall not be deemed to change USBFS’ standard of care as set forth herein.

 

(4) Cooperate with the Company’s independent accountants and take all reasonable action in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement to ensure that the necessary information is made available to such accountants for the expression of their opinion on the Fund’s financial statements without any qualification as to the scope of their examination.

 

3. License of Data; Warranty; Termination of Rights

 

A. The valuation information and evaluations being provided to the Company by USBFS pursuant hereto (collectively, the “Data”) are being licensed, not sold, to the Company. The Company has a limited license to use the Data only for purposes necessary to valuing the Company’s assets and reporting to regulatory bodies (the “License”). The Company does not have any license nor right to use the Data for purposes beyond the intentions of this Agreement including, but not limited to, resale to other users or use to create any type of historical database. The License is non-transferable and not sub-licensable. The Company’s right to use the Data cannot be passed to or shared with any other entity.

4

 

The Company acknowledges the proprietary rights that USBFS and its suppliers have in the Data.

 

B. THE COMPANY HEREBY ACCEPTS THE DATA AS IS, WHERE IS, WITH NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE OR ANY OTHER MATTER. The provisions in this section shall not have any affect upon the services USBFS is required to provide or the standard of care and liability USBFS has set forther in Section 9 of this Agreement.

 

C. USBFS may use different suppliers to provide Data to the Company if USBFS’ suppliers terminate any agreement to provide Data to USBFS. Also, USBFS may stop supplying some or all Data to the Company if USBFS reasonably believes that the Company is using the Data in violation of the License, or breaching its duties of confidentiality provided for hereunder, or if any of USBFS’ suppliers demand that the Data be withheld from the Company. USBFS will provide notice to the Company prior to any termination of provision of Data as soon as reasonably possible.

 

4. Pricing of Securities

 

A. For each valuation date, USBFS shall obtain prices from a pricing source recommended by USBFS and approved by the Board of Directors and apply those prices to the portfolio positions of each Fund. For those securities where market quotations are not readily available, the Board of Directors shall approve, in good faith, procedures for determining the fair value for such securities.

 

If the Company desires to provide a price that varies from the price provided by the pricing source, the Company shall promptly notify and supply USBFS with the price of any such security on each valuation date. All pricing changes made by the Company will be in writing and must specifically identify the securities to be changed by CUSIP, name of security, new price or rate to be applied, and, if applicable, the time period for which the new price(s) is/are effective.

 

B. In the event that the Company at any time receives Data containing evaluations, rather than market quotations, for certain securities or certain other data related to such securities, the following provisions will apply: (i) evaluated securities are typically complicated financial instruments. There are many methodologies (including computer-based analytical modeling and individual security evaluations) available to generate approximations of the market value of such securities, and there is significant professional disagreement about which method is best. No evaluation method, including those used by USBFS and its suppliers or pricing data, may consistently generate approximations that correspond to actual “traded” prices of the securities; (ii) methodologies used to provide the pricing portion of certain Data may rely on evaluations; however, the Company acknowledges that there may be errors or defects in the software, databases, or methodologies generating the evaluations that may cause resultant evaluations to be inappropriate for use in certain applications; and (iii) the Company assumes all responsibility for edit checking, external verification of evaluations, and ultimately the appropriateness of using Data containing evaluations, regardless of any efforts made by USBFS and its suppliers in this respect. The provisions in this section shall not have any affect upon the services USBFS is required to provide or the standard of care and liability USBFS has set forth in Section 9 of this Agreement.

5

 

5. Changes in Accounting Procedures

 

Any resolution passed by the Board of Directors that affects accounting practices and procedures under this Agreement shall be effective upon written receipt of notice by USBFS of such changes.

 

6. Changes in Equipment, Systems, Etc.

 

USBFS reserves the right to make changes from time to time, as it deems advisable, relating to its systems, programs, rules, operating schedules and equipment, so long as such changes do not adversely affect the services provided to the Company under this Agreement.

 

7. Compensation

 

USBFS shall be compensated for providing the services set forth in this Agreement as follows: For Mutual Fund Series, in accordance with the fee schedule set forth on Schedule I attached hereto; and, for ETF Series, in accordance with the fee schedule set forth on Schedule IIattached hereto (each as amended from time to time).

 

USBFS shall also be reimbursed for such miscellaneous expenses (e.g., telecommunication charges, postage and delivery charges, and reproduction charges) as are reasonably incurred by USBFS in performing its duties hereunder. The Company shall pay all such fees and reimbursable expenses within 30 calendar days following receipt of the billing notice, except for any fee or expense subject to a good faith dispute. The Company shall notify USBFS in writing within 30 calendar days following receipt of each invoice if the Company is disputing any amounts in good faith. The Company shall pay such disputed amounts within 10 calendar days of the day on which the parties agree to the amount to be paid. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, amounts owed by the Company to USBFS shall only be paid out of the assets and property of the particular Fund involved.

 

8. Representations and Warranties

 

A. The Company hereby represents and warrants to USBFS, which representations and warranties shall be deemed to be continuing throughout the term of this Agreement, that:

6

 

(1) It is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with full power to carry on its business as now conducted, to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder;

 

(2) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company in accordance with all requisite action and constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and secured parties; and

 

(3) It is conducting its business in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations, both state and federal, and has obtained all regulatory approvals necessary to carry on its business as now conducted; there is no statute, rule, regulation, order or judgment binding on it and no provision of its charter, bylaws or any contract binding it or affecting its property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement.

 

B. USBFS hereby represents and warrants to the Company, which representations and warranties shall be deemed to be continuing throughout the term of this Agreement, that:

 

(1) It is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with full power to carry on its business as now conducted, to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder;

 

(2) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by USBFS in accordance with all requisite action and constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of USBFS, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and secured parties; and

 

(3) It is conducting its business in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations, both state and federal, and has obtained all regulatory approvals necessary to carry on its business as now conducted; there is no statute, rule, regulation, order or judgment binding on it and no provision of its charter, bylaws or any contract binding it or affecting its property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement.

 

9. Standard of Care; Indemnification; Limitation of Liability

 

A. USBFS shall exercise reasonable care in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. Neither USBFS nor its suppliers shall be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Company or any third party in connection with its duties under this Agreement, including losses resulting from mechanical breakdowns or the failure of communication or power supplies beyond USBFS’ control, except a loss arising out of or relating to USBFS’ refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement or from its bad faith, negligence, or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if USBFS has exercised reasonable care in the performance of its duties under this Agreement, the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless USBFS and its suppliers from and against any and all claims, demands, losses, expenses, and liabilities of any and every nature (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) that USBFS or its suppliers may sustain or incur or that may be asserted against USBFS or its suppliers by any person arising out of or related to (X) any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in performing the services hereunder (i) in accordance with the foregoing standards, or (ii) in reliance upon any written instruction provided to USBFS by any duly authorized officer of the Company (other than an officer of the Company employed by USBFS), as approved by the Board of Directors of the Company, or (Y) the Data, or any information, service, report, analysis or publication derived therefrom, except for any and all claims, demands, losses, expenses, and liabilities arising out of or relating to USBFS’ refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement or from its bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. This indemnity shall be a continuing obligation of the Company, its successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement. As used in this paragraph, the term “USBFS” shall include USBFS’ directors, officers and employees.

7

 

The Company acknowledges that the Data are intended for use as an aid to institutional investors, registered brokers or professionals of similar sophistication in making informed judgments concerning securities. The Company accepts responsibility for, and acknowledges it exercises its own independent judgment in, its selection of the Data, its selection of the use or intended use of such, and any results obtained. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to be a waiver of any rights existing under applicable law for the protection of investors. The provisions in this section shall not have any affect upon the services USBFS is required to provide or the standard of care and liability USBFS has set forth in Section 9 of this Agreement.

 

USBFS shall indemnify and hold the Company harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, losses, expenses, and liabilities of any and every nature (including reasonable attorneys' fees) that the Company may sustain or incur or that may be asserted against the Company by any person arising out of any action taken or omitted to be taken by USBFS as a result of USBFS’ refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement, or from its bad faith, negligence, or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. This indemnity shall be a continuing obligation of USBFS, its successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement. As used in this paragraph, the term “Company” shall include the Company’s directors, officers and employees.

8

 

In the event of a mechanical breakdown or failure of communication or power supplies beyond its control, USBFS shall take all reasonable steps to minimize service interruptions for any period that such interruption continues. USBFS will make every reasonable effort to restore any lost or damaged data and correct any errors resulting from such a breakdown at the expense of USBFS. USBFS agrees that it shall, at all times, have reasonable business continuity and disaster recovery contingency plans with appropriate parties, making reasonable provision for emergency use of electrical data processing equipment to the extent appropriate equipment is available. Representatives of the Company shall be entitled to inspect USBFS’ premises and operating capabilities at any time during regular business hours of USBFS, upon reasonable notice to USBFS. Moreover, USBFS shall provide the Company, at such times as the Company may reasonably require, copies of reports rendered by independent accountants on the internal controls and procedures of USBFS relating to the services provided by USBFS under this Agreement.

 

Notwithstanding the above, USBFS reserves the right to reprocess and correct administrative errors at its own expense.

 

In no case shall either party be liable to the other for (i) any special, indirect or consequential damages, loss of profits or goodwill (even if advised of the possibility of such); or (ii) any delay by reason of circumstances beyond its control, including acts of civil or military authority, national emergencies, labor difficulties, fire, mechanical breakdown, flood or catastrophe, acts of God, insurrection, war, riots, or failure beyond its control of transportation or power supply.

 

In order that the indemnification provisions contained in this section shall apply, it is understood that if in any case the indemnitor may be asked to indemnify or hold the indemnitee harmless, the indemnitor shall be fully and promptly advised of all pertinent facts concerning the situation in question, and it is further understood that the indemnitee will use all reasonable care to notify the indemnitor promptly concerning any situation that presents or appears likely to present the probability of a claim for indemnification and will keep the indemnitor advised with respect to all developments concerning such claim. The indemnitor shall be entitled to participate at its own expense in the defense, or if it so elects, to assume the defense of any claim that may be the subject of this indemnification, but if the indemnitor elects to assume the defense, such defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by the indemnitor and approved by the indemnitee, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. In the event the indemnitor elects to assume the defense of any such suit and retain such counsel, the indemnitee in such suit shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by them. If the indemnitor does not elect to assume the defense of any such suit, or in case the indemnitee does not, in the exercise of reasonable judgment, approve of counsel chosen by the indemnitor, or if under prevailing law or legal codes of ethics, the same counsel cannot effectively represent the interests of both the indemnitor and the indemnitee, the indemnitor will reimburse the indemnitee for the reasonable fees and expenses of any counsel retained by them.

9

 

B. The indemnity and defense provisions set forth in this Section 9 shall indefinitely survive the termination and/or assignment of this Agreement.

 

C. If USBFS is acting in another capacity for the Company pursuant to a separate agreement, nothing herein shall be deemed to relieve USBFS of any of its obligations in such other capacity.

 

D. The Company is a series company, and each Fund is a separate and distinct series of the Company. As such, the debts, liabilities, obligations and expenses incurred, contracted for or otherwise existing as a result of this Agreement with respect to the Company shall be enforceable against the assets of each Fund separately, and not against the assets of the Company generally or the assets of any other Fund or portfolio or series of the Company.

 

10. Proprietary and Confidential Information

 

A. USBFS agrees on behalf of itself and its directors, officers, and employees to treat confidentially and as proprietary information of the Company, all records and other information relative to the Company and prior, present, or potential shareholders of the Company (and clients of said shareholders), and not to use such records and information for any purpose other than the performance of its responsibilities and duties hereunder, except (i) after prior notification to and approval in writing by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld and may not be withheld where USBFS may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt proceedings for failure to comply, (ii) when requested to divulge such information by duly constituted authorities, or (iii) when so requested by the Company. Records and other information which have become known to the public through no wrongful act of USBFS or any of its employees, agents or representatives, and information that was already in the possession of USBFS prior to receipt thereof from the Company or its agent, shall not be subject to this paragraph.

 

Further, USBFS will adhere to the privacy policies adopted by the Company pursuant to Title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, as may be modified from time to time. In this regard, USBFS shall have in place and maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards reasonably designed to protect the security, confidentiality and integrity of, and to prevent unauthorized access to or use of, records and information relating to the Company and its shareholders and shall comply with the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and any state laws concerning privacy.

10

 

B. The Company, on behalf of itself and its directors, officers, and employees, will maintain the confidential and proprietary nature of the Data and agrees to protect it using the same efforts, but in no case less than reasonable efforts, that it uses to protect its own proprietary and confidential information.

 

11. Records

 

USBFS shall keep records relating to the services to be performed hereunder in the form and manner, and for such period, as it may deem advisable and is agreeable to the Company, but not inconsistent with the rules and regulations of appropriate government authorities, in particular, Section 31 of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder. USBFS agrees that all such records prepared or maintained by USBFS relating to the services to be performed by USBFS hereunder are the property of the Company and will be preserved, maintained, and made available in accordance with such applicable sections and rules of the 1940 Act and will be promptly surrendered to the Company or its designee on and in accordance with its request.

 

12. Compliance with Laws

 

The Company has and retains primary responsibility for all compliance matters relating to the Fund, including but not limited to compliance with the 1940 Act, the Code, the SOX Act, the USA Patriot Act of 2001 and the policies and limitations of the Fund relating to its portfolio investments as set forth in its current prospectus and statement of additional information. USBFS’s services hereunder shall not relieve the Company of its responsibilities for assuring such compliance or the Board of Director’s oversight responsibility with respect thereto. The provisions in this section shall not have any affect upon the services USBFS is required to provide or the standard of care and liability USBFS has set forth in Section 9 of this Agreement.

 

13. Term of Agreement; Amendment

 

This Agreement shall become effective as of the date first written above and will continue in effect for a period of three (3) years. This Agreement may be terminated by either party upon giving 90 days prior written notice to the other party or such shorter notice period as is mutually agreed upon by the parties. Subsequent to the end of the three (3) year period, this Agreement continues until one party gives 90 days prior written notice to the other party or such shorter notice period as is mutually agreed upon by the parties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be terminated by any party upon the breach of the other party of any material term of this Agreement if such breach is not cured within 15 days of notice of such breach to the breaching party. However, this cure period only applies to the first two such breaches of the same material term of this Agreement. Either party may terminate this Agreement after the third such breach of the same material term of this Agreement. In addition, the Company may, at any time, immediately terminate this Agreement upon its “assignment” as defined under the1940 Act. This Agreement may not be amended or modified in any manner except by written agreement executed by USBFS and the Company, and authorized or approved by the Board of Directors.

11

 

14. Duties in the Event of Termination

 

In the event that, in connection with termination, a successor to any of USBFS’ duties or responsibilities hereunder is designated by the Company by written notice to USBFS, USBFS will promptly, upon such termination and at the reasonable expense of the Company, transfer to such successor all relevant books, records, correspondence and other data established or maintained by USBFS under this Agreement in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company (if such form differs from the form in which USBFS has maintained the same, the Company shall pay any reasonable expenses associated with transferring the data to such form), and will cooperate in the transfer of such duties and responsibilities, including provision for assistance from USBFS’ personnel in the establishment of books, records and other data by such successor. If no such successor is designated, then such books, records and other data shall be returned to the Company.

 

15. Assignment

 

This Agreement shall extend to and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not be assignable by the Company without the written consent of USBFS, or by USBFS without the written consent of the Company accompanied by the authorization or approval of the Company’s Board of Directors.

 

16. Governing Law

 

This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to conflicts of law principles. To the extent that the applicable laws of the State of Delaware, or any of the provisions herein, conflict with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control, and nothing herein shall be construed in a manner inconsistent with the 1940 Act or any rule or order of the SEC thereunder.

 

17. No Agency Relationship

 

Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize or empower either party to act as agent for the other party to this Agreement, or to conduct business in the name, or for the account, of the other party to this Agreement.

12

 

18. Services Not Exclusive

 

Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict USBFS from providing services to other parties that are similar or identical to some or all of the services provided hereunder.

 

19. Invalidity

 

Any provision of this Agreement which may be determined by competent authority to be prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. In such case, the parties shall in good faith modify or substitute such provision consistent with the original intent of the parties.

 

20. Notices

 

Any notice required or permitted to be given by either party to the other shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given on the date delivered personally or by courier service, or three days after sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, or on the date sent and confirmed received by facsimile transmission to the other party’s address set forth below:

 

Notice to USBFS shall be sent to:

 

U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC

615 East Michigan Street

Milwaukee, WI 53202

 

and notice to the Company shall be sent to:

 

The RBB Fund, Inc.

c/o Vigilant Compliance Services

Brandywine Two 5 Christy Drive

Suite 208

Chadds Ford, PA 19317

Attn: Salvatore Faia, JD

 

With copy to:

 

Michael P. Malloy

Drinker, Biddle & Reath, LLP

One Logan Square, Suite 2000

Philadelphia, PA, 19103

13

 

21. Rights and Obligations of Each Fund

 

No Fund shall receive any rights or have any liabilities arising from any action or inaction of any other Fund of the Company under this Agreement.

 

22. Multiple Originals

 

This Agreement may be executed on two or more counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

 

Signatures on the following page

14

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by a duly authorized officer on one or more counterparts as of the date first above written.

 

THE RBB FUND, INC.   U.S. BANCORP FUND SERVICES, LLC  
           
By: /s/ Salvatore Faia   By: /s/ Anita M. Zagrodnik  
           
Name: Salvatore Faia   Name: Anita M. Zagrodnik  
           
Title: President   Title: Sr VP 10/16/19  

15

 

Exhibit A to the Amended and Restated Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement

 

The separate Mutual Fund Series and ETF Series of the RBB Fund, Inc. and Certain Related Entities

 

Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund

Abbey Capital Onshore Series LLC

Abbey Capital Master Offshore Fund Limited

Abbey Capital Offshore Fund SPC

Abbey Capital Multi Asset Fund

Abbey Capital Multi Asset Offshore Fund Limited

Adara Smaller Companies Fund

Aquarius International Fund

Bogle Investment Management Small Cap Growth Fund

Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II

Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund

Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund

Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund

WPG Partners Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

Boston Partners Global Equity Fund

Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund

Boston Partners Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund

Boston Partners Emerging Markets Long/Short Offshore Fund Ltd.

Boston Partners Emerging Markets Fund

Boston Partners Global Equity Advantage Fund

Campbell Dynamic Trend Fund

Campbell Core Offshore Limited

Campbell Managed Futures LV Offshore Limited

Campbell Systematic Macro Fund

Campbell Advantage Fund

Campbell Advantage Offshore Limited

Free Market Fixed Income Fund

Free Market International Equity Fund

Free Market US Equity Fund

MATSON MONEY U.S. EQUITY VI PORTFOLIO

MATSON MONEY INTERNATIONAL EQUITY VI PORTFOLIO

MATSON MONEY FIXED INCOME VI PORTFOLIO

Schneider Small Cap Value Fund

SGI Global Equity Fund

SGI U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund

SGI U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund

MFAM Global Opportunities Fund

16

 

MFAM Mid Cap Growth Fund

MFAM Small-CAP Growth ETF

Motley Fool 100 Index ETF

Orinda Income Opportunities Fund

17

 

SCHEDULE I to the Amended and Restated Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement – The RBB Fund, Inc.

 

Fund Accounting, Fund Administration Fee Schedules June, 2019

 

Fee Schedule for each Mutual Fund Series of The RBB Fund, Inc. (the “Company”)

 

Annual Fee Based Upon Average Net Assets of the Mutual Fund Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.

[ ] basis points on the first $[ ]

[ ] basis points on the balance

 

Complex Minimum $2,475,000 (Annual minimum fee based on [ ] funds in the fund complex. Complex minimum will adjust by $[ ] for each fund open or closed.)

 

Additional Classes: $[ ] additional base fee per class beyond the first [ ] classes

 

Services Included in Annual Fee on Complex

Advisor Information Source – On-line access to portfolio management and compliance information.

Daily Performance Reporting – Daily pre and post-tax fund and/or sub-advisor performance reporting.

Fund Services Regulatory Administration (e.g., registration statement update)

Section 15(c) reporting

Electronic Board book portal (BookMark)

 

Pricing Services

$[ ] - Domestic Equities, Options, ADRs, Foreign Equities
$[ ] - Domestic Corporates, Convertibles, Governments, Agencies, Futures, Options on Futures, Forwards, Currency Rates, Mortgage Backed
$[ ] - CMOs, Municipal Bonds, Money Market Instruments, Foreign Corporates, Convertibles, Governments, Agencies, Asset Backed, High Yield
$[ ] - Interest Rate Swaps, Foreign Currency Swaps, Total Return Swaps, Total Return Bullet Swaps
$[ ] - Bank Loans
$[ ] - Swaptions
$[ ] - Credit Default Swaps
$[ ] per Month Manual Security Pricing (>[ ] per day)

 

Fair Value Services (Charged at the Complex Level)

$[ ] per security on the First [ ] Securities
$[ ] per security on the Balance of Securities

 

NOTE: Prices above are based on using U.S. Bank primary pricing service which may vary by security type and are subject to change. Use of alternative and/or additional sources may result in additional fees. Pricing vendors may designate certain securities as hard to value or as a non-standard security type, such as CLOs and CDOs, which may result in additional fees.

 

Corporate Action Services

$[ ] per Foreign Equity Security per Month

$[ ] per Domestic Equity Security per Month

 

Factor Services (security paydown factor data)

$[ ] per CMOs, Asset Backed, Mortgage Backed Security per Month

 

Third Party Administrative Data Charges (descriptive data for each security)

$[ ] per security per month for fund administrative

 

Prices above are based on using U.S. Bancorp standard data pricing services and are subject to change.

18

 

Miscellaneous Expenses

All other miscellaneous fees and expenses, including but not limited to the following, will be separately billed as incurred: Fair Value Services, SWIFT processing, customized reporting, third-party data provider costs (including Bloomberg, S&P, Moody’s, Morningstar GICS, MSCI, Lipper, etc.), postage, stationery, programming, special reports, proxies, insurance, EDGAR/XBRL filing, retention of records, federal and state regulatory filing fees, third party auditing and legal expenses, wash sales reporting (GainsKeeper), tax e-filing, PFIC monitoring, conversion expenses (if necessary) and travel related costs.

 

Additional Services

Additional services not included above shall be mutually agreed upon at the time of the service being added. Additional legal administration (e.g., subsequent new fund launch), daily compliance testing, Section 18 compliance testing, Section 15(c) reporting, equity & fixed income attribution reporting, and additional services mutually agreed upon.

 

In addition to the fees described above, additional fees may be charged to the extent that changes to applicable laws, rules or regulations require additional work or expenses related to services provided (e.g., compliance with new liquidity risk management and reporting requirements).

 

Fees are calculated pro rata and billed monthly.

19

 

SCHEDULE II to the Amended and Restated Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement – The RBB Fund, Inc.

Fund Accounting, Fund Administration Fee Schedules at June, 2019

 

Fee Schedule for each ETF Series of The RBB Fund, Inc. (the “Company”)

 

Base Fee for Accounting, Administration and Transfer Agent Services

 

The following reflects the greater of the basis point fee or annual minimum for series of The RBB Fund, Inc.

 

Annual Minimum per Fund Basis Points on Company AUM
[ ]   [ ] bps on first $[ ]
  [ ] bps on balance

 

Accounting, Administration, Transfer Agent Services in addition to the Base Fee

 

Pricing Services

 

For daily pricing of each securities (estimated [ ] pricing days annually)

$[ ] – Domestic Equities, Options, ADRs, Foreign Equities, Futures, Forwards, Currency Rates, Mutual Funds, ETFs
$[ ] – Domestic Corporates, Domestic Convertibles, Domestic Governments, Domestic Agencies, Mortgage Backed, Municipal Bonds
$[ ] – CMOs, Money Market Instruments, Foreign Corporates, Foreign Convertibles, Foreign Governments, Foreign Agencies, Asset Backed, High Yield
$[ ] – Interest Rate Swaps, Foreign Currency Swaps, Total Return Swaps, Total Return Bullet Swaps
$[ ] – Bank Loans
$[ ] – Swaptions
$[ ] – Credit Default Swaps
$[ ] per Month Manual Security Pricing (>[ ] per day)

 

Fair Value Services (Charged at the Complex Level)

$[ ] per security on the First [ ] Securities
$[ ] per security on the Balance of Securities

 

NOTE: Prices are based on using U.S. Bank primary pricing service which may vary by security type and are subject to change. Use of alternative and/or additional sources may result in additional fees. Pricing vendors may designate certain securities as hard to value or as a non-standard security type, such as CLOs and CDOs, which may result in additional fees. All schedules subject to change depending upon the use of unique security type requiring special pricing or accounting arrangements.

 

Corporate Action Services

 

Fee for IDC data used to monitor corporate actions

$[ ] per Foreign Equity Security per Month
$[ ] per Domestic Equity Security per Month

 

Factor Services (security paydown factor data)

 

$[ ] per CMOs, Asset Backed, Mortgage Backed Security per Month

 

Third Party Administrative Data Charges (descriptive data for analytics, reporting and compliance)

 

$[ ] per security per month for fund administrative

 

Miscellaneous Expenses

All other miscellaneous fees and expenses, including but not limited to the following, will be separately billed as incurred: Portfolio Composition File (PCF) management services, SWIFT processing, customized reporting, third-party data provider costs (including GICS, MSCI, Lipper, etc.), postage, stationary, programming, special reports, proxies, insurance, EDGAR/XBRL filing, retention of records, federal and state regulatory filing fees, expenses related to and including travel to and from Board of Director meetings, third party auditing and legal expenses, wash sales reporting (GainsKeeper), tax e-filing, PFIC monitoring, conversion expenses (if necessary), and travel related costs.

20

 

Additional services not included above shall be mutually agreed upon at the time of the service being added. In addition to the fees described above, additional fees may be charged to the extent that changes to applicable laws, rules or regulations require additional work or expenses related to services provided (e.g., compliance with new liquidity risk management and reporting requirements).

 

Fees are calculated pro rata and billed monthly

 

21

 

Exhibit (i)(1)

 

Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

One Logan Square

Suite 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996

(215) 988-2700 (Phone)

(215) 988-2757 (Facsimile)

www.faegredrinker.com

 

February 14, 2020

 

The RBB Fund, Inc.

615 East Michigan Street

Milwaukee, WI 53202

 

Re: Shares Registered by Post-Effective Amendment No. 260 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 33-20827)

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as counsel to The RBB Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) in connection with the preparation and filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Post-Effective Amendment No. 260 (the “Amendment”) to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Board of Directors of the Company has authorized the issuance and sale by the Company of the following classes and numbers of shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share (collectively, the “Shares”), with respect to the Company’s SGI U.S. Large Cap Equity VI Portfolio:

 

PORTFOLIO CLASS AUTHORIZED SHARES
SGI U.S. Large Cap Equity VI Portfolio CCCCCCC 100 million

 

The Amendment seeks to register an indefinite number of the Shares.

 

We have reviewed the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, ByLaws, resolutions of its Board of Directors, and such other legal and factual matters as we have deemed appropriate. This opinion is based exclusively on the Maryland General Corporation Law and the federal law of the United States of America.

 

Based upon and subject to the foregoing, it is our opinion that the Shares, when issued for payment as described in the Company’s Prospectus offering the Shares and in accordance with the Company’s Articles of Incorporation for not less than $0.001 per share, will be legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable by the Company.

 

 

 

February 14, 2020

Page 2

 

We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Amendment to the Company’s Registration Statement.

 

  Very truly yours,  
     
  /s/ Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP  
  Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP  

 

Exhibit (i)(2)

 

CONSENT OF COUNSEL

 

We hereby consent to the use of our name and to the reference to our Firm under the caption “Counsel” in the Statement of Additional Information that is included in Post-Effective Amendment No. 260 to the Registration Statement (No. 33-20827; 811-5518) on Form N-1A of The RBB Fund, Inc., under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, respectively. This consent does not constitute a consent under section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, and in consenting to the use of our name and the references to our Firm under such caption we have not certified any part of the Registration Statement and do not otherwise come within the categories of persons whose consent is required under said section 7 or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.

 

  /s/ Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP  
  FAEGRE DRINKER BIDDLE & REATH LLP  

 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

February 14, 2020

 

 

 

 

Code of Ethics

 

INTRODUCTION 1
1. STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT 2
  (a) Fiduciary Duties 2
  (b) Compliance with Laws 2
  (c) Corporate Culture 2
  (d) Professional Misconduct 3
  (e) Disclosure of Conflicts 3
  (f) Undue Influence 3
  (g) Confidentiality and Protection of Material Nonpublic Information 3
  (h) Personal Securities Transactions 4
  (i) Gifts 4
  (j) Service on Boards 4
  (k) Prohibition Against Market Timing 4
2. WHO IS COVERED BY THIS CODE 4
3. PROHIBITED TRANSACTIONS 5
  (a) Blackout Period 5
  (b) Requirement for Pre-clearance 5
  (c) Fund Officer Prohibition 5
4. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS OF ACCESS PERSONS 6
  (a) Reporting 6
  (b) Exceptions from Reporting Requirement of Section 4 6
  (c) Initial Holdings Reports 6
  (d) Quarterly Transaction Reports 6
  (e) New Account Opening; Quarterly New Account Report 7
  (f) Annual Holdings Reports 7
  (g) Alternative Reporting 7
  (h) Report Qualification 8
  (i) Providing Access to Account Information 8
  (j) Confidentiality of Reports 8
5. ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND CERTIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE 8
6. REPORTING VIOLATIONS 9
7. TRAINING 9
8. REVIEW OFFICER 9
  (a) Duties of Review Officer 9
  (b) Potential Trade Conflict 10
  (c) Required Records 10
  (d) Post-Trade Review Process 11

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  (e) Submission to Fund Board 11
  (f) Report to the Risk Committee 12
Appendix A - Foreside Companies 13
Appendix B - Definitions 14
Attachment A – Access Person Acknowledgement 16
Attachment B – Pre-Clearance Request Form 17

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INTRODUCTION

 

This Code of Ethics (the “Code”) has been adopted by Foreside Financial Group, LLC (“Foreside”) and each of its affiliated entities and direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries as listed in Appendix A (each, a “Company” and collectively, the “Companies”). This Code pertains to the Companies’ distribution services to registered management investment companies or series thereof, as well as those funds for which certain employees of the Companies (or an affiliate thereof) serve as an officer or director of a registered investment company (“Fund Officer”) or have been designated an Access Person by the Review Officer1 (each a “Fund” and as set forth in the List of Access Persons & Reportable Funds). This Code:

 

1. establishes standards of professional conduct;
2. establishes standards and procedures for the detection and prevention of activities by which persons having knowledge of the investments and investment intentions of a Fund may abuse their fiduciary duties to the Fund; and
3. addresses other types of conflict of interest situations.

 

Definitions of underlined terms are included in Appendix B.

 

Each Company, through its President, may impose internal sanctions should Access Persons of any Company (as identified on the List of Access Persons & Reportable Funds maintained by the Review Officer) violate these policies or procedures. A registered broker-dealer and its personnel may be subject to various regulatory sanctions, including censure, suspension, fines, expulsion or revocation of registration for violations of securities rules, industry regulations and the Company’s internal policies and procedures. In addition, negative publicity associated with regulatory investigations and private lawsuits can negatively impact and severely damage business reputation.

 

Furthermore, failure to comply with this Code is a very serious matter and may result in internal disciplinary action being taken. Such action may include, among other things, warnings, reprimands, restrictions on activities and/or suspension or termination of employment. Violations also may result in referral to regulatory, civil or criminal authorities where appropriate.

 

Should Access Persons require additional information about this Code or have ethics-related questions, please contact the Review Officer, as defined under Section 8 below, directly.

 

 
1  Each Company is adopting this Code pursuant to Rule 17j-1 with respect to certain funds that it distributes or for which an employee of the Company serves as a Fund Officer or has been designated as an Access Person. Pursuant to the exception noted under Rule 17j-1(c)(3), adopting and approving a Rule 17j-1 code of ethics with respect to a Fund, as well as the Code’s administration, by a principal underwriter is not required unless:
the principal underwriter is an affiliated person of the Fund or of the Fund’s adviser, or

an officer, director or general partner of the principal underwriter serves as an officer, director or general partner of the Fund or of the Fund’s investment adviser.

 

A Fund Officer is permitted to report as an Access Person under this Code with respect to the Funds listed on the List of Access Persons & Reportable Funds maintained by the Review Officer.

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1. STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

 

Each Company forbids any Access Person from engaging in any conduct that is contrary to this Code. Furthermore, certain persons subject to the Code are also subject to other restrictions or requirements that affect their ability to open securities accounts, effect securities transactions, report securities transactions, maintain information and documents in a confidential manner and other matters relating to the proper discharge of their obligations to the Company or to a Fund.

 

Each Company has always held itself and its employees to the highest ethical standards. Although this Code is only one manifestation of those standards, compliance with its provisions is essential. Each Company adheres to the following standards of professional conduct, as well as those specific policies and procedures discussed throughout this Code:

 

(a) Fiduciary Duties. Each Company and its Access Persons are fiduciaries and at all times shall:

 

act solely for the benefit of the Funds; and
place each Fund’s interests above their own.

 

(b) Compliance with Laws. Access Persons shall maintain knowledge of and comply with all applicable federal and state securities laws, rules and regulations, and shall not knowingly participate or assist in any violation of such laws, rules or regulations.

 

It is unlawful for Access Persons to use any information concerning a security held or to be acquired by a Fund, or their ability to influence any investment decisions, for personal gain or in a manner detrimental to the interests of a Fund.

 

Access Persons shall not, directly or indirectly, in connection with the trading of a Fund’s shares or the purchase or sale of a security held or to be acquired by a Fund for which they are an Access Person:

 

(i) employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud a Fund or engage in any manipulative practice with respect to a Fund;
(ii) make to a Fund any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state to a Fund a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading;
(iii) engage in any act, practice, or course of business that operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon a Fund; or
(iv) engage in any manipulative practice with respect to securities, including price manipulation.

 

(c) Corporate Culture. Access Persons, through their words and actions, shall act with integrity, encourage honest and ethical conduct and adhere to a high standard of business ethics.

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(d) Professional Misconduct. Access Persons shall not engage in any professional conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation, or commit any act that reflects adversely on their honesty, trustworthiness or professional competence. Access Persons shall not knowingly misrepresent, or cause others to misrepresent, facts about a Company to a Fund, a Fund’s shareholders, regulators or any member of the public. Disclosure in reports and documents should be fair and accurate.

 

(e) Disclosure of Conflicts. As a fiduciary, each Company and Access Person has an affirmative duty of care, loyalty, honesty and good faith to act in the best interests of a Fund. Compliance with this duty can be achieved by trying to avoid conflicts of interest and by fully disclosing all material facts concerning any conflict that does arise with respect to any Fund. Access Persons must try to avoid situations that have even the appearance of conflict or impropriety.

 

This Code prohibits inappropriate favoritism of one Fund over another that would constitute a breach of fiduciary duty. Access Persons shall support an environment that fosters the ethical resolution of, and appropriate disclosure of, conflicts of interest, and shall comply with any prohibition on activities imposed by a Company if a conflict of interest exists. If any Access Person is (or becomes) aware of a personal interest that is, or might be, in conflict with the interest of a Fund, that Access Person must promptly disclose the situation or transaction and the nature of the conflict to the Review Officer for appropriate consideration.

 

(f)  Undue Influence. Access Persons shall not cause or attempt to cause any Fund to purchase, sell or hold any security in a manner calculated to create any personal benefit to them or others whose accounts they hold a beneficial ownership interest (i.e., their spouse or domestic partner, minor children or relatives who reside in the Access Person’s household) or over which they have direct or indirect influence or control.

 

(g) Confidentiality and Protection of Material Nonpublic Information. The term “Material Nonpublic Information” refers to information that is both material information and nonpublic information, and also may be referred to as “Inside Information.” Information is considered to be “Nonpublic Information” unless it has been publicly disclosed, for example, through public filing with a securities regulator, issuance of a press release or the issuance of a prospectus. The term “Material Information” has no specific definition, but, for the purposes of this Code, it shall refer to any information that might have an effect on the market for a security generally or any information that a reasonable person would consider important in a decision to buy, hold or sell a security. Examples of material nonpublic information may include, but are not limited to: sales results; earnings (or loss) estimates (including significant changes to previously released information); dividend actions; strategic plans; new products, discoveries or services; significant personnel changes; acquisition, merger and divestiture plans; liquidity issues; proposed securities offerings; major pending or threatened litigation or potential claims; restructurings and recapitalizations; and the negotiation or termination of major contracts or relationships.

 

Information concerning the identity of portfolio holdings and financial circumstances of a Fund is confidential. Access Persons are responsible for safeguarding such material nonpublic information about a Fund, including portfolio recommendations and fund holdings. Except as required in the normal course of carrying out their business responsibilities and as permitted by a Fund’s policies and procedures, Access Persons shall not reveal information relating to the investment intentions or activities of any Fund, or securities that are being considered for purchase or sale on behalf of any Fund.

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Access Persons in possession of material nonpublic information must maintain the confidentiality of such information, and each Company shall be bound by a Fund’s policies and procedures with regard to disclosure of an investment company’s identity, affairs and portfolio holdings. The obligation to safeguard such Fund information would not preclude Access Persons from providing necessary information to, for example, persons providing services to a Company or a Fund’s account such as brokers, accountants, custodians and fund transfer agents, or in other circumstances when the Fund consents, as long as such disclosure conforms to the Fund’s portfolio holdings disclosure policies and procedures.

 

In any case, Access Persons shall not:

 

trade based upon inside information, especially where Fund trades are likely to be pending or imminent; or
use or share knowledge of any material nonpublic information of a Fund for personal gain or benefit or for the personal gain or benefit of others.

 

(h) Personal Securities Transactions. All personal securities transactions shall be conducted in such a manner as to be consistent with this Code and to avoid any actual or potential conflict of interest or any abuse of any Access Person’s position of trust and responsibility.

 

(i)  Gifts. Access Persons shall not accept or provide anything in excess of $100.00 (per individual per year) or any other preferential treatment, in each case as a gift, to or from any broker-dealer or other entity with which a Company or a Fund does business.

 

(j)  Service on Boards. Access Persons shall not serve on the boards of trustees (or directors) of publicly traded companies, absent prior authorization based upon a determination by the Review Officer that the board service would be consistent with the interests of the Company, a Fund and its shareholders.

 

(k) Prohibition Against Market Timing. Access Persons shall not engage in market timing of shares of Reportable Funds (a list of which are provided in the List of Access Persons & Reportable Funds maintained by the Review Officer). For purposes of this section, an Access Person’s trades shall be considered ‘market timing’ if made in violation of any stated policy in the Fund’s prospectus.

 

2. WHO IS COVERED BY THIS CODE

 

All Access Persons, in each case only with respect to the Reportable Funds as listed on the List of Access Persons & Reportable Funds maintained by the Review Officer, shall abide by this Code. Access Persons are required to comply with specific reporting requirements as set forth in Sections 3 and 4 of this Code.

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3. PROHIBITED TRANSACTIONS

 

(a) Blackout Period. Access Persons shall not purchase or sell a Reportable Security in an account in their name, or in the name of others in which they hold a beneficial ownership interest or over which they have direct or indirect influence or control, if they had actual knowledge at the time of the transaction that, during the 24 hour period immediately preceding or following the transaction, the security was purchased or sold or was considered for purchase or sale by a Fund.

 

(b) Requirement for Pre-clearance. Access Persons must obtain prior written approval from the Review Officer before:

 

(i) directly or indirectly acquiring beneficial ownership in securities in an initial public offering for which no public market in the same or similar securities of the issue has previously existed;
(ii) directly or indirectly acquiring beneficial ownership in securities in a private placement; and
(iii) directly or indirectly purchasing, selling or acquiring shares of a Reportable Fund for which they are an Access Person.

 

All requests for pre-clearance of securities transactions must be submitted to the Review Officer for review using the Pre-Clearance Request Form, in the form of Attachment B.

 

In determining whether to pre-clear the transaction, the Review Officer shall consider, among other factors, whether such opportunity is being offered to the Access Person by virtue of his or her position with the Fund or would result in a conflict of interest. Other factors to be considered may include: discussion with the Access Person concerning the reason for the requested transaction and how he or she became aware of the investment; the Access Person’s work role; the size and holding period of the proposed investment; the market capitalization of the issuer; the liquidity of the security; and other relevant factors. The Review Officer granting or denying the request must document the basis for the decision and notify the requesting person whether the trading request is approved or denied.

 

A pre-clearance request should not be submitted for a transaction that the requesting person does not intend to execute. Pre-clearance trading authorization is valid only from the time when approval is granted through the next business day. If the transaction is not executed within this period, an explanation of why the pre-cleared transaction was not completed must be submitted to the Review Officer within five (5) days. With respect to any effected transaction, the Access Person must provide the Review Officer with a transaction report evidencing the transaction consistent with the reporting requirements of Section 4.

 

(c) Fund Officer Prohibition. No Fund Officer shall directly or indirectly seek to obtain information (other than that necessary to accomplish the functions of the office) from any Fund portfolio manager regarding (i) the status of any pending securities transaction for a Fund or (ii) the merits of any securities transaction contemplated by the Fund Officer.

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4. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS OF ACCESS PERSONS

 

(a) Reporting. Access Persons must report the information described in this Section with respect to transactions in any Reportable Security in which they have, or by reason of such transaction acquire, any direct or indirect beneficial ownership. Access Persons must submit the appropriate reports to the Review Officer, unless they are otherwise required by a Fund, pursuant to a Code of Ethics adopted by the Fund, to report to the Fund or another entity.

 

(b) Exceptions from Reporting Requirement of Section 4. Access Persons need not submit:

 

(i) any report with respect to securities held in accounts over which the Access Person had no direct or indirect influence or control;
(ii) a quarterly transaction report with respect to transactions effected pursuant to an automatic investment plan. However, any transaction that overrides the pre-set schedule or allocations of the automatic investment plan must be included in a quarterly transaction report;
(iii) a quarterly transaction report with respect to transactions effected which were non-volitional on the part of the Access Person, including acquisitions of Reportable Securities by gift or inheritance; or
(iv) a quarterly transaction report if the report would duplicate information contained in broker trade confirmations or account statements that the Company holds in its records so long as the Company receives the confirmations or statements no later than thirty (30) days after the end of the applicable calendar quarter.

 

(c) Initial Holdings Reports. No later than ten (10) days after a person becomes an Access Person, the person must report the following information:

 

(i) the title, type of security, and as applicable the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, number of shares and principal amount of each Reportable Security (whether or not publicly traded) in which the person has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership as of the date the person became an Access Person;
(ii) the name of any broker, dealer or bank with whom the person maintains an account in which any securities were held for the Access Person’s direct or indirect benefit as of the date the person became an Access Person; and
(iii) the date that the report is submitted by the Access Person.

 

The information contained in the initial holdings report must be current as of a date no more than forty-five (45) days prior to the date the person becomes an Access Person.

 

(d) Quarterly Transaction Reports. No later than thirty (30) days after the end of a calendar quarter, each Access Person must submit a quarterly transaction report which includes, at a minimum, the following information with respect to any transaction during the quarter in a Reportable Security (whether or not publicly traded) in which the Access Person had any direct or indirect beneficial ownership:

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(i) the date of the transaction, the title, and as applicable the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, the interest rate and maturity date (if applicable), the number of shares and the principal amount of each Reportable Security involved;
(ii) the nature of the transaction (i.e., purchase, sale or any other type of acquisition or disposition);
(iii) the price of the Reportable Security at which the transaction was effected;
(iv) the name of the broker, dealer or bank with or through which the transaction was effected; and
(v) the date that the report is submitted.

 

(e) New Account Opening; Quarterly New Account Report. Each Access Person shall provide written notice to the Review Officer prior to opening any new account with any entity through which a Reportable Securities (whether or not publicly traded) transaction may be effected for which the Access Person has direct or indirect beneficial ownership.

 

In addition, no later than thirty (30) days after the end of a calendar quarter, each Access Person must submit a Quarterly New Account Report with respect to any account established by such a person in which any Reportable Securities (whether or not publicly traded) were held during the quarter for the direct or indirect benefit of the Access Person. The Quarterly New Account Report shall cover, at a minimum, all accounts at a broker-dealer, bank or other institution opened during the quarter and provide the following information:

 

(1) the name of the broker, dealer or bank with whom the Access Person has established the account;
(2) the date the account was established; and
(3) the date that the report is submitted by the Access Person.

 

(f) Annual Holdings Reports. Annually, each Access Person must report the following information (which information must be current as of a date no more than forty-five (45) days before the report is submitted):

 

(i) the title, type of security, and as applicable the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, number of shares and principal amount of each Reportable Security (whether or not publicly traded) in which the Access Person had any direct or indirect beneficial ownership;
(ii) the name of any broker, dealer or bank with whom the Access Person maintained an account in which any securities are held for the Access Person’s direct or indirect benefit; and
(iii) the date that the report is submitted by the Access Person.

 

(g) Alternative Reporting. The submission to the Review Officer of duplicate broker trade confirmations and account statements on all securities transactions required to be reported under this Section shall satisfy the reporting requirements of Section 4. The annual holdings report may be satisfied by confirming annually, in writing, the accuracy of the information delivered by, or on behalf of, the Access Person to the Review Officer and recording the date of the confirmation.

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(h) Report Qualification. Any report may contain a statement that the report shall not be construed as an admission by the person making the report that he or she has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in the Reportable Securities to which the report relates.

 

(i) Providing Access to Account Information. Access Persons will promptly:

 

(i) provide full access to a Fund, its agents and attorneys to any and all records and documents which a Fund considers relevant to any securities transactions or other matters subject to the Code;
(ii) cooperate with a Fund, or its agents and attorneys, in investigating any securities transactions or other matter subject to the Code;
(iii) provide a Fund, its agents and attorneys with an explanation (in writing if requested) of the facts and circumstances surrounding any securities transaction or other matter subject to the Code; and
(iv) promptly notify the Review Officer or such other individual as a Fund may direct, in writing, from time to time, of any incident of noncompliance with the Code by anyone subject to this Code.

 

(j)  Confidentiality of Reports. Transaction and holdings reports will be maintained in confidence, except to the extent necessary to implement and enforce the provisions of this Code or to comply with requests for information from regulatory or government agencies or law enforcement where applicable.

 

5. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND CERTIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE

 

Each Access Person is required to acknowledge in writing, initially and annually (in the form of Attachment A), that the person has received, read and understands the Code (and in the case of any amendments thereto, shall similarly acknowledge such amendment) and recognizes that he or she is subject to the Code. Further, each such person is required to certify annually that he or she has:

 

read, understood and complied with all the requirements of the Code;
disclosed or reported all personal securities transactions pursuant to the requirements of the Code; and
not engaged in any prohibited conduct.

 

If an Access Person is unable to make the above representations, he or she shall report any violations of this Code to the Review Officer.

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6. REPORTING VIOLATIONS

 

Access Persons shall report any violations of this Code promptly to the Review Officer, unless the violations implicate the Review Officer, in which case the individual shall report the violations to the Chief Risk Officer or Chief Executive Officer of Foreside, as appropriate. Such reports will be confidential, to the extent permitted by law, and investigated promptly and appropriately. Retaliation against an individual who reports a violation is prohibited and constitutes a further violation of this Code.

 

Reported violations of the Code will be investigated and appropriate actions will be taken. Types of reporting that are required include, but are not limited to:

 

Noncompliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations;
Fraud or illegal acts involving any aspect of the Company’s business;
Material misstatements in regulatory filings, internal books and records, Fund records or reports;
Activity that is harmful to a Fund, including Fund shareholders; and
Deviations from required controls and procedures that safeguard a Fund or a Company.

 

Access Persons should seek advice from the Review Officer with respect to any action or transaction that may violate this Code, and refrain from any action or transaction that might lead to the appearance of a violation. Access Persons should promptly report any apparent or suspected violations in addition to actual or known violations of this Code to the Review Officer.

 

7. TRAINING

 

Training with respect to the Code will occur periodically and all Access Persons are required to attend any training sessions or read any applicable materials. Training may include, among other things, (1) periodic orientation or training sessions with new and existing personnel to remind them of their obligations under the Code and/or (2) certifications that Access Persons have read and understood the Code, and require re-certification that they have re-read, understand and have complied with the Code.

 

8. REVIEW OFFICER

 

(a) Duties of Review Officer. The President of Foreside has been appointed by the President of each Company as the Review Officer to:

 

(i) review all securities transaction and holdings reports and maintain the names of persons responsible for reviewing these reports;
(ii) identify all persons of each Company who are Access Persons subject to this Code, promptly inform each Access Person of the requirements of this Code and provide them with a copy of the Code and any amendments;

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(iii) compare, on a quarterly basis, all Reportable Securities transactions with each Fund’s completed portfolio transactions to determine whether a Code violation may have occurred;
(iv) maintain signed acknowledgments and certifications by each Access Person who is then subject to this Code, in the form of Attachment A;
(v) inform all Access Persons of their requirements to obtain prior written approval from the Review Officer prior to directly or indirectly acquiring beneficial ownership of a security in any private placement, initial public offering or Reportable Fund;
(vi) ensure that Access Persons receive adequate training on the principles and procedures of this Code;
(vii) review, at least annually, the adequacy of this Code and the effectiveness of its implementation; and
(viii) submit a written report to a Fund’s Board and Foreside’s Risk Committee as described in Section 8(e) and (f), respectively.

 

The Chief Risk Officer of Foreside shall review any reportable securities transactions of the Review Officer, and shall assume the responsibilities of the Review Officer in his or her absence. The Review Officer may delegate responsibilities described herein to an appropriate Foreside representative.

 

(b) Potential Trade Conflict. When there appears to be a Reportable Securities transaction that conflicts with the Code, the Review Officer shall request a written explanation from the Access Person with regard to the transaction. If, after post-trade review, it is determined that there has been a material violation of the Code, a report will be made by the Review Officer with a recommendation of appropriate action to be taken to the Risk Committee of Foreside, the President of each Company, where applicable, the Chief Compliance Officer of each Company’s Broker-Dealer, where applicable, and a Fund’s Board of Trustees (or Directors), where applicable.

 

(c) Required Records. The Review Officer shall maintain and cause to be maintained:

 

(i) a copy of any code of ethics adopted by each Company that is in effect, or at any time within the past five (5) years was in effect, in an easily accessible place;
(ii) a record of any violation of any code of ethics, and of any action taken as a result of such violation, in an easily accessible place for at least five (5) years after the end of the fiscal year in which the last entry was made on any such report, the first two (2) years in an easily accessible place;
(iii) a copy of each holdings and transaction report (including duplicate confirmations and statements) made by anyone subject to this Code as required by Section 4 for at least five (5) years after the end of the fiscal year in which the report is made, the first two (2) years in an easily accessible place;
(iv) a record of all written acknowledgements and certifications by each Access Person who is currently, or within the past five (5) years was, an Access Person (records must be kept for 5 years after individual ceases to be a Access Person under the Code);

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(v) a list of all persons who are currently, or within the past five years were , required to make reports or who were responsible for reviewing these reports pursuant to any code of ethics adopted by each Company, in an easily accessible place;
(vi) a copy of each written report and certification required pursuant to Section 8(e) of this Code for at least five (5) years after the end of the fiscal year in which it is made, the first two (2) years in an easily accessible place;
(vii) a record of any decision, and the reasons supporting the decision, approving the acquisition of securities by Access Persons under Section 3(b) of this Code, for at least five (5) years after the end of the fiscal year in which the approval is granted; and
(viii) a record of any decision, and the reasons supporting the decision, granting an Access Person a waiver from, or exception to, the Code for at least five (5) years after the end of the fiscal year in which the waiver is granted.

 

(d) Post-Trade Review Process. Following receipt of trade confirms and statements, transactions will be screened by the Review Officer (or his or her designee) for the following:

 

(i) same day trades: transactions by Access Persons occurring on the same day as the purchase or sale of the same security by a Fund for which they are an Access Person.
(ii) blackout period trades: transactions by Access Persons occurring within 24 hours before or after the time as the purchase or sale of the same security by a Fund for which they are an Access Person.
(iii) fraudulent conduct: transaction by Access Persons which, within the most recent fifteen (15) days, is or has been held by a Fund or is being or has been considered by a Fund for purchase by a Fund.
(iv) market timing of Reportable Funds: transactions by Access Persons that appear to be market timing of Reportable Funds.
(v) other activities: transactions which may give the appearance that an Access Person has executed transactions not in accordance with this Code or otherwise reflect patterns of abuse.

 

(e) Submission to Fund Board.

 

(i) The Review Officer shall, at a minimum, annually prepare a written report to the Board of Trustees (or Directors) of a Fund listed in the List of Access Persons & Reportable Funds maintained by the Review Officer that:

 

A. describes any issues under this Code or its procedures since the last report to the Trustees (or Directors), including, but not limited to, information about material violations of the code or procedures and sanctions imposed in response to the material violations; and
B. certifies that each Company has adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent Access Persons from violating this Code.

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(ii) The Review Officer shall ensure that this Code and any material amendments are submitted to the Board of Trustees (or Directors) for approval for those funds listed in the List of Access Persons & Reportable Funds maintained by the Review Officer.

 

(f) Report to the Risk Committee. The Review Officer shall prepare a written report to the Risk Committee of Foreside (and the President of each Company, where applicable, and the Chief Compliance Officer of each Company’s Broker-Dealer, where applicable) regarding any material issues that arose during the year under the Code, including, but not limited to, material violations of and sanctions under the Code.

 

Adopted: May 1, 2009
Amended: October 14, 2009 (updated Appendix A)
Amended: September 29, 2011 (updated Appendix A)
Amended: March 15, 2012 (updated Appendix A)
Amended: April 4, 2012 (updated Appendix A)
Amended: July 5, 2012 (updated Appendix A)
Amended: November 30, 2012 (updated Appendix A)
Amended: December 24, 2013 (updated Appendix A)
Amended: March 26, 2014
Amended: July 11, 2014 (updated Appendix A)
Amended: June 10, 2015 (updated Appendix A)
Amended: October 16, 2015 (updated Appendix A)
Amended: December 30, 2015
Amended: April 26, 2016 (updated Appendix A)
Amended: August 1, 2016 (updated Appendix A)
Amended: August 31, 2017 (updated Appendix A)
Amended: December 31, 2017 (updated Appendix A)
Amended: February 28, 2018 (updated Appendices A and B)
Amended: May 1, 2019 (updated Appendix A)

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CODE OF ETHICS

 

APPENDIX A 

FORESIDE COMPANIES

 

The following affiliated entities and direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of Foreside are subject to the Code of Ethics:

 

Compass Distributors, LLC (f/k/a Foreside Securities, LLC)*

Fairholme Distributors, LLC*

Foreside Associates, LLC*

Foreside Consulting Services, LLC

Foreside Distribution Services, L.P.*

Foreside Distributors, LLC

Foreside Financial Services, LLC (f/k/a BHIL Distributors, LLC)*

Foreside Fund Officer Services, LLC

Foreside Fund Partners LLC*

Foreside Fund Services, LLC*

Foreside Funds Distributors LLC*

Foreside Global Services Limited

Foreside Global Services, LLC*

Foreside Investment Services, LLC*

Foreside Management Services, LLC

Funds Distributor, LLC*

IMST Distributors, LLC*

IVA Funds Distributors, LLC*

MGI Funds Distributors, LLC*

Northern Funds Distributors, LLC*

Orbis Investments (U.S.), LLC*

Parnassus Funds Distributor, LLC*

PNC Funds Distributor, LLC*

Sterling Capital Distributors, LLC*

VT Distributors LLC*

 

* FINRA-registered broker-dealer

 

The companies listed on this Appendix A may be amended from time to time, as required.

13

 

 

CODE OF ETHICS

 

APPENDIX B 

DEFINITIONS

 

(a) Access Person:

 

(i)(1) of a Company means each director or officer of the Companies who in the ordinary course of business makes, participates in or obtains information regarding the purchase or sale of Reportable Securities for a Fund or whose functions or duties as part of the ordinary course of business relate to the making of any recommendation to a Fund regarding the purchase or sale of Reportable Securities.

 

(ii)(2) of a Fund, whereby an employee or agent of a Company serves as an officer of a Fund (“Fund Officer”). Such Fund Officer is an Access Person of a Fund and is permitted to report under this Code unless otherwise required by a Fund’s Code of Ethics.

 

(iii)(3) of a Company includes anyone else specifically designated by the Review Officer.

 

(b) Beneficial Owner shall have the meaning as that set forth in Rule 16a-1(a)(2) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except that the determination of direct or indirect beneficial ownership shall apply to all Reportable Securities that an Access Person owns or acquires. A beneficial owner of a security is any person who, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares a direct or indirect pecuniary interest (the opportunity, directly or indirectly, to profit or share in any profit derived from a transaction in the subject securities) in a security. An Access Person is presumed to be a beneficial owner of securities that are held by his or her immediate family members sharing the Access Person’s household.

 

(c) Indirect pecuniary interest in a security includes securities held by a person’s immediate family sharing the same household. Immediate family means any child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law (including adoptive relationships).

 

(d) Control means the power to exercise a controlling influence over the management or policies of an entity, unless this power is solely the result of an official position with the company. Ownership of 25% or more of a company’s outstanding voting securities is presumed to give the holder thereof control over the company. This presumption may be rebutted by the Review Officer based upon the facts and circumstances of a given situation.

14

 

(e) Purchase or sale includes, among other things, the writing of an option to purchase or sell a Reportable Security.

 

(f) Reportable Fund (see List of Access Persons & Reportable Funds maintained by the Review Officer) means any fund that triggers the Company’s compliance with a Rule 17j-1 Code of Ethics or any fund for which an employee or agent of the Company serves as a Fund Officer.

 

(g) Reportable Security means any security such as a stock, bond, future, investment contract or any other instrument that is considered a ‘security’ under Section 2(a)(36) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, except:

 

(i) direct obligations of the Government of the United States;
(ii) bankers’ acceptances and bank certificates of deposits;
(iii) commercial paper and debt instruments with a maturity at issuance of less than 366 days and that are rated in one of the two highest rating categories by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization;
(iv) repurchase agreements covering any of the foregoing;
(v) shares issued by money market mutual funds;
(vi) shares of SEC registered open-end investment companies (other than exchange-traded funds or Reportable Funds); and
(vii) shares of unit investment trusts that are invested exclusively in one or more open-end funds, none of which are exchange-traded funds or Reportable Funds.

 

Included in the definition of Reportable Security are:

 

Shares of a Reportable Fund;
Options on securities, on indexes, and on currencies;
All kinds of limited partnerships;
Foreign unit trusts, UCITs, SICAVs and foreign mutual funds; and
Private investment funds, hedge funds and investment clubs.

 

(h) Security held or to be acquired by the Fund means

 

(i) any Reportable Security which, within the most recent fifteen (15) days (x) is or has been held by the applicable Fund or (y) is being or has been considered by the applicable Fund or its investment adviser for purchase by the applicable Fund; and
(ii) and any option to purchase or sell, and any security convertible into or exchangeable for, a Reportable Security.

15

 

 

CODE OF ETHICS

 

ATTACHMENT A

ACCESS PERSON ACKNOWLEDGMENT

 

I understand that I am an Access Person subject to the Foreside Code of Ethics (the “Code”) adopted by each Foreside Company. I hereby certify that I have read and understand the current Code, and will comply with it in all respects. In addition, I certify that I have complied with the requirements of the Code, and that I have disclosed or reported all personal securities accounts and transactions required to be disclosed or reported pursuant to the requirements of the Code.

 

       
Signature   Date  
       
       
Printed Name      
       

 

This form must be completed and returned to the Risk Management:

 

  Foreside Financial Group, LLC
  ATTN: Review Officer (or his or her designee)
  Three Canal Plaza, Third Floor
  Portland, ME 04101

 

Received By:    
     
Date:    

16

 

 

CODE OF ETHICS

 

ATTACHMENT B

PRE-CLEARANCE REQUEST FORM

 

As an Access Person subject to the Code of Ethics (the “Code”) adopted by Foreside Financial Group, LLC (“Foreside”), I hereby request approval to purchase an initial public offering, private placement or shares of a Reportable Fund for which I am an Access Person. Pursuant to my request, I provide the following information concerning the security where applicable.

 

1. Name of security/investment:  

 

2. Type of security/interest:  

 

3. Name of brokerage firm/other entity:  

 

4. Account number:  

 

5. Type of transaction (buy/sell/other-specify):  

 

6. Number of shares/interest:  

 

7. Price of each security/interest:  

 

8. Name of firm offering the investment opportunity:  

 

9. Please describe how you became aware of this investment opportunity:  

 

 

 

 

 

I understand that it is a violation of the Code to purchase an initial public offering, private placement or shares of a Reportable Fund for which I am an Access Person without receiving prior written approval from Foreside’s Review Officer. I further understand that (i) any pre-clearance trading authorization is valid only from the time when approval is granted through the next business day and (ii) an explanation of why the pre-cleared transaction was not completed must be submitted to the Review Officer within five (5) days if the transaction is not executed within the period. I also agree to provide the Review Officer with a transaction report evidencing the pre-cleared transaction consistent with the reporting requirements of Section 4. of the Code.

 

       
Signature   Date  
       
       
Print Name   Job Title  
       

 

 

17

 

To be completed by Foreside’s Review Officer and returned to the Access Person.

Approval request granted:

 

Yes: ______        No: ______

 

The following criteria were considered in assessing the Access Person’s pre-clearance request (use back of page if necessary):___________________________

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

       
Authorized Signature      

 

18

 

 

Quasar Distributors, LLC
Code of Ethics

For Access Persons

 

Effective August 6, 2018

 

Pursuant to Rule 17j-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (hereinafter the “1940 Act”), the Board of Directors/Trustees of an investment company registered under the 1940 Act (hereinafter the “Fund” or “Funds”), including a majority of Directors/Trustees who are not interested persons, must approve the code of ethics of the Fund, the code of ethics of each investment adviser to the Fund, and the code of ethics of the principal underwriter of the Fund, as well as any material changes to these codes of ethics.

 

Quasar Distributors, LLC (“Quasar”) is licensed by FINRA as a mutual fund underwriter. Based upon Quasar's limited membership with FINRA, the nature of Quasar’s services, and Quasar’s role with Funds and Fund investment advisers, Quasar believes it employs no person who could be considered an "Access Person" as defined by Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act. No Quasar employee, director or officer, in the ordinary course of business, makes, participates in or obtains information regarding the purchase or sale of securities by Funds; Quasar’s functions and duties in the ordinary course of business do not relate to the making of any recommendation to a Fund regarding the purchase or sale of securities. Nevertheless, Quasar has adopted this code of ethics pursuant to the requirements of Rule 17j-1.

 

I. Definitions

 

A. “Access Person” means any director, officer or employee of the Underwriter who in the ordinary course of his or her business makes, participates in or obtains non-public information regarding the purchase or sale of securities for a Fund, or the portfolio holdings of a fund, or whose functions or duties as part of the ordinary course of his or her business relate to the making of any recommendation to a Fund regarding the purchase or sale of securities.

 

B. “Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

C. “Beneficial ownership” shall be interpreted in the same manner as it would be in determining whether a person is subject to the provisions of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, except that the determination of direct or indirect beneficial ownership shall apply to all securities which an Access Person has or acquires. As a general matter, “beneficial ownership” will be attributed to an Access Person in all instances where the person (i) possesses the ability to purchase or sell the security (or the ability to direct the disposition of the security); (ii) possesses the voting power (including the power to vote or to direct the voting) over such security; or (iii) receives any benefits substantially equivalent to those of ownership.

 

Although the following is not an exhaustive list, a person generally would be regarded to be the beneficial owner of the following:

 

securities held in the person’s own name;
securities held with another in joint tenancy, as tenants in common, or in other joint ownership arrangements;
securities held by a bank or broker as a nominee or custodian on such person’s behalf or pledged as collateral for a loan;
securities held by members of the person’s immediate family sharing the same household (“immediate family” means any child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law or sister-in-law, including adoptive relationships);

1

 

 

securities held by a relative not residing in the person’s home if the person is a custodian, guardian, or otherwise has controlling influence over the purchase, sale, or voting of such securities;
securities held by a trust for which the person serves as a trustee and in which the person has a pecuniary interest (including pecuniary interests by virtue of performance fees and by virtue of holdings by the person’s immediate family);
securities held by a trust in which the person is a beneficiary and has or shares the power to make purchase or sale decisions;
securities held by a general partnership or limited partnership in which the person is a general partner; and
securities owned by a corporation which is directly or indirectly controlled by, or under common control with, such person.

 

Any uncertainty as to whether an Access Person beneficially owns a security should be brought to the attention of the Compliance Officer. Such questions will be resolved in accordance with, and this definition is subject to, the definition of “beneficial owner” found in Rules 16a-1(a)(2) and (5) promulgated under the Exchange Act.

 

D. “Compliance Officer” means the person designated from time to time by the Underwriter to receive and review reports in accordance with Section VI below.

 

E. “Control” shall have the same meaning as that set forth in Section 2(a)(9) of the Act. As a general matter, “control” means the power to exercise a controlling influence. The “power to exercise a controlling influence” is intended to include situations where there is less than absolute and complete domination and includes not only the active exercise of power, but also the latent existence of power. Anyone who beneficially owns, either directly or through one or more controlled entities, more than 25% of the voting securities of an entity shall be presumed to control such entity.

 

F. “Fund” means an investment fund registered under the Act that has retained Quasar Distributors, LLC as its principal underwriter.

 

G. “Purchase or sale of a security” includes, among other things, the writing of an option to purchase or sell a security.

 

H. “Restricted List” means a list of securities that from time to time are not to be acquired by Access Persons and which list will be maintained by the Underwriter.

 

I. “Covered Security” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(36) of the Act and shall include: common stocks, preferred stocks, and debt securities; options on and warrants to purchase common stocks, preferred stocks or debt securities; and shares of closed-end investment companies and Related Securities. “Related Securities” are instruments and securities that are related to, but not the same as, a security. For example, a Related Security may be convertible into a security, or give its holder the right to purchase the security. The term “Security” also includes private investments, including oil and gas ventures, real estate syndicates and other investments which are not publicly traded. It shall not include shares of registered open-end investment companies; direct obligations of the Government of the United States; bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper, repurchase agreements, and such other money market instruments as designated by the Underwriter’s Board of Directors.

 

J. “Underwriter” means Quasar Distributors, LLC.

 

All Access Persons that are employees of Quasar must certify to this Code of Ethics for all mutual funds that use Quasar as their principal underwriter under the the 1940 Act, Rule 17j-1.

 

II. General Fiduciary Principles

 

In addition to the specific principles enunciated in this Code of Ethics, all Access Persons shall be governed by the following general fiduciary principles:

 

A. to at all times place the interests of Fund shareholders ahead of personal interests;

2

 

B. to conduct all personal securities transactions consistent with this Code of Ethics and in such a manner as to avoid any actual or potential conflict of interest or any abuse of an individual’s position of trust and responsibility;

 

C. to not take inappropriate advantage of their positions; and

 

D. to comply with all applicable federal and state securities laws.

 

III. Exempted Transactions

 

The prohibitions of Sections IV and V of this Code of Ethics shall not apply to:

 

A. Purchases or sales of securities which are not eligible for purchase or sale by any Fund;

 

B. Purchases or sales which are non-volitional on the part of either the Access Person or a Fund;

 

C. Purchases which are part of an automatic dividend reinvestment plan;

 

D. Purchases effected upon the exercise of rights issued by an issuer pro rata to all holders of a class of its securities, to the extent such rights were acquired from such issuer and sales of such rights so acquired;

 

E. Purchases or sales which receive the prior approval of the President of the Underwriter, after consultation with the Compliance Officer, because they are only remotely harmful to the Underwriter or a Fund; they would be very unlikely to affect a highly institutional market; or they clearly are not related economically to the securities to be purchased, sold or held by a Fund.

 

IV. Prohibited Activities and Conduct

 

A. No Access Person shall purchase or sell any securities which were purchased or sold by the Fund within seven (7) days of the purchase or sale of the security by the Fund.

 

B. No Access Person shall sell any security which was originally purchased within the previous sixty (60) days.

 

C. No Access Person shall acquire any securities in an initial public offering or limited offering

 

D. No Access Person shall acquire securities pursuant to a private placement without prior approval from the Underwriter’s President after consultation with the Compliance Officer. In determining whether approval should be granted, the following should be considered:

 

whether the investment opportunity should be reserved for a Fund and its shareholders; and
whether the opportunity is being offered to an individual by virtue of his/her position with the Underwriter.

 

In the event approval is granted, the Access Person must disclose the investment when he/she plays a material role in a Company’s subsequent consideration of an investment in the issuer. In such circumstances, the Company’s decision to purchase securities of the issuer will be subject to an independent review by investment personnel with no personal interest in the issuer.

 

E. No Access Person shall profit from the purchase and sale, or sale and purchase, of the same, or equivalent, securities within sixty (60) calendar days unless the security is purchased and sold by a Fund within sixty (60) calendar days and the Access Person complies with Section IV(B). For purposes of applying the 60-day period, securities will be subject to this 60-day short-term trading ban only if the actual lot was purchased and sold, or sold and purchased, within such period. Any profits realized on such short-term trades must be disgorged by the Access Person; provided, however, that the Underwriter’s Board of Managers may make exceptions to this prohibition on a case-by-case basis in situations where no abuse is involved, and the equities strongly support an exception.

3

 

F. No Access Person shall receive any gift or other thing of more than de minimis value from any person or entity that does business with or on behalf of the Underwriter. Such prohibition shall not apply to seasonal gifts made generally available to all employees at the Underwriter’s business office or to meals and/or entertainment provided in the ordinary course of business and consistent in cost with the Underwriter’s standards for employee expenditures.

 

G. No Access Person shall serve on the board of directors of publicly traded companies, unless the access person receives prior authorization from the Underwriter’s Board of Managers based upon a determination that the board service would be consistent with the interests of the Underwriter. In the event the board service is authorized, Access Persons serving as directors must be isolated from those making investment decisions by a “Chinese wall.”

 

H. No Access Person shall employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud the Fund.

 

I. No Access Person shall make any untrue statement of a material fact to the Fund or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made to the Fund, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading.

 

J. No Access Person shall engage in any act, practice or course of business that operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit on the Fund.

 

K. No Access Person shall engage in any manipulative practice with respect to the Fund.

 

V. Policy on Security Ownership

 

In addition to the prohibitions contained in Section IV hereof, it is the general policy of the Underwriter that no Access Person shall have any direct or indirect beneficial ownership of any security which is also owned by a Fund unless said Access Person complies with Section IV(B), or any security which is on the Restricted List. Upon the discovery by the Underwriter or any Access Person that an Access Person has direct or indirect beneficial ownership of a security which is on the Restricted List, such Access Person shall promptly report such fact to the Compliance Officer, and may be required to divest himself or herself of such ownership if the Compliance Officer determines that any significant conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest exists as a result of such ownership or that such ownership results in a breach of other policies or agreements of the Underwriter.

 

VI. Access Person Reporting

 

A. All securities transactions in which an Access Person has a direct or indirect beneficial ownership interest will be monitored by the Compliance Officer. The Compliance Officer’s compliance with this Code of Ethics shall be monitored by the Underwriter’s President.

 

B. Every Access Person shall, at least on a quarterly basis, report to the Compliance Officer the information described in Section VI(C) of this Code of Ethics with respect to the transactions and accounts in which such Access Person has, or by reason of such transaction acquires, any direct or indirect beneficial ownership; provided, however, that an Access Person shall not be required to make a report with respect to transactions effected for any account over which such person does not have any direct or indirect influence or control.

 

C. Quarterly Transaction Reports. Every report required to be made by Sections VI(B) and VI(C) of this Code of Ethics shall be made not later than thirty (30) days after the end of the calendar quarter in which the transaction to which the report relates was effected, and shall contain the following information:

 

Reports containing personal securities transacations;
The date of the transaction, the title an type of the security, and as applicable, the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, the interest rate and maturity date, the number of shares, and the principal amount of each security involved;

4

 

The nature of the transaction (i.e., purchase, sale or any other type of acquisition or disposition);
The price at which the transaction was effected;
The name of the broker, dealer or bank with or through whom the transaction was effected; and
The date that the report is submitted by the Access Person.

 

Reports by Access Persons having zero transactions

Individual transaction information reporting obligations may be met by forwarding a duplicate confirmation to the Compliance Officer.
The report shall also contain the following information with respect to any account established by an Access Person or other beneficial account during the quarter:

a) The name of the broker, dealer or bank with whom the Access Person established the account;

b) The date the account was established; and

c) The date that the report is submitted by the Access Person.

 

A form which may be used to meet the Access Person reporting requirement is attached hereto as Appendix 1.

 

D. Initial Holdings and Annual Reports. In addition to the reporting requirements of Sections VI(B), and VI(C), every Access Person shall also disclose to the Compliance Officer all beneficial securities holdings within ten calendar days after becoming an Access Person (and the information must be current as of no more than forty-five (45) days prior to becoming an Access Person) and thereafter on an annual basis (for Annual Reports the information must be current as of a date no more than forty-five (45) days prior to the date of the Report). Such disclosures shall be made on the form attached hereto as Appendix 3. Each such Access Person also shall sign an acknowledgment, attached hereto as Appendix 4, to affirm that they have received and reviewed this Code of Ethics and any amendments hereto.

 

E. Any report filed pursuant to this Section VI may contain a statement that the report shall not be construed as an admission by the person making such report that he has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in the security to which the report relates.

 

F. In addition to the reporting requirements of Sections VI(B), VI(C) and VI(D), every Access Person shall direct his or her brokers to supply to the Compliance Officer, on a timely basis, duplicate copies of all beneficial securities transactions and copies of periodic statements for all securities accounts in which such Access Person has a beneficial ownership interest. Attached hereto as Appendix 2 is a form of letter that may be used to request such documents from the respective broker, dealer, or bank. It is the responsibility of the Access Person to make sure that his or her broker does in fact send to the Compliance Officer the duplicate confirmations and the duplicate statements. The attached forms, confirmations and statements will be maintained in strictest confidence in the files of the Compliance Officer.

 

G. Every Access Person subject to the Code shall report any violations of the Code to the firm’s Chief Compliance Officer or a designee.

 

H. All information supplied under these procedures, including transaction and holdings reports (initial, quarterly and annual reports), will be reviewed by the Compliance Officer for compliance with these policies and procedures. The Compliance Officer will review all account statements and reports within 30 days after receipt. Such review shall:

 

Address whether Access Persons followed internal procedures, such as pre-clearance;
Compare Access Person transactions to any restrictions in effect at the time of the trade, including securities on the Restricted List; and
Periodically analyze the Access Person’s overall trading for patterns that may indicate abuse.

 

The Compliance Officer will document such review by initialing Access Person statements or otherwise indicating the statements that have been reviewed and will maintian copies of all reports and account statements received.

5

 

VII. Advance Clearance

 

A. Advance clearance is required for all securities transactions in which an Access Person has or as a result of such transaction will have a beneficial ownership interest, excluding (i) transactions exempt under Sections III(B) and III(C), provided the Access Person is not advised of the transactions in advance and does not participate in the decision-making related thereto or transactions exempt under Sections III(D). A form provided for advance clearance is attached hereto as Appendix 5.

 

B. Advance clearance requests should be submitted in writing in duplicate to the Compliance Officer who may approve or disapprove such transactions on the grounds of compliance with this Code of Ethics or otherwise. Approval shall only be given when the compliance officer or designee giving it has determined that the intended transaction does not fall within any of the prohibitions in this Code of Ethics. One copy of the advance clearance request will be returned to the Access Person showing approval or disapproval and one copy will be retained by the Compliance Officer.

 

C. The authorization provided by the Compliance Officer is effective until the earlier of (i) its revocation, (ii) the close of business on the third trading day after the authorization is granted (for example, if authorization is provided on a Monday, it is effective until the close of business on Thursday), or (iii) the Access Person learns that the information in the advance clearance request is not accurate. If the order for the securities transaction is not placed within that period, a new advance authorization must be obtained before the transaction is placed. If the transaction is placed but has not been executed within three trading days after the day the authorization is granted (as, for example, in the case of a limit order), no new authorization is necessary unless the person placing the original order amends it in any way.

 

VIII. Insider Trading

 

No Access Person shall purchase or sell Fund Shares while in possession of material non-public information regarding the Fund. The Compliance Officer may from time to time deny Access Persons the ability to buy or sell Fund Shares if the Compliance Officer, in his or her sole discretion, determines that it is likely that such person has possession of material non-public information or that it would be otherwise inadvisable, in his or her sole discretion, for such transaction to occur. The Compliance Officer should, together with the Underwriter’s legal counsel, be available to consult as to whether an Access Person is likely to be in possession of material non-public information.

 

IX. Compliance with the Code of Ethics

 

A. The Compliance Officer shall identify each Access Person and notify them of their reporting obligations under the Code. The Compliance Officer shall maintain a list of all Access Persons of the Underwriter in substantially the form set forth in Appendix 6.

 

B. All Access Persons shall certify annually in the form attached hereto as Appendix 7 that:

 

They have read and understand this Code of Ethics and any amendments hereto and recognize that they are subject thereto; and
They have complied with the requirements of this Code of Ethics and any amendments and disclosed or reported all personal securities transactions and accounts required to be disclosed or reported pursuant thereto.

 

C. The Underwriter’s compliance officer, President, or other designee shall prepare a quarterly report to the Fund’s Board of Directors, and an annual report to the Underwriter’s Board of Managers, which shall:

 

Summarize existing procedures concerning personal investing and any changes in the procedures made during the past quarter (year);
Identify any violations requiring significant remedial action during the past quarter (year); and

6

 

Identify any recommended changes in existing restrictions or procedures based upon the Underwriter’s experience under this Code of Ethics, evolving industry practices or developments in laws or regulations; and
Identify any exceptions to the Code of Ethics that were granted during the past quarter (year).

 

X. Recordkeeping Requirements

 

The Compliance Officer shall maintain all records in accordance with Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act. The Compliance Officer shall maintain a copy of each of the following for five years in an easily accessible place:

 

This Code of Ethics;
Records of each Code violation and of any action taken as a result of the violation;
Copies of each Access Person report;
Record of all Access Persons subject to the Code; and
Copies of annual compliance reports.

 

XI. Sanctions

 

Upon discovering a violation of this Code of Ethics, the Board of Managers of the Underwriter may impose such sanctions as it deems appropriate, including, among other sanctions, a letter of censure or suspension, disgorgement of profits or termination of the employment of the violator.

 

XII. Other Procedures

 

Other policies and procedures of the Underwriter relating to securities transactions, including, without limitation, policies relating to insider trading, shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected by adoption of this Code of Ethics. To the extent of any inconsistencies between this Code of Ethics and any such other policies, this Code of Ethics shall control.

7

 

Appendix 1

 

THIS REPORT MUST BE SUBMITTED WITHIN 30 DAYS OF QUARTER END

 

ACCESS PERSON TRANSACTION RECORD for                     (Name)

 

FOR CALENDAR QUARTER ENDED                         (Date)

 

I HAVE REPORTED BELOW ALL TRANSACTIONS AND ACCOUNTS REQUIRED TO BE REPORTED FOR THE QUARTER PURSUANT TO THE CODE OF ETHICS.

 

I. TRANSACTION REPORTING

 

Check if applicable: (  ) I had no reportable transactions during the quarter.
(  ) All transactions required to be reported have been provided to the Compliance Officer through duplicate confirmations and statements.

 

Transactions

 

Date Security
Name
Ticker Symol or
CUSIP Number
Nature of
Transaction
Price Broker
Name
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           

(attach additional sheets if necessary)

 

(Date) (Access Person’s Signature)  
     
     

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II. ACCOUNT REPORTING

 

Securities Accounts Opened During Quarter

 

[  ] I did not open any securities account with any broker, dealer or bank during the quarter; or
[  ] I opened a securities account with a broker, dealer or bank during the quarter as indicated below.
[  ] There have been no securities accounts in which I have no direct or indirect beneficial interest with any broker, dealer or bank open during the quarter.

 

 Date Account
Was Established
Broker, Dealer or Bank
Name
   
   
   
   
   

 

Date: X: _________________________________________________________(Access Person’s Signature)

 

  Compliance Officer Use Only  
  REVIEWED:  
  (Date) (Signature)  
     
  FOLLOW-UP ACTION (if any) (attach additional sheet if required)  
     
     

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Appendix 2

 

Form of Letter to Broker, Dealer or Bank

 

<Date>

 

<Broker Name and Address>

 

Subject:             Account #

 

Dear                :

 

I am affiliated with Quasar Distributors, LLC, a principal underwriter to registered investment companies, and am an Access Person of such underwriter. You are requested to send duplicate confirmations of individual transactions as well as duplicate periodic statements for the above-referenced account to Quasar Distributors, LLC. Please address the confirmations and statements directly to:

 

Ms. Cynthia Durfee, VP

Quasar Distributors, LLC

777 East Wisconsin Avenue

MK-WI-T6Q 

Milwaukee, WI 53202

 

Your cooperation is most appreciated. If you have any questions regarding these requests, please contact Quasar Compliance or me.

 

  Sincerely,
   
  <Name of Access Person>
   
cc: Quasar Distributors, LLC  

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Appendix 3

 

INITIAL HOLDINGS REPORT
ANNUAL HOLDINGS REPORT
PERSONAL SECURITIES HOLDINGS

 

In accordance with Section VI of the Code of Ethics, please provide a list of all accounts in which you have a beneficial interest.

 

(1) Name of Access Person:

 

(2) If different than (1), name of the person in whose name the account is held:

 

(3) Relationship of (2) to (1):

 

(4) Broker at which Account is maintained:

 

(5) Account Number:

 

(6) Contact person at Broker and phone number:

 

(7) For each account, if not previously provided to the Compliance Officer, attach the most recent account statement listing securities in that account. If you have a beneficial interest in securities that are not listed in an attached account statement, list them below:

 

  Title/Name of Security Number of Shares Value/Principal Amount Broker-dealer or bank
         
1.        
         
2.        
         
3.        
         
4.        
         
5.        

(Attach separate sheet if necessary)

 

I certify that this form and the attached statements (if any) constitute all of the securities in which I have a beneficial interest, including those held in accounts of my immediate family residing in my household. 

     
  Access Person Signature  
     
Dated:     
  Print Name  

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Appendix 4

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RECEIPT OF CODE OF ETHICS

 

I acknowledge that I have received and reviewed the Code of Ethics, and represent:

 

1. In accordance with Section VI of the Code of Ethics, I will report all required securities transactions and securities accounts in which I have a beneficial interest.

 

2. I will comply with the Code of Ethics in all other respects.
     
  Access Person Signature  
     
  Print Name  
     
Dated:    

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Appendix 5

 

ADVANCE PERSONAL TRADING CLEARANCE/REVIEW REQUEST

 

Background:

 

The Code of Ethics states that advance clearance is required for all securities transactions in which an Access Person has a beneficial ownership interest.

 

Clearance/Review Request:

 

1. Name of Access Person:

 

2. If different than (1), name of person in whose account the trade will occur:

 

3. Relationship of (2) to (1):

 

4. Name of Security and Symbol/CUSIP:

 

5. Maximum number of shares or units to be purchased or sold or amount of bond:

 

6. Check if applicable:  Purchase ____    Market Order    _____
     
    Sale         ____    Limit Order       _____    (Limit Order Price:                   )

 

7. For a Sale, Date of Purchase of Lot(s) Being Sold

 

To: Compliance Officer From:  
       
    Date: Time:

 

I (or the account in which I have a beneficial ownership interest) intend to purchase/sell the above-named Security (on date if other than above:           /             /            ).

 

I confirm that to the best of my knowledge, the proposed transaction is in compliance with the Code of Ethics.

 

Access Person Signature: ___________________________

 

Date: ________________________

     
  Approved: [  ] No: [  ]  
  Compliance Officer Signature:     
     
  Date:  

 

Original to Compliance Officer

Copy to Access Person

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Appendix 6

 

Quasar Distributors, LLC

 

List of Access Persons

 

Name Status Date Added
     
     
     
     
     

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Appendix 7

 

ANNUAL CERTIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE CODE OF ETHICS

 

I certify that during the past year:

 

1. I have read and I understand the Code of Ethics and any amendments and I recognize that I am subject thereto for the periods that they are in effect.

 

2. I have read and I understand any amendments to the Code of Ethics and any amendments.

 

3. In accordance with Section VI of the Code of Ethics, I have reported all securities transactions and securities accounts in which I have a beneficial interest, except to the extent disclosed on the attached schedule if applicable and any amendments.

 

4. I have complied with the Code of Ethics and any amendments in place during the year.

 

         
  Access Person Signature  
     
     
  Print Name  
     
Dated:        

 

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