As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 21, 2020
Securities Act File No. 333-237941
1940 Act File No. 811-23566
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-2
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 | [X] |
Pre-Effective Amendment No. 3 | |
and | |
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 | [X] |
Amendment No. 3 |
Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
205 Detroit Street, Suite 800
Denver, Colorado 80206
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(303) 861-8466
(Registrant’s Telephone Number)
Jeremy Held
Bow River Asset Management LLC
205 Detroit Street, Suite 800
Denver, Colorado 80206
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
Copy to:
Joshua B. Deringer, Esq.
Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
One Logan Square, Ste. 2000
Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996
215-988-2700
APPROXIMATE DATE OF PROPOSED PUBLIC OFFERING:
AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE
OF THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box [ ]
If any securities being registered on this Form will be offered on a delayed or continuous basis in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”), other than securities offered in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box [X]
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction A.2 or a post-effective amendment thereto, check the following box [ ]
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction B or a post-effective amendment thereto that will become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box [ ]
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction B to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box [ ]
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):
[ ] when declared effective pursuant to section 8(c)
If appropriate, check the following box:
[ ] | This [post-effective] amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed [post-effective amendment] [registration statement]. | |
[ ] | This Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, and the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering is: ___________. | |
[ ] | This Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, and the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering is: _____________. | |
[ ] | This Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, and the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering is: _____________. |
Check each box that appropriately characterizes the Registrant:
[X] Registered Closed-End Fund (closed-end company that is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Investment Company Act”)).
[ ] Business Development Company (closed-end company that intends or has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act.
[X] Interval Fund (Registered Closed-End Fund or a Business Development Company that makes periodic repurchase offers under Rule 23c-3 under the Investment Company Act).
[ ] A.2 Qualified (qualified to register securities pursuant to General Instruction A.2 of this Form).
[ ] Well-Known Seasoned Issuer (as defined by Rule 405 under the Securities Act).
[ ] Emerging Growth Company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934).
[ ] If an Emerging Growth Company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.
[X] New Registrant (registered or regulated under the Investment Company Act for less than 12 calendar months preceding this filing).
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
TITLE OF SECURITIES BEING REGISTERED |
PROPOSED AMOUNT BEING REGISTERED |
PROPOSED MAXIMUM OFFERING PRICE PER SHARE(1) |
PROPOSED MAXIMUM AGGREGATE OFFERING PRICE(1) |
AMOUNT OF REGISTRATION FEE |
Shares | 25,000,000 | $10.00 | $250,000,000 | $27,275.00 (2) |
(1) | Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457 under the Securities Act of 1933. |
(2) | $129.80 has been previously paid. |
THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE.
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 DECEMBER 21, 2020
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS
Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund
Class I Shares
Class II Shares
Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund (the “Fund”) is a newly organized Delaware statutory trust that is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), as a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund operates as an interval fund pursuant to Rule 23c-3 of the Investment Company Act. An “interval fund” is a type of closed-end company that will make periodic repurchase offers for its securities.
The Fund’s investment objective is to generate long-term capital appreciation by investing in a broad portfolio of private equity investments that provide attractive risk-adjusted return potential.
The Fund will seek to achieve its investment objective through broad exposure to private equity, private credit, and semi-liquid (investments with monthly or quarterly liquidity availability, such as evergreen private equity funds) or listed investments. The principal investments (together “Fund Investments”) utilized by the Fund are: (i) direct investments (i.e. positions in the equity or debt of operating companies); (ii) secondary purchases (i.e. purchases of existing interests that are acquired on the secondary market) of closed-end private funds managed by third-party managers; (iii) primary fund commitments (i.e. commitments to new private equity, private credit, or other private funds); (iv) direct or secondary purchases of liquid credit instruments; (v) other liquid investments (i.e. strategies with a higher liquidity profile than direct investments or investments in funds, including listed private equity and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”)); and (vi) short-term investments, including money market funds and short term treasuries.
The Fund will seek to provide exposure to a broad set of managers, strategies and transaction types across multiple sectors, geographies and vintage years. “Vintage year” refers to the year in which a private equity fund was established. This date is typically the year in which a private equity fund holds the final closing on its fundraising activities. For example, a fund that held its final closing in December, 2019, after an 18-month fundraising period would be deemed to have a vintage year of 2019.
Simultaneous with the Fund beginning to accept offers to purchase Shares (“Commencement of Operations”), the Bow River Capital Evergreen Private Equity Fund, LP (the “Predecessor Fund”), reorganized with and transferred substantially all its assets into the Fund. The Predecessor Fund maintains an investment objective, strategies and investment policies, guidelines and restrictions that are, in all material respects, equivalent to those of the Fund. The Fund and the Predecessor Fund share the same investment adviser, Bow River Asset Management LLC (the “Adviser” or “Bow River Capital”), and portfolio managers. Unlike the Predecessor Fund, the Fund will be an “evergreen” fund (i.e. a fund that continuously offers its shares with no termination date).
The Fund cannot guarantee that it will meet its investment objective. Investing in the Fund involves a high degree of risk. See “RISKS” and “LIMITS OF RISKS DISCLOSURE” beginning on page 30.
Price to the Public(1) | Sales Load | Proceeds to Fund(3) | |
Class I Shares(2) | Current Net Asset Value | - | Current Net Asset Value |
Class II Shares(2) | Current Net Asset Value | - | Current Net Asset Value |
Total Minimum | $77,100,000 | - | $77,100,000 |
Total Maximum | $250,000,000 | - | $250,000,000 |
(1) | Foreside Financial Services, LLC acts as the principal underwriter of the Fund’s Shares on a best-efforts basis. No arrangement has been made to place funds received in an escrow, trust or similar account. Generally, the stated minimum initial investment by an investor in the Fund is $1,000,000 for Class I Shares, and $50,000 for Class II Shares, which stated minimums may be reduced for certain investors. Investors purchasing Shares (as defined herein) will not be charged a sales load. Accordingly, the table assumes that no sales load is charged. |
(2) | Class I Shares of the Fund are currently the only shares offered to investors. The Fund expects to offer Class II Shares in the future, but doing so is subject to obtaining an exemptive order from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). There is no assurance that the Fund will be granted the exemptive order. |
(3) | Assumes all shares currently registered are sold in the offering. Shares will be offered in a continuous offering at the Fund’s then current net asset value (“NAV”). The Fund will bear its organizational costs of approximately $109,067. The Fund has additionally incurred and will bear offering costs of approximately $143,484. The Fund’s offering costs are being capitalized and amortized over the 12-month period beginning on the Commencement of Operations. The Fund will also bear certain ongoing offering costs associated with the Fund’s continuous offering of Shares. The Fund’s initial offering expenses are described under “FUND EXPENSES.” The payment of offering expenses and distribution by the Fund are indirectly borne by investors in common shares and payment of those offering expenses and distribution will immediately reduce the net asset value of each share of common stock purchased in this offering. |
This prospectus (the “Prospectus”) applies to the offering of two separate classes of shares of beneficial interests (“Shares”) in the Fund, designated as Class I Shares, and Class II Shares. The Fund has applied to the SEC for an exemptive order that would permit the Fund to offer more than one class of Shares. Class II Shares will not be offered to investors until the Fund has received an exemptive order permitting the multi-class structure. There is no assurance that the Fund will be granted the exemptive order. The Fund’s Shares will generally be offered for purchase on the first business day of each month at the NAV per Share, as determined as of the close of regular trading (4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on the New York Stock Exchange on that day. The Fund has registered $250,000,000 for sale under the registration statement to which this Prospectus relates. No person who is admitted as a common shareholder of the Fund (a “Common Shareholder”) will have the right to require the Fund to repurchase its Shares. This Prospectus is not an offer to sell Shares and is not soliciting an offer to buy Shares in any state or jurisdiction where such offer or sale is not permitted. Investments in the Fund may be made only by prospective investors who are able to certify that they are an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and meet the other requirements of an “Eligible Investor,” as defined herein. See “ELIGIBLE INVESTORS.”
If you purchase Shares of the Fund, you will become bound by the terms and conditions of the amended and restated agreement and declaration of trust of the Fund (the “Agreement and Declaration of Trust”). A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust is attached as Appendix A to this Prospectus.
Shares are speculative and illiquid securities involving substantial risk of loss. See “RISKS” generally, and “Risks Related to the Fund’s Structure” and “Risks Related to the Fund’s Investment Program”, more specifically.
• | Shares are not listed on any securities exchange and it is not anticipated that a secondary market for Shares will develop. |
• | You should generally not expect to be able to sell your Shares (other than through the repurchase process), regardless of how the Fund performs. |
• | Although the Fund is required to implement a Share repurchase program, the Fund’s hybrid repurchase mechanism provides that only a limited number of Shares will be eligible for repurchase by the Fund. See “REPURCHASES OF SHARES.” |
• | If you are permitted to sell your Shares to a third party rather than through the repurchase process, you may receive less than your purchase price. |
• | Shares are subject to substantial restrictions on transferability and resale and may not be transferred or resold except as permitted under the Agreement and Declaration of Trust. Although the Fund may offer to repurchase Shares from time to time, Shares will not be repurchased by the Fund at a Common Shareholder’s option nor will they be exchangeable for Shares or shares of any other fund. As a result, an investor may not be able to sell or otherwise liquidate his or her Shares. Due to these restrictions, an investor should consider an investment in common shares to be illiquid. |
• | Shares are appropriate only for those investors who can tolerate a high degree of risk and do not require a liquid investment and for whom an investment in the Fund does not constitute a complete investment program. |
• | Because you will be unable to sell your Shares or have them repurchased immediately, you will find it difficult to reduce your exposure on a timely basis during a market downturn. |
• | Common Shareholders will pay offering and organizational expenses and will have to receive a total return at least in excess of those expenses to receive an actual return on any investment. |
• | Any interest accrued by borrowing in anticipation of share repurchases or tender offers or accumulation of cash in anticipation of repurchases will reduce the Fund’s net income; any expense of which will be indirectly borne by the holders of the Fund’s common shares. |
• | As a result of the selling commissions and dealer manager fees you pay and the offering expenses incurred, Shares are subject to immediate dilution upon purchase. In addition, because Shares are continuously offered, you may experience additional dilution in the net asset value of your Shares. |
• | The Fund will use direct investments, secondary purchases of interests, private fund commitments, and short-term investments to achieve its investment objective. The Fund may also, at times, be a “fund of funds,” in that a substantial portion of its assets may be invested in closed-end private funds and in other registered investment companies, including ETFs. See Risks Related to Fund Investments – Generally- Additional Fee Layers and Exchange-Traded Fund Risk. |
• | You should invest in the Fund only if you can sustain a complete loss of investment. |
Leverage. In pursuing the Fund’s investment objective, the Fund may seek to enhance returns through the use of leverage. The Fund intends to use borrowings, including loans from certain financial institutions, to leverage its portfolio, in an aggregate amount of up to 33 1/3% of the Fund’s total assets (including the assets subject to, and obtained with the proceeds of, such borrowings) immediately after such borrowings. Leverage magnifies volatility and will decrease the Fund’s return if the Fund fails to earn as much on its investment purchased with borrowed funds as it pays for the use of those funds. The Fund’s leverage strategy may not work as planned or achieve its goal. All leverage expenses of the Fund will be borne solely by holders of the Fund’s Common Shares. See “INVESTMENT POLICIES—Borrowing by the Fund,” and “Risks—Leverage Risk.”
There are risks associated with the Fund’s distribution sources.
• | The amount of distributions that the Fund may pay, if any, is uncertain. |
• | The Fund may pay distributions in significant part from sources that may not be available in the future and that are unrelated to the Fund’s performance, such as offering proceeds, borrowings, amounts from the Fund’s affiliates that are subject to repayment by investors, and return of capital (i.e. generally the return of your investment rather than a return of earnings or gains derived from the Fund’s investment activities, made after deduction of the fees and expenses payable in connection with the offering, including any fees payable to the adviser). When distributions are paid from these sources, the amount of capital available to the Fund for purposes of investment may be reduced. |
• | Fees and expenses, including any future reimbursement of waived fees and expenses for which the Adviser is eligible, will reduce any distributions a Common Shareholder would otherwise receive. |
No Prior History. The Fund has no operating history and the shares have no history of public trading.
This Prospectus concisely provides information that you should know about the Fund before investing. You are advised to read this Prospectus carefully and to retain it for future reference. Additional information about the Fund, including the Fund’s statement of additional information (the “SAI”), dated [ ], 2020, has been filed with the SEC. You can request a copy of the SAI and annual and semi-annual reports of the Fund without charge by writing to the Fund, c/o UMB Fund Services, Inc. 235 West Galena Street, Milwaukee, WI 53212, or by calling the Fund toll-free at (888) 330-3350. The SAI and annual and semi-annual reports of the Fund will also be available at www.bowrivercapital.com. The SAI is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus in its entirety. The table of contents of the SAI appears on page 68 of this Prospectus. You can obtain the SAI, material incorporated by reference, and other information about the Fund, on the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov). The address of the SEC’s internet site is provided solely for the information of prospective investors and is not intended to be an active link.
You should not construe the contents of this Prospectus as legal, tax or financial advice. You should consult with your own professional advisers as to legal, tax, financial, or other matters relevant to the suitability of an investment in the Fund.
You should rely only on the information contained in this Prospectus and the SAI. The Fund has not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. You should not assume that the information provided by this Prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date shown below. Neither the SEC nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this Prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
THE FUND’S PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER IS Foreside FINANCIAL Services, LLC.
Fund Repurchases: The Fund has elected to implement a hybrid repurchase mechanism, where under normal circumstances, the Fund intends to provide a limited degree of liquidity to common shareholders by conducting semi-annual repurchase offers pursuant to Rule 23c-3 of the Investment Company Act, as well as discretionary repurchase offers at the discretion of the Fund’s board of trustees (the “Board”).
Subject to applicable law, the Fund has adopted a fundamental policy to conduct semi-annual repurchase offers (“Required Repurchases”) for no less than 5% and no more than 25% of the Fund’s Shares outstanding at NAV, reduced by any applicable repurchase fee. Required Repurchases in excess of 5% will be made at the sole discretion of the Board and each of the trustees on the Board (each, a “Trustee”). As a result, investors should not expect nor rely on Required Repurchases in excess of 5%.
In addition, the Fund also intends, under normal market conditions and subject to applicable law, to make periodic tender offers (“Discretionary Repurchases”) for each calendar quarter following a Required Repurchase (i.e. twice per year), subject to the discretion of the Board.
While the Board may consider the recommendation of the Adviser and intends to make Discretionary Repurchase offers for no less than 5% of the Fund’s Shares outstanding at NAV, reduced by any applicable repurchase fee, the frequency and amount of each Discretionary Repurchase offer is subject to the approval of the Board. As a result, Discretionary Repurchases may be offered at any amount, as determined by the Board, or not at all.
Common Shareholders who tender Shares for repurchase at any time prior to the day immediately preceding the one-year anniversary of the Common Shareholder’s purchase of the Shares, will be charged a 2.00% early repurchase fee by the Fund. Shares tendered for repurchase will be treated as having been repurchased on a “first in-first out” basis. It is possible that a repurchase offer may be oversubscribed, with the result that common shareholders may only be able to have a portion of their Shares repurchased. There is no assurance that you will be able to tender your Shares when or in the amount that you desire.
Common Shareholders will be notified in writing of a Required Repurchase or Discretionary Repurchase (“Shareholder Notification”) and the date on which each repurchase offer expires (the “Repurchase Request Deadline”). The time between the notification to Common Shareholders and the Repurchase Request Deadline is generally thirty (30) days, but may vary from no more than forty-two (42) days to no less than twenty-one (21) days. For each Required Repurchase or Discretionary Repurchase, Shares will be repurchased at the NAV per Share determined as of the close of regular trading (4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on the New York Stock Exchange, no later than the fourteenth day after the Repurchase Request Deadline, or the next business day if the fourteenth day is not a business day (each a “Repurchase Pricing Date”). The Shareholder Notification will set forth the NAV per Share that has been computed no more than seven (7) calendar days before the date of such notification, and how Common Shareholders may ascertain the NAV per Share after the notification date. Payment pursuant to the repurchase will be made by checks to the Common Shareholder’s address of record, or credited directly to a predetermined bank account on the purchase payment date, which will be no more than seven (7) days after the Repurchase Pricing Date. The Board may establish other policies for repurchases of Shares that are consistent with the Investment Company Act, regulations thereunder and other pertinent laws. The Fund expects the first Repurchase Request Deadline to occur within six months of the Fund becoming effective with the SEC. See “REPURCHASES OF SHARES.”
The Fund’s Shares are not listed and the Fund does not currently intend to list its Shares for trading on any national securities exchange. There is not expected to be any secondary trading market in Shares. The Shares are, therefore, not marketable. Even though the Fund intends to provide limited liquidity to common shareholders on a quarterly basis through both semi-annual Required Repurchases and Discretionary Repurchases at the discretion of the Board, you should consider the Shares to be illiquid. Discretionary Repurchases may be offered at any amount, as determined by the Board, or not at all. See “RISKS - Risks Related to the Fund’s Structure.”
Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the SEC, paper copies of the Fund’s shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the Fund or from your financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Fund’s website, www.bowrivercapital.com, 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 elect, or have already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund or your financial intermediary electronically, by calling the Fund at (888) 330-3350, writing the Fund at c/o UMB Fund Services at 235 West Galena Street, Milwaukee, WI 53212, or by contacting your financial intermediary.
You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. You can inform the Fund that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by contacting the Fund, c/o UMB Fund Services, Inc. 235 West Galena Street, Milwaukee, WI 53212, by telephone at (888) 330-3350. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held with your financial intermediary.
The date of this Prospectus is [ ], 2020
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | |
SUMMARY | 1 |
SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES | 10 |
USE OF PROCEEDS | 12 |
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND STRATEGIES | 12 |
INVESTMENT PROCESS | 14 |
INVESTMENT POLICIES | 15 |
RISKS | 16 |
LIMITS OF RISKS DISCLOSURE | 33 |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND | 33 |
DISTRIBUTOR | 37 |
ADMINISTRATION | 38 |
CUSTODIAN | 39 |
MANAGEMENT TEAM OF ADVISER | 39 |
FUND EXPENSES | 40 |
VOTING | 42 |
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST | 43 |
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS | 44 |
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN | 45 |
OUTSTANDING SECURITIES | 45 |
REPURCHASES OF SHARES | 46 |
TRANSFERS OF SHARES | 49 |
CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE; VALUATION | 50 |
CERTAIN TAX CONSIDERATIONS | 52 |
ERISA CONSIDERATIONS | 59 |
ELIGIBLE INVESTORS | 60 |
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES | 60 |
PURCHASING SHARES | 61 |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION | 61 |
SUMMARY OF THE AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST | 62 |
REPORTS TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS | 64 |
FISCAL YEAR | 64 |
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM; LEGAL COUNSEL | 64 |
INQUIRIES | 64 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS | 65 |
TABLE OF CONTENTS OF SAI | 68 |
SUMMARY
This is only a summary and does not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in the Fund. Before investing in the Fund, you should carefully read the more detailed information appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus, the SAI, and the Agreement and Declaration of Trust.
The Fund
The Fund is a newly organized Delaware statutory trust that is registered under the Investment Company Act as a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund was organized as a Delaware trust on April 21, 2020.
The Fund is an appropriate investment only for those investors who can tolerate a high degree of risk and do not require a liquid investment, as a total loss of investment is possible.
The Fund expects to offer two separate classes of shares of beneficial interest (“Shares”) designated as Class I Shares and Class II Shares. Each class of Shares is subject to different fees and expenses. The Fund may offer additional classes of Shares in the future. The Fund has applied for and expects to receive an exemptive order from the SEC with respect to the Fund’s multi-class structure. Class I Shares will be the only class offered for purchase until the Fund has received an exemptive order permitting the multi-class structure. There is no assurance that the Fund will be granted the exemptive order.
Simultaneous with the Fund beginning to accept offers to purchase Shares (“Commencement of Operations”), the Bow River Capital Evergreen Private Equity Fund, LP (the “Predecessor Fund”), reorganized with and transferred substantially all its portfolio securities into the Fund. The Predecessor Fund maintains an investment objective, strategies and investment policies, guidelines and restrictions that are, in all material respects, equivalent to those of the Fund. The Fund and the Predecessor Fund share the same investment adviser and portfolio managers. For past performance information of the Predecessor Fund, see “Performance.”
Investment Objective and Strategies
The Fund’s investment objective is to generate long-term capital appreciation by investing in a broad portfolio of private equity investments that provide attractive risk-adjusted return potential.
The Fund will seek to achieve its investment objective through broad exposure to private equity, private credit, and semi-liquid (investments with monthly or quarterly liquidity availability, such as evergreen private equity funds) or listed investments. The principal investments (together “Fund Investments”) utilized by the Fund are: (i) direct investments (i.e. positions in the equity or debt of operating companies) (“Direct Equity Investments” or “Direct Credit Investments,” respectively, and together, “Direct Investments”); (ii) secondary purchases (i.e. purchases of existing interests that are acquired on the secondary market) of closed-end private funds (“Portfolio Funds”) managed by third-party managers (“Portfolio Fund Managers”); (iii) primary fund commitments (i.e. commitments to new private equity, private credit, or other private funds) (“Primary Fund Commitments”); (iv) direct or secondary purchases of liquid credit instruments; (v) other liquid investments (i.e. strategies with a higher liquidity profile than direct investments or investments in funds, including listed private equity and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”)); and (vi) short-term investments, including money market funds and short term treasuries (together, “Short-term Investments”).
“Portfolio Funds” are closed-end private funds, while “Portfolio Companies” are companies, ventures and businesses.
1
The Fund may, at times, be a “fund of funds,” in that a substantial portion of its assets may be invested in other closed-end private funds and in other registered investment companies. See “Additional Fee Layers” and “Exchange-Traded Fund Risk.” However, the Fund may also gain such exposure through a direct investment in the targeted investment entity or indirectly through pooled vehicles or special purpose vehicles managed by the Adviser, any of its affiliates or third parties. The Fund may create special purchase vehicles to facilitate direct investments into target companies or funds, although investments in Adviser-managed investment vehicles will be greatly limited or prohibited due to Investment Company Act requirements. A discussion of the potential risks inherent in these investments can be found under “Transactions with Affiliates.”
To enhance the Fund’s ability to manage its liquid assets, particularly in times of possible net outflows through the tender of Shares by investors, the Adviser may sell certain of the Fund’s assets on the Fund’s behalf.
The Fund is expected to hold liquid assets to the extent required for purposes of liquidity management and compliance with the Investment Company Act. Over time, during normal market conditions, it is generally not expected that the Fund will hold more than 20% of its net assets in cash or cash equivalents for extended periods of time. To the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act, the Fund may borrow for investment purposes. See “INVESTMENT POLICIES.”
Risk Factors
Investing in the Fund involves risks, including the risk that shareholders may receive little or no return on their investment or that shareholders may lose part or all of their investment. For a more complete discussion of the risks of investing in the Fund, see “Risks” and “LIMITS OF RISKS DISCLOSURE.” Shareholders should consider carefully the following principal risks before investing in the Fund. Below is a summary of the principal risks of investing in the Fund
• | Common Shares will not be listed on any securities exchange and it is not anticipated that a secondary market for Shares will develop; |
• | Although the Fund intends to offer a limited degree of liquidity by conducting semi-annual repurchase offers and discretionary repurchase offers, a Shareholder may not be able to tender its Shares in the Fund promptly after it has made a decision to do so. There is no guarantee that an investor will be able to sell all of the Common Shares that the investor desires to sell. Furthermore, discretionary repurchases are made at the discretion of the Board and therefore, may not occur. The Fund should therefore be considered an illiquid investment. See Risks - Closed-End Fund; Liquidity Limited to Periodic Repurchases of Shares; |
• | The Fund’s distributions may be funded from offering proceeds or borrowings, which may constitute a return of capital and reduce the amount of capital available to the Fund for investment. Although a return of capital will generally not be taxable to a shareholder, it would reduce the shareholder’s cost basis in the Common Shares and may result in higher capital gains taxes, or a lower capital loss, when Common Shares are sold. Any capital returned to shareholders through distributions will be distributed after payment of fees and expenses. See DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS; |
• | The Fund is a newly organized, non-diversified, closed-end investment company with no operating history and is subject to all of the business risks and uncertainties associated with any new business, including the risk that the Fund will not achieve its investment objectives and that the value of Shares could decline. See Principal Risks Related to the Fund’s Structure; |
• | The Fund is the first registered investment company that the Adviser has managed. As a result, it is its first time addressing certain operational and compliance requirements of the Investment Company Act. See Risks - Adviser; |
• | The Fund may borrow money, which magnifies the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and may increase the risk of investing with the Fund. See “INVESTMENT POLICIES—Borrowing by the Fund; |
2
• | The Fund operates in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities and such competition may result in less favorable investment terms than would otherwise be the case. See Risks – Competition for Investment Opportunities; |
• | There are a number of potential conflicts of interest that could impact the Fund’s investment returns. See “Conflicts of Interest”; |
• | To qualify and remain eligible for the special tax treatment accorded to a regulated investment company (“RIC”) and their shareholders under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the Fund must meet certain source-of-income, asset-diversification and annual distribution requirements, and failure to do so could result in the loss of RIC status. See DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS; and |
• | The Fund may be materially affected by general economic and market conditions, including interest rates, inflation rates, economic uncertainty, availability of credit, financial market volatility, changes in laws and national and international political circumstances. See Risks-General Economic and Market Conditions. |
• | Portfolio Companies in the early phases of development, which can be highly risky due to the lack of a significant operating history, fully developed product lines, experienced management, or a proven market for their products. Further, Portfolio Companies that are in a state of distress or which have a poor record, and which are undergoing restructuring or changes in management, and there can be no assurances that such restructuring or changes will be successful. The management of such Portfolio Companies may depend on one or two key individuals, and the loss of the services of any of such individuals may adversely affect the performance of such Portfolio Companies. See Nature of Portfolio Companies. |
• | There are inherent risks in investing in private equity companies, which are vehicles whose principal business is to invest in and lend capital to privately-held companies. Generally, little public information exists for private and thinly traded companies, and there is a risk that private equity investors, like the Fund, may not be able to make a fully informed investment decision. See Private Equity Risk. |
• | Typically, private credit investments are in restricted securities that are not traded in public markets and subject to substantial holding periods, so that the Fund may not be able to resell some of its holdings for extended periods, which may be several years. Further, investments in private securities are illiquid, can be subject to various restrictions on resale, and there can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to realize the value of such investments in a timely manner. See Private Credit Risk. |
• | Semi-liquid investments do not offer investors full liquidity (i.e. such investments typically only offer monthly or quarterly liquidity). |
• | There can be no assurance that the Fund will be given direct investment opportunities, or that any direct investment offered to the Fund would be appropriate or attractive to the Fund. The level of due diligence on direct investments may be limited and there may be limited opportunities to negotiate the terms of such investments. See Direct Investments Risk. |
• | Performance of the Fund’s secondary investments will depend in large part on the acquisition price paid, which may be negotiated based on incomplete or imperfect information. Certain secondary investments may be purchased as a portfolio, and in such cases the Fund may not be able to exclude from such purchases those investments that the Adviser considers (for commercial, tax, legal or other reasons) less attractive. Where the Fund acquires a portfolio company interest as a secondary investment, the Fund will generally not have the ability to modify or amend such portfolio company’s constituent documents (e.g., limited partnership agreements) or otherwise negotiate the economic terms of the interests being acquired. In addition, the costs and resources required to investigate the commercial, tax and legal issues relating to secondary investments may be greater than those relating to primary investments. See General Risks of Secondary Investments. |
3
• | The commitment to invest in newly-created private equity funds, private credit funds, or other private funds, exposes the Fund to the risk of investing in funds with limited operating histories and the information the Fund will obtain about such investments may be limited. As such, the ability to evaluate past performance or to validate the investment strategies will be limited. See Primary Fund Commitments Risk. |
• | Investments in liquid credit instruments are subject to the risks associated with investments in high-yield credit. High-yield/high risk bonds, or “junk” bonds, are bonds rated below investment-grade by the primary rating agencies or are unrated bonds of similar quality. The value of lower quality bonds generally is more dependent on credit risk than investment-grade bonds and issuers of high-yield/high risk bonds may not be as strong financially as those issuing bonds with higher credit ratings. In addition, the junk bond market can experience sudden and sharp price swings. Further, secondary markets for high-yield securities are less liquid than the market for investment-grade securities. Therefore, it may be more difficult to value the securities because valuation may require more research, and elements of judgment may play a larger role in the valuation because there is less reliable, objective data available. See Liquid Credit Instruments Risk. |
• | Listed private equity occupies a small portion of the public equity universe, including only a few professional investors who focus on and actively trade such vehicles. As a result, relatively little market research is performed on listed private equity companies, only limited public data may be available regarding these vehicles and their underlying investments, and market pricing may significantly deviate from published net asset value. This can result in market inefficiencies and may offer opportunities to specialists that can value the underlying private equity investments. See Listed Private Equity Risk. |
• | The Fund may invest in long (or short) positions in ETFs. Through its positions in ETFs, the Fund will be subject to the risks associated with such vehicles’ investments, including the possibility that the value of the securities or instruments held by an ETF could decrease (or increase), and will bear its proportionate share of the ETF’s fees and expenses. In addition, certain of the ETFs may hold common portfolio positions, thereby reducing any diversification benefits. See Exchange-Traded Fund Risk. |
• | Although government money market funds may seek to preserve the value of shareholders’ investment at $1.00 per share, the NAVs of such money market fund shares can fall, and in infrequent cases in the past have fallen, below $1.00 per share, potentially causing shareholders who redeem their shares at such NAVs to lose money from their original investment. See Money Market Funds Risk. |
• | Treasuries are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. government. Similar to other issuers, changes to the financial condition or credit rating of the U.S. government may cause the value of the Fund’s U.S. Treasury obligations to decline. See Short Term Treasuries Risk. |
Management
The Fund’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) has overall responsibility for the management and supervision of the business operations of the Fund. See “MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND—The Board of Trustees.” To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Board may delegate any of its rights, powers and authority to, among others, the officers of the Fund, any committee of the Board or the Adviser.
4
The Adviser and Investment Consultant
Pursuant to an investment management agreement (the “Investment Management Agreement”), Bow River Asset Management LLC, an investment adviser that is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”), serves as the Fund’s investment adviser (the “Adviser”). The Adviser was organized as a limited liability company under the Laws of the State of Colorado on January 7, 2003.
Pursuant to an investment consultant agreement (the “Investment Consultant Agreement”), Aksia TorreyCove Partners, LLC, an investment adviser that is registered under the Advisers Act, serves as the investment consultant to the Fund (the “Investment Consultant”).
Fund Administration
The Fund has retained UMB Fund Services, Inc. (the “Administrator”) to provide it with certain administrative services. The Fund compensates the Administrator for these services and reimburses the Administrator for certain of its out-of-pocket expenses. See “Fees and Expenses” below.
Fees and Expenses
The Fund’s expenses incurred and to be incurred in connection with the Fund’s organization are not expected to exceed $109,067. The Fund’s expenses incurred and to be incurred in connection with the initial offering of Shares will be amortized by the Fund over the 12-month period beginning on the Commencement of Operations and are not expected to exceed $143,484. The Fund will also bear directly certain ongoing offering costs associated with any periodic offers of Shares, which will be expensed as they are incurred. The payment of offering expenses and distribution by the Fund are indirectly borne by investors in common shares and payment of those offering expenses and distribution will immediately reduce the net asset value of each share of common stock purchased. Offering costs cannot be deducted by the Fund or Common Shareholders.
On an ongoing basis, the Fund bears its own operating expenses (including, without limitation, its offering expenses). A more detailed discussion of the Fund’s expenses can be found under “FUND EXPENSES.”
Investment Management Fee. The Fund pays the Adviser an investment management fee (the “Investment Management Fee”) in consideration of the advisory services provided by the Adviser to the Fund. The Fund pays the Adviser a monthly Investment Management Fee equal to 1.75% on an annualized basis of the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets during such period. “Managed Assets” means the total assets of the Fund (including any assets attributable to money borrowed for investment purposes) minus the sum of the Fund’s accrued liabilities (other than money borrowed for investment purposes). The Investment Management Fee is paid to the Adviser before giving effect to any repurchase of Shares in the Fund effective as of that date and will decrease the net profits or increase the net losses of the Fund that are credited to its Common Shareholders. See “MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND .”
Administration Fee. The Administrator provides the Fund certain administration and accounting services. In consideration for these services, the Administrator earns and is paid monthly in an amount equal to at least 1/12th of the applicable annual fee calculated based upon the average net asset value of the Fund, subject to a minimum annual fee (the “Administration Fee”). The Administration Fee is paid to the Administrator out of the assets of the Fund and therefore decreases the net profits or increases the net losses of the Fund. The Fund also reimburses the Administrator for certain out-of-pocket expenses and pays the Administrator a fee for transfer agency and custodian services. See “ADMINISTRATION.”
The Fund has applied for exemptive relief from the SEC that will allow the Fund, subject to certain conditions, to adopt a Distribution and Service Plan with respect to Class II Shares in compliance with Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act. Under the Distribution and Service Plan, the Fund will be permitted to pay as compensation up to 0.25% on an annualized basis of the aggregate net assets of the Fund attributable to Class II Shares (the “Distribution and Servicing Fee”) to the Fund’s Distributor or other qualified recipients under the Distribution and Service Plan. The Distribution and Servicing Fee will be paid out of the Fund’s assets and decreases the net profits or increases the net losses of the Fund. For purposes of determining the Distribution and Servicing Fee only, the value of the Fund’s assets will be calculated prior to any reduction for any fees and expenses, including, without limitation, the Distribution and Servicing Fee payable. Class I Shares is not subject to the Distribution and Servicing Fee. Class II Shares will not be offered for sale until the Fund has received the requested exemptive relief from the SEC. As of the date of this Prospectus, the Fund had not received exemptive relief, and Class II Shares have not been offered for sale. There is no assurance that the Fund will be granted the exemptive order. See “DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN”.
5
Distributions
Because the Fund intends to qualify annually as a regulated investment company (a “RIC”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the Fund intends to distribute at least 90% of its annual net taxable income to its Common Shareholders. Nevertheless, there can be no assurance that the Fund will pay distributions to Common Shareholders at any particular rate. Each year, a statement on Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) Form 1099-DIV identifying the amount and character of the Fund’s distributions will be mailed to Common Shareholders. See “Taxes” below.
Eligible Investors
Each prospective investor in the Fund will be required to certify that it is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The criteria for qualifying as an “accredited investor” are set forth in the subscription documents that must be completed by each prospective investor.
In addition, Shares are generally being offered only to investors that are either (i) U.S. persons for U.S. federal income tax purposes or (ii) non-U.S. persons that meet eligibility standards as defined by the Fund pursuant to applicable law in the relevant jurisdictions.
Investors who meet such qualifications are referred to in this Prospectus as “Eligible Investors.” The qualifications required to invest in the Fund will appear in subscription documents that must be completed by each prospective investor. Existing Common Shareholders who request to purchase additional Shares will be required to qualify as “Eligible Investors” and to complete an additional investor certification prior to any additional purchase.
Prospective investors that are non-U.S. persons for U.S. federal income tax purposes must request a copy of supplemental offering materials without charge by writing to the Fund, c/o UMB Fund Services, Inc. 235 West Galena Street, Milwaukee, WI 53212. See “CERTAIN TAX CONSIDERATIONS—Taxation of Non-U.S. Common Shareholders.”
To the extent the Fund identifies any Common Shareholder holding Shares that was not an Eligible Investor at the time of acquiring such Shares, the Fund reserves the right to (i) cause a mandatory repurchase of all or some of the Shares of such Common Shareholder, or any person acquiring Shares from or through such Common Shareholder, (ii) retain any unrealized gains or profits associated with Shares held by such Common Shareholder and/or (iii) take any other action the Board determines to be appropriate in light of the circumstances.
Purchasing Shares
The minimum initial investment in the Fund for Class I Shares is $1,000,000, and the minimum initial investment for Class II Shares is $50,000, except for additional purchases pursuant to the dividend reinvestment plan. However, the Fund, in its sole discretion, may accept investments below these minimums. Investors subscribing through a given broker/dealer or registered investment adviser may have shares aggregated to meet these minimums, so long as denominations are not less than $50,000 and incremental contributions are not less than $25,000. Class I Shares will be the only class offered for purchase until the Fund has received an exemptive order permitting the multi-class structure. There is no assurance that the Fund will be granted the exemptive order.
6
Shares will generally be offered on the first business day of each month at the net asset value per Share, as determined as of the close of regular trading (4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on the New York Stock Exchange on that day.
A prospective investor must submit a completed subscription document to UMB Fund Services, Inc., the Fund’s transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”) at least five business days prior to the last day of each calendar month, as set forth in the Fund’s subscription document and notified to prospective investors. Subscriptions are generally also subject to the receipt of cleared funds on or prior to the last day of each calendar month (the “Acceptance Date”). Any amounts received from prospective investors by the Transfer Agent in advance of the initial or subsequent purchases are placed in a non-interest bearing account with the Transfer Agent prior to their investment in the Fund. The Fund reserves the right to reject any purchase of Shares in certain limited circumstances (including, without limitation, when it has reason to believe that a purchase of shares would be unlawful). Unless otherwise required by law, any amount received in advance of purchase ultimately rejected by the Fund will be returned to the prospective investor. Additional information regarding the subscription process is set forth under “PURCHASING SHARES.”
Use of Proceeds
Under normal circumstances, the proceeds from the sale of Shares, net of the Fund’s fees and expenses, are invested by the Fund to pursue its investment objective as soon as practicable. It is anticipated that proceeds from the sale of Shares will be invested in appropriate investment opportunities within three months; however, changes in market conditions could result in the Fund’s anticipated investment period extending as long as six months.
Delays in investing the Fund’s assets may occur for a variety of reasons and a portion of the amount of proceeds of the offering of Shares or any other available funds may be invested in short-term debt securities or money market funds pending investment pursuant to the Fund’s investment objective and strategies. Furthermore, subject to applicable law, the Fund may maintain a portion of its assets in cash or such short-term securities or money market funds to meet operational needs, for temporary defensive purposes, or to maintain liquid assets. See “USE OF PROCEEDS.”
Dividend Reinvestment Plan
The Fund intends to adopt an “opt out” dividend reinvestment plan (the “DRIP”). Investors that wish to participate in the DRIP will not be required to take any action. A participating investor’s distribution amount will purchase Shares at the net asset value of the Fund. Investors that wish to receive their distributions in cash may do so by making a written election to not participate in the DRIP on the investor’s subscription agreement or by notifying the Administrator in writing at Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund, c/o UMB Fund Services, Inc. 235 West Galena Street, Milwaukee, WI 53212. Such written notice must be received by the Administrator 60 days prior to the record date of the distribution or the Common Shareholder will receive such distribution in shares through the DRIP.
Repurchases of Shares
The Fund is not a liquid investment. No Common Shareholder will have the right to require the Fund to repurchase its Shares.
The Fund has elected to implement a hybrid repurchase mechanism, where under normal circumstances, the Fund provides a limited degree of liquidity to Common Shareholders by conducting semi-annual repurchase offers pursuant to Rule 23c-3 of the Investment Company Act, as well as discretionary repurchase offers. While the Board may consider the recommendation of the Adviser, discretionary repurchase offers will be made at the sole discretion of the Fund’s board of trustees (the “Board”). As a result, discretionary repurchases may be offered at any amount, as determined by the Board, or not at all.
7
The Fund has adopted a fundamental policy to conduct semi-annual repurchase offers (each, a “Required Repurchase”). In each Required Repurchase offer, the Fund may offer to repurchase its Shares at their NAV as determined every six months, as applicable (each, a “Repurchase Pricing Date”). Each Required Repurchase offer will be for no less than 5% of the Fund’s Shares outstanding, but if the value of Shares tendered for repurchase exceeds the value the Fund intended to repurchase, the Fund may determine to repurchase less than the full number of Shares tendered. In such event, Common Shareholders will have their Shares repurchased on a pro rata basis, and tendering Common Shareholders will not have all of their tendered Shares repurchased by the Fund. Common Shareholders tendering Shares for repurchase will be asked to give written notice of their intent to do so by the date specified in the notice describing the terms of the applicable repurchase offer, which date will be approximately fourteen (14) days prior to the Repurchase Pricing Date.
The Adviser also anticipates recommending to the Board that, under normal market circumstances, the Fund conduct periodic repurchase offers of no more than 5% of the Fund’s net assets generally for each calendar quarter following a Required Repurchase (each, a “Discretionary Repurchase”). In determining whether the Fund should offer a Discretionary Repurchase, the Board may consider the recommendation of the Adviser as well as a variety of other operational, business and economic factors. While it is anticipated that each Discretionary Repurchase will be offered for each calendar quarter following a Required Repurchase (i.e. twice per year), any Discretionary Repurchase of Shares will be made at such times and on such terms as may be determined by the Board from time to time in its sole discretion. As a result, Discretionary Repurchases may be offered at any amount, as determined by the Board, or not at all. The Fund may also elect to repurchase less than the full amount that a Common Shareholder requests to be repurchased. In addition, the Board may under certain circumstances elect to postpone, suspend or terminate an offer to repurchase Shares. See “REPURCHASES OF SHARES.”
A Common Shareholder who tenders some but not all of its Shares for repurchase will be required to maintain a minimum account balance of $25,000 for Class II Shares and $100,000 for Class I Shares. Such minimum ownership requirement may be waived by the Board, in its sole discretion. The Fund reserves the right to reduce the amount to be repurchased from a Common Shareholder so that the required capital balance is maintained.
A 2.00% early repurchase fee will be charged by the Fund with respect to any repurchase of Shares from a Common Shareholder at any time prior to the day immediately preceding the one-year anniversary of the Common Shareholder’s purchase of the Shares. Shares tendered for repurchase will be treated as having been repurchased on a “first in-first out” basis. An early repurchase fee payable by a Common Shareholder may be waived by the Fund in circumstances where the Board determines that doing so is in the best interests of the Fund. See “REPURCHASES OF SHARES.”
Transfer Restrictions
A Common Shareholder may assign, transfer, sell, encumber, pledge or otherwise dispose of (each, a “transfer”) Shares only (i) by operation of law pursuant to the death, divorce, insolvency, bankruptcy, or adjudicated incompetence of the Common Shareholder; or (ii) under other limited circumstances, with the consent of the Board (which may be withheld in its sole discretion and is expected to be granted, if at all, only under extenuating circumstances). Notice to the Fund of any proposed transfer must include evidence satisfactory to the Board that the proposed transferee, at the time of the transfer, meets any requirements imposed by the Fund with respect to investor eligibility and suitability. See “ELIGIBLE INVESTORS.” Such notice of a proposed transfer of Shares must also be accompanied by properly completed subscription documents in respect of the proposed transferee. In connection with any request to transfer Shares, the Fund may require the Common Shareholder requesting the transfer to obtain, at the Common Shareholder’s expense, an opinion of counsel selected by the Fund as to such matters as the Fund may reasonably request.
8
Each transferring Common Shareholder and transferee may be charged reasonable expenses, including attorneys’ and accountants’ fees, incurred by the Fund in connection with the transfer. See “TRANSFERS OF SHARES.”
Taxes
The Fund intends to elect to be treated as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and it further intends to elect to be treated, and expects each year to qualify as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As such, the Fund generally will not be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax, provided that it distributes all of its net taxable income and gains each year. It is anticipated that the Fund will principally recognize capital gains and dividends and therefore dividends paid to Common Shareholders in respect of such income generally will be taxable to Common Shareholders at the reduced rates of U.S. federal income tax that are applicable to individuals for “qualified dividends” and long-term capital gains.
For a discussion of certain tax risks and considerations relating to an investment in the Fund see “Tax Reports” below and “CERTAIN TAX CONSIDERATIONS.”
Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisers with respect to the specific U.S. federal, state, local, U.S. and non-U.S. tax consequences, including applicable tax reporting requirements.
Tax Reports
The Fund will distribute to its Common Shareholders, after the end of each calendar year, IRS Forms 1099-DIV detailing the amounts includible in such investor’s taxable income for such year as ordinary income, qualified dividend income and long-term capital gains. Dividends and other taxable distributions are taxable to the Fund’s Common Shareholders even if they are reinvested in additional Shares pursuant to the DRIP.
Reports to Common Shareholders
Common Shareholders will receive an unaudited semi-annual and an audited annual report within 60 days after the close of the period for which the report is being made, or as otherwise required by the Investment Company Act. Common Shareholders also will be sent reports regarding the Fund’s operations each quarter. See “REPORTS TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS.”
Fiscal and Tax Year
The Fund’s first fiscal year will conclude on March 31, 2021. Thereafter, the Fund’s fiscal year will be the 12-month period ending on March 31. The Fund’s first taxable year will conclude on September 30, 2021. Thereafter, the Fund’s taxable year will be the 12-month period ending on September 30.
Term
The Fund’s term is perpetual unless the Fund is otherwise terminated under the terms of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust.
9
SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES
The following table illustrates the expenses and fees that the Fund expects to incur and that Common Shareholders can expect to bear directly or indirectly.
SHAREHOLDER FEES | Class I Shares | Class II Shares |
Maximum Early Repurchase Fee (as a percentage of repurchased amount) (1) | 2.00% | 2.00% |
ANNUAL EXPENSES (as a percentage of net assets attributable to common shares) | ||
Investment Management Fee (2) | 1.75% | 1.75% |
Distribution and/or Shareholder Servicing Fees(3) | 0.00% | 0.25% |
Interest Expense on Borrowed Funds(4)(5) | 0.05% | 0.05% |
Other Expenses (4) | 0.90% | 0.90 % |
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses (4)(6) | 0.35 % | 0.35% |
Total Annual Expenses | 3.05% | 3.30% |
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement(7) | (0.40)% | (0.40)% |
Total Annual Expenses Before Acquired Fund Fees (after Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement) | 2.65% | 2.90% |
(1) | A 2.00% early repurchase fee payable to the Fund will be charged with respect to the repurchase of a Common Shareholder’s Shares at any time prior to the day immediately preceding the one-year anniversary of a Common Shareholder’s purchase of the Shares (on a “first in-first out” basis). An early repurchase fee payable by a Common Shareholder may be waived by the Fund, in circumstances where the Board determines that doing so is in the best interests of the Fund and in a manner as will not discriminate unfairly against any Common Shareholder. See “REPURCHASES OF SHARES.” |
(2) | The Investment Management Fee is equal to 1.75% on an annualized basis of the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets during such period. “Managed Assets” means the total assets of the Fund (including any assets attributable to money borrowed for investment purposes) minus the sum of the Fund’s accrued liabilities (other than money borrowed for investment purposes). Additionally, in calculating Managed Assets, (i) any derivatives in which the Fund invests will be valued at market value and (ii) any leverage utilized by the Fund will result in an increase in such fee (as a percentage of net assets attributable to Shares). The Investment Management Fee is paid to the Adviser before giving effect to any repurchase of Shares in the Fund effective as of that date and will decrease the net profits or increase the net losses of the Fund that are credited to its Common Shareholders. See “MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND” for additional information. |
(3) | The Fund has applied for exemptive relief from the SEC permitting it to offer multiple classes of Shares and to adopt a distribution and service plan for Class II Shares. There can be no assurances the SEC will grant such relief to the Fund; however, if approved, the Fund may charge a distribution and/or shareholder servicing fee up to a maximum of 0.25% per year on Class II Shares on an annualized basis of the aggregate net assets of the Fund attributable to such class. The Fund may use these fees, in respect to Class II Shares, to compensate financial intermediaries or financial institutions for distribution-related expenses, if applicable, and providing ongoing services in respect of clients with whom they have distributed Class II Shares of the Fund. See “DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN.” |
(4) | Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, Other Expenses and Interest Expense on Borrowed Funds are estimated for the Fund’s current fiscal year. |
(5) | All fees and expenses incurred in borrowing money will be indirectly borne by the holders of the Fund’s common shares. |
(6) | Common Shareholders also indirectly bear a portion of the asset-based fees, performance or incentive fees or allocations and other expenses incurred by the Fund as an investor in the Portfolio Funds. Generally, asset-based fees payable in connection with Portfolio Fund investments will range from 0.50% to 2.00% (annualized) of the commitment amount of the Fund’s investment, and performance or incentive fees or allocations are typically range from 10-20% of a Portfolio Fund’s net profits annually, although it is possible that such amounts may be exceeded for certain Portfolio Fund Managers. The “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses” disclosed above, however, do not reflect any performance-based fees or allocations paid by the Portfolio Funds that are calculated solely on the realization and/or distribution of gains, or on the sum of such gains and unrealized appreciation of assets distributed in kind, as such fees and allocations for a particular period may be unrelated to the cost of investing in the Portfolio Funds. |
(7) | The Adviser has entered into an expense limitation and reimbursement agreement (the “Expense Limitation Agreement”) with the Fund, whereby the Adviser has agreed to waive fees that it would otherwise be paid, and/or to assume expenses of the Fund (a “Waiver”), if required to ensure the Fund’s aggregate monthly ordinary operating expenses, excluding certain “Specified Expenses” listed below, borne by the Fund in respect of each Class of Shares to an amount not to exceed 0.50 %, on an annualized basis, of the Fund’s month-end net assets (the “Expense Cap”). The Expense Limitation Agreement will commence upon the Commencement of Operations and will continue for at least one year from that date. |
10
If the Fund’s aggregate monthly ordinary operating expenses, exclusive of the Specified Expenses, in respect of any Class of Shares for any month exceed the Expense Cap applicable to that Class of Shares, the Adviser will waive its Management Fee and/or reimburse the Fund for expenses to the extent necessary to eliminate such excess. The Adviser may also directly pay expenses on behalf of the Fund and waive reimbursement under the Expense Limitation Agreement. To the extent that the Adviser waives its Management Fee and/or reimburses expenses, the Adviser may, for a period not to exceed three years from the date on which a Waiver is made, recoup amounts waived or assumed, provided it is able to effect such recoupment without causing the Fund’s expense ratio (after recoupment) to exceed the lesser of (a) the expense limit in effect at the time of the waiver, and (b) the expense limit in effect at the time of the recoupment.
Specified Expenses that are not covered by the Expense Limitation Agreement and are therefore borne by shareholders of the Fund include: (i) the Management Fee; (ii) all fees and expenses of Fund Investments (including any underlying fees of the Fund Investments (the “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses”)); (iii) transactional costs, including legal costs and brokerage commissions, associated with the acquisition and disposition of Fund Investments; (iv) interest payments incurred on borrowing by the Fund; (v) fees and expenses incurred in connection with a credit facility, if any, obtained by the Fund; (vi) distribution and shareholder servicing fees, as applicable; (vii) taxes; and (viii) extraordinary expenses resulting from events and transactions that are distinguished by their unusual nature and by the infrequency of their occurrence, including, without limitation, costs incurred in connection with any claim, litigation, arbitration, mediation, government investigation or similar proceeding, indemnification expenses, and expenses in connection with holding and/or soliciting proxies for all annual and other meetings of Common Shareholders.
The Expense Limitation Agreement will have a term ending one-year from the date the Fund commences operations, and will automatically renew thereafter for consecutive twelve-month terms, provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Trustees. The Expense Limitation Agreement may be terminated by the Fund’s Board of Trustees upon thirty days’ written notice to the Adviser.
The purpose of the table above is to assist prospective investors in understanding the various fees and expenses Common Shareholders will bear directly or indirectly. “Other Expenses,” as shown above, includes, among other things, professional fees and other expenses that the Fund will bear, including initial and ongoing offering costs and fees and expenses of the Administrator, Transfer Agent and Custodian. For a more complete description of the various fees and expenses of the Fund, see “MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND,” “ADMINISTRATION,” “CUSTODIAN,” “FUND EXPENSES,” “REPURCHASES OF SHARES” and “PURCHASING SHARES.”
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. The example assumes that all distributions are reinvested at net asset value and that the percentage amounts listed under annual expenses remain the same in the years shown. The assumption in the hypothetical example of a 5% annual return is required by regulation of the SEC applicable to all registered investment companies. The assumed 5% annual return is not a prediction of, and does not represent, the projected or actual performance of Shares.
EXAMPLE
Class I Shares
You Would Pay the Following Expenses Based on a $1,000 Investment in the Fund, Assuming a 5% Annual Return: | 1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | ||||||||
$ | 47 | $ | 82 | $ | 141 | $ | 298 |
Class II Shares
You Would Pay the Following Expenses Based on the Imposition of a 0.25% Distribution and/or Shareholder Servicing Fee and a $1,000 Investment in the Fund, Assuming a 5% Annual Return: | 1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | ||||||||
$ | 50 | $ | 90 | $ | 153 | $ | 322 |
The example is based on the annual fees and expenses set out on the table above and should not be considered a representation of future expenses. Actual expenses may be greater or less than those shown. Moreover, the rate of return of the Fund may be greater or less than the hypothetical 5% return used in the example. A greater rate of return than that used in the example would increase the dollar amount of the asset-based fees paid by the Fund.
11
USE OF PROCEEDS
Under normal circumstances, the proceeds from the sale of Shares, net of the Fund’s fees and expenses, are invested by the Fund to pursue its investment objective as soon as practicable. It is anticipated that proceeds from the sale of Shares will be invested in appropriate investment opportunities within three months; however, changes in market conditions could result in the Fund’s anticipated investment period extending as long as six months. See “PURCHASING SHARES—Purchase Terms.”
“Portfolio Funds” are closed-end private funds, while “Portfolio Companies” are companies, ventures and businesses.
Delays in investing the Fund’s assets may occur (i) because of the time typically required to complete private equity transactions (which may be considerable), (ii) because certain Portfolio Funds selected by the Adviser or Investment Consultant may provide infrequent opportunities to purchase their securities, and/or (iii) because of the time required for the Portfolio Fund Managers to invest the amounts committed by the Fund. The Adviser anticipates that substantially all of the proceeds from the offering will be invested in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective upon the Commencement of Operations.
A portion of the amount of proceeds of the offering of Shares or any other available funds may be invested in short-term debt securities or money market funds pending investment pursuant to the Fund’s investment objective and strategies. In addition, subject to applicable law, the Fund may maintain a portion of its assets in cash or such short-term securities or money market funds to meet operational needs, for temporary defensive purposes, or to maintain liquid assets. The Fund may be prevented from achieving its objective during any period in which the Fund’s assets are not substantially invested in accordance with its principal investment strategies. Furthermore, the Fund may finance its cash distributions to Common Shareholders from any sources of funds available to the Fund, including offering proceeds, borrowings, net investment income from operations, capital gains proceeds from the sale of assets (including Fund Investments), non-capital gains proceeds from the sale of assets (including Fund Investments), dividends or other distributions paid to the Fund on account of preferred and common equity investments by the Fund in Portfolio Companies and expense reimbursements from the Adviser.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND STRATEGIES
Investment Objective
The Fund’s investment objective is to generate long-term capital appreciation by investing in a broad portfolio of private equity investments that provide attractive risk-adjusted return potential.
The Fund may borrow as market conditions permit and at the discretion of the Adviser in order to seek enhancement of the Fund’s returns. See “INVESTMENT POLICIES—Borrowing by the Fund” for a discussion of the risks inherent in borrowing.
The investment objective of the Fund is not a fundamental policy of the Fund and may be changed by the Board without the vote of a majority (as defined by the Investment Company Act) of the Fund’s outstanding Shares. The Fund’s fundamental policies, which are listed in the SAI, may only be changed by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund.
Investment Strategies
Private assets refer to investments that are privately negotiated by professional asset managers into the equity or debt of a company. These investments can follow a variety of strategies including, without limitation, equity investments in which a mature company is acquired from current shareholders (“Buyouts”), equity investments in early stage or other high growth potential companies (“Venture/Growth Equity”), and investments in the debt of performing companies or companies in need of restructuring.
12
Equity investments in which a mature company is acquired from current shareholders are classified as buyouts. Buyout investments may focus on small-, mid- or large-capitalization companies, and such investments collectively represent a majority of the capital deployed in the overall private equity market. The use of debt financings, or leverage, is prevalent in buyout transactions — particularly in the large-cap segment.
Investments in new and emerging companies are usually classified as venture capital. Such investments are often in technology, healthcare, or other high growth industries. Companies financed by venture capital are generally not cash flow positive at the time of investment and may require several rounds of financing before the company can be sold privately or taken public. Venture capital investors may finance companies along the full path of development or focus on certain sub-stages (usually classified as seed, early, and late stage) and often do so in partnership with other investors. Growth equity investors target companies that require additional capital to expand their businesses but are typically more mature than the recipients of traditional venture capital. Such companies might be in a high growth phase but have largely mitigated the basic technology risk in their business plan. Many venture capitalists will consider a later stage investment in previously venture-backed companies to be a growth investment.
The Fund may gain access to private assets through a number of different approaches including (i) direct investments (i.e. positions in the equity or debt of operating companies) (“Direct Equity Investments” or “Direct Credit Investments,” respectively, and together, “Direct Investments”); (ii) secondary purchases (i.e. purchases of existing interests that are acquired on the secondary market) of closed-end private funds (“Portfolio Funds”) managed by third-party managers (“Portfolio Fund Managers”); (iii) primary fund commitments (i.e. commitments to new private equity, private credit, or other private funds) (“Primary Fund Commitments”); (iv) direct or secondary purchases of liquid credit instruments; (v) other liquid investments (i.e. strategies with a higher liquidity profile than direct investments or investments in funds, including listed private equity and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”)); and (vi) short-term investments, including money market funds and short term treasuries (together, “Short-term Investments”). The Fund may gain such exposure through a direct investment in the targeted investment entity or indirectly through pooled vehicles or special purpose vehicles managed by the Adviser, any of its affiliates or third parties, although investments in Adviser-managed investment vehicles will be greatly limited or prohibited due to Investment Company Act requirements.
Direct Investments are positions in the equity or debt of operating companies. In a Direct Equity Investment, the Fund invests in a privately negotiated stake in the equity of an operating company. Depending upon the stage of the operating company, these could follow the Buyout or Venture/Growth Equity strategy. Direct Equity Investments may also encompass, without limitation, privately negotiated transactions with a listed operating company or acquisition company, or investments structured as debt but with significant equity-like characteristics.
In a Direct Credit Investment, the Fund invests in debt (including, without limitation, senior, subordinated, second lien, mezzanine or bonds) of an operating company or asset pool.
Private asset funds are commingled, professionally-managed investment vehicles that generally acquire diversified portfolios of private assets within a defined strategy. Investors have traditionally gained access to private investments through commitments to closed-ended, blind pool funds with a typical defined life of ten to twelve years. Investors in a private asset fund must maintain reserves of cash to finance such private asset fund’s capital calls for acquisitions, expenses and other obligations during the first three to five years of the private asset fund’s life; cash is returned by a private asset fund to its investors over the life of such private asset fund as investments are liquidated.
While the Fund may make primary fund investments in new private asset funds during their fundraising phase, the presence of uncalled commitments (i.e. commitments to a private fund that have not yet been called by the private fund manager) may require significant cash holdings or lines of credit that may impact the return or risk of the Fund.
In secondary investments, the Fund purchases stakes in seasoned private asset funds or other private assets. Such mature investments may return cash more quickly than primary fund investments and also avoid substantial uncalled commitments. Both characteristics can be attractive given the structure of the Fund.
Primary Fund Commitments are commitments to new private equity, private credit, or other private funds.
Listed private equity investments gain access to underlying private assets through investments in listed entities that invest in private transactions or private funds or that earn fees and/or carried interest from such assets. Historically, the prices of listed private equity investments have been sensitive to economic conditions and, at certain times, could be purchased at discounts relative to similar assets in private transactions.
13
The Fund may also invest in ETFs, which are a type of investment company bought and sold on a securities exchange. An ETF typically represents a fixed portfolio of securities designed to track a particular market index. The risks of owning an ETF generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying securities that they are designed to track, although lack of liquidity in an ETF could result in its being more volatile. Some ETFs are actively-managed by an investment adviser and/or sub-advisers. Actively-managed ETFs are subject to the risk of poor investment selection. The Fund may incur brokerage fees in connection with its purchase of ETF shares. The purchase of shares of ETFs may result in duplication of expenses, including advisory fees, in addition to the Fund’s own expenses.
The Fund’s investment objective is to generate long-term capital appreciation by investing in a broad portfolio of private equity investments that provide attractive risk-adjusted return potential.
The Fund will seek to achieve its objective by investing the majority of its assets in Direct Equity and Credit Investments, secondary Investments and Primary Fund Commitments. The Fund will seek to provide exposure to a broad set of managers, strategies and transaction types across multiple sectors, geographies and vintage years.
The Adviser will not cause the Fund to engage in direct investments alongside affiliates unless the Fund has received an order granting an exemption from Section 17 of the Investment Company Act or unless such investments are not prohibited by Section 17(d) of the Investment Company Act or interpretations of Section 17(d) as expressed in SEC no-action letters or other available guidance. The Fund intends to apply for such exemptive relief, however there is no assurance that it will be granted by the SEC.
The Fund may, directly or indirectly, make investments outside of the United States, including in emerging markets. The Fund’s non-U.S. investments are expected to reside primarily in Europe and Asia and, to a lesser extent in Latin America and the Middle East. Emerging market countries are those countries included in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. It is expected that no more than 20% of the Fund’s portfolio will be comprised of non-U.S. investments.
The Fund’s investment and strategies will involve exposure to foreign currencies. The Fund may seek to hedge all or a portion of the Fund’s foreign currency risk. Depending on market conditions and the views of the Adviser, the Fund may or may not hedge all or a portion of its currency exposures.
No guarantee or representation is made that the investment program of the Fund will be successful, that the various Fund Investments selected will produce positive returns, or that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
INVESTMENT PROCESS
Bow River Capital and Aksia TorreyCove each follow a structured process to source, evaluate, select and monitor investments for the Fund. The due diligence process is multi-tiered and places significant emphasis on those elements of risk and financial analysis that distinguish private equity from more conventional asset classes. The same thorough and time-tested process is applied to each opportunity regardless of prior investments with Bow River Capital and Aksia TorreyCove. The due diligence approach is designed to ensure that every important area of analysis is reviewed and also provides the flexibility to discover new and/or unique areas of potential concern and opportunity.
In addition to quantitative data, the investment committee also focuses on qualitative factors. Assessing a fund sponsor’s (i.e. the entity responsible for managing the fund) investment team, due diligence skills, access to deal flow and ability to implement its investment strategy is as important to reaching an investment decision as the sponsor’s past performance. The investment process involves key inputs provided by both Bow River Capital and Aksia TorreyCove. Bow River Capital determines key target investment characteristics, focus areas of diligence, and drives long-term portfolio construction. Aksia TorreyCove helps to source investments that meet portfolio targets, leverages their extensive research team to deliver detailed investment analysis, and provides key inputs to investment committee meetings. Bow River Capital utilizes this information in combination with the team’s control buyout expertise to make the final investment decision. While Aksia TorreyCove will assist the Adviser in the diligence process, all investment decisions for the Fund are made exclusively by the Adviser.
There can be no assurance that pursuing the Fund’s process will be successful or not result in losses. This is a general description of the Bow River Capital investment process and may be altered or abbreviated at the discretion of Bow River Capital. The level of review given any investment may vary depending on such factors as the size, amount and complexity of a particular deal.
14
INVESTMENT POLICIES
Portfolio and Liquidity Management
The Adviser intends to use a range of techniques to reduce the risk associated with the Fund’s investment strategy. These techniques may include, without limitation:
• | Investing broadly across funds, managers, strategies and transaction types across multiple sectors, geographies and vintage years. |
• | Actively managing cash and liquid assets. |
The Adviser intends to manage the Fund’s portfolio with a view towards managing its liquid assets, while maintaining a high investment level. Accordingly, the Adviser may make investments based, in part, on anticipated future distributions from Fund Investments. The Adviser also takes other anticipated cash flows into account, such as those relating to new subscriptions, the tender of Shares by Common Shareholders and any distributions made to Common Shareholders. To forecast portfolio cash flows, the Adviser utilizes quantitative and qualitative factors, including quarterly financial statements, actual portfolio observations and qualitative forecasts by the Adviser’s and its affiliates’ investment professionals.
The Fund is expected to hold liquid assets to the extent required for purposes of liquidity management and compliance with the Investment Company Act. Over time, during normal market conditions, it is generally not expected that the Fund will hold more than 20% of its net assets in cash or cash equivalents for extended periods of time. To enhance the Fund’s ability to manage its liquid assets, particularly in times of possible net outflows through the tender of Shares by Common Shareholders, the Adviser may sell certain of the Fund’s assets on the Fund’s behalf.
There can be no assurance that the objectives of the Fund with respect to liquidity management will be achieved or that the Fund’s portfolio design and risk management strategies will be successful. Prospective investors should refer to the discussion of the risks associated with the investment strategy and structure of the Fund found under “GENERAL RISKS,” INVESTMENT RELATED RISKS,” and “LIMITS OF RISKS DISCLOSURE.”
Borrowing by the Fund
The Fund may borrow money to pay operating expenses, including, without limitation, investment management fees, or to purchase portfolio securities, to fund repurchase of Shares or to otherwise provide the Fund with liquidity. Such borrowing may be accomplished through credit facilities or derivative instruments. The use of borrowings for investment purposes involves a high degree of risk. Under the Investment Company Act, the Fund is not permitted to borrow for any purposes if, immediately after such borrowing, the Fund would have asset coverage (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of less than 300% with respect to indebtedness or less than 200% with respect to preferred stock. The Investment Company Act also provides that the Fund may not declare distributions or purchase its Shares (including through repurchase offers) if, immediately after doing so, it will have an asset coverage of less than 300% or 200%, as applicable. The foregoing requirements do not apply to Portfolio Funds in which the Fund invests unless such Portfolio Funds are registered under the Investment Company Act. The Board may not modify the Fund's fundamental policy on borrowings, however they may modify the borrowing policies of the Fund, including the purposes for which borrowings may be made, and the length of time that the Fund may hold portfolio securities purchased with borrowed money. The rights of any lenders to the Fund to receive payments of interest or repayments of principal will be senior to those of the Common Shareholders and the terms of any borrowings may contain provisions that limit certain activities of the Fund.
Hedging Techniques
From time to time in its sole discretion, the Adviser may employ various hedging techniques in an attempt to reduce certain potential risks to which the Fund’s portfolio may be exposed. These hedging techniques may involve the use of derivative instruments, including swaps and other arrangements such as exchange-listed and over-the-counter put and call options, rate caps, floors and collars, and futures and forward contracts. The Fund may also purchase and write (sell) options contracts on swaps, commonly referred to as swaptions.
15
To the extent that the Fund’s potential exposure in a transaction involving options, rate caps, floors or collars, or futures or forward contracts is covered by the segregation of cash or liquid assets or otherwise, the Fund believes that such instruments do not constitute senior securities under the Investment Company Act and, accordingly, will not treat them as being subject to the borrowing restrictions of the Fund.
There are certain risks associated with the use of such hedging techniques. See “RISKS.”
Temporary and Defensive Strategies
The Fund may, from time to time in its sole discretion, take temporary or defensive positions in cash, cash equivalents, other short-term securities or money market funds to attempt to reduce volatility caused by adverse market, economic, or other conditions. Any such temporary or defensive positions could prevent the Fund from achieving its investment objective. In addition, subject to applicable law, the Fund may, in the Adviser’s sole discretion, hold cash, cash equivalents, other short-term securities or investments in money market funds pending investment, in order to fund anticipated repurchases, expenses of the Fund or other operational needs, or otherwise in the sole discretion of the Adviser. See “USE OF PROCEEDS.”
Risks
There can be no assurance that the investment objective of the Fund will be achieved or that the Fund’s portfolio design and risk monitoring strategies will be successful. The following are certain risk factors that relate to the operations and terms of the Fund. These considerations should be carefully evaluated before determining whether to invest in the Fund.
The Shares are speculative and illiquid securities involving substantial risk of loss, including a complete loss of investment. An investment in the Fund is appropriate only for those investors who do not require a liquid investment, for whom an investment in the Fund does not constitute a complete investment program, and who fully understand and can assume the risks of an investment in the Fund.
Principal Risks Related to the Fund’s Principal Investments
Private Equity Risk. There are inherent risks in investing in private equity companies, which are vehicles whose principal business is to invest in and lend capital to privately-held companies. Generally, little public information exists for private and thinly traded companies, and there is a risk that private equity investors, like the Fund, may not be able to make a fully informed investment decision.
Private Credit Risk. Typically, private credit investments are in restricted securities that are not traded in public markets and subject to substantial holding periods, so that the Fund may not be able to resell some of its holdings for extended periods, which may be several years. The Fund’s investments are also subject to the risks associated with investing in private securities. Investments in private securities are illiquid, can be subject to various restrictions on resale, and there can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to realize the value of such investments in a timely manner. Additionally, private credit investments can range in credit quality depending on security-specific factors, including total leverage, amount of leverage senior to the security in question, variability in the issuer’s cash flows, the size of the issuer, the quality of assets securing debt and the degree to which such assets cover the subject company’s debt obligations.
Semi-Liquid Investment Risk. Semi-liquid investments do not offer investors full liquidity (i.e. such investments typically only offer monthly or quarterly liquidity).
Direct Investments Risk. The Fund may make direct investments on an opportunistic basis. There can be no assurance that the Fund will be given direct investment opportunities, or that any direct investment offered to the Fund would be appropriate or attractive to the Fund. Direct investments generally are more concentrated than investments in portfolio companies, which generally hold multiple portfolio companies. Due diligence will be conducted on direct investment opportunities; however, the Adviser or Investment Consultant may not have the ability to conduct the same level of due diligence applied to portfolio company investments. In addition, there may be limited opportunities to negotiate the terms of such direct investments. However, in instances where the terms of a direct investment are negotiable, such terms may be heavily negotiated and may incur additional transactional costs for the Fund. As is typical in such matters, the Adviser or Investment Consultant, as applicable, generally will rely on the portfolio company manager or sponsor offering such direct investment opportunity to perform most of the due diligence on the relevant portfolio company and to negotiate terms of the direct investment.
16
Secondary Investments Risk. The overall performance of the Fund’s secondary investments will depend in large part on the acquisition price paid, which may be negotiated based on incomplete or imperfect information. Certain secondary investments may be purchased as a portfolio, and in such cases the Fund may not be able to exclude from such purchases those investments that the Adviser considers (for commercial, tax, legal or other reasons) less attractive. Where the Fund acquires a portfolio company interest as a secondary investment, the Fund will generally not have the ability to modify or amend such portfolio company’s constituent documents (e.g., limited partnership agreements) or otherwise negotiate the economic terms of the interests being acquired. In addition, the costs and resources required to investigate the commercial, tax and legal issues relating to secondary investments may be greater than those relating to primary investments.
Primary Fund Commitments Risk. The commitment to invest in newly-created private equity funds, private credit funds, or other private funds, exposes the Fund to the risk of investing in funds with limited operating histories and the information the Fund will obtain about such investments may be limited. As such, the ability to evaluate past performance or to validate the investment strategies will be limited.
Liquid Credit Instruments Risk. Investments in liquid credit instruments are subject to the risks associated with investments in high-yield credit. High-yield/high risk bonds, or “junk” bonds, are bonds rated below investment-grade by the primary rating agencies, such as Standard & Poor’s, Fitch and Moody’s, or are unrated bonds of similar quality. The value of lower quality bonds generally is more dependent on credit risk than investment-grade bonds. Issuers of high-yield/high risk bonds may not be as strong financially as those issuing bonds with higher credit ratings and are more vulnerable to real or perceived economic changes, political changes or adverse developments specific to the issuer. In addition, the junk bond market can experience sudden and sharp price swings. Further, secondary markets for high-yield securities are less liquid than the market for investment-grade securities. Therefore, it may be more difficult to value the securities because valuation may require more research, and elements of judgment may play a larger role in the valuation because there is less reliable, objective data available.
Listed Private Equity Risk. Listed private equity companies are typically regulated vehicles listed on a public stock exchange that invest in private equity transactions or funds. Such vehicles may take the form of corporations, business development companies, unit trusts, publicly traded partnerships, or other structures, and may focus on mezzanine, infrastructure, buyout or venture capital investments. Listed private equity may also include investments in publicly listed companies in connection with a privately negotiated financing or an attempt to exercise significant influence on the subject of the investment. Listed private equity investments usually have an indefinite duration.
Listed private equity occupies a small portion of the public equity universe, including only a few professional investors who focus on and actively trade such vehicles. As a result, relatively little market research is performed on listed private equity companies, only limited public data may be available regarding these vehicles and their underlying investments, and market pricing may significantly deviate from published net asset value. This can result in market inefficiencies and may offer opportunities to specialists that can value the underlying private equity investments.
Listed private equity vehicles are typically liquid and capable of being traded daily, in contrast to direct investments and private equity funds, in which capital is subject to lengthy holding periods. Accordingly, listed private equity transactions are significantly easier to execute than other types of private equity investments, giving investors an opportunity to adjust the investment level of their portfolios more efficiently.
Exchange-Traded Funds Risk. The Fund may invest in long (or short) positions in ETFs. Through its positions in ETFs, the Fund will be subject to the risks associated with such vehicles’ investments, including the possibility that the value of the securities or instruments held by an ETF could decrease (or increase), and will bear its proportionate share of the ETF’s fees and expenses. In addition, certain of the ETFs may hold common portfolio positions, thereby reducing any diversification benefits.
Money Market Funds Risk. An investment in a money market fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Company or any other government agency. Certain money market funds seek to preserve the value of their shares at $1.00 per share, although there can be no assurance that they will do so, and it is possible to lose money by investing in such a money market fund. A major or unexpected increase in interest rates or a decline in the credit quality of an issuer or entity providing credit support, an inactive trading market for money market instruments, or adverse market, economic, industry, political, regulatory, geopolitical, and other conditions could cause the share price of such a money market fund to fall below $1.00. It is possible that such a money market fund will issue and redeem shares at $1.00 per share at times when the fair value of the money market fund's portfolio per share is more or less than $1.00. Other money market funds price and transact at a “floating” NAV that will fluctuate along with changes in the market-based value of fund assets. Shares sold utilizing a floating NAV may be worth more or less than their original purchase price.
17
Short Term Treasuries Risk. Treasuries are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. government. Similar to other issuers, changes to the financial condition or credit rating of the U.S. government may cause the value of the Fund’s U.S. Treasury obligations to decline. The value of Treasuries generally moves inversely with movements in interest rates. The prices of longer maturity securities are generally subject to greater market fluctuations as a result of changes in interest rates. If the Fund is required to sell its Treasuries at a price lower than the price at which they were acquired, the Fund will experience a loss.
Principal Risks Related to the Fund’s Structure
No Operating History. The Fund was formed on April 21, 2020. The Fund is subject to all of the business risks and uncertainties associated with any new business, including the risk that the Fund will not achieve its investment objectives and that the value of Shares could decline.
Adviser. The Fund is dependent upon the services and resources provided by the Adviser. The Adviser has not previously served as an investment adviser to a registered investment company and its effectiveness may be limited as a result. Furthermore, the Adviser will be addressing certain operational and compliance requirements of the Investment Company Act for the first time in connection with the commencement of operations of the Fund.
Closed-End Fund; Liquidity Limited to Periodic Repurchases of Shares. The Fund has been organized as a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company and designed primarily for long-term investors. An investor should not invest in the Fund if the investor needs a liquid investment. Closed-end funds differ from open-end management investment companies (commonly known as mutual funds) in that investors in a closed-end fund do not have the right to redeem their shares on a daily basis. Unlike most closed-end funds, which typically list their shares on a securities exchange, the Fund does not intend to list the Shares for trading on any securities exchange, and the Fund does not expect any secondary market to develop for the Shares. Although the Fund will offer a limited degree of liquidity by conducting semi-annual repurchase offers and periodic repurchase offers made at the sole discretion of the Board, a Common Shareholder may not be able to tender its Shares in the Fund promptly after it has made a decision to do so. There is no assurance that you will be able to tender your Shares when or in the amount that you desire. Furthermore, discretionary repurchases are made at the discretion of the Board and therefore, may not occur. In addition, with very limited exceptions, Shares are not transferable, and liquidity will be provided only through repurchase offers made semi-annually by the Fund, as well as periodically at the sole discretion of the Board. Shares are considerably less liquid than Shares of funds that trade on a stock exchange or Shares of open-end registered investment companies and are therefore, suitable only for investors who can bear the risks associated with illiquid shares and should be viewed as a long-term investment.
There will be a substantial period of time between the date as of which Common Shareholders must submit a request to have their Shares repurchased and the date they can expect to receive payment for their Shares from the Fund. Common Shareholders whose Shares are accepted for repurchase bear the risk that the Fund’s net asset value may fluctuate significantly between the time that they submit their repurchase requests and the date as of which such Shares are valued for purposes of such repurchase. Common Shareholders will have to decide whether to request that the Fund repurchase their Shares without the benefit of having current information regarding the value of Shares on a date proximate to the date on which Shares are valued by the Fund for purposes of effecting such repurchases.
Repurchases of Shares, if any, may be suspended, postponed or terminated by the Board under certain circumstances. See “REPURCHASES OF SHARES.” An investment in the Fund is suitable only for investors who can bear the risks associated with illiquid Shares and the underlying investments of the Fund. Also, because Shares are not listed on any securities exchange, the Fund is not required, and does not intend, to hold annual meetings of its Common Shareholders unless called for under the provisions of the Investment Company Act.
18
Repurchases: The Fund does not expect to distribute securities as payment for repurchased Shares except in unusual circumstances. The Fund has the right to distribute securities as payment for repurchased Shares in unusual circumstances, including if making a cash payment would result in a material adverse effect on the Fund or on Common Shareholders not requesting that their Shares be repurchased. For example, it is possible that the Fund may receive securities from a Fund Investment that are illiquid or difficult to value. In such circumstances, the Adviser would seek to dispose of these securities in a manner that is in the best interests of the Fund, which may include a distribution in-kind to the Fund’s Common Shareholders. In the event that the Fund makes such a distribution of securities, Common Shareholders will bear any risks of the distributed securities and may be required to pay a brokerage commission or other costs in order to dispose of such securities. See “REPURCHASES OF SHARES.”
Non-Diversified Status. The Fund is a “non-diversified” management investment company. Thus, there are no percentage limitations imposed by the Investment Company Act on the Fund’s assets that may be invested, directly or indirectly, in the securities of any one issuer. Consequently, if one or more Fund Investments are allocated a relatively large percentage of the Fund’s assets, losses suffered by such Fund Investments could result in a higher reduction in the Fund’s capital than if such capital had been more proportionately allocated among a larger number of investments. The Fund may also be more susceptible to any single economic or regulatory occurrence than a diversified investment company. However, the Fund will be subject to diversification requirements applicable to RICs under the Code. See “CERTAIN TAX CONSIDERATIONS.”
Dilution from Subsequent Offerings of Shares. The Fund may accept additional subscriptions for Shares as determined by the Board, in its sole discretion. Additional purchases will dilute the indirect interests of existing Common Shareholders in the Fund Investments prior to such purchases, which could have an adverse impact on the existing Common Shareholders’ interests in the Fund if subsequent Fund Investments underperform the prior investments. Further, in certain cases Portfolio Fund Managers may structure performance-based compensation, with such compensation being paid only if gains exceed prior losses. The value attributable to the fact that no performance-based compensation is being paid to a Portfolio Fund Manager until its gains exceed prior losses is not taken into account when determining the NAV of the Fund. New purchases of Shares will dilute the benefit of such compensation structures to existing Common Shareholders.
Substantial Repurchases. Substantial requests for the Fund to repurchase Shares could require the Fund to liquidate certain of its investments more rapidly than otherwise desirable in order to raise cash to fund the repurchases and achieve a market position appropriately reflecting a smaller asset base. This could have a material adverse effect on the value of the Shares. See “Risk Related to the Fund’s Structure —Closed-End Fund; Liquidity Limited to Periodic Repurchases of Shares.”
Principal Risks Related to the Fund’s Investment Program
General Investment Risks. The types of investments that the Fund anticipates making involve a high degree of risk. There can be no assurance that the Fund will be adequately compensated for risks taken.
Investment Selections. The Fund’s returns on its Fund Investments will depend on the Adviser’s ability to implement and manage the Fund’s investment program and related investments. In making its decisions, the Adviser may rely on information and data provided and prepared by third parties. Although the Adviser intends to evaluate the accuracy and importance of such information and data, it will not always be in a position to confirm the completeness, genuineness, or accuracy of such information and data. The Adviser will use valuation procedures that it believes are fair and accurate (“Valuation Procedures”). However, these procedures are subjective in nature, may not conform to any particular industry standards (if any such industry standards exist) and may not reflect actual values at which the investments are ultimately realized. See “CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE; VALUATION.”
Competition for Investment Opportunities. The business of identifying private equity opportunities is highly competitive and involves a high degree of uncertainty. There may be intense competition for investments of the type in which the Fund intends to invest, and such competition may result in less favorable investment terms than would otherwise be the case. Additional funds with similar investment objectives may be formed in the future by other unrelated parties. It is possible that competition for appropriate investment opportunities may increase, which may also require the Fund to participate in competitive bidding situations, the outcome of which cannot be guaranteed, thus reducing the number of investment opportunities available to the Fund and adversely affecting the terms upon which investments can be made. Participation in competitive bidding situations will also increase the pressure on the Fund with respect to pricing of a transaction. Moreover, the Fund may incur bid, due diligence or other costs on investments which may not be successful. As a result, the Fund may not recover all of its costs, which would adversely affect returns.
19
Financial Model Risk. The Adviser may employ financial and analytical models to aid in the selection of its investments. If any such models are employed, the success of the Fund’s investment activities will depend, in large part, upon the viability of these models. There can be no assurance that the models are currently viable, or will remain viable during the term of the Fund, due to various factors, including the quality of the data input into the models and the assumptions underlying such models, which to varying degrees involve the exercise of judgment. Even if the models function as anticipated, they cannot account for all factors that may influence the returns on the Fund’s investments. Also, there can be no assurance that the investment professionals utilizing the models will be able to determine that any model is or will become not viable, or not completely viable, or notice, predict or adequately react to any change in the viability of a model. The use of a model that is not viable or not materially viable could, at any time, have a material adverse effect on the performance of the Fund.
No Purchase Agreement and Limited Representations and Warranties/Release of Sellers. Private equity investments will generally be acquired from unaffiliated parties. As a result, the terms of the purchase agreements are unknown at this time. In addition, the right to sue the sellers with respect to a breach of a representation or warranty may expire within a relatively short period of time after the close of escrow on the purchase of the Fund Investments. In certain cases, the Adviser may also agree to release the sellers from certain claims, costs and liabilities in the purchase agreements between the Fund and the sellers. As a result, if defects in a Fund Investment or other matters adversely affecting an investment are discovered, the Fund may not be able to pursue a claim for damages against the seller.
Financial Projections. Financial information concerning Fund Investments and the terms on which they are made may only be available through certain sources. There may be no consistent means, however, of confirming the accuracy of such information. The inaccuracy of certain assumptions and general economic conditions, which are unpredictable, can have a materially adverse impact on the reliability of any financial projections. There can be no assurance that any financial projections can be accurately projected, and actual results may vary significantly from any such financial projections.
Minority Investments; Direct Investments with Third Parties. The Fund may invest in minority positions of various companies, ventures and businesses (each, a “Portfolio Company and collectively, “Portfolio Companies”) alongside other investment funds. In such cases, the Fund will significantly rely on the existing management and co-investors, which may include representation of other financial investors with whom the Fund is not affiliated and whose interests may conflict with the interests of the Fund. Please see “General Risks of Direct Investments” for further detail.
Follow-On Investments. Following the Fund’s initial and any follow-on investments in a Portfolio Company, the Fund may have opportunities to make additional subsequent investments in that Portfolio Company. The Fund may lack sufficient funds, or otherwise decide not, to make those investments. The failure to make subsequent investments could jeopardize the Portfolio Company’s viability and the Fund’s prior investments or may result in a missed opportunity for the Fund to increase its participation in a successful operation.
Limitations on Ability to Exit Investments. At any particular time, Fund Investments may not have a readily available secondary market to exit positions, or timing with respect to these exit opportunities may be inopportune. As such, the ability to exit from and liquidate portfolio holdings may be constrained. The Fund may also make investments that may not be advantageously disposed of prior to the date that the Fund will be wound-up and dissolved, either by expiration of the Fund’s term or otherwise. The Fund may have to sell, distribute or otherwise dispose of investments at a disadvantageous time as a result of dissolution.
Limited Portfolio Diversification. Although the Adviser intends to invest the Fund’s portfolio broadly, to the reasonable extent possible within the confines of the Fund’s investment strategy, the inability to achieve this objective could adversely affect the performance of the Fund. Furthermore, to the extent that the capital raised is less than the targeted amount, the Fund may make fewer Fund Investments and thus be less broadly invested.
Contingent Liabilities on Disposition of Investments. In connection with the disposition of a Fund Investment, it may be required to make representations about the investment. The Fund may be required to indemnify the purchasers of such investment to the extent that any such representations are inaccurate. These arrangements may result in the incurrence of contingent liabilities for which the Adviser may establish reserves and escrows. In that regard, distributions may be delayed or withheld until such reserve is no longer needed or the escrow period expires.
20
General Economic and Market Conditions. The success of the Fund’s activities may be materially affected by general economic and market conditions, including interest rates, inflation rates, economic uncertainty, availability of credit, financial market volatility, changes in laws and national and international political circumstances. The stability and sustainability of growth in global economies may be impacted by terrorism or acts of war. The availability, unavailability or hindered operation of external credit markets, equity markets and other economic systems which the Fund may depend upon to achieve its objectives may have a significant negative impact on the Fund’s operations and profitability. There can be no assurance that such markets and economic systems will be available or will be available as anticipated or needed for the Fund to operate successfully. These factors may adversely impact the performance and growth prospects for Fund Investments.
Transactions with Affiliates. Affiliates of the Adviser and Investment Consultant engage in financial advisory activities that are independent from, and may from time to time conflict with, those of the Fund or Fund Investments. In the future, there might arise instances where the interests of such affiliates conflict with the interests of the Fund or Fund Investments. Affiliates of the Adviser or Investment Consultant may provide services to, invest in, advise, sponsor and/or act as investment manager to investment vehicles and other persons or entities (including prospective investors in the Fund Investments) which (i) may have structures, investment objectives and/or policies that are similar to (or different than) those of the Fund, (ii) may compete with the Fund for investment opportunities, and (iii) may co-invest with the Fund in certain transactions that are in compliance with section 17 of the Investment Company Act. The Fund intends to apply for exemptive relief from the SEC that would permit the Fund to participate in certain negotiated direct investments alongside other funds managed by the Adviser or certain of its affiliates outside the parameters of Section 17 of the Investment Company Act , subject to certain conditions including (i) that a majority of the Trustees of the Board who have no financial interest in the negotiated direct investment transaction and a majority of the Trustees of the Board who are not “interested persons,” as defined in the Investment Company Act, approve the negotiated direct investment and (ii) that the price, terms and conditions of the negotiated direct investment will be identical for each fund participating pursuant to the exemptive relief. There is no assurance that the exemptive relief will be granted by the SEC. In addition, affiliates of the Adviser and their respective clients may themselves invest in securities that would be appropriate for the Fund’s investments and may compete with the Fund Investments for investment opportunities.
Risks Related to Fund Investments - Generally
Investment Limits. A Portfolio Fund’s investment portfolio may consist of a limited number of companies and may be concentrated in a particular industry area or group. Accordingly, the Portfolio Fund’s investment portfolio may at times be significantly concentrated, both as to managers, industries and individual companies. Such concentration by a Portfolio Fund could offer a greater potential for capital appreciation as well as increased risk of loss for the Portfolio Fund and therefore, the Fund. Such concentration may also be expected to increase the volatility of the Fund’s investment portfolio. The Fund will consider the investments of any affiliated and unaffiliated underlying investment companies when determining whether the Fund is in compliance with its concentration policies. Further, the Fund is subject to the asset diversification requirements applicable to RICs. See “CERTAIN TAX CONSIDERATIONS” and “Statement of Additional Information - FUNDAMENTAL POLICES”.
Reliance on the Adviser Risk. The Fund’s performance depends upon the performance of Portfolio Fund Managers managing any direct investments, fund interests, or debt investments. The Fund’s performance also depends on the adherence by such Portfolio Fund Managers to such selected strategies, the instruments used by such Portfolio Fund Managers, the Adviser’s ability to select Portfolio Fund Managers and strategies and effectively allocate the Fund’s assets among them.
Reliance on the Investment Consultant Risk. The Adviser, and therefore the Fund, relies on the Investment Consultant to source, evaluate and recommend potential investments for the consideration of the Adviser. To the extent that the Investment Consultant is unable to identify suitable investments or recommends investments that are not as successful as expected, the Adviser’s ability to effectively allocate the Fund’s assets could be impacted.
Additional Fee Layers. Portfolio Funds may charge asset-based fees, carried interest, incentive allocations or other fees and expenses at the asset level. As such, investors may bear two layers of fees and expenses.
Leverage Risk. Fund Investments and (subject to applicable law) the Fund may employ leverage through borrowings or derivative instruments and may directly or indirectly acquire interests in companies with highly leveraged capital structures. If income and appreciation on investments made with borrowed funds are less than the cost of the leverage, the value of the relevant portfolio or investment will decrease. Accordingly, any event that adversely affects the value of a Fund Investment will be magnified to the extent leverage is employed. The cumulative effect of the use of leverage by the Fund or the Portfolio Funds in a market that moves adversely to the relevant investments could result in substantial losses, exceeding those that would have been incurred if leverage had not been employed.
21
Valuation Risk. The valuation of the Fund’s investments in Portfolio Funds is ordinarily determined based upon valuations provided by the Portfolio Fund Managers on a quarterly basis. Although such valuations are provided on a quarterly basis, the Fund will provide valuations, and will issue Shares, on a monthly basis. A large percentage of the securities in which the Fund invest will not have a readily ascertainable market price and will be fair valued by the Portfolio Fund Manager. In this regard, a Portfolio Fund Manager may face a conflict of interest in valuing the securities, as their value may affect the Portfolio Fund Manager’s compensation or its ability to raise additional funds. No assurances can be given regarding the valuation methodology or the sufficiency of systems utilized by any Portfolio Fund Manager, the accuracy of the valuations provided by the Portfolio Fund Managers, that the Portfolio Fund Managers will comply with their own internal policies or procedures for keeping records or making valuations, or that the Portfolio Fund Managers’ policies and procedures and systems will not change without notice to the Fund. As a result, a Portfolio Fund Manager’s valuation of the securities may fail to match the amount ultimately realized with respect to the disposition of such securities. A Portfolio Fund Manager’s information could also be inaccurate due to fraudulent activity, mis-valuation or inadvertent error. The Fund may not uncover errors in valuation for a significant period of time, if ever.
Capital Call Risk. The Fund may maintain a sizeable cash position in anticipation of funding capital calls or near-term investment opportunities. Even though the Fund may maintain a sizeable position in cash and short-term securities, it may not contribute the full amount of its commitment to a fund at the time of investment. Instead, the Fund will be required to make incremental contributions pursuant to capital calls issued from time to time by the underlying fund. If the Fund defaults on its commitment to an underlying fund or fails to satisfy capital calls to an underlying fund in a timely manner then, generally, it will be subject to significant penalties, including the complete forfeiture of the Fund’s investment in the underlying fund. Any failure by the Fund to make timely capital contributions in respect of its commitments may (i) impair the ability of the Fund and the Fund to pursue its investment strategy, (ii) force the Fund to borrow, (iii) indirectly cause the Fund, and, indirectly, the Investors to be subject to certain penalties from the Fund Investments (including the complete forfeiture of the Fund’s investment in an Investment Fund), or (iv) otherwise impair the value of the Fund’s investments (including the devaluation of the Fund).
Lack of Control. The Fund may indirectly make binding commitments to direct investment vehicles without an ability to participate in their management and control and with no or limited ability to transfer its interests in such direct investment vehicles. The Fund also generally will not have control over any of the underlying portfolio companies and will not be able to direct the policies or management decisions of such portfolio companies.
Availability of Financing and Market Conditions. Market fluctuations in business loans may affect the availability and cost of loans needed for the Fund Investments. Credit availability has been restricted in the past and may become so in the future. Restrictions upon the availability of financing or high interest rates on such loans will adversely affect the value of existing Fund Investments and may limit the Fund’s availability to source and invest in new Fund Investments. Interest paid by any Fund Investment on its debt obligations will reduce cash available for distributions. Interest rates are currently low compared to prior periods. If any Fund Investment incurs variable rate debt, increases in interest rates would increase its interest costs, which could reduce the Fund’s return on its investments.
Interest Rate Risk. The Fund and each Fund Investment is subject to financial market risks, including changes in interest rates. General interest rate fluctuations may have a substantial negative impact on Fund Investments and the investment opportunities and, accordingly, have a material adverse effect on the Fund’s investment objectives and their respective rates of return on invested capital. To mitigate such interest rate exposure, the Fund may invest a portion of its portfolio in investments with floating interest rates. In addition, an increase in interest rates would make it more expensive to use debt for the Fund and the Fund’s financing needs, if any.
The Fund may use interest rate risk management techniques in an effort to limit its exposure to interest rate fluctuations. These techniques may include various interest rate hedging activities and may limit the Fund’s ability to participate in the benefits of lower interest rates with respect to the hedged portfolio. Adverse developments resulting from changes in interest rates or hedging transactions could have a material adverse effect on the Fund’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
22
LIBOR Risk. According to various reports, certain financial institutions, commencing as early as 2005 and throughout the global financial crisis, routinely made artificially low submissions in the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) setting process. Since the LIBOR scandal came to light, several financial institutions have been fined significant amounts by various financial regulators in connection with allegations of manipulation of LIBOR rates. Other financial institutions in various countries are being investigated for similar actions. These developments may have adversely affected the interest rates on securities whose interest payments were determined by reference to LIBOR. Any future similar developments could, in turn, reduce the value of such securities owned by the Fund.
In 2017, the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) warned that LIBOR may cease to be available or appropriate for use by 2021. The unavailability of LIBOR presents risks to the Fund, including the risk that any pricing or adjustments to the Fund’s investments resulting from a substitute reference rate may adversely affect the Fund’s performance and/or NAV.
There is currently no definitive information regarding the future utilization of LIBOR or of any particular replacement rate. Abandonment of or modifications to LIBOR could have adverse impacts on newly issued financial instruments and existing financial instruments which reference LIBOR. While some instruments may contemplate a scenario where LIBOR is no longer available by providing for an alternative rate setting methodology, not all instruments may have such provisions and there is significant uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of any such alternative methodologies. Abandonment of or modifications to LIBOR could lead to significant short-term and long-term uncertainty and market instability. It remains uncertain how such changes would be implemented and the effects such changes would have on the Fund, issuers of instruments in which the Fund invests and financial markets generally.
Currency Risk. Although the Fund intends to invest predominantly in the United States, the Fund’s portfolio is anticipated to include investments in a number of different currencies. Any returns on, and the value of such investments may, therefore, be materially affected by exchange rate fluctuations, local exchange control, limited liquidity of the relevant foreign exchange markets, the convertibility of the currencies in question and/or other factors. A decline in the value of the currencies in which the Fund Investments are denominated against the U.S. Dollar may result in a decrease the Fund’s net asset value. The Adviser may or may not elect to hedge the value of investments made by the Fund against currency fluctuations, and even if the Adviser deems hedging appropriate, it may not be possible or practicable to hedge currency risk exposure. Accordingly, the performance of the Fund could be adversely affected by such currency fluctuations.
Eurozone Risk. The Fund may invest directly or indirectly from time to time in European companies and assets and companies and assets that may be affected by the Eurozone economy. Ongoing concerns regarding the sovereign debt of various Eurozone countries, including the potential for investors to incur substantial write-downs, reductions in the face value of sovereign debt and/or sovereign defaults, as well as the possibility that one or more countries might leave the European Union (“EU”) or the Eurozone create risks that could materially and adversely affect the Fund Investments. Sovereign debt defaults and EU and/or Eurozone exits could have material adverse effects on the Fund’s investments in European companies and assets, including, but not limited to, the availability of credit to support such companies’ financing needs, uncertainty and disruption in relation to financing, increased currency risk in relation to contracts denominated in Euros and wider economic disruption in markets served by those companies, while austerity and/or other measures introduced to limit or contain these issues may themselves lead to economic contraction and resulting adverse effects for the Fund. Legal uncertainty about the funding of Euro-denominated obligations following any breakup or exits from the Eurozone, particularly in the case of investments in companies and assets in affected countries, could also have material adverse effects on the Fund.
Brexit Risk. 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. Following years of negotiations and multiple withdrawal deadline extensions, the UK withdrew from the EU on January 31, 2020. A transition period, currently set to last through December 31, 2020, will be used for the UK and EU to negotiate their future relationship. The effects of this withdrawal will depend, in part, on agreements the UK negotiates to retain access to EU markets either during the transitional period or more permanently including, but not limited to, current trade and finance agreements. As a result of the UK's exit from the EU, the Fund 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 Fund’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.
23
Recent Market Events Risk. Periods of unusually high financial market volatility and restrictive credit conditions, at times limited to a particular sector or geographic area, have occurred in the past and may be expected to recur in the future. Some countries, including the United States, have adopted or have signaled protectionist trade measures, relaxation of the financial industry regulations that followed the financial crisis, and/or reductions to corporate taxes. The scope of these policy changes is still developing, but the equity and debt markets may react strongly to expectations of change, which could increase volatility, particularly if a resulting policy runs counter to the market’s expectations. The outcome of such changes cannot be foreseen at the present time. In addition, geopolitical and other risks, including environmental and public health risks, may add to instability in the world economy and markets generally. As a result of increasingly interconnected global economies and financial markets, the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments may be negatively affected by events impacting a country or region, regardless of whether the Fund invests in issuers located in or with significant exposure to such country or region.
Recent events are impacting the securities markets. A recent outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 and has spread internationally. The outbreak and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders and quarantines, restricting international and domestic travel, enhanced health screenings, cancellations, disrupted supply chains and customer activity, responses by businesses (including changes to operations and reducing staff), and have produced general concern and uncertainty.
The impact of the coronavirus pandemic, and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future, could adversely affect national and global economies, individual companies and the market in general in a manner and for a period of time that cannot be foreseen at the present time. Health crises caused by the recent outbreak may heighten other preexisting political, social and economic risks in a country or region. Governmental authorities and regulators throughout the world, such as the U.S. Federal Reserve, have in the past responded to major economic disruptions with changes to fiscal and monetary policy, including but not limited to, direct capital infusions, new monetary programs, and dramatically lower interest rates. Certain of those policy changes are being implemented or considered in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Such policy changes may adversely affect the value, volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities. In certain cases, an exchange or market may close or issue trading halts on either specific securities or even the entire market, which may result in the Fund being, among other things, unable to buy or sell certain securities or financial instruments or to accurately price its investments. In the event of a pandemic or an outbreak, there can be no assurance that the Fund and its service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons. A pandemic or disease could also impair the information technology and other operational systems upon which the Fund’s investment adviser rely, and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Fund’s service providers to perform essential tasks. Although multiple asset classes may be affected by a market disruption, the duration and effects may not be the same for all types of assets. To the extent the Fund may overweight its investments in certain countries, companies, industries or market sectors, such position will increase the Fund’s exposure to risk of loss from adverse developments affecting those countries, companies, industries or sectors. These conditions could result in the Fund’s inability to achieve its investment objectives, adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which the Fund invests, negatively impact the Fund’s performance, and cause losses on your investment in the Fund.
Foreign Investments and Emerging Markets Risk. The Fund may invest in the securities of non-U.S. issuers, including those located in developing countries, which securities involve risks beyond those associated with investments in U.S. securities. These risks may relate to foreign political, social and economic matters, less developed markets, political immobility and less developed legal and accounting practices.
Investment in Other Investment Companies Risk. As with other investments, investments in other investment companies, including ETFs, are subject to market and manager risk. In addition, if the Fund acquires shares of investment companies, investors bear both their proportionate share of expenses in the Fund (including management and advisory fees) and, indirectly, the expenses of the investment companies.
Credit Transactions. To obtain access to Portfolio Companies, the Fund’s portfolio will include, but is not limited to, investments in first and second lien senior secured loans, secured unitranche debt, unsecured debt (e.g., mezzanine debt), and structurally subordinated instruments.
24
● | First lien senior secured loans, second lien senior secured loans, and unitranche debt. When the Fund invests in first lien senior secured loans, second lien senior secured loans, and unitranche debt the Fund will generally seek to take a security interest in the available assets of those Portfolio Companies, including the equity interests of the Portfolio Companies’ subsidiaries. There is a risk that the collateral securing these loans may decrease in value over time or lose its entire value, may be difficult to sell in a timely manner, may be difficult to appraise and may fluctuate in value based upon the success of the business and market conditions, including as a result of the inability of the Portfolio Company to raise additional capital. To the extent the Fund’s debt investment is collateralized by the securities of a Portfolio Company’s subsidiaries, such securities may lose some or all of their value in the event of the bankruptcy or insolvency of the Portfolio Company. Also, in some circumstances, the Fund’s lien may be contractually or structurally subordinated to claims of other creditors. In addition, deterioration in a Portfolio Company’s financial condition and prospects, including its inability to raise additional capital, may be accompanied by deterioration in the value of the collateral for the loan. Loans that are under-collateralized involve a greater risk of loss. Consequently, the fact that a loan is secured does not guarantee that the Fund will receive principal and interest payments according to the loan’s terms, or at all, or that the Fund will be able to collect on the loan should the Fund be forced to enforce its remedies. Finally, particularly with respect to a unitranche debt structure, unitranche debt will generally have higher leverage levels than a standard first lien term loan. | |
● | Unsecured debt. The Fund’s unsecured debt investments, including private high yield and mezzanine debt, will generally rank junior in priority of payment to senior loans. This may result in a heightened level of risk and volatility or a loss of principal, which could lead to the loss of the entire investment. These investments may involve additional risks that could adversely affect the Fund’s investment returns. To the extent interest payments associated with such debt are deferred, such debt may be subject to greater fluctuations in valuations, and such debt could subject the Fund to non-cash income. Since the Fund will not receive any principal repayments prior to the maturity of some of its subordinated debt investments, such investments will be of greater risk than amortizing loans. In addition, the Fund may invest in HoldCo notes, which are structurally subordinated instruments in the form of unsecured notes at the holding company level, as opposed to the operating company level. Because a company’s assets and cash flows are usually contained at the OpCo level, any borrowings at HoldCo will not have access to the assets of the company’s subsidiaries until after all of the OpCo creditors have been paid, allowing for the remaining assets to be distributed up to the HoldCo level. | |
● | Equity investments. The Fund may make select equity investments. In addition, when the Fund invests in senior secured and second lien senior secured loans or subordinated debt, it may acquire warrants or options to purchase equity securities. The equity interests the Fund receives may not appreciate in value and, in fact, may decline in value. Accordingly, the Fund may not be able to realize gains from its equity interests, and any gains that the Fund does realize on the disposition of any equity interests may not be sufficient to offset any other losses it experiences. |
The loans in which the Fund will invest may be rated below investment grade by rating agencies or would be rated below investment grade if they were rated. Below investment grade securities, which are often referred to as “junk,” have predominantly speculative characteristics and may carry a greater risk with respect to a borrower’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. The Fund expects that “junk bonds” will make up less than 10% of the Fund’s investment portfolio.
Original Issue Discount. Fund Investments may include original issue discount instruments, which include debt instruments with PIK interest. To the extent original issue discount constitutes a portion of the Fund’s income, the Fund will be exposed to typical risks associated with such income being required to be included in taxable and accounting income prior to receipt of cash, including the following:
● | Interest rates payable on original issue discount instruments, including PIK loans, are higher because the deferred interest payments are discounted to reflect the time-value of money and because PIK instruments generally represent a significantly higher credit risk than coupon loans; | |
● | Original issue discount instruments such as PIK instruments may have unreliable valuations because the accruals require judgments about collectability of the deferred payments and the value of the associated collateral; |
25
● | An election to defer PIK interest payments by adding them to the principal increases the Adviser’s future income incentive fees at a compounding rate; | |
● | Market prices of PIK instruments and other zero-coupon instruments are affected to a greater extent by interest rate changes, and may be more volatile than instruments that pay interest periodically in cash. While PIK instruments are usually less volatile than zero coupon debt instruments, PIK instruments are generally more volatile than cash pay securities; | |
● | The deferral of PIK interest on a loan increases its loan-to-value ratio, which is a measure of the riskiness of a loan; | |
● | Even if the conditions for income accrual under U.S. GAAP are satisfied, a borrower could still default when actual payment is due upon the maturity of such loan; | |
● | Original issue discount creates the risk of non-refundable cash payments to the Adviser based on non-cash accruals that may never be realized; | |
● | For accounting purposes, cash distributions to investors representing original issue discount income such as PIK interest do not come from paid-in capital, although they may be paid from the offering proceeds; and | |
● | The required recognition of original issue discount, including PIK interest, for U.S. federal income tax purposes may have a negative impact on liquidity, because it represents a non-cash component of the Fund’s investment company taxable income that must, nevertheless, be distributed in cash to investors to avoid the Fund being subject to corporate level taxation. |
Collateral Risks For Second Lien Investments And Unsecured Debt. Certain credit investments that the Fund has made, or intends to make, in Fund Investments may be secured on a second priority basis by the same collateral securing first priority debt of such companies. The first priority liens on the collateral will secure the Portfolio Company’s obligations under any outstanding senior debt and may secure certain other future debt that may be permitted to be incurred by such company under the agreements governing the loans. The holders of obligations secured by the first priority liens on the collateral will generally control the liquidation of and be entitled to receive proceeds from any realization of the collateral to repay their obligations in full before the Fund receives any distribution. In addition, the value of the collateral in the event of liquidation will depend on market and economic conditions, the availability of buyers and other factors. There is a risk that the collateral securing these loans may decrease in value over time or lose its entire value, may be difficult to sell in a timely manner, may be difficult to appraise and may fluctuate in value based upon the success of the business and market conditions, including as a result of the inability of the portfolio company to raise additional capital. In addition, deterioration in a Portfolio Company’s financial condition and prospects, including its inability to raise additional capital, may be accompanied by deterioration in the value of the collateral for the loan. Consequently, the fact that a loan is secured does not guarantee receipt of principal and interest payments according to the loan’s terms, or at all, or that any available remedies will be enforceable. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that the proceeds, if any, from the sale or sales of all of the collateral would be sufficient to satisfy the debt obligations secured by the second priority liens after payment in full of all obligations secured by the first priority liens on the collateral.
The Fund may also make unsecured debt investments in Fund Investments, meaning that such investments will not benefit from any interest in collateral of such companies. Unsecured debt investments usually rank junior in payment priority to secured loans. Accordingly, unsecured debt may include a heightened level of risk and volatility or a loss of principal. Liens on such Portfolio Company’s collateral, if any, will secure the Portfolio Company’s obligations under its outstanding secured debt and may secure certain future debt that is permitted to be incurred by the Portfolio Company under its secured debt agreements. The holders of obligations secured by such liens will generally control the liquidation of, and be entitled to receive proceeds from, any realization of such collateral to repay their obligations in full before the Fund. In addition, the value of such collateral in the event of liquidation will depend on market and economic conditions, the availability of buyers and other factors. There can be no assurance that the proceeds, if any, from sales of such collateral would be sufficient to satisfy the Fund’s unsecured debt obligations after payment in full of all secured debt obligations. If such proceeds were not sufficient to repay the outstanding secured debt obligations, the Fund’s unsecured claims would rank equally with the unpaid portion of such secured creditors’ claims against the Portfolio Company’s remaining assets, if any.
26
Where the Fund makes investments in Portfolio Companies that have senior debt outstanding and the Fund is granted a security interest in collateral by the relevant Portfolio Company, the Fund’s rights with respect to such collateral may also be limited pursuant to the terms of one or more inter-creditor agreements that the Fund will enter into with the holders of the senior debt. Under such an inter-creditor agreement, the holders of obligations secured by first priority liens may hold the following rights and/or powers: (i) the ability to cause the commencement of enforcement proceedings against the collateral, (ii) the ability to control the conduct of such proceedings, (iii) the approval of amendments to collateral documents, (iv) releases of liens on the collateral, and (v) waivers of past defaults under collateral documents. The Fund may not have the ability to control or direct such actions, even if its rights are adversely affected.
Venture Capital and Growth Equity. Venture capital is usually classified by investments in private companies that have a limited operating history, are attempting to develop or commercialize unproven technologies or implement novel business plans or are not otherwise developed sufficiently to be self-sustaining financially or to become public. Although these investments may offer the opportunity for significant gains, such investments involve a high degree of business and financial risk that can result in substantial losses.
Growth equity is usually classified by investments in private companies that have reached profitability but still need capital to achieve the desired level of commercialization before having access to the public markets for financing. As a result of the risks associated with advancing the company’s growth plan, investors can expect a higher return than might be available in the public markets, but also need to recognize the business and financial risks that remain in advancing the company’s commercial aspirations.
For both venture capital and growth equity companies, the risks are generally greater than the risks of investing in public companies that may be at a later stage of development.
Cybersecurity Risk. As part of its business, the Adviser processes, stores and transmits large amounts of electronic information, including information relating to the transactions of the Fund and personally identifiable information of Common Shareholders. Similarly, service providers of the Adviser or the Fund, especially the Fund’s Administrator, may process, store and transmit such information. The Adviser has procedures and systems in place that it believes are reasonably designed to protect such information and prevent data loss and security breaches. However, such measures cannot provide absolute security. The techniques used to obtain unauthorized access to data, disable or degrade service, or sabotage systems change frequently and may be difficult to detect for long periods of time. Hardware or software acquired from third parties may contain defects in design or manufacture or other problems that could unexpectedly compromise information security. Network connected services provided by third parties to the Adviser may be susceptible to compromise, leading to a breach of the Adviser’s networks. The Adviser’s systems or facilities may be susceptible to employee error or malfeasance, government surveillance, or other security threats. Online services provided by the Adviser to Common Shareholders may also be susceptible to compromise. Breach of the Adviser’s information systems may cause information relating to the transactions of the Fund and personally identifiable information of Common Shareholders to be lost or improperly accessed, used or disclosed.
Derivatives and Hedging. The Fund may invest and trade in a variety of derivative instruments to hedge the Fund’s primary Fund Investments, including options, swaps, futures contracts, forward agreements and other derivatives contracts. Derivatives are financial instruments or arrangements in which the risk and return are related to changes in the value of other assets, reference rates or indices. Transactions in derivative instruments present risks arising from the use of leverage (which increases the magnitude of losses), volatility, the possibility of default by a counterparty, and illiquidity. Use of derivative instruments for hedging or speculative purposes by the Adviser could present significant risks, including the risk of losses in excess of the amounts invested. The Fund’s ability to avoid risk through investment or trading in derivatives will depend on the ability to anticipate changes in the underlying assets, reference rates or indices.
Infrastructure Companies Risk. The Fund may invest in the securities of infrastructure companies may be subject to a variety of factors that may adversely affect their business or operations, including high interest costs in connection with capital construction and improvement programs, high leverage, costs associated with environmental and other regulations, the effects of economic slowdown, surplus capacity, increased competition from other providers of services, uncertainties concerning the availability of fuel at reasonable prices, the effects of energy conservation policies and other factors. Infrastructure companies may also be affected by or subject to difficulty in raising capital in adequate amounts on reasonable terms in periods of high inflation and unsettled capital markets; inexperience with and potential losses resulting from a developing de-regulatory environment; costs associated with compliance with and changes in environmental and other regulations; regulation or adverse actions by various government authorities; government regulation of rates charged to customers; service interruption due to environmental, operational or other mishaps; the imposition of special tariffs and changes in tax laws, regulatory policies and accounting standards; technological innovations that may render existing plants, equipment or products obsolete; and general changes in market sentiment towards infrastructure assets. Recently imposed tariffs on imports to the United States could affect operating or construction costs for a number of companies in which the Fund invests.
27
Risks Related to Investments in Portfolio Companies
Nature of Portfolio Companies. The Fund Investments will include direct and indirect investments in Portfolio Companies. This may include Portfolio Companies in the early phases of development, which can be highly risky due to the lack of a significant operating history, fully developed product lines, experienced management, or a proven market for their products. The Fund Investments may also include Portfolio Companies that are in a state of distress or which have a poor record, and which are undergoing restructuring or changes in management, and there can be no assurances that such restructuring or changes will be successful. The management of such Portfolio Companies may depend on one or two key individuals, and the loss of the services of any of such individuals may adversely affect the performance of such Portfolio Companies.
Limited Operating History of Portfolio Companies. Portfolio Companies may have limited operating histories by which to assess their ability to achieve, sustain and increase revenues or profitability. A Portfolio Company’s financial results will be affected by many factors, including (i) the ability to successfully identify a market or markets in which there is a need for its products; (ii) the ability to successfully negotiate strategic alliances, licensing and other relationships for product development, marketing, distribution and sales; (iii) the progress of research and development programs with respect to the development of additional products and enhancements to existing products; (iv) the ability to protect proprietary rights; and (v) competing technological and market developments, particularly companies that have substantially greater resources. There can be no assurance that the Portfolio Companies will ever achieve significant commercial revenues or profitability.
Risks Associated with Management of Growth. To achieve their projected revenues and other targeted operating results, the Portfolio Companies may be required to rapidly implement and improve operational, financial and management control systems on a timely basis, together with maintaining effective cost controls, and any failure to do so would have a material adverse effect on their business, financial condition and results of operations. The success of their growth plans will depend in part upon their ability to continue to attract, retain and motivate key personnel. Failure to make the required expansions and upgrades could have a material adverse effect on their business, financial condition, results of operations and relationships with their corporate partners. The results of operations for the companies will also be adversely affected if revenues do not increase sufficiently to compensate for the increase in operating expenses resulting from any expansion and there can be no assurance that any expansion will be profitable or will not adversely affect their results of operations.
Reliance on Portfolio Company Management. The day-to-day operations of each Portfolio Company will be the responsibility of its own management team. Although the Adviser and Investment Consultant will monitor the performance of investments and will screen for capable management skills, there can be no assurance that such management will be able to operate any such Portfolio Company in accordance with the Fund’s expectations. In addition, the loss to a Portfolio Company of a member of its management team could be detrimental to the development of the Portfolio Company.
Market Uncertainties. Even if the Portfolio Companies’ product and service development efforts are successful, their ultimate success will depend upon market acceptance of the concepts, the products and the services. The Portfolio Companies may not have engaged in any formal market research studies with respect to the establishment of a market for their products. There can be no assurance that performance errors and deficiencies will not be found, or if found, that they will be able to successfully correct such performance errors and deficiencies in a timely manner or at all. Even if the concepts gain initial market acceptance, competitors are likely to introduce concepts with comparable price and performance characteristics. This competition may result in reduced future market acceptance for their products and decreasing sales and lower gross margins which could have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition and results of operations of the Fund and the Portfolio Companies.
No Assurance of Additional Capital for Investments. Even if a Portfolio Company is successful generating revenues and expanding its service offerings, it may require additional financing to continue product and service development, testing and, ultimately, marketing and other operational activities. Moreover, its cash requirements may vary materially due to service development results, service testing results, changing relationships with strategic partners, changes in the focus and direction of its research and development programs, competitive and technological advances of competitors, and other factors. Additional financing may not be available when needed or on acceptable terms. If additional financing is not available, the Portfolio Company may need to delay, scale back or eliminate certain of its product development, marketing or other activities, or even be forced to cease operations and liquidate.
28
Portfolio Company Operations Not Transparent. The Adviser does not control the investments or operations of the Portfolio Companies. A Portfolio Fund Manager may employ investment strategies that differ from its past practices and are not fully disclosed to the Adviser or Investment Consultant and that involve risks that are not anticipated by the Adviser or Investment Consultant. Some Portfolio Company Managers may have a limited operating history, and some may have limited experience in executing one or more investment strategies to be employed for a Portfolio Company. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that the information given to the Administrator and reports given to the Adviser with respect to the Fund Investments will not be fraudulent, inaccurate or incomplete.
Termination of the Fund’s Interest in a Portfolio Company. A Portfolio Company may, among other things, terminate the Fund’s interest in that Portfolio Company (causing a forfeiture of all or a portion of such interest) if the Fund fails to satisfy any capital call by that Portfolio Company or if the continued participation of the Fund in the Portfolio Company would have a material adverse effect on the Portfolio Company or its assets.
Risks Related to Secondary Investments
General Risks of Secondary Investments. The overall performance of the Fund’s secondary investments will depend in large part on the acquisition price paid, which may be negotiated based on incomplete or imperfect information. Certain secondary investments may be purchased as a portfolio, and in such cases the Fund may not be able to exclude from such purchases those investments that the Adviser considers (for commercial, tax, legal or other reasons) less attractive. Where the Fund acquires a portfolio company interest as a secondary investment, the Fund will generally not have the ability to modify or amend such portfolio company’s constituent documents (e.g., limited partnership agreements) or otherwise negotiate the economic terms of the interests being acquired. In addition, the costs and resources required to investigate the commercial, tax and legal issues relating to secondary investments may be greater than those relating to primary investments.
Contingent Liabilities Associated with Secondary Investments. Where the Fund acquires a portfolio company interest as a secondary investment, the Fund may acquire contingent liabilities associated with such interest. Specifically, where the seller has received distributions from the relevant portfolio company and, subsequently, that portfolio company recalls any portion of such distributions, the Fund (as the purchaser of the interest to which such distributions are attributable) may be obligated to pay an amount equivalent to such distributions to such portfolio company. While the Fund may be able, in turn, to make a claim against the seller of the interest for any monies so paid to the portfolio company, there can be no assurance that the Fund would have such right or prevail in any such claim.
Risks relating to secondary investments involving syndicates. The Fund may acquire secondary investments as a member of a purchasing syndicate, in which case the Fund may be exposed to additional risks including (among other things): (i) counterparty risk (i.e. the risk that a counterparty to the contemplated transaction defaults); (ii) reputation risk (i.e. the risk that the investment identified by the syndicate underperforms and the Fund’s reputation is damaged as a result); (iii) breach of confidentiality by a syndicate member; and (iv) execution risk (i.e. the risk that the transaction for which the syndicate was created, is not completed).
Risks Related to Direct Investments
General Risks of Direct Investments. The Fund may make direct investments on an opportunistic basis. There can be no assurance that the Fund will be given direct investment opportunities, or that any direct investment offered to the Fund would be appropriate or attractive to the Fund. Direct investments generally are more concentrated than investments in portfolio companies, which generally hold multiple portfolio companies. Due diligence will be conducted on direct investment opportunities; however, the Adviser or Investment Consultant may not have the ability to conduct the same level of due diligence applied to portfolio company investments. In addition, there may be limited opportunities to negotiate the terms of such direct investments. However, in instances where the terms of a direct investment are negotiable, such terms may be heavily negotiated and may incur additional transactional costs for the Fund. As is typical in such matters, the Adviser or Investment Consultant, as applicable, generally will rely on the portfolio company manager or sponsor offering such direct investment opportunity to perform most of the due diligence on the relevant portfolio company and to negotiate terms of the direct investment.
29
The Fund may indirectly make binding direct investment commitments without an ability to participate in the management and control of, and with no or limited ability to transfer its interests in, the pertinent operating company. In some such cases, the Fund may be obligated to fund its entire direct investment commitment up front, and in other cases the Fund is expected to make commitments to fund direct investments from time to time as called by the portfolio company manager or the sponsor that is managing such direct investment. Generally, neither the Adviser, Investment Consultant nor the Fund will have control over the timing of capital calls or distributions received from such direct investment, or over investment decisions made in such direct investments.
Risks Related to Listed Securities
Equity Security Risk. Equity securities may experience sudden, unpredictable drops in value or long periods of decline in value. This may occur because of factors that affect securities markets generally or factors affecting specific industries, sectors, or companies in which the Fund invests.
Non-U.S. Securities Risk. Non-U.S. securities are subject to the risks of foreign currency fluctuations, generally higher volatility and lower liquidity than U.S. securities. Non-U.S. securities also tend to have less developed securities markets and economic systems and greater political and economic instability.
Fixed Income Securities Risk. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the duration of bonds held by a Fund, the more sensitive it will likely be to interest rate fluctuations. Duration measures the weighted average term to maturity of a bond’s expected cash flows. Duration also represents the approximate percentage change that the price of a bond would experience for a 1% change in yield. For example: the price of a bond with a duration of 5 years would change approximately 5% for a 1% change in yield. The price of a bond with a duration of 10 years would be expected to decline by approximately 10% if its yield was to rise by 1%. Bond yields tend to fluctuate in response to changes in market levels of interest rates. Generally, if interest rates rise, a bond’s yield will also rise in response; the duration of a bond will determine how much the price of the bond will change in response to the change in yield.
The Fund’s investments in fixed-income securities and positions in fixed-income derivatives may decline in value because of changes in interest rates. As nominal interest rates rise, the value of fixed-income securities and any long positions in fixed-income derivatives held by the Fund are likely to decrease, whereas its short positions in fixed-income derivatives is likely to increase.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the credit strength of an issuer of a fixed-income security will weaken and/ or that the issuer will be unable to make timely principal and interest payments and that the security may go into default. Lower credit quality may lead to greater volatility in the price of a security and in shares of the Fund. Lower credit quality also may affect liquidity and make it difficult for the Fund to sell the security.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk that securities may be difficult or impossible to sell at the time the Adviser would like or at the price it believes the security is currently worth. Liquidity risk may be increased for certain Fund investments, including those investments in funds with gating provisions or other limitations on investor withdrawals and restricted or illiquid securities. Some funds in which the Fund invests may impose restrictions on when an investor may withdraw its investment or limit the amounts an investor may withdraw. To the extent that the Adviser seeks to reduce or sell out of its investment at a time or in an amount that is prohibited, the Fund may not have the liquidity necessary to participate in other investment opportunities or may need to sell other investments that it may not have otherwise sold.
The Fund may also invest in securities that, at the time of investment, are illiquid, as determined by using the SEC’s standard applicable to registered investment companies (i.e., securities that cannot be disposed of by the Fund within seven days in the ordinary course of business at approximately the amount at which the Fund has valued the securities). Illiquid and restricted securities may be difficult to dispose of at a fair price at the times when the Fund believes it is desirable to do so. The market price of illiquid and restricted securities generally is more volatile than that of more liquid securities, which may adversely affect the price that the Fund pays for or recovers upon the sale of such securities. Investment of the Fund’s assets in illiquid and restricted securities may also restrict the Fund’s ability to take advantage of market opportunities.
High-Yield/High-Risk Bond Risk. High-yield/high risk bonds, or “junk” bonds, are bonds rated below investment-grade by the primary rating agencies, such as Standard & Poor’s, Fitch and Moody’s, or are unrated bonds of similar quality. The value of lower quality bonds generally is more dependent on credit risk than investment-grade bonds. Issuers of high-yield/high risk bonds may not be as strong financially as those issuing bonds with higher credit ratings and are more vulnerable to real or perceived economic changes, political changes or adverse developments specific to the issuer. In addition, the junk bond market can experience sudden and sharp price swings. Further, secondary markets for high-yield securities are less liquid than the market for investment-grade securities. Therefore, it may be more difficult to value the securities because valuation may require more research, and elements of judgment may play a larger role in the valuation because there is less reliable, objective data available.
30
Loan Risk. The Fund may invest in a variety of loans. Bank loans are obligations of companies or other entities entered into in connection with recapitalizations, acquisitions, and refinancings. The Fund’s investments in bank loans are generally acquired as a participation interest in, or assignment of, loans originated by a lender or other financial institution. These investments may include institutionally-traded floating and fixed rate debt securities. The bank loans underlying these securities often involve borrowers with low credit ratings whose financial conditions are troubled or uncertain, including companies that are highly leveraged or in bankruptcy proceedings. Participation interests and assignments involve credit, interest rate, and liquidity risk. Loans may have settlement times longer than seven days, which can affect the overall liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio. In addition, certain loans may not be “securities” under the federal securities laws and the holders of such loans may not have the protections of the federal securities laws.
Market Risk. Overall securities market risks may affect the value of individual instruments in which the Fund invests. Factors such as domestic and foreign economic growth and market conditions, interest rate levels, and political events affect the securities and derivatives markets. When the value of the Fund’s investments goes down, your investment in the Fund decreases in value and you could lose money.
Managed Portfolio Risk. The managers’ investment strategies or choice of specific securities may be unsuccessful and may cause the Fund to incur losses.
Listed Infrastructure. The risks associated with the Fund’s investments in listed infrastructure securities (i.e. publicly-traded equity securities that generate the majority of their cash flows from owning and/or operating physical infrastructure assets, which may include, among other assets, regulated assets (such as electricity transmission and distribution facilities, gas distribution systems, water-related businesses like water distribution and waste water collection and processing facilities), transportation assets (such as toll roads, airports, seaports, and railway lines), communications assets (including broadcast and wireless towers and satellite networks) and social infrastructure (including schools, hospitals, prisons and courthouses)), may include: supply and demand for services from and access to infrastructure; the financial condition of users and suppliers of infrastructure assets; changes in laws and regulations; environmental claims; changes in energy prices; uninsured casualties; natural disasters, terrorist events, under-insured or uninsurable losses; and other factors. Many of these factors could cause fluctuations in usage, expenses and revenues, causing the value of infrastructure investments to decline. Moreover, it may be difficult for the Fund to dispose of an infrastructure investment at an attractive price or at the appropriate time or in response to changing market conditions, or the Fund may otherwise be unable to complete a favorable exit strategy.
Regulatory Risks
Legal, Tax and Regulatory Risks. Legal, tax and regulatory changes could occur during the term of the Fund which may materially adversely affect the Fund. For example, the regulatory and tax environment for leveraged investors and for private equity funds generally is evolving, and changes in the direct or indirect regulation or taxation of leveraged investors or private equity funds may materially adversely affect the ability of the Fund to pursue its investment strategies or achieve its investment objective. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) was signed into law on July 21, 2010 and significantly revises and expands the rulemaking, supervisory and enforcement authority of U.S. federal bank, securities and commodities regulators. The implementation of the Dodd-Frank Act requires the adoption of various regulations and the preparation of reports by various agencies over a period of time. It is unclear how these regulators will exercise these revised and expanded powers and whether they will undertake rulemaking, supervisory or enforcement actions that would adversely affect the Fund or investments made by the Fund. There can be no assurance that future regulatory actions authorized by the Dodd-Frank Act will not significantly reduce the profitability of the Fund. The implementation of the Dodd-Frank Act could adversely affect the Fund by increasing transaction and/or regulatory compliance costs. In November 2019, the SEC proposed a new rule that, if adopted, would change the regulation of the use of derivatives and financial commitment transactions by registered investment companies. The nature of any final regulations is uncertain at this time, but the Fund may have difficulty adjusting its investment portfolio and strategy in order to comply with such regulations. In addition, greater regulatory scrutiny may increase the Fund’s and the Adviser’s exposure to potential liabilities. Increased regulatory oversight can also impose administrative burdens on the Fund and the Adviser, including, without limitation, responding to examinations or investigations and implementing new policies and procedures. Certain tax risks associated with an investment in the Fund are discussed in “CERTAIN TAX CONSIDERATIONS.”
31
Reporting Requirements. Common Shareholders who beneficially own Shares that constitute more than 5% or 10% of the Fund’s Shares are subject to certain requirements under the 1934 Act, and the rules promulgated thereunder. These include requirements to file certain reports with the SEC. The Fund has no obligation to file such reports on behalf of such Common Shareholders or to notify Common Shareholders that such reports are required to be made. Common Shareholders who may be subject to such requirements should consult with their legal advisers.
Failure To Obtain 17(d) Exemptive Relief. The Investment Company Act prohibits the Fund from making certain investments alongside affiliates unless it receives an order from the SEC permitting it to do so. The Fund and the Adviser will seek exemptive relief from the provisions of Sections 17(d) of the Investment Company Act to invest in certain privately negotiated investment transactions alongside current or future BDCs, private funds, separate accounts, or registered investment companies that are advised by the Adviser or its affiliates or any company that is a direct or indirect, wholly- or majority-owned subsidiary of the Adviser or its affiliates, collectively, the Fund’s “investment affiliates,” subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. There is no assurance such relief will be received and if they are not able to obtain the exemptive relief, the Fund will not be permitted to participate in 17(d) investments. This may reduce the Fund’s ability to deploy capital and invest its assets. The Fund may be forced to invest in cash, cash equivalents or other assets that may result in lower returns than otherwise may be available through 17(d) investment opportunities.
Failure to Qualify as a RIC or Satisfy Distribution Requirement. To qualify for and maintain RIC qualification under the Code, the Fund must meet the following annual distribution, source-of-income and asset diversification requirements. See “CERTAIN TAX CONSIDERATIONS.”
• | The annual distribution requirement for a RIC will be satisfied if the Fund distributes to Common Shareholders on an annual basis at least 90% of the Fund’s net ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any. Because the Fund may borrow, it is subject to an asset coverage ratio requirement under the Investment Company Act and may in the future become subject to certain financial covenants under loan and credit agreements that could, under certain circumstances, restrict the Fund from making distributions necessary to satisfy the distribution requirement. If the Fund is unable to obtain cash from other sources, it could fail to qualify for RIC tax treatment and thus become subject to corporate-level income tax. |
• | The source-of-income requirement will be satisfied if the Fund obtains at least 90% of its income for each year from dividends, interest, gains from the sale of stock or securities or similar passive sources. If the source-of-income requirement is not met the Fund may fail to qualify for RIC tax treatment and be subject to corporate income tax. |
• | The asset diversification requirement will be satisfied if the Fund meets certain asset diversification requirements at the end of each quarter of the Fund’s tax year. To satisfy this requirement, (i) at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s assets must consist of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs and other securities if such other securities of any one issuer do not represent more than 5% of the value of the Fund’s assets or more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) no more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s assets can be invested in the securities, other than U.S. government securities or securities of other RICs, of one issuer, of two or more issuers that are controlled, as determined under the Code and its applicable regulations, by the Fund and that are engaged in the same or similar or related trades or businesses or of certain “qualified publicly traded partnerships.” Failure to meet these requirements may result in the Fund having to dispose of certain investments quickly in order to prevent the loss of its qualification as a RIC. Because most of the Fund’s investments will be in private companies, and therefore will be relatively illiquid, any such dispositions could be made at disadvantageous prices and could result in substantial losses. |
If the Fund fails to qualify for or maintain RIC tax treatment for any reason and is subject to corporate income tax, the resulting corporate taxes could substantially reduce the Fund’s net assets, the amount of income available for distribution and the amount of the Fund’s distributions.
32
Difficulty Meeting RIC Distribution Requirement. Each of the above ongoing requirements for qualification for the favorable tax treatment available to RICs requires that the Adviser obtain information from or about the Portfolio Funds in which the Fund is invested. However, Portfolio Funds generally are not obligated to disclose the contents of their portfolios. This lack of transparency may make it difficult for the Adviser to monitor the sources of the Fund’s income and the diversification of its assets, and otherwise to comply with Subchapter M of the Code. Ultimately this may limit the universe of Portfolio Funds in which the Fund can invest.
Portfolio Funds classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes may generate income allocable to the Fund that is not qualifying income for purposes of the source-of-income requirement, described above. In order to meet the source-of-income requirement, the Fund may structure its investments in a way potentially increasing the taxes imposed thereon or in respect thereof. Because the Fund may not have timely or complete information concerning the amount and sources of such a Portfolio Fund’s income until such income has been earned by the Portfolio Fund or until a substantial amount of time thereafter, it may be difficult for the Fund to satisfy source-of-income requirement.
In the event that the Fund believes that it is possible that it will fail the asset diversification requirement at the end of any quarter of a taxable year, it may seek to take certain actions to avert such failure, including by acquiring additional investments to come into compliance with the asset diversification tests or by disposing of non-diversified assets. Although the Code affords the Fund the opportunity, in certain circumstances, to cure a failure to meet the asset diversification test, including by disposing of non-diversified assets within six months, there may be constraints on the Fund’s ability to dispose of its interest in a Portfolio Fund that limit utilization of this cure period. Because the Fund’s allocable portion of a Portfolio Fund’s taxable income will be included in the Fund’s investment company taxable income for the year of the accrual, the Fund may be required to make a distribution to Common Shareholders in order to satisfy the annual distribution requirement, even though the Fund will not have received any corresponding cash amount. As a result, the Fund may have difficulty meeting the annual distribution requirement necessary to qualify for and maintain its qualification as a RIC under the Code. The Fund may have to sell some of its investments at times and/or at prices the Fund would not consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital or forgo new investment opportunities for this purpose. If the Fund is not able to obtain cash from other sources, the Fund may fail to qualify for or maintain RIC tax treatment and thus become subject to corporate-level income tax. For additional discussion regarding the tax implications of a RIC, see “CERTAIN TAX CONSIDERATIONS.”
LIMITS OF RISKS DISCLOSURE
The above discussions of the various risks that are associated with the Fund and its Shares and the related discussion of risks in the SAI include the material risks involved with an investment in the Fund of which the Fund is currently aware. Prospective investors should read this entire Prospectus and consult with their own advisers before deciding whether to invest in the Fund.
In view of the risks noted above, the Fund should be considered a speculative investment and prospective investors should invest in the Fund only if they can sustain a complete loss of their investment.
No guarantee or representation is made that the investment program of the Fund will be successful, that the various Portfolio Funds or Fund Investments selected will produce positive returns, or that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
The Board of Trustees
The Board has overall responsibility for the management and supervision of the business operations of the Fund on behalf of the Common Shareholders. A majority of Trustees of the Board are and will be persons who are not “interested persons,” as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act (the “Independent Trustees”). To the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act and other applicable law, the Board may delegate any of its rights, powers and authority to, among others, the officers of the Fund, any committee of the Board, service providers or the Adviser. See “BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS” in the Fund’s SAI for the identities of the Trustees and executive officers of the Fund, brief biographical information regarding each of them, and other information regarding the election and membership of the Board.
33
The Adviser
Bow River Asset Management LLC, doing business as Bow River Capital, located at 205 Detroit Street, Suite 800, Denver, Colorado, serves as the Adviser of the Fund and will be responsible for determining and implementing the Fund’s overall investment strategy, including direct investments. The Adviser, formed in 2003, is a private, independently-owned firm that is focused on investing in the lower middle market in three asset classes, including private equity, real estate and software growth equity. The Adviser is an investment adviser registered with the SEC under the Advisers Act.
As of September 30, 2020, the Adviser and its affiliates had assets under management of approximately $997 million.
The Adviser and its affiliates may serve as investment managers to other funds that have investment programs that are similar to the investment program of the Fund, and the Adviser or one of its affiliates may in the future serve as the investment manager or otherwise manage or direct the investment activities of other registered and/or private investment companies with investment programs similar to the investment program of the Fund. See “CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.”
Investment Management Agreement and Investment Management Fee
The Investment Management Agreement will become effective as of the Commencement of Operations and will continue in effect for an initial two-year term. Thereafter, the Investment Management Agreement will continue in effect from year to year provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (i) the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, or a majority of the Board, and (ii) the vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees of the Fund, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. See “VOTING.” The Investment Management Agreement will terminate automatically if assigned (as defined in the Investment Company Act) and is terminable at any time without penalty upon 60 days’ written notice to the Fund by either the Board or the Adviser. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the Investment Management Agreement will be available in the Fund’s first report to Common Shareholders.
The Investment Management Agreement provides that, in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, reckless disregard or gross negligence of its obligations to the Fund, the Adviser and any partner, director, officer or employee of the Adviser, or any of their affiliates, executors, heirs, assigns, successors or other legal representatives, will not be liable for any error of judgment, for any mistake of law or for any act or omission by the person in connection with the performance of services to the Fund. The Investment Management Agreement also provides for indemnification, to the fullest extent permitted by law, by the Fund, of the Adviser, or any partner, director, officer or employee of the Adviser, and any of their affiliates, executors, heirs, assigns, successors or other legal representatives, against any liability or expense to which the person may be liable that arises in connection with the performance of services to the Fund, so long as the liability or expense is not incurred by reason of the person’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, reckless disregard or gross negligence of its obligations to the Fund. Such indemnification includes losses sustained by the Adviser or its affiliates as an indemnitor under any sub-servicing or other agreement entered into by the Adviser for the benefit of the Fund to the extent that such losses relate to the Fund and the indemnity giving rise to the losses is not broader than that granted by the Fund to the Adviser or its affiliates pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement. The Fund has the right to consent before the Adviser settles or consents to the settlement of a claim involving such indemnitor losses (but such consent right will not affect the Adviser’s entitlement to indemnification).
The Fund will pay the Adviser an investment management fee (the “Investment Management Fee”) in consideration of the advisory services provided by the Adviser to the Fund. Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement, the Fund will pay a monthly Investment Management Fee equal to 1.75% on an annualized basis of the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets during such period. “Managed Assets” means the total assets of the Fund (including any assets attributable to money borrowed for investment purposes) minus the sum of the Fund’s accrued liabilities (other than money borrowed for investment purposes). The Investment Management Fee is paid to the Adviser out of the Fund’s assets and decreases the net profits or increases the net losses of the Fund. The Investment Management Fee will be computed as of the last day of each month.
The Investment Management Fee is paid to the Adviser before giving effect to any repurchase of Shares in the Fund effective as of that date and will decrease the net profits or increase the net losses of the Fund that are credited to its Common Shareholders.
A portion of the Investment Management Fee may be paid to brokers or dealers that assist in the distribution of Shares, including brokers or dealers that may be affiliated with the Adviser.
34
Investment Consultant
Aksia TorreyCove Partners, LLC, located at 10180 Barnes Canyon Road, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92121, serves as the Investment Consultant to the Fund and assists the Adviser with sourcing, evaluating and selecting investments for the Fund’s portfolio. The Investment Consultant, formed in 2011, is a private, independently-owned firm that provides asset management services to state and local pension plans, endowments and foundations. The Investment Consultant is an investment adviser registered with the SEC under the Advisers Act and the Fund is the first registered product to which the Investment Consultant has provided investment consultant services.
As of September 30, 2020, the Investment Consultant provided its services to advisers who manage more than $75 billion in assets.
The Investment Consultant and its affiliates may serve as investment consultants or managers to other funds that have investment programs that are similar to the investment program of the Fund, and the Investment Consultant or one of its affiliates may in the future serve as the investment consultant or manager or otherwise manage or direct the investment activities of other registered and/or private investment companies with investment programs similar to the investment program of the Fund. See “CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.”
Investment Consultant Agreement and Investment Consultant Fee
The Investment Consultant Agreement will become effective as of the Commencement of Operations and will continue in effect for an initial two-year term. Thereafter, the Investment Consultant Agreement will continue in effect from year to year provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (i) the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, or a majority of the Board, and (ii) the vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees of the Fund, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. See “VOTING.” The Investment Consultant Agreement will terminate automatically if assigned (as defined in the Investment Company Act) and is terminable at any time without penalty upon 60 days’ written notice to the Fund by either the Board, the Adviser or the Investment Consultant. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the Investment Consultant Agreement will be available in the Fund’s first report to Common Shareholders.
The Adviser will pay the Investment Consultant a monthly fee of 0.375% (on an annualized basis) of the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets, in consideration of the services provided by the Investment Consultant to the Fund. The Adviser is responsible for paying the Investment Consultant from its Investment Management Fee.
Investment Team – Bow River Capital
Bow River Capital has an experienced investment team with significant expertise underwriting and executing private equity investments, managing evergreen private equity strategies and managing registered funds. The Fund’s investment team consists of Jeremy Held, Mike Trihy and Rich Wham (the “Portfolio Managers”).
Jeremy Held
Jeremy Held, CFA, is currently responsible for Bow River Capital’s registered asset management business including investment oversight, research and product development. Prior to joining Bow River Capital in 2019, Mr. Held was the Director of Research and Chief Investment Officer at ALPS Advisors, a Denver-based asset manager that specializes in registered fund vehicles focused on real assets and alternative investments. Mr. Held began his career at ALPS in 1996 and helped lead a variety of business initiatives over two decades, including the launch of the firm’s asset management business in 2007. Mr. Held has a strong track record launching innovative investment products, including the world’s first Master Limited Partnership (“MLP”) Exchange-Traded Fund (“ETF”), as well as the first Listed Private Equity (“LPE”) mutual fund. Mr. Held was ultimately responsible for all aspects of the ALPS Advisors business, overseeing 44 registered investment companies and more than $20 billion in assets. Mr. Held has significant investment oversight experience, advising several registered mutual fund boards and serving as President of Red Rocks Capital, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ALPS focused on Listed Private Equity investments.
35
Mike Trihy
Mike Trihy, CFA, joined Bow River Capital as a Vice President and Portfolio Manager, and is currently responsible for portfolio construction and investment research for the Fund. Prior to joining Bow River Capital in 2019, Mr. Trihy was a Portfolio Manager at Partners Group, a Swiss-based global private markets manager. Mike joined Partners Group in January 2017 and was responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management for separate account and evergreen fund mandates in the Americas region, including the largest private equity-focused tender offer fund globally. During his time as Portfolio Manager, the evergreen funds under his mandate delivered consistent total returns with low levels of volatility, while maintaining appropriate liquidity and a high level of portfolio diversification. He has constructed portfolios across multiple asset classes, including private equity, real assets, private credit, and liquid investments (equity and credit). Before his time at Partners Group, Mr. Trihy and Mr. Held worked together for six years when Mr. Trihy served as a Client Portfolio Manager at Red Rocks Capital, a Denver-based asset manager focused on Listed Private Equity investments. He was responsible for investment research and portfolio management of the firm's equity index products.
Rich Wham
Prior to joining Bow River Capital in 2017, Mr. Wham spent thirteen years as a partner at Denver-based Westfield Company where he led the capitalization of numerous real estate investments exceeding $1 billion in total value. As President and Chief Operating Officer at Bow River Capital, Mr. Wham is responsible for overseeing operations of Bow River Capital and its funds, investor relations, and engaging specialized and experienced personnel to advise on potential new fund opportunities. Additionally, he oversees the real estate group and co-chairs the advisory board for the 2017 Buyout Fund. Mr. Wham represents a “C-level” point of contact for all Bow River Capital investors.
Additional information regarding Portfolio Manager compensation, other accounts managed by the Portfolio Managers, and Portfolio Manager ownership of the Fund (if any) can be found in the SAI.
Investment Consultant Team – Aksia TorreyCove
Aksia TorreyCove is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aksia LLC, a leading private markets consultant that advises some of the largest institutional investors in the world, including pension plans, insurance companies, government-related institutions, foundations and endowments. The principals at Aksia TorreyCove have decades of private markets consulting experience and the firm currently has 30 investment professionals and provides its services to advisers who manage more than $75 billion in assets.
David Fann
David Fann is Vice Chairman of Aksia TorreyCove and has over 30 years of experience in the private equity industry. Mr. Fann is responsible for the overall framework of Aksia TorreyCove’s private markets offering and provides senior advisory support to the firm’s client advisory and private market investment research activities. Prior to joining Aksia TorreyCove, he was Co-Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of TorreyCove Capital Partners. Throughout his career, Mr. Fann has led investment organizations that have invested/committed over $45 billion in private equity investments. He has invested in 26 leveraged buyout, private equity and venture capital investments as a lead investor or co-investor, of which ten became publicly traded through initial public offerings (several of which were acquired by Fortune 500 companies). Prior to TorreyCove Capital Partners, he was the President and Chief Executive Officer of PCG Asset Management. Previously, he was a Managing Director of US Trust and Vice President of Citicorp Venture Capital. Mr. Fann has served on the board of directors of eleven companies, as a board observer for seven companies, as chairman of the board of directors for two companies, and currently serves on the honorary advisory board for the Association of Asian American Investment Managers and on the advisory board for the Robert H. Toigo Foundation. Mr. Fann is a non-voting member of the Fund’s investment committee.
Tom Martin
Tom Martin is Head of Private Equity for Aksia TorreyCove and has over 17 years of private equity investment experience. He oversees sourcing, research, and risk management of clients’ allocations to private equity and real asset strategies. Prior to joining Aksia TorreyCove, Mr. Martin was a Co-Founder and Managing Director of TorreyCove Capital Partners, where he was responsible for the Private Equity Investment Research team. Prior to this role, Mr. Martin was a Senior Vice President at PCG Asset Management. Before joining PCG in 2002, he was a Vice President at Laffer Associates. Mr. Martin is a non-voting member of the Fund’s investment committee.
36
Nic DiLoretta
Nic DiLoretta is Managing Director and Deputy Head of Private Equity for Aksia TorreyCove. Mr. DiLoretta has over 12 years of experience in alternative assets with a focus in private markets. He leads the identification, due diligence, and selection of private equity and real asset investments for Aksia TorreyCove. He also assists in the management of the teams responsible for sourcing, conducting due diligence, and evaluating investments in the private equity and real asset sectors, and directly oversees the Associate-level investment professionals. Prior to joining Aksia TorreyCove, Nic was Senior Vice President & Deputy Head of Investment Research at TorreyCove Capital Partners, where he oversaw the firm’s Associate-level investment research staff. He also led the identification, due diligence, and selection of private equity and real asset investments. Prior to that, Nic was an Associate at PCG Asset Management, where he supported the Risk Management department and assisted in the due diligence of private equity investments. Mr. DiLoretta is a non-voting member of the Fund’s investment committee.
Bow River Capital believes that Aksia TorreyCove’s extensive private equity relationships and institutional investment expertise combined with Bow River Capital’s historical track record, investment process and evergreen fund experience can provide investors with an opportunity to access a private equity solution that invests in a broad cross-section of private equity investments with attractive risk-adjusted return potential.
PREDECESSOR FUND PERFORMANCE
Simultaneous with the Fund’s Commencement of Operations, Bow River Capital Evergreen Private Equity Fund, LP (the “Predecessor Fund”) reorganized with and into the Fund. The Predecessor Fund maintained an investment objective, strategies and investment policies, guidelines and restrictions that are, in all material respects, equivalent to those of the Fund and at the time of the conversion of the Predecessor Fund was managed by the same Adviser and portfolio managers as the Fund.
The Predecessor Fund commenced operations on May 22, 2020. The performance quoted below is that of the Predecessor Fund and was adjusted to reflect the Fund’s estimated expenses (with the exception of estimated Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses the effect of which is already incorporated into the performance of the Predecessor Fund). The performance returns of the Predecessor Fund are unaudited and are calculated by the Adviser on a total return basis. After-tax performance returns are not included for the Predecessor Fund. The Predecessor Fund was a privately placed fund and was not registered under the Investment Company Act and was not subject to certain investment limitations, diversification requirements, and other restrictions imposed by the Investment Company Act and the Code, which, if applicable, may have adversely affected its performance.
Past performance is no indication of future returns. Because the Predecessor Fund had less than one full calendar year of performance, the average annual total return table has been omitted.
MONTHLY PERFORMANCE (%) NET OF FEES
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | June | Jul | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
4.17% | 10.23% | 0.26% | 0.16% | 1.49% | 0.01% | 1.18% | 18.41% |
DISTRIBUTOR
Foreside Financial Services, LLC (the “Distributor”), whose principal business address is Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, Maine 04101, acts as Distributor to the Fund on a best-efforts basis, subject to various conditions, pursuant to a Distribution Agreement (the “Distribution Agreement”) between the Fund and the Distributor.
Neither the Distributor nor any other party is obligated to purchase any Shares from the Fund. There is no minimum aggregate number of Shares required to be purchased. The Distributor is compensated by the Adviser (and not the Fund) for providing certain distribution services, including out-of-pocket expenses.
The Distributor may enter into agreements with selected broker-dealers, banks or other financial intermediaries for distribution of shares of the Fund. The Adviser and/or its affiliates may make payments to selected affiliated or unaffiliated third parties (including the parties who have entered into sub-distribution agreements with the Distributor) from time to time in connection with the sale of Shares and/or the services provided to Common Shareholders. These payments will be made by the Adviser and/or its affiliates and will not represent an additional charge to the Fund. The amount of such payments may be significant in amount and the prospect of receiving any such payments may provide such third parties or their employees with an incentive to favor sales of Shares over other investment options.
37
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 Fund 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 Distributor does not receive compensation from the Fund for its distribution services, but may receive compensation for its distribution services from the Adviser. Subject to the receipt of an exemptive order from the SEC, the Fund intends to adopt a Distribution and Service Plan with respect to Class II Shares in compliance with Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act. There is no assurance that the Fund will be granted the exemptive order. The Distribution and Service Plan will allow the Fund to pay distribution and servicing fees for the sale and servicing of its Class II Shares to the Fund’s Distributor and/or other qualified recipients. The Distributor does not retain any of the distribution and servicing fees for profit.
Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, the Distributor is solely responsible for the costs and expenses incurred in connection with its qualification as a broker-dealer under state or federal laws. The Distribution Agreement also provides that the Fund will indemnify the Distributor and its affiliates and certain other persons against certain liabilities. The indemnification will not apply to actions of the Distributor, its officers, or employees in cases of their willful misconduct, bad faith, reckless disregard or gross negligence in the performance of their duties.
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN
Subject to the receipt of an exemptive order from the SEC, the Fund intends to adopt a Distribution and Service Plan with respect to Class II Shares in compliance with Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act. The Distribution and Service Plan will not be implemented until the Fund receives an exemptive order from the SEC. There is no assurance that the Fund will be granted the exemptive order. The Distribution and Service Plan will allow the Fund to pay distribution and servicing fees for the sale and servicing of its Class II Shares. Under the Distribution and Service Plan, the Fund will be permitted to pay as compensation up to 0.25% on an annualized basis of the aggregate net assets of the Fund attributable to Class II Shares (the “Distribution and Servicing Fee”) to the Fund’s Distributor and/or other qualified recipients. Because these fees are paid out of the Fund’s assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of an investment and may cost more than paying other types of sales charges. Class II Shares will not be offered until the Fund has received an exemptive order from the SEC permitting the adoption of the Distribution and Service Plan. Class I Shares is not subject to the Distribution and Servicing Fee.
The Distribution and Servicing Fee to be paid to the Distributor for distribution of each class of Shares under the Distribution and Service Plan is as follows:
Class | Distribution and Service Fee |
Class II Shares | 0.25% |
Class I Shares | None |
ADMINISTRATION
The Fund has retained the Administrator, UMB Fund Services, Inc., whose principal business address is 235 West Galena Street, Milwaukee, WI 53212, to provide administrative services, and to assist with operational needs. The Administrator provides such services to the Fund pursuant to an administration agreement between the Fund and the Administrator (the “Administration Agreement”). The Administrator is responsible directly or through its agents for, among other things, providing the following services to the Fund, as applicable; (1) maintaining a list of Common Shareholders and generally performing all actions related to the issuance and repurchase of Shares, if any, including delivery of trade confirmations and capital statements; (2) providing certain administrative, clerical and bookkeeping services; (3) providing transfer agency services, services related to the payment of distributions, and accounting services; (4) computing the net asset value of the Fund in accordance with U.S. GAAP and procedures defined in consultation with the Adviser; (5) assisting in the preparation of semi-annual and annual financial statements of the Fund in accordance with U.S. GAAP, quarterly reports of the operations of the Fund and information required for U.S. federal and applicable state and local income tax returns; (6) supervising regulatory compliance matters and preparing certain regulatory filings; and (7) performing additional services, as agreed upon, in connection with the administration of the Fund. The Administrator may from time to time delegate its responsibilities under the Administration Agreement to one or more parties selected by the Administrator, including its affiliates or affiliates of the Adviser.
38
In consideration for these services, the Administrator earns and is paid monthly in an amount equal to at least 1/12th of the applicable annual fee calculated based upon the average net asset value of the Fund, subject to a minimum annual fee (the “Administration Fee”). The Administration Fee is paid to the Administrator out of the assets of the Fund and therefore decreases the net profits or increases the net losses of the Fund. The Administrator is also reimbursed by the Fund for out-of-pocket expenses relating to services provided to the Fund and receives a fee for transfer agency services. The Administration Fee and the other terms of the Administration Agreement may change from time to time as may be agreed to by the Fund and the Administrator.
The Administration Agreement provides that the Administrator’s cumulative liability to the Fund for a calendar year will be limited in relation to the fees and expenses charged by the Administrator in the relevant calendar year. In addition, the Administrator shall have no liability for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss or damage resulting from the performance or nonperformance of its duties unless solely caused by or resulting from the willful misconduct or gross negligence of the Administrator, its officers or employees. In addition, the Administrator will not be liable for any special, indirect, incidental, punitive or consequential damages, including lost profits, of any kind whatsoever (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees) under any provision of the Administration Agreement or for any such damages arising out of any act or failure to act thereunder.
The Administration Agreement also provides that the Fund shall indemnify and hold the Administrator and its directors, officers, agents, and employees harmless from all loss, cost, damage and expense, including reasonable fees and expenses for counsel, incurred by the Administrator resulting from any claim, demand, action or suit in connection with the Administrator’s acceptance of the Administration Agreement, any action or omission by the Administrator in the performance of its duties as administrator of the Fund, or as a result of acting upon instructions reasonably believed by it to have been duly authorized by the Fund or upon reasonable reliance on information or records given or made by the Fund or the Adviser. The indemnification will not apply to actions of the Administrator, its officers, or employees in cases of their own willful misconduct bad faith, reckless disregard or gross negligence in the performance of their duties.
CUSTODIAN
UMB Bank, n.a. (the “Custodian”) serves as the primary custodian of the assets of the Fund and may maintain custody of such assets with U.S. and non-U.S. sub-custodians (which may be banks and trust companies), securities depositories and clearing agencies in accordance with the requirements of Section 17(f) of the Investment Company Act and the rules thereunder. Assets of the Fund are not held by the Adviser or commingled with the assets of other accounts other than to the extent that securities are held in the name of the Custodian or U.S. or non-U.S. sub-custodians in a securities depository, clearing agency or omnibus customer account of such custodian. The Custodian’s principal business address is 1010 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64106. The Custodian is an affiliate of UMB Fund Services, Inc., which serves as the Fund’s Administrator.
MANAGEMENT TEAM OF ADVISER
Blair Richardson (Chief Executive Officer)
Mr. Richardson started his career in Canada and worked in the securities business for nearly a decade before moving to New York to join Goldman Sachs’ Sales & Trading / Capital Markets division in 1980. Prior to forming Bow River Capital, Mr. Richardson was with Morgan Stanley and Company from 1987 to 1995, serving as President of Morgan Stanley Japan in Tokyo, Vice Chairman of Morgan Stanley Asia in Hong Kong, and Managing Director of the Equity and Fixed Income Department in New York.
39
Rick Pederson (Chief Strategy Officer)
Mr. Pederson is Chief Strategy Officer at Bow River Capital and Chairs the advisory board for Bow River Capital’s active buyout investment funds. Previously, Mr. Pederson was President of Ross Consulting Group, an advisory firm he founded that for 20 years provided capital asset financing and investment strategy for Fortune 100 corporations and government organizations. Before that, Mr. Pederson worked with Boston-based Harbridge House, a management consultancy firm. He is a board member of Westcore Mutual Funds; ALPS ETF Trust; Principal Real Estate Income Fund; and History Colorado.
Jane Ingalls (Chief of Staff)
Ms. Ingalls serves as Bow River Capital’s Chief of Staff, working closely with the executive team to develop and execute the firm’s strategy. Prior to joining Bow River Capital, Ms. Ingalls was the President of Artemis Consulting Group, which counsels executives around the globe on a wide range of business and reputational issues. Before that, she was Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff at Janus Capital Group (now Janus Henderson Investors). Prior to joining Janus, she held marketing, communications, and investor relations roles in New York City at OppenheimerFunds, Prudential Securities, and Morgan Stanley.
Regina Watson (General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer)
Ms. Watson serves as Bow River Capital’s General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer. She has over 25 years’ experience advising investment advisors on legal and compliance matters. Ms. Watson began her legal career in 1987 as a Federal Investigator specializing in investment related audits and examinations. For over 15 years, Ms. Watson was Vice President and Senior Associate Counsel with T. Rowe Price Associates, advising the firm’s registered investment advisor and broker-dealer. From 1997-1998, Ms. Watson served as Senior Associate Counsel to Merrill Lynch in New York.
FUND EXPENSES
The Fund shall pay (or reimburse the Adviser) all expenses and costs incurred in the conduct of the Fund’s business, including, without limitation the following:
(i) the Investment Management Fee;
(ii) fees, costs and expenses related to the identification, evaluation, negotiation, acquisition, due diligence (including but not limited to accounting, legal, tax advisory, outside consultant, and related fees and expenses), restructuring, closing, holding, monitoring and disposition of its investments (whether or not consummated), potential investments, and other assets, including, without limitation, travel expenses (airline travel limited to coach accommodations unless private charter is reasonably necessary), underwriting, registration, commissions or brokerage fees or similar charges in connection therewith to the extent not borne or reimbursed by a portfolio company or potential portfolio company;
(iii) all expenses related to meetings and business-related entertainment with portfolio company personnel, intermediaries and personnel affiliated with prospective portfolio companies or prospective strategic partners of portfolio companies and all expenses, including but not limited to registration fees, travel and meals, related to meetings and/or conferences for the purpose of sourcing potential investments;
(iv) all expenses incurred in connection with analytical, database or other third-party research services and related software and/or terminals for the delivery of such services;
(v) all third-party expenses in connection with unconsummated transactions;
(vi) all expenses incurred in connection with any restructuring or amendments to the constituent documents of the Fund and related entities;
(vii) expenses related to organizing and maintaining entities (including any holding vehicle through or in which investments will be made) (including all costs and expenses related to the presence of the Fund or any holding vehicle or other special purpose vehicles in jurisdictions in which such entities or their subsidiaries maintain a presence, including rent, domiciliation fees, directors fees and other similar costs);
(viii) expenses related to the activities of the Board, including but not limited to insurance for the benefit of the members of the Board, travel and lodging for Board meetings, and all meals and incidentals related thereto;
(ix) fees, costs and expenses related to third-party administration, accounting, legal, audit, investment banking, commercial banking, appraisal, consulting, custodial, registration, valuation and other professional services (including any filing fees, but excluding regulatory filing fees);
40
(x) all costs and expenses for the preparation, printing and distribution of the Fund’s financial statements, tax returns, portfolio valuations, and filings and Schedule K-1s and other reporting and providing information, including the costs and fees of maintaining any portal or website in which such items are made available;
(xi) costs related to the holding of meetings, if any, whether individually or as a group and including travel, lodging and meals;
(xii) insurance premiums related to errors and omissions liability insurance, professional liability insurance, general liability insurance, or other insurance as deemed appropriate to protect the Fund, the Adviser, their respective Affiliates and any of the their respective directors, officers, members, partners, employees and agents or to indemnify the Adviser, Investment Consultant and their Affiliates against any liability related to Fund Investments and operation of the Fund;
(xiii) any indemnification obligation and any other indemnity contribution or reimbursement obligations of the Fund with respect to any person, whether payable in connection with a legal proceeding involving the Fund or otherwise;
(xiv) taxes, fees or governmental charges that may be assessed against the Fund;
(xv) costs associated with the securing of borrowings including the arranging, negotiation, structuring, entering into, amending and all other documentation of agreements with one or more lenders and all principal, interest, placement and other fees, charges and costs associated with the borrowing of funds or guaranteeing of obligations to the extent permitted;
(xvi) all expenses related to hedging activities taken by the Fund, if any;
(xvii) fees incurred in connection with the maintenance of bank or custodian accounts;
(xviii) all expenses incurred in connection with the managed distribution of marketable securities;
(xix) costs of any Proceeding (including any investigation) involving Fund activities, including the costs of prosecuting or defending any legal, regulatory, administrative or other action (including settlement or review of business activities) relating to the affairs of the Fund;
(xx) the Fund’s pro-rata portion of Organizational Expenses up to a maximum of $100,000;
(xxi) any extraordinary expense of the Fund, including fees and expenses associated with any tax or other audit, investigation, settlement or review;
(xxii) all costs and expenses, if any, incurred in connection with the Fund’s legal and regulatory compliance with applicable law or regulation, including U.S. federal, state and local and non-U.S. law or regulation (including but not limited to Form PF obligations under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, Foreign Account Reporting Regimes and AIFMD and the preparation and filing of any reports, disclosures, filings or notifications in connection with the foregoing); and
(xxiii) costs incurred in terminating, dissolving and winding up of the Fund.
In addition, transaction expenses related to a Portfolio Company (whether or not such investment is consummated) which are not borne by a Portfolio Company shall be borne by the Fund, on the one hand, and any co-investor (other than a participating lender) who participates directly in such investment (whether or not consummated), on the other hand, on a pro-rata basis relative to their respective invested capital for such investment (whether or not consummated). In certain cases, the Fund may pay for a co-investor’s pro-rata portion of such transaction expenses as described above.
“Extraordinary Expenses” means all expenses incurred by the Fund, as applicable, outside of the ordinary course of its business, including, without limitation, costs incurred in connection with any claim, litigation, arbitration, mediation, government investigation or dispute and the amount of any judgment or settlement paid in connection therewith, or the enforcement of the rights against any person or entity; costs and expenses for indemnification or contribution payable to any person or entity (including, without limitation, pursuant to the indemnification obligations described under “SUMMARY OF THE AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST —Limitation of Liability; Indemnification”); expenses of a reorganization, restructuring or merger, as applicable; expenses of holding, or soliciting proxies for, a meeting of Common Shareholders (except to the extent relating to items customarily addressed at an annual meeting of a registered closed-end management investment company); and the expenses of engaging a new administrator, custodian, transfer agent or escrow agent.
The Adviser will bear all of its own routine overhead expenses, including rent, utilities, salaries, office equipment and communications expenses. In addition, the Adviser is responsible for the payment of the compensation and expenses of those members of the Board and officers of the Fund affiliated with the Adviser, and making available, without expense to the Fund, the services of such individuals, subject to their individual consent to serve and to any limitations imposed by law.
41
The Adviser and its affiliates may be entitled to receive topping, break-up, monitoring, directors’ organizational, set-up, advisory, investment banking, syndication and other similar fees in connection with the purchase, monitoring or disposition of Fund Investments or from unconsummated transactions. Any such fees earned in respect of the Fund Investments shall be for the benefit of the Fund.
The Adviser has entered into an expense limitation and reimbursement agreement (the “Expense Limitation Agreement”) with the Fund, whereby the Adviser has agreed to waive fees that it would otherwise be paid, and/or to assume expenses of the Fund (a “Waiver”), if required to ensure the Fund’s aggregate monthly ordinary operating expenses, excluding certain “Specified Expenses” listed below, borne by the Fund in respect of each Class of Shares to an amount not to exceed 0.50 %, on an annualized basis, of the Fund’s month-end net assets (the “Expense Cap”). The Expense Limitation Agreement will commence on the Commencement of Operations and will continue for at least one year from that date.
If the Fund’s aggregate monthly ordinary operating expenses, exclusive of the Specified Expenses, in respect of any Class of Shares for any month exceed the Expense Cap applicable to that Class of Shares, the Adviser will waive its Management Fee and/or reimburse the Fund for expenses to the extent necessary to eliminate such excess. The Adviser may also directly pay expenses on behalf of the Fund and waive reimbursement under the Expense Limitation Agreement. To the extent that the Adviser waives its Management Fee and/or reimburses expenses, the Adviser may, for a period not to exceed three years from the date on which a Waiver is made, recoup amounts waived or assumed, provided it is able to effect such recoupment without causing the Fund’s expense ratio (after recoupment) to exceed the lesser of (a) the expense limit in effect at the time of the waiver, and (b) the expense limit in effect at the time of the recoupment.
Specified Expenses that are not covered by the Expense Limitation and Reimbursement Agreement and are therefore borne by Common Shareholders of the Fund include: (i) the Management Fee; (ii) all fees and expenses of Fund Investments (including any underlying fees of the Fund Investments (the “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses”)); (iii) transactional costs, including legal costs and brokerage commissions, associated with the acquisition and disposition of Private Market Assets and other investments; (iv) interest payments incurred on borrowing by the Fund; (v) fees and expenses incurred in connection with a credit facility, if any, obtained by the Fund; (vi) distribution and shareholder servicing fees, as applicable; (vii) taxes; and (viii) extraordinary expenses resulting from events and transactions that are distinguished by their unusual nature and by the infrequency of their occurrence, including, without limitation, costs incurred in connection with any claim, litigation, arbitration, mediation, government investigation or similar proceeding, indemnification expenses, and expenses in connection with holding and/or soliciting proxies for all annual and other meetings of Common Shareholders).
The Expense Limitation Agreement will have a term ending one-year from the date the Fund commences operations, and will automatically renew thereafter for consecutive twelve-month terms, provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Trustees. The Expense Limitation Agreement may be terminated by the Fund’s Board of Trustees upon thirty days’ written notice to the Adviser.
The Portfolio Funds will bear various fees and expenses in connection with their operations. These fees and expenses are similar to those incurred by the Fund. In addition, the Portfolio Funds will pay asset-based fees to their Portfolio Fund Managers and generally may pay performance-based fees or allocations to their Portfolio Fund Managers, which effectively reduce the investment returns of the Portfolio Funds. These expenses, fees, and allocations are in addition to those incurred by the Fund directly. As an investor in the Portfolio Funds, the Fund will bear a portion of the expenses and fees of the Portfolio Funds. Such indirect fees and expenses are borne by the Fund.
The Fund’s expenses incurred and to be incurred in connection with the Fund’s organization are not expected to exceed $109,067. The Fund’s expenses incurred and to be incurred in connection with the initial offering of Shares will be amortized by the Fund over the 12-month period beginning on the Commencement of Operations and are not expected to exceed $143,484. The Fund will also bear directly certain ongoing offering costs associated with any periodic offers of Shares, which will be expensed as they are incurred. Offering costs cannot be deducted by the Fund or the Common Shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
The Fund’s fees and expenses will decrease the net profits or increase the net losses of the Fund.
VOTING
Each Common Shareholder will have the right to cast a number of votes, based on the value of such Common Shareholder’s Shares, at any meeting of Common Shareholders called by the (i) Board or (ii) Common Shareholders holding at least a majority of the total number of votes eligible to be cast by all Common Shareholders. Except for the exercise of such voting privileges, Common Shareholders will not be entitled to participate in the management or control of the Fund’s business and may not act for or bind the Fund.
42
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
The Fund may be subject to a number of actual and potential conflicts of interest, including, but not limited to, those set forth in further detail below.
Affiliates
The Adviser, the Investment Consultant and their affiliates engage in financial advisory activities that are independent from, and may from time to time conflict with, those of the Fund. In the future, there might arise instances where the interests of such affiliates conflict with the interests of the Fund. The Adviser, the Investment Consultant and their affiliates may provide services to, invest in, advise, sponsor and/or act as investment manager to investment vehicles and other persons or entities (including prospective investors in the Fund) which may have structures, investment objectives and/or policies that are similar to (or different than) those of the Fund; and which may compete with the Fund for investment opportunities. In addition, the Adviser, the Investment Consultant, their affiliates and their respective clients may themselves invest in securities that would be appropriate for the Fund or the Portfolio Funds and may compete with the Portfolio Funds for investment opportunities. By acquiring Shares of the Fund, each Common Shareholder will be deemed to have acknowledged the existence of any such actual and potential conflicts of interest and to have waived any claim with respect to any liability arising from the existence of any such conflict of interest, except as may otherwise be provided under the provisions of applicable state law or Federal securities law which cannot be waived or modified.
Although the Adviser, Investment Consultant and their affiliates will seek to allocate investment opportunities among the Fund and their other clients in a fair and reasonable manner, there can be no assurance that an investment opportunity which comes to the attention of the Adviser, Investment Consultant or their affiliates will be appropriate for the Fund or will be referred to the Fund. The Adviser, Investment Consultant and their affiliates are not obligated to refer any investment opportunity to the Fund.
The directors, partners, trustees, managers, members, officers and employees of the Adviser, the Investment Consultant and their affiliates may buy and sell securities or other investments for their own accounts (including through funds managed by the Adviser, the Investment Consultant or their affiliates). As a result of differing trading and investment strategies or constraints, investments may be made by directors, partners, trustees, managers, members, officers and employees that are the same, different from or made at different times than investments made for the Fund. To reduce the possibility that the Fund will be materially adversely affected by the personal trading described above, each of the Fund, the Adviser and the Investment Consultant have adopted codes of ethics (collectively, the “Codes of Ethics”) in compliance with Section 17(j) of the Investment Company Act that restricts securities trading in the personal accounts of investment professionals and others who normally come into possession of information regarding the portfolio transactions of the Fund. The Codes of Ethics can be reviewed and may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-202-942-8090. The Codes of Ethics are also available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov, and copies may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by email at publicinfo@sec.gov.
Affiliates of the Adviser or Investment Consultant may in the future have other clients with investment objectives that are similar to or compete with the Fund’s investment objectives, including private funds and managed accounts. The Fund will not engage in direct investments alongside affiliates unless the Fund has received an order granting exemption from Section 17 of the Investment Company Act or unless such investments are not prohibited by Section 17(d) of the Investment Company Act or interpretations of Section 17(d) as expressed in SEC no-action letters or other available guidance.
Allocation of the Adviser’s, Investment Consultant’s and their Affiliates’ Time
The Fund substantially relies on the Adviser to manage the day-to-day activities of the Fund and to implement the Fund’s investment strategy. The Fund relies on the Investment Consultant to leverage their extensive research team to deliver detailed investment analysis and source investments that meet the portfolio targets provided by the Adviser. The Adviser and Investment Consultant and certain of their affiliates are presently, and plan in the future to continue to be, involved with activities which are unrelated to the Fund. For example, the Adviser, Investment Consultant and their affiliates are not restricted from forming additional investment funds, from entering into other investment advisory relationships or from engaging in other business activities, even though such activities may be in competition with the Fund and/or may involve substantial time and resources of the Adviser and Investment Consultant. These activities could be viewed as creating a conflict of interest in that the time and effort of the Adviser, Investment Consultant, their affiliates and each of their officers and employees will not be devoted exclusively to the Fund’s business but will be allocated between the Fund and the management or service of the assets of other advisees of the Adviser, Investment Consultant and their affiliates. The Adviser, Investment Consultant and their respective employees will devote only as much of their time to the Fund’s business as the Adviser, Investment Consultant and their respective employees, in their judgment, determine is reasonably required, which may be substantially less than their full time. Therefore, the Adviser, Investment Consultant, their respective employees and certain affiliates may experience conflicts of interest in allocating management time, services and functions among the Fund and any other business ventures in which they or any of their key personnel, as applicable, are or may become involved. This could result in actions that are more favorable to other affiliated entities than to the Fund.
43
Nevertheless, the Fund believes that the members of the Adviser’s and Investment Consultant’s senior management and the other key professionals have sufficient time to fully discharge their responsibilities to the Fund and to the other businesses in which they are involved. The Fund believes that its affiliates and executive officers will devote the time required to manage the business and expect that the amount of time a particular executive officer or affiliate devotes to the Fund will vary during the course of the year and depend on the Fund’s business activities at the given time.
Compensation Arrangements
The Adviser will receive substantial fees from the Fund in return for its services, and these fees could influence the advice provided by the Adviser. Among other matters, the compensation arrangements could affect the Adviser’s judgment with respect to offerings of equity by the Fund, which allow the Adviser to earn increased Investment Management Fees.
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
The Fund intends to qualify annually as a RIC under the Code and intends to distribute at least 90% of its annual net taxable income to its Common Shareholders. For any distribution, the Fund will calculate each Common Shareholder’s specific distribution amount for the period using record and declaration dates. From time to time, the Fund may also pay special interim distributions in the form of cash or Shares at the discretion of the Board. Unless Common Shareholders elect to receive distributions in the form of cash, the Fund intends to make its ordinary distributions in the form of additional Shares under the DRIP. Any distributions reinvested under the DRIP will nevertheless remain subject to U.S. federal (and applicable state and local) taxation to Common Shareholders. The Fund may finance its cash distributions to Common Shareholders from any sources of funds available to the Fund, including offering proceeds, borrowings, net investment income from operations, capital gains proceeds from the sale of assets (including Fund Investments), non-capital gains proceeds from the sale of assets (including Fund Investments), dividends or other distributions paid to the Fund on account of preferred and common equity investments by the Fund in Portfolio Companies and expense reimbursements from the Adviser. The Fund has not established limits on the amount of funds the Fund may use from available sources to make distributions.
Each year a statement on IRS Form 1099-DIV (or successor form), identifying the character (e.g., as ordinary income, qualified dividend income or long-term capital gain) of the distributions, will be mailed to Common Shareholders. The Fund’s distributions may exceed the Fund’s earnings, especially during the period before the Fund has substantially invested the proceeds from this offering. As a result, a portion of the distributions the Fund makes may represent a return of capital for U.S. federal tax purposes. A return of capital generally is a return of your investment rather than a return of earnings or gains derived from the Fund’s investment activities and will be made after deduction of the fees and expenses payable in connection with the offering, including any fees payable to the Adviser. See “CERTAIN TAX CONSIDERATIONS.” There can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to pay distributions at a specific rate or at all.
The Fund intends to elect to be treated, beginning with the taxable year ending September 30, 2021, and intends to qualify annually, as a RIC under Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). To qualify for and maintain RIC tax treatment, the Fund must, among other things, distribute at least 90% of its net ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any. A RIC may satisfy the 90% distribution requirement by distributing dividends (other than capital gain dividends) during the taxable year (including dividends declared in October, November or December of a taxable year that, if paid in the following January, are treated as paid by a RIC and received by its shareholders in the prior taxable year). In addition, a RIC may, in certain cases, satisfy the 90% distribution requirement by distributing dividends relating to a taxable year after the close of such taxable year under the “spillover dividend” provisions of the Code. If a RIC makes a spillover dividend the amounts will be included in IRS Form 1099-DIV for the year the spillover distribution is paid.
44
The Fund can offer no assurance that it will achieve results that will permit the Fund to pay any cash distributions. If the Fund issues senior securities, the Fund will be prohibited from making distributions if doing so causes the Fund to fail to maintain the asset coverage ratios stipulated by the Investment Company Act or if distributions are limited by the terms of any of the Fund’s borrowings. See “CERTAIN TAX CONSIDERATIONS.”
The Fund has adopted an “opt out” dividend reinvestment plan for Common Shareholders. As a result, if the Fund makes a distribution, then Common Shareholders have their distributions reinvested in additional Shares unless they specifically “opt out” of the DRIP so as to have their distributions paid in cash. See “CERTAIN TAX CONSIDERATIONS.”
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN
The Fund has adopted an “opt out” dividend reinvestment plan pursuant to which all Common Shareholders will have the full amount of their cash distributions reinvested in additional Shares unless a Common Shareholder elects otherwise. Any distributions of the Fund’s Shares pursuant to the DRIP are dependent on the continued registration of the Fund’s securities or the availability of an exemption from registration in the recipient’s home state. Participants in the DRIP are free to elect to participate or terminate participation in the DRIP within a reasonable time as specified below.
If you elect not to participate in the DRIP, you will receive any distributions the Fund declares in cash. For example, if the Board authorizes, and the Fund declares, a distribution, then unless you have “opted-out” of the DRIP, you will have your cash distributions reinvested in additional Shares, rather than receiving the cash distributions. The Fund expects to coordinate distribution payment dates so that the same net asset value that is used for the monthly closing date immediately preceding such distribution payment date will be used to calculate the purchase net asset value for purchasers under the DRIP. Shares issued pursuant to the DRIP will have the same voting rights as the Fund’s Shares acquired by subscription to the Fund.
If you wish to participate in the DRIP and receive your distribution in additional Shares, no action will be required on your part to do so. Investors that wish to receive their distributions in cash may do so by making a written election to not participate in the DRIP on the investor’s application or by notifying the Administrator in writing at Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund, c/o UMB Fund Services, Inc. 235 West Galena Street, Milwaukee, WI 53212. Such written notice must be received by the Administrator 60 days prior to the record date of the distribution or the Common Shareholder will receive such distribution in shares through the DRIP. If Shares are held by a broker or other financial intermediary, in some circumstances a Common Shareholder may “opt out” of the DRIP by notifying its broker or other financial intermediary of such election. Please check with your broker or other financial intermediary for more details.
There are no selling commissions, dealer manager fees or other sales charges to you as a result of your participation in the DRIP. The Fund pays the Administrator’s fees under the DRIP. If you receive your ordinary cash distributions in the form of Shares as part of the DRIP, you generally are subject to the same U.S. federal, state and local tax consequences as you would be had you elected to receive your distributions in cash.
Your basis for determining gain or loss upon the sale of Shares received in a distribution from the Fund will be equal to the total dollar amount of the distribution payable in cash. Any Shares received in a distribution will have a holding period for tax purposes commencing on the day following the day on which the Shares are credited to your account. The Fund reserves the right to amend, suspend or terminate the DRIP. You may terminate your account under the DRIP by notifying the Administrator at Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund, c/o UMB Fund Services, Inc. 235 West Galena Street, Milwaukee, WI 53212, or by calling the Administrator at (888) 330-3350.
All correspondence concerning the DRIP should be directed to the Administrator by mail at Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund, c/o UMB Fund Services, 235 West Galena Street, Milwaukee, WI 53212, or by calling the Administrator at (888) 330-3350.
OUTSTANDING SECURITIES
As of the date of this Prospectus, there were no outstanding Shares of the Fund.
45
REPURCHASES OF SHARES
No Right of Repurchase
The Fund is not a liquid investment. No Common Shareholder (or other person holding Shares acquired from a Common Shareholder) will have the right to require the Fund to repurchase its Shares. No public market exists for Shares, and none is expected to develop. Consequently, Common Shareholders may not be able to liquidate their investment other than as a result of repurchases of Shares by the Fund, as described below.
Repurchases
Under normal circumstances, the Fund intends to provide a limited degree of liquidity to Common Shareholders through a combination of semi-annual repurchase offers (each, a “Required Repurchase”) and Board-determined repurchase offers (each, a “Discretionary Repurchase”). The aggregate value of Shares to be repurchased at any time will be determined by the Board in its sole discretion, and such amount may be stated as a percentage of the value of the Fund’s outstanding Shares.
For each Required Repurchase offer, the Board will set an amount between 5% and 25% of the Fund’s Shares based on relevant factors, including the liquidity of the Fund’s positions and the Common Shareholders’ desire for liquidity. A Common Shareholder whose Shares (or a portion thereof) are repurchased by the Fund will not be entitled to a return of any sales charge that was charged in connection with the Common Shareholder’s purchase of the Shares. Required Repurchase offers will be conducted with a Repurchase Pricing Date (as defined below).
For each Discretionary Repurchase offer, the Board may determine to cause the Fund to offer to repurchase Shares from Common Shareholders, including the Adviser and its affiliates, pursuant to written tenders by Common Shareholders. The Adviser anticipates recommending to the Board that, under normal market circumstances, the Fund conduct Discretionary Repurchases of no more than 5% of the Fund’s net assets each calendar quarter following a Required Repurchase (i.e. twice per year). While the Board will consider the recommendation of the Adviser, the Board also may consider the following factors, among others, in determining whether to cause the Fund to make a Discretionary Repurchase offer and the number of Shares to be repurchased:
• | whether any Common Shareholders of the Fund have requested to tender Shares to the Fund; |
• | the working capital and liquidity requirements of the Fund; |
• | the relative sizes of the repurchase requests and the Fund; |
• | the past practice of the Fund in repurchasing Shares in the Fund; |
• | the condition of the securities markets and the economy generally, as well as political, national or international developments or current affairs; |
• | the anticipated U.S. federal income tax consequences of any proposed repurchases of Shares in the Fund; and |
• | the Fund’s investment plans, the liquidity of its assets (including fees and costs associated with liquidating Fund Investments), and the availability of information as to the value of its interests in underlying Portfolio Companies, Portfolio Funds and other Fund Investments. |
As described above, in certain circumstances the Board may determine not to conduct a Discretionary Repurchase offer, or to conduct a Discretionary Repurchase offer of less than 5% of the Fund’s net assets. In particular, during periods of financial market stress, the Board may determine that some or all of the Fund Investments cannot be liquidated at their fair value, making a determination not to conduct Discretionary Repurchase offers more likely. Discretionary Repurchases may be offered at any amount, as determined by the Board, or not at all.
For each Required Repurchase or Discretionary Repurchase, Shares will be repurchased at their NAV determined as of the close of regular trading (4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on the New York Stock Exchange, as applicable (each such date, a “Repurchase Pricing Date”). Common Shareholders tendering Shares for repurchase will be asked to give written notice of their intent to do so by the date specified in the notice describing the terms of the applicable repurchase offer, which date will be approximately fourteen (14) days prior to the Repurchase Pricing Date. Common Shareholders who tender may not have all of the tendered Shares repurchased by the Fund. If over-subscriptions occur, the Fund may elect to repurchase less than the full amount that a Common Shareholder requests to be repurchased. In such an event, the Fund may repurchase only a pro rata portion of the amount tendered by each Common Shareholder. In certain circumstances, the Board may require a Common Shareholder to tender its Shares.
46
A 2.00% early repurchase fee will be charged by the Fund with respect to any repurchase of Shares from a Common Shareholder at any time prior to the day immediately preceding the one-year anniversary of the Common Shareholder’s purchase of the Shares. Shares tendered for repurchase will be treated as having been repurchased on a “first in-first out” basis. An early repurchase fee payable by a Common Shareholder may be waived by the Fund in circumstances where the Board determines that doing so is in the best interests of the Fund.
A Common Shareholder who tenders for repurchase only a portion of their Shares in the Fund will be required to maintain a minimum account balance of $25,000 for Class II Shares and $100,000 for Class I Shares. If a Common Shareholder tenders a portion of their Shares and the repurchase of that portion would cause the Common Shareholder’s account balance to fall below these respective required minimums, the Fund reserves the right to repurchase all of such Common Shareholder’s outstanding Shares or reduce the amount to be repurchased from a Common Shareholder so that the required capital balance is maintained. Such minimum capital account balance requirement may also be waived by the Board or by the Adviser in its sole discretion, subject to applicable federal securities laws.
Repurchase Procedures
The Fund has adopted a fundamental policy to conduct semi-annual repurchase offers at NAV, reduced by any applicable repurchase fee. Therefore, every six months, the Fund will conduct Required Repurchases at NAV per Share no less than 5% of the outstanding Shares of the Fund, unless such offer is suspended or postponed in accordance with regulatory requirements (as discussed below). The Fund currently intends to conduct Required Repurchases between 5% and 25% of the Fund’s outstanding Shares each semi-annual period, but this amount may be lowered in the sole discretion of the Board, so long as the amount is no less than 5% of Fund Shares outstanding. The offer to conduct Required Repurchases is a fundamental policy that may not be changed without the vote of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities (as defined in the Investment Company Act).
The Fund may suspend or postpone a Required Repurchase offer only: (a) if making or effecting the Required Repurchase offer would cause the Fund to lose its status as a regulated investment company under the Code; (b) for any period during which the New York Stock Exchange or any market on which the securities owned by the Fund are principally traded is closed, other than customary weekend and holiday closings, or during which trading in such market is restricted; (c) for any period during which an SEC-declared emergency exists, as a result of which disposal by the Fund of securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable, or during which it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund fairly to determine the value of its net assets; or (d) for such other periods as the SEC may by order permit for the protection of Common Shareholders of the Fund.
Additionally, as discussed above, and subject to the considerations described above, it is expected that there will be a Discretionary Repurchase Date in the calendar quarter immediately following the first Required Repurchase (or such earlier or later date as the Board may determine). Discretionary Repurchases may be offered at any amount, as determined by the Board, or not at all.
The Board will determine if the Fund will offer Discretionary Repurchases pursuant to written tenders only on terms that the Board determines to be fair to the Fund and Common Shareholders. The amount due to any Common Shareholder whose Shares are repurchased will be equal to the value of the Common Shareholder’s Shares being repurchased, based on the Fund’s NAV, as of the Repurchase Pricing Date, after reduction for all fees and expenses of the Fund for all periods through the Repurchase Pricing Date (including, without limitation, the Investment Management Fee, Administration Fee, and any Early Repurchase Fee (as defined below), any required U.S. federal tax withholding and other liabilities of the Fund to the extent accrued or otherwise attributable to the Shares being repurchased.
Common Shareholders will be notified in writing of a Required Repurchase or Discretionary Repurchase and the date the repurchase offer ends (the “Repurchase Request Deadline”). For each Required Repurchase or Discretionary Repurchase, Shares will be repurchased at the NAV per Share determined as of the close of regular trading (4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on the New York Stock Exchange, no later than the fourteenth day after the Repurchase Request Deadline, or the next business day if the fourteenth day is not a business day (each a “Repurchase Pricing Date”).
Common Shareholders will be notified in writing about each Required Repurchase or Discretionary Repurchase, how they may request that the Fund repurchase their Shares, and the Repurchase Request Deadline. Shares tendered for repurchase by Common Shareholders prior to any Repurchase Request Deadline will be repurchased subject to the aggregate repurchase amounts established for that Repurchase Request Deadline (the “Repurchase Offer Amount”). The time between the notification to Common Shareholders and the Repurchase Request Deadline is generally thirty (30) days, but may vary from no more than forty-two (42) days to no less than twenty-one (21) days. The Shareholder Notification will contain information Common Shareholders should consider in deciding whether to tender their Shares for repurchase. The Shareholder Notification also will include detailed instructions on how to tender Shares for repurchase, state the Repurchase Offer Amount and identify the dates of the Repurchase Request Deadline, the scheduled Repurchase Pricing Date, and the date the repurchase proceeds are scheduled for payment (the “Repurchase Payment Deadline”). The Shareholder Notification also will set forth the NAV per Share that has been computed no more than seven (7) days before the date of such notification, and how Common Shareholders may ascertain the NAV per Share after the notification date. Payment pursuant to the repurchase will be made by checks to the Common Shareholder’s address of record, or credited directly to a predetermined bank account on the Purchase Payment Date, which will be no more than seven (7) days after the Repurchase Pricing Date. The Board may establish other policies for repurchases of Shares that are consistent with the Investment Company Act, regulations thereunder and other pertinent laws.
47
If Common Shareholders tender for repurchase more than the Repurchase Offer Amount for a given repurchase offer, the Fund may, but is not required to, repurchase an additional amount of Shares not to exceed 2% of the outstanding Shares of the Fund on the Repurchase Request Deadline. If the Fund determines not to repurchase more than the Repurchase Offer Amount, or if Common Shareholders tender Shares in an amount exceeding the Repurchase Offer Amount plus 2% of the outstanding Shares on the Repurchase Request Deadline, the Fund will repurchase the Shares on a pro rata basis. However, the Fund may (i) accept all Shares tendered by persons who own, beneficially or of record, an aggregate of less than one hundred shares and who tender all of their Shares, before prorating Share tenders by others; or (ii) accept by lot Shares tendered by common shareholders who tender all Shares held by them and who, when tendering their Shares, elect to have all or none or at least a minimum amount or none accepted, if the company first accepts Shares tendered by common shareholders who do not so elect. In addition, the Fund will accept the total number of Shares tendered in connection with required minimum distributions from an IRA or other qualified retirement plan. It is the Common Shareholder’s obligation to both notify and provide the Fund supporting documentation of a required minimum distribution from an IRA or other qualified retirement plan.
The Fund must maintain liquid assets equal to the Repurchase Offer Amount from the time that the Shareholder Notification is sent to Common Shareholders until the Repurchase Pricing Date. The Fund will ensure that a percentage of its net assets equal to at least 100% of the Repurchase Offer Amount consists of assets that can be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business at approximately the price at which the Fund has valued the investment within the time period between the Repurchase Request Deadline and the Repurchase Payment Deadline. The Board has adopted procedures that are reasonably designed to ensure that the Fund’s assets are sufficiently liquid so that the Fund can comply with the repurchase offer and the liquidity requirements described in the previous paragraph. If, at any time, the Fund falls out of compliance with these liquidity requirements, the Board will take whatever action it deems appropriate to ensure compliance.
The repurchase of Shares is subject to regulatory requirements imposed by the SEC. The Fund’s repurchase procedures are intended to comply with such requirements. However, in the event that the Board determines that modification of the repurchase procedures described above is required or appropriate, the Board will adopt revised repurchase procedures as necessary to ensure the Fund’s compliance with applicable regulations or as the Board in its sole discretion deems appropriate. Following the commencement of an offer to repurchase Shares, the Fund may suspend, postpone or terminate such offer in certain circumstances upon the determination of a majority of the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, that such suspension, postponement or termination is advisable for the Fund and its Common Shareholders, including, without limitation, circumstances as a result of which it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund to dispose of its investments or to determine its net asset value, and other unusual circumstances.
Each Common Shareholder whose Shares have been accepted for repurchase will continue to be a Common Shareholder of the Fund until a Repurchase Date (and thereafter if the Common Shareholder retains Shares following such repurchase) and may exercise its voting rights with respect to the repurchased Shares until the Repurchase Date. Moreover, the account maintained in respect of a Common Shareholder whose Shares have been accepted for repurchase will be adjusted for the net profits or net losses of the Fund through a Repurchase Pricing Date, and such Common Shareholder’s account shall not be adjusted for the amount withdrawn, as a result of the repurchase, prior to the Repurchase Date.
Payments for repurchased Shares may require the Fund to liquidate Fund Investments earlier than the Adviser otherwise would liquidate such holdings, potentially resulting in losses, and may increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover. The Fund may, but need not, maintain cash or borrow money to meet repurchase requests. Such a practice could increase the Fund’s operating expenses and impact the ability of the Fund to achieve its investment objective.
48
Early Repurchase Fees
A 2.00% early repurchase fee (the “Early Repurchase Fee”) will be charged by the Fund with respect to any repurchase of Shares from a Common Shareholder at any time prior to the day immediately preceding the one-year anniversary of the Common Shareholder’s purchase of the Shares. Shares tendered for repurchase will be treated as having been repurchased on a “first in-first out” basis. Therefore, Shares repurchased will be deemed to have been taken from the earliest purchase of Shares by such Common Shareholder (adjusted for subsequent net profits and net losses) until all such Shares have been repurchased, and then from each subsequent purchase of Shares by such Common Shareholder (adjusted for subsequent net profits and net losses) until such Shares are repurchased. An Early Repurchase Fee payable by a Common Shareholder may be waived by the Fund in circumstances where the Board determines that doing so is in the best interests of the Fund.
Other than the Early Repurchase Fee, the Fund does not presently intend to impose any charges on the repurchase of Shares. However, the Fund is permitted to allocate Common Shareholders, whose Shares are repurchased, costs and charges imposed by the Portfolio Fund in connection with Fund Investments, if the Adviser determines to liquidate such interests as a result of repurchase tenders by Common Shareholders and such charges are imposed on the Fund. In the event that any such charges are allocated to the Fund, and subject to applicable law, the Fund may allocate such charges to the Common Shareholders whose repurchase tenders resulted in the repurchase of a portion of the Shares that resulted in such charges.
A Common Shareholder who tenders some but not all of its Shares for repurchase will be required to maintain a minimum account balance of $25,000 for Class II Shares and $100,000 for Class I Shares. Such minimum account balance requirement may be waived by the Fund, in its sole discretion. The Fund reserves the right to reduce the amount to be repurchased from a Common Shareholder so that the required account balance is maintained.
In the event that the Adviser or any of its affiliates holds Shares in its capacity as a Common Shareholder, such Shares may be tendered for repurchase in connection with any repurchase offer made by the Fund, without notice to the other Common Shareholders.
Mandatory Repurchases by the Fund
In accordance with the terms and conditions of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, the Fund may cause a mandatory repurchase of all or some of the Shares of a Common Shareholder, or any person acquiring Shares from or through a Common Shareholder, in the event that the Board determines or has reason to believe, in its sole discretion, that: (i) that Common Shareholder or person’s Shares have been transferred to, or has vested in, any person, by operation of law in connection with the death, divorce, bankruptcy, insolvency, or adjudicated incompetence of a Common Shareholder; (ii) ownership of the Shares by such Common Shareholder or other person will cause the Fund to be in violation of, or subject the Fund or the Adviser to additional registration or regulation under the securities, commodities, or other laws of the United States or any other jurisdiction; (iii) continued ownership of the Shares by such Common Shareholder may be harmful or injurious to the business or reputation of the Fund or the Adviser, or may subject the Fund or any Common Shareholders or to an undue risk of adverse tax or other fiscal consequences; (iv) any representation or warranty made by a Common Shareholder in connection with the acquisition of Shares was not true when made or has ceased to be true, or the Common Shareholder has breached any covenant made by it in connection with the acquisition of Shares; or (v) it would be in the best interests of the Fund for the Fund to cause a mandatory repurchase of such Shares in circumstances where the Board determines that doing so is in the best interests of the Fund in a manner as will not discriminate unfairly against any Common Shareholder. Any mandatory repurchase or redemption of Shares will be in accordance with Rule 23c-2 under the Investment Company Act.
TRANSFERS OF SHARES
No person shall become a substituted Common Shareholder of the Fund without the consent of the Fund, which consent may be withheld in its sole discretion. Shares held by Common Shareholders may be transferred only: (i) by operation of law in connection with the death, divorce, bankruptcy, insolvency, or adjudicated incompetence of the Common Shareholder; or (ii) under other limited circumstances, with the consent of the Board (which may be withheld in its sole discretion and is expected to be granted, if at all, only under extenuating circumstances).
49
Notice to the Fund of any proposed transfer must include evidence satisfactory to the Board that the proposed transferee, at the time of transfer, meets any requirements imposed by the Fund with respect to investor eligibility and suitability. See “ELIGIBLE INVESTORS.” Notice of a proposed transfer of Shares must also be accompanied by a properly completed subscription document in respect of the proposed transferee. In connection with any request to transfer Shares, the Fund may require the Common Shareholder requesting the transfer to obtain, at the Common Shareholder’s expense, an opinion of counsel selected by the Fund as to such matters as the Fund may reasonably request. The Board generally will not consent to a transfer of Shares by a Common Shareholder (i) unless such transfer is to a single transferee, or (ii) if, after the transfer of the Shares, each of the transferee and transferor own less than $ 25,000 worth of Shares. Each transferring Common Shareholder and transferee may be charged reasonable expenses, including, but not limited to, attorneys’ and accountants’ fees, incurred by the Fund in connection with the transfer.
Any transferee acquiring Shares by operation of law in connection with the death, divorce, bankruptcy, insolvency, or adjudicated incompetence of the Common Shareholder, will be entitled to the allocations and distributions allocable to the Shares so acquired, to transfer the Shares in accordance with the terms of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust and to tender the Shares for repurchase by the Fund, but will not be entitled to the other rights of a Common Shareholder unless and until the transferee becomes a substituted Common Shareholder as specified in the Agreement and Declaration of Trust. If a Common Shareholder transfers Shares with the approval of the Board, the Fund shall as promptly as practicable take all necessary actions so that each transferee or successor to whom the Shares are transferred is admitted to the Fund as a Common Shareholder.
By subscribing for Shares, each Common Shareholder agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Fund, the Board, the Adviser, and each other Common Shareholder, and any affiliate of the foregoing and any of their employees, officers or directors against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including legal or other expenses incurred in investigating or defending against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses or any judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement), joint or several, to which such persons may become subject by reason of or arising from any transfer made by that Common Shareholder in violation of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust or any misrepresentation made by that Common Shareholder in connection with any such transfer. The indemnification will not apply to actions of the Fund, the Board, the Adviser, or each other Common Shareholder, and any affiliate of the foregoing and any of their employees, officers or directors that result from a willful misconduct, bad faith, reckless disregard or gross negligence in the performance of their duties.
CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE; VALUATION
The Fund will calculate its net asset value as of the close of regular trading (4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on the New York Stock Exchange on the last business day of each calendar week, each business day for the five business days preceding a repurchase request deadline (at such specific time set by the Board), each date that a Share is offered or repurchased, as of the date of any distribution and at such other times as the Board shall determine (each, a “Determination Date”). In determining its net asset value, the Fund will value its investments as of the relevant Determination Date. The net asset value of the Fund will equal, unless otherwise noted, the value of the total assets of the Fund, less all of its liabilities, including accrued fees and expenses, each determined as of the relevant Determination Date.
The Board has approved pricing procedures (the “Pricing Procedures”) and valuation procedures for the Fund (the “Valuation Procedures”) and will oversee the implementation of such procedures. The Administrator will utilize the Pricing Procedures to price portfolio securities and the Valuation Procedures will be utilized by a separate valuation committee, consisting of officers of the Fund and representatives from the Adviser (the “Valuation Committee”). The Valuation Committee will be responsible for determining the fair value of the Fund’s investments.
In addition to having representation on the Valuation Committee, the Adviser may assist in making valuation determinations, provide primary day-to-day oversight of valuation of the Fund’s investments and act in accordance with the Valuation Procedures as developed and approved by the Board. The valuation of the Fund’s investments is performed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Codification 820 — Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.
The Valuation Procedures provide that the Fund will fair value portfolio securities held by the Fund when the price of a portfolio security is deemed unavailable or unreliable, and therefore cannot be accurately valued in accordance with the Pricing Procedures.
Securities traded on one or more of the U.S. national securities exchanges, the Nasdaq Stock Market or any foreign stock exchange will be valued based on their respective market price.
50
Debt instruments for which market quotations are readily available are typically valued based on such market quotations. In validating market quotations, the Valuation Committee considers different factors such as the source and the nature of the quotation in order to determine whether the quotation represents fair value. The Valuation Committee makes use of reputable financial information providers in order to obtain the relevant quotations.
For debt and equity securities which are not publicly traded or for which market prices are not readily available (unquoted investments) the fair value is determined in good faith. In determining the fair values of these investments, the Valuation Committee will typically apply widely recognized market and income valuation methodologies including, but not limited to, earnings and multiple analysis, discounted cash flow method and third-party valuations. In order to determine a fair value, these methods are applied to the latest information provided by the underlying portfolio companies or other business counterparties.
Due to the inherent uncertainty in determining the fair value of investments for which market values are not readily available the fair values of these investments may fluctuate from period to period. In addition, such fair value may differ materially from the values that may have been used had a ready market existed for such investments and may significantly differ from the value ultimately realized by the Fund.
Assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies will be converted into U.S. Dollars using foreign exchange rates provided by a recognized pricing service.
Primary and secondary investments in private equity funds are generally valued based on the latest net asset value reported by the third-party fund manager.
If the net asset value of an investment in a private equity fund is not available at the time the Fund is calculating its net asset value, the Fund will review any cash flows since the reference date of the last net asset value for a private equity fund received by the Fund from a third-party manager until the Determination Date are recognized by (i) adding the nominal amount of the investment related capital calls and (ii) deducting the nominal amount of investment related distributions from the net asset value as reported by the Portfolio Fund Manager.
In addition to tracking the net asset value plus related cash flows of such Portfolio Funds, the Valuation Committee also intends to track relevant broad-based and issuer (or fund) specific valuation information relating to the assets held by each private equity fund which is reasonably available at the time the Fund values its investments. The Valuation Committee will consider such information and may conclude in certain circumstances that the information provided by the Portfolio Fund Manager does not represent the fair value of a particular asset held by a Portfolio Fund. If the Valuation Committee concludes in good faith that the latest net asset value reported by a Portfolio Fund Manager does not represent fair value (e.g., there is more current information regarding a portfolio asset which significantly changes its fair value) the Valuation Committee will make a corresponding adjustment to reflect the current fair value of such asset within such Portfolio Fund. In determining the fair value of assets held by Portfolio Funds, the Valuation Committee applies valuation methodologies as outlined above.
Determining fair value involves subjective judgments, and it is possible that the fair value determined by the Valuation Committee for an investment may differ materially from the value that could be realized upon the ultimate sale of the investment. There is no single standard for determining fair value of an investment. Rather, in determining the fair value of an investment for which there are no readily available market quotations, the Valuation Committee may consider pre-acquisition and annual financial reporting summaries from a Portfolio Fund, comparable company factors, including fundamental analytical data relating to the investment, the nature and duration of any restriction on the disposition of the investment, the cost of the investment at the date of purchase, the liquidity of the market for the investment, the price of such investment in a meaningful private or public investment or merger or acquisition of the issuer subsequent to the Fund’s investment therein, or the per share price of the investment to be valued in recent verifiable transactions. Fair value prices are estimates, and there is no assurance that such a price will be at or close to the price at which the investment is next quoted or next trades.
Notwithstanding the above, Portfolio Fund Managers may adopt a variety of valuation bases and provide differing levels of information concerning Portfolio Funds and there will generally be no liquid markets for such investments. Consequently, there are inherent difficulties in determining the fair value that cannot be eliminated. None of the Valuation Committee, the Board or the Adviser will be able to confirm independently the accuracy of valuations provided by the Portfolio Fund Managers (which are generally unaudited).
51
Due to the inherent uncertainty in determining the fair value of investments for which market values are not readily available the fair value of these investments may fluctuate from period to period. In addition, such fair value may differ materially from the values that may have been used had a ready market existed for such investments and may significantly differ from the value ultimately realized by the Fund.
The Adviser and its affiliates act as investment advisers to other clients that invest in securities for which no public market price exists. Valuation determinations by the Adviser or its affiliates for other clients may result in different values than those ascribed to the same security owned by the Fund. Consequently, the fees charged to the Fund may be different than those charged to other clients, since the method of calculating the fees takes the value of all assets, including assets carried at different valuations, into consideration.
Expenses of the Fund, including the Investment Management Fee, are accrued on a monthly basis on the Determination Date and taken into account for the purpose of determining the Fund’s net asset value.
Prospective investors should be aware that situations involving uncertainties as to the value of portfolio positions could have an adverse effect on the Fund’s net asset value and the Fund if the judgments of the Valuation Committee regarding appropriate valuations should prove incorrect.
CERTAIN TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a general summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to the Fund and to an investment in Shares by a Common Shareholder. This summary does not discuss all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to a particular investor, including an investor who holds Shares as part of a hedging, straddle, conversion, constructive sale or other integrated transaction, or to certain investors (e.g., investors subject to the alternative minimum tax, tax-exempt organizations, dealers in securities, pension plans and trusts, financial institutions, certain foreign investors and insurance companies) subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws. In addition, this summary does not specifically address the special tax consequences that may be applicable to persons who hold interests in partnerships, grantor trusts and other pass-through entities that hold Shares. This summary assumes that investors hold Shares as capital assets (generally, property held for investment).
THIS SUMMARY IS NECESSARILY GENERAL, AND EACH PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR IS URGED TO CONSULT ITS TAX ADVISER WITH RESPECT TO THE U.S. FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL, AND FOREIGN INCOME AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSAL OF SHARES, INCLUDING APPLICABLE TAX REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.
This summary is based on the Code as in effect on the date of this Prospectus, the Treasury Regulations, rulings of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), and court decisions in existence on the date hereof, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. The Fund has not sought a ruling from the IRS or any other federal, state or local agency, or opinion of counsel, with respect to any of the tax issues affecting the Fund. This summary does not discuss any aspects of the U.S. federal estate or gift tax or any state or local or non-U.S. tax. It does not discuss the special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws that could result if the Fund invested in tax-exempt securities or certain other investment assets.
If a partnership (including an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds Shares, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership with respect to the Shares generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partners in partnerships considering an acquisition of Shares should consult their tax advisers with respect to the partnership’s purchase, ownership and disposition of Shares.
Taxation as a RIC
As a RIC, in any fiscal year with respect to which the Fund distributes at least 90% of the sum of the Fund’s: (i) “investment company taxable income,” which includes, among other items, dividends, interest, the excess of any net realized short-term capital gains over net realized long-term capital losses, and other taxable income (other than any net capital gain), reduced by deductible expenses, determined without regard to the deduction for dividends and distributions paid and (ii) net tax-exempt interest income (which is the excess of the Fund’s gross tax-exempt interest income over certain disallowed deductions), the Fund generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on investment company taxable income and net capital gains that the Fund distributes to its Common Shareholders. The Fund intends to distribute, in its Shares and/or cash, annually, all or substantially all of such income. To the extent that the Fund retains its net capital gains for investment or any investment company taxable income, the Fund will be subject to U.S. federal income tax. The Fund may choose to retain its net capital gains for investment or any investment company taxable income, and pay the associated U.S. federal corporate income tax, including the U.S. federal excise tax (described below).
52
The Fund may retain some or all of its realized net long-term capital gains in excess of realized net short-term capital losses and designate the retained net capital gains as a “deemed distribution.” In that case, among other consequences, the Fund will pay tax on the retained amount and each Common Shareholder will be required to include its share of the deemed distribution in income as if it had been actually distributed to the Common Shareholder, and such Common Shareholder will be entitled to claim a credit equal to its allocable share of the tax paid thereon by the Fund for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The amount of the deemed distribution net of such tax will be added to the Common Shareholder’s cost basis for its Shares. Since the Fund generally would be required to pay tax on any retained net capital gains at the Fund’s regular corporate tax rate, and since that rate is in excess of the maximum rate currently payable by individuals on long-term capital gains, the amount of tax that individual Common Shareholders will be treated as having paid and for which they will receive a credit will exceed the tax they owe on the retained net capital gain. Such excess generally may be claimed as a credit against the U.S. Common Shareholder’s other U.S. federal income tax obligations or may be refunded to the extent it exceeds a Common Shareholder’s liability for U.S. federal income tax. A Common Shareholder that is not subject to U.S. federal income tax or otherwise required to file a U.S. federal income tax return would be required to file a U.S. federal income tax return on the appropriate form to claim a refund with respect to the allocable share of the taxes that the Fund has paid. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the tax basis of Shares owned by a Common Shareholder will be increased by an amount equal to the excess of the amount of undistributed capital gains included in the Common Shareholder’s gross income over the tax deemed paid by the Common Shareholder as described in this paragraph. To utilize the deemed distribution approach, the Fund must provide written notice to Common Shareholders prior to the expiration of 60 days after the close of the relevant taxable year. The Fund cannot treat any of its investment company taxable income as a “deemed distribution.” The Fund may also make actual distributions to its Common Shareholders of some or all of realized net long-term capital gains in excess of realized net short-term capital losses.
The Fund will be subject to a 4% nondeductible U.S. federal excise tax (the “Excise Tax”) on certain undistributed income unless the Fund distributes in a timely manner an amount at least equal to the sum of (i) 98% of the Fund’s net ordinary income for each calendar year, (ii) 98.2% of the Fund’s capital gain net income for the one-year period ending October 31 in that calendar year and (iii) any income recognized, but not distributed, in preceding years and on which the Fund paid no U.S. federal income tax (the “Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement”). For purposes of the required Excise Tax distribution, the income and gains of Portfolio Funds are expected to be treated as arising in the hands of the Fund at the time realized and recognized by the Portfolio Funds. While the Fund intends to distribute any income and capital gains in the manner necessary to minimize imposition of the Excise Tax, sufficient amounts of the Fund’s taxable income and capital gains may not be distributed to avoid entirely the imposition of the Excise Tax. In that event, the Fund will be liable for the Excise Tax only on the amount by which the Fund does not meet the Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement.
Given the difficulty of estimating Fund income and gains in a timely fashion, each year the Fund is likely to be liable for a 4% excise tax on the portion of underdistributed income and gains of the Fund.
In order to qualify as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Fund must, among other things:
• | derive in each taxable year at least 90% of the Fund’s gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities, loans, gains from the sale of stock or other securities, net income from certain “qualified publicly traded partnerships,” or other income derived with respect to the Fund’s business of investing in such stock or securities (the “Source of Income Test”); and |
• | diversify the Fund’s holdings so that at the end of each quarter of the taxable year: |
• | at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s assets consists of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs, and other securities if such other securities of any one issuer do not represent more than 5% of the value of the Fund’s assets or more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer; and |
• | no more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s assets are invested in the securities, other than U.S. government securities or securities of other RICs, of one issuer, of two or more issuers that are controlled, as determined under applicable Code rules, by the Fund and that are engaged in the same or similar or related trades or businesses or of certain “qualified publicly traded partnerships” (the “Diversification Tests”). |
53
In the event the Fund owns equity interests in operating businesses conducted in “pass-through” form (i.e., as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes), income from such equity interests may not qualify for purposes of the Source of Income Test and, as a result, the Fund may be required to hold such interests through a subsidiary corporation. In such a case, any income from such equity interests should not adversely affect the Fund’s ability to meet the Source of Income Test, although such income generally would be subject to U.S. federal income tax, which the Fund would indirectly bear through its ownership of such subsidiary corporation.
The Fund is authorized to borrow funds and to sell assets in order to satisfy distribution requirements. However, under the Investment Company Act, the Fund is not permitted to make distributions to its Common Shareholders while its debt obligations and other senior securities are outstanding unless certain “asset coverage” tests are met. Moreover, the Fund’s ability to dispose of assets to meet the Fund’s distribution requirements may be limited by (i) the illiquid nature of the Fund’s portfolio and/or (ii) other requirements relating to the Fund’s qualification as a RIC, including the Diversification Tests. If the Fund disposes of assets in order to meet the Annual Distribution Requirement or the Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement, the Fund may make such dispositions at times that, from an investment standpoint, are not advantageous.
Fund Investments
The Fund will invest a portion of its assets in Portfolio Funds that are classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
An entity that is properly classified as a partnership, rather than an association or publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation, is not itself subject to federal income tax. Instead, each partner of the partnership must take into account its distributive share of the partnership’s income, gains, losses, deductions and credits (including all such items allocable to that partnership from investments in other partnerships) for each taxable year of the partnership ending with or within the partner’s taxable year, without regard to whether such partner has received or will receive corresponding cash distributions from the partnership. Accordingly, the Fund may be required to recognize items of taxable income and gain prior to the time that the Fund receives corresponding cash distributions from a Portfolio Fund. In such case, the Fund might have to borrow money or dispose of investments, including interests in Portfolio Funds, and the Fund might have to sell shares of the Fund, in each case including when it is disadvantageous to do so, in order to make the distributions required in order to maintain its status as a RIC and to avoid the imposition of a federal income or excise tax.
In addition, the character of a partner’s distributive share of items of partnership income, gain and loss generally will be determined as if the partner had realized such items directly. Portfolio Funds classified as partnerships for federal income tax purposes may generate income allocable to the Fund that is not qualifying income for purposes of the Source of Income Test. In order to meet the Source of Income Test, the Fund may structure its investments in a way potentially increasing the taxes imposed thereon or in respect thereof. Because the Fund may not have timely or complete information concerning the amount and sources of such a Portfolio Fund’s income until such income has been earned by the Portfolio Fund or until a substantial amount of time thereafter, it may be difficult for the Fund to satisfy the Source of Income Test.
Furthermore, it may not always be entirely clear how the asset diversification rules for RIC qualification will apply to the Fund’s investments in Portfolio Funds that are classified as partnerships for federal income tax purposes. The Fund will engage the services of a third-party service provider to collect, aggregate and analyze data on the Fund’s direct and indirect investments in order to ensure that the Fund meets the asset diversification test. In the event that the Fund believes that it is possible that it will fail the asset diversification requirement at the end of any quarter of a taxable year, it may seek to take certain actions to avert such failure, including by acquiring additional investments to come into compliance with the asset diversification test or by disposing of non-diversified assets. Although the Code affords the Fund the opportunity, in certain circumstances, to cure a failure to meet the asset diversification test, including by disposing of non-diversified assets within six months, there may be constraints on the Fund’s ability to dispose of its interest in an Investment Fund that limit utilization of this cure period.
As a result of the considerations described in the preceding paragraphs, the Fund’s intention to qualify and be eligible for treatment as a RIC can limit its ability to acquire or continue to hold positions in Portfolio Funds that would otherwise be consistent with their investment strategy or can require it to engage in transactions in which it would otherwise not engage, resulting in additional transaction costs and reducing the Fund’s return to Investors.
54
Unless otherwise indicated, references in this discussion to the Fund’s investments, activities, income, gain, and loss include the direct investments, activities, income, gain, and loss of the Fund, as well as those indirectly attributable to the Fund as result of the Fund’s investment in any Portfolio Fund (or other entity) that is properly classified as a partnership or disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes (and not an association or publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation).
Certain of the Fund’s investment practices are subject to special and complex U.S. federal income tax provisions that may: (i) disallow, suspend, or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions, including the dividends received deduction, (ii) convert lower taxed long-term capital gains and qualified dividend income into higher taxed short-term capital gains or ordinary income, (iii) convert ordinary loss or a deduction into capital loss (the deductibility of which is more limited), (iv) cause the Fund to recognize income or gain without a corresponding receipt of cash, (v) adversely affect the time as to when a purchase or sale of stock or securities is deemed to occur, (vi) adversely alter the characterization of certain complex financial transactions and (vii) produce income that will not qualify as good income for purposes of the 90% annual gross income requirement described above. The Fund will monitor its transactions and may decide to make certain tax elections, may be required to borrow money, or may be required to dispose of securities to mitigate the effect of these rules and prevent disqualification of the Fund as a RIC.
Investments the Fund makes in securities issued at a discount or providing for deferred interest or paid-in-kind interest are subject to special tax rules that will affect the amount, timing, and character of distributions to the Fund’s Common Shareholders. For example, with respect to securities issued at a discount, the Fund will generally be required to accrue daily, as income, a portion of the discount and to distribute such income each year to maintain the Fund’s qualification as a RIC and to avoid U.S. federal income and the Excise Tax. Since in certain circumstances the Fund may recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income, the Fund may have difficulty making distributions in the amounts necessary to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement and for avoiding U.S. federal income and the Excise Tax. Accordingly, the Fund may have to sell some of its investments at times the Fund would not consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital, or reduce new investment originations to meet these distribution requirements. If the Fund is not able to obtain cash from other sources, the Fund may fail to qualify as a RIC and thereby be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax.
In the event the Fund invests in foreign securities, the Fund may be subject to withholding and other foreign taxes with respect to those securities. The Fund does not expect to satisfy the requirement to pass through to the Fund’s Common Shareholders their share of the foreign taxes paid by the Fund.
The Fund may invest in non-U.S. corporations (or other non-U.S. entities treated as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes). Thus, it is possible that one or more such entities in which the Fund invests could be treated under the Code and Treasury Regulations as a “passive foreign investment company” or a “controlled foreign corporation.” The rules relating to investments in these types of non-U.S. entities are designed to ensure that U.S. taxpayers are either, in effect, taxed currently (or on an accelerated basis with respect to corporate level events) or taxed at increased tax rates at distribution or disposition. In certain circumstances this could require the Fund to recognize income where the Fund does not receive a corresponding payment in cash and make distributions with respect to such income in order to maintain the Fund’s qualification as a RIC. Under such circumstances, the Fund may have difficulty meeting the Annual Distribution Requirement necessary to maintain RIC tax treatment under the Code. Under certain circumstances an investment in a passive foreign investment company could result in a tax to the Fund and/or an increase in the amount of taxable distributions by the Fund.
Failure to Qualify as a RIC
If the Fund failed to satisfy the annual Source of Income Test or the Diversification Tests for any quarter of a taxable year, the Fund might nevertheless continue to qualify as a RIC for such year if certain relief provisions of the Code applied (which might, among other things, require the Fund to pay certain corporate-level U.S. federal taxes or to dispose of certain assets). If the Fund failed to qualify for treatment as a RIC and such relief provisions did not apply, the Fund would be subject to U.S. federal income tax on all of its net taxable income at regular corporate U.S. federal income tax rates (and the Fund also would be subject to any applicable state and local taxes), regardless of whether the Fund made any distributions to Common Shareholders. The Fund would not be able to deduct distributions to its Common Shareholders, nor would the Fund be required to make distributions to its Common Shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Any distributions the Fund made generally would be taxable to its U.S. Common Shareholders as ordinary dividend income and, subject to certain limitations under the Code, would be eligible for the 20% maximum U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to individuals and other non-corporate U.S. Common Shareholders, to the extent of the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits. Subject to certain limitations under the Code, U.S. Common Shareholders that are corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes would be eligible for the dividends-received deduction. Distributions in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits would be treated first as a return of capital to the extent of the Common Shareholder’s adjusted tax basis, and any remaining distributions would be treated as a capital gain.
55
Subject to a limited exception applicable to RICs that qualified as such under Subchapter M of the Code for at least one year prior to disqualification and that re-qualify as a RIC no later than the second year following the non-qualifying year, the Fund could be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any unrealized net built-in gains in the assets held by it during the period in which it failed to qualify as a RIC that are recognized during the 10-year period after its requalification as a RIC, unless it made a special election to pay corporate-level U.S. federal income tax on such net built-in gains at the time of its requalification as a RIC. The Fund may decide to be taxed as a regular corporation (thereby becoming subject to U.S. federal income and other taxes as set forth above) even if it would otherwise qualify as a RIC if it determines that treatment as a corporation for a particular year would be in its best interests.
Taxation of U.S. Shareholders
A “U.S. Shareholder” generally is a beneficial owner of Shares which is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
• | a citizen or individual resident of the United States; |
• | a corporation or other entity treated as a corporation, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state or the District of Columbia; |
• | a trust, if a court in the United States has primary supervision over its administration and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all decisions of the trust, or the trust has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person; or |
• | an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source. |
Distributions by the Fund generally are taxable to U.S. Shareholders as ordinary income or capital gains. Distributions of the Fund’s “investment company taxable income” (which is, generally, the Fund’s net ordinary income plus realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses) will be taxable as ordinary income to U.S. Shareholders to the extent of the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional Shares. To the extent such distributions paid by the Fund to non-corporate U.S. Shareholders (including individuals) are attributable to dividends from U.S. corporations and certain qualified foreign corporations, such “qualifying dividends” may be eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. federal income tax. Distributions of the Fund’s net capital gains (which is generally the Fund’s realized net long-term capital gains in excess of realized net short-term capital losses) properly designated by the Fund as “capital gain dividends” will be taxable to a U.S. Shareholder as long-term capital gains that are currently taxable at a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 20% in the case of individuals, trusts or estates, regardless of the U.S. Shareholder’s holding period for its Shares and regardless of whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional Shares. Distributions in excess of the Fund’s earnings and profits first will reduce a U.S. Shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in such U.S. Shareholder’s common stock and, after the adjusted basis is reduced to zero, will constitute capital gains to such U.S. Shareholder.
In the event that the Fund retains any net capital gains, the Fund may designate the retained amounts as undistributed capital gains in a notice to the Fund’s Common Shareholders. If a designation is made, Common Shareholders would include in income, as long-term capital gains, their proportionate share of the undistributed amounts, but would be allowed a credit or refund, as the case may be, for their proportionate share of the corporate U.S. federal income tax paid by the Fund. In addition, the tax basis of Shares owned by a U.S. Shareholder would be increased by an amount equal to the difference between (i) the amount included in the U.S. Shareholder’s income as long-term capital gains and (ii) the U.S. Shareholder’s proportionate share of the corporate U.S. federal income tax paid by the Fund.
For purposes of determining (i) whether the Annual Distribution Requirement is satisfied for any year and (ii) the amount of distributions paid for that year, the Fund may, under certain circumstances, elect to treat a distribution that is paid during the following taxable year as if it had been paid during the taxable year in question. If the Fund makes such an election, the U.S. Shareholder will still be treated as receiving the distribution in the taxable year in which the distribution is made. However, any distribution declared by the Fund in October, November or December of any calendar year, payable to Common Shareholders of record on a specified date in such a month and actually paid during January of the following year, will be treated as if it had been paid by the Fund and received by the Fund’s U.S. Shareholders on December 31 of the year in which the distribution was declared.
56
A U.S. Shareholder participating in the DRIP will be taxed on the amount of such distribution in the same manner as if such U.S. Shareholder had received such distribution in cash. Any stock received in a purchase under the DRIP will have a holding period for tax purposes commencing on the day following the day on which Shares are credited to a U.S. Shareholder’s account.
A U.S. Shareholder generally will recognize taxable gain or loss if the U.S. Shareholder sells or otherwise disposes of its Shares. The amount of gain or loss will be measured by the difference between such U.S. Shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in the Shares sold and the amount of the proceeds received in exchange. Any gain arising from such sale or disposition generally will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Shareholder has held its Shares for more than one year. Otherwise, it will be classified as short-term capital gain or loss. However, any capital loss arising from the sale or disposition of Shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of the amount of capital gain dividends received, or undistributed capital gain deemed received, with respect to such Shares. In addition, all or a portion of any loss recognized upon a disposition of Shares may be disallowed if other Shares are purchased (whether through reinvestment of distributions or otherwise) within 30 days before or after the disposition.
In general, individual U.S. Shareholders currently are subject to a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 20% on their net capital gain (i.e., the excess of realized net long-term capital gains over realized net short-term capital losses), including any long-term capital gain derived from an investment in Shares. Such rate is lower than the maximum rate on ordinary income currently payable by individuals. Corporate U.S. Shareholders currently are subject to U.S. federal income tax on net capital gain at the maximum 21% rate also applied to ordinary income. Non-corporate U.S. Shareholders with net capital losses for a year (i.e., capital losses in excess of capital gains) generally may deduct up to $3,000 of such losses against their ordinary income each year; any net capital losses of a non-corporate U.S. Shareholder in excess of $3,000 generally may be carried forward and used in subsequent years as provided in the Code. Corporate U.S. Shareholders generally may not deduct any net capital losses for a year but may carry back such losses for three years or carry forward such losses for five years.
The Code requires the Fund to report U.S. Shareholders’ cost basis, gain/loss, and holding period to the IRS on IRS Form 1099s when “covered” securities are sold. For purposes of these reporting requirements, all of the Fund’s Shares acquired by non-tax exempt Common Shareholders, including those acquired through DRIP, will be considered “covered” securities. The Fund intends to choose FIFO (“first-in, first-out”) as the Fund’s default tax lot identification method for all Common Shareholders. A tax lot identification method is the way the Fund will determine which specific Shares are deemed to be sold when there are multiple purchases on different dates at differing transaction prices, and the entire position is not sold at one time. The Fund’s default tax lot identification method is the method “covered” securities will be reported on your IRS Form 1099 if you do not select a specific tax lot identification method. You may choose a method different than the Fund’s standing method and will be able to do so from the time you are admitted as a Common Shareholder up through and until the sale of the “covered” securities. For those securities defined as “covered” under current IRS cost basis tax reporting regulations, the Fund is responsible for maintaining accurate cost basis and tax lot information for tax reporting purposes. The Fund is not responsible for the reliability or accuracy of the information for those securities that are not “covered.” You are encouraged to refer to the appropriate Treasury Regulations or consult your tax adviser with regard to your personal circumstances and any decisions you may make with respect to choosing a tax lot identification method.
The Fund may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax, or backup withholding, currently at a rate of 24%, from all distributions to any non-corporate U.S. Shareholder (i) who fails to furnish the Fund with a correct taxpayer identification number or a certificate that such U.S. Shareholder is exempt from backup withholding or (ii) with respect to whom the IRS notifies the Fund that such U.S. Shareholder has failed to properly report certain interest and dividend income to the IRS and to respond to notices to that effect. An individual’s taxpayer identification number is his or her social security number. Any amount withheld under backup withholding is allowed as a credit against the U.S. Shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that proper information is provided to the IRS.
A U.S. Shareholder that is an individual or estate, or a trust that does not fall into a special class of trusts that is exempt from such tax, will generally be subject to a 3.8% tax on the lesser of (i) the U.S. Shareholder’s “net investment income” for a taxable year and (ii) the excess of the U.S. Shareholder’s modified adjusted gross income for such taxable year over $200,000 ($250,000 in the case of joint filers). For these purposes, “net investment income” will generally include taxable distributions and deemed distributions paid with respect to the Shares, and net gain attributable to the disposition Shares (in each case, unless such Shares are held in connection with certain trades or businesses), but will be reduced by any deductions properly allocable to such distributions or net gain.
57
U.S. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers with respect to the U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of Shares, including applicable tax reporting obligations.
Taxation of Tax-Exempt Investors
Under current law, the Fund serves to prevent the attribution to Common Shareholders of unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”) from being realized by its tax-exempt Common Shareholders (including, among others, individual retirement accounts, 401(k) accounts, Keogh plans, pension plans and certain charitable entities). Notwithstanding the foregoing, a tax-exempt Common Shareholder could realize UBTI by virtue of its investment in Shares if such tax-exempt Common Shareholder borrows to acquire its Shares.
Taxation of Non-U.S. Shareholders
A “Non-U.S. Shareholder” generally is a beneficial owner of Shares that is not a U.S. Shareholder or an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. This includes nonresident alien individuals, foreign trusts or estates and foreign corporations. Whether an investment in Shares is appropriate for a Non-U.S. Shareholder will depend upon that person’s particular circumstances. An investment in Shares may have adverse tax consequences as compared to a direct investment in the assets in which the Fund will invest. Non-U.S. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers with respect to the U.S. federal income tax and withholding tax, and state, local and foreign tax consequences of an investment in Shares, including applicable tax reporting requirements.
Distributions of “investment company taxable income” to Non-U.S. Shareholders (including interest income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized long-term capital losses, which generally would be free of withholding if paid to Non-U.S. Shareholders directly) will be subject to withholding of U.S. federal tax at a 30% rate (or lower rate provided by an applicable treaty) to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits unless the distributions are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of a Non-U.S. Shareholder. If the distributions are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of a Non-U.S. Shareholder, and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, attributable to a permanent establishment in the United States, the distributions will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. Shareholders, and the Fund will not be required to withhold U.S. federal tax if the Non-U.S. Shareholder complies with applicable certification and disclosure requirements. Special certification requirements apply to a Non-U.S. Shareholder that is a foreign partnership or a foreign trust, and such entities are urged to consult their tax advisers.
Properly designated dividends received by a Non-U.S. Shareholder are generally exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax when they (i) are paid in respect of the Fund’s “qualified net interest income” (generally, the Fund’s U.S.-source interest income, other than certain contingent interest and interest from obligations of a corporation or partnership in which the Fund is at least a 10% shareholder, reduced by expenses that are allocable to such income), or (ii) are paid in connection with the Fund’s “qualified short-term capital gains” (generally, the excess of the Fund’s net short-term capital gain over its long-term capital loss for such taxable year). In order to qualify for this exemption from withholding, a Non-U.S. Shareholder must comply with applicable certification requirements relating to its Non-U.S. status (including, in general, furnishing an IRS Form W-8BEN (for individuals), IRS Form W-8BEN-E (for entities) or an acceptable substitute or successor form). In the case of Shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary may withhold even if the Fund designates the payment as qualified net interest income or qualified short-term capital gain. Non-U.S. Shareholders should contact their intermediaries with respect to the application of these rules to their accounts.
Actual or deemed distributions of the Fund’s net capital gains to a Non-U.S. Shareholder, and gains realized by a Non-U.S. Shareholder upon the sale or redemption of Shares, will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax unless the distributions or gains, as the case may be, are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the Non-U.S. Shareholder (and, if an income tax treaty applies, are attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Shareholder in the United States,) or, in the case of an individual, the Non-U.S. Shareholder was present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and certain other conditions are met.
58
If the Fund distributes its net capital gains in the form of deemed rather than actual distributions, a Non-U.S. Shareholder will be entitled to a U.S. federal income tax credit or tax refund equal to the non-U.S. Shareholder’s allocable share of the corporate-level tax the Fund pays on the capital gains deemed to have been distributed; however, in order to obtain the refund, the Non-U.S. Shareholder must obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number and file a U.S. federal income tax return even if the Non-U.S. Shareholder would not otherwise be required to obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number or file a U.S. federal income tax return.
For corporate Non-U.S. Shareholders, distributions (both cash and in Shares), and gains realized upon the sale or redemption of Shares that are effectively connected to a U.S. trade or business may, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” at a 30% rate (or at a lower rate if provided for by an applicable treaty).
A Non-U.S. Shareholder who is a non-resident alien individual may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding of U.S. federal income tax on dividends unless the Non-U.S. Shareholder provides the Fund or the Administrator with an IRS Form W-8BEN or an acceptable substitute form or otherwise meets documentary evidence requirements for establishing that it is a Non-U.S. Shareholder or otherwise establishes an exemption from backup withholding.
Pursuant to U.S. withholding provisions commonly referred to as the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”), payments of most types of income from sources within the United States (as determined under applicable U.S. federal income tax principles), such as interest and dividends, to a foreign financial institution, investment funds and other non-U.S. persons generally will be subject to a 30% U.S. federal withholding tax, unless certain information reporting and other applicable requirements are satisfied. Any Non-U.S. Shareholder that either does not provide the relevant information or is otherwise not compliant with FATCA may be subject to this withholding tax on certain distributions from the Fund. Any taxes required to be withheld under these rules must be withheld even if the relevant income is otherwise exempt (in whole or in part) from withholding of U.S. federal income tax, including under an income tax treaty between the United States and the beneficial owner’s country of tax residence. Each Non-U.S. Shareholder should consult its tax advisers regarding the possible implications of this withholding tax (and the reporting obligations that will apply to such Non-U.S. Shareholder, which may include providing certain information in respect of such Non-U.S. Shareholder’s beneficial owners).
* * * * *
THE TAX AND OTHER MATTERS DESCRIBED IN THIS PROSPECTUS DO NOT CONSTITUTE, AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS, LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE TO PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS. EACH INVESTOR SHOULD CONSULT ITS TAX ADVISER AS TO THE U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND NON-U.S. TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF SHARES, INCLUDING APPLICABLE TAX REPORTING OBLIGATIONS.
ERISA CONSIDERATIONS
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”) and the Code impose certain requirements on employee benefit plans to which ERISA applies, and on those persons who are fiduciaries with respect to such plans. The Code imposes certain requirements on certain other plans (such as individual retirement accounts and Keogh plans (and their fiduciaries)) that, although not subject to ERISA, are subject to certain similar rules of the Code (such employee benefit plans subject to ERISA and such other plans, collectively, “Plans.”) In accordance with ERISA’s general fiduciary standards, before investing in the Fund, a Plan fiduciary should determine whether such an investment is permitted under the governing Plan instruments and is appropriate for the Plan in view of its overall investment policy and the composition and diversification of its portfolio. Moreover, ERISA and the Code require that certain reporting and disclosure be made with respect to Plan assets, that Plan assets generally be held in trust, and that the indicia of ownership of Plan assets be maintained within the jurisdiction of district courts of the United States. Thus, a Plan fiduciary considering an investment in the Fund should consult with its legal counsel concerning all the legal implications of investing in the Fund, especially the issues discussed in the following paragraphs.
Unless statutory or administrative exemptions are available, Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code prohibit a broad range of transactions involving Plan assets and persons who have certain specified relationships to a Plan (“parties in interest” within the meaning of ERISA and “disqualified persons” within the meaning of the Code) and impose additional prohibitions on parties in interest and disqualified persons who are Plan fiduciaries. These prohibitions also apply with respect to any entity whose assets consist of Plan assets by reason of Plans’ investment in the entity. Certain prospective Plan investors may currently maintain relationships with the Adviser and/or entities that are affiliated with the Fund, and, as a result, one or more of such entities may be deemed to be a “party in interest” or “disqualified person” with respect to (including a fiduciary of) any such prospective Plan investor.
59
Because the Fund is registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act, the assets of the Fund will not be deemed to constitute Plan assets.
Employee benefit plans that are governmental plans (as defined in Section 3(32) of ERISA) are not subject to requirements of ERISA and the Code discussed above but may be subject to materially similar provisions of other applicable federal or state law or may be subject to other legal restrictions on their ability to invest in the Fund. Accordingly, any such governmental plans and the fiduciaries of such plans should consult with their legal counsel concerning all the legal implications of investing in the Fund.
THE FUND’S SALE OF SHARES TO PLANS IS IN NO RESPECT A REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY BY THE FUND, THE ADVISER, INVESTMENT CONSULTANT, OR ANY OF THEIR AFFILIATES, OR BY ANY OTHER PERSON ASSOCIATED WITH THE SALE OF THE SHARES, THAT SUCH INVESTMENT BY PLANS MEETS ALL RELEVANT LEGAL REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO PLANS GENERALLY OR TO ANY PARTICULAR PLAN, OR THAT SUCH INVESTMENT IS OTHERWISE APPROPRIATE FOR PLANS GENERALLY OR FOR ANY PARTICULAR PLAN.
ELIGIBLE INVESTORS
Each prospective investor in the Fund will be required to certify that it is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501 under the Securities Act. The criteria for qualifying as an “accredited investor” is set forth in the subscription document that must be completed by each prospective investor.
In addition, Shares are generally being offered only to investors that are either (i) U.S. persons for U.S. federal income tax purposes or (ii) non-U.S. persons that meet additional eligibility standards as defined by the Fund in its sole discretion. Investors who meet such qualifications are referred to in this Prospectus as “Eligible Investors.” The qualifications required to invest in the Fund will appear in subscription documents that must be completed by each prospective investor. Existing Common Shareholders who request to purchase additional Shares will be required to qualify as “Eligible Investors” and to complete an additional investor certification prior to any additional purchase.
Prospective investors that are non-U.S. persons under the Securities Act or for U.S. federal income tax purposes must request a copy of supplemental offering materials without charge by writing to Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund, c/o UMB Fund Services, 235 West Galena Street, Milwaukee, WI 53212, or by calling the Fund toll-free at (888) 330-3350. See “CERTAIN TAX CONSIDERATIONS—Taxation of Non-U.S. Shareholders.”
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES
The Fund is authorized to offer two separate classes of Shares designated as Class I Shares and Class II Shares. While the Fund presently expects to offer two classes of Shares, it may offer other classes of Shares as well in the future. From time to time, the Board may create and offer additional classes of Shares, or may vary the characteristics of the Class I Shares and Class II Shares described herein, including without limitation, in the following respects: (1) the amount of fees permitted by a distribution and/or service plan as to such class; (2) voting rights with respect to a distribution and/or service plan as to such class; (3) different class designations; (4) the impact of any class expenses directly attributable to a particular class of Shares; (5) differences in any dividends and net asset values resulting from differences in fees under a distribution and/or service plan or in class expenses; (6) the addition of sales loads; (7) any conversion features, as permitted under the Investment Company Act. Class I Shares will be the only class offered for purchase until the Fund has received an exemptive order permitting the multi-class structure. There is no assurance that the Fund will be granted the exemptive order.
60
PURCHASING SHARES
Purchase Terms
Prospective investors may purchase shares in accordance with the instructions provided in the Fund’s subscription document, which each prospective investor is required to complete. A prospective investor must submit a completed subscription document to the Transfer Agent at least five business days prior to the Acceptance Date, as set forth in the Fund’s subscription document and notified to prospective investors. Subscriptions are generally also subject to the receipt of cleared funds on or prior to the Acceptance Date. Any amounts received from prospective investors by the Transfer Agent in advance of the initial or subsequent purchases are placed in a non-interest bearing account with the Transfer Agent prior to their investment in the Fund. The Fund reserves the right to reject any purchase of Shares in certain limited circumstances (including, without limitation, when it has reason to believe that a purchase of shares would be unlawful). Unless otherwise required by law, any amount received in advance of purchase ultimately rejected by the Fund will be returned to the prospective investor.
The minimum initial investment in the Fund by any investor in Class I Shares is $1,000,000 and the minimum initial investment for Class II Shares is $50,000. However, the Fund, in its sole discretion, may accept investments below these minimums. Investors subscribing through a given broker/dealer or registered investment adviser may have shares aggregated to meet these minimums, so long as denominations are not less than $50,000 and incremental contributions are not less than $25,000. The purchase price for Shares is based on the net asset value per Share as of the date such Shares are purchased. Fractions of Shares will be issued to one one-thousandth of a Share. Class I Shares will be the only class offered for purchase until the Fund has received an exemptive order permitting the multi-class structure. There is no assurance that the Fund will be granted the exemptive order.
Shares will generally be offered on the first business day of each month, at NAV per Share determined as of the close of regular trading (4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on the New York Stock Exchange, except that Shares may be offered more or less frequently as determined by the Board in its sole discretion.
Except as otherwise permitted by the Board, initial and subsequent purchases of Shares will be payable in cash. Each initial or subsequent purchase of Shares will be payable in one installment which will generally be due (i) four business days prior to the Acceptance Date (i.e. the last day of each calendar month), where funds are remitted by wire transfer, or (ii) ten business days prior to the Acceptance Date, where funds are remitted by check. A prospective investor must also submit a completed subscription document (including investor certifications) at least five business days before the Acceptance Date. The Fund reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to accept or reject any subscription to purchase Shares in the Fund at any time. Although the Fund may, in its sole discretion, elect to accept a subscription prior to receipt of cleared funds, an investor will not become a Common Shareholder until cleared funds have been received.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Futures Transactions
The Fund has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act of 1974, as amended (the “CEA”), and, therefore, is not subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator under the CEA. In February 2012, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”) adopted certain regulatory changes that will subject the adviser of an investment company to registration as a Commodity Pool Operator (“CPO”) if the investment company is unable to comply with certain trading and marketing limitations.
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 position in such investments may not exceed 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 those positions, as determined at the time the most recent position was established, may not exceed 100% of the net asset 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, the disclosure and operations of the Fund would need to comply with all applicable CFTC regulations. Compliance with these additional registration and regulatory requirements would increase operational expenses. Other potentially adverse regulatory initiatives could also develop. A related CFTC proposal to harmonize applicable CFTC and SEC regulations could, if adopted, mitigate certain disclosure and operational burdens if CPO registration were required.
61
In November 2019, the SEC proposed a regulation that, if adopted, would change the regulation of the use of derivatives and financial commitment transactions by registered investment companies. The nature of any final regulations is uncertain at this time, but if adopted, it is possible that such regulations could have an adverse impact on the Fund and/or its ability to incur effective leverage. Neither the Fund nor the Adviser can predict the effects of these regulations or interpretations on the Fund’s portfolio.
SUMMARY OF THE AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST
An investor in the Fund will be a Common Shareholder of the Fund and his or her rights in the Fund will be established and governed by the Agreement and Declaration of Trust that is included as Appendix A to this Prospectus. A prospective investor and his or her adviser should carefully review the Agreement and Declaration of Trust as each Common Shareholder will agree to be bound by its terms and conditions. The following is a summary description of additional items and of select provisions of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust that may not be described elsewhere in this Prospectus. The description of such items and provisions is not definitive and reference should be made to the complete text of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust.
Common Shareholders; Additional Classes of Shares
Persons who purchase Shares will be Common Shareholders of the Fund. The Adviser or Investment Consultant may invest in the Fund as a Common Shareholder.
In addition, to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act and subject to receipt of exemptive relief from the SEC, the Fund reserves the right to issue additional classes of Shares in the future subject to fees, charges, repurchase rights, and other characteristics different from those of the Shares offered in this Prospectus.
Liability of Common Shareholders
Under Delaware law and the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, each Common Shareholder will be liable for the debts and obligations of the Fund only to the extent of any contributions to the capital of the Fund (plus any accretions in value thereto prior to withdrawal) and a Common Shareholder, in the sole discretion of the Board, may be obligated to return to the Fund amounts distributed to the Common Shareholder, or the Board may reduce any amount payable by the Fund to a Common Shareholder in respect of a repurchase of Shares, in accordance with the Agreement and Declaration of Trust in certain circumstances. See “REPURCHASES OF SHARES— Repurchases.”
Limitation of Liability; Indemnification
The Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides that the Trustees and former Trustees of the Board and officers and former officers of the Fund shall not be liable to the Fund or any of the Common Shareholders for any loss or damage occasioned by any act or omission in the performance of their services as such in the absence of willful misfeasance or gross negligence of the duties involved in the conduct of their office or as otherwise required by applicable law. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust also contains provisions for the indemnification, to the extent permitted by law, of the Trustees and former Trustees of the Board and officers and former officers of the Fund (as well as certain other related parties) by the Fund (but not by the Common Shareholders individually) against any liability and expense to which any of them may be liable that arise in connection with the performance of their activities on behalf of the Fund. None of these persons shall be personally liable to any Common Shareholder for the repayment of any positive balance in the Common Shareholder’s capital account or for contributions by the Common Shareholder to the capital of the Fund or by reason of any change in the federal or state income tax laws applicable to the Fund or its investors. The rights of indemnification and exculpation provided under the Agreement and Declaration of Trust shall not be construed so as to limit liability or provide for indemnification of the Trustees and former Trustees of the Board, officers and former officers of the Fund, and the other persons entitled to such indemnification for any liability (including liability under applicable federal or state securities laws which, under certain circumstances, impose liability even on persons that act in good faith), to the extent (but only to the extent) that such indemnification or limitation on liability would be in violation of applicable law, but shall be construed so as to effectuate the applicable provisions of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust to the fullest extent permitted by law.
62
Amendment of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust
The Agreement and Declaration of Trust may generally be amended, in whole or in part, with the approval of a majority of the Board (including a majority of the Independent Trustees, if required by the Investment Company Act) and without the approval of the Common Shareholders unless the approval of Common Shareholders is required under the Investment Company Act. However, certain amendments to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust involving capital accounts and allocations thereto may not be made without the written consent of each Common Shareholder materially adversely affected thereby or unless each Common Shareholder has received written notice of the amendment and any Common Shareholder objecting to the amendment has been allowed a reasonable opportunity (pursuant to any procedures as may be prescribed by the Board) to have all of its Shares repurchased by the Fund.
Term, Dissolution, and Liquidation
The Fund shall be dissolved:
(1) upon the affirmative vote to dissolve the Fund by either (i) a majority of the Trustees of the Board, or (ii) Common Shareholders holding at least three-quarters (3/4) of the total number of votes eligible to be cast by all Common Shareholders; or
(2) as required by operation of law.
Upon the occurrence of any event of dissolution, one or more Trustees of the Board or the Adviser, acting as liquidator under appointment by the Board (or another liquidator, if the Board does not appoint one or more Trustees of the Board or the Adviser to act as liquidator or is unable to perform this function) is charged with winding up the affairs of the Fund and liquidating its assets. Upon the liquidation of the Fund, after establishment of appropriate reserves for contingencies in such amounts as the Board or the liquidator, as applicable, deems appropriate in its sole discretion, the Fund’s assets will be distributed: (i) first to satisfy the debts, liabilities, and obligations of the Fund (other than debts to Common Shareholders) including actual or anticipated liquidation expenses; (ii) next to repay debts, liabilities and obligations owing to the Common Shareholders; and (iii) finally to the Common Shareholders (including the Adviser) proportionately in accordance with the balances in their respective capital accounts. Assets may be distributed in kind on a pro rata basis if the Board or liquidator determines that such a distribution would be in the interests of the Common Shareholders in facilitating an orderly liquidation.
The Board may, in its sole discretion, and if determined to be in the best interests of the Common Shareholders, distribute the assets of the Fund into and through a liquidating trust to effect the liquidation of the Fund. The use of a liquidating trust would be subject to the regulatory requirements of the Investment Company Act and applicable Delaware law, and could result in additional expenses to the Common Shareholders.
The Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides that by virtue of becoming a shareholder of the Trust, each shareholder shall be held expressly to have agreed to be bound by the provisions of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides a detailed process for the bringing of derivative actions by shareholders for claims other than federal securities law claims. This derivative actions process is intended to permit legitimate inquiries and claims while avoiding the time, expense, distraction, and other harm that can be caused to the Fund or its shareholders as a result of spurious shareholder demands and derivative actions. Prior to bringing a derivative action, a demand by the complaining shareholder must first be made on the Trustees. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust details conditions that must be met with respect to the demand. Following receipt of the demand, the Trustees must be afforded a reasonable amount of time to investigate and consider the demand. The Trustees will be entitled to retain counsel or other advisors in considering the merits of the request and shall require an undertaking by the shareholders making such request to reimburse the Trust for the expense of any such advisors in the event that the Trustees determine not to bring such action. The Trust's process for bringing derivative suits may be more restrictive than other investment companies. The process for derivative actions for the Trust also may make it more expensive for a shareholder to bring a suit than if the shareholder was not required to follow such a process.
63
Further, the Trust’s Amended By-Laws require that actions by shareholders against the Fund be brought only in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or, if such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction thereof, any other court in the State of Delaware with subject matter jurisdiction (“Exclusive Jurisdictions”) and that the right to jury trial be waived to the fullest extent permitted by law. Other investment companies may not be subject to similar restrictions. In addition, the designation of Exclusive Jurisdictions may make it more expensive for a shareholder to bring a suit than if the shareholder was permitted to select another jurisdiction. Also, the designation of Exclusive Jurisdictions and the waiver of jury trials limit a shareholder's ability to litigate a claim in the jurisdiction and in a manner that may be more favorable to the shareholder. A court may choose not to enforce these provisions.
Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, the Fund and any investor in the Fund cannot waive compliance with any provision of the U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
REPORTS TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS
The Fund will furnish to Common Shareholders as soon as practicable after the end of each of its taxable years such information as is necessary for them to complete U.S. federal and state income tax or information returns, along with any other tax information required by law. The Fund anticipates sending Common Shareholders an unaudited semi-annual and an audited annual report within 60 days after the close of the period for which the report is being made, or as otherwise required by the Investment Company Act.
FISCAL YEAR
The Fund’s first fiscal year will conclude on March 31, 2021. Thereafter, the Fund’s fiscal year will be the 12-month period ending on March 31. The Fund’s first taxable year will conclude on September 30, 2021. Thereafter, the Fund’s taxable year will be the 12-month period ending on September 30.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM; LEGAL COUNSEL
The Board has selected Cohen & Company, Ltd., located at 1350 Euclid Ave., Suite 800, Cleveland, OH 44115 as independent registered public accountants for the Fund.
Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, One Logan Square, Suite 2000, Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996, serves as counsel to the Fund and the Independent Trustees of the Fund.
INQUIRIES
Inquiries concerning the Fund and the Shares (including procedures for purchasing Shares) should be directed to: Bow River Asset Management LLC, doing business as Bow River Capital, located at 205 Detroit Street, Suite 800, Denver, Colorado.
64
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. | What is the Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund? |
The Fund presents a unique opportunity to access private equity with investments in a broad cross-section of private equity structures, immediate investment exposure and low investment minimums. Through a single investment, the Fund offers a simplified, comprehensive solution that solves many of the obstacles that prevent investors from accessing private equity, including high investment minimums, concentrated risk exposures and the inability to offer periodic liquidity.
2. | What is the Fund’s investment objective? |
The Fund’s investment objective is to generate long-term capital appreciation by investing in a broad portfolio of private equity investments that provide attractive risk-adjusted return potential.
3. | Who is Bow River Capital and what is their role? |
Bow River Asset Management LLC (“Bow River Capital” or the “Adviser”) is the investment adviser of the Fund and is responsible for investment selection and portfolio construction. Over the past two decades, their team of investment professionals has developed an attractive track record investing in lower middle market private companies. While the Fund will be the Adviser’s first registered fund under management, unlike many private equity firms, the individuals on Bow River Capital’s Evergreen Fund investment team have extensive experience managing both registered funds and evergreen private equity strategies. Bow River Capital will leverage this diverse private equity expertise when evaluating investment opportunities and screening new investments for portfolio fit. The biographies of the Adviser’s management team can be found under “Investment Team – Bow River Capital”.
4. | Who is Aksia TorreyCove and what is their role? |
Aksia TorreyCove Partners LLC (“Aksia TorreyCove”) serves as the investment consultant to the Fund (the “Investment Consultant”). Aksia TorreyCove will assist Bow River Capital in the sourcing, evaluation and recommendation of private market investments, including but not limited to direct investments, secondary investments, and any potential fund commitments.
Aksia TorreyCove is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aksia LLC, a leading private markets consultant that advises some of the largest institutional investors in the world, including pension plans, insurance companies, government-sponsored entities, foundations and endowments. Aksia TorreyCove has not previously served as an investment consultant to a registered investment company; however, the principals at Aksia TorreyCove have decades of private markets consulting experience and the firm currently has 30 investment professionals and provides its services to advisers who manage more than $75 billion in assets. The biographies of the Investment Consultant’s management team can be found under “Management of the Fund”.
5. | What is the Fund’s investment strategy? |
The Fund will seek to achieve its investment objective through broad exposure to private equity, private credit, and semi-liquid (investments with monthly or quarterly liquidity availability, such as evergreen private equity funds) or listed investments. The principal investments (together “Fund Investments”) utilized by the Fund are: (i) direct investments (i.e. positions in the equity or debt of operating companies); (ii) secondary purchases (i.e. purchases of existing interests that are acquired on the secondary market) of closed-end private funds managed by third-party managers; (iii) primary fund commitments (i.e. commitments to new private equity, private credit, or other private funds); (iv) direct or secondary purchases of liquid credit instruments; (v) other liquid investments (i.e. strategies with a higher liquidity profile than direct investments or investments in funds, including listed private equity and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”)); and (vi) short-term investments, including money market funds and short term treasuries. The Fund will seek to provide exposure to a broad set of managers, strategies and transaction types across multiple sectors, geographies and vintage years. Please see “Investment Process” for more detailed information.
65
6. | What are some of the benefits of the Fund? |
• | Access – Widespread access to private equity has historically been difficult to achieve. The Fund seeks to close the gap in access to private equity by offering “Eligible Investors” a low-minimum private equity solution that invests in a broad cross-section of private equity investments. See “ELIGIBLE INVESTORS.” |
• | Broad Private Equity Exposure – In a single investment, the Fund seeks to provide access to a broad set of managers, strategies and transaction types across multiple sectors, geographies and vintage years. |
• | Low Investment Minimums – The minimum initial investment in the Fund for Class I Shares is $1,000,000, and the minimum initial investment for Class II Shares is $50,000, allowing investors access to the private equity market at much lower dollar amounts than what is associated with typical private equity investments. |
• | Professional Management – The investment teams from Bow River Capital and Aksia TorreyCove have decades of experience sourcing, evaluating and recommending private equity investments and members of the Bow River investment team have individual experience managing both evergreen private equity funds and registered investment companies. |
• | Immediate Investment - Unlike traditional private equity partnerships that call investor capital over a period of years and distribute proceeds upon the exit of underlying investments, the Fund provides investors with an evergreen option that is fully invested upon an investor’s initial subscription. The evergreen nature of the Fund and the ability to make monthly subscriptions provides investors with a tool to better customize their overall exposure to private equity. |
• | 1099 Tax Reporting - The Fund will distribute a 1099 tax reporting document by January 31st, instead of a Schedule K-1 that is typically provided later in the calendar year. |
• | Simplified Performance Reporting – The Fund will calculate a weekly net asset value (“NAV”) that will allow common shareholders to easily calculate and compare Fund performance. |
• | Limited Repurchase Offers – The Fund intends to offer limited liquidity to investors through Required Repurchases and Discretionary Repurchases. However, while such repurchases may be available, the Fund should be considered an illiquid investment and long-term in nature. See “REPURCHASES OF SHARES.” |
BUYING AND SELLING SHARES
7. | Who can buy shares in the Fund? |
Any investor who is able to certify that they are an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501 under the Securities Act and meet the other eligibility requirements found under “Eligible Investors.”
8. | How do I subscribe for shares? |
Shares will generally be offered on the first business day of each month at the NAV as determined as of the close of regular trading (4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on the New York Stock Exchange on that day, except that Shares may be offered more or less frequently as determined by the Board in its sole discretion. Eligible Investors must complete and execute a subscription document and ensure cleared funds are received prior to the acceptance date. Prospective investors should read this prospectus in its entirety, including the Section entitled “Risks”. See “Purchasing Shares” for more information.
9. | How do I redeem shares? |
The Fund should be considered an illiquid investment and is appropriate for investors with a long-term time horizon. The Fund has elected to implement a hybrid repurchase mechanism, where under normal circumstances, the Fund intends to provide a limited degree of liquidity to common shareholders on a quarterly basis by conducting repurchase offers. Subject to applicable law, the Fund has adopted a fundamental policy to conduct Required Repurchases for no less than 5% and no more than 25% of the Fund’s Shares outstanding at NAV, reduced by any applicable repurchase fee. Required Repurchases in excess of 5% will be made at the sole discretion of the Board. As a result, investors should not expect nor rely on Required Repurchases in excess of 5%.
66
The Fund also intends, under normal market conditions and subject to applicable law, to offer Discretionary Repurchases for each calendar quarter following a Required Repurchase (i.e. twice per year), subject to the discretion of the Board. While the Board may consider the recommendation of the Adviser and intends to offer no less than 5% of the Fund’s Shares outstanding at NAV, reduced by any applicable repurchase fee, the frequency and amount of each Discretionary Repurchase offer is subject to the approval of the Board. In other words, the Board may determine to not offer a Discretionary Repurchase and may approve Discretionary Repurchases for any amount. As a result, investors should not rely on the occurrence or the amount of any Discretionary Repurchase. See “REPURCHASES OF SHARES.”
10. | When will I receive tax information? |
By January 31st, the Fund will distribute a Form 1099-DIV or Form 1099-B to each Common Shareholder, as appropriate, for the prior year.
FEES AND EXPENSES
11. | What are the Fund’s management fees? |
The Fund pays the Adviser an investment management fee (the “Investment Management Fee”) in consideration of the advisory services provided by the Adviser to the Fund. The Fund pays the Adviser a monthly Investment Management Fee equal to 1.75% on an annualized basis of the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets during such period. The Adviser is responsible for paying the Investment Consultant from its Investment Management Fee. See “MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND.”
12. | Does the Fund charge any incentive or performance fees? |
The Fund does not charge any incentive or performance fees, however investors will indirectly bear any similar fees that may be charged by Fund investments.
13. | Is there a limit to the Fund’s expenses? |
The Adviser has entered into an expense limitation and reimbursement agreement (the “Expense Limitation Agreement”) with the Fund, whereby the Adviser has agreed to waive fees that it would otherwise be paid, and/or to assume expenses of the Fund (a “Waiver”), if required to ensure the Fund’s aggregate monthly ordinary operating expenses, excluding certain “Specified Expenses” listed below, borne by the Fund in respect of each Class of Shares to an amount not to exceed 0.50 %, on an annualized basis, of the Fund’s month-end net assets (the “Expense Cap”). The Expense Limitation Agreement will commence as of the Commencement of Operations and will continue for at least one year from that date.
If the Fund’s aggregate monthly ordinary operating expenses, exclusive of the Specified Expenses, in respect of any Class of Shares for any month exceed the Expense Cap applicable to that Class of Shares, the Adviser will waive its Management Fee and/or reimburse the Fund for expenses to the extent necessary to eliminate such excess. The Adviser may also directly pay expenses on behalf of the Fund and waive reimbursement under the Expense Limitation Agreement. To the extent that the Adviser waives its Investment Management Fee and/or reimburses expenses, the Adviser may, for a period not to exceed three years from the date on which a Waiver is made, recoup amounts waived or assumed, provided it is able to effect such recoupment without causing the Fund’s expense ratio (after recoupment) to exceed the lesser of (a) the expense limit in effect at the time of the waiver, and (b) the expense limit in effect at the time of the recoupment.
14. | What are the Fund’s Specified Expenses? |
Specified Expenses that are not covered by the Expense Limitation Agreement and are therefore borne by shareholders of the Fund include: (i) the Investment Management Fee; (ii) all fees and expenses of Fund Investments (including any underlying fees of the Fund Investments (the “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses”)); (iii) transactional costs, including legal costs and brokerage commissions, associated with the acquisition and disposition of Fund Investments; (iv) interest payments incurred on borrowing by the Fund; (v) fees and expenses incurred in connection with a credit facility, if any, obtained by the Fund; (vi) distribution and shareholder servicing fees, as applicable; (vii) taxes; and (viii) extraordinary expenses resulting from events and transactions that are distinguished by their unusual nature and by the infrequency of their occurrence, including, without limitation, costs incurred in connection with any claim, litigation, arbitration, mediation, government investigation or similar proceeding, indemnification expenses, and expenses in connection with holding and/or soliciting proxies for all annual and other meetings of Common Shareholders. See “Fund Expenses”.
67
TABLE OF CONTENTS OF SAI
INVESTMENT POLICIES AND PRACTICES | 3 |
FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES | 3 |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES OF THE FUND AND THE RELATED RISKS | 5 |
BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS | 13 |
CODES OF ETHICS | 18 |
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND OTHER SERVICES | 19 |
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE ALLOCATION | 24 |
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM; LEGAL COUNSEL | 24 |
CUSTODIAN | 25 |
Calculation of Net Asset Value | 25 |
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES | 25 |
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS | 25 |
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | 25 |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION | 26 |
Appendix A | A-1 |
Appendix B | B-1 |
Appendix C | C-1 |
68
APPENDIX A
Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund
AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST
Dated: December 18, 2020
69
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
article I NAME AND DEFINITIONS | 1 |
Section 1.1 Name | 1 |
Section 1.2 Definitions | 1 |
article II BENEFICIAL INTEREST | 2 |
Section 2.1 Shares of Beneficial Interest | 2 |
Section 2.2 Issuance of Shares | 2 |
Section 2.3 Register of Shares and Share Certificates | 3 |
Section 2.4 Transfer of Shares | 3 |
Section 2.5 Treasury Shares | 3 |
Section 2.6 Establishment of Classes | 4 |
Section 2.7 Investment in the Trust | 4 |
Section 2.8 No Preemptive Rights | 4 |
Section 2.9 Conversion Rights | 4 |
Section 2.10 Legal Proceedings | 5 |
Section 2.11 Status of Shares | 6 |
article III THE TRUSTEES | 6 |
Section 3.1 Management of the Trust | 6 |
Section 3.2 Term of Office of Trustees | 7 |
Section 3.3 Vacancies and Appointment of Trustees | 7 |
Section 3.4 Temporary Absence of Trustee | 7 |
Section 3.5 Number of Trustees | 7 |
Section 3.6 Effect of Death, Resignation, Etc. of a Trustee | 7 |
Section 3.7 Ownership of Assets of the Trust | 8 |
Section 3.8 No Accounting | 8 |
article IV POWERS OF THE TRUSTEES | 8 |
Section 4.1 Powers | 8 |
Section 4.2 Issuance and Repurchase of Shares | 12 |
Section 4.3 Trustees and Officers as Shareholders | 12 |
Section 4.4 Action by the Trustees and Committees | 12 |
Section 4.5 Chairman of the Trustees | 13 |
Section 4.6 Principal Transactions | 13 |
article V INVESTMENT ADVISER, INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISER, PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER, ADMINISTRATOR, TRANSFER AGENT, CUSTODIAN AND OTHER CONTRACTORS | 13 |
Section 5.1 Certain Contracts | 13 |
article VI SHAREHOLDER VOTING POWERS AND MEETINGS | 15 |
Section 6.1 Voting | 15 |
Section 6.2 Meetings | 16 |
-i-
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page
Section 6.3 Quorum and Required Vote | 16 |
Section 6.4 Action by Written Consent | 16 |
article VII DISTRIBUTIONS AND REPURCHASES | 16 |
Section 7.1 Distributions | 16 |
Section 7.2 Transfer of Shares | 17 |
Section 7.3 Repurchases | 18 |
Section 7.4 Redemptions at the Option of the Trust | 18 |
Section 7.5 Suspension of the Right of Repurchase | 18 |
Section 7.6 Redemption of Shares to Qualify as a Regulated Investment Company | 18 |
Section 7.7 Net Asset Value | 19 |
article VIII LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION | 19 |
Section 8.1 Limitation of Liability | 19 |
Section 8.2 Indemnification | 19 |
Section 8.3 Indemnification Determinations | 20 |
Section 8.4 Indemnification Not Exclusive | 20 |
Section 8.5 Shareholders | 20 |
article IX MISCELLANEOUS | 21 |
Section 9.1 Trust Not a Partnership | 21 |
Section 9.2 Trustees’ and Officers’ Good Faith Action, Expert Advice, No Bond or Surety | 21 |
Section 9.3 Establishment of Record Dates | 21 |
Section 9.4 Dissolution and Termination of Trust. | 22 |
Section 9.5 Merger, Consolidation, Incorporation | 23 |
Section 9.6 Filing of Copies, References, Headings | 23 |
Section 9.7 Applicable Law | 23 |
Section 9.8 Amendments | 24 |
Section 9.9 Fiscal Year | 24 |
Section 9.10 Provisions in Conflict with Law | 24 |
Section 9.11 Allocation of Certain Expenses | 24 |
Section 9.12 Delivery by Electronic Transmission or Otherwise | 25 |
-ii-
Bow
River Capital Evergreen Fund
AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST of Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund, a Delaware statutory trust, made as of August 18, 2020, and as amended and restated on December 18, 2020 by the undersigned Trustees.
WHEREAS, the Trustees have heretofore formed a statutory trust under the laws of Delaware for the investment and reinvestment of its assets, by the execution of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of Bow River Capital Evergreen Private Equity Fund on August 18, 2020;
WHEREAS, the Trustees desire to amend and restate such Declaration of Trust in its entirety; and
WHEREAS, the Trustees desire that the beneficial interest in the trust assets be divided into transferable shares of beneficial interest, as hereinafter provided;
WHEREAS, the Trustees declare that all money and property contributed to the trust established hereunder shall be held and managed in trust for the benefit of the holders of the shares of beneficial interest issued hereunder and subject to the provisions hereof;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, the undersigned Trustees hereby declare that all money and property contributed to the trust hereunder shall be held and managed in trust under this Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust (“Trust Instrument”) as herein set forth below.
article I
NAME AND DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1 Name. The name of the trust established hereby is “Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund.”
Section 1.2 Definitions. Wherever used herein, unless otherwise required by the context or specifically provided:
(a) “Act” means the Delaware Statutory Trust Act, 12 Del. C. §§ 3801 et seq., as from time to time amended;
(b) “By-laws” means the By-laws referred to in Section 4.1(e) hereof, as from time to time amended;
(c) The terms “Affiliated Person,” “Assignment,” “Commission,” “Interested Person” and “Principal Underwriter” shall have the meanings given them in the 1940 Act. “Majority Shareholder Vote” shall have the same meaning as the term “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities” is given in the 1940 Act;
(d) “Class” means any division of Shares of the Trust, which Class is or has been established in accordance with the provisions of Article II hereof;
(e) “Net Asset Value” means the net asset value of each Class of the Trust determined in the manner provided in Section 7.7 hereof;
(f) “Outstanding Shares” means those Shares recorded from time to time in the books of the Trust or its transfer agent as then issued and outstanding, but shall not include Shares which have been redeemed or repurchased by the Trust and which are at the time held in the treasury of the Trust;
(g) “Shareholder” means a record owner of Outstanding Shares of the Trust;
(h) “Shares” means the transferable units of beneficial interest into which the beneficial interest of the Trust or Class thereof shall be divided and may include fractions of Shares as well as whole Shares;
(i) “Trust” refers to Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund;
(j) “Trustee” or “Trustees” means the person or persons who has or have signed this Trust Instrument, so long as such person or persons shall continue in office in accordance with the terms hereof, and all other persons who may from time to time be duly qualified and serving as Trustees in accordance with the provisions of Article III hereof, and reference herein to a Trustee or to the Trustees shall refer to the individual Trustees in their capacity as Trustees hereunder;
(k) “Trust Property” means any and all property, real or personal, tangible or intangible, which is owned or held by or for the account of the Trust, or the Trustees on behalf of the Trust;
(l) “Repurchase Pricing Date” means the date on which the value of Shares being repurchased will be determined by the Trustees in their sole discretion;
(m) The “1940 Act” refers to the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules and regulations thereunder and exemptions granted therefrom, all as may be amended from time to time.
article II
BENEFICIAL INTEREST
Section 2.1 Shares of Beneficial Interest. The beneficial interest in the Trust shall be divided into such transferable Shares of one or more separate and distinct Classes as the Trustees shall from time to time create and establish. The number of Shares of each Class authorized hereunder is unlimited. Each Share shall have a par value of $0.001, unless otherwise determined by the Trustees in connection with the creation and establishment of a Class. All Shares issued hereunder, including without limitation, Shares issued in connection with a dividend in Shares or a split or reverse split of Shares, shall be fully paid and nonassessable.
-2-
Section 2.2 Issuance of Shares. The Trustees in their discretion may, from time to time, without vote of the Shareholders, issue Shares of each Class to such party or parties and for such amount and type of consideration (or for no consideration if pursuant to a Share dividend or split-up), subject to applicable law, including cash or securities (including Shares of a different Class), at such time or times and on such terms as the Trustees may deem appropriate, and may in such manner acquire other assets (including the acquisitions of assets subject to, and in connection with, the assumption of liabilities) and businesses. In connection with any issuance of Shares, the Trustees may issue fractional Shares and Shares held in the treasury. The Trustees may from time to time divide or combine the Shares into a greater or lesser number without thereby changing the proportionate beneficial interests in the Trust. The Trustees may classify and reclassify any unissued Shares or any Shares previously issued and reacquired of any Class into one or more Classes that may be established and designated from time to time.
Any Trustee, officer or other agent of the Trust, and any organization in which any such person is interested, may acquire, own, hold and dispose of Shares of any Class of the Trust to the same extent as if such person were not a Trustee, officer or other agent of the Trust; and the Trust may issue and sell or cause to be issued and sold and may repurchase Shares of any Class from any such person or any such organization subject only to the general limitations, restrictions or other provisions applicable to the sale or purchase of Shares of such Class generally.
Section 2.3 Register of Shares and Share Certificates. A register shall be kept at the principal office of the Trust or an office of the Trust’s transfer agent which shall contain the names and addresses of the Shareholders of each Class, the number of Shares of that Class held by each of them respectively and a record of all transfers thereof. As to Shares for which no certificate has been issued, such register shall be conclusive as to who are the holders of the Shares and who shall be entitled to receive dividends or other distributions or otherwise to exercise or enjoy the rights of Shareholders. No Shareholder shall be entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution, nor to have notice given to him as herein or in the By-laws provided, until he has given his address to the transfer agent or such other officer or agent of the Trust as shall keep the said register for entry thereon. The Trustees, in their discretion, may authorize the issuance of share certificates and promulgate appropriate rules and regulations as to their use. In the event that one or more certificates are issued, whether in the name of a Shareholder or a nominee, such certificate or certificates shall constitute evidence of ownership of Shares for all purposes, including transfer, assignment or sale of such Shares, subject to such limitations as the Trustees may, in their discretion, prescribe.
Section 2.4 Transfer of Shares. Except as otherwise provided by the Trustees, Shares shall be transferable on the records of the Trust only in accordance with Section 7.2 herein and only by the record holder thereof or by his agent thereunto duly authorized in writing, upon delivery to the Trustees or the Trust’s transfer agent of a duly executed instrument of transfer, together with a Share certificate, if one is outstanding, and such evidence of the genuineness of each such execution and authorization and of such other matters as may be required by the Trustees. Upon such delivery the transfer shall be recorded on the register of the Trust. Until such record is made, the Shareholder of record shall be deemed to be the holder of such Shares for all purposes hereunder and neither the Trustees nor the Trust, nor any transfer agent or registrar nor any officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall be affected by any notice of the proposed transfer.
-3-
Section 2.5 Treasury Shares. Shares held in the treasury shall, until reissued pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof, not confer any voting rights on the Trustees, nor shall such Shares be entitled to any dividends or other distributions declared with respect to the Shares.
Section 2.6 Establishment of Classes. The Trustees may from time to time authorize the division of Shares of the Trust into one or more Classes. Separate and distinct records shall be maintained by the Trust for each Class. The Trustees shall have full power and authority, in their sole discretion, and without obtaining any prior authorization or vote of Shareholders of any Class, to establish and designate and to change in any manner any initial or additional Classes and to fix such preferences, voting powers, rights and privileges of such Classes as the Trustees may from time to time determine, to divide or combine the Shares or any Classes into a greater or lesser number, to classify or reclassify any issued Shares or any Classes into one or more Classes, and to take such other action with respect to the Shares as the Trustees may deem desirable.
Unless another time is specified by the Trustees, the establishment and designation of any Class shall be effective upon the adoption of a resolution by the Trustees setting forth such establishment and designation and the preferences, powers, rights and privileges of the Shares of such Class, whether directly in such resolution or by reference to, or approval of, another document that sets forth such relative rights and preferences of such Class including, without limitation, any registration statement of the Trust, or as otherwise provided in such resolution. The Trust may issue any number of Shares of each Class and need not issue certificates for any Shares.
All references to Shares in this Trust Instrument shall be deemed to be Shares of any or all Classes as the context may require. All provisions herein relating to the Trust shall apply equally to each Class of the Trust except as the context otherwise requires.
All Shares of each Class shall represent an equal proportionate interest in the assets belonging to the Trust (subject to the liabilities belonging to that Class), and each Share of any Class shall be equal to each other Share of that Class; but the provisions of this sentence shall not restrict any distinctions permissible under this Section 2.6.
Section 2.7 Investment in the Trust. The Trustees shall accept investments in any Class from such persons and on such terms as they may from time to time authorize. At the Trustees’ discretion, such investments, subject to applicable law, may be in the form of cash or securities in which the Trust is authorized to invest, valued as provided in Section 7.7 hereof. Unless the Trustees otherwise determine, investments shall be credited to each Shareholder’s account in the form of full Shares at the Net Asset Value per Share next determined after the investment is received. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Trustees may, in their sole discretion, (a) fix the Net Asset Value per Share of the initial capital contribution, (b) impose sales or other charges upon investments in the Trust or (c) issue fractional Shares.
Section 2.8 No Preemptive Rights. Shareholders shall have no preemptive or other similar rights to subscribe to any additional Shares or other securities issued by the Trust or the Trustees, whether of the same or another Class.
Section 2.9 Conversion Rights. The Trustees shall have the authority to provide from time to time that the holders of Shares of any Class shall have the right to convert or exchange said Shares for or into Shares of one or more other Classes in accordance with such requirements and procedures as may be established from time to time by the Trustees.
-4-
Section 2.10 Legal Proceedings. No person, other than a Trustee, who is not a Shareholder of the Trust or of a particular Class shall be entitled to bring any derivative action, suit or other proceeding on behalf of or with respect to the Trust or such Class. Further, each complaining Shareholder must have been a Shareholder of the Trust or the affected Class, as applicable, at the time of the action or failure to act complained of, or acquired the Shares afterwards by operation of law from a person who was a Shareholder at that time and each complaining Shareholder must be a Shareholder of the Trust or the affected Class, as applicable, as of the time the written demand is made upon the Trustees. No Shareholder may maintain a derivative action with respect to the Trust or any Class of the Trust unless holders of at least ten percent (10%) of the outstanding Shares of the Trust, or 10% of the outstanding Shares of the Class to which such action relates, join in the bringing of such action. All matters relating to the bringing of derivative actions in the right of the Trust shall be governed by this Section 2.10 and Section 3816 of the Act.
In addition to the requirements set forth in Section 3816 of the Act, a Shareholder may bring a derivative action on behalf of the Trust or any Class of the Trust only if the following conditions are met: (a) the Shareholder or Shareholders must make a pre-suit written demand upon the Trustees to bring the subject action unless an effort to cause the Trustees to bring such an action is not likely to succeed; and a demand on the Trustees shall only be deemed not likely to succeed and therefore excused if a majority of the Trustees, or a majority of any committee established to consider the merits of such action, has a personal financial interest in the transaction at issue, and a Trustee shall not be deemed interested in a transaction or otherwise disqualified from ruling on the merits of a Shareholder demand by virtue of the fact that such Trustee receives remuneration for his service as a Trustee of the Trust or as a trustee or director of one or more investment companies that are under common management with or otherwise affiliated with the Trust; and (b) unless a demand is not required under clause (a) of this paragraph, the Trustees must be afforded a reasonable amount of time to consider such Shareholder request and to investigate the basis of such claim; and the Trustees shall be entitled to retain counsel or other advisers in considering the merits of the request and shall require an undertaking by the Shareholders making such request to reimburse the Trust for the expense of any such advisers in the event that the Trustees determine not to bring such action. For purposes of this Section 2.10, the Trustees may designate a committee of one Trustee to consider a Shareholder demand if necessary to create a committee with a majority of Trustees who do not have a personal financial interest in the transaction at issue. If the demand for derivative action has been considered by the Board of Trustees, and a majority of those Trustees who are not deemed to be Interested Persons of the Trust, after considering the merits of the claim, has determined that maintaining a suit would not be in the best interests of the Trust or the affected Class, as applicable, the complaining Shareholders shall be barred from commencing the derivative action. If upon such consideration the appropriate members of the Board of Trustees determine that such a suit should be maintained, then the appropriate officers of the Trust shall commence initiation of that suit and such suit shall proceed directly rather than derivatively. The Board of Trustees, or the appropriate officers of the Trust, shall inform the complaining Shareholders of any decision reached under this paragraph in writing within ten business days of such decision having been reached.
-5-
For purposes of this Section 2.10, a written demand upon the Trustees must include at least the following: (a) a detailed description of the action or failure to act complained of and the facts upon which each such allegation is made; (b) a statement to the effect that the complaining Shareholder(s) believe that they will fairly and adequately represent the interests of similarly situated Shareholders in enforcing the right of the Trust or the affected Class, as applicable, and an explanation of why the complaining Shareholders believe that to be the case; (c) a certification that each complaining Shareholder was a Shareholder of the Trust or the affected Class, as applicable, at the time of the action or failure to act complained of, or acquired the Shares afterwards by operation of law from a person who was a Shareholder at that time and each complaining Shareholder was a Shareholder of the Trust or the affected Class, as applicable, as of the time the written demand upon the Trustees, as well as information reasonably designed to allow the Trustees to verify that certification; and (d) a certification that each complaining Shareholder will be a Shareholder of the Trust or the affected Class, as applicable, as of the commencement of the derivative action.
This Section 2.10 will not apply to claims brought under the federal securities laws.
Section 2.11 Status of Shares. Shares shall be deemed to be personal property giving only the rights provided in this Trust Instrument. Every Shareholder by virtue of having become a Shareholder shall be held to have expressly assented and agreed to the terms hereof. The death of a Shareholder during the continuance of the Trust shall not operate to terminate the Trust nor entitle the representative of any deceased Shareholder to an accounting or to take any action in court or elsewhere against the Trust or the Trustees, but only to the rights of said decedent under this Trust. Ownership of Shares shall not entitle the Shareholder to any title in or to the whole or any part of the Trust property or right to call for a partition or division of the same or for an accounting, nor shall the ownership of Shares constitute the Shareholders as partners.
article III
THE TRUSTEES
Section 3.1 Management of the Trust. The Trustees shall have exclusive and absolute control over the Trust Property and over the business of the Trust to the same extent as if the Trustees were the sole owners of the Trust Property and business in their own right, but with such powers of delegation as may be permitted by this Trust Instrument. The Trustees shall have power to conduct the business of the Trust and carry on its operations in any and all of its branches and maintain offices both within and without the State of Delaware, in any and all states of the United States of America, in the District of Columbia, in any and all commonwealths, territories, dependencies, colonies, or possessions of the United States of America, and in any foreign jurisdiction and to do all such other things and execute all such instruments as they deem necessary, proper or desirable in order to promote the interests of the Trust although such things are not herein specifically mentioned. Any determination as to what is in the interests of the Trust made by the Trustees in good faith shall be conclusive. In construing the provisions of this Trust Instrument, the presumption shall be in favor of a grant of power to the Trustees.
-6-
The enumeration of any specific power in this Trust Instrument shall not be construed as limiting the aforesaid power. The powers of the Trustees may be exercised without order of or resort to any court.
Except for the Trustees named herein or appointed to fill vacancies pursuant to Section 3.3 hereof, the Trustees shall be elected by the Shareholders owning of record a plurality of the Shares voting at a meeting of Shareholders.
Section 3.2 Term of Office of Trustees. Subject to any limitations on the term of service imposed by the By-laws or any retirement policy adopted by the Trustees, each Trustee shall hold office during the existence of this Trust, and until its termination as herein provided; except: (a) that any Trustee may resign his trust by written instrument signed by him and delivered to the Chairman, President, Secretary, or other Trustee of the Trust, which shall take effect upon such delivery or upon such later date as is specified therein; (b) that any Trustee may be removed, with or without cause, at any time by written instrument, signed by at least two-thirds of the Trustees prior to such removal, specifying the date when such removal shall become effective; (c) that any Trustee who requests in writing to be retired or who has died, become physically or mentally incapacitated by reason of disease or otherwise, or is otherwise unable to serve, may be retired by written instrument signed by a majority of the other Trustees, specifying the date of his retirement; and (d) that a Trustee may be removed, with or without cause, at any meeting of the Shareholders of the Trust by a vote of Shareholders owning at least two-thirds of the outstanding Shares of the Trust.
Section 3.3 Vacancies and Appointment of Trustees. In the case of the declination to serve, death, resignation, retirement, removal, physical or mental incapacity by reason of disease or otherwise of a Trustee, or a Trustee is otherwise unable to serve, or an increase in the number of Trustees, a vacancy shall occur. Whenever a vacancy in the Board of Trustees shall occur, until such vacancy is filled, the other Trustees shall have all the powers hereunder and the certificate of the other Trustees of such vacancy shall be conclusive. In the case of an existing vacancy, the remaining Trustee or Trustees shall fill such vacancy by appointing such other person as such Trustee or Trustees in their discretion shall see fit consistent with the limitations under the 1940 Act, unless such Trustee or Trustees determine, in accordance with Section 3.5, to decrease the size of the Board to the number of remaining Trustees.
An appointment of a Trustee may be made by the Trustees then in office in anticipation of a vacancy to occur by reason of retirement, resignation or increase in number of Trustees effective at a later date, provided that said appointment shall become effective only at or after the effective date of said retirement, resignation or increase in number of Trustees.
An appointment of a Trustee shall be effective upon the acceptance of the person so appointed to serve as Trustee, except that any such appointment in anticipation of a vacancy shall become effective at or after the date such vacancy occurs.
Section 3.4 Temporary Absence of Trustee. Any Trustee may, by power of attorney, delegate his power for a period not exceeding six months at any one time to any other Trustee or Trustees, provided that in no case shall less than two Trustees personally exercise the other powers hereunder except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless there is only one or two Trustees.
-7-
Section 3.5 Number of Trustees. The number of Trustees shall be one, or such other number as shall be fixed from time to time by the Trustees.
Section 3.6 Effect of Death, Resignation, Etc. of a Trustee. The declination to serve, death, resignation, retirement, removal, incapacity, or inability of the Trustees, or any one of them, shall not operate to terminate the Trust or to revoke any existing agency created pursuant to the terms of this Trust Instrument.
Section 3.7 Ownership of Assets of the Trust. Legal title in and beneficial ownership of all of the assets of the Trust shall at all times be considered as vested in the Trust, except that the Trustees may cause legal title in and beneficial ownership of any Trust Property to be held by, or in the name of one or more of the Trustees acting for and on behalf of the Trust, or in the name of any person as nominee acting for and on behalf of the Trust. No Shareholder shall be deemed to have a severable ownership interest in any individual asset of the Trust, or any right of partition or possession thereof, but each Shareholder shall have, except as otherwise provided for herein, a proportionate undivided beneficial interest in the Trust. The Shares shall be personal property giving only the rights specifically set forth in this Trust Instrument. The Trust, or at the determination of the Trustees, one or more of the Trustees or a nominee acting for and on behalf of the Trust, shall be deemed to hold legal title and beneficial ownership of any income earned on securities of the Trust issued by any business entities formed, organized, or existing under the laws of any jurisdiction, including the laws of any foreign country.
Section 3.8 No Accounting. Except to the extent required by the 1940 Act or, if determined to be necessary or appropriate by the other Trustees under circumstances which would justify his or her removal for cause, no person ceasing to be a Trustee for reasons including, but not limited to, death, resignation, retirement, removal or incapacity (nor the estate of any such person) shall be required to make an accounting to the Shareholders or remaining Trustees upon such cessation.
article IV
POWERS OF THE TRUSTEES
Section 4.1 Powers. The Trustees in all instances shall act as principals, and are and shall be free from the control of the Shareholders. The Trustees shall have full power and authority to do any and all acts and to make and execute any and all contracts and instruments that they may consider necessary or appropriate in connection with the management of the Trust. The Trustees shall have full authority and power to make any and all investments which they, in their sole discretion, shall deem proper to accomplish the purpose of this Trust. Subject to any applicable limitation in this Trust Instrument, the Trustees shall have power and authority:
(a) To invest and reinvest cash and other property, and to hold cash or other property uninvested, and to sell, exchange, lend, pledge, mortgage, hypothecate, write options on and lease any or all of the assets of the Trust;
-8-
(b) To operate as and carry on the business of an investment company, and exercise all the powers necessary and appropriate to the conduct of such operations, including the power to invest all or any part of its assets in the securities of another investment company;
(c) To borrow money and in this connection issue notes or other evidence of indebtedness; to secure borrowings by mortgaging, pledging or otherwise subjecting as security the Trust Property; to endorse, guarantee, or undertake the performance of an obligation, liability or engagement of any person and to lend Trust Property;
(d) To provide for the distribution of interests of the Trust either through a Principal Underwriter in the manner hereinafter provided for or by the Trust itself, or both, or otherwise pursuant to a plan of distribution of any kind;
(e) To adopt By-laws not inconsistent with this Trust Instrument providing for the conduct of the business of the Trust and to amend and repeal them to the extent that they do not reserve that right to the Shareholders, which By-laws shall be deemed a part of this Trust Instrument and are incorporated herein by reference;
(f) To elect and remove such officers and appoint and terminate such agents and contractors as they consider appropriate, any of whom may be a Trustee, and may provide for the compensation of all of the foregoing;
(g) To establish separate Classes having such relative rights, powers and duties as they may provide, consistent with applicable law;
(h) To employ one or more banks, trust companies or companies that are members of a national securities exchange or such other entities as custodians of any assets of the Trust, subject to the 1940 Act and to any conditions set forth in this Trust Instrument;
(i) To retain one or more transfer agents and shareholder servicing agents, or both;
(j) To set record dates in the manner provided herein or in the By-laws;
(k) To delegate such authority (which delegation may include the power to subdelegate) as they consider desirable to any officers of the Trust and to any investment adviser, manager, administrator, custodian, underwriter or other agent or independent contractor;
(l) To join with other holders of any securities or debt instruments in acting through a committee, depository, voting trustee or otherwise, and in that connection to deposit any security or debt instrument with, or transfer any security or debt instrument to, any such committee, depository or trustee, and to delegate to them such power and authority with relation to any security or debt instrument (whether or not so deposited or transferred) as the Trustees shall deem proper and to agree to pay, and to pay, such portion of the expenses and compensation of such committee, depository or trustee as the Trustees shall deem proper;
(m) To enter into joint ventures, general or limited partnerships and any other combinations or associations;
-9-
(n) To pay pensions for faithful service, as deemed appropriate by the Trustees, and to adopt, establish and carry out pension, profit-sharing, share bonus, share purchase, savings, thrift and other retirement, incentive and benefit plans, trusts and provisions, including the purchasing of life insurance and annuity contracts as a means of providing such retirement and other benefits, for any or all of the Trustees, officers, employees and agents of the Trust;
(o) To the extent permitted by law, indemnify any person with whom the Trust has dealings;
(p) To engage in and to prosecute, defend, compromise, abandon, or adjust by arbitration, or otherwise, any actions, suits, proceedings, disputes, claims and demands relating to the Trust, and out of the assets of the Trust to pay or to satisfy any debts, claims or expenses incurred in connection therewith, including those of litigation, and such power shall include without limitation the power of the Trustees or any appropriate committee thereof, in the exercise of their or its good faith business judgment, to dismiss any action, suit, proceeding, dispute, claim or demand, derivative or otherwise, brought by any person, including a Shareholder in its own name or the name of the Trust, whether or not the Trust or any of the Trustees may be named individually therein or the subject matter arises by reason of business for or on behalf of the Trust;
(q) To purchase and pay for entirely out of Trust Property such insurance as they may deem necessary or appropriate for the conduct of the business of the Trust, including, without limitation, insurance policies insuring the Trust Property and payment of distributions and principal on its investments, and insurance policies insuring the Shareholders, Trustees, officers, representatives, employees, agents, investment advisers, managers, administrators, custodians, underwriters, or independent contractors of the Trust individually against all claims and liabilities of every nature arising by reason of holding, being or having held any such office or position, or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted by any such person in such capacity, including any action taken or omitted that may be determined to constitute negligence, whether or not the Trust would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability;
(r) To sell, exchange, lend, pledge, mortgage, hypothecate, write options on and lease any or all of the assets of the Trust, subject to the provisions of Section 9.4(b) hereof;
(s) To vote or give assent, or exercise any rights of ownership, with respect to stock or other securities, debt instruments or property; and to execute and deliver powers of attorney to such person or persons as the Trustees shall deem proper, granting to such person or persons such power and discretion with relation to securities, debt instruments or property as the Trustees shall deem proper;
(t) To exercise powers and rights of subscription or otherwise which in any manner arise out of ownership of securities or debt instruments;
(u) To hold any security or property in a form not indicating any trust, whether in bearer, book entry, unregistered or other negotiable form; or either in the name of the Trustees or of the Trust or in the name of a custodian, subcustodian or other depository or a nominee or nominees or otherwise;
-10-
(v) To consent to or participate in any plan for the reorganization, consolidation or merger of any corporation, issuer or concern, any security or debt instrument of which is held in the Trust; to consent to any contract, lease, mortgage, purchase or sale of property by such corporation, issuer or concern, and to pay calls or subscriptions with respect to any security or debt instrument held in the Trust;
(w) To litigate, compromise, arbitrate, or otherwise adjust claims in favor of or against the Trust or any matter in controversy including, but not limited to, claims for taxes;
(x) To make distributions of income and of capital gains to Shareholders in the manner herein provided;
(y) To establish, from time to time, a minimum investment for Shareholders in the Trust or in one or more Classes thereof;
(z) To cause each Shareholder, or each Shareholder of any particular Class, to pay directly, in advance or arrears, for charges of the Trust’s custodian or transfer, shareholder servicing or similar agent, an amount fixed from time to time by the Trustees, by setting off such charges due from such Shareholder from declared but unpaid dividends owed such Shareholder and/or by reducing the number of Shares in the account of such Shareholder by that number of full and/or fractional Shares which represents the outstanding amount of such charges due from such Shareholder;
(aa) To establish one or more committees composed of one or more of the Trustees, and to delegate any of the powers of the Trustees to said committees;
(bb) To interpret the investment policies, practices or limitations of the Trust;
(cc) To establish a registered office and have a registered agent in the State of Delaware;
(dd) To compensate or provide for the compensation of the Trustees, officers, advisers, administrators, custodians, other agents, consultants, contractors and employees of the Trust or the Trustees on such terms as they deem appropriate;
(ee) To invest part or all of the Trust Property, or to dispose of part or all of the Trust Property and invest the proceeds of such disposition, in interests issued by one or more other investment companies or pooled portfolios (including investment by means of transfer of part or all of the Trust Property in exchange for an interest or interests in such one or more investment companies or pooled portfolios) all without any requirement of approval by Shareholders. Any such other investment company or pooled portfolio may (but need not) be a trust (formed under the laws of any state or jurisdiction), which is classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes; and
(ff) In general, to carry on any other business in connection with or incidental to any of the foregoing powers, to do everything necessary, suitable or proper for the accomplishment of any purpose or the attainment of any object or the furtherance of any power herein set forth, either alone or in association with others, and to do every other act or thing incidental or appurtenant to or growing out of or connected with the aforesaid business or purposes, objects or powers.
-11-
The foregoing clauses shall be construed both as objects and powers, and the foregoing enumeration of specific powers shall not be held to limit or restrict in any manner the general powers of the Trustees. Any action by one or more of the Trustees in their capacity as such hereunder shall be deemed an action on behalf of the Trust, and not an action in an individual capacity.
No one dealing with the Trustees shall be under any obligation to make any inquiry concerning the authority of the Trustees, or to see to the application of any payments made or property transferred to the Trustees or upon their order.
Section 4.2 Issuance and Repurchase of Shares. The Trustees shall have the power to issue, sell, repurchase, redeem, retire, cancel, acquire, hold, resell, reissue, dispose of, exchange, and otherwise deal in Shares; to suspend or terminate the sales of Shares of any Class for any period of time; to establish terms and conditions, including any fees or expenses, regarding the issuance, sale, repurchase, redemption, cancellation, retirement, acquisition, holding, resale, reissuance, disposition or exchange of or dealing in Shares of any Class; and subject to the provisions set forth in Article II and Article VII, to apply to any such repurchase, retirement, cancellation or acquisition of Shares any funds or property of the Trust, or a particular Class of the Trust, with respect to which such Shares are issued.
Section 4.3 Trustees and Officers as Shareholders. Any Trustee, officer or other agent of the Trust may acquire, own and dispose of Shares to the same extent as if such person were not a Trustee, officer or agent; and the Trustees may issue and sell or cause to be issued and sold Shares to and buy such Shares from any such person or any firm or company in which such person invested, subject to the general limitations herein contained as to the sale and purchase of such Shares.
Section 4.4 Action by the Trustees and Committees. The Trustees (and any committee thereof) may act at a meeting held in person or in whole or in part by conference telecommunications equipment. One-third, but not less than two, of the Trustees shall constitute a quorum at any meeting unless there is only one Trustee. Except as the Trustees may otherwise determine, one-third of the members of any committee shall constitute a quorum at any meeting. The vote of a majority of the Trustees (or committee members) present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Trustees (or any committee thereof). The Trustees (and any committee thereof) may also act by written consent signed by a majority of the Trustees (or committee members). Regular meetings of the Trustees may be held at such places and at such times as the Trustees may from time to time determine. Special meetings of the Trustees (and meetings of any committee thereof) may be called orally or in writing by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (or the chairman of any committee thereof) or by any two other Trustees. Notice of the time, date and place of all meetings of the Trustees (or any committee thereof) shall be given by the party calling the meeting to each Trustee (or committee member) by telephone, telefax, telegram or other electronic means sent to the person’s home or business address at least twenty-four hours in advance of the meeting or by written notice mailed to the person’s home or business address at least seventy-two hours in advance of the meeting. Notice of all proposed written consents of Trustees (or committees thereof) shall be given to each Trustee (or committee member) by telephone, telefax, telegram, or first class mail sent to the person’s home or business address. Notice need not be given to any person who attends a meeting without objecting to the lack of notice or who executes a written consent or a written waiver of notice with respect to a meeting. Written consents or waivers may be executed in one or more counterparts. Execution of a written consent or waiver and delivery thereof may be accomplished by telefax or other electronic means approved by the Trustees.
-12-
Section 4.5 Chairman of the Trustees. The Trustees may appoint one of their number to be Chairman of the Board of Trustees. The Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Trustees at which he is present and may be (but is not required to be) the chief executive officer of the Trust.
Section 4.6 Principal Transactions. Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law, the Trustees may, on behalf of the Trust, buy any securities from or sell any securities to, or lend any assets of the Trust to, any Trustee or officer of the Trust or any firm of which any such Trustee or officer is a member acting as principal, or have any such dealings with any Affiliated Person of the Trust, investment adviser, investment sub-adviser, distributor or transfer agent for the Trust or with any Interested Person of such Affiliated Person or other person; and the Trust may employ any such Affiliated Person or other person, or firm or company in which such Affiliated Person or other person is an Interested Person, as broker, legal counsel, registrar, investment adviser, investment sub-adviser, distributor, transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent, custodian or in any other capacity upon customary terms.
article V
INVESTMENT
ADVISER, INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISER,
PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER, ADMINISTRATOR, TRANSFER AGENT,
CUSTODIAN AND OTHER CONTRACTORS
Section 5.1 Certain Contracts. Subject to compliance with the provisions of the 1940 Act, but notwithstanding any limitations of present and future law or custom in regard to delegation of powers by trustees generally, the Trustees may, at any time and from time to time and without limiting the generality of their powers and authority otherwise set forth herein, enter into one or more contracts with any one or more corporations, trusts, associations, partnerships, limited partnerships, other type of organizations, or individuals to provide for the performance and assumption of some or all of the following services, duties and responsibilities to, for or of the Trust and/or the Trustees, and to provide for the performance and assumption of such other services, duties and responsibilities in addition to those set forth below as the Trustees may determine to be appropriate:
(a) Investment Adviser and Investment Sub-Adviser. The Trustees may in their discretion, from time to time, enter into an investment advisory or management contract or contracts with respect to the Trust whereby the other party or parties to such contract or contracts shall undertake to furnish the Trust with such management, investment advisory, statistical and research facilities and services and such other facilities and services, if any, and all upon such terms and conditions, as the Trustees may in their discretion determine. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Trust Instrument, the Trustees may authorize any investment adviser (subject to such general or specific instructions as the Trustees may from time to time adopt) to effect purchases, sales or exchanges of portfolio securities, other investment instruments of the Trust, or other Trust Property on behalf of the Trustees, or may authorize any officer, agent, or Trustee to effect such purchases, sales or exchanges pursuant to recommendations of the investment adviser (and all without further action by the Trustees). Any such purchases, sales and exchanges shall be deemed to have been authorized by the Trustees.
-13-
The Trustees may authorize, subject to applicable requirements of the 1940 Act, the investment adviser to employ, from time to time, one or more sub-advisers to perform such of the acts and services of the investment adviser, and upon such terms and conditions, as may be agreed upon between the investment adviser and sub-adviser. Any reference in this Trust Instrument to the investment adviser shall be deemed to include such sub-advisers, unless the context otherwise requires.
(b) Principal Underwriter. The Trustees may in their discretion from time to time enter into an exclusive or non-exclusive underwriting contract or contracts providing for the sale of Shares, whereby the Trust may either agree to sell Shares to the other party to the contract or appoint such other party its sales agent for such Shares. In either case, the contract or contracts shall be on such terms and conditions as the Trustees may in their discretion determine and may also provide for the repurchase or sale of Shares by such other party as principal or as agent of the Trust.
(c) Administrator. The Trustees may in their discretion from time to time enter into one or more contracts whereby the other party or parties shall undertake to furnish the Trust with administrative services. The contract or contracts shall be on such terms and conditions as the Trustees may in their discretion determine.
(d) Transfer Agent. The Trustees may in their discretion from time to time enter into one or more transfer agency and Shareholder service contracts whereby the other party or parties shall undertake to furnish the Trust with transfer agency and Shareholder services. The contract or contracts shall be on such terms and conditions as the Trustees may in their discretion determine.
(e) Servicing Agent. The Trustees may in their discretion from time to time enter into one or more contracts whereby the other party or parties shall undertake to furnish the Trust with Trust and/or Shareholder services. The contract or contracts shall be on such terms and conditions as the Trustees may in their discretion determine.
(f) Fund Accounting. The Trustees may in their discretion from time to time enter into one or more contracts whereby the other party or parties undertakes to handle all or any part of the Trust’s accounting responsibilities, whether with respect to the Trust’s properties, Shareholders or otherwise. The contract or contracts shall be on such terms and conditions as the Trustees may in their discretion determine.
(g) Custodian and Depository. The Trustees may in their discretion from time to time enter into one or more contracts whereby the other party or parties undertakes to act as depository for and to maintain custody of the property of the Trust or any Class and accounting records in connection therewith. The contract or contracts shall be on such terms and conditions as the Trustees may in their discretion determine.
-14-
(h) Parties to Contract. Any contract described in this Article V hereof may be entered into with any corporation, firm, partnership, trust or association, although one or more of the Trustees or officers of the Trust may be an officer, director, trustee, shareholder, or member of such other party to the contract, and no such contract shall be invalidated or rendered void or voidable by reason of the existence of any relationship, nor shall any person holding such relationship be disqualified from voting on or executing the same in his capacity as Shareholder and/or Trustee, nor shall any person holding such relationship be liable merely by reason of such relationship for any loss or expense to the Trust under or by reason of said contract or accountable for any profit realized directly or indirectly therefrom, provided that the contract when entered into was not inconsistent with the provisions of this Article V. The same person (including a firm, corporation, partnership, trust, or association) may be the other party to contracts entered into pursuant to this Article V, and any individual may be financially interested or otherwise affiliated with persons who are parties to any or all of the contracts mentioned in this Section 5.1.
article VI
SHAREHOLDER VOTING POWERS AND MEETINGS
Section 6.1 Voting. The Shareholders shall have power to vote only: (a) for the election of one or more Trustees in order to comply with the provisions of the 1940 Act (including Section 16(a) thereof); (b) with respect to any contract entered into pursuant to Article V to the extent required by the 1940 Act; (c) with respect to termination of the Trust or a Class thereof to the extent required by applicable law; and (d) with respect to such additional matters relating to the Trust as may be required by this Trust Instrument, the By-laws or any registration of the Trust as an investment company under the 1940 Act with the Commission (or any successor agency) or as the Trustees may consider necessary or desirable.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this declaration, on any matter submitted to a vote of Shareholders, unless the Trustees determine otherwise, all Shares of all Classes then entitled to vote shall be voted in aggregate, provided, however, that: (a) as to any matter with respect to which a separate vote of any Class is required by the 1940 Act or other applicable law or is required by attributes applicable to any Class, such requirements as to a separate vote by that Class shall apply; (b) unless the Trustees determine that this clause (b) shall not apply in a particular case, to the extent that a matter referred to in clause (a) above affects more than one Class and the interests of each such Class in the matter are identical, then the Shares of all such affected Classes shall vote as a single class; and (c) as to any matter which does not affect the interests of a particular Class, only the holders of Shares of the one or more affected Classes shall be entitled to vote. A Shareholder of each Class shall be entitled to one vote for each Share of such Class on any matter on which such Shareholder is entitled to vote. A Shareholder of each Class shall be entitled to a proportionate fractional vote for each fractional Share of such Class on any matter on which such Shareholder is entitled to vote. There shall be no cumulative voting in the election of Trustees. Shares may be voted in person or by proxy or in any manner provided for in the By-laws. A proxy may be given in writing, by telefax, other electronic means or in any other manner provided for in the By-laws. Anything in this Trust Instrument to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event a proposal by anyone other than the officers or Trustees of the Trust is submitted to a vote of the Shareholders of the Trust or one or more Classes thereof, or in the event of any proxy contest or proxy solicitation or proposal in opposition to any proposal by the officers or Trustees of the Trust, Shares may be voted only in person or by written proxy. Until Shares are issued, the Trustees may exercise all rights of Shareholders and may take any action required or permitted by law, this Trust Instrument or any of the By-laws of the Trust to be taken by Shareholders.
-15-
Section 6.2 Meetings. Meetings of Shareholders (including meetings involving only the holders of Shares of one or more but less than all the Classes) may be called by the Trustees from time to time to be held at such place within or without the State of Delaware, and on such date as may be designated in the call thereof for the purpose of taking action upon any matter as to which the vote or authority of the Shareholders of any Class or of the Trust is required or permitted as provided in Section 6.1. Special meetings of the Shareholders may be called by the Trustees. To the extent required by the 1940 Act, special meetings of the Shareholders for the purpose of removing one or more Trustees shall be called by the Trustees upon the written request of Shareholders owning at least 10 percent (10%) of the Outstanding Shares of all Classes entitled to vote. Notice shall be sent, postage prepaid, by mail or such other means determined by the Trustees, at least 7 days prior to any such meeting.
Section 6.3 Quorum and Required Vote. Unless a larger percentage is required by law, by any provision of this Trust Instrument or by the Trustees, one-third of the Shares entitled to vote in person or by proxy on a particular matter shall be a quorum for the transaction of business at a Shareholders’ meeting with respect to that matter. Any lesser number shall be sufficient for adjournments. Any adjourned session or sessions may be held without the necessity of further notice. Except when a larger vote is required by law, by any provision of this Trust Instrument or by the Trustees, a majority of the Shares voted in person or by proxy on a particular matter at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall decide any questions with respect to that matter and a plurality shall elect a Trustee.
Section 6.4 Action by Written Consent. Subject to the provisions of the 1940 Act and other applicable law, any action taken by Shareholders may be taken without a meeting if a majority of the Shares entitled to vote on the matter (or such larger proportion thereof as shall be required by law, by any provision of this Trust Instrument or by the Trustees) consent to the action in writing. Such consent shall be treated for all purposes as a vote taken at a meeting of Shareholders. The Trustees may adopt additional rules and procedures regarding the taking of Shareholder action by written consents.
article VII
DISTRIBUTIONS AND REPURCHASES
Section 7.1 Distributions.
(a) The Trustees may from time to time declare and pay dividends or other distributions with respect to any Class. The amount of such dividends or distributions and the payment of them and whether they are in cash or any other Trust Property shall be wholly in the discretion of the Trustees.
-16-
(b) Dividends and other distributions may be paid or made to the Shareholders of record at the time of declaring a dividend or other distribution or among the Shareholders of record at such other date or time or dates or times as the Trustees shall determine, which dividends or distributions, at the election of the Trustees, may be paid pursuant to a standing resolution or resolutions adopted only once or with such frequency as the Trustees may determine. All dividends and other distributions on Shares of a particular Class shall be distributed pro rata to the Shareholders of that Class in proportion to the number of Shares of that Class they held on the record date established for such payment, except that in connection with any dividend or distribution program or procedures the Trustees may determine that no dividend or distribution shall be payable on Shares as to which the Shareholder’s purchase order and/or payment in the prescribed form has not been received by the time or times established by the Trustees under such program or procedure. The Trustees may adopt and offer to Shareholders such dividend reinvestment plans, cash dividend payout plans or related plans as the Trustees shall deem appropriate.
(c) Anything in this Trust Instrument to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustees may at any time declare and distribute a stock dividend pro rata among the Shareholders of a particular Class, as of the record date of that Class fixed as provided in Section (b) hereof. The Trustees shall have full discretion, to the extent not inconsistent with the 1940 Act, to determine which items shall be treated as income and which items as capital; and each such determination and allocation shall be conclusive and binding upon the Shareholders.
Section 7.2 Transfer of Shares.
(a) Any Shares held by a Shareholder may be transferred only (1) by operation of law pursuant to the death, bankruptcy, insolvency, adjudicated incompetence, or dissolution of the Shareholder or (2) with the consent of the Trustees (which may be withheld in the Trustees’ sole and absolute discretion). If a Shareholder transfers Shares with the approval of the Trustees, the Trustees will as promptly as practicable take all necessary actions so that each transferee or successor to whom or to which the Shares are transferred is admitted to the Trust as a Shareholder. The admission of any transferee as a substituted Shareholder will be effective upon the execution and delivery by, or on behalf of, the substituted Shareholder of an investor application form. Each Shareholder and transferee agrees to pay all expenses, including attorneys’ and accountants’ fees, incurred by the Trust in connection with any transfer. In connection with any request to transfer Shares, the Trust may require the Shareholder requesting the transfer to obtain, at the Shareholder’s expense, an opinion of counsel selected by the Trustees as to such matters as the Trustees may reasonably request. If a Shareholder transfers all of its Shares, it will not cease to be a Shareholder unless and until the transferee is admitted to the Trust as a substituted Shareholder in accordance with this Section 7.2(a). Any transfer of Shares permitted under this Section 7.2(a) will be effected in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.4 hereof. Pursuant to Section 4.1(k) hereof, the Trustees hereby delegate to the officers of the Trust all power and authority to approve and effect transfers of Shares pursuant to this Section 7.2(a).
(b) Each Shareholder will indemnify and hold harmless the Trust, the Trustees, each other Shareholder and any Affiliated Person of the Trust, the Trustees, the investment adviser, any sub-adviser and each of the other Shareholders against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including legal or other expenses incurred in investigating or defending against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses or any judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement), joint or several, to which these Persons may become subject by reason of or arising from (1) any transfer made by the Shareholder in violation of this Section 7.2 and (2) any misrepresentation by the transferring Shareholder or substituted Shareholder in connection with the transfer. A Shareholder transferring Shares may be charged reasonable expenses, including attorneys’ and accountants’ fees, incurred by the Trust in connection with the transfer, by setting off such charges due from such Shareholder from declared but unpaid dividends or distributions owed such Shareholder and/or by reducing the number of shares in the account of such Shareholder by that number of full and/or fractional Shares which represents the outstanding amount of such charges due from such Shareholder.
-17-
Section 7.3 Repurchases. Unless the Trustees otherwise determine with respect to a particular Class at the time of establishing and designating the same, each Shareholder of a particular Class shall have the right at such times as may be permitted by the Trustees to require the Trust to repurchase (out of the assets belonging to the applicable Class) all or any part of his Shares at the net asset value thereof as of the repurchase pricing date established by the Trustees, less any repurchase fee established by the Trustees in their discretion, and subject to such conditions as the Trustees may determine, which may include establishing a maximum amount of Shares that may be repurchased and prorating Shares tendered for repurchase if the repurchase is oversubscribed. Payment for said Shares shall be made by the Trust to the Shareholder within seven days after the repurchase pricing date established by the Trustees. The repurchase price may in any case or cases be paid in cash or wholly or partly in kind if the Trustees determine that such payment is advisable in the interest of the remaining Shareholders. Subject to the foregoing, the fair value, selection and quantity of securities or other property so paid or delivered as all or part of the repurchase price shall be determined by or under authority of the Trustees. In no case shall the Trust be liable for any delay of any corporation or other Person in transferring securities selected for delivery as all or part of any payment in kind.
Section 7.4 Redemptions at the Option of the Trust. The Trust shall have the right at its option and at any time to redeem Shares of any Shareholder at the net asset value thereof, unless otherwise permitted by the 1940 Act, for any reason under the terms established by the Trustees from time to time including but not limited to: (i) if at such time such Shareholder owns Shares having an aggregate net asset value of less than an amount determined from time to time by the Trustees; (ii) to the extent that such Shareholder owns Shares equal to or in excess of a percentage of the outstanding Shares determined from time to time by the Trustees; (iii) the failure of a Shareholder to supply a tax identification number or other identification or if the Trust is unable to verify a Shareholder's identity; (iv) the failure of a Shareholder to pay when due the purchase price of Shares; (v) when the Trust is requested or compelled to do so by governmental authority; or (vi) the determination by the Trustees or pursuant to policies and procedures adopted by the Trustees that ownership of Shares is not in the best interest of the remaining Shareholders of the Trust or applicable Class.
Section 7.5 Suspension of the Right of Repurchase. The Trustees may declare a suspension of the right of repurchase or postpone the date of payment as permitted under the 1940 Act. Such suspension shall take effect at such time as the Trustees shall specify and thereafter there shall be no right of repurchase or payment until the Trustees shall declare the suspension at an end. In the event that the Trust is divided into Classes, the provisions of this Section 7.5, to the extent applicable as determined in the discretion of the Trustees and consistent with the 1940 Act, may be equally applied to each such Class.
-18-
Section 7.6 Redemption of Shares to Qualify as a Regulated Investment Company. If the Trustees shall, at any time and in good faith, be of the opinion that direct or indirect ownership of Shares has or may become concentrated in any Person to an extent that would disqualify the Trust as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), then the Trustees shall have the power (but not the obligation) by lot or other means deemed equitable by them (i) to call for redemption by any such Person of a number, or principal amount, of Shares sufficient to maintain or bring the direct or indirect ownership of Shares into conformity with the requirements for such qualification and (ii) to refuse to transfer or issue Shares to any Person whose acquisition of Shares in question would result in such disqualification. The redemption shall be effected at the redemption price and in the manner provided herein. The holders of Shares shall upon demand disclose to the Trustees in writing such information with respect to direct and indirect ownership of Shares as the Trustees deem necessary to comply with the requirements of any taxing authority.
Section 7.7 Net Asset Value. The Net Asset Value of each outstanding Share of any Class shall be the quotient obtained by dividing (a) the value of the net assets belonging to that Class less the liabilities belonging to such Class by (b) the total number of Shares of that Class outstanding, all determined in accordance with the methods and procedures, including without limitation those with respect to rounding, established by the Trustees from time to time.
article VIII
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION
Section 8.1 Limitation of Liability. Neither a Trustee nor an officer of the Trust, when acting in such capacity, shall be personally liable to any person other than the Trust or a beneficial owner for any act, omission or obligation of the Trust, any Trustee or any officer of the Trust. Neither a Trustee nor an officer of the Trust shall be liable for any act or omission in his capacity as Trustee or as an officer of the Trust, or for any act or omission of any other officer or any employee of the Trust or of any other person or party, provided that nothing contained herein or in the Act shall protect any Trustee or officer against any liability to the Trust or to Shareholders 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 the office of Trustee or the duties of such officer hereunder.
Section 8.2 Indemnification. The Trust shall indemnify each of its Trustees, officers and persons who serve at the Trust’s request as directors, officers or trustees of another organization in which the Trust has any interest as a shareholder, creditor, or otherwise, and may indemnify any trustee, director or officer of a predecessor organization (each a “Covered Person”), against all liabilities and expenses (including amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise, as fines and penalties, and expenses including reasonable accountants’ and counsel fees) reasonably incurred in connection with the defense or disposition of any action, suit or other proceeding, whether civil or criminal, before any court or administrative, regulatory, or legislative body, in which he may be involved or with which he may be threatened, while as a Covered Person or thereafter, by reason of being or having been such a Covered Person, except that no Covered Person shall be indemnified against any liability to the Trust or its Shareholders to which such Covered Person would otherwise be subject by reason of bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his duties involved in the conduct of such Covered Person’s office (such willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard being referred to herein as “Disabling Conduct”). Expenses, including accountants’ and counsel fees so incurred by any such Covered Person (but excluding amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines or penalties), may be paid from time to time by the Trust in advance of the final disposition of any such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of (a) an undertaking by or on behalf of such Covered Person to repay amounts so paid to the Trust if it is ultimately determined that indemnification of such expenses is not authorized under this Article VIII and (b) any of (i) such Covered Person provides security for such undertaking, (ii) the Trust is insured against losses arising by reason of such payment, or (iii) a majority of a quorum of disinterested, non-party Trustees, or independent legal counsel in a written opinion, determines, based on a review of readily available facts, that there is reason to believe that such Covered Person ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification.
-19-
Section 8.3 Indemnification Determinations. Indemnification of a Covered Person pursuant to Section 8.2 shall be made if (a) the court or body before whom the proceeding is brought determines, in a final decision on the merits, that such Covered Person was not liable by reason of Disabling Conduct or (b) in the absence of such a determination, a majority of a quorum of disinterested, non-party Trustees or independent legal counsel in a written opinion make a reasonable determination, based upon a review of the facts, that such Covered Person was not liable by reason of Disabling Conduct.
Section 8.4 Indemnification Not Exclusive. The right of indemnification provided by this Article VIII shall not be exclusive of or affect any other rights to which any such Covered Person may be entitled. As used in this Article VIII, “Covered Person” shall include such person’s heirs, executors and administrators, and a “disinterested, non-party Trustee” is a Trustee who is neither an Interested Person of the Trust nor a party to the proceeding in question.
Section 8.5 Shareholders. Each Shareholder of the Trust and each Class shall not be personally liable for the debts, liabilities, obligations and expenses incurred by, contracted for, or otherwise existing with respect to, the Trust or by or on behalf of any Class. The Trustees shall have no power to bind any Shareholder personally or to call upon any Shareholder for the payment of any sum of money or assessment whatsoever other than such as the Shareholder may at any time personally agree to pay pursuant to terms hereof or by way of subscription for any Shares or otherwise.
In case any Shareholder or former Shareholder of any Class shall be held to be personally liable solely by reason of his being or having been a Shareholder of such Class and not because of his acts or omissions or for some other reason, the Shareholder or former Shareholder (or his heirs, executors, administrators or other legal representatives, or, in the case of a corporation or other entity, its corporate or other general successor) shall be entitled out of the assets belonging to the applicable Class to be held harmless from and indemnified against all loss and expense arising from such liability. The Trust, on behalf of the affected Class, shall, upon request by the Shareholder, assume the defense of any claim made against the Shareholder for any act or obligation of the Class and satisfy any judgment thereon from the assets of the Class. The indemnification and reimbursement required by the preceding sentence shall be made only out of assets of the one or more Classes whose Shares were held by said Shareholder at the time the act or event occurred that gave rise to the claim against or liability of said Shareholder. The rights accruing to a Shareholder under this Section shall not impair any other right to which such Shareholder may be lawfully entitled, nor shall anything herein contained restrict the right of the Trust or any Class thereof to indemnify or reimburse a Shareholder in any appropriate situation even though not specifically provided herein.
-20-
article IX
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 9.1 Trust Not a Partnership. It is hereby expressly declared that a trust and not a partnership is created hereby. All persons extending credit to, contracting with or having any claim against the Trust or any Class shall look only to the assets of the Trust or such Class for payment under such credit, contract or claim; and neither the Shareholders nor the Trustees, nor any of the Trust’s officers, employees or agents, whether past, present or future, shall be personally liable therefor.
Section 9.2 Trustees’ and Officers’ Good Faith Action, Expert Advice, No Bond or Surety. The exercise by the Trustees of their powers and discretions hereunder shall be binding upon everyone interested. Subject to the provisions of Article VIII: (i) the Trustees and officers shall not be responsible or liable in any event for any neglect or wrongdoing of any agent, employee, consultant, adviser, administrator, distributor or principal underwriter, custodian or transfer, dividend disbursing, shareholder servicing or accounting agent of the Trust, nor shall any Trustee or officer be responsible for the act or omission of any other Trustee; (ii) the Trustees and officers may take advice of counsel or other experts with respect to the meaning and operation of this Trust Instrument and their duties as Trustees or officers, as applicable, and shall be under no liability for any act or omission in accordance with such advice or for failing to follow such advice; and (iii) in discharging their duties, the officers, when acting in good faith shall be entitled to rely upon the books of account of the Trust and upon written reports made to the Trustees and/or officers by any independent public accountant or (with respect to the subject matter of the contract involved) any officer, director, partner or responsible employee of a contracting party appointed by the Trustees; and (iv) in discharging their duties, the Trustees, when acting in good faith, shall be entitled to rely upon the books of account of the Trust and upon written reports made to the Trustees by any officer appointed by the Trustees, any independent public accountant, and (with respect to the subject matter of the contract involved) any officer, partner or responsible employee of a contracting party appointed by the Trustees. The Trustees and officers as such shall not be required to give any bond or surety or any other security for the performance of their duties.
Section 9.3 Establishment of Record Dates. The Trustees may close the Share transfer books of the Trust for a period not exceeding one hundred twenty (120) days preceding the date of any meeting of Shareholders, or the date for the payment of any dividends or other distributions, or the date for the allotment of rights, or the date when any change or conversion or exchange of Shares shall go into effect; or in lieu of closing the stock transfer books as aforesaid, the Trustees may fix in advance a date, not exceeding one hundred twenty (120) days preceding the date of any meeting of Shareholders, or the date for payment of any dividend or other distribution, or the date for the allotment of rights, or the date when any change or conversion or exchange of Shares shall go into effect, as a record date for the determination of the Shareholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, any such meeting, or entitled to receive payment of any such dividend or other distribution, or to any such allotment of rights, or to exercise the rights in respect of any such change, conversion or exchange of Shares, and in such case such Shareholders and only such Shareholders as shall be Shareholders of record on the date so fixed shall be entitled to such notice of, and to vote at, such meeting, or to receive payment of such dividend or other distribution, or to receive such allotment or rights, or to exercise such rights, as the case may be, notwithstanding any transfer of any Shares on the books of the Trust after any such record date fixed as aforesaid.
-21-
Section 9.4 Dissolution and Termination of Trust.
(a) This Trust shall continue without limitation of time but subject to the provisions of sub-sections (b) and (c) of this Section 9.4.
(b) Notwithstanding anything in Section 9.5 to the contrary, the Trustees may without Shareholder approval (unless such approval is required by the 1940 Act) in dissolution of the Trust or any Class, liquidate, reorganize or dissolve the Trust or any Class in any manner or fashion not inconsistent with applicable law, including, without limitation,
(i) | sell and convey all or substantially all of the assets of the Trust or any Class to another trust, partnership, limited liability company, association or corporation, or to a separate series or class of shares thereof, organized under the laws of any state or jurisdiction, for adequate consideration which may include the assumption of all outstanding obligations, taxes and other liabilities, accrued or contingent, of the Trust or any Class, and which may include shares of beneficial interest, stock or other ownership interests of such trust, partnership, limited liability company, association or corporation or of a series thereof; or |
(ii) | at any time sell and convert into money all of the assets of the Trust or any Class. |
Following a sale or conversion in accordance with the foregoing sub-Section 9.4(b)(i) or (ii), and upon making reasonable provision, in the determination of the Trustees, for the payment of all liabilities of the Trust or the affected Class as required by applicable law, by such assumption or otherwise, the Shareholders of each Class involved in such sale or conversion shall be entitled to receive, as a Class, when and as declared by the Trustees, the excess of the assets allocated to that Class over the liabilities allocated to such Class. The assets so distributable to the Shareholders of any particular Class shall be distributed among such Shareholders in proportion to the number of Shares of that Class held by them and recorded on the books of the Trust.
(c) Upon completion of the distribution of the remaining proceeds or the remaining assets as provided in sub-section (b), the Trust (in the case of a sale or conversion with respect to the Trust) or any affected Class shall terminate and the Trustees and the Trust or any affected Class shall be discharged of any and all further liabilities and duties hereunder and the right, title and interest of all parties with respect to the Trust or such affected Class shall be cancelled and discharged.
-22-
Upon termination of the Trust, following completion of winding up of its business, the Trustees shall cause a certificate of cancellation of the Trust’s certificate of trust to be filed in accordance with the Act, which certificate of cancellation may be signed by any one Trustee.
Section 9.5 Merger, Consolidation, Incorporation. Anything in this Trust Instrument to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustees, in order to change the form of organization and/or domicile of the Trust, may, without prior Shareholder approval, (i) cause the Trust to merge or consolidate with or into one or more trusts, partnerships, limited liability companies, associations or corporations which is or are formed, organized or existing under the laws of a state, commonwealth possession or colony of the United States, or (ii) cause the Trust to incorporate under the laws of Delaware. Any agreement of merger or consolidation or certificate of merger may be signed by a majority of the Trustees. Pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3815(f) of the Act, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Trust Instrument, an agreement of any merger or consolidation approved in accordance with this Section 9.5 may effect any amendment to the Trust Instrument or effect the adoption of a new trust instrument of the Trust if it is the surviving or resulting trust in the merger or consolidation. Any merger or consolidation of the Trust other than as described in the foregoing provisions of this Section 9.5 shall, in addition to the approval of the Trustees, require a Majority Shareholder Vote. Nothing in this Section 9.5 shall require, however, Shareholder approval of any transaction whereby the Trust or any Class thereof acquires or assumes all or any part of the assets and liabilities of any other entity.
Section 9.6 Filing of Copies, References, Headings. The original or a copy of this Trust Instrument and of each amendment hereof or Trust Instrument supplemental hereto shall be kept at the office of the Trust where it may be inspected by any Shareholder. Anyone dealing with the Trust may rely on a certificate by an officer or Trustee of the Trust as to whether or not any such amendments or supplements have been made and as to any matters in connection with the Trust hereunder, and with the same effect as if it were the original, may rely on a copy certified by an officer or Trustee of the Trust to be a copy of this Trust Instrument or of any such amendment or supplemental Trust Instrument. In this Trust Instrument or in any such amendment or supplemental Trust Instrument, references to this Trust Instrument, and all expressions like “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder,” shall be deemed to refer to this Trust Instrument as amended or affected by any such supplemental Trust Instrument. All expressions like “his,” “he” and “him,” shall be deemed to include the feminine and neuter, as well as masculine, genders. Headings are placed herein for convenience of reference only and in case of any conflict, the text of this Trust Instrument rather than the headings, shall control. This Trust Instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts each of which shall be deemed an original.
Section 9.7 Applicable Law. The trust set forth in this instrument is made in the State of Delaware, and the Trust and this Trust Instrument, and the rights and obligations of the Trustees and Shareholders hereunder, are to be governed by and construed and administered according to the Act and the laws of said State; provided, however, that there shall not be applicable to the Trust, the Trustees or this Trust Instrument (a) the provisions of Section 3540 of Title 12 of the Delaware Code or (b) any provisions of the laws (statutory or common) of the State of Delaware (other than the Act) pertaining to trusts which relate to or regulate: (i) the filing with any court or governmental body or agency of trustee accounts or schedules of trustee fees and charges, (ii) affirmative requirements to post bonds for trustees, officers, agents or employees of a trust, (iii) the necessity for obtaining court or other governmental approval concerning the acquisition, holding or disposition of real or personal property, (iv) fees or other sums payable to trustees, officers, agents or employees of a trust, (v) the allocation of receipts and expenditures to income or principal, (vi) restrictions or limitations on the permissible nature, amount or concentration of trust investments or requirements relating to the titling, storage or other manner of holding of trust assets, or (vii) the establishment of fiduciary or other standards or responsibilities or limitations on the acts or powers of trustees, which are inconsistent with the limitations or liabilities or authorities and powers of the Trustees set forth or referenced in this Trust Instrument. The Trust shall be of the type commonly called a “statutory trust,” and without limiting the provisions hereof, the Trust may exercise all powers which are ordinarily exercised by such a trust under Delaware law. The Trust specifically reserves the right to exercise any of the powers or privileges afforded to trusts or actions that may be engaged in by trusts under the Act, and the absence of a specific reference herein to any such power, privilege or action shall not imply that the Trust may not exercise such power or privilege or take such actions.
-23-
Section 9.8 Amendments. Except as specifically provided herein, the Trustees may, without Shareholder vote, amend or otherwise supplement this Trust Instrument by making an amendment, a Trust Instrument supplemental hereto or an amended and restated trust instrument. Shareholders shall have the right to vote: (i) on any amendment which would affect their right to vote granted in Section 6.1, (ii) on any amendment to this Section 9.8, (iii) on any amendment for which such vote is required by law and (iv) on any amendment submitted to them by the Trustees. Any amendment required or permitted to be submitted to Shareholders which, as the Trustees determine, shall affect the Shareholders of one or more Classes shall be authorized by vote of the Shareholders of each Class affected and no vote of shareholders of a Class not affected shall be required. Anything in this Trust Instrument to the contrary notwithstanding, any amendment to Article VIII hereof shall not limit the rights to indemnification or insurance provided therein with respect to action or omission of any persons protected thereby prior to such amendment.
Section 9.9 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Trust shall end on a specified date as determined from time to time by the Trustees.
Section 9.10 Provisions in Conflict with Law. The provisions of this Trust Instrument are severable, and if the Trustees shall determine, with the advice of counsel, that any of such provisions is in conflict with the 1940 Act, the regulated investment company provisions of the Code or with other applicable laws and regulations, the conflicting provision shall be deemed never to have constituted a part of this Trust Instrument; provided, however, that such determination shall not affect any of the remaining provisions of this Trust Instrument or render invalid or improper any action taken or omitted prior to such determination. If any provision of this Trust Instrument shall be held invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall attach only to such provision in such jurisdiction and shall not in any manner affect such provisions in any other jurisdiction or any other provision of this Trust Instrument in any jurisdiction.
-24-
Section 9.11 Allocation of Certain Expenses. Each Shareholder will, at the discretion of the Trustees, indemnify the Trust against all expenses and losses resulting from indebtedness incurred in connection with facilitating (i) requests pending receipt of the collected funds from investments sold on the date of such Shareholder’s redemption request; (ii) redemption requests from such Shareholder who has also notified the Trust of its intention to deposit funds in its accounts on the date of said redemption request; or (iii) the purchase of investments pending receipt of collected funds from such Shareholder who has notified the Trust of its intention to deposit funds in its accounts on the date of the purchase of the investments.
Section 9.12 Delivery by Electronic Transmission or Otherwise. Notwithstanding any provision in this Declaration of Trust to the contrary, any notice, proxy, vote, consent, instrument or writing of any kind referenced in, or contemplated by, this Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws may, in the sole discretion of the Trustees, be given, granted or otherwise delivered by electronic transmission (within the meaning of the Act), including via the internet, or in any other manner permitted by applicable law. All requirements in this Declaration of Trust that any writing be signed shall be deemed to be satisfied by any electronic transmission in such form that is acceptable to the Trustees.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being the Trustees of the Trust, have executed this Declaration of Trust as of the 18th day of December, 2020.
/s/ Jeremy Held | |
Jeremy Held, as Trustee and not individually | |
/s/ Jeremy May | |
Jeremy May, as Trustee and not individually | |
/s/ Jack Swift | |
Jack Swift, as Trustee and not individually | |
/s/ Michael Imhoff | |
Michael Imhoff, as Trustee and not individually |
-25-
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 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 December 21, 2020
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund
Class I Shares
Class II Shares
Dated [ ], 2020
c/o Bow River Asset Management LLC
205 Detroit Street, Suite 800
Denver, Colorado 80206
(303) 861-8466
This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus. This SAI relates to and should be read in conjunction with the prospectus (the “Prospectus”) of Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund (the “Fund”) dated [ ], 2020 as it may be further amended or supplemented from time to time. A copy of the Prospectus may be obtained without charge by contacting the Fund at the telephone number or address set forth above.
This SAI is not an offer to sell shares of the Fund (“Shares”) and is not soliciting an offer to buy the Shares in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein have the same meaning set forth in the Prospectus.
1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INVESTMENT POLICIES AND PRACTICES | 3 |
FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES | 3 |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES OF THE FUND AND THE RELATED RISKS | 5 |
BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS | 13 |
CODES OF ETHICS | 18 |
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND OTHER SERVICES | 19 |
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE ALLOCATION | 24 |
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM; LEGAL COUNSEL | 24 |
CUSTODIAN | 25 |
Calculation of Net Asset Value | 25 |
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES | 25 |
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS | 25 |
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | 25 |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION | 26 |
Appendix A | A-1 |
Appendix B | B-1 |
Appendix C | C-1 |
2
INVESTMENT POLICIES AND PRACTICES
The investment objective and the principal investment strategies of the Fund, as well as the principal risks associated with such investment strategies, are set forth in the Prospectus. Certain additional information regarding the investment program of the Fund is set forth below.
FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES
The Fund’s fundamental policies, which are listed below, may only be changed by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. At the present time the Shares are the only outstanding voting securities of the Fund. As defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), the vote of a “majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund” means the vote, at an annual or special meeting of the common shareholders of the Fund (the “Common Shareholders”), duly called, (i) of 67% or more of the Shares represented at such meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding Shares are present in person or represented by proxy or (ii) of more than 50% of the outstanding Shares, whichever is less. No other policy is a fundamental policy of the Fund, except as expressly stated. The Fund may not:
1) | Issue any senior security, except to the extent permitted by Section 18 of the Investment Company Act, as interpreted, modified, or otherwise permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) or any other applicable authority. |
2) | Borrow money, except to the extent permitted by Section 18 of the Investment Company Act, as interpreted, modified, or otherwise permitted by the SEC or any other applicable authority. This investment restriction does not apply to borrowings from affiliated investment companies or other affiliated persons of the Fund to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act, the SEC or any other applicable authority. |
3) | Underwrite securities of other issuers, except insofar as the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), in connection with the disposition of its portfolio securities. |
4) | Make loans, except through purchasing fixed-income securities (including whole loans, whether senior or subordinated, “Payment-In-Kind” or “PIK” securities, other mezzanine securities or participations in any of the foregoing), lending portfolio securities, or entering into repurchase agreements in a manner consistent with the investment policies of the Fund, or as otherwise permitted under the Investment Company Act. This investment restriction does not apply to loans to affiliated investment companies or other affiliated persons of the Fund to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act, the SEC or any other applicable authority. |
5) | Purchase, hold, deal in or sell real estate, except as permitted under the Investment Company Act, and as interpreted, modified, or otherwise permitted by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time. |
6) | Invest in commodities and commodity contracts, except that the Fund (i) may purchase and sell non-U.S. currencies, options, swaps, futures and forward contracts, including those related to indexes, options and options on indexes, as well as other financial instruments and contracts that are commodities or commodity contracts, (ii) may also purchase or sell commodities if acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments, (iii) may invest in commodity pools and other entities that purchase and sell commodities and commodity contracts, and (iv) may make such investments as otherwise permitted by the Investment Company Act. |
3
7) | Invest 25% or more of the value of its total assets in the securities of issuers that Bow River Asset Management LLC (the “Adviser” or “Bow River Capital”) determines are engaged in any single industry or group of industries, except that U.S. government securities and repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. government securities may be purchased without limitation. The Fund may invest in Portfolio Funds that may concentrate their assets in one or more industries or group of industries. The Fund will not invest 25% or more of its assets in a Portfolio Fund or Funds, in aggregate, that it knows concentrates its assets in a single industry.1 |
With respect to these investment restrictions and other policies described in this SAI or the Prospectus (except the Fund’s policy on borrowings, Fundamental Restriction (2) set forth above), if a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time of an investment or transaction, a later change in percentage resulting from a change in the values of investments or the value of the Fund’s total assets, unless otherwise stated, will not constitute a violation of such restriction or policy. The Adviser will use the Global Industry Classification Standard (i.e. GICS) to classify industries. GICS presents industry classifications as a series of levels (e.g. sector, industry group, industry and sub-industry). The Fund’s investment policies and restrictions do not apply to the activities and the transactions of the closed-end private funds (“Portfolio Funds”) in which the Fund invests, but will apply to investments made by the Fund directly (or any account consisting solely of the Fund’s assets).
Under Section 18 of the Investment Company Act, the Fund is not permitted to borrow for any purposes if, immediately after such borrowing, the Fund would have asset coverage (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of less than 300% with respect to indebtedness or less than 200% with respect to preferred stock. The Investment Company Act also provides that the Fund may not declare distributions or purchase its Shares (including through repurchase offers) if, immediately after doing so, it will have an asset coverage of less than 300% or 200%, as applicable. The Fund does not have the exemptive relief required to allow it to borrow from affiliated investment companies or other affiliated persons of the Fund.
In addition to the above, the Fund has adopted a fundamental policy to conduct semi-annual repurchase offers at net asset value (“NAV”). Therefore, every six months, the Fund will conduct repurchases at per-class NAV per Share of no less than 5% of the outstanding Shares of the Fund (“Required Repurchases”), unless such offer is suspended or postponed in accordance with regulatory requirements. The offer to conduct Required Repurchases is a fundamental policy that may not be changed without the vote of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities (as defined in the Investment Company Act).
The Adviser also anticipates recommending to the Board that, under normal market circumstances, the Fund conduct repurchase offers of no more than 5% of the Fund’s net assets generally for each calendar quarter following a Required Repurchase (each, a “Discretionary Repurchase”). While the Board may consider the recommendation of the Adviser and anticipates that each Discretionary Repurchase will be offered for each calendar quarter following a Required Repurchase (i.e. twice per year), any Discretionary Repurchase of Shares will be made at such times and on such terms as may be determined by the Board from time to time in its sole discretion.
The investment objective of the Fund is not a fundamental policy of the Fund and may be changed by the Board of Trustees of the Fund (the “Board”) without the vote of a majority (as defined by the Investment Company Act) of the Fund’s outstanding Shares. The Fund’s fundamental policies, which are listed above, may only be changed by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund.
1 | The Fund will consider the investments of any affiliated and unaffiliated underlying investment companies when determining whether the Fund is in compliance with its concentration policies. |
4
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES OF THE FUND AND THE RELATED RISKS
As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund may gain access to private assets through a number of different approaches including: (i) direct investments in the equity or debt of operating companies (“Direct Equity Investments” or “Direct Credit Investments,” respectively, and together, “Direct Investments”); (ii) secondary purchases of interests in closed-end private funds (“Portfolio Funds”) managed by third-party managers (“Portfolio Fund Managers”); (iii) primary fund commitments; (iv) direct or secondary purchases of liquid credit instruments; (v) other liquid investments, including listed private equity and ETFs; and (vi) short-term investments, including money market funds and short term treasuries. The Fund may gain such exposure through a direct investment in the targeted investment entity or indirectly through pooled vehicles or special purpose vehicles managed by the Adviser, any of its affiliates or third parties. This section provides additional information about various types of investments and investment techniques that may be employed by the Fund or by Portfolio Funds in which the Fund invests. Many of the investments and techniques described in this section may be based in part on the existence of a public market for the relevant securities. To that extent, such investments and techniques are not expected to represent the principal investments or techniques of the majority of the Fund or of the Portfolio Funds; however, there is no limit on the types of investments the Portfolio Funds may make and certain Portfolio Funds may use such investments or techniques extensively. Similarly, there are few limits on the types of investments the Fund may make. Accordingly, the descriptions in this section cannot be comprehensive. Any decision to invest in the Fund should take into account (i) the possibility that the Portfolio Funds may make virtually any kind of investment, (ii) that the Fund has similarly broad latitude in the kinds of investments it may make (subject to the fundamental policies described above) and (iii) that all such investments will be subject to related risks, which can be substantial.
Equity Securities
The Fund’s and/or a Portfolio Fund’s portfolio may include investments in common stocks, preferred stocks, and convertible securities of U.S. and foreign issuers. The Fund and/or a Portfolio Fund also may invest in depositary receipts relating to foreign securities. Equity securities fluctuate in value, often based on factors unrelated to the value of the issuer of the securities. Given the private equity focus of the Fund, there is expected to be no liquid market for a majority of such investments.
Common Stock
Common stock or other common equity issued by a corporation or other entity generally entitles the holder to a pro rata share of the profits, if any, of the entity without preference over any other shareholder or claims of shareholders, after making required payments to holders of the entity’s preferred stock and other senior equity. Common stock usually carries with it the right to vote and frequently an exclusive right to do so.
Preferred Stock
Preferred stock or other preferred equity generally has a preference as to dividends and, in the event of liquidation, to an issuer’s assets, over the issuer’s common stock or other common equity, but it ranks junior to debt securities in an issuer’s capital structure. Preferred stock generally pays dividends in cash or additional shares of preferred stock at a defined rate but, unlike interest payments on debt securities, preferred stock dividends are generally payable only if declared by the issuer’s board of directors. Dividends on preferred stock may be cumulative, meaning that, in the event the issuer fails to make one or more dividend payments on the preferred stock, no dividends may be paid on the issuer’s common stock until all unpaid preferred stock dividends have been paid. Preferred stock may also be subject to optional or mandatory redemption provisions.
5
Convertible Securities
Convertible securities are bonds, debentures, notes, preferred stock, or other securities that may be converted into or exchanged for a specified amount of common equity of the same or different issuer within a specified period of time at a specified price or based on a specified formula. In many cases, a convertible security entitles the holder to receive interest or a dividend that is generally paid or accrued until the convertible security matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged. Convertible securities have unique investment characteristics in that they generally (i) have higher yields (i.e., rates of interest or dividends) than common stocks, but lower yields than comparable non-convertible securities, (ii) are less subject to fluctuation in value than the underlying common stock into which they are convertible due to their fixed-income characteristics and (iii) provide the potential for capital appreciation if the market price of the underlying common stock increases. The Fund’s and/or the Portfolio Funds’ investments in convertible securities are expected to primarily be in private convertible securities, but may be in public convertible securities.
The value of a convertible security is primarily a function of its “investment value” (determined by its yield in comparison with the yields of other securities of comparable maturity and quality that do not have a conversion privilege) and its “conversion value” (determined by reference to the security’s anticipated worth, at market value, if converted into the underlying common stock). The investment value of a convertible security is influenced by changes in interest rates, with investment value typically declining as interest rates increase and increasing as interest rates decline. The credit standing of the issuer and other factors may also increase or decrease the convertible security’s value. If the conversion value is low relative to the investment value, the convertible security is valued principally by reference to its investment value. To the extent the value of the underlying common stock approaches or exceeds the conversion value, the convertible security will be valued increasingly by reference to its conversion value. Generally, the conversion value decreases as the convertible security approaches maturity. Where no market exists for a convertible security and/or the underlying common stock, such investments may be difficult to value. A public convertible security generally will sell at a premium over its conversion value by the extent to which investors place value on the right to acquire the underlying common stock while holding a fixed-income security.
A convertible security may in some cases be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer at a price established in the convertible security’s governing instrument. If a convertible security is called for redemption, the holder will generally have a choice of tendering the security for redemption, converting it into common stock prior to redemption, or selling it to a third party. Any of these actions could have a material adverse effect and result in losses to the Fund.
Derivative Instruments
Although not a principal investment strategy, the Fund or the Portfolio Funds may use financial instruments known as derivatives. A derivative is generally defined as an instrument whose value is derived from, or based upon, some underlying index, reference rate (such as interest rates or currency exchange rates), security, commodity or other asset. Following are descriptions of certain derivatives that the Portfolio Funds may use. The same descriptions apply to the Fund, mutatis mutandis, to the extent that it engages in derivatives transactions. Certain risks associated with derivatives are described under “INVESTMENT RELATED RISKS—Derivative Instruments” in the Prospectus.
Options and Futures
A Portfolio Fund may utilize options contracts, futures contracts, and options on futures contracts. It also may use so-called “synthetic” options or other derivative instruments written by broker-dealers or other financial intermediaries. Options transactions may be effected on securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter market. When options are purchased over-the-counter, the Portfolio Fund’s portfolio bears the risk that the counterparty that wrote the option will be unable or unwilling to perform its obligations under the option contract. Such options may also be illiquid, and, in such cases, a Portfolio Fund may have difficulty closing out its position. Over-the-counter options purchased and sold by the Portfolio Fund also may include options on baskets of specific securities.
6
A Portfolio Fund may purchase call and put options on specific securities or currencies and may write and sell covered or uncovered call and put options for hedging purposes and non-hedging purposes to pursue its investment objective. A put option gives the purchaser of the option the right to sell, and obligates the writer to buy, the underlying security at a stated exercise price at any time prior to the expiration of the option. A call option gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and obligates the writer to sell, the underlying security at a stated exercise price at any time prior to the expiration of the option.
A covered call option is a call option with respect to which a Portfolio Fund owns the underlying security. The sale of such an option exposes the Portfolio Fund, during the term of the option, to possible loss of opportunity to realize appreciation in the market price of the underlying security and to the possibility that it might hold the underlying security in order to protect against depreciation in the market price of the security during a period when it might have otherwise sold the security. The seller of a covered call option assumes the risk of a decline in the market price of the underlying security below the purchase price of the underlying security less the premium received and gives up the opportunity for gain on the underlying security above the exercise price of the option. The seller of an uncovered call option assumes the risk of a theoretically unlimited increase in the market price of the underlying security above the exercise price of the option.
A covered put option is a put option with respect to which the seller has a short position in the underlying security. The seller of a covered put option assumes the risk of an increase in the market price of the underlying security above the sales price (in establishing the short position) of the underlying security plus the premium received and gives up the opportunity for gain on the underlying security below the exercise price of the option. If the seller of the put option owns a put option covering an equivalent number of shares with an exercise price equal to or greater than the exercise price of the put written, the position is “fully hedged” if the option owned expires at the same time or later than the option written. The seller of an uncovered put option assumes the risk of a decline in the market price of the underlying security below the exercise price of the option. The seller of a put option may also be required to place cash or liquid securities in a segregated account to ensure compliance with its obligation to purchase the underlying security. The sale of such an option exposes the Portfolio Fund during the term of the option to a decline in price of the underlying security while depriving the Portfolio Fund of the opportunity to invest the segregated assets.
A Portfolio Fund may close out a position when writing options by purchasing an option on the same security with the same exercise price and expiration date as the option that it has previously written on the security. The Portfolio Fund will realize a profit or loss if the amount paid to purchase an option is less or more, as the case may be, than the amount received from the sale thereof. To close out a position as a purchaser of an option, the Portfolio Fund would generally make a similar “closing sale transaction,” which involves liquidating its position by selling the option previously purchased. However, if deemed advantageous, the Portfolio Fund would be entitled to exercise the option.
A Portfolio Fund may enter into stock futures contracts, interest rate futures contracts, and currency futures contracts in U.S. domestic markets or on exchanges located outside the United States. Foreign markets may offer advantages such as trading opportunities or arbitrage possibilities not available in the United States. Foreign markets, however, may have greater risk potential than domestic markets. For example, some foreign exchanges are principal markets so that no common clearing facility exists, and an investor may look only to the broker for performance of the contract. Transactions on foreign exchanges may include both commodities that are traded on domestic exchanges and those that are not. Unlike trading on domestic commodity exchanges, trading on foreign commodity exchanges is not regulated by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”). Therefore, the CFTC does not have the power to compel enforcement of the rules of the foreign exchange or the laws of the foreign country. Moreover, such laws or regulations will vary depending on the foreign country in which the transaction occurs. For these reasons, the Portfolio Funds may not be afforded certain of the protections that apply to domestic transactions, including the right to use domestic alternative dispute resolution procedures. In particular, funds received from customers to margin foreign futures transactions may not be provided the same protections as funds received to margin futures transactions on domestic exchanges. In addition, the price of any foreign futures or option contract and, therefore, the potential profit and loss resulting from that contract, may be affected by any fluctuation in the foreign exchange rate between the time the order is placed and the foreign futures contract is liquidated or the foreign option contract is liquidated or exercised.
7
In addition to futures contracts traded on U.S. domestic markets or exchanges that are regulated by the CFTC or on foreign exchanges, Portfolio Funds may also trade certain futures either over-the-counter or on trading facilities such as derivatives transaction execution facilities, exempt boards of trade or electronic trading facilities that are licensed and/or regulated to varying degrees by the CFTC. In addition, certain single stock futures and narrow-based security index futures may be traded over-the-counter or on trading facilities such as contract markets, derivatives transaction execution facilities and electronic trading facilities that are licensed and/or regulated to varying degrees by both the CFTC and the SEC or on foreign exchanges.
Trading in futures involves risk of loss to the Portfolio Fund that could materially adversely affect the net asset value of the Fund. No assurance can be given that a liquid market will exist for any particular futures contract at any particular time. Many futures exchanges and boards of trade limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in futures contract prices during a single trading day by regulations referred to as “daily price fluctuation limits” or “daily limits.” Once the daily limit has been reached in a particular contract, no trades may be made that day at a price beyond that limit or trading may be suspended for specified periods during the trading day. Futures contract prices could move to the limit for several consecutive trading days with little or no trading, thereby preventing prompt liquidation of futures positions and potentially subjecting the Portfolio Fund to substantial losses, which may result in losses to the Fund. In addition, the CFTC and various exchanges impose speculative position limits on the number of positions that each Portfolio Fund may indirectly hold or control in certain particular futures or options contracts. Many of the major U.S. exchanges have eliminated speculative position limits and have substituted position accountability rules that would permit the Portfolio Funds to trade without restriction as long as such Portfolio Funds can demonstrate the positions acquired were not acquired for the purpose of manipulating the market.
Successful use of futures by a Portfolio Fund depends on its ability to correctly predict movements in the direction of the relevant market, and, to the extent the transaction is entered into for hedging purposes, to ascertain the appropriate correlation between the transaction being hedged and the price movements of the futures contract.
The prices of all derivative instruments, including futures and options prices, are highly volatile. Price movements of forward contracts, futures contracts, and other derivative contracts in which a Portfolio Fund may invest are influenced by, among other things: interest rates; changing supply and demand relationships; trade, fiscal, monetary, and exchange control programs and policies of governments; and national and international political and economic events and policies. In addition, governments from time to time intervene, directly and by regulation, in certain markets, particularly those currencies and interest rate-related futures and options. Such intervention often is intended directly to influence prices and may, together with other factors, cause all of such markets to move rapidly in the same direction because of, among other things, interest rate fluctuations. Portfolio Funds are also subject to the risk of the failure of any of the exchanges on which their positions trade or of their clearinghouses.
A stock index future obligates a Portfolio Fund to pay, or entitles it to receive, an amount of cash equal to a fixed dollar amount specified in the futures contract multiplied by the difference between the settlement price of the contract on the contract’s last trading day and the value of the index based on the stock prices of the securities that comprise it at the opening of trading in such securities on the next business day. An interest rate future obligates a Portfolio Fund to purchase or sell an amount of a specific debt security at a future date at a specific price. A currency future obligates a Portfolio Fund to purchase or sell an amount of a specific currency at a future date at a specific price.
8
Call and Put Options on Securities Indexes
A Portfolio Fund may purchase and sell call and put options on stock indexes listed on national securities exchanges or traded in the over-the-counter market for hedging and non-hedging purposes to pursue its investment objectives. A stock index fluctuates with changes in the market values of the stocks included in the index. Accordingly, successful use by a Portfolio Fund of options on stock indexes will be subject to the ability to correctly predict movements in the direction of the stock market generally or of a particular industry or market segment. This requires different skills and techniques than predicting changes in the price of individual stocks.
Yield Curve Options
A Portfolio Fund may enter into options on the yield “spread” or differential between two securities. Such transactions are referred to as “yield curve” options. In contrast to other types of options, a yield curve option is based on the difference between the yields of designated securities, rather than the prices of the individual securities, and is settled through cash payments. Accordingly, a yield curve option is profitable to the holder if this differential widens (in the case of a call) or narrows (in the case of a put), regardless of whether the yields of the underlying securities increase or decrease. The trading of yield curve options is subject to all of the risks associated with the trading of other types of options. In addition, such options present a risk of loss even if the yield of one of the underlying securities remains constant, or if the spread moves in a direction or to an extent which was not anticipated.
Rights and Warrants
A Portfolio Fund may invest in rights and warrants. Rights (sometimes referred to as “subscription rights”) and warrants may be purchased separately or may be received as part of a distribution in respect of, or may be attached to, other securities that a Portfolio Fund has purchased. Rights and warrants are securities that give the holder the right, but not the obligation, to purchase equity securities of the company issuing the rights or warrants, or a related company, at a fixed price either on a date certain or during a set period. Typically, rights have a relatively short term (e.g., two to four weeks), whereas warrants can have much longer terms. At the time of issue, the cost of a right or warrant is substantially less than the cost of the underlying security itself.
Particularly in the case of warrants, price movements in the underlying security are generally magnified in the price movements of the warrant. This effect would enable a Portfolio Fund to gain exposure to the underlying security with a relatively low capital investment but increases the Portfolio Fund’s risk in the event of a decline in the value of the underlying security and can result in a complete loss of the amount invested in the warrant. In addition, the price of a warrant tends to be more volatile than, and may not correlate exactly to, the price of the underlying security. If the market price of the underlying security is below the exercise price of the warrant on its expiration date, the warrant will generally expire without value. The equity security underlying a warrant is authorized at the time the warrant is issued or is issued together with the warrant, which may result in losses to the Fund. Investing in warrants can provide a greater potential for profit or loss than an equivalent investment in the underlying security, and, thus, can be a speculative investment. The value of a warrant may decline because of a decline in the value of the underlying security, the passage of time, changes in interest rates or in the dividend or other policies of the company whose equity underlies the warrant or a change in the perception as to the future price of the underlying security, or any combination thereof. Warrants and rights do not carry with them the right to dividends or voting rights with respect to the securities that they entitle the holder to purchase, and they do not represent any rights in the assets of the issuer.
9
Swaps
A Portfolio Fund may enter into equity, interest rate, index, currency rate, total return and/or other types of swap agreements. These transactions are entered into in an attempt to obtain a particular return when it is considered desirable to do so, possibly at a lower cost than if a Portfolio Fund had invested directly in the asset that yielded the desired return. Swap agreements are two-party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a few weeks to more than a year. In a standard swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments, which may be adjusted for an interest factor. The gross returns to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties are generally calculated with respect to a “notional amount” (i.e., the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested at a particular interest rate, in a particular foreign currency, or in a “basket” of securities representing a particular index).
Interest Rate, Mortgage and Credit Swaps
A Portfolio Fund may enter into interest rate swaps. Forms of swap agreements include interest rate caps, under which, in return for a premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent interest rates exceed a specified rate or “cap”; interest rate floors, under which, in return for a premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent interest rates fall below a specified level or “floor”; and interest rate collars, under which a party sells a cap and purchases a floor or vice versa in an attempt to protect itself against interest rate movements exceeding given minimum or maximum levels. Mortgage swaps are similar to interest rate swaps in that they represent commitments to pay and receive interest. The notional principal amount, however, is tied to a reference pool or pools of mortgages. Credit swaps involve the receipt of floating or fixed note payments in exchange for assuming potential credit losses on an underlying security. Credit swaps give one party to a transaction the right to dispose of or acquire an asset (or group of assets), or the right to receive a payment from the other party, upon the occurrence of specified credit events.
Equity Index Swaps
A Portfolio Fund may enter into equity index swaps. Equity index swaps involve the exchange by a Portfolio Fund with another party of cash flows based upon the performance of an index or a portion of an index of securities that usually includes dividends. A Portfolio Fund may purchase cash-settled options on equity index swaps. A cash-settled option on a swap gives the purchaser the right, but not the obligation, in return for the premium paid, to receive an amount of cash equal to the value of the underlying swap as of the exercise date. These options typically are purchased in privately negotiated transactions from financial institutions, including securities brokerage firms.
Currency Swaps
A Portfolio Fund may enter into currency swaps for both hedging and non-hedging purposes. Currency swaps involve the exchange of rights to make or receive payments in specified foreign currencies. Currency swaps usually involve the delivery of the entire principal value of one designated currency in exchange for another designated currency. Therefore, the entire principal value of a currency swap is subject to the risk that the other party to the swap will default on its contractual delivery obligations. The use of currency swaps is a highly specialized activity that involves special investment techniques and risks. Incorrect forecasts of market values and currency exchange rates can materially adversely affect the Portfolio Fund’s performance. If there is a default by the other party to such a transaction, the Portfolio Fund will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction.
Total Return Swaps
A Portfolio Fund may enter into total return swaps. In a total return swap, one party pays a rate of interest in exchange for the total rate of return on another investment. For example, if a Portfolio Fund wished to invest in a senior loan, it could instead enter into a total return swap and receive the total return of the senior loan, less the “funding cost,” which would be a floating interest rate payment to the counterparty.
10
Swaptions
A Portfolio Fund may also purchase and write (sell) options contracts on swaps, commonly referred to as “swaptions.” A swaption is an option to enter into a swap agreement. Like other types of options, the buyer of a swaption pays a non-refundable premium for the option and obtains the right, but not the obligation, to enter into an underlying swap on agreed-upon terms. The seller of a swaption, in exchange for the premium, becomes obligated (if the option is exercised) to enter into an underlying swap on agreed-upon terms.
Certain swap agreements into which a Portfolio Fund enters may require the calculation of the obligations of the parties to the agreements on a “net basis.” Consequently, the Portfolio Fund’s current obligations (or rights) under such swap agreements generally will be equal only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on the relative values of the positions held by each party to the agreement (the “net amount”). The risk of loss with respect to swaps consists of the net amount of the payments that the Portfolio Fund is contractually obligated to make. If the other party to a swap defaults, the Portfolio Fund’s risk of loss consists of the net amount of the payments that the Portfolio Fund contractually is entitled to receive.
Distressed Securities
The Fund or a Portfolio Fund may invest in debt or equity securities of domestic and foreign issuers in weak financial condition, experiencing poor operating results, having substantial capital needs or negative net worth, facing special competitive or product obsolescence problems, or that are involved in bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings. Investments of this type may involve substantial financial and business risks that can result in substantial or at times even total losses. Among the risks inherent in investments in troubled entities is the fact that it frequently may be difficult to obtain information as to the true condition of such issuers. Such investments also may be adversely affected by state and federal laws relating to, among other things, fraudulent transfers and other voidable transfers or payments, lender liability, and a bankruptcy court’s power to disallow, reduce, subordinate, or disenfranchise particular claims. The market prices of such securities are also subject to abrupt and erratic market movements and above-average price volatility, and the spread between the bid and ask prices of such securities may be greater than those prevailing in other securities markets. It may take a number of years for the market price of such securities to reflect their intrinsic value. In liquidation (both in and out of bankruptcy) and other forms of corporate reorganization, there exists the risk that the reorganization either will be unsuccessful (due to, for example, failure to obtain requisite approvals), will be delayed (for example, until various liabilities, actual or contingent, have been satisfied), or will result in a distribution of cash or a new security the value of which will be less than the purchase price to the Portfolio Fund of the security in respect to which such distribution was made.
Additional Method of Investing in a Portfolio Fund
The Fund will typically invest directly in a Portfolio Fund by purchasing an interest in such Portfolio Fund. There may be situations, however, where a Portfolio Fund is not open or available for direct investment by the Fund or where the Adviser elects for other reasons to invest indirectly in a Portfolio Fund (including, without limitation, restrictions of the Investment Company Act). On occasions where the Adviser determines that an indirect investment is the most effective or efficient means of gaining exposure to a Portfolio Fund, the Fund may invest in a Portfolio Fund indirectly, such as by purchasing a structured note or entering into a swap or other contract paying a return tied to the return of a Portfolio Fund. In the case of a structured note or a swap, a counterparty would agree to pay to the Fund a return based on the return of the Portfolio Fund, in exchange for consideration paid by the Fund equivalent to the cost of purchasing an ownership interest in the Portfolio Fund. Indirect investment through a swap or similar contract in a Portfolio Fund carries with it the credit risk associated with the counterparty. Indirect investments will generally be subject to transaction and other fees, which will reduce the value of the Fund’s investment. There can be no assurance that the Fund’s indirect investment in a Portfolio Fund will have the same or similar results as a direct investment in the Portfolio Fund, and the Fund’s value may decrease as a result of such indirect investment. When the Fund makes an indirect investment in a Portfolio Fund by investing in a structured note, swap, or other contract intended to pay a return equal to the total return of such Portfolio Fund, such investment by the Fund may be subject to additional regulations.
11
Cyber Security Risk
The Fund 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 Fund 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 Fund, the Adviser, financial intermediaries and other third-party service providers may adversely impact the Fund. For instance, cyber security breaches may interfere with the processing of shareholder transactions, impact the Fund’s ability to calculate its net asset value, cause the release of private shareholder information or confidential business information, impede investment activities, subject the Fund to regulatory fines or financial losses and/or cause reputational damage. The Fund may also incur additional costs for cyber security risk management purposes. Similar types of cyber security risks are also present for the issuers of securities in which the Fund may invest, which could result in material adverse consequences for such issuers and may cause the Fund to lose value.
Pandemic Risk
The continuing spread of an infectious respiratory illness caused by a novel strain of coronavirus (known as COVID-19) has caused volatility, severe market dislocations and liquidity constraints in many markets and may adversely affect the Fund’s investments and operations. The outbreak was first detected in December 2019 and subsequently spread globally. The transmission of COVID-19 and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in international and domestic travel restrictions and disruptions, closed international borders, enhanced health screenings at ports of entry and elsewhere, disruption of and delays in healthcare service preparation and delivery, quarantines, event and service cancellations or interruptions, disruptions to business operations (including staff reductions), supply chains and consumer activity, as well as general concern and uncertainty that has negatively affected the economic environment. These disruptions have led to instability in the marketplace, including stock and credit market losses and overall volatility. The impact of COVID-19, and other infectious illness outbreaks, epidemics or pandemics that may arise in the future, could adversely affect the economies of many nations or the entire global economy, the financial performance of individual issuers, borrowers and sectors and the health of the markets generally in potentially significant and unforeseen ways. In addition, the impact of infectious illnesses, such as COVID-19, in emerging market countries may be greater due to generally less established healthcare systems. This crisis or other public health crises may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks in certain countries or globally.
The Fund and Adviser have in place business continuity plans reasonably designed to ensure that they maintain normal business operations, and that the Fund, its portfolio and assets are protected. However, in the event of a pandemic or an outbreak, such as COVID-19, there can be no assurance that the Fund, its Adviser and service providers, or the Fund’s portfolio companies, will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons. A pandemic or disease could also impair the information technology and other operational systems upon which the Fund’s Adviser relies and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Fund’s service providers to perform essential tasks.
To satisfy any repurchase requests during periods of extreme volatility, such as those associated with COVID-19, it is more likely the Fund will be required to dispose of portfolio investments at unfavorable prices compared to their intrinsic value. In addition, any repurchase completed while the Fund has unrealized losses may cause the investors whose shares were repurchased to crystalize their losses even if such unrealized losses do not ultimately convert into realized losses. You should review this prospectus and the SAI to understand the Fund’s discretion to implement temporary defensive measures.
12
The foregoing could lead to a significant economic downturn or recession, increased market volatility, a greater number of market closures, higher default rates and adverse effects on the values and liquidity of securities or other assets. Such impacts, which may vary across asset classes, may adversely affect the performance of the Fund’s investments, the Fund and your investment in the Fund. In certain cases, an exchange or market may close or issue trading halts on either specific securities or even the entire market, which may result in the Fund being, among other things, unable to buy or sell certain securities or financial instruments or to accurately price its investments.
Governmental authorities and regulators throughout the world, such as the U.S. Federal Reserve, have in the past responded to major economic disruptions with changes to fiscal and monetary policy, including but not limited to, direct capital infusions, new monetary programs and dramatically lower interest rates. Certain of those policy changes are being implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Such policy changes may adversely affect the value, volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities. The effect of recent efforts undertaken by the U.S. Federal Reserve to address the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the reduction of the federal funds target rate, and other monetary and fiscal actions that may be taken by the U.S. federal government to stimulate the U.S. economy, are not yet fully known. The duration of the COVID-19 outbreak and its full impacts are also unknown, resulting in a high degree of uncertainty for potentially extended periods of time, especially in certain sectors in which the Fund may make investments.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
The business operations of the Fund are managed and supervised under the direction of the Board, subject to the laws of the State of Delaware and the Fund’s agreement and declaration of trust (“Declaration of Trust”). The Board has overall responsibility for the management and supervision of the business affairs of the Fund on behalf of its Common Shareholders, including the authority to establish policies regarding the management, conduct and operation of its business. The Board exercises the same powers, authority and responsibilities on behalf of the Fund as are customarily exercised by the board of directors of a registered investment company organized as a corporation. The officers of the Fund conduct and supervise the daily business operations of the Fund.
The trustees of the Board (each, a “Trustee”) are not required to contribute to the capital of the Fund or to hold interests therein. A majority of Trustees of the Board are not “interested persons” (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of the Fund (collectively, the “Independent Trustees”).
The identity of Trustees of the Board and officers of the Fund, and their brief biographical information, including their addresses, their year of birth and descriptions of their principal occupations during the past five years is set forth below.
The Trustees serve on the Board for terms of indefinite duration. A Trustee’s position in that capacity will terminate if the Trustee is removed or resigns or, among other events, upon the Trustee’s death, incapacity, retirement or bankruptcy. A Trustee may resign upon written notice to the other Trustees of the Fund, and may be removed either by (i) the vote of at least two-thirds of the Trustees of the Fund not subject to the removal vote or (ii) the vote of Common Shareholders holding not less than two-thirds of the total number of votes eligible to be cast by all Common Shareholders of the Fund. In the event of any vacancy in the position of a Trustee, the remaining Trustees of the Fund may appoint an individual to serve as a Trustee so long as immediately after the appointment at least two-thirds of the Trustees of the Fund then serving have been elected by the Common Shareholders of the Fund. The Board may call a meeting of the Common Shareholders to fill any vacancy in the position of a Trustee of the Fund, and must do so if the Trustees who were elected by the Common Shareholders cease to constitute a majority of the Trustees then serving on the Board.
13
The Board believes that each of the Trustees’ experience, qualifications, attributes and skills on an individual basis and in combination with those of the other Trustees lead to the conclusion that each Trustee should serve in such capacity. Among the attributes common to all Trustees is the ability to review critically, evaluate, question and discuss information provided to them, to interact effectively with the other Trustees, the Adviser, other service providers, counsel and the independent registered public accounting firm, and to exercise effective business judgment in the performance of their duties as Trustees. A Trustee’s ability to perform his duties effectively may have been attained through the Trustee’s business, consulting, and public service work; experience as a board member of non-profit entities or other organizations; education or professional training; and/or other life experiences. In addition to these shared characteristics, set forth below is a brief discussion of the specific experience, qualifications, attributes or skills of each Trustee. Specific details regarding each Trustee’s principal occupations during the past five years are included in the tables below. See “Board of Trustees and Officers—Independent Trustees” and “Board of Trustees and Officers—Interested Trustees and Officers.”
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES
NAME, ADDRESS
AND YEAR OF BIRTH |
POSITION(S)
WITH THE FUND |
LENGTH OF
TIME SERVICED* |
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST 5 YEARS |
PORTFOLIOS IN
FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY TRUSTEE |
OTHER
DIRECTORSHIPS** HELD BY TRUSTEE |
Jeremy May | Chairman and Trustee | Since Inception | Chief Operating Officer of Magnifi LLC (a fintech firm) (Since June 2019); Previously, President and Director of ALPS Fund Services, Inc., ALPS Distributors, Inc., and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., Executive Vice President and Director of ALPS Holdings, Inc. and ALPS Advisors, Inc. (1995 to 2019). | 1 | Reaves Utility Income Fund (Since 2009); ALPS Series Trust (9 funds) (Since 2012); RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc. (2018 to 2019) |
Michael Imhoff | Trustee | Since Inception | Managing Director of Stifel (full service investment firm) (Since 2015); Previously, other roles at Stifel (Since 1985). | 1 | N/A |
Jack Swift | Trustee | Since Inception | Chief Executive Officer of The TIFiN Group (a fintech capital business) (Since 2019); Previously, Partner and President of Crestone Capital, LLC (investment management and wealth advisory firm) (2016 to 2019); Managing Director, Head of Global Business Development of Pacific Current Group (a boutique asset management firm) (2010 to 2016). | 1 | Member Of The Board Of Advisors at Magnifi (Since 2020). |
* | Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his successor is elected. |
** | Includes any company with a class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or subject to the requirements of Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act or any company registered under the Investment Company Act. |
14
INTERESTED TRUSTEE AND OFFICERS
NAME, ADDRESS
AND YEAR OF BIRTH |
POSITION(S)
WITH THE FUND |
LENGTH OF
TIME SERVICED* |
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST 5 YEARS |
PORTFOLIOS IN
FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY TRUSTEE |
OTHER
DIRECTORSHIPS** HELD BY TRUSTEE |
Jeremy Held*** | Trustee and President | Since Inception | Managing Director, Bow River Capital (Since 2019); Previously, Chief Investment Officer, ALPS Advisors, Inc. (investment management company) (2007 to 2019). | 1 | N/A |
Rich Wham | Vice President | Since Inception | President and Chief Operating Officer, Bow River Capital (Since 2017); Previously, Partner, Westfield Company Inc. (real estate company) (2015 to 2017). | 1 | N/A |
Jane Ingalls | Vice President and Secretary | Since Inception | Chief of Staff, Bow River Capital (since 2020); Previously, Founder and President, Artemis Consulting Group (2007 to 2020). | 1 | N/A |
Derek Mullins | Treasurer | Since Inception | Managing Partner, PINE Advisor Solutions (provider of outsourced non-investment fund services) (since 2018); Previously, Director of Operations, ArrowMark Partners (asset management firm) (2009 to 2018); Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) and Treasurer, Meridian Fund, Inc. (investment management company) (2013 to 2018) | 1 | N/A |
John Blue | Chief Compliance Officer | Since Inception | Managing Partner, PINE Advisor Solutions (provider of outsourced non-investment fund services) (Since 2018); Previously, Sr. Vice President and Dir. of Operations and Chief Compliance Officer, 361 Capital, LLC (financial adviser) (2010 to 2018). | 1 | N/A |
15
NAME, ADDRESS
AND YEAR OF BIRTH |
POSITION(S)
WITH THE FUND |
LENGTH OF
TIME SERVICED* |
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST 5 YEARS |
PORTFOLIOS IN
FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY TRUSTEE |
OTHER
DIRECTORSHIPS** HELD BY TRUSTEE |
Marcie McVeigh | Assistant Treasurer | Since Inception | Associate Director of CFO Services, PINE Advisor Solutions (provider of outsourced non-investment fund services) (Since 2020); Assistant Vice President and Performance Measurement Manager at Brown Brothers Harriman (financial services firm) (2019 to 2020); Sr. Financial Reporting Specialist at American Century Investments (investment management firm) (2011 to 2018). | 1 | N/A |
* | Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his successor is elected. |
** | Includes any company with a class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act or subject to the requirements of Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act or any company registered under the Investment Company Act. |
*** | Mr. Held is an “interested person” (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) because of his affiliations with the Adviser. |
Leadership Structure and Oversight Responsibilities
Overall responsibility for oversight of the Fund rests with the Board. The Fund has engaged the Adviser to manage the Fund on a day-to-day basis. The Board is responsible for overseeing the Adviser, Investment Consultant and other service providers in the operations of the Fund in accordance with the provisions of the Investment Company Act, applicable provisions of state and other laws and the Declaration of Trust. The Board is currently composed of four members, three of whom are Independent Trustees. The Board will meet in-person at regularly scheduled meetings four times each year. In addition, the Board may hold special in-person or telephonic meetings or informal conference calls to discuss specific matters that may arise or require action between regular meetings. The Independent Trustees have also engaged independent legal counsel to assist them in performing their oversight responsibility. The Independent Trustees will meet with their independent legal counsel in-person prior to and during each quarterly in-person board meeting. As described below, the Board has established an audit committee (the “Audit Committee”) and a nominating committee (the “Nominating Committee”) and may establish ad hoc committees or working groups from time to time to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities.
The Board has appointed Jeremy May, an Independent Trustee, to serve in the role of Chairman. The Chairman’s role is to preside at all meetings of the Board and to act as liaison with the Adviser, Investment Consultant, other service providers, counsel and other Trustees generally between meetings. The Chairman serves as a key point person for dealings between management and the Trustees. The Chairman may also perform such other functions as may be delegated by the Board from time to time. The Board has determined that the Board’s leadership structure is appropriate because it allows the Board to exercise informed and independent judgment over matters under its purview and it allocates areas of responsibility among committees of Trustees and the full Board in a manner that enhances effective oversight.
The Fund is subject to a number of risks, including investment, compliance, operational and valuation risks, among others. Risk oversight forms part of the Board’s general oversight of the Fund and will be addressed as part of various Board and committee activities. Day-to-day risk management functions are subsumed within the responsibilities of the Adviser, Investment Consultant, and other service providers (depending on the nature of the risk), which carry out the Fund’s investment management and business affairs. The Adviser, Investment Consultant and other service providers employ a variety of processes, procedures and controls to identify various events or circumstances that give rise to risks, to lessen the probability of their occurrence and/or to mitigate the effects of such events or circumstances if they do occur. Each of the Adviser, Investment Consultant and other service providers has their own independent interests in risk management, and their policies and methods of risk management will depend on their functions and business models. The Board recognizes that it is not possible to identify all of the risks that may affect the Fund or to develop processes and controls to eliminate or mitigate their occurrence or effects. The Board will require senior officers of the Fund, including the President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer, and the Adviser and Investment Consultant, to report to the full Board on a variety of matters at regular and special meetings of the Board, including matters relating to risk management. The Board and the Audit Committee will also receive regular reports from the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm on internal control and financial reporting matters. The Board will also receive reports from certain of the Fund’s other primary service providers on a periodic or regular basis, including the Fund’s custodian, distributor, sub-administrator and securities lending counterparty, as applicable. The Board may, at any time and in its discretion, change the manner in which it conducts risk oversight.
16
Committees of the Board of Trustees
Audit Committee
The Board has formed an Audit Committee that is responsible for overseeing the Fund’s accounting and financial reporting policies and practices, its internal controls, and, as appropriate, the internal controls of certain service providers; overseeing the quality and objectivity of the Fund’s financial statements and the independent audit of those financial statements; and acting as a liaison between the Fund’s independent auditors and the full Board. In performing its responsibilities, the Audit Committee will select and recommend annually to the entire Board a firm of independent certified public accountants to audit the books and records of the Fund for the ensuing year, and will review with the firm the scope and results of each audit. The Audit Committee currently consists of each of the Fund’s Independent Trustees. The Audit Committee has selected Jeremy May to serve in the role as Chairman of the Audit Committee. As the Fund is recently organized, the Audit Committee did not hold any meetings during the last year.
Nominating Committee
The Board has formed a Nominating Committee that is responsible for selecting and nominating persons to serve as Trustees of the Fund. The Nominating Committee is responsible for both nominating candidates to be appointed by the Board to fill vacancies and for nominating candidates to be presented to Common Shareholders for election. In performing its responsibilities, the Nominating Committee will consider candidates recommended by management of the Fund and by Common Shareholders and evaluate them both in a similar manner, as long as the recommendation submitted by a Common Shareholder includes at a minimum: the name, address and telephone number of the recommending Common Shareholder and information concerning the Common Shareholder’s interests in the Fund in sufficient detail to establish that the Common Shareholder held Shares on the relevant record date; and the name, address and telephone number of the recommended nominee and information concerning the recommended nominee’s education, professional experience, and other information that might assist the Nominating Committee in evaluating the recommended nominee’s qualifications to serve as a trustee. The Nominating Committee may solicit candidates to serve as trustees from any source it deems appropriate. With the Board’s prior approval, the Nominating Committee may employ and compensate counsel, consultants or advisers to assist it in discharging its responsibilities. The Nominating Committee currently consists of each of the Fund’s Independent Trustees. The Nominating Committee has selected Michael Imhoff to serve in the role as Chairman of the Nominating Committee. As the Fund is recently organized, the Nominating Committee did not hold any meetings during the last year.
17
Trustee Ownership of Securities
The Fund has not yet commenced operations, therefore none of the Trustees own shares of the Fund.
Independent Trustee Ownership of Securities
The Fund has not yet commenced operations. Therefore, none of the Independent Trustees (or their immediate family members) owned securities of the Adviser, Investment Consultant, or of an entity (other than a registered investment company) controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser or Investment Consultant.
Trustee Compensation
In consideration of the services rendered by the Independent Trustees, the Fund pays each Independent Trustee a retainer of $30,000 per year. In addition, the Fund pays an additional retainer of $2,500 per year to the Chairman of the Audit Committee and to the Chairman of the Nominating Committee. Trustees that are interested persons will not be compensated by the Fund. The Trustees do not receive any pension or retirement benefits.
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the compensation of the Fund’s Trustees.
Name of Trustee |
Aggregate Compensation
from the Fund(1) |
Total Compensation from Funds
and Fund Complex Paid to Trustees(2) |
Jeremy May | $32,500 | $32,500 |
Michael Imhoff | $32,500 | $32,500 |
Jack Swift | $30,000 | $30,000 |
(1) | The compensation estimated to be paid by the Fund for the first full fiscal year for services to the Fund. |
(2) | The total estimated compensation to be paid from the Fund and Fund Complex for a full calendar year. |
CODES OF ETHICS
The Fund, the Adviser and Investment Consultant have each adopted a code of ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 of the Investment Company Act, which is designed to prevent affiliated persons of the Fund, the Adviser and Investment Consultant from engaging in deceptive, manipulative, or fraudulent activities in connection with securities held or to be acquired by the Fund. The codes of ethics permit persons subject to them to invest in securities, including securities that may be held or purchased by the Fund, subject to a number of restrictions and controls. Compliance with the codes of ethics is carefully monitored and enforced.
The codes of ethics are included as exhibits to the Fund’s registration statement filed with the SEC. The codes of ethics are available on the EDGAR database on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov, and may be obtained after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following E-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov.
18
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND OTHER SERVICES
The Adviser
Bow River Asset Management LLC, doing business as Bow River Capital, located at 205 Detroit Street, Suite 800, Denver, Colorado, serves as the Adviser of the Fund and will be responsible for determining and implementing the Fund’s overall investment strategy, including direct investments. The Adviser, formed in 2003, is a private, independently-owned firm that is focused on investing in the lower middle market in three asset classes, including private equity, real estate and software growth equity. The Adviser is an investment adviser registered with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”). Subject to the general supervision of the Board, and in accordance with the investment objective, policies, and restrictions of the Fund, the Adviser is responsible for the management and operation of the Fund and the investment of the Fund’s assets. The Adviser provides such services to the Fund pursuant to the investment management agreement (the “Investment Management Agreement”).
The Investment Management Agreement will become effective as of the Commencement of Operations, and will continue in effect for an initial two-year term. Thereafter, the Investment Management Agreement will continue in effect from year to year provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (i) the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, or a majority of the Board, and (ii) the vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees of the Fund, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. See “VOTING” in the Prospectus. The Investment Management Agreement will terminate automatically if assigned (as defined in the Investment Company Act) and is terminable at any time without penalty upon 60 days’ written notice to the Fund by either the Board or the Adviser. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the Investment Management Agreement will be available in the Fund’s first annual or semi-annual report to shareholders.
The Investment Management Agreement provides that, in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, reckless disregard or gross negligence of its obligations to the Fund, the Adviser and any partner, director, officer or employee of the Adviser, or any of their affiliates, executors, heirs, assigns, successors or other legal representatives, will not be liable for any error of judgment, for any mistake of law or for any act or omission by the person in connection with the performance of services to the Fund. The Investment Management Agreement also provides for indemnification, to the fullest extent permitted by law, by the Fund, of the Adviser, or any partner, director, officer or employee of the Adviser, and any of their affiliates, executors, heirs, assigns, successors or other legal representatives, against any liability or expense to which the person may be liable that arises in connection with the performance of services to the Fund, so long as the liability or expense is not incurred by reason of the person’s willful misfeasance or gross negligence of its obligations to the Fund. Such indemnification includes losses sustained by the Adviser or its affiliates as an indemnitor under any sub-servicing or other agreement entered into by the Adviser for the benefit of the Fund to the extent that such losses relate to the Fund and the indemnity giving rise to the losses is not broader than that granted by the Fund to the Adviser or its affiliates pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement. The Fund has the right to consent before the Adviser settles or consents to the settlement of a claim involving such indemnitor losses (but such consent right will not affect the Adviser’s entitlement to indemnification).
The Fund will pay the Adviser an investment management fee (the “Investment Management Fee”) in consideration of the advisory services provided by the Adviser to the Fund. Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement, the Fund will pay a monthly Investment Management Fee equal to 1.75% on an annualized basis of the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets during such period. “Managed Assets” means the total assets of the Fund (including any assets attributable to money borrowed for investment purposes) minus the sum of the Fund’s accrued liabilities (other than money borrowed for investment purposes). The Investment Management Fee is paid to the Adviser out of the Fund’s assets and decreases the net profits or increases the net losses of the Fund. The Investment Management Fee will be computed as of the last day of each month.
19
The Investment Management Fee is paid to the Adviser before giving effect to any repurchase of Shares in the Fund effective as of that date and will decrease the net profits or increase the net losses of the Fund that are credited to its Common Shareholders.
A portion of the Investment Management Fee may be paid to brokers or dealers that assist in the distribution of Shares, including brokers or dealers that may be affiliated with the Adviser.
In addition, the Adviser has entered into an expense limitation and reimbursement agreement (the “Expense Limitation Agreement”) with the Fund, whereby the Adviser has agreed to waive fees that it would otherwise be paid, and/or to assume expenses of the Fund (a “Waiver”), if required to ensure the Fund’s aggregate monthly ordinary operating expenses, excluding certain “Specified Expenses” listed below, borne by the Fund in respect of each Class of Shares to an amount not to exceed 0.50 %, on an annualized basis, of the Fund’s month-end net assets (the “Expense Cap”).
If the Fund’s aggregate monthly ordinary operating expenses, exclusive of the Specified Expenses, in respect of any Class of Shares for any month exceed the Expense Cap applicable to that Class of Shares, the Adviser will waive its Investment Management Fee and/or reimburse the Fund for expenses to the extent necessary to eliminate such excess. The Adviser may also directly pay expenses on behalf of the Fund and waive reimbursement under the Expense Limitation Agreement. To the extent that the Adviser waives its Investment Management Fee and/or reimburses expenses, the Adviser may, for a period not to exceed three years from the date on which a Waiver is made, recoup amounts waived or assumed, provided it is able to effect such recoupment without causing the Fund’s expense ratio (after recoupment) to exceed the lesser of (a) the expense limit in effect at the time of the waiver, and (b) the expense limit in effect at the time of the recoupment.
Specified Expenses that are not covered by the Expense Limitation Agreement and are therefore borne by shareholders of the Fund include: (i) the Investment Management Fee; (ii) all fees and expenses of Fund Investments (including any Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses); (iii) transactional costs, including legal costs and brokerage commissions, associated with the acquisition and disposition of Private Market Assets and other investments; (iv) interest payments incurred on borrowing by the Fund; (v) fees and expenses incurred in connection with a credit facility, if any, obtained by the Fund; (vi) distribution and shareholder servicing fees, as applicable; (vii) taxes; and (viii) extraordinary expenses resulting from events and transactions that are distinguished by their unusual nature and by the infrequency of their occurrence, including, without limitation, costs incurred in connection with any claim, litigation, arbitration, mediation, government investigation or similar proceeding, indemnification expenses, and expenses in connection with holding and/or soliciting proxies for all annual and other meetings of Common Shareholders).
The Expense Limitation Agreement will have a term ending one-year from the date the Fund commences operations, and will automatically renew thereafter for consecutive twelve-month terms, provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Trustees. The Expense Limitation Agreement may be terminated by the Fund’s Board of Trustees upon thirty days’ written notice to the Adviser.
Investment Consultant
Aksia TorreyCove Partners, LLC (“Aksia TorreyCove”), located at 10180 Barnes Canyon Road, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92121, is the Investment Consultant to the Fund and assists the Adviser with sourcing, evaluating and selecting investments for the Fund’s portfolio. The Investment Consultant, formed in 2011, is a private, independently-owned firm that provides asset management services to state and local pension plans, endowments and foundations. The Investment Consultant is an investment adviser registered with the SEC under the Advisers Act.
20
The Investment Consultant Agreement will become effective as of the Commencement of Operations, and will continue in effect for an initial two-year term. Thereafter, the Investment Consultant Agreement will continue in effect from year to year provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (i) the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, or a majority of the Board, and (ii) the vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees of the Fund, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Investment Consultant Agreement will terminate automatically if assigned (as defined in the Investment Company Act) and is terminable at any time without penalty upon 60 days’ written notice to the Fund by either the Board, the Adviser or the Investment Consultant. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the Investment Consultant Agreement will be available in the Fund’s first report to Common Shareholders.
The Adviser will pay the Investment Consultant a fee of 0.375% (on an annualized basis) of the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets, in consideration of the services provided by the Investment Consultant to the Fund.
Investment Team – Bow River Capital
Bow River Capital has an experienced investment team with significant expertise underwriting and executing private equity investments, managing evergreen private equity strategies and managing registered funds. The Fund’s investment team will be led by Jeremy Held, Mike Trihy and Rich Wham (the “Portfolio Managers”).
Jeremy Held
Jeremy Held, CFA, is currently responsible for Bow River Capital’s registered asset management business including investment oversight, research and product development. Prior to joining Bow River Capital, Mr. Held was the Director of Research and Chief Investment Officer at ALPS Advisors, a Denver-based asset manager that specializes in registered fund vehicles focused on real assets and alternative investments. Mr. Held began his career at ALPS in 1996 and helped lead a variety of business initiatives over two decades, including the launch of the firm’s asset management business in 2007. Mr. Held has a strong track record launching innovative investment products, including the world’s first Master Limited Partnership (“MLP”) Exchange-Traded Fund (“ETF”), as well as the first Listed Private Equity (“LPE”) mutual fund. Mr. Held was ultimately responsible for all aspects of the ALPS Advisors business, overseeing 44 registered investment companies and more than $20 billion in assets. Mr. Held has significant investment oversight experience, advising several registered mutual fund boards and serving as President of Red Rocks Capital, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ALPS focused on Listed Private Equity investments.
Mike Trihy
Mike Trihy, CFA, joined Bow River Capital as a Vice President and Portfolio Manager, and is currently responsible for portfolio construction and investment research for the Fund. Prior to joining Bow River Capital in 2019, Mr. Trihy was a Portfolio Manager at Partners Group, a Swiss-based global private markets manager. Mike joined Partners Group in January 2017 and was responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management for separate account and evergreen fund mandates in the Americas region, including the largest private equity-focused tender offer fund globally. During his time as Portfolio Manager, the evergreen funds under his mandate delivered consistent total returns with low levels of volatility, while maintaining appropriate liquidity and a high level of portfolio diversification. He has constructed portfolios across multiple asset classes, including private equity, real assets, private credit, and liquid investments (equity and credit). Before his time at Partners Group, Mr. Trihy and Mr. Held worked together for six years when Mr. Trihy served as a Client Portfolio Manager at Red Rocks Capital, a Denver-based asset manager focused on Listed Private Equity investments. He was responsible for investment research and portfolio management of the firm's equity index products.
21
Rich Wham
Prior to joining Bow River Capital, Mr. Wham spent thirteen years as a partner at Denver-based Westfield Company where he led the capitalization of numerous real estate investments exceeding $1 billion in total value. As President and Chief Operating Officer at Bow River Capital, Mr. Wham is responsible for overseeing operations of Bow River Capital and its funds, investor relations, and engaging specialized and experienced personnel to advise on potential new fund opportunities. Additionally, he oversees the real estate group and co-chairs the advisory board for the 2017 Buyout Fund. Mr. Wham represents a “C-level” point of contact for all Bow River Capital investors.
Investment Consultant Team – Aksia TorreyCove
Aksia TorreyCove is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aksia LLC, a leading private markets consultant that advises some of the largest institutional investors in the world, including pension plans, insurance companies, government-related institutions, foundations and endowments. The principals at Aksia TorreyCove have decades of private markets consulting experience and the firm currently has more than $160 billion in assets under advisory and 250 investment professionals.
David Fann
David Fann is Vice Chairman of Aksia TorreyCove and has over 30 years of experience in the private equity industry. Mr. Fann is responsible for the overall framework of Aksia TorreyCove’s private markets offering and provides senior advisory support to the firm’s client advisory and private market investment research activities. Prior to joining Aksia TorreyCove, he was Co-Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of TorreyCove Capital Partners. Throughout his career, Mr. Fann has led investment organizations that have invested/committed over $45 billion in private equity investments. He has invested in 26 leveraged buyout, private equity and venture capital investments as a lead investor or co-investor, of which ten became publicly traded through initial public offerings (several of which were acquired by Fortune 500 companies). Prior to TorreyCove Capital Partners, he was the President and Chief Executive Officer of PCG Asset Management. Previously, he was a Managing Director of US Trust and Vice President of Citicorp Venture Capital. Mr. Fann has served on the board of directors of eleven companies, as a board observer for seven companies, as chairman of the board of directors for two companies, and currently serves on the honorary advisory board for the Association of Asian American Investment Managers and on the advisory board for the Robert H. Toigo Foundation. Mr. Fann is a non-voting member of the Fund’s investment committee.
Tom Martin
Tom Martin is Head of Private Equity for Aksia TorreyCove and has over 17 years of private equity investment experience. He oversees sourcing, research, and risk management of clients’ allocations to private equity and real asset strategies. Prior to joining Aksia TorreyCove, Mr. Martin was a Co-Founder and Managing Director of TorreyCove Capital Partners, where he was responsible for the Private Equity Investment Research team. Prior to this role, Mr. Martin was a Senior Vice President at PCG Asset Management. Before joining PCG in 2002, he was a Vice President at Laffer Associates. Mr. Martin is a non-voting member of the Fund’s investment committee.
22
Nic DiLoretta
Nic DiLoretta is Managing Director and Deputy Head of Private Equity for Aksia TorreyCove. Mr. DiLoretta has over 12 years of experience in alternative assets with a focus in private markets. He leads the identification, due diligence, and selection of private equity and real asset investments for Aksia TorreyCove. He also assists in the management of the teams responsible for sourcing, conducting due diligence, and evaluating investments in the private equity and real asset sectors, and directly oversees the Associate-level investment professionals. Prior to joining Aksia TorreyCove, Nic was Senior Vice President & Deputy Head of Investment Research at TorreyCove Capital Partners, where he oversaw the firm’s Associate-level investment research staff. He also led the identification, due diligence, and selection of private equity and real asset investments. Prior to that, Nic was an Associate at PCG Asset Management, where he supported the Risk Management department and assisted in the due diligence of private equity investments. Mr. DiLoretta is a non-voting member of the Fund’s investment committee.
Bow River Capital believes that Aksia TorreyCove’s extensive private equity relationships and institutional investment expertise combined with Bow River Capital’s historical track record, investment process and evergreen fund experience can provide investors with an opportunity to access a diversified private equity solution with attractive risk-adjusted return potential.
Other Accounts Managed by the Investment Team
Number of Other Accounts Managed and Total
Value of Assets by Account Type for Which There is No Performance-Based Fee: |
Number of Other Accounts and Total Value of Assets
for Which Advisory Fee is Performance-Based: |
|||||
Registered
investment companies |
Other pooled
investment vehicles |
Other
accounts |
Registered
investment companies |
Other pooled
investment vehicles |
Other
accounts |
|
Jeremy Held | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Mike Trihy | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Rich Wham | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 accounts with a value of $348 million | 0 |
Conflicts of Interest
The Investment Team may manage separate accounts or other pooled investment vehicles that may have materially higher or different fee arrangements than the Fund and may also be subject to performance-based fees. The side-by-side management of these separate accounts and pooled investment vehicles may raise potential conflicts of interest relating to cross-trading and the allocation of investment opportunities. The Adviser has a fiduciary responsibility to manage all client accounts in a fair and equitable manner. The Adviser seeks to provide best execution of all securities transactions and to allocate investments to client accounts in a fair and reasonable manner. To this end, the Adviser has developed policies and procedures designed to mitigate and manage the potential conflicts of interest that may arise from side-by-side management.
23
Compensation of the Investment Team
A competitive base salary and a performance-based bonus structure are in place for all team members. Members of the Investment Team, analysts, and other associates are paid a competitive base salary and discretionary bonus based on their fiduciary investment responsibilities, performance of the individual, and performance of the firm. The discretionary bonus structure gives the Adviser the ability to remain competitive under current market conditions affecting compensation across the industry. The discretionary bonus may be payable in both cash and equity.
Investment Team Ownership of Securities in the Fund
The Fund has not yet commenced operations, therefore none of the members of the Investment Team own Shares of the Fund.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE ALLOCATION
The Adviser will generally select brokers and dealers to effect transactions on behalf of the Fund in substantially the following manner. When the Adviser is aware that portfolio securities it intends to purchase for the Fund are available from multiple sources, such as multiple alternative trading systems or placement agents, the Adviser will undertake best efforts to obtain and retain two or more, as it deems appropriate, alternative quotes for such portfolio securities and document why the Adviser selected a source for any resulting purchase.
In selecting brokers and dealers to effect transactions on behalf of the Fund, the Adviser will seek to obtain the best price and execution for the transactions, taking into account factors such as price, size of order, difficulty of execution and operational facilities of a brokerage firm and the firm’s risk in positioning a block of securities. As described below, the Adviser may place orders with brokers that provide research services. Such transactions shall comply with the safe harbor under Section 28(e) of the Exchange Act, with respect to the receipt of such services.
Consistent with the principle of seeking best price and execution, the Adviser may place brokerage orders with brokers that provide the Fund and the Adviser with supplemental research, market and statistical information, including 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, and furnishing analyses and reports concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy and the performance of accounts.
In most instances, the Fund will purchase interests in a Portfolio Fund directly from the Portfolio Fund, and such purchases by the Fund may be, but are generally not, subject to transaction expenses. Nevertheless, the Fund anticipates that some of its portfolio transactions (including investments in Portfolio Funds by the Fund) may be subject to expenses. Given the private equity focus of a majority of the Portfolio Funds, significant brokerage commissions are not anticipated to be paid by such funds.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM; LEGAL COUNSEL
The Board has selected Cohen & Company, Ltd., located at 1350 Euclid Ave., Suite 800, Cleveland, OH 44115 as independent registered public accountants for the Fund.
Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, One Logan Square, Suite 2000, Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996, serves as counsel to the Fund and the Independent Trustees of the Fund.
24
CUSTODIAN
UMB Bank, n.a. (the “Custodian”) serves as the primary custodian of the assets of the Fund and may maintain custody of such assets with U.S. and non-U.S. sub-custodians (which may be banks and trust companies), securities depositories and clearing agencies in accordance with the requirements of Section 17(f) of the Investment Company Act and the rules thereunder. Assets of the Fund are not held by the Adviser or commingled with the assets of other accounts other than to the extent that securities are held in the name of the Custodian or U.S. or non-U.S. sub-custodians in a securities depository, clearing agency or omnibus customer account of such custodian. The Custodian’s principal business address is 1010 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64106. The Custodian is an affiliate of UMB Fund Services, Inc., which serves as the Fund’s Administrator.
Calculation of net asset value
The Fund will calculate its net asset value as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on the last business day of each calendar week, each business day for the five business days preceding a repurchase request deadline (at such specific time set by the Board), each date that a Share is offered or repurchased, as of the date of any distribution and at such other times as the Board shall determine (each, a “Determination Date”). In determining its net asset value, the Fund will value its investments as of the relevant Determination Date. The net asset value of the Fund will equal, unless otherwise noted, the value of the total assets of the Fund, less all of its liabilities, including accrued fees and expenses, each determined as of the relevant Determination Date.
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
The Board has delegated responsibility for decisions regarding proxy voting for securities held by the Fund to the Adviser. The Adviser will vote such proxies in accordance with its proxy policies and procedures. Copies of the Adviser’s proxy policies and procedures are included as Appendix C to this SAI. The Board will periodically review the Fund’s proxy voting record.
The Fund will be required to file Form N-PX, with its complete proxy voting record for the twelve months ended June 30, no later than August 31 of each year. The Fund’s Form N-PX filing will be available: (i) without charge, upon request, by calling the Fund at (888) 330-3350 or (ii) by visiting the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
The Fund has not yet commenced operations, therefore no Shares of the Fund are currently owned.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Appendix A to this SAI provides financial information regarding the Fund. The Fund’s financial statements have been audited by Cohen & Company, Ltd.
25
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A registration statement on Form N-2, including amendments thereto, relating to the Shares offered hereby, has been filed by the Fund with the SEC. The Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information do not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement, including any exhibits and schedules thereto. For further information with respect to the Fund and the Shares offered hereby, reference is made to the registration statement. A copy of the registration statement may be reviewed and copied on the EDGAR database on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Prospective investors can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC’s e-mail address (publicinfo@sec.gov).
26
APPENDIX A
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholder and Board of Trustees of
Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund (the “Fund”), as of October 29, 2020, and the related statement of operations for the one day ended, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of October 29, 2020 and the results of its operations for the one day ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.
Our audit includes performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures include examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and confirmation of cash owned as of October 29, 2020, by correspondence with the custodian. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
We have served as the auditor of the Fund since 2020.
COHEN & COMPANY, LTD.
Cleveland, Ohio
December 17, 2020
Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
October 29, 2020
Assets: | ||||
Cash | $ | 100,000 | ||
Deferred offering costs | 143,484 | |||
Receivable from Adviser for reimbursement of organizational costs | 109,067 | |||
Total Assets | 352,551 | |||
Liabilities: | ||||
Accrued offering costs | 43,301 | |||
Accrued organizational costs | 81,066 | |||
Payable to Adviser | 128,184 | |||
Total Liabilities | 252,551 | |||
Net Assets | $ | 100,000 | ||
Net Assets Consist of: | ||||
Capital Stock (unlimited shares authorized, 100,000 shares registered; $0.001 par value) | $ | 100,000 | ||
Net Assets | $ | 100,000 | ||
Net Assets applicable to 10,000 shares issued and outstanding | $ | 100,000 | ||
Net Asset Value per share | $ | 10.00 |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements
A-1
Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the one day ended October 29, 2020*
Investment Income: | $ | - | ||
Expenses: | ||||
Organizational expenses (Note 3) | 109,067 | |||
Less: Reimbursement by Adviser (Note 3) | (109,067 | ) | ||
Net Expenses | - | |||
Net Investment Income | $ | - |
* | The Fund has had no operations to date other than matters relating to its organization and registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940. |
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements
Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Organization
Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund (the “Fund”) was organized on April 21, 2020 as a statutory trust under the laws of the state of Delaware. The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that operates as an interval fund pursuant to Rule 23c-3 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), as amended.
The Fund’s investment objective is to generate long-term capital appreciation by investing in a broad portfolio of private equity investments that provide attractive risk-adjusted return potential. The Fund will seek to achieve its investment objective through broad exposure to private equity, private credit, and semi- liquid or listed investments, that may include: (i) direct investments; (ii) secondary investments; (iii) private credit instruments; (iv) primary fund commitments; (v) direct or secondary purchases of liquid credit instruments; (vi) other liquid investments; and (vii) short-term investments.
Bow River Asset Management, LLC, an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”), as amended, serves as the Fund’s investment adviser (the “Adviser”). Aksia TorreyCove Partners, LLC, an investment adviser registered under the Advisers Act, serves as a non- discretionary investment consultant to the Fund. The Fund’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) has the overall responsibility for the management and supervision of the business operations of the Fund.
The Fund has been inactive except for matters relating to the Fund’s establishment, designation, registration of the Fund’s shares of beneficial interest under the Securities Act of 1933 and the sale of 10,000 Class I Shares for $100,000 to Jeremy D. Held, Managing Director of the Adviser, on October 29, 2020. Certain officers of the Adviser are also officers or Trustees of the Fund. Class I Shares of the Fund are currently the only class offered to investors. The Fund has applied to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for an exemptive order that would permit the Fund to offer more than one class of Shares. There is no assurance that the Fund will be granted the exemptive order.
2. Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates
The Fund is an investment company and as a result, maintains its accounting records and has presented these financial statements in accordance with the reporting requirements under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies (“ASC 946”). The policies are in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), which requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statement, as well as reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Valuation
The Fund will calculate its net asset value as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on the last business day of each calendar week, each business day for the five business days preceding a repurchase request deadline (at such specific time set by the Board), each date that a Share is offered or repurchased, as of the date of any distribution and at such other times as the Board shall determine (each, a “Determination Date”). In determining its net asset value, the Fund will value its investments as of the relevant Determination Date. The net asset value of the Fund will equal, unless otherwise noted, the value of the total assets of the Fund, less all of its liabilities, including accrued fees and expenses, each determined as of the relevant Determination Date.
The Board has approved pricing procedures (the “Pricing Procedures”) and valuation procedures for the Fund (the “Valuation Procedures”) and will oversee the implementation of such procedures. UMB Fund Services, Inc. (the “Administrator”) will utilize the Pricing Procedures to price portfolio securities and the Valuation Procedures will be utilized by a separate valuation committee, consisting of officers of the Fund and representatives from the Adviser (the “Valuation Committee”). The Valuation Committee will be responsible for determining the fair value of the Fund’s investments.
In addition to having representation on the Valuation Committee, the Adviser may assist in making valuation determinations, provide primary day-to-day oversight of valuation of the Fund’s investments and act in accordance with the Valuation Procedures as developed and approved by the Board. The valuation of the Fund’s investments is performed in accordance with FASB’s Accounting Standards Codification 820 — Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.
The Valuation Procedures provide that the Fund will fair value portfolio securities held by the Fund when the price of a portfolio security is deemed unavailable or unreliable, and therefore cannot be accurately valued in accordance with the Pricing Procedures.
Securities traded on one or more of the U.S. national securities exchanges, the Nasdaq Stock Market or any foreign stock exchange will be valued based on their respective market price.
Debt instruments for which market quotations are readily available are typically valued based on such market quotations. In validating market quotations, the Valuation Committee considers different factors such as the source and the nature of the quotation in order to determine whether the quotation represents fair value. The Valuation Committee makes use of reputable financial information providers in order to obtain the relevant quotations.
For debt and equity securities which are not publicly traded or for which market prices are not readily available (unquoted investments) the fair value is determined in good faith. In determining the fair values of these investments, the Valuation Committee will typically apply widely recognized market and income valuation methodologies including, but not limited to, earnings and multiple analysis, discounted cash flow method and third-party valuations. In order to determine a fair value, these methods are applied to the latest information provided by the underlying portfolio companies or other business counterparties.
Due to the inherent uncertainty in determining the fair value of investments for which market values are not readily available the fair values of these investments may fluctuate from period to period. In addition, such fair value may differ materially from the values that may have been used had a ready market existed for such investments and may significantly differ from the value ultimately realized by the Fund.
Assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies will be converted into U.S. Dollars using foreign exchange rates provided by a recognized pricing service.
Primary and secondary investments in private equity funds are generally valued based on the latest net asset value reported by the third-party fund manager. If the net asset value of an investment in a private equity fund is not available at the time the Fund is calculating its net asset value, the Fund will review any cash flows since the reference date of the last net asset value for a private equity fund received by the Fund from a third-party manager (“Portfolio Fund Manager”) until the Determination Date are recognized by (i) adding the nominal amount of the investment related capital calls and (ii) deducting the nominal amount of investment related distributions from the net asset value as reported by the Portfolio Fund Manager.
In addition to tracking the net asset value plus related cash flows of such secondary purchases of interests in closed-end private funds (“Portfolio Funds”), the Valuation Committee also intends to track relevant broad-based and issuer (or fund) specific valuation information relating to the assets held by each private equity fund which is reasonably available at the time the Fund values its investments. The Valuation Committee will consider such information and may conclude in certain circumstances that the information provided by the Portfolio Fund Manager does not represent the fair value of a particular asset held by a Portfolio Fund. If the Valuation Committee concludes in good faith that the latest net asset value reported by a Portfolio Fund Manager does not represent fair value (e.g., there is more current information regarding a portfolio asset which significantly changes its fair value) the Valuation Committee will make a corresponding adjustment to reflect the current fair value of such asset within such Portfolio Fund. In determining the fair value of assets held by Portfolio Funds, the Valuation Committee applies valuation methodologies as outlined above.
Federal Taxes
The Fund intends to elect to be treated, and expects each year to qualify, as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under the provisions of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. As such, the Fund generally will not be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax, provided that it distributes substantially all of its net taxable income and gains each year.
3. Fees and Transactions with Related Parties, Organization and Offering Costs, and other Agreements
Pursuant to an Investment Management Agreement, the Fund will pay the Adviser a monthly investment management fee (the “Investment Management Fee”)in consideration of the advisory services provided by the Adviser to the Fund. The Investment Management Fee is equal to 1.75% on an annualized basis of the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets during such period. “Managed Assets” means the total assets of the Fund (including any assets attributable to money borrowed for investment purposes) minus the sum of the Fund’s accrued liabilities (other than money borrowed for investment purposes). The Investment Management Fee is paid to the Adviser out of the Fund’s assets and decreases the net profits or increases the net losses of the Fund. The Investment Management Fee will be computed as of the last day of each month.
The Adviser has entered into an Investment Consultant Agreement with Aksia TorreyCove Partners, LLC (the “Investment Consultant”) to assist the Adviser with sourcing, evaluating, and selecting investments for the Fund’s portfolio. In consideration for services provided, the Adviser will pay the Investment Consultant a monthly fee of 0.375%, on an annualized basis, of the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets.
The Adviser has entered into an expense limitation and reimbursement agreement (the “Expense Limitation Agreement”) with the Fund, whereby the Adviser has agreed to waive fees that it would otherwise be paid, and/or to assume expenses of the Fund (a “Waiver”), if required to ensure the Fund’s aggregate monthly ordinary operating expenses, excluding certain “Specified Expenses” listed below, borne by the Fund in respect of each Class of Shares to an amount not to exceed 0.50%, on an annualized basis, of the Fund’s month-end net assets (the “Expense Cap”).
If the Fund’s aggregate monthly ordinary operating expenses, exclusive of the Specified Expenses, in respect of any Class of Shares for any month exceed the Expense Cap applicable to that Class of Shares, the Adviser will waive its Management Fee and/or reimburse the Fund for expenses to the extent necessary to eliminate such excess. The Adviser may also directly pay expenses on behalf of the Fund and waive reimbursement under the Expense Limitation Agreement. To the extent that the Adviser waives its Management Fee and/or reimburses expenses, the Adviser may, for a period not to exceed three years from the date on which a Waiver is made, recoup amounts waived or assumed, provided it is able to effect such recoupment without causing the Fund’s expense ratio (after recoupment) to exceed the lesser of (a) the expense limit in effect at the time of the waiver, and (b) the expense limit in effect at the time of the recoupment.
Specified Expenses that are not covered by the Expense Limitation Agreement and are therefore borne by shareholders of the Fund include: (i) the Management Fee; (ii) all fees and expenses of Fund Investments (including any underlying fees of the Fund Investments (the “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses”)); (iii) transactional costs, including legal costs and brokerage commissions, associated with the acquisition and disposition of Fund Investments; (iv) interest payments incurred on borrowing by the Fund; (v) fees and expenses incurred in connection with a credit facility, if any, obtained by the Fund; (vi) distribution and shareholder servicing fees, as applicable; (vii) taxes; and (viii) extraordinary expenses resulting from events and transactions that are distinguished by their unusual nature and by the infrequency of their occurrence, including, without limitation, costs incurred in connection with any claim, litigation, arbitration, mediation, government investigation or similar proceeding, indemnification expenses, and expenses in connection with holding and/or soliciting proxies for all annual and other meetings of common shareholders.
The Expense Limitation Agreement will have a term ending one-year from the date the Fund commences operations, and will automatically renew thereafter for consecutive twelve-month terms, provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Board. The Expense Limitation Agreement may be terminated by the Board upon thirty days’ written notice to the Adviser.
The Fund's organizational costs of $109,067, which have been incurred through October 29, 2020, have been expensed as incurred but are subject to the Fund’s Expense Limitation Agreement. Organizational expenses consist of costs incurred to establish the Fund and enable it to legally to do business. The Fund’s offering costs of $143,484, which have been recorded as a deferred asset, consists of legal fees for preparing the prospectus and statement of additional information in connection with the Fund’s registration and public offering, state registration fees, insurance, and fees paid to be listed on an exchange. These offering costs, which are subject to the Expense Limitation Agreement, are accounted for as a deferred charge until Fund shares are offered to the public and will thereafter, be amortized to expense over twelve months on a straight-line basis.
As of October 29, 2020, $108,567 of the $109,067 waived organization costs, are subject to possible recoupment by the Adviser through October 29, 2023. The remaining $500 is being voluntarily waived by the Adviser and is not subject to recoupment.
Employees of PINE Advisor Solutions, LLC (“PINE”) serve as officers of the Fund. PINE receives a monthly fee for the services provided to the Fund. The Fund also reimburses PINE for certain out-of-pocket expenses incurred on the Fund's behalf.
Foreside Financial Services, LLC acts as Distributor to the Fund on a best-efforts basis, subject to various conditions, pursuant to a Distribution Agreement (the “Distribution Agreement”) between the Fund and the Distributor. The Distributor may enter into agreements with selected broker-dealers, banks or other financial intermediaries for distribution of shares of the Fund. The Adviser and/or its affiliates may make payments to selected affiliated or unaffiliated third parties (including the parties who have entered into sub- distribution agreements with the Distributor) from time to time in connection with the sale of Shares and/or the services provided to common shareholders. These payments will be made by the Adviser and/or its affiliates and will not represent an additional charge to the Fund.
4. Capital Share Transactions
The Fund has applied to the SEC for an exemptive order that would permit the Fund to offer more than one class of Shares. Class II Shares will not be offered to investors until the Fund has received an exemptive order permitting the multi-class structure. Class II Shares will be subject to distribution and/or shareholder servicing fees of up to 0.25%.
The Fund’s Shares will generally be offered for purchase on the first business day of each month at the net asset value per Share, as determined as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on that day.
The Fund has elected to implement a hybrid repurchase mechanism, where under normal circumstances, the Fund provides a limited degree of liquidity to common shareholders by conducting semi-annual repurchase offers pursuant to Rule 23c-3 of the 1940 Act (each a “Required Repurchase Offer”), as well as discretionary repurchase offers. While the Board may consider the recommendation of the Adviser, discretionary repurchase offers will be made at the sole discretion of the Board.
Each Required Repurchase Offer will be for no less than 5% and no more than 25% of the Fund’s Shares outstanding, but if the value of Shares tendered for repurchase exceeds the value the Fund intended to repurchase, the Fund may determine to repurchase less than the full number of Shares tendered. In such event, common shareholders will have their Shares repurchased on a pro rata basis, and tendering common shareholders will not have all of their tendered Shares repurchased by the Fund.
The Adviser also anticipates recommending to the Board that, under normal market circumstances, the Fund conduct periodic repurchase offers of no more than 5% of the Fund’s net assets generally for each calendar quarter following a Required Repurchase Offer (each, a “Discretionary Repurchase”). In determining whether the Fund should offer a Discretionary Repurchase, the Board may consider the recommendation of the Adviser as well as a variety of other operational, business and economic factors. While it is anticipated that each Discretionary Repurchase will be offered for each calendar quarter following a Required Repurchase Offer (i.e. twice per year), any Discretionary Repurchase of Shares will be made at such times and on such terms as may be determined by the Board from time to time in its sole discretion. As a result, Discretionary Repurchases may be offered at any amount, as determined by the Board, or not at all. The Fund may also elect to repurchase less than the full amount that a common shareholder requests to be repurchased. In addition, the Board may under certain circumstances elect to postpone, suspend or terminate an offer to repurchase Shares.
A 2.00% early repurchase fee will be charged by the Fund with respect to any repurchase of Shares from a common shareholder at any time prior to the day immediately preceding the one-year anniversary of the common shareholder’s purchase of the Shares. Shares tendered for repurchase will be treated as having been repurchased on a “first in-first out” basis. An early repurchase fee payable by a common shareholder may be waived by the Fund in circumstances where the Board determines that doing so is in the best interests of the Fund.
5. Indemnifications
The Fund indemnifies the Fund’s officers and Board of Trustees for certain liabilities that might arise from their performance of their duties to the Fund. Additionally, in the normal course of business the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties and which provide general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.
6. Subsequent Events
In preparing these financial statements, management has evaluated events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure through the date the financial statements were issued. Management has determined that there are no material events, that would require disclosure in the Fund’s financial statements.
APPENDIX B
Bow River Capital Evergreen Private Equity Fund, LP
Unaudited Financial Statements
For the Period May 22, 2020 (inception of operations) through October 31, 2020
Bow River Capital Evergreen Private Equity Fund, LP
Unaudited Financial Statements
Table of Contents
(Unaudited)
Statement of Financial Position | 1 |
Statement of Operations | 2 |
Statement of Changes in Investor Capital | 3 |
Schedule of Investments | 4 |
Notes to Financial Statements | 5 |
Bow River Capital Evergreen Private Equity Fund, LP
Statement of Financial Position
As of October 31, 2020
(Unaudited)
Assets
Investments at Fair Value | ||||
BRCE SPV I, LLC | $ | 3,288,620 | ||
Celery: FFP LLC | 932,206 | |||
Coller International Partners VI Feeder Fund, L.P. | 852,727 | |||
Coller International Partners VII Feeder Fund, L.P. | 2,361,650 | |||
Graphite Capital Partners VIII D LP | 5,972,519 | |||
PIMCO DSCO Fund II Offshore Feeder, L.P. | 5,135,450 | |||
Secure: Redstone Buyer LLC | 1,981,469 | |||
SEP Hamilton III Aggregator LP | 2,500,000 | |||
Veregy Parent, LLC | 3,000,000 | |||
Voloridge Sustainability Fund LP | 5,000,000 | |||
Total Investments at Fair Value | 31,024,642 | |||
Cash & Cash Equivalents | 17,298,777 | |||
Other Assets | ||||
Receivable From GP/Manager | 83,839 | |||
Interest Receivable | 54,269 | |||
Total Assets | $ | 48,461,527 | ||
Liabilities and Investors' Capital | ||||
Liabilities | ||||
Subscriptions Pending | $ | 12,300,000 | ||
Management Fees Payable | 163,461 | |||
Due to GP/Manager | 50,723 | |||
Due To/ From Hedge | 42,894 | |||
Legal Fees Payable | 36,836 | |||
Audit Payable | 29,081 | |||
UMBFS Fee Payable | 15,000 | |||
Tax Fee Payable | 14,541 | |||
Commission Fee Payable | 6,000 | |||
Bloomberg Payable | 3,919 | |||
Total Liabilities | 12,662,455 | |||
Investors' Capital | ||||
Investor Shares | 35,799,072 | |||
Total Liabilities and Investors' Capital | $ | 48,461,527 |
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
1
Bow River Capital Evergreen Private Equity Fund, LP
Statement of Operations
For the Period May 22, 2020 (inception of operations) through October 31, 2020
(Unaudited)
5/22/2020 - 10/31/2020 | ||||
Investment Income: | ||||
Interest Income | $ | 54,269 | ||
Total Investment Income | 54,269 | |||
Expenses: | ||||
Management Fee | 163,461 | |||
Organization Expense | 50,723 | |||
Legal Expense | 30,657 | |||
Audit Expense | 29,082 | |||
UMBFS Fee | 15,000 | |||
Tax Fee | 14,541 | |||
Bloomberg Expense | 10,960 | |||
Custodian Fee | 3,335 | |||
Bank Fees | 84 | |||
Expenses Reimbursed by Manager / GP | (83,840 | ) | ||
Total Expenses | 234,003 | |||
Net Investment Loss | (179,734 | ) | ||
Net Realized and Unrealized Income/(Loss) on Investments: | ||||
Partnership Gains(Losses) | 2,269,749 | |||
Hedge Gains(Losses) | (42,894 | ) | ||
Realized Hedge Gains(Losses) | (238,049 | ) | ||
Net Realized and Unrealized Income on Investments | 1,988,806 | |||
Net Income | $ | 1,809,072 |
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
2
Bow River Capital Evergreen Private Equity Fund, LP
Statement of Changes in Investor Capital
For the Period May 22, 2020 (inception of operations) through October 31, 2020
(Unaudited)
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
3
Bow River Capital Evergreen Private Equity Fund, LP
Schedule of Investments
As of October 31, 2020
(Unaudited)
Private Investments, at fair value - 86.66% | Fair Value | |||
Co-Investments - 23.50% | ||||
Celery: FFP LLC(1) | $ | 932,206 | ||
Secure: Redstone Buyer LLC(1) | 1,981,469 | |||
SEP Hamilton III Aggregator LP(1)(2) | 2,500,000 | |||
Veregy Parent, LLC(1) | 3,000,000 | |||
Total Co-Investments (Cost $8,434,160) | 8,413,675 | |||
Primary Funds - 28.31% | ||||
PIMCO DSCO Fund II Offshore Feeder, L.P.(1) | 5,135,450 | |||
Voloridge Sustainability Fund LP(1)(2) | 5,000,000 | |||
Total Primary Funds (Cost $10,000,298) | 10,135,450 | |||
Secondary Funds - 34.85% | ||||
BRCE SPV I, LLC(1)(2) | 3,288,620 | |||
Coller International Partners VI Feeder Fund, L.P.(1)(2) | 852,727 | |||
Coller International Partners VII Feeder Fund, L.P.(1)(2) | 2,361,650 | |||
Graphite Capital Partners VIII D LP(1)(2) | 5,972,520 | |||
Total Secondary Funds (Cost $10,311,147) | 12,475,517 | |||
Total Private Investments, at fair value (Cost $28,745,605) | $ | 31,024,642 | ||
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities - 13.34% | 4,774,430 | |||
Net Investors' capital - 100.00% | $ | 35,799,072 |
(1) | Restricted Investments as to resale |
(2) | Non-income producing security |
Additional information on each restricted investment held by the Fund at October 31, 2020 is as follows:
Private Investment |
Acquisition Date |
Cost |
Fair Value |
% of Net Investors' capital |
Investment Category |
|||||||||||
BRCE SPV I, LLC | 5/22/2020 | $ | 3,024,331 | $ | 3,288,620 | 9.19 | % | Secondary Fund | ||||||||
Celery: FFP LLC | 8/18/2020 | 932,926 | 932,206 | 2.60 | % | Co-investment | ||||||||||
Coller International Partners VI Feeder Fund, L.P. | 9/30/2020 | 876,112 | 852,727 | 2.38 | % | Secondary Fund | ||||||||||
Coller International Partners VII Feeder Fund, L.P. | 9/30/2020 | 2,377,481 | 2,361,650 | 6.60 | % | Secondary Fund | ||||||||||
Graphite Capital Partners VIII D LP | 6/29/2020 | 4,033,223 | 5,972,520 | 16.68 | % | Secondary Fund | ||||||||||
PIMCO DSCO Fund II Offshore Feeder, L.P. | 6/30/2020 | 5,000,298 | 5,135,450 | 14.35 | % | Primary Fund | ||||||||||
Secure: Redstone Buyer LLC | 9/1/2020 | 1,981,899 | 1,981,469 | 5.53 | % | Co-investment | ||||||||||
SEP Hamilton III Aggregator LP | 8/17/2020 | 2,519,336 | 2,500,000 | 6.98 | % | Co-investment | ||||||||||
Veregy Parent, LLC | 10/30/2020 | 3,000,000 | 3,000,000 | 8.38 | % | Co-investment | ||||||||||
Voloridge Sustainability Fund LP | 10/30/2020 | 5,000,000 | 5,000,000 | 13.97 | % | Primary Fund | ||||||||||
Total Investments | $ | 28,745,605 | $ | 31,024,642 | 86.66 | % |
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
4
Bow River Capital Evergreen Private Equity Fund, LP
(A Delaware Limited Partnership)
Notes to Financial Statements
October 31, 2020 (Unaudited)
(1) | Organization |
Bow River Capital Evergreen Private Equity Fund, LP (the “Fund”), a Delaware limited partnership, was formed March 9, 2020 and began operations on May 22, 2020. Bow River Asset Management LLC (“Bow River Capital”) is the investment advisor to the Fund and is responsible for investment selection and portfolio construction. Bow River Capital has nearly two decades of experience underwriting and executing private equity investments and a successful track record of assessing the investment merit of portfolio companies. Unlike many private equity firms, Bow River Capital’s investment team also has extensive experience managing both evergreen private equity strategies and registered funds. Bow River Capital will leverage this diverse private equity expertise when evaluating investment opportunities and screening new investments for portfolio fit.
The Fund’s administrator is UMB Fund Services, Inc.
(2) | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies |
The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. All accounts are stated in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted. The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United State of America (“GAAP”). The Fund is an investment company and follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies.
(b) | Investments |
Investments in private equity investments, including private investment funds are recorded based on the net asset value reported by the underlying fund without further adjustments, as a practical expedient of fair value as described in note 3.
Investments in private equity investments, including private investment funds are recorded on a trade-date basis.
Proceeds received from investments in private equity investments, including private investment funds are accounted for as a reduction to cost, and any proceeds received above the cost basis result in a realized gain. Unrealized gains and losses are reflected in operations when changes between the carrying value and fair value of investments in private equity funds occur.
(c) | Income Taxes |
The Fund itself is not subject to U.S. federal income taxes; each member is individually liable for income taxes, if any, on its share of the Fund’s net taxable income. Interest, dividends, and other income realized by the Fund from non-U.S. sources and capital gains realized on the sale of securities of non-U.S. issuers may be subject to withholding and other taxes levied by the jurisdiction in which the income is sourced.
The Fund has determined that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain income tax positions taken or expected to be taken on the tax return for the period ended October 31, 2020. A reconciliation is not provided herein as the ending and beginning amounts of unrecognized benefits are zero, with no interim additions, reductions or settlements. No income tax returns are currently under examination.
5
(Continued)
Bow River Capital Evergreen Private Equity Fund, LP
(A Delaware Limited Partnership)
Notes to Financial Statements
October 31, 2020 (Unaudited)
(d) | Cash and Cash Equivalents |
The Fund considers money market accounts and all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
(e) | Profit and Loss Allocations |
Profits and losses are allocated to all Investors of the Fund in accordance with the terms of the PPM. In general, each Investor shares in the profits and losses of the Fund in proportion to their respective interests in the Fund.
(f) | Use of Estimates |
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Fund’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements. Because of the uncertainties associated with estimation, actual results could differ from those estimates used in preparing the accompanying financial statements.
(g) | Concentrations of Credit Risk |
Financial instruments which potentially expose the Fund to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash and cash equivalents. The Fund maintains its cash and cash equivalents in financial institutions at levels that periodically exceed federally-insured limits.
(h) | Risks and Uncertainties |
All investments are subject to certain risks. Changes in overall market movements, interest rates, or factors affecting a particular industry, can affect the ultimate value of the Fund’s investments. Investments are subject to a number of risks, including the risk that values will fluctuate as a result of changing expectations for the economy and individual investors.
(i) | Subsequent Events |
In March 2020, COVID-19 was declared a worldwide health pandemic and has had a significant impact on the national and global economy. Management will continue to monitor the impact COVID-19 has on the Fund and reflect any such impacts as appropriate in the accounting and financial reporting.
Management has evaluated subsequent events for potential recognition and/or disclosure through December 18, 2020, the date the financial statements were available to be issued and determined that other than described above, there are no subsequent events to be reported in the accompanying financial statements.
On December 18, 2020, the Board of Trustees of the Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund, a newly formed closed-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “RIC”) approved an Agreement and Plan of Exchange and Reorganization whereas, on or about December 31, 2020 the RIC will acquire substantially all of the assets of the Fund, including without limitation all cash, cash equivalents, securities, interest and dividend receivables and rights to register shares under applicable securities laws owned by the Fund (“Assets”), and assume all of the Fund’s known liabilities (“Liabilities”) in exchange for shares of the RIC of equal U.S. dollar value (the “Fund Shares”), and will simultaneously distribute on a pro rata basis to the partners of the Fund all of the Fund Shares received in exchange for their partnership interests in the Fund in liquidation of the Fund.
6
(Continued)
Bow River Capital Evergreen Private Equity Fund, LP
(A Delaware Limited Partnership)
Notes to Financial Statements
October 31, 2020 (Unaudited)
(3) | Fair Value of Investments |
The Fund uses a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes inputs used to measure fair value into three broad levels. The Fund’s investments are measured at fair value using the following fair value hierarchy levels:
Level 1 | Quoted prices in active markets for identical investments |
Level 2 | Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These inputs may include quoted prices for the identical instrument on an inactive market, prices for similar instruments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, yield curves, default rates and similar data. |
Level 3 | Inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable, including inputs that are not derived from market data or cannot be corroborated by market data and when the investment is not redeemable in the near term |
As a private equity fund, most of the Fund’s investments consist of private equity investments, including private investment funds. Investments in private equity investments are reported in the Fund’s statement of assets and liabilities at net asset value (“NAV”) per share (or its equivalent) without further adjustment, as a practical expedient of fair value and therefore these investments are excluded from the fair value hierarchy. Generally, the fair value of the Fund’s investment in a privately offered investments represents the amount that the Fund could reasonably expect to receive from the investment fund if the Fund’s investment is withdrawn at the measurement date based on net asset value. These investments are redeemable at net asset value under the original terms of the Fund agreements and/or subscription agreements and based on the operations of the underlying funds. However, it is possible that these redemption rights may be restricted or eliminated by the funds in the future in accordance with the underlying fund agreements.
The following table summarizes the levels within the fair value hierarchy for the Fund’s assets measured at fair value as of October 31, 2020:
Investments |
Practical
Expedient |
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||||
Co-Investments | $ | 8,413,675 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 8,413,675 | ||||||||||
Primary Funds | 10,135,450 | — | — | — | 10,135,450 | |||||||||||||||
Secondary Funds | 9,261,140 | — | 3,214,377 | — | 12,475,517 | |||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 27,810,265 | $ | — | $ | 3,214,377 | $ | — | $ | 31,024,642 |
Certain investments that were measured at NAV have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in the table above is intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the line items presented in the statement of assets and liabilities. There were no Level 3 securities held during the period, nor any transfers into or out of Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
7
(Continued)
Bow River Capital Evergreen Private Equity Fund, LP
(A Delaware Limited Partnership)
Notes to Financial Statements
October 31, 2020 (Unaudited)
The following is the fair value measurement of investments that are measured at NAV per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient.
Investments | Industry | Fair Value | Valuation Methodology | Unfunded Commitments | Redemption frequency | Notice period (in days) | |||||
BRCE SPV I, LLC | Secondary Fund | $ | 3,288,620 | GP NAV | $ | 1,700,000 | Subject to GP Consent | n/a | |||
Celery: FFP LLC | Co-investment | 932,206 | GP NAV | n/a | Subject to GP Consent | n/a | |||||
Graphite Capital Partners VIII D LP | Secondary Fund | 5,972,520 | GP NAV | - | Subject to GP Consent | n/a | |||||
PIMCO DSCO Fund II Offshore Feeder LP | Primary Fund | 5,135,450 | GP NAV | n/a | Quarterly after one year lock-up | 60 | |||||
Secure: Redstone Buyer LLC | Co-investment | 1,981,469 | GP NAV | n/a | Subject to GP Consent | n/a | |||||
SEP Hamilton III Aggregator LP | Co-investment | 2,500,000 | Cost | n/a | Subject to GP Consent | n/a | |||||
Veregy Parent LLC | Co-investment | 3,000,000 | Cost | n/a | Subject to GP Consent | n/a | |||||
Voloridge Sustainabiity Fund LP | Primary Fund | 5,000,000 | Cost | n/a | Monthly | 90 | |||||
Total | $ | 27,810,265 | $ | 1,700,000 |
* | The information summarized in the table above represents the general terms for the specified asset class. Individual investment funds may have the flexibility, as provided by in their constituent documents, to modify and waive such terms. |
(4) | Capital Transactions |
The Fund accepts capital on a monthly basis at the discretion of the Fund Manager. A capital account will be established for each Investor (the “Capital Accounts”) to reflect each Investor’s initial capital contribution to the Fund. The aggregate of all capital contributions shall be available to the Fund Manager to carry out the objectives and purposes of the Fund.
If an Investor is required or permitted to withdraw 100% of the balance of its Capital Account, 100% of such Investor Shares will be cancelled and such Investor shall be withdrawn as a limited partner of the Fund. If an Investor is required or permitted to withdraw less than 100% of the balance of its Capital Account, a proportionate percentage of its Shares shall be cancelled as of the effective date of such withdrawal.
(5) | Related Party Transactions |
(a) | Management Fee |
The monthly Management Fee rate (the “Management Fee Rate”) applicable to all Investors will be 0.14583% (1.75% per annum) of the Net Asset Value of such Investors’ Capital Account. The fund does not charge an incentive fee or carried interest.
(b) | Affiliated Partners |
Certain limited partners are affiliated with BR and Bow River Capital. The aggregate value of affiliated limited partners’ ending capital at October 31, 2020 is approximately $791,000.
8
(Continued)
Bow River Capital Evergreen Private Equity Fund, LP
(A Delaware Limited Partnership)
Notes to Financial Statements
October 31, 2020 (Unaudited)
(6) | Financial Highlights |
Nonregistered investment companies are required to disclose certain financial highlights related to investment performance and operations. These financial highlights include total return, net investment income and expense ratios for the period ended October 31, 2020 applicable to the Fund’s Investors as follows:
Investors | ||
Total return for the period ended October 31, 2020 | 17.04% | |
Ratio of operating expenses before reimbursement by manager 1 | 2.59% | |
Ratio of operating expenses after reimbursement by manager 1 | 1.85% | |
Net investment income 1 | -1.59% |
1 | Expenses have been annualized |
The expense and net investment loss ratios are calculated as a percentage of average Investors’ capital and are calculated for each respective Investor interest taken as a whole. The computation of these ratios based on the amount of expenses and net investment loss assessed to an individual Investors’ capital may vary from these ratios based on different management fee arrangements and the timing of capital transactions. The expense and net investment loss ratios do not reflect the Fund’s proportionate share of expenses and net investment income (loss) of the underlying private investments.
9
APPENDIX C
Policy on Proxy Voting
April 2020
This Policy on Proxy Voting (“Policy”) is the property of Bow River Capital Asset Management LLC., doing business as Bow River Capital (“Bow River Capital” or the “Company”). Electronic copies of this Policy must be deleted and hardcopies must be returned to the Company if an individual’s association with the Company terminates for any reason.
The policies and procedures set forth herein supersede previous manuals, policies, and procedures.
© 2020 Bow River Capital Asset Management LLC.. All rights reserved.
C-1
The content of this policy is confidential and should not be revealed to third parties. No part of this document may be sent to or shared with any person who is not an employee of Bow River Capital, copied or otherwise reproduced without the express consent of the CCO.
C-1
INTRODUCTION
This Policy on Proxy Voting (the “Policy”) is not a full procedural policy. It is intended to give Associates a general understanding of the Policy, rules and requirements surrounding the voting of proxies at Bow River Capital.
All Associates must abide by this Policy. Associates should speak to the CCO or, in her absence, the CEO or President regarding any questions about this Policy, or if he or she feels that the Policy should be changed or updated.
Capitalized terms are defined in the Definitions section of this Policy.
B-2
DEFINITIONS
The following defined terms are used throughout this Manual. Other capitalized terms are defined within specific sections of the Manual.
Advisers Act
The Investment Advisers Act of 1940.
Associates
Bow River Capital’s officers, directors, principals, and employees.
Bow River Capital
Bow River Asset Management, LLC., an investment adviser registered with the SEC.
CCO
Regina M. Watson, Bow River Capital’s Chief Compliance Officer and General Counsel.
CEO
Blair E. Richardson, Bow River Capital’s Chief Executive Officer.
Clients
Funds and co-investment vehicles for which Bow River Capital provides investment advisory services. The underlying Investors in pooled investment vehicles advised by Bow River Capital are not Clients of Bow River Capital.
Funds
Collectively, Bow River Capital Fund II, LP;Bow River Capital Fund III, LP; Bow River Capital Fund IV, LP; Bow River Capital Fund V, LP; Bow River General Partners Investors, LP; Bow River Capital 2011 Fund, LP; Bow River Capital 2011-QP Fund, LP; Bow River Capital 2011-TE Fund, LP; Bow River Capital 2011 Cayman Fund, LP; Bow River General Partners 2011, LP; Bow River Capital Real Estate Fund I, LP; BRCGP Real Estate, LP; Bow River Capital 2017 Fund, LP; Bow River Capital 2017-QP Fund, LP; Bow River Capital 2017 Cayman Fund, LP; Bow River General Partners 2017, LP; Bow River Capital Real Estate Fund II, LP; Bow River Capital Real Estate Fund II-QP, LP; BRCGP Real Estate II, LP; Bow River Capital 2019 Software Growth Equity Fund, LP; Bow River Capital 2019-QP Software Growth Equity Fund, LP; Bow River General Partners 2019 Software Fund, LP; Bow River Capital OZ 1, LLC, ; Bow River Capital OZ 2, LLC; Bow River Capital Evergreen Private Equity Fund, LP.
B-2
Investor
A limited partner or shareholder in a pooled investment vehicle advised by Bow River Capital or an affiliate.
IC Act
The Investment Company Act of 1940.
Policy
The Bow River Capital Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures.
President
Rich Wham, Bow River Capital’s President.
Proxy Committee
Currently, Jeremy Held (Managing Director), Michael Trihy (Vice President) and Regina Watson (Chief Compliance Officer).
Security
The SEC defines the term “Security” broadly to include stocks, bonds, certificates of deposit, options, interests in Private Placements, futures contracts on other securities, participations in profit-sharing agreements, and interests in oil, gas, or other mineral royalties or leases, among other things. “Security” is also defined to include any instrument commonly known as a security. Any questions about whether an instrument is a security for purposes of the Federal securities laws should be directed to the CCO.
SEC
The Securities and Exchange Commission.
Securities Act
The Securities Act of 1933.
PROXY VOTING
Background
Investment advisers are fiduciaries that owe their undivided loyalty to their clients. Investment advisers are trusted to represent clients’ interests in many matters, and advisers must hold themselves to the highest standard of fairness in all such matters. As part of its responsibilities to the Funds, Bow River Capital votes proxies for Securities held in the Funds.
In Proxy Voting by Investment Advisers, Investment Advisers Act Release No. 2106 (January 31, 2003), the SEC noted that, “The federal securities laws do not specifically address how an adviser must exercise its proxy voting authority for its clients. Under the Advisers Act, however, an adviser is a fiduciary that owes each of its clients a duty of care and loyalty with respect to all services undertaken on the client’s behalf, including proxy voting. The duty of care requires an adviser with proxy voting authority to monitor corporate events and to vote the proxies.”
Rule 206(4)-6 under the Advisers Act requires each registered investment adviser that exercises proxy voting authority with respect to client securities to:
• | Adopt and implement written policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure that the adviser votes client securities in the clients’ best interests. Such policies and procedures must address the manner in which the adviser will resolve material conflicts of interest that can arise during the proxy voting process; |
• | Disclose to clients how they may obtain information from the adviser about how the adviser voted with respect to their securities; and |
• | Describe to clients the adviser’s proxy voting policies and procedures and, upon request, furnish a copy of the policies and procedures. |
Additionally, paragraph (c)(2) of Rule 204-2 imposes additional recordkeeping requirements on investment advisers that execute proxy voting authority, as described in the Maintenance of Books and Records section of the Bow River Capital Compliance Manual.
The Advisers Act lacks specific guidance regarding an adviser’s duty to direct clients’ participation in class actions. However, many investment advisers adopt policies and procedures regarding class actions.
Risks
In developing these policies and procedures, Bow River Capital considered numerous risks associated with the proxy voting process. This analysis includes risks such as:
• | Bow River Capital lacks written proxy voting policies and procedures; |
• | Proxies are not identified and processed in a timely manner; |
• | Proxies are not voted in Clients’ best interests; |
• | Conflicts of interest between Bow River Capital and a Client are not identified or resolved appropriately; |
• | Third-party proxy voting services do not vote proxies according to Bow River Capital’s instructions and in Clients’ and Investor’s best interests; and |
• | Proxy voting records, Investor’s requests for proxy voting information, and Bow River Capital’s responses to such requests, are not properly maintained; |
Bow River Capital has established the following guidelines as an attempt to mitigate these risks.
Policies and Procedures
Most of Bow River Capital’s Clients have investments which typically do not issue proxies. However, the Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund (“Fund”) may from time to time receive a proxy. In such instances, Bow River Capital will vote each proxy in accordance with its fiduciary duty to its Client. Proxies are assets of Bow River Capital’s Clients that must be voted with diligence, care, and loyalty. Bow River Capital will generally seek to vote proxies in a way that maximizes the value of Clients’ assets. However, Bow River Capital does not abide by any specific proxy voting instructions conveyed by an Investor with respect to the Private Funds’ Securities. The Investment Committee will coordinate Bow River Capital’s proxy voting process.
PROXY ADMINISTRATION
The Fund’s Portfolio Manager – Michael Trihy, Managing Director – Jeremy Held and Chief Compliance Officer – Regina Watson currently comprise the Proxy Committee. The Proxy Committee has developed this Policy which contains Bow River Capital’s position on many major proxy voting issues, creates guidelines, and oversees the voting process for the Funds. The Proxy Committee analyzes proxy policies based on whether they would adversely affect shareholders’ interests and make a company less attractive to own. In establishing the Bow River Capital Proxy Policy, the Proxy Committee relies upon the firm’s own fundamental research, independent research provided by outside groups, and information presented by company managements and shareholder groups.
Once the Proxy Committee establishes its recommendations, they are distributed to the firm’s portfolio managers as voting guidelines. Ultimately, the portfolio managers decide how to vote on the proxy proposals of companies in their portfolios. Because portfolio managers may have differences of opinion on portfolio companies and their unique governance issues, Bow River Capital Funds may cast different votes at the same shareholder meeting. When portfolio managers cast votes that are counter to the Proxy Committee’s guidelines, they are required to document their reasons in writing to the Proxy Committee. Annually, the Proxy Committee reviews Bow River Capital’s proxy voting process, policies, and voting records.
FIDUCIARY CONSIDERATIONS
Bow River Capital’s decisions with respect to proxy issues are made in light of the anticipated impact of the issue on the desirability of investing in the portfolio company. Proxies are voted solely in the interests of the Client and Bow River Capital Fund shareholders. Practicalities and costs involved with international investing may make it impossible at times, and at other times disadvantageous, to vote proxies in every instance. For example, Bow River Capital might refrain from voting if a Bow River Capital associate is required to appear in person at a shareholder meeting or if the exercise of voting rights results in the imposition of trading or other ownership restrictions.
MONITORING AND RESOLVING CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
The Proxy Committee is also responsible for monitoring and resolving possible conflicts between the interests of Bow River Capital and those of its Clients with respect to proxy voting. The firm has adopted safeguards to ensure that its voting of proxies is not influenced by interests other than those of the Fund shareholders and Clients. When considering membership for the Proxy Committee, it was determined to be in the best interest of the Fund and Clients not to include individuals whose primary duties relate to client relationship management, marketing, or sales. Since the firm’s voting guidelines are predetermined by the Proxy Committee, application of the voting guidelines should in most instances adequately address any possible conflicts of interest. However, the Proxy Committee reviews all proxy votes inconsistent with this Policy in order to determine whether the portfolio manager’s voting rationale appears reasonable.
The Proxy Committee also assesses whether any business or other relationships between Bow River Capital and a portfolio company could have influenced an inconsistent vote on that company’s proxy. Issues raising possible conflicts of interest are referred to designated members of the Proxy Committee for immediate resolution prior to the time the portfolio manager casts the firm’s vote. With respect to personal conflicts of interest, Bow River Capital’s Code of Ethics requires all Associates to avoid placing themselves in a “compromising position” where their interests may conflict with those of the firm’s Clients and restricts their ability to engage in certain outside business activities. Portfolio managers or Proxy Committee members with a personal conflict of interest regarding a particular proxy vote must recuse themselves and not participate in the voting decisions with respect to that proxy.
GLOBAL INVESTMENTS
Bow River Capital applies a two-tier approach to determining and applying global proxy voting policies. The first tier establishes baseline policy guidelines for the most fundamental issues, which apply without regard to a company's domicile. The second tier takes into account various idiosyncrasies of different countries, making allowances for standard market practices, as long as they do not violate the fundamental goals of good corporate governance. The goal is to enhance shareholder value through effective use of the shareholder franchise, recognizing that applying policies developed for U.S. corporate governance is not appropriate for all markets.
CONFLICTS IN CONNECTION WITH PROXY VOTING
If a portfolio manager or analyst with the authority to vote a proxy or recommend a proxy vote for Security owned by a Bow River Capital Fund has an immediate family member who is an officer or director or has a material business relationship with the issuer of the security, the portfolio manager or analyst should inform the Proxy Committee of the relationship so that the Proxy Committee can assess any conflict of interest that may affect whether the proxy should or should not be voted in accordance with the firm’s proxy voting policies.
PROXY VOTE FILINGS
All Funds, regardless of their fiscal years, must file with the SEC by August 31, their proxy voting records for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30.
BOW RIVER CAPITAL’S GENERAL VOTING GUIDELINES
Following are selected key voting issues and the Bow River Capital proxy voting guidelines for 2020. This document is updated annually.
Proxy Voting Issue | General Bow River Guidelines for Proxy Vote |
Election of Directors, (continued) |
Bow River Capital will generally vote against the entire board, certain committee members or all directors in the following cases:
o Directors failed to take appropriate action following a proposal that was approved by a majority of shareholders;
o Directors adopted a poison pill without shareholder approval, unless the board has committed to put it to a vote within the next 12 months; or
o Directors approved egregious corporate governance actions or exhibit persistent failure to represent shareholders' interests, in the opinion of
Bow River Capital after consultation with its proxy advisers. |
Requirement for Independent Board Chair | Bow River Capital will consider this issue on a case-by case basis, taking into consideration primarily the views of the portfolio manager as to whether the role of board chair should be a separate position. Secondary considerations include the role of the board's lead independent director and the board's overall composition. |
Majority Voting | Bow River Capital will generally vote for proposals asking the Board to initiate the process to provide that director nominees be elected by the affirmative majority of votes cast at an annual meeting of shareholders. Resolutions should specify a carve-out for a plurality vote standard when there are more nominees than board seats. |
Proxy Contests | Bow River will consider the voting of proxies for this issue on a case-by-case basis, considering the long-term financial performance of the target company relative to its industry, management's track record, the qualifications of the shareholder's nominees, and other factors. |
Reimburse Proxy Solicitation Expenses | Bow River Capital will generally vote for this issue. |
Adopt/Amend/Rescind Poison Pill |
Generally, Bow River Capital will vote against management proposals on this issue.
Bow River Capital will generally vote for shareholder proposals on this issue, unless the shareholders have already approved the pill, or the company commits to giving shareholders the right to approve it within 12 months |
Annual vs. Staggered Board Elections | Bow River Capital will generally vote against proposals to elect directors to staggered, multi-year terms. Bow River Capital will generally vote for proposals to repeal staggered boards and elect all directors annually. |
Adopt Cumulative Voting | Bow River Capital will generally vote against this issue. |
Proxy Voting Issue | General Bow River Guidelines for Proxy Vote |
Shareholder Ability to Call Special Meetings | Bow River Capital will generally vote for proposals allowing shareholders to call special meetings when either (a) the company does not already afford shareholders that right, or (b) the threshold to call a special meeting is greater than 25 percent. Bow River Capital will generally vote against proposals to reduce the threshold of shareholders required if the company has in place a standard of no more than 25 percent. Bow River Capital will generally vote against proposals to restrict or prohibit shareholders' ability to call special meetings. |
Simple Majority vs. Supermajority Provisions | Bow River Capital generally votes against proposals to require a super- majority shareholder vote and generally votes for proposals to adopt simple majority requirements for all items that require shareholder approval. |
Dual-Class Equity | Bow River Capital generally votes against proposals that authorize the issuance of shares that would create disproportionate voting rights. Bow River Capital generally votes for proposals to implement a capital structure with one share, one vote. |
Authorization of Additional Common Stock | Bow River Capital would review this proxy issue on a case-by-case basis. |
Reverse Stock Split | Bow River Capital will generally vote for proposals where there is a proportionate reduction in the number of authorized shares. |
Director Compensation |
Bow River Capital will generally vote for proposals to award cash fees to non- executive directors, unless fees are excessive.
Bow River Capital will generally vote for director equity plans that are subject to reasonable stock ownership guidelines, have an appropriate vesting schedule, represent a prudent mix between cash and equity, provide adequate disclosure and do not include inappropriate benefits such as post-retirement payments or executive perks. |
Extraordinary Corporate Events |
Bow River Capital will review the following proxy issues on a case-by-case basis:
o Mergers, o Acquisitions, o Corporate Restructurings, o Corporate Reorganization, and o Debt Restructuring |
Proxy Voting Issue | General Bow River Guidelines for Proxy Vote |
Preferred Stock |
Generally, Bow River Capital will vote for proposals to create a class of preferred stock where the company specifies acceptable voting, dividend, conversion and other rights.
Generally, Bow River Capital will vote against proposals to create a blank check preferred stock with unspecified voting, dividend, conversion and other rights. |
The positions of Bow River Capital stated above are general guidance only and the firm can vote in a different manner from its stated position depending on the facts and circumstances available at the time of the vote.
Disclosures to Investors, Prospective Investors and Third Parties
Bow River Capital includes a description of its policies and procedures regarding proxy voting in Part 2 of Form ADV. In addition, Investors can contact the CCO to obtain a copy of these policies and procedures and information about how Bow River Capital voted with respect to its Funds.
Any request for information about proxy voting should be promptly forwarded to the CCO, who will respond to any such requests.
As a matter of policy, Bow River Capital does not disclose how it expects to vote on upcoming proxies. Additionally, Bow River Capital does not disclose the way it voted proxies to unaffiliated third parties without a legitimate need to know such information.
PART C:
OTHER INFORMATION
Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund (the “Registrant”)
Item 25. Financial Statements and Exhibits
Item 26. Marketing Arrangements
Not applicable.
Item 27. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution of Securities Being Registered
All figures are estimates*:
Registration fees | $130 |
Legal fees | $100,053 |
Printing fees | $0 |
Blue Sky fees | $43,301 |
Transfer Agent fees | $0 |
Total | $143,484 |
Item 28. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control With Registrant
Not applicable.
Item 29. Number of Holders of Securities
Title of Class | Number of Shareholders* |
Shares | 0 |
* | As of December 21, 2020. |
Item 30. Indemnification
Sections 8.1-8.4 of Article VIII of the Registrant’s Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust states:
Section 8.1 Limitation of Liability. Neither a Trustee nor an officer of the Trust, when acting in such capacity, shall be personally liable to any person other than the Trust or a beneficial owner for any act, omission or obligation of the Trust, any Trustee or any officer of the Trust. Neither a Trustee nor an officer of the Trust shall be liable for any act or omission in his capacity as Trustee or as an officer of the Trust, or for any act or omission of any other officer or any employee of the Trust or of any other person or party, provided that nothing contained herein or in the Act shall protect any Trustee or officer against any liability to the Trust or to Shareholders 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 the office of Trustee or the duties of such officer hereunder.
Section 8.2 Indemnification. The Trust shall indemnify each of its Trustees, officers and persons who serve at the Trust’s request as directors, officers or trustees of another organization in which the Trust has any interest as a shareholder, creditor, or otherwise, and may indemnify any trustee, director or officer of a predecessor organization (each a “Covered Person”), against all liabilities and expenses (including amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise, as fines and penalties, and expenses including reasonable accountants’ and counsel fees) reasonably incurred in connection with the defense or disposition of any action, suit or other proceeding, whether civil or criminal, before any court or administrative, regulatory, or legislative body, in which he may be involved or with which he may be threatened, while as a Covered Person or thereafter, by reason of being or having been such a Covered Person, except that no Covered Person shall be indemnified against any liability to the Trust or its Shareholders to which such Covered Person would otherwise be subject by reason of bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his duties involved in the conduct of such Covered Person’s office (such willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard being referred to herein as “Disabling Conduct”). Expenses, including accountants’ and counsel fees so incurred by any such Covered Person (but excluding amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines or penalties), may be paid from time to time by the Trust in advance of the final disposition of any such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of (a) an undertaking by or on behalf of such Covered Person to repay amounts so paid to the Trust if it is ultimately determined that indemnification of such expenses is not authorized under this Article VIII and (b) any of (i) such Covered Person provides security for such undertaking, (ii) the Trust is insured against losses arising by reason of such payment, or (iii) a majority of a quorum of disinterested, non-party Trustees, or independent legal counsel in a written opinion, determines, based on a review of readily available facts, that there is reason to believe that such Covered Person ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification.
Section 8.3 Indemnification Determinations. Indemnification of a Covered Person pursuant to Section 8.2 shall be made if (a) the court or body before whom the proceeding is brought determines, in a final decision on the merits, that such Covered Person was not liable by reason of Disabling Conduct or (b) in the absence of such a determination, a majority of a quorum of disinterested, non-party Trustees or independent legal counsel in a written opinion make a reasonable determination, based upon a review of the facts, that such Covered Person was not liable by reason of Disabling Conduct.
Section 8.4 Indemnification Not Exclusive. The right of indemnification provided by this Article VIII shall not be exclusive of or affect any other rights to which any such Covered Person may be entitled. As used in this Article VIII, “Covered Person” shall include such person’s heirs, executors and administrators, and a “disinterested, non-party Trustee” is a Trustee who is neither an Interested Person of the Trust nor a party to the proceeding in question.
Additionally, the Registrant’s various agreements with its service providers contain indemnification provisions.
Item 31. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser
Information as to the directors and officers of the Registrant’s investment adviser, Bow River Asset Management LLC (the “Adviser”), together with information as to any other business, profession, vocation, or employment of a substantial nature in which the Adviser, and each director, executive officer, managing member or partner of the Adviser, is or has been, at any time during the past two fiscal years, engaged in for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, managing member, partner or trustee, is included in its Form ADV as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 32. Location of Accounts and Records
All accounts, books, and other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules promulgated thereunder are maintained at the offices of the Adviser and/or the Registrant’s counsel. The address of each is as follows:
1. |
Bow River Asset Management LLC
205 Detroit Street, Suite 800 Denver, Colorado 80206 |
2. |
Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
One Logan Square, Ste. 2000 Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996 |
Item 33. Management Services
Not applicable.
Item 34. Undertakings
1. | Not applicable. |
2. | Not applicable. |
3. | The Registrant undertakes (a) to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement: |
(1) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”);
(2) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement; and
(3) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;
(b) that for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of those securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof;
(c) to remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering;
(d) that, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:
(1) if the Registrant is relying on Rule 430B [17 CFR 230.430B]:
(A) Each prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
(B) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (x), or (xi) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date; or
(2) if the Registrant is subject to Rule 430C [17 CFR 230.430C]: each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.
(e) that for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of securities:
The undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to the purchaser:
(1) any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act;
(2) free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned Registrants;
(3) the portion of any advertisement pursuant to Rule 482 under the Securities Act relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant; and
(4) any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant to the purchaser.
4. Not applicable.
5. Not applicable.
6. Not applicable
7. The Registrant undertakes to send by first class mail or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery, within two business days of receipt of a written or oral request, any Statement of Additional Information.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Denver in the State of Colorado on the 21st day of December, 2020.
Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund | |||
By: | /s/ Jeremy Held | ||
Name: Jeremy Held | |||
Title: President |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated on the 21st day of December 2020.
/s/ Jeremy Held | ||
Jeremy Held | Trustee and President | |
/s/ Derek Mullins | ||
Derek Mullins | Treasurer | |
*Jeremy May | ||
Jeremy May | Trustee | |
*Jack Swift | ||
Jack Swift | Trustee | |
*Michael Imhoff | ||
Michael Imhoff | Trustee |
*By: | /s/ Jeremy Held | |
Jeremy Held | ||
Attorney-in-Fact | ||
(pursuant to power of attorney) |
Exhibit Index
Bow
River Capital Evergreen Fund
AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST
Dated: December 18, 2020
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | |
article I NAME AND DEFINITIONS | 1 |
Section 1.1 Name | 1 |
Section 1.2 Definitions | 1 |
article II BENEFICIAL INTEREST | 2 |
Section 2.1 Shares of Beneficial Interest | 2 |
Section 2.2 Issuance of Shares | 2 |
Section 2.3 Register of Shares and Share Certificates | 3 |
Section 2.4 Transfer of Shares | 3 |
Section 2.5 Treasury Shares | 3 |
Section 2.6 Establishment of Classes | 4 |
Section 2.7 Investment in the Trust | 4 |
Section 2.8 No Preemptive Rights | 4 |
Section 2.9 Conversion Rights | 4 |
Section 2.10 Legal Proceedings | 5 |
Section 2.11 Status of Shares | 6 |
article III THE TRUSTEES | 6 |
Section 3.1 Management of the Trust | 6 |
Section 3.2 Term of Office of Trustees | 7 |
Section 3.3 Vacancies and Appointment of Trustees | 7 |
Section 3.4 Temporary Absence of Trustee | 7 |
Section 3.5 Number of Trustees | 7 |
Section 3.6 Effect of Death, Resignation, Etc. of a Trustee | 7 |
Section 3.7 Ownership of Assets of the Trust | 8 |
Section 3.8 No Accounting | 8 |
article IV POWERS OF THE TRUSTEES | 8 |
Section 4.1 Powers | 8 |
Section 4.2 Issuance and Repurchase of Shares | 12 |
Section 4.3 Trustees and Officers as Shareholders | 12 |
Section 4.4 Action by the Trustees and Committees | 12 |
Section 4.5 Chairman of the Trustees | 13 |
Section 4.6 Principal Transactions | 13 |
article V INVESTMENT ADVISER, INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISER, PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER, ADMINISTRATOR, TRANSFER AGENT, CUSTODIAN AND OTHER CONTRACTORS | 13 |
Section 5.1 Certain Contracts | 13 |
article VI SHAREHOLDER VOTING POWERS AND MEETINGS | 15 |
Section 6.1 Voting | 15 |
- i -
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page | |
Section 6.2 Meetings | 16 |
Section 6.3 Quorum and Required Vote | 16 |
Section 6.4 Action by Written Consent | 16 |
article VII DISTRIBUTIONS AND REPURCHASES | 16 |
Section 7.1 Distributions | 16 |
Section 7.2 Transfer of Shares | 17 |
Section 7.3 Repurchases | 18 |
Section 7.4 Redemptions at the Option of the Trust | 18 |
Section 7.5 Suspension of the Right of Repurchase | 18 |
Section 7.6 Redemption of Shares to Qualify as a Regulated Investment Company | 18 |
Section 7.7 Net Asset Value | 19 |
article VIII LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION | 19 |
Section 8.1 Limitation of Liability | 19 |
Section 8.2 Indemnification | 19 |
Section 8.3 Indemnification Determinations | 20 |
Section 8.4 Indemnification Not Exclusive | 20 |
Section 8.5 Shareholders | 20 |
article IX MISCELLANEOUS | 21 |
Section 9.1 Trust Not a Partnership | 21 |
Section 9.2 Trustees’ and Officers’ Good Faith Action, Expert Advice, No Bond or Surety | 21 |
Section 9.3 Establishment of Record Dates | 21 |
Section 9.4 Dissolution and Termination of Trust. | 22 |
Section 9.5 Merger, Consolidation, Incorporation | 23 |
Section 9.6 Filing of Copies, References, Headings | 23 |
Section 9.7 Applicable Law | 23 |
Section 9.8 Amendments | 24 |
Section 9.9 Fiscal Year | 24 |
Section 9.10 Provisions in Conflict with Law | 24 |
Section 9.11 Allocation of Certain Expenses | 24 |
Section 9.12 Delivery by Electronic Transmission or Otherwise | 25 |
- ii -
Bow
River Capital Evergreen Fund
AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST of Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund, a Delaware statutory trust, made as of August 18, 2020, and as amended and restated on December 18, 2020 by the undersigned Trustees.
WHEREAS, the Trustees have heretofore formed a statutory trust under the laws of Delaware for the investment and reinvestment of its assets, by the execution of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of Bow River Capital Evergreen Private Equity Fund on August 18, 2020;
WHEREAS, the Trustees desire to amend and restate such Declaration of Trust in its entirety; and
WHEREAS, the Trustees desire that the beneficial interest in the trust assets be divided into transferable shares of beneficial interest, as hereinafter provided;
WHEREAS, the Trustees declare that all money and property contributed to the trust established hereunder shall be held and managed in trust for the benefit of the holders of the shares of beneficial interest issued hereunder and subject to the provisions hereof;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, the undersigned Trustees hereby declare that all money and property contributed to the trust hereunder shall be held and managed in trust under this Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust (“Trust Instrument”) as herein set forth below.
article
I
NAME AND DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1 Name. The name of the trust established hereby is “Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund.”
Section 1.2 Definitions. Wherever used herein, unless otherwise required by the context or specifically provided:
(a) “Act” means the Delaware Statutory Trust Act, 12 Del. C. §§ 3801 et seq., as from time to time amended;
(b) “By-laws” means the By-laws referred to in Section 4.1(e) hereof, as from time to time amended;
(c) The terms “Affiliated Person,” “Assignment,” “Commission,” “Interested Person” and “Principal Underwriter” shall have the meanings given them in the 1940 Act. “Majority Shareholder Vote” shall have the same meaning as the term “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities” is given in the 1940 Act;
(d) “Class” means any division of Shares of the Trust, which Class is or has been established in accordance with the provisions of Article II hereof;
(e) “Net Asset Value” means the net asset value of each Class of the Trust determined in the manner provided in Section 7.7 hereof;
(f) “Outstanding Shares” means those Shares recorded from time to time in the books of the Trust or its transfer agent as then issued and outstanding, but shall not include Shares which have been redeemed or repurchased by the Trust and which are at the time held in the treasury of the Trust;
(g) “Shareholder” means a record owner of Outstanding Shares of the Trust;
(h) “Shares” means the transferable units of beneficial interest into which the beneficial interest of the Trust or Class thereof shall be divided and may include fractions of Shares as well as whole Shares;
(i) “Trust” refers to Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund;
(j) “Trustee” or “Trustees” means the person or persons who has or have signed this Trust Instrument, so long as such person or persons shall continue in office in accordance with the terms hereof, and all other persons who may from time to time be duly qualified and serving as Trustees in accordance with the provisions of Article III hereof, and reference herein to a Trustee or to the Trustees shall refer to the individual Trustees in their capacity as Trustees hereunder;
(k) “Trust Property” means any and all property, real or personal, tangible or intangible, which is owned or held by or for the account of the Trust, or the Trustees on behalf of the Trust;
(l) “Repurchase Pricing Date” means the date on which the value of Shares being repurchased will be determined by the Trustees in their sole discretion;
(m) The “1940 Act” refers to the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules and regulations thereunder and exemptions granted therefrom, all as may be amended from time to time.
article
II
BENEFICIAL INTEREST
Section 2.1 Shares of Beneficial Interest. The beneficial interest in the Trust shall be divided into such transferable Shares of one or more separate and distinct Classes as the Trustees shall from time to time create and establish. The number of Shares of each Class authorized hereunder is unlimited. Each Share shall have a par value of $0.001, unless otherwise determined by the Trustees in connection with the creation and establishment of a Class. All Shares issued hereunder, including without limitation, Shares issued in connection with a dividend in Shares or a split or reverse split of Shares, shall be fully paid and nonassessable.
-2-
Section 2.2 Issuance of Shares. The Trustees in their discretion may, from time to time, without vote of the Shareholders, issue Shares of each Class to such party or parties and for such amount and type of consideration (or for no consideration if pursuant to a Share dividend or split-up), subject to applicable law, including cash or securities (including Shares of a different Class), at such time or times and on such terms as the Trustees may deem appropriate, and may in such manner acquire other assets (including the acquisitions of assets subject to, and in connection with, the assumption of liabilities) and businesses. In connection with any issuance of Shares, the Trustees may issue fractional Shares and Shares held in the treasury. The Trustees may from time to time divide or combine the Shares into a greater or lesser number without thereby changing the proportionate beneficial interests in the Trust. The Trustees may classify and reclassify any unissued Shares or any Shares previously issued and reacquired of any Class into one or more Classes that may be established and designated from time to time.
Any Trustee, officer or other agent of the Trust, and any organization in which any such person is interested, may acquire, own, hold and dispose of Shares of any Class of the Trust to the same extent as if such person were not a Trustee, officer or other agent of the Trust; and the Trust may issue and sell or cause to be issued and sold and may repurchase Shares of any Class from any such person or any such organization subject only to the general limitations, restrictions or other provisions applicable to the sale or purchase of Shares of such Class generally.
Section 2.3 Register of Shares and Share Certificates. A register shall be kept at the principal office of the Trust or an office of the Trust’s transfer agent which shall contain the names and addresses of the Shareholders of each Class, the number of Shares of that Class held by each of them respectively and a record of all transfers thereof. As to Shares for which no certificate has been issued, such register shall be conclusive as to who are the holders of the Shares and who shall be entitled to receive dividends or other distributions or otherwise to exercise or enjoy the rights of Shareholders. No Shareholder shall be entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution, nor to have notice given to him as herein or in the By-laws provided, until he has given his address to the transfer agent or such other officer or agent of the Trust as shall keep the said register for entry thereon. The Trustees, in their discretion, may authorize the issuance of share certificates and promulgate appropriate rules and regulations as to their use. In the event that one or more certificates are issued, whether in the name of a Shareholder or a nominee, such certificate or certificates shall constitute evidence of ownership of Shares for all purposes, including transfer, assignment or sale of such Shares, subject to such limitations as the Trustees may, in their discretion, prescribe.
Section 2.4 Transfer of Shares. Except as otherwise provided by the Trustees, Shares shall be transferable on the records of the Trust only in accordance with Section 7.2 herein and only by the record holder thereof or by his agent thereunto duly authorized in writing, upon delivery to the Trustees or the Trust’s transfer agent of a duly executed instrument of transfer, together with a Share certificate, if one is outstanding, and such evidence of the genuineness of each such execution and authorization and of such other matters as may be required by the Trustees. Upon such delivery the transfer shall be recorded on the register of the Trust. Until such record is made, the Shareholder of record shall be deemed to be the holder of such Shares for all purposes hereunder and neither the Trustees nor the Trust, nor any transfer agent or registrar nor any officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall be affected by any notice of the proposed transfer.
-3-
Section 2.5 Treasury Shares. Shares held in the treasury shall, until reissued pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof, not confer any voting rights on the Trustees, nor shall such Shares be entitled to any dividends or other distributions declared with respect to the Shares.
Section 2.6 Establishment of Classes. The Trustees may from time to time authorize the division of Shares of the Trust into one or more Classes. Separate and distinct records shall be maintained by the Trust for each Class. The Trustees shall have full power and authority, in their sole discretion, and without obtaining any prior authorization or vote of Shareholders of any Class, to establish and designate and to change in any manner any initial or additional Classes and to fix such preferences, voting powers, rights and privileges of such Classes as the Trustees may from time to time determine, to divide or combine the Shares or any Classes into a greater or lesser number, to classify or reclassify any issued Shares or any Classes into one or more Classes, and to take such other action with respect to the Shares as the Trustees may deem desirable.
Unless another time is specified by the Trustees, the establishment and designation of any Class shall be effective upon the adoption of a resolution by the Trustees setting forth such establishment and designation and the preferences, powers, rights and privileges of the Shares of such Class, whether directly in such resolution or by reference to, or approval of, another document that sets forth such relative rights and preferences of such Class including, without limitation, any registration statement of the Trust, or as otherwise provided in such resolution. The Trust may issue any number of Shares of each Class and need not issue certificates for any Shares.
All references to Shares in this Trust Instrument shall be deemed to be Shares of any or all Classes as the context may require. All provisions herein relating to the Trust shall apply equally to each Class of the Trust except as the context otherwise requires.
All Shares of each Class shall represent an equal proportionate interest in the assets belonging to the Trust (subject to the liabilities belonging to that Class), and each Share of any Class shall be equal to each other Share of that Class; but the provisions of this sentence shall not restrict any distinctions permissible under this Section 2.6.
Section 2.7 Investment in the Trust. The Trustees shall accept investments in any Class from such persons and on such terms as they may from time to time authorize. At the Trustees’ discretion, such investments, subject to applicable law, may be in the form of cash or securities in which the Trust is authorized to invest, valued as provided in Section 7.7 hereof. Unless the Trustees otherwise determine, investments shall be credited to each Shareholder’s account in the form of full Shares at the Net Asset Value per Share next determined after the investment is received. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Trustees may, in their sole discretion, (a) fix the Net Asset Value per Share of the initial capital contribution, (b) impose sales or other charges upon investments in the Trust or (c) issue fractional Shares.
-4-
Section 2.8 No Preemptive Rights. Shareholders shall have no preemptive or other similar rights to subscribe to any additional Shares or other securities issued by the Trust or the Trustees, whether of the same or another Class.
Section 2.9 Conversion Rights. The Trustees shall have the authority to provide from time to time that the holders of Shares of any Class shall have the right to convert or exchange said Shares for or into Shares of one or more other Classes in accordance with such requirements and procedures as may be established from time to time by the Trustees.
Section 2.10 Legal Proceedings. No person, other than a Trustee, who is not a Shareholder of the Trust or of a particular Class shall be entitled to bring any derivative action, suit or other proceeding on behalf of or with respect to the Trust or such Class. Further, each complaining Shareholder must have been a Shareholder of the Trust or the affected Class, as applicable, at the time of the action or failure to act complained of, or acquired the Shares afterwards by operation of law from a person who was a Shareholder at that time and each complaining Shareholder must be a Shareholder of the Trust or the affected Class, as applicable, as of the time the written demand is made upon the Trustees. No Shareholder may maintain a derivative action with respect to the Trust or any Class of the Trust unless holders of at least ten percent (10%) of the outstanding Shares of the Trust, or 10% of the outstanding Shares of the Class to which such action relates, join in the bringing of such action. All matters relating to the bringing of derivative actions in the right of the Trust shall be governed by this Section 2.10 and Section 3816 of the Act.
In addition to the requirements set forth in Section 3816 of the Act, a Shareholder may bring a derivative action on behalf of the Trust or any Class of the Trust only if the following conditions are met: (a) the Shareholder or Shareholders must make a pre-suit written demand upon the Trustees to bring the subject action unless an effort to cause the Trustees to bring such an action is not likely to succeed; and a demand on the Trustees shall only be deemed not likely to succeed and therefore excused if a majority of the Trustees, or a majority of any committee established to consider the merits of such action, has a personal financial interest in the transaction at issue, and a Trustee shall not be deemed interested in a transaction or otherwise disqualified from ruling on the merits of a Shareholder demand by virtue of the fact that such Trustee receives remuneration for his service as a Trustee of the Trust or as a trustee or director of one or more investment companies that are under common management with or otherwise affiliated with the Trust; and (b) unless a demand is not required under clause (a) of this paragraph, the Trustees must be afforded a reasonable amount of time to consider such Shareholder request and to investigate the basis of such claim; and the Trustees shall be entitled to retain counsel or other advisers in considering the merits of the request and shall require an undertaking by the Shareholders making such request to reimburse the Trust for the expense of any such advisers in the event that the Trustees determine not to bring such action. For purposes of this Section 2.10, the Trustees may designate a committee of one Trustee to consider a Shareholder demand if necessary to create a committee with a majority of Trustees who do not have a personal financial interest in the transaction at issue. If the demand for derivative action has been considered by the Board of Trustees, and a majority of those Trustees who are not deemed to be Interested Persons of the Trust, after considering the merits of the claim, has determined that maintaining a suit would not be in the best interests of the Trust or the affected Class, as applicable, the complaining Shareholders shall be barred from commencing the derivative action. If upon such consideration the appropriate members of the Board of Trustees determine that such a suit should be maintained, then the appropriate officers of the Trust shall commence initiation of that suit and such suit shall proceed directly rather than derivatively. The Board of Trustees, or the appropriate officers of the Trust, shall inform the complaining Shareholders of any decision reached under this paragraph in writing within ten business days of such decision having been reached.
-5-
For purposes of this Section 2.10, a written demand upon the Trustees must include at least the following: (a) a detailed description of the action or failure to act complained of and the facts upon which each such allegation is made; (b) a statement to the effect that the complaining Shareholder(s) believe that they will fairly and adequately represent the interests of similarly situated Shareholders in enforcing the right of the Trust or the affected Class, as applicable, and an explanation of why the complaining Shareholders believe that to be the case; (c) a certification that each complaining Shareholder was a Shareholder of the Trust or the affected Class, as applicable, at the time of the action or failure to act complained of, or acquired the Shares afterwards by operation of law from a person who was a Shareholder at that time and each complaining Shareholder was a Shareholder of the Trust or the affected Class, as applicable, as of the time the written demand upon the Trustees, as well as information reasonably designed to allow the Trustees to verify that certification; and (d) a certification that each complaining Shareholder will be a Shareholder of the Trust or the affected Class, as applicable, as of the commencement of the derivative action.
This Section 2.10 will not apply to claims brought under the federal securities laws.
Section 2.11 Status of Shares. Shares shall be deemed to be personal property giving only the rights provided in this Trust Instrument. Every Shareholder by virtue of having become a Shareholder shall be held to have expressly assented and agreed to the terms hereof. The death of a Shareholder during the continuance of the Trust shall not operate to terminate the Trust nor entitle the representative of any deceased Shareholder to an accounting or to take any action in court or elsewhere against the Trust or the Trustees, but only to the rights of said decedent under this Trust. Ownership of Shares shall not entitle the Shareholder to any title in or to the whole or any part of the Trust property or right to call for a partition or division of the same or for an accounting, nor shall the ownership of Shares constitute the Shareholders as partners.
article
III
THE TRUSTEES
Section 3.1 Management of the Trust. The Trustees shall have exclusive and absolute control over the Trust Property and over the business of the Trust to the same extent as if the Trustees were the sole owners of the Trust Property and business in their own right, but with such powers of delegation as may be permitted by this Trust Instrument. The Trustees shall have power to conduct the business of the Trust and carry on its operations in any and all of its branches and maintain offices both within and without the State of Delaware, in any and all states of the United States of America, in the District of Columbia, in any and all commonwealths, territories, dependencies, colonies, or possessions of the United States of America, and in any foreign jurisdiction and to do all such other things and execute all such instruments as they deem necessary, proper or desirable in order to promote the interests of the Trust although such things are not herein specifically mentioned. Any determination as to what is in the interests of the Trust made by the Trustees in good faith shall be conclusive. In construing the provisions of this Trust Instrument, the presumption shall be in favor of a grant of power to the Trustees.
-6-
The enumeration of any specific power in this Trust Instrument shall not be construed as limiting the aforesaid power. The powers of the Trustees may be exercised without order of or resort to any court.
Except for the Trustees named herein or appointed to fill vacancies pursuant to Section 3.3 hereof, the Trustees shall be elected by the Shareholders owning of record a plurality of the Shares voting at a meeting of Shareholders.
Section 3.2 Term of Office of Trustees. Subject to any limitations on the term of service imposed by the By-laws or any retirement policy adopted by the Trustees, each Trustee shall hold office during the existence of this Trust, and until its termination as herein provided; except: (a) that any Trustee may resign his trust by written instrument signed by him and delivered to the Chairman, President, Secretary, or other Trustee of the Trust, which shall take effect upon such delivery or upon such later date as is specified therein; (b) that any Trustee may be removed, with or without cause, at any time by written instrument, signed by at least two-thirds of the Trustees prior to such removal, specifying the date when such removal shall become effective; (c) that any Trustee who requests in writing to be retired or who has died, become physically or mentally incapacitated by reason of disease or otherwise, or is otherwise unable to serve, may be retired by written instrument signed by a majority of the other Trustees, specifying the date of his retirement; and (d) that a Trustee may be removed, with or without cause, at any meeting of the Shareholders of the Trust by a vote of Shareholders owning at least two-thirds of the outstanding Shares of the Trust.
Section 3.3 Vacancies and Appointment of Trustees. In the case of the declination to serve, death, resignation, retirement, removal, physical or mental incapacity by reason of disease or otherwise of a Trustee, or a Trustee is otherwise unable to serve, or an increase in the number of Trustees, a vacancy shall occur. Whenever a vacancy in the Board of Trustees shall occur, until such vacancy is filled, the other Trustees shall have all the powers hereunder and the certificate of the other Trustees of such vacancy shall be conclusive. In the case of an existing vacancy, the remaining Trustee or Trustees shall fill such vacancy by appointing such other person as such Trustee or Trustees in their discretion shall see fit consistent with the limitations under the 1940 Act, unless such Trustee or Trustees determine, in accordance with Section 3.5, to decrease the size of the Board to the number of remaining Trustees.
An appointment of a Trustee may be made by the Trustees then in office in anticipation of a vacancy to occur by reason of retirement, resignation or increase in number of Trustees effective at a later date, provided that said appointment shall become effective only at or after the effective date of said retirement, resignation or increase in number of Trustees.
-7-
An appointment of a Trustee shall be effective upon the acceptance of the person so appointed to serve as Trustee, except that any such appointment in anticipation of a vacancy shall become effective at or after the date such vacancy occurs.
Section 3.4 Temporary Absence of Trustee. Any Trustee may, by power of attorney, delegate his power for a period not exceeding six months at any one time to any other Trustee or Trustees, provided that in no case shall less than two Trustees personally exercise the other powers hereunder except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless there is only one or two Trustees.
Section 3.5 Number of Trustees. The number of Trustees shall be one, or such other number as shall be fixed from time to time by the Trustees.
Section 3.6 Effect of Death, Resignation, Etc. of a Trustee. The declination to serve, death, resignation, retirement, removal, incapacity, or inability of the Trustees, or any one of them, shall not operate to terminate the Trust or to revoke any existing agency created pursuant to the terms of this Trust Instrument.
Section 3.7 Ownership of Assets of the Trust. Legal title in and beneficial ownership of all of the assets of the Trust shall at all times be considered as vested in the Trust, except that the Trustees may cause legal title in and beneficial ownership of any Trust Property to be held by, or in the name of one or more of the Trustees acting for and on behalf of the Trust, or in the name of any person as nominee acting for and on behalf of the Trust. No Shareholder shall be deemed to have a severable ownership interest in any individual asset of the Trust, or any right of partition or possession thereof, but each Shareholder shall have, except as otherwise provided for herein, a proportionate undivided beneficial interest in the Trust. The Shares shall be personal property giving only the rights specifically set forth in this Trust Instrument. The Trust, or at the determination of the Trustees, one or more of the Trustees or a nominee acting for and on behalf of the Trust, shall be deemed to hold legal title and beneficial ownership of any income earned on securities of the Trust issued by any business entities formed, organized, or existing under the laws of any jurisdiction, including the laws of any foreign country.
Section 3.8 No Accounting. Except to the extent required by the 1940 Act or, if determined to be necessary or appropriate by the other Trustees under circumstances which would justify his or her removal for cause, no person ceasing to be a Trustee for reasons including, but not limited to, death, resignation, retirement, removal or incapacity (nor the estate of any such person) shall be required to make an accounting to the Shareholders or remaining Trustees upon such cessation.
article
IV
POWERS OF THE TRUSTEES
Section 4.1 Powers. The Trustees in all instances shall act as principals, and are and shall be free from the control of the Shareholders. The Trustees shall have full power and authority to do any and all acts and to make and execute any and all contracts and instruments that they may consider necessary or appropriate in connection with the management of the Trust. The Trustees shall have full authority and power to make any and all investments which they, in their sole discretion, shall deem proper to accomplish the purpose of this Trust. Subject to any applicable limitation in this Trust Instrument, the Trustees shall have power and authority:
-8-
(a) To invest and reinvest cash and other property, and to hold cash or other property uninvested, and to sell, exchange, lend, pledge, mortgage, hypothecate, write options on and lease any or all of the assets of the Trust;
(b) To operate as and carry on the business of an investment company, and exercise all the powers necessary and appropriate to the conduct of such operations, including the power to invest all or any part of its assets in the securities of another investment company;
(c) To borrow money and in this connection issue notes or other evidence of indebtedness; to secure borrowings by mortgaging, pledging or otherwise subjecting as security the Trust Property; to endorse, guarantee, or undertake the performance of an obligation, liability or engagement of any person and to lend Trust Property;
(d) To provide for the distribution of interests of the Trust either through a Principal Underwriter in the manner hereinafter provided for or by the Trust itself, or both, or otherwise pursuant to a plan of distribution of any kind;
(e) To adopt By-laws not inconsistent with this Trust Instrument providing for the conduct of the business of the Trust and to amend and repeal them to the extent that they do not reserve that right to the Shareholders, which By-laws shall be deemed a part of this Trust Instrument and are incorporated herein by reference;
(f) To elect and remove such officers and appoint and terminate such agents and contractors as they consider appropriate, any of whom may be a Trustee, and may provide for the compensation of all of the foregoing;
(g) To establish separate Classes having such relative rights, powers and duties as they may provide, consistent with applicable law;
(h) To employ one or more banks, trust companies or companies that are members of a national securities exchange or such other entities as custodians of any assets of the Trust, subject to the 1940 Act and to any conditions set forth in this Trust Instrument;
(i) To retain one or more transfer agents and shareholder servicing agents, or both;
(j) To set record dates in the manner provided herein or in the By-laws;
(k) To delegate such authority (which delegation may include the power to subdelegate) as they consider desirable to any officers of the Trust and to any investment adviser, manager, administrator, custodian, underwriter or other agent or independent contractor;
-9-
(l) To join with other holders of any securities or debt instruments in acting through a committee, depository, voting trustee or otherwise, and in that connection to deposit any security or debt instrument with, or transfer any security or debt instrument to, any such committee, depository or trustee, and to delegate to them such power and authority with relation to any security or debt instrument (whether or not so deposited or transferred) as the Trustees shall deem proper and to agree to pay, and to pay, such portion of the expenses and compensation of such committee, depository or trustee as the Trustees shall deem proper;
(m) To enter into joint ventures, general or limited partnerships and any other combinations or associations;
(n) To pay pensions for faithful service, as deemed appropriate by the Trustees, and to adopt, establish and carry out pension, profit-sharing, share bonus, share purchase, savings, thrift and other retirement, incentive and benefit plans, trusts and provisions, including the purchasing of life insurance and annuity contracts as a means of providing such retirement and other benefits, for any or all of the Trustees, officers, employees and agents of the Trust;
(o) To the extent permitted by law, indemnify any person with whom the Trust has dealings;
(p) To engage in and to prosecute, defend, compromise, abandon, or adjust by arbitration, or otherwise, any actions, suits, proceedings, disputes, claims and demands relating to the Trust, and out of the assets of the Trust to pay or to satisfy any debts, claims or expenses incurred in connection therewith, including those of litigation, and such power shall include without limitation the power of the Trustees or any appropriate committee thereof, in the exercise of their or its good faith business judgment, to dismiss any action, suit, proceeding, dispute, claim or demand, derivative or otherwise, brought by any person, including a Shareholder in its own name or the name of the Trust, whether or not the Trust or any of the Trustees may be named individually therein or the subject matter arises by reason of business for or on behalf of the Trust;
(q) To purchase and pay for entirely out of Trust Property such insurance as they may deem necessary or appropriate for the conduct of the business of the Trust, including, without limitation, insurance policies insuring the Trust Property and payment of distributions and principal on its investments, and insurance policies insuring the Shareholders, Trustees, officers, representatives, employees, agents, investment advisers, managers, administrators, custodians, underwriters, or independent contractors of the Trust individually against all claims and liabilities of every nature arising by reason of holding, being or having held any such office or position, or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted by any such person in such capacity, including any action taken or omitted that may be determined to constitute negligence, whether or not the Trust would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability;
(r) To sell, exchange, lend, pledge, mortgage, hypothecate, write options on and lease any or all of the assets of the Trust, subject to the provisions of Section 9.4(b) hereof;
-10-
(s) To vote or give assent, or exercise any rights of ownership, with respect to stock or other securities, debt instruments or property; and to execute and deliver powers of attorney to such person or persons as the Trustees shall deem proper, granting to such person or persons such power and discretion with relation to securities, debt instruments or property as the Trustees shall deem proper;
(t) To exercise powers and rights of subscription or otherwise which in any manner arise out of ownership of securities or debt instruments;
(u) To hold any security or property in a form not indicating any trust, whether in bearer, book entry, unregistered or other negotiable form; or either in the name of the Trustees or of the Trust or in the name of a custodian, subcustodian or other depository or a nominee or nominees or otherwise;
(v) To consent to or participate in any plan for the reorganization, consolidation or merger of any corporation, issuer or concern, any security or debt instrument of which is held in the Trust; to consent to any contract, lease, mortgage, purchase or sale of property by such corporation, issuer or concern, and to pay calls or subscriptions with respect to any security or debt instrument held in the Trust;
(w) To litigate, compromise, arbitrate, or otherwise adjust claims in favor of or against the Trust or any matter in controversy including, but not limited to, claims for taxes;
(x) To make distributions of income and of capital gains to Shareholders in the manner herein provided;
(y) To establish, from time to time, a minimum investment for Shareholders in the Trust or in one or more Classes thereof;
(z) To cause each Shareholder, or each Shareholder of any particular Class, to pay directly, in advance or arrears, for charges of the Trust’s custodian or transfer, shareholder servicing or similar agent, an amount fixed from time to time by the Trustees, by setting off such charges due from such Shareholder from declared but unpaid dividends owed such Shareholder and/or by reducing the number of Shares in the account of such Shareholder by that number of full and/or fractional Shares which represents the outstanding amount of such charges due from such Shareholder;
(aa) To establish one or more committees composed of one or more of the Trustees, and to delegate any of the powers of the Trustees to said committees;
(bb) To interpret the investment policies, practices or limitations of the Trust;
(cc) To establish a registered office and have a registered agent in the State of Delaware;
(dd) To compensate or provide for the compensation of the Trustees, officers, advisers, administrators, custodians, other agents, consultants, contractors and employees of the Trust or the Trustees on such terms as they deem appropriate;
-11-
(ee) To invest part or all of the Trust Property, or to dispose of part or all of the Trust Property and invest the proceeds of such disposition, in interests issued by one or more other investment companies or pooled portfolios (including investment by means of transfer of part or all of the Trust Property in exchange for an interest or interests in such one or more investment companies or pooled portfolios) all without any requirement of approval by Shareholders. Any such other investment company or pooled portfolio may (but need not) be a trust (formed under the laws of any state or jurisdiction), which is classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes; and
(ff) In general, to carry on any other business in connection with or incidental to any of the foregoing powers, to do everything necessary, suitable or proper for the accomplishment of any purpose or the attainment of any object or the furtherance of any power herein set forth, either alone or in association with others, and to do every other act or thing incidental or appurtenant to or growing out of or connected with the aforesaid business or purposes, objects or powers.
The foregoing clauses shall be construed both as objects and powers, and the foregoing enumeration of specific powers shall not be held to limit or restrict in any manner the general powers of the Trustees. Any action by one or more of the Trustees in their capacity as such hereunder shall be deemed an action on behalf of the Trust, and not an action in an individual capacity.
No one dealing with the Trustees shall be under any obligation to make any inquiry concerning the authority of the Trustees, or to see to the application of any payments made or property transferred to the Trustees or upon their order.
Section 4.2 Issuance and Repurchase of Shares. The Trustees shall have the power to issue, sell, repurchase, redeem, retire, cancel, acquire, hold, resell, reissue, dispose of, exchange, and otherwise deal in Shares; to suspend or terminate the sales of Shares of any Class for any period of time; to establish terms and conditions, including any fees or expenses, regarding the issuance, sale, repurchase, redemption, cancellation, retirement, acquisition, holding, resale, reissuance, disposition or exchange of or dealing in Shares of any Class; and subject to the provisions set forth in Article II and Article VII, to apply to any such repurchase, retirement, cancellation or acquisition of Shares any funds or property of the Trust, or a particular Class of the Trust, with respect to which such Shares are issued.
Section 4.3 Trustees and Officers as Shareholders. Any Trustee, officer or other agent of the Trust may acquire, own and dispose of Shares to the same extent as if such person were not a Trustee, officer or agent; and the Trustees may issue and sell or cause to be issued and sold Shares to and buy such Shares from any such person or any firm or company in which such person invested, subject to the general limitations herein contained as to the sale and purchase of such Shares.
Section 4.4 Action by the Trustees and Committees. The Trustees (and any committee thereof) may act at a meeting held in person or in whole or in part by conference telecommunications equipment. One-third, but not less than two, of the Trustees shall constitute a quorum at any meeting unless there is only one Trustee. Except as the Trustees may otherwise determine, one-third of the members of any committee shall constitute a quorum at any meeting. The vote of a majority of the Trustees (or committee members) present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Trustees (or any committee thereof). The Trustees (and any committee thereof) may also act by written consent signed by a majority of the Trustees (or committee members). Regular meetings of the Trustees may be held at such places and at such times as the Trustees may from time to time determine. Special meetings of the Trustees (and meetings of any committee thereof) may be called orally or in writing by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (or the chairman of any committee thereof) or by any two other Trustees. Notice of the time, date and place of all meetings of the Trustees (or any committee thereof) shall be given by the party calling the meeting to each Trustee (or committee member) by telephone, telefax, telegram or other electronic means sent to the person’s home or business address at least twenty-four hours in advance of the meeting or by written notice mailed to the person’s home or business address at least seventy-two hours in advance of the meeting. Notice of all proposed written consents of Trustees (or committees thereof) shall be given to each Trustee (or committee member) by telephone, telefax, telegram, or first class mail sent to the person’s home or business address. Notice need not be given to any person who attends a meeting without objecting to the lack of notice or who executes a written consent or a written waiver of notice with respect to a meeting. Written consents or waivers may be executed in one or more counterparts. Execution of a written consent or waiver and delivery thereof may be accomplished by telefax or other electronic means approved by the Trustees.
-12-
Section 4.5 Chairman of the Trustees. The Trustees may appoint one of their number to be Chairman of the Board of Trustees. The Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Trustees at which he is present and may be (but is not required to be) the chief executive officer of the Trust.
Section 4.6 Principal Transactions. Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law, the Trustees may, on behalf of the Trust, buy any securities from or sell any securities to, or lend any assets of the Trust to, any Trustee or officer of the Trust or any firm of which any such Trustee or officer is a member acting as principal, or have any such dealings with any Affiliated Person of the Trust, investment adviser, investment sub-adviser, distributor or transfer agent for the Trust or with any Interested Person of such Affiliated Person or other person; and the Trust may employ any such Affiliated Person or other person, or firm or company in which such Affiliated Person or other person is an Interested Person, as broker, legal counsel, registrar, investment adviser, investment sub-adviser, distributor, transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent, custodian or in any other capacity upon customary terms.
article
V
INVESTMENT ADVISER, INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISER,
PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER, ADMINISTRATOR, TRANSFER AGENT,
CUSTODIAN AND OTHER CONTRACTORS
Section 5.1 Certain Contracts. Subject to compliance with the provisions of the 1940 Act, but notwithstanding any limitations of present and future law or custom in regard to delegation of powers by trustees generally, the Trustees may, at any time and from time to time and without limiting the generality of their powers and authority otherwise set forth herein, enter into one or more contracts with any one or more corporations, trusts, associations, partnerships, limited partnerships, other type of organizations, or individuals to provide for the performance and assumption of some or all of the following services, duties and responsibilities to, for or of the Trust and/or the Trustees, and to provide for the performance and assumption of such other services, duties and responsibilities in addition to those set forth below as the Trustees may determine to be appropriate:
-13-
(a) Investment Adviser and Investment Sub-Adviser. The Trustees may in their discretion, from time to time, enter into an investment advisory or management contract or contracts with respect to the Trust whereby the other party or parties to such contract or contracts shall undertake to furnish the Trust with such management, investment advisory, statistical and research facilities and services and such other facilities and services, if any, and all upon such terms and conditions, as the Trustees may in their discretion determine. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Trust Instrument, the Trustees may authorize any investment adviser (subject to such general or specific instructions as the Trustees may from time to time adopt) to effect purchases, sales or exchanges of portfolio securities, other investment instruments of the Trust, or other Trust Property on behalf of the Trustees, or may authorize any officer, agent, or Trustee to effect such purchases, sales or exchanges pursuant to recommendations of the investment adviser (and all without further action by the Trustees). Any such purchases, sales and exchanges shall be deemed to have been authorized by the Trustees.
The Trustees may authorize, subject to applicable requirements of the 1940 Act, the investment adviser to employ, from time to time, one or more sub-advisers to perform such of the acts and services of the investment adviser, and upon such terms and conditions, as may be agreed upon between the investment adviser and sub-adviser. Any reference in this Trust Instrument to the investment adviser shall be deemed to include such sub-advisers, unless the context otherwise requires.
(b) Principal Underwriter. The Trustees may in their discretion from time to time enter into an exclusive or non-exclusive underwriting contract or contracts providing for the sale of Shares, whereby the Trust may either agree to sell Shares to the other party to the contract or appoint such other party its sales agent for such Shares. In either case, the contract or contracts shall be on such terms and conditions as the Trustees may in their discretion determine and may also provide for the repurchase or sale of Shares by such other party as principal or as agent of the Trust.
(c) Administrator. The Trustees may in their discretion from time to time enter into one or more contracts whereby the other party or parties shall undertake to furnish the Trust with administrative services. The contract or contracts shall be on such terms and conditions as the Trustees may in their discretion determine.
(d) Transfer Agent. The Trustees may in their discretion from time to time enter into one or more transfer agency and Shareholder service contracts whereby the other party or parties shall undertake to furnish the Trust with transfer agency and Shareholder services. The contract or contracts shall be on such terms and conditions as the Trustees may in their discretion determine.
-14-
(e) Servicing Agent. The Trustees may in their discretion from time to time enter into one or more contracts whereby the other party or parties shall undertake to furnish the Trust with Trust and/or Shareholder services. The contract or contracts shall be on such terms and conditions as the Trustees may in their discretion determine.
(f) Fund Accounting. The Trustees may in their discretion from time to time enter into one or more contracts whereby the other party or parties undertakes to handle all or any part of the Trust’s accounting responsibilities, whether with respect to the Trust’s properties, Shareholders or otherwise. The contract or contracts shall be on such terms and conditions as the Trustees may in their discretion determine.
(g) Custodian and Depository. The Trustees may in their discretion from time to time enter into one or more contracts whereby the other party or parties undertakes to act as depository for and to maintain custody of the property of the Trust or any Class and accounting records in connection therewith. The contract or contracts shall be on such terms and conditions as the Trustees may in their discretion determine.
(h) Parties to Contract. Any contract described in this Article V hereof may be entered into with any corporation, firm, partnership, trust or association, although one or more of the Trustees or officers of the Trust may be an officer, director, trustee, shareholder, or member of such other party to the contract, and no such contract shall be invalidated or rendered void or voidable by reason of the existence of any relationship, nor shall any person holding such relationship be disqualified from voting on or executing the same in his capacity as Shareholder and/or Trustee, nor shall any person holding such relationship be liable merely by reason of such relationship for any loss or expense to the Trust under or by reason of said contract or accountable for any profit realized directly or indirectly therefrom, provided that the contract when entered into was not inconsistent with the provisions of this Article V. The same person (including a firm, corporation, partnership, trust, or association) may be the other party to contracts entered into pursuant to this Article V, and any individual may be financially interested or otherwise affiliated with persons who are parties to any or all of the contracts mentioned in this Section 5.1.
article
VI
SHAREHOLDER VOTING POWERS AND MEETINGS
Section 6.1 Voting. The Shareholders shall have power to vote only: (a) for the election of one or more Trustees in order to comply with the provisions of the 1940 Act (including Section 16(a) thereof); (b) with respect to any contract entered into pursuant to Article V to the extent required by the 1940 Act; (c) with respect to termination of the Trust or a Class thereof to the extent required by applicable law; and (d) with respect to such additional matters relating to the Trust as may be required by this Trust Instrument, the By-laws or any registration of the Trust as an investment company under the 1940 Act with the Commission (or any successor agency) or as the Trustees may consider necessary or desirable.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this declaration, on any matter submitted to a vote of Shareholders, unless the Trustees determine otherwise, all Shares of all Classes then entitled to vote shall be voted in aggregate, provided, however, that: (a) as to any matter with respect to which a separate vote of any Class is required by the 1940 Act or other applicable law or is required by attributes applicable to any Class, such requirements as to a separate vote by that Class shall apply; (b) unless the Trustees determine that this clause (b) shall not apply in a particular case, to the extent that a matter referred to in clause (a) above affects more than one Class and the interests of each such Class in the matter are identical, then the Shares of all such affected Classes shall vote as a single class; and (c) as to any matter which does not affect the interests of a particular Class, only the holders of Shares of the one or more affected Classes shall be entitled to vote. A Shareholder of each Class shall be entitled to one vote for each Share of such Class on any matter on which such Shareholder is entitled to vote. A Shareholder of each Class shall be entitled to a proportionate fractional vote for each fractional Share of such Class on any matter on which such Shareholder is entitled to vote. There shall be no cumulative voting in the election of Trustees. Shares may be voted in person or by proxy or in any manner provided for in the By-laws. A proxy may be given in writing, by telefax, other electronic means or in any other manner provided for in the By-laws. Anything in this Trust Instrument to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event a proposal by anyone other than the officers or Trustees of the Trust is submitted to a vote of the Shareholders of the Trust or one or more Classes thereof, or in the event of any proxy contest or proxy solicitation or proposal in opposition to any proposal by the officers or Trustees of the Trust, Shares may be voted only in person or by written proxy. Until Shares are issued, the Trustees may exercise all rights of Shareholders and may take any action required or permitted by law, this Trust Instrument or any of the By-laws of the Trust to be taken by Shareholders.
-15-
Section 6.2 Meetings. Meetings of Shareholders (including meetings involving only the holders of Shares of one or more but less than all the Classes) may be called by the Trustees from time to time to be held at such place within or without the State of Delaware, and on such date as may be designated in the call thereof for the purpose of taking action upon any matter as to which the vote or authority of the Shareholders of any Class or of the Trust is required or permitted as provided in Section 6.1. Special meetings of the Shareholders may be called by the Trustees. To the extent required by the 1940 Act, special meetings of the Shareholders for the purpose of removing one or more Trustees shall be called by the Trustees upon the written request of Shareholders owning at least 10 percent (10%) of the Outstanding Shares of all Classes entitled to vote. Notice shall be sent, postage prepaid, by mail or such other means determined by the Trustees, at least 7 days prior to any such meeting.
Section 6.3 Quorum and Required Vote. Unless a larger percentage is required by law, by any provision of this Trust Instrument or by the Trustees, one-third of the Shares entitled to vote in person or by proxy on a particular matter shall be a quorum for the transaction of business at a Shareholders’ meeting with respect to that matter. Any lesser number shall be sufficient for adjournments. Any adjourned session or sessions may be held without the necessity of further notice. Except when a larger vote is required by law, by any provision of this Trust Instrument or by the Trustees, a majority of the Shares voted in person or by proxy on a particular matter at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall decide any questions with respect to that matter and a plurality shall elect a Trustee.
Section 6.4 Action by Written Consent. Subject to the provisions of the 1940 Act and other applicable law, any action taken by Shareholders may be taken without a meeting if a majority of the Shares entitled to vote on the matter (or such larger proportion thereof as shall be required by law, by any provision of this Trust Instrument or by the Trustees) consent to the action in writing. Such consent shall be treated for all purposes as a vote taken at a meeting of Shareholders. The Trustees may adopt additional rules and procedures regarding the taking of Shareholder action by written consents.
-16-
article
VII
DISTRIBUTIONS AND REPURCHASES
Section 7.1 Distributions.
(a) The Trustees may from time to time declare and pay dividends or other distributions with respect to any Class. The amount of such dividends or distributions and the payment of them and whether they are in cash or any other Trust Property shall be wholly in the discretion of the Trustees.
(b) Dividends and other distributions may be paid or made to the Shareholders of record at the time of declaring a dividend or other distribution or among the Shareholders of record at such other date or time or dates or times as the Trustees shall determine, which dividends or distributions, at the election of the Trustees, may be paid pursuant to a standing resolution or resolutions adopted only once or with such frequency as the Trustees may determine. All dividends and other distributions on Shares of a particular Class shall be distributed pro rata to the Shareholders of that Class in proportion to the number of Shares of that Class they held on the record date established for such payment, except that in connection with any dividend or distribution program or procedures the Trustees may determine that no dividend or distribution shall be payable on Shares as to which the Shareholder’s purchase order and/or payment in the prescribed form has not been received by the time or times established by the Trustees under such program or procedure. The Trustees may adopt and offer to Shareholders such dividend reinvestment plans, cash dividend payout plans or related plans as the Trustees shall deem appropriate.
(c) Anything in this Trust Instrument to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustees may at any time declare and distribute a stock dividend pro rata among the Shareholders of a particular Class, as of the record date of that Class fixed as provided in Section (b) hereof. The Trustees shall have full discretion, to the extent not inconsistent with the 1940 Act, to determine which items shall be treated as income and which items as capital; and each such determination and allocation shall be conclusive and binding upon the Shareholders.
Section 7.2 Transfer of Shares.
(a) Any Shares held by a Shareholder may be transferred only (1) by operation of law pursuant to the death, bankruptcy, insolvency, adjudicated incompetence, or dissolution of the Shareholder or (2) with the consent of the Trustees (which may be withheld in the Trustees’ sole and absolute discretion). If a Shareholder transfers Shares with the approval of the Trustees, the Trustees will as promptly as practicable take all necessary actions so that each transferee or successor to whom or to which the Shares are transferred is admitted to the Trust as a Shareholder. The admission of any transferee as a substituted Shareholder will be effective upon the execution and delivery by, or on behalf of, the substituted Shareholder of an investor application form. Each Shareholder and transferee agrees to pay all expenses, including attorneys’ and accountants’ fees, incurred by the Trust in connection with any transfer. In connection with any request to transfer Shares, the Trust may require the Shareholder requesting the transfer to obtain, at the Shareholder’s expense, an opinion of counsel selected by the Trustees as to such matters as the Trustees may reasonably request. If a Shareholder transfers all of its Shares, it will not cease to be a Shareholder unless and until the transferee is admitted to the Trust as a substituted Shareholder in accordance with this Section 7.2(a). Any transfer of Shares permitted under this Section 7.2(a) will be effected in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.4 hereof. Pursuant to Section 4.1(k) hereof, the Trustees hereby delegate to the officers of the Trust all power and authority to approve and effect transfers of Shares pursuant to this Section 7.2(a).
-17-
(b) Each Shareholder will indemnify and hold harmless the Trust, the Trustees, each other Shareholder and any Affiliated Person of the Trust, the Trustees, the investment adviser, any sub-adviser and each of the other Shareholders against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including legal or other expenses incurred in investigating or defending against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses or any judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement), joint or several, to which these Persons may become subject by reason of or arising from (1) any transfer made by the Shareholder in violation of this Section 7.2 and (2) any misrepresentation by the transferring Shareholder or substituted Shareholder in connection with the transfer. A Shareholder transferring Shares may be charged reasonable expenses, including attorneys’ and accountants’ fees, incurred by the Trust in connection with the transfer, by setting off such charges due from such Shareholder from declared but unpaid dividends or distributions owed such Shareholder and/or by reducing the number of shares in the account of such Shareholder by that number of full and/or fractional Shares which represents the outstanding amount of such charges due from such Shareholder.
Section 7.3 Repurchases. Unless the Trustees otherwise determine with respect to a particular Class at the time of establishing and designating the same, each Shareholder of a particular Class shall have the right at such times as may be permitted by the Trustees to require the Trust to repurchase (out of the assets belonging to the applicable Class) all or any part of his Shares at the net asset value thereof as of the repurchase pricing date established by the Trustees, less any repurchase fee established by the Trustees in their discretion, and subject to such conditions as the Trustees may determine, which may include establishing a maximum amount of Shares that may be repurchased and prorating Shares tendered for repurchase if the repurchase is oversubscribed. Payment for said Shares shall be made by the Trust to the Shareholder within seven days after the repurchase pricing date established by the Trustees. The repurchase price may in any case or cases be paid in cash or wholly or partly in kind if the Trustees determine that such payment is advisable in the interest of the remaining Shareholders. Subject to the foregoing, the fair value, selection and quantity of securities or other property so paid or delivered as all or part of the repurchase price shall be determined by or under authority of the Trustees. In no case shall the Trust be liable for any delay of any corporation or other Person in transferring securities selected for delivery as all or part of any payment in kind.
-18-
Section 7.4 Redemptions at the Option of the Trust. The Trust shall have the right at its option and at any time to redeem Shares of any Shareholder at the net asset value thereof, unless otherwise permitted by the 1940 Act, for any reason under the terms established by the Trustees from time to time including but not limited to: (i) if at such time such Shareholder owns Shares having an aggregate net asset value of less than an amount determined from time to time by the Trustees; (ii) to the extent that such Shareholder owns Shares equal to or in excess of a percentage of the outstanding Shares determined from time to time by the Trustees; (iii) the failure of a Shareholder to supply a tax identification number or other identification or if the Trust is unable to verify a Shareholder's identity; (iv) the failure of a Shareholder to pay when due the purchase price of Shares; (v) when the Trust is requested or compelled to do so by governmental authority; or (vi) the determination by the Trustees or pursuant to policies and procedures adopted by the Trustees that ownership of Shares is not in the best interest of the remaining Shareholders of the Trust or applicable Class.
Section 7.5 Suspension of the Right of Repurchase. The Trustees may declare a suspension of the right of repurchase or postpone the date of payment as permitted under the 1940 Act. Such suspension shall take effect at such time as the Trustees shall specify and thereafter there shall be no right of repurchase or payment until the Trustees shall declare the suspension at an end. In the event that the Trust is divided into Classes, the provisions of this Section 7.5, to the extent applicable as determined in the discretion of the Trustees and consistent with the 1940 Act, may be equally applied to each such Class.
Section 7.6 Redemption of Shares to Qualify as a Regulated Investment Company. If the Trustees shall, at any time and in good faith, be of the opinion that direct or indirect ownership of Shares has or may become concentrated in any Person to an extent that would disqualify the Trust as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), then the Trustees shall have the power (but not the obligation) by lot or other means deemed equitable by them (i) to call for redemption by any such Person of a number, or principal amount, of Shares sufficient to maintain or bring the direct or indirect ownership of Shares into conformity with the requirements for such qualification and (ii) to refuse to transfer or issue Shares to any Person whose acquisition of Shares in question would result in such disqualification. The redemption shall be effected at the redemption price and in the manner provided herein. The holders of Shares shall upon demand disclose to the Trustees in writing such information with respect to direct and indirect ownership of Shares as the Trustees deem necessary to comply with the requirements of any taxing authority.
Section 7.7 Net Asset Value. The Net Asset Value of each outstanding Share of any Class shall be the quotient obtained by dividing (a) the value of the net assets belonging to that Class less the liabilities belonging to such Class by (b) the total number of Shares of that Class outstanding, all determined in accordance with the methods and procedures, including without limitation those with respect to rounding, established by the Trustees from time to time.
-19-
article
VIII
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION
Section 8.1 Limitation of Liability. Neither a Trustee nor an officer of the Trust, when acting in such capacity, shall be personally liable to any person other than the Trust or a beneficial owner for any act, omission or obligation of the Trust, any Trustee or any officer of the Trust. Neither a Trustee nor an officer of the Trust shall be liable for any act or omission in his capacity as Trustee or as an officer of the Trust, or for any act or omission of any other officer or any employee of the Trust or of any other person or party, provided that nothing contained herein or in the Act shall protect any Trustee or officer against any liability to the Trust or to Shareholders 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 the office of Trustee or the duties of such officer hereunder.
Section 8.2 Indemnification. The Trust shall indemnify each of its Trustees, officers and persons who serve at the Trust’s request as directors, officers or trustees of another organization in which the Trust has any interest as a shareholder, creditor, or otherwise, and may indemnify any trustee, director or officer of a predecessor organization (each a “Covered Person”), against all liabilities and expenses (including amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise, as fines and penalties, and expenses including reasonable accountants’ and counsel fees) reasonably incurred in connection with the defense or disposition of any action, suit or other proceeding, whether civil or criminal, before any court or administrative, regulatory, or legislative body, in which he may be involved or with which he may be threatened, while as a Covered Person or thereafter, by reason of being or having been such a Covered Person, except that no Covered Person shall be indemnified against any liability to the Trust or its Shareholders to which such Covered Person would otherwise be subject by reason of bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his duties involved in the conduct of such Covered Person’s office (such willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard being referred to herein as “Disabling Conduct”). Expenses, including accountants’ and counsel fees so incurred by any such Covered Person (but excluding amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines or penalties), may be paid from time to time by the Trust in advance of the final disposition of any such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of (a) an undertaking by or on behalf of such Covered Person to repay amounts so paid to the Trust if it is ultimately determined that indemnification of such expenses is not authorized under this Article VIII and (b) any of (i) such Covered Person provides security for such undertaking, (ii) the Trust is insured against losses arising by reason of such payment, or (iii) a majority of a quorum of disinterested, non-party Trustees, or independent legal counsel in a written opinion, determines, based on a review of readily available facts, that there is reason to believe that such Covered Person ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification.
Section 8.3 Indemnification Determinations. Indemnification of a Covered Person pursuant to Section 8.2 shall be made if (a) the court or body before whom the proceeding is brought determines, in a final decision on the merits, that such Covered Person was not liable by reason of Disabling Conduct or (b) in the absence of such a determination, a majority of a quorum of disinterested, non-party Trustees or independent legal counsel in a written opinion make a reasonable determination, based upon a review of the facts, that such Covered Person was not liable by reason of Disabling Conduct.
-20-
Section 8.4 Indemnification Not Exclusive. The right of indemnification provided by this Article VIII shall not be exclusive of or affect any other rights to which any such Covered Person may be entitled. As used in this Article VIII, “Covered Person” shall include such person’s heirs, executors and administrators, and a “disinterested, non-party Trustee” is a Trustee who is neither an Interested Person of the Trust nor a party to the proceeding in question.
Section 8.5 Shareholders. Each Shareholder of the Trust and each Class shall not be personally liable for the debts, liabilities, obligations and expenses incurred by, contracted for, or otherwise existing with respect to, the Trust or by or on behalf of any Class. The Trustees shall have no power to bind any Shareholder personally or to call upon any Shareholder for the payment of any sum of money or assessment whatsoever other than such as the Shareholder may at any time personally agree to pay pursuant to terms hereof or by way of subscription for any Shares or otherwise.
In case any Shareholder or former Shareholder of any Class shall be held to be personally liable solely by reason of his being or having been a Shareholder of such Class and not because of his acts or omissions or for some other reason, the Shareholder or former Shareholder (or his heirs, executors, administrators or other legal representatives, or, in the case of a corporation or other entity, its corporate or other general successor) shall be entitled out of the assets belonging to the applicable Class to be held harmless from and indemnified against all loss and expense arising from such liability. The Trust, on behalf of the affected Class, shall, upon request by the Shareholder, assume the defense of any claim made against the Shareholder for any act or obligation of the Class and satisfy any judgment thereon from the assets of the Class. The indemnification and reimbursement required by the preceding sentence shall be made only out of assets of the one or more Classes whose Shares were held by said Shareholder at the time the act or event occurred that gave rise to the claim against or liability of said Shareholder. The rights accruing to a Shareholder under this Section shall not impair any other right to which such Shareholder may be lawfully entitled, nor shall anything herein contained restrict the right of the Trust or any Class thereof to indemnify or reimburse a Shareholder in any appropriate situation even though not specifically provided herein.
article
IX
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 9.1 Trust Not a Partnership. It is hereby expressly declared that a trust and not a partnership is created hereby. All persons extending credit to, contracting with or having any claim against the Trust or any Class shall look only to the assets of the Trust or such Class for payment under such credit, contract or claim; and neither the Shareholders nor the Trustees, nor any of the Trust’s officers, employees or agents, whether past, present or future, shall be personally liable therefor.
Section 9.2 Trustees’ and Officers’ Good Faith Action, Expert Advice, No Bond or Surety. The exercise by the Trustees of their powers and discretions hereunder shall be binding upon everyone interested. Subject to the provisions of Article VIII: (i) the Trustees and officers shall not be responsible or liable in any event for any neglect or wrongdoing of any agent, employee, consultant, adviser, administrator, distributor or principal underwriter, custodian or transfer, dividend disbursing, shareholder servicing or accounting agent of the Trust, nor shall any Trustee or officer be responsible for the act or omission of any other Trustee; (ii) the Trustees and officers may take advice of counsel or other experts with respect to the meaning and operation of this Trust Instrument and their duties as Trustees or officers, as applicable, and shall be under no liability for any act or omission in accordance with such advice or for failing to follow such advice; and (iii) in discharging their duties, the officers, when acting in good faith shall be entitled to rely upon the books of account of the Trust and upon written reports made to the Trustees and/or officers by any independent public accountant or (with respect to the subject matter of the contract involved) any officer, director, partner or responsible employee of a contracting party appointed by the Trustees; and (iv) in discharging their duties, the Trustees, when acting in good faith, shall be entitled to rely upon the books of account of the Trust and upon written reports made to the Trustees by any officer appointed by the Trustees, any independent public accountant, and (with respect to the subject matter of the contract involved) any officer, partner or responsible employee of a contracting party appointed by the Trustees. The Trustees and officers as such shall not be required to give any bond or surety or any other security for the performance of their duties.
Section 9.3 Establishment of Record Dates. The Trustees may close the Share transfer books of the Trust for a period not exceeding one hundred twenty (120) days preceding the date of any meeting of Shareholders, or the date for the payment of any dividends or other distributions, or the date for the allotment of rights, or the date when any change or conversion or exchange of Shares shall go into effect; or in lieu of closing the stock transfer books as aforesaid, the Trustees may fix in advance a date, not exceeding one hundred twenty (120) days preceding the date of any meeting of Shareholders, or the date for payment of any dividend or other distribution, or the date for the allotment of rights, or the date when any change or conversion or exchange of Shares shall go into effect, as a record date for the determination of the Shareholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, any such meeting, or entitled to receive payment of any such dividend or other distribution, or to any such allotment of rights, or to exercise the rights in respect of any such change, conversion or exchange of Shares, and in such case such Shareholders and only such Shareholders as shall be Shareholders of record on the date so fixed shall be entitled to such notice of, and to vote at, such meeting, or to receive payment of such dividend or other distribution, or to receive such allotment or rights, or to exercise such rights, as the case may be, notwithstanding any transfer of any Shares on the books of the Trust after any such record date fixed as aforesaid.
-21-
Section 9.4 Dissolution and Termination of Trust.
(a) This Trust shall continue without limitation of time but subject to the provisions of sub-sections (b) and (c) of this Section 9.4.
(b) Notwithstanding anything in Section 9.5 to the contrary, the Trustees may without Shareholder approval (unless such approval is required by the 1940 Act) in dissolution of the Trust or any Class, liquidate, reorganize or dissolve the Trust or any Class in any manner or fashion not inconsistent with applicable law, including, without limitation,
(i) | sell and convey all or substantially all of the assets of the Trust or any Class to another trust, partnership, limited liability company, association or corporation, or to a separate series or class of shares thereof, organized under the laws of any state or jurisdiction, for adequate consideration which may include the assumption of all outstanding obligations, taxes and other liabilities, accrued or contingent, of the Trust or any Class, and which may include shares of beneficial interest, stock or other ownership interests of such trust, partnership, limited liability company, association or corporation or of a series thereof; or |
(ii) | at any time sell and convert into money all of the assets of the Trust or any Class. |
Following a sale or conversion in accordance with the foregoing sub-Section 9.4(b)(i) or (ii), and upon making reasonable provision, in the determination of the Trustees, for the payment of all liabilities of the Trust or the affected Class as required by applicable law, by such assumption or otherwise, the Shareholders of each Class involved in such sale or conversion shall be entitled to receive, as a Class, when and as declared by the Trustees, the excess of the assets allocated to that Class over the liabilities allocated to such Class. The assets so distributable to the Shareholders of any particular Class shall be distributed among such Shareholders in proportion to the number of Shares of that Class held by them and recorded on the books of the Trust.
(c) Upon completion of the distribution of the remaining proceeds or the remaining assets as provided in sub-section (b), the Trust (in the case of a sale or conversion with respect to the Trust) or any affected Class shall terminate and the Trustees and the Trust or any affected Class shall be discharged of any and all further liabilities and duties hereunder and the right, title and interest of all parties with respect to the Trust or such affected Class shall be cancelled and discharged.
-22-
Upon termination of the Trust, following completion of winding up of its business, the Trustees shall cause a certificate of cancellation of the Trust’s certificate of trust to be filed in accordance with the Act, which certificate of cancellation may be signed by any one Trustee.
Section 9.5 Merger, Consolidation, Incorporation. Anything in this Trust Instrument to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustees, in order to change the form of organization and/or domicile of the Trust, may, without prior Shareholder approval, (i) cause the Trust to merge or consolidate with or into one or more trusts, partnerships, limited liability companies, associations or corporations which is or are formed, organized or existing under the laws of a state, commonwealth possession or colony of the United States, or (ii) cause the Trust to incorporate under the laws of Delaware. Any agreement of merger or consolidation or certificate of merger may be signed by a majority of the Trustees. Pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3815(f) of the Act, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Trust Instrument, an agreement of any merger or consolidation approved in accordance with this Section 9.5 may effect any amendment to the Trust Instrument or effect the adoption of a new trust instrument of the Trust if it is the surviving or resulting trust in the merger or consolidation. Any merger or consolidation of the Trust other than as described in the foregoing provisions of this Section 9.5 shall, in addition to the approval of the Trustees, require a Majority Shareholder Vote. Nothing in this Section 9.5 shall require, however, Shareholder approval of any transaction whereby the Trust or any Class thereof acquires or assumes all or any part of the assets and liabilities of any other entity.
Section 9.6 Filing of Copies, References, Headings. The original or a copy of this Trust Instrument and of each amendment hereof or Trust Instrument supplemental hereto shall be kept at the office of the Trust where it may be inspected by any Shareholder. Anyone dealing with the Trust may rely on a certificate by an officer or Trustee of the Trust as to whether or not any such amendments or supplements have been made and as to any matters in connection with the Trust hereunder, and with the same effect as if it were the original, may rely on a copy certified by an officer or Trustee of the Trust to be a copy of this Trust Instrument or of any such amendment or supplemental Trust Instrument. In this Trust Instrument or in any such amendment or supplemental Trust Instrument, references to this Trust Instrument, and all expressions like “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder,” shall be deemed to refer to this Trust Instrument as amended or affected by any such supplemental Trust Instrument. All expressions like “his,” “he” and “him,” shall be deemed to include the feminine and neuter, as well as masculine, genders. Headings are placed herein for convenience of reference only and in case of any conflict, the text of this Trust Instrument rather than the headings, shall control. This Trust Instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts each of which shall be deemed an original.
Section 9.7 Applicable Law. The trust set forth in this instrument is made in the State of Delaware, and the Trust and this Trust Instrument, and the rights and obligations of the Trustees and Shareholders hereunder, are to be governed by and construed and administered according to the Act and the laws of said State; provided, however, that there shall not be applicable to the Trust, the Trustees or this Trust Instrument (a) the provisions of Section 3540 of Title 12 of the Delaware Code or (b) any provisions of the laws (statutory or common) of the State of Delaware (other than the Act) pertaining to trusts which relate to or regulate: (i) the filing with any court or governmental body or agency of trustee accounts or schedules of trustee fees and charges, (ii) affirmative requirements to post bonds for trustees, officers, agents or employees of a trust, (iii) the necessity for obtaining court or other governmental approval concerning the acquisition, holding or disposition of real or personal property, (iv) fees or other sums payable to trustees, officers, agents or employees of a trust, (v) the allocation of receipts and expenditures to income or principal, (vi) restrictions or limitations on the permissible nature, amount or concentration of trust investments or requirements relating to the titling, storage or other manner of holding of trust assets, or (vii) the establishment of fiduciary or other standards or responsibilities or limitations on the acts or powers of trustees, which are inconsistent with the limitations or liabilities or authorities and powers of the Trustees set forth or referenced in this Trust Instrument. The Trust shall be of the type commonly called a “statutory trust,” and without limiting the provisions hereof, the Trust may exercise all powers which are ordinarily exercised by such a trust under Delaware law. The Trust specifically reserves the right to exercise any of the powers or privileges afforded to trusts or actions that may be engaged in by trusts under the Act, and the absence of a specific reference herein to any such power, privilege or action shall not imply that the Trust may not exercise such power or privilege or take such actions.
-23-
Section 9.8 Amendments. Except as specifically provided herein, the Trustees may, without Shareholder vote, amend or otherwise supplement this Trust Instrument by making an amendment, a Trust Instrument supplemental hereto or an amended and restated trust instrument. Shareholders shall have the right to vote: (i) on any amendment which would affect their right to vote granted in Section 6.1, (ii) on any amendment to this Section 9.8, (iii) on any amendment for which such vote is required by law and (iv) on any amendment submitted to them by the Trustees. Any amendment required or permitted to be submitted to Shareholders which, as the Trustees determine, shall affect the Shareholders of one or more Classes shall be authorized by vote of the Shareholders of each Class affected and no vote of shareholders of a Class not affected shall be required. Anything in this Trust Instrument to the contrary notwithstanding, any amendment to Article VIII hereof shall not limit the rights to indemnification or insurance provided therein with respect to action or omission of any persons protected thereby prior to such amendment.
Section 9.9 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Trust shall end on a specified date as determined from time to time by the Trustees.
Section 9.10 Provisions in Conflict with Law. The provisions of this Trust Instrument are severable, and if the Trustees shall determine, with the advice of counsel, that any of such provisions is in conflict with the 1940 Act, the regulated investment company provisions of the Code or with other applicable laws and regulations, the conflicting provision shall be deemed never to have constituted a part of this Trust Instrument; provided, however, that such determination shall not affect any of the remaining provisions of this Trust Instrument or render invalid or improper any action taken or omitted prior to such determination. If any provision of this Trust Instrument shall be held invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall attach only to such provision in such jurisdiction and shall not in any manner affect such provisions in any other jurisdiction or any other provision of this Trust Instrument in any jurisdiction.
-24-
Section 9.11 Allocation of Certain Expenses. Each Shareholder will, at the discretion of the Trustees, indemnify the Trust against all expenses and losses resulting from indebtedness incurred in connection with facilitating (i) requests pending receipt of the collected funds from investments sold on the date of such Shareholder’s redemption request; (ii) redemption requests from such Shareholder who has also notified the Trust of its intention to deposit funds in its accounts on the date of said redemption request; or (iii) the purchase of investments pending receipt of collected funds from such Shareholder who has notified the Trust of its intention to deposit funds in its accounts on the date of the purchase of the investments.
Section 9.12 Delivery by Electronic Transmission or Otherwise. Notwithstanding any provision in this Declaration of Trust to the contrary, any notice, proxy, vote, consent, instrument or writing of any kind referenced in, or contemplated by, this Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws may, in the sole discretion of the Trustees, be given, granted or otherwise delivered by electronic transmission (within the meaning of the Act), including via the internet, or in any other manner permitted by applicable law. All requirements in this Declaration of Trust that any writing be signed shall be deemed to be satisfied by any electronic transmission in such form that is acceptable to the Trustees.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being the Trustees of the Trust, have executed this Declaration of Trust as of the 18th day of December, 2020.
/s/ Jeremy Held | |
Jeremy Held, as Trustee and not individually | |
/s/ Jeremy May | |
Jeremy May, as Trustee and not individually | |
/s/ Jack Swift | |
Jack Swift, as Trustee and not individually | |
/s/ Michael Imhoff | |
Michael Imhoff, as Trustee and not individually |
-25-
STATE of DELAWARE
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT TO
CERTIFICATE of TRUST
Pursuant to Title 12, Section 3810(b) of the Delaware Statutory Trust Act, the undersigned Trust executed the following Certificate of Amendment.
1. Name of Statutory Trust: Bow River Capital Evergreen Private Equity Fund
2. The Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Trust is hereby amended as follows:
The name of the trust is:
Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund |
[set forth amendment(s)]
3. (Please complete with either upon filing or it may be a future effective date that is within 90 days of the filing date). This Certificate of Amendment shall be effective upon filing.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate on the 9th day of November, 2020 A.D.
By: | /s/ Jeremy Held | ||
Trustee | |||
Name: | Jeremy Held | ||
Typed or Printed |
Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund
AMENDED BY-LAWS
These Amended By-laws (the “By-laws”) of the Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust, are subject to the Trust’s Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated December 18, 2020, as from time to time amended, supplemented or restated (the “Trust Instrument”). Capitalized terms used herein which are defined in the Trust Instrument are used as therein defined.
Article
I
OFFICES
Section 1.1 Delaware Office. The registered office of the Trust in Delaware and the name and address of its resident agent for service of process shall be as set forth in the Amended Certificate of Trust of the Trust, as filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on November 10, 2020, and as may be amended and restated from time to time.
Section 1.2 Principal Office. The principal office of the Trust shall be located in such location as the Trustees may from time to time determine. The Trust may establish and maintain such other offices and places of business as the Trustees may from time to time determine.
Article
II
OFFICERS AND THEIR ELECTION
Section 2.1 Officers. The officers of the Trust shall be a President, a Treasurer, a Secretary, a Chief Compliance Officer and such other officers as the Trustees may from time to time elect. It shall not be necessary for any Trustee or other officer to be a holder of Shares in the Trust.
Section 2.2 Election of Officers. Two or more offices may be held by a single person. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.3 hereof, the officers shall hold office until their successors are chosen and qualified and serve at the pleasure of the Trustees.
Section 2.3 Resignations. Any officer of the Trust may resign by filing a written resignation with the President, the Secretary or the Trustees, which resignation shall take effect on being so filed or at such later time as may be therein specified.
Article
III
POWERS AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS AND TRUSTEES
Section 3.1 Chief Executive Officer. Unless the Trustees have designated the Chairman as the chief executive officer of the Trust, the President shall be the chief executive officer of the Trust and shall preside at all meetings of the Shareholders.
Section 3.2 Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be the principal financial and accounting officer of the Trust. He or she shall deliver all funds and securities of the Trust which may come into his or her hands to such company as the Trustees shall employ as Custodian in accordance with the Trust Instrument and applicable provisions of law. He or she shall make annual reports regarding the business and condition of the Trust, which reports shall be preserved in Trust records, and he or she shall furnish such other reports regarding the business and condition of the Trust as the Trustees may from time to time require. The Treasurer shall perform such additional duties as the Trustees or the Chief Executive Officer may from time to time designate.
Section 3.3 Secretary. The Secretary shall record in books kept for the purpose all votes and proceedings of the Trustees and the Shareholders at their respective meetings. He or she shall have the custody of the seal of the Trust. The Secretary shall perform such additional duties as the Trustees or the Chief Executive Officer may from time to time designate.
Section 3.4 Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) of the Trust shall be responsible for administering the Trust’s policies and procedures adopted pursuant to Rule 38a-1(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, or any successor provision thereto. The CCO shall have such other powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred upon or assigned to him or her by the Trustees.
Section 3.5 Additional Officers. The Trustees from time to time may appoint such other officers or agents as they may deem advisable, each of whom shall have such title, hold office for such period, have such authority and perform such duties as the Trustees may determine.
Section 3.6 Removal. Any officer may be removed from office at any time by the Trustees.
Section 3.7 Remuneration. The salaries or other compensation, if any, of the officers of the Trust shall be fixed from time to time by resolution of the Trustees.
- 2 -
Article
IV
SHAREHOLDERS’ MEETINGS
Section 4.1 Notices. Notices of any meeting of the Shareholders shall be given by the Secretary by delivering or mailing, postage prepaid, to each Shareholder entitled to vote at said meeting, written or printed notification of such meeting at least seven (7) days before the meeting, to such address as may be registered with the Trust by the Shareholder. Notice of any Shareholder meeting need not be given to any Shareholder if a written waiver of notice, executed before or after such meeting, is filed with the record of such meeting, or to any Shareholder who shall attend such meeting in person or by proxy. Notice of adjournment of a Shareholders’ meeting to another time or place need not be given, if such time and place are announced at the meeting or reasonable notice is given to persons present at the meeting.
Section 4.2 Voting-Proxies. Subject to the provisions of the Trust Instrument, Shareholders entitled to vote may vote either in person or by proxy, provided that either (i) an instrument authorizing such proxy to act is executed by the Shareholder in writing and dated not more than eleven (11) months before the meeting, unless the instrument specifically provides for a longer period or (ii) an electronic, telephonic, computerized or other alternative to execution of a written instrument authorizing the proxy to act, which authorization is received not more than eleven (11) months before the meeting. Proxies shall be delivered to the Secretary of the Trust or other person responsible for recording the proceedings before being voted. A proxy with respect to Shares held in the name of two or more persons shall be valid if executed by one of them unless at or prior to exercise of such proxy the Trust receives a specific written notice to the contrary from any one of them. If any Shareholder is a minor or a person of unsound mind, and subject to guardianship or to the legal control of another person as regards the control or management of such Shareholder’s shares, such Shareholder’s shares may be voted by such guardian or such other person appointed or having control, and such vote may be given in person or by proxy. Unless otherwise specifically limited by their terms, proxies shall entitle the holder thereof to vote at any adjournment of a meeting. A proxy purporting to be exercised by or on behalf of a Shareholder shall be deemed valid unless challenged at or prior to its exercise and the burden of proving invalidity shall rest on the challenger. At all meetings of the Shareholders, unless the voting is conducted by inspectors, all questions relating to the qualifications of voters, the validity of proxies, and the acceptance or rejection of votes shall be decided by the Chairman of the meeting. Except as otherwise provided herein or in the Trust Instrument, all matters relating to the giving, voting or validity of proxies shall be governed by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware relating to proxies, and judicial interpretations thereunder, as if the Trust were a Delaware corporation and the Shareholders were shareholders of a Delaware corporation.
Section 4.3 Broker Non-Votes. At any meeting of Shareholders, the Trust will consider broker non-votes as present for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the meeting. Broker non-votes will not count as votes cast.
- 3 -
Section 4.4 Place of Meeting. All meetings of the Shareholders shall be held at such places as the Trustees may designate. In the absence of any such designation, Shareholders’ meetings shall be held at the principal office of the Trust at the time of such meetings. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if either the President or Secretary of the Trust, or in the absence or unavailability of the President and the Secretary, any officer of the Trust, determines that the date, time or place designated for a meeting or adjourned meeting of Shareholders is not reasonably practicable or available as a result of (a) fire, flood, elements of nature, or other acts of god, (b) acts of terrorism, (c) outbreak or escalation of hostilities, war, riots or civil disorders or (d) other similar events, such officer may, without further notice to Shareholders, designate such other date, time or place for such meeting or adjourned meeting as such officer shall, in his or her sole discretion, determine.
Article
V
SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
Section 5.1 Share Certificate. No certificates certifying the ownership of Shares shall be issued except as the Trustees may otherwise authorize. The Trustees may issue certificates to a Shareholder for any purpose and the issuance of a certificate to one or more Shareholders shall not require the issuance of certificates generally. In the event that the Trustees authorize the issuance of Share certificates, such certificate shall be in the form prescribed from time to time by the Trustees and shall be signed by the President and by the Treasurer or Secretary. Such signatures may be facsimiles if the certificate is signed by a transfer or shareholder services agent or by a registrar, other than a Trustee, officer or employee of the Trust. In case any officer who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed on such certificate shall have ceased to be such officer before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Trust with the same effect as if he or she were such officer at the time of its issue.
Section 5.2 Loss of Certificate. In case of the alleged loss or destruction or the mutilation of a Share certificate, a duplicate certificate may be issued in place thereof, upon such terms as the Trustees may prescribe.
Section 5.3 Discontinuance of Issuance of Certificates. The Trustees may at any time discontinue the issuance of Share certificates and may, by written notice to each Shareholder, require the surrender of Share certificates to the Trust for cancellation. Such surrender and cancellation shall not affect the ownership of Shares in the Trust.
Article
VI
INSPECTION OF BOOKS
The Trustees shall from time to time determine whether and to what extent, and at what times and places, and under what conditions and regulations the accounts and books of the Trust or any of them shall be open to the inspection of the Shareholders; and no Shareholder shall have any right to inspect any account or book or document of the Trust except as conferred by law or otherwise by the Trustees.
- 4 -
Article VII
JURISDICTION AND FORUM
Each Trustee, each officer, each Shareholder and each person beneficially owning an interest in a Share of the Trust (whether through a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or clearing corporation or an agent of any of the foregoing or otherwise), to the fullest extent permitted by law, including Section 3804(e) of the Delaware Statutory Trust Act (12 Del. C. § 3801 et seq.) (the “Act”), (i) irrevocably agrees that any claims, suits, actions or proceedings arising out of or relating in any way to the Trust, the Act, the Trust Instrument or these By-Laws or asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs (or similar) doctrine (including, without limitation, any claims, suits, actions or proceedings to interpret, apply or enforce (A) the provisions of the Trust Instrument or these By-Laws, or (B) the duties (including fiduciary duties), obligations or liabilities of the Trust to the Shareholders or the Trustees, or of officers or the Trustees to the Trust, to the Shareholders or each other, or (C) the rights or powers of, or restrictions on, the Trust, the officers, the Trustees or the Shareholders, or (D) any provision of the Act or other laws of the State of Delaware pertaining to trusts made applicable to the Trust pursuant to Section 3809 of the Act, or (E) any other instrument, document, agreement or certificate contemplated by any provision of the Act, the Trust Instrument or the By-Laws relating in any way to the Trust (regardless, in each case, of whether such claims, suits, actions or proceedings (x) sound in contract, tort, fraud or otherwise, (y) are based on common law, statutory, equitable, legal or other grounds, or (z) are derivative or direct claims)), shall be exclusively brought in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or, if such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction thereof, any other court in the State of Delaware with subject matter jurisdiction, (ii) irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in connection with any such claim, suit, action or proceeding, (iii) irrevocably agrees not to, and waives any right to, assert in any such claim, suit, action or proceeding that (A) it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of such courts or any other court to which proceedings in such courts may be appealed, (B) such claim, suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum, or (C) the venue of such claim, suit, action or proceeding is improper, (iv) expressly waives any requirement for the posting of a bond by a party bringing such claim, suit, action or proceeding, (v) consents to process being served in any such claim, suit, action or proceeding by mailing, certified mail, return receipt requested, a copy thereof to such party at the address in effect for notices hereunder, and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof; provided, nothing in clause (v) hereof shall affect or limit any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law, and (vi) irrevocably waives any and all right to trial by jury in any such claim, suit, action or proceeding. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any Shares of any Class shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this provision.
If any provision or provisions of this Article VII shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any person or entity or circumstance for any reason whatsoever, then, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Article VII (including, without limitation, each portion of any sentence of this Article VII containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable), and the application of such provision to other persons or entities and circumstances, shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, compliance with any provision of the U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder cannot be waived.
- 5 -
ARTICLE VIII
AMENDMENTS
These By-laws may be amended from time to time by the Trustees.
ARTICLE
IX
HEADINGS
Headings are placed in these By-laws for convenience of reference only and, in case of any conflict, the text of these By-laws rather than the headings shall control.
-6-
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund
AGREEMENT made this ___th day of _________, 2020, by and between Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Fund”), and Bow River Asset Management LLC, a limited liability company under the Laws of the State of Colorado (the “Adviser”).
WHEREAS, the Fund is a closed-end, management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”); and
WHEREAS, the Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”) and is engaged in the business of supplying investment advice as an independent contractor; and
WHEREAS, the Fund desires to retain the Adviser to render investment management services with respect to the Fund and the Adviser is willing to render such services:
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of mutual covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. APPOINTMENT AND ACCEPTANCE. The Fund hereby appoints the Adviser to act as Adviser to the Fund for the period and on the terms set forth in this Agreement. The Adviser accepts such appointment and agrees to furnish the services herein set forth for the compensation herein provided.
The Adviser will, at its own expense, render the services and provide the office space, furnishings and equipment, and personnel (including any sub-advisers) required by it to perform the services on the terms and for the compensation provided herein. The Adviser will not, however, pay for the cost of securities, commodities, and other investments (including brokerage commissions and other transaction charges, if any) purchased or sold for the Fund.
2. DUTIES OF ADVISER. The Fund employs the Adviser to furnish and manage a continuous investment program for the Fund. The Adviser will continuously review, supervise and (where appropriate) administer the investment program of the Fund, to determine in its discretion (where appropriate) the securities to be purchased, held, sold or exchanged, to provide the Fund with records concerning the Adviser’s activities which the Fund is required to maintain and to render regular reports to the Fund’s officers and Trustees concerning the Adviser’s discharge of the foregoing responsibilities. The Adviser may hire (subject to the approval of the Fund’s Board of Trustees (“Board”) and, except as otherwise permitted under the terms of any applicable exemptive relief obtained from the Securities and Exchange Commission, or by rule or regulation, a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund) and thereafter supervise the investment activities of one or more sub-advisers deemed necessary to carry out the investment program of the Fund. The retention of a sub-adviser by the Adviser shall not relieve the Adviser of its responsibilities under this Agreement.
The Adviser shall discharge the foregoing responsibilities subject to the control of the Fund’s Board and in compliance with such policies as the Board may from time to time establish, with the objectives, policies, and limitations for the Fund set forth in the Fund's registration statement as amended from time to time, and with applicable laws and regulations.
3. FUND TRANSACTIONS. The Adviser is authorized to select the brokers or dealers that will execute the purchases and sales of portfolio securities for the Fund and is directed to use its best efforts to obtain “best execution,” considering the Fund’s investment objectives, policies, and restrictions as stated in the Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, as the same may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time, and resolutions of the Fund’s Board. The Adviser will promptly communicate to the officers and the Board such information relating to portfolio transactions as they may reasonably request.
It is understood that the Adviser will not be deemed to have acted unlawfully, or to have breached a fiduciary duty to the Fund or be in breach of any obligation owing to the Fund under this Agreement, or otherwise, by reason of its having directed a securities transaction on behalf of the Fund to a broker-dealer in compliance with the provisions of Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or as described from time to time by the Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.
4. COMPENSATION OF THE ADVISER.
(a) Investment Management Fee. In consideration of the advisory services provided by the Adviser to the Fund, the Fund shall pay to the Adviser compensation at a monthly rate of 1.75% on an annualized basis of the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets during such period. “Managed Assets” means the total assets of the Fund (including any assets attributable to money borrowed for investment purposes) minus the sum of the Fund’s accrued liabilities (other than money borrowed for investment purposes). Compensation will be paid to the Adviser before giving effect to any repurchase of beneficial interests in the Fund effective as of that date. The Adviser may, in its discretion and from time to time, waive all or a portion of its fee.
(b) All rights of compensation under this Agreement for services performed as of the termination date shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
5. BOOKS AND RECORDS. The Adviser will maintain all books and records with respect to the securities transactions of the Fund and will furnish to the Fund’s Board such periodic and special reports as the Board may reasonably request. The Fund and the Adviser agree to furnish to each other, if applicable, current registration statements, proxy statements, reports to shareholders, certified copies of their financial statements, and such other information with regard to their affairs as each may reasonably request.
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 which are prepared or maintained by the Adviser on behalf of the Fund are the property of the Fund and will be surrendered promptly to the Fund on request.
6. STATUS OF ADVISER. The services of the Adviser to the Fund are not to be deemed exclusive, and the Adviser shall be free to render similar services to others so long as its services to the Fund are not impaired thereby. The Adviser shall be deemed to be an independent contractor and shall, unless otherwise expressly provided or authorized, have no authority to act for or represent the Fund in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Fund.
7. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION OF ADVISER.
(a) In the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, reckless disregard or gross negligence of its obligations to the Fund, the Adviser and any partner, director, officer or employee of the Adviser, or any of their affiliates, executors, heirs, assigns, successors or other legal representatives, will not be liable for any error of judgment, mistake of law or for any act or omission by the person in connection with the performance of services to the Fund, except as may otherwise be provided under provisions of applicable state law or Federal securities law which cannot be waived or modified hereby.
(b) The Fund shall indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Adviser, or any partner, director, officer or employee of the Adviser, and any of their affiliates, executors, heirs, assigns, successors or other legal representatives, against any liability or expense to which the person may be liable that arises in connection with the performance of services to the Fund, so long as the liability or expense is not incurred by reason of the person’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, reckless disregard or gross negligence of its obligations to the Fund. The rights of indemnification provided under this Section shall not be construed so as to provide for indemnification of any aforementioned persons for any losses (including any liability under Federal securities laws which, under certain circumstances, impose liability even on persons that act in good faith) to the extent (but only to the extent) that such indemnification would be in violation of applicable law, but shall be construed so as to effectuate the applicable provisions of this Section to the fullest extent permitted by law.
(c) The Adviser shall indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Fund and all controlling persons of the Fund (as described in Section 15 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended), against any liability or expense to which the person may be liable that arises in connection with the performance of services to the Adviser, so long as the liability or expense is not incurred by reason of the person’s willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its obligations to the Adviser. The rights of indemnification provided under this Section shall not be construed so as to provide for indemnification of any aforementioned persons for any losses (including any liability under Federal securities laws which, under certain circumstances, impose liability even on persons that act in good faith) to the extent (but only to the extent) that such indemnification would be in violation of applicable law, but shall be construed so as to effectuate the applicable provisions of this Section to the fullest extent permitted by law.
8. PERMISSIBLE INTERESTS. Trustees, agents, and interest holders of the Fund are or may be interested in the Adviser (or any successor thereof) as members, managers, officers, or interest holders, or otherwise; members, managers, officers, agents, and interest holders of the Adviser are or may be interested in the Fund as Trustees, interest holders or otherwise; and the Adviser (or any successor) is or may be interested in the Fund as an interest holder or otherwise. In addition, brokerage transactions for the Fund may be effected through affiliates of the Adviser if approved by the Fund’s Board, subject to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
9. AUTHORITY; NO CONFLICT. The Adviser represents, warrants and agrees that: it has the authority to enter into and perform the services contemplated by this Agreement; and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement do not, and will not, conflict with, or result in any violation or default under, any agreement to which Adviser or any of its affiliates are a party.
10. LICENSE OF ADVISER'S NAME. The parties agree that the name of the Adviser, the names of any affiliates of the Adviser and any derivative or logo or trademark or service mark or trade name are the valuable property of the Adviser and its affiliates. The Adviser hereby agrees to grant a license to the Fund for use of its name in the name of the Fund for the term of this Agreement and such license shall terminate upon termination of this Agreement. If the Fund makes any unauthorized use of the Adviser’s names, derivatives, logos, trademarks, or service marks or trade names, the parties acknowledge that the Adviser shall suffer irreparable harm for which monetary damages may be inadequate and thus, the Adviser shall be entitled to injunctive relief, as well as any other remedy available under law.
11. DURATION AND TERMINATION. This Agreement, unless sooner terminated as provided herein, shall remain in effect until [_________, 2020] for an initial two-year term and thereafter, may continue in effect from year to year provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually (a) by the vote of a majority of those Trustees of the Board who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any party to this Agreement, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (b) by a vote of a majority of the Fund’s Board or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund; provided, however, that if the interest holders of the Fund fail to approve the Agreement as provided herein, the Adviser may continue to serve hereunder in the manner and to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act and rules and regulations thereunder. The foregoing requirement that continuance of this Agreement be “specifically approved at least annually” shall be construed in a manner consistent with the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be terminated as to the Fund at any time, without the payment of any penalty by vote of a majority of members of the Fund’s Board or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund on sixty (60) days’ written notice to the Adviser, or by the Adviser at any time without the payment of any penalty, on sixty (60) days’ written notice to the Fund. This Agreement will automatically and immediately terminate in the event of its assignment. Any notice under this Agreement shall be given in writing, addressed and delivered, or mailed postpaid, to the other party at any office of such party.
As used in this Section 11, the terms “assignment”, “interested persons”, and a “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities” shall have the respective meanings set forth in the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder; subject to such exemptions as may be granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission under said Act.
12. NOTICE. Any notice required or permitted to be given by either party to the other shall be deemed sufficient if sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, addressed by the party giving notice to the other party at the last address furnished by the other party to the party giving notice:
If to the Adviser:
Bow River Asset Management LLC
205 Detroit Street, Suite 800
Denver, Colorado 80206
If to the Fund:
Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund
c/o Bow River Asset Management LLC
205 Detroit Street, Suite 800
Denver, Colorado 80206
Facsimile: [ ]
Telephone: [ ]
13. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby.
14. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to conflict of law or choice of law doctrines, and the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act. To the extent that the applicable laws of the State of Delaware, or any of the provisions herein, conflict with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control.
[Signature Page Follows]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the day and year first written above.
Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund | ||
By: | ||
Title: | ||
Bow River Asset Management LLC | ||
By: | ||
Title: |
INVESTMENT CONSULTANT AGREEMENT
This Investment Consultant Agreement (the "Agreement") is made and entered into as of [____________], 2020 (the "Effective Date"), by and between Bow River Asset Management, LLC, a Colorado limited liability company (the "Advisor") and Aksia TorreyCove Partners LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("TorreyCove" or the "Investment Consultant").
WHEREAS, the Advisor has been appointed as the investment advisor to the Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund (the “Fund”), a Delaware statutory trust, pursuant to the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, dated [____________], 2020, between the Advisor and the Fund (the "Advisory Agreement");
WHEREAS, the Fund is an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“Investment Company Act”);
WHEREAS, the Fund was formed to invest and reinvest its assets in accordance with the investment objectives and strategies as set forth from time to time in the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, of the Fund, as may be amended from time to time (the "Registration Statement");
WHEREAS, each of the Advisor and Investment Consultant is registered as an investment advisor under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the "Advisers Act"), and engages in the business of providing advisory services; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees (each Board member individually a “Trustee” and together the “Trustees”) of the Fund and the Advisor desire to retain the Investment Consultant to assist the Advisor in rendering certain services to the Fund and the Investment Consultant desires to render such services.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Engagement anti Obligations of Investment Consultant. The Advisor hereby appoints and retains the Investment Consultant to act as an investment consultant to the Fund and to provide the following services for the period, subject to the supervision and oversight of the Advisor and the Trustees of the Fund, and on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
(a) Services. The Investment Consultant agrees to perform the services described in Schedule l (the "Services"). Both parties acknowledge that Investment Consultant will not have power to effect transactions for the Advisor. Investment Consultant will not have investment discretion or have custody or control with respect to the Advisor or Fund. Advisor acknowledges that Investment Consultant's Services, including but not limited to its investment advice and recommendations, are non-discretionary. The Advisor further acknowledges that the Investment Consultant may delegate certain of its responsibilities to its affiliates.
1
The Investment Consultant shall perform the Services (i) in compliance with Board policies, as communicated in advance from time to time, (ii) in accordance with Schedule I hereof, (iii) in a manner consistent with the Fund's objectives, policies, and limitations as set forth in its Registration Statement, as the same may be amended from time to time, so long as the Investment Consultant receives prior written notice of any proposed amendments at least sixty (60) days before such amendments become effective; (iv) subject to the Fund’s declaration of trust, by-laws and/or other governing instruments and (v) in accordance with the Investment Company Act and the Advisers Act and the rules under each, and all other federal and state laws or regulations applicable to the Fund. All Services to be furnished by the Investment Consultant under this Agreement may be furnished through the medium of any directors, officers or employees of the Investment Consultant or through such other parties as the Investment Consultant may determine from time to time (if any).
(b) Expenses and Personnel. The Investment Consultant agrees, at its own expense or at the expense of one or more of its affiliates, to render the Services and to provide the office space, furnishings, equipment and personnel as may be reasonably required to perform the Services on the terms and for the compensation provided herein. Advisor shall reimburse the Investment Consultant for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Investment Consultant in connection with the Services, including, without limitation, travel required to attend in-person meetings with Advisor, the trustees or their respective representatives, sales and marketing activities on behalf of the Fund or for meetings requested by the Advisor and investment activities on behalf of the Fund or as requested by Advisor.
(c) Ownership and Control of Data, Work Product and Books and Records. The Investment Consultant has created, acquired or otherwise has rights in, and may, in connection with the performance of Services hereunder, employ, provide, modify, create, acquire or otherwise obtain rights in, various concepts, ideas, methods, methodologies, procedures, processes, know how, and techniques (including, without limitation, function, process, system and data models); templates; software systems, user interfaces and screen designs; general purpose consulting and software tools; websites; data, documentation, due diligence reports, and proprietary information and processes ("Investment Consultant IP").
(i) Except as provided below, upon full and final payment to Investment Consultant, any reports, information and other deliverables that are specifically customized and exclusively prepared for the Advisor or the Fund in connection with the Services ("Deliverables") shall become the property of Advisor. For the avoidance of doubt, Investment Consultant IP shall never be deemed to be "specifically customized for and exclusively prepared for" the Advisor or the Fund. With respect to any Investment Consultant IP that is delivered to the Advisor or the Fund, Investment Consultant hereby grants to Advisor a perpetual, worldwide, paid-up, royalty-free, non-exclusive, non transferable license to use such Investment Consultant IP in connection with this Agreement solely for the purposes contemplated by and subject to the terms of this Agreement.
(ii) To the extent that Investment Consultant utilizes any of its property, including, without limitation, the Investment Consultant IP, in connection with the performance of Services, such property shall remain the sole and exclusive property of Investment Consultant and, except for the license expressly granted in the preceding paragraph, Advisor shall acquire no right or interest in such property.
(iii) Advisor will honor Investment Consultant copyrights, patents, and trademarks relating to Services, Deliverables and Investment Consultant IP, and will not use Investment Consultant's name, patents or trademarks without Investment Consultant's prior written consent. For the avoidance of doubt, no advertising or marketing materials, including but not limited to the Fund's Registration Statement, regulatory filings, and promotional information which contains the name or any reference to Investment Consultant may be distributed without the prior written consent of Investment Consultant; unless the general form and scope of such use have been previously reviewed and approved by the Investment Consultant.
(iv) Investment Consultant acknowledges and agrees that all right, title and interest in and to any programs, systems, data, information and other materials furnished to Investment Consultant by Advisor hereunder are and shall remain Advisor's sole and exclusive property.
(v) Nothing contained in this Agreement will prohibit Investment Consultant from using any of its general knowledge or knowledge acquired under this Agreement to perform similar services for others.
(vi) All books and records prepared and maintained by the Investment Consultant that are specifically customized for and exclusively prepared for the Advisor and/or the Fund under this Agreement shall be the property of the Advisor and/or the Fund and, upon request therefor, the Investment Consultant shall surrender to the appropriate party or destroy, at the Investment Consultant's sole discretion with prior notice to the Advisor, such of the books and records so requested; provided, however, that Investment Consultant shall be permitted to retain (i) performance data related to recommended underlying investments and (ii) copies of other information as necessary to ensure compliance with applicable law, rule or regulation. Furthermore, the Investment Consultant shall not be required to destroy any computer records or files containing such information which have been created pursuant to automatic archiving and back-up procedures that cannot be reasonably deleted.
2. Compensation of the Investment Consultant. The Advisor will pay to the Investment Consultant an investment consultant fee (the "Fee") as described in Schedule 2. The Fee shall be calculated as of the last business day of each month based upon “Managed Assets”, as determined in the manner described in the Fund's Registration Statement, and shall be paid to the Investment Consultant by the Advisor on a monthly basis in accordance with Schedule 2. The Fund will not pay a direct fee to the Investment Consultant.
3. Status of Investment Consultant. The services of the Investment Consultant to the Advisor and the Fund are not to be deemed exclusive, and the Investment Consultant shall be free to render similar services to others (including, without limitation, any registered investment management company, or series thereof). The Investment Consultant shall be deemed to be an independent contractor and shall have no authority to act for or represent the Advisor or the Fund in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Advisor or the Fund. Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the right of any director, officer or employee of the Investment Consultant, who may also be a trustee, officer or employee of the Advisor or the Fund, to engage in any other business or to devote his or her time and attention in part to the management or other aspects of any other business, whether of a similar nature or a dissimilar nature.
4. Confidentiality. Each party agrees that it shall hold in strict confidence all data and information obtained from another party hereto or the Fund whether written, graphic, oral or in another form (unless such information is or becomes readily ascertainable from public or published information or trade sources other than through a breach of this Section 4), including research and advisory reports, marketing materials, any written communication in connection with the services outlined in Schedule 1 of this Agreement, any usernames or passwords (the "User Codes”, research; software, inventions, patent applications, techniques, processes, developments, algorithms, formulas, technology, customer information, service pricing and all private investment fund and fund manager information (the “Confidential Information"), other than to its employees, affiliates and third-party service providers performing functions for the Fund. Each party agrees to ensure that its affiliates, directors, officers, employees and authorized representatives do not disclose such Confidential Information to others without the prior written consent of the party from whom it was obtained, unless such disclosure is required by a court with competent jurisdiction, the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), other regulatory or official body with applicable jurisdiction, the Fund's independent registered public accounting firm, or in the opinion of its counsel, applicable law and regulations. For the avoidance of doubt, the Investment Consultant's due diligence reports shall constitute Confidential Information and shall only be disclosed to those directors, officers, Fund Investment Committee members or employees, and attorneys (collectively, the "Representatives") of the Advisor or the Fund who have a reasonable need to know for the purposes of this Agreement, and provided that prior to disclosure, the Representatives shall agree to keep the Investment Consultant's Confidential Information confidential and not disclose or use the Investment Consultant's Confidential Information for the benefit of any other person or entity. The Advisor has implemented procedures which provide for a physical and technological restriction of access to Confidential Information which is available to the Investment Consultant by request. If either party (the "Receiving Party") becomes subject to a demand for discovery or disclosure of the other party's (the "Disclosing Party") Confidential Information under lawful process, the Receiving Party (a) must, to the extent permitted by law, give immediate notice to the Disclosing Party prior to furnishing the Disclosing Party's Confidential Information (to the extent the provision of notice is not possible prior to disclosure, such notice shall be provided to the Disclosing Party as soon as practicable) so that the Disclosing Party may seek an appropriate protective order, (b) will not (unless expressly required) provide such disclosure until the Disclosing Party has had the opportunity to obtain such protective order, (c) will disclose only that portion of the Disclosing Party's Confidential Information which falls within the scope of such lawful process and (d) must cooperate in seeking reasonable protective arrangements requested by the Disclosing Party.
Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Investment Consultant may, from time to time, and only to the extent necessary to carry out the terms of this Agreement, disclose its relationship with the Advisor or the Fund to a proper party, including, but not limited to, a private investment fund manager, administrator, or auditor, and the Investment Consultant may, from time to time, disclose this engagement or the Fund's investment performance for purposes of full disclosure in response to requests for proposals and other such questionnaires.
This Agreement shall apply to all Confidential Information disclosed whether before or after the Effective Date and shall continue until either party delivers notice of termination to the other party pursuant to Section 8; provided, however, that the provisions of this Section 4 shall remain in effect after termination.
5. Data Downloads. Certain of the Investment Consultant's Confidential Information may be provided to the Advisor through electronic means (which include, but are not limited to, email, internal and external websites, and web-based portals that allow the Advisor electronic access to the Investment's Consultant's materials (the "Client Portals")).
In connection with the Investment Consultant providing the Advisor with User Codes for its web-based services and products, the Advisor agrees that: (i) it shall not, nor shall it permit any other person to, remove, modify, exchange, disable, penetrate or otherwise defeat any security devices or security procedures; (ii) it will take all necessary actions to preserve the confidentiality of any User Codes; (iii) it shall restrict access to any User Code to those Representatives who are duly authorized to have such access; (iv) it is responsible for all acts or omissions that occur under any User Code; and (v) it shall notify the Investment Consultant immediately in writing upon the occurrence of any of the following: (1) any such User Code is lost, stolen, or improperly disclosed to a third party; (2) the authority or employment of any person in the Advisor's organization who has been given access to the User Code has been terminated; (3) the confidentiality of any such User Code has been compromised in any way; or (4) it learns about a possible or actual unauthorized access to and/or use of such Investment Consultant web-based service or product.
For the avoidance of doubt, all software, data or other material available within the Client Portals constitute the Investment Consultant's confidential and proprietary information for purposes of this Agreement. No act of downloading or otherwise copying from the Client Portals will transfer title to any software, data or material to the Advisor. The Advisor agrees not to use the information for any unlawful purpose and shall comply with any request from the Investment Consultant to protect its or any third-party provider's rights in the information. The Advisor agrees that it will not rent, lease, lend, sell, resell, sublicense, assign, or permit access to, or otherwise reproduce, duplicate, copy or redistribute data derived from, the services or any part thereof to any third party not expressly permitted in this Agreement. In addition, the services provided by the Investment Consultant may include the ability by the Client to download information in a spreadsheet or other format relating to the funds included in the Client Portals. The data and information derived from such downloads is for internal use exclusively by the Advisor, and may not be disclosed, transmitted, or passed to any third party without the prior written consent of the Investment Consultant. The Advisor agrees not to download, or knowingly permit any third party to download, any data derived from the Client Portals onto computers or other media other than for the purposes contemplated by this Agreement and during the term of this Agreement. The Investment Consultant shall have the right for any reason or no reason to prevent the Advisor from downloading any data or information from the Client Portals. The Advisor agrees not to take any action that imposes or may impose an unreasonable or disproportionately large load on the Investment Consultant's technical infrastructure, including excessive data downloads. The use of automated means, including without limitation any robot, spider, or scraper, to download excessive amounts of data is strictly prohibited.
The services provided pursuant to this Agreement may also include access to view videos posted on the Client Portals. Such videos are intended for the use of registered users of the Client Portals and use by anyone other than such registered users is strictly prohibited. The Advisor may view and download videos, but only for the purposes outlined in this Agreement. The Advisor may not otherwise distribute, modify, copy, transmit, display, reuse, reproduce, publish, license, create derivative works from, transfer, sell or use such videos without the Investment Consultant's prior written permission. In particular, and without limiting the foregoing, the Advisor may not show, display, transmit, transfer, sell or otherwise distribute any video to anyone who is not a registered user.
The Advisor acknowledges that any material downloaded or otherwise obtained through the use of the Client Portals is done at the Advisor's own discretion and risk and that it will be solely responsible for any damage to its computer system or loss of data that results from the download of any such material.
6. Limits of Liability; Indemnification. The Investment Consultant assumes no responsibility under this Agreement other than to render the Services called for hereunder. It is agreed that the Investment Consultant shall have no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the Fund's Registration Statement under any applicable provisions of federal securities laws.
The Advisor and/or the Fund shall, to the fullest extent legally permissible under the laws of the state of Delaware, as amended from time to time, indemnify and hold harmless the Investment Consultant, its affiliates, and each of their respective directors, members, partners, officers, employees and agents (each, an "Investment Consultant Party" and collectively, the "Investment Consultant Parties") against and hold the Investment Consultant Parties harmless from any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) (collectively, "Losses") incurred or suffered in connection with the good faith performance by an Investment Consultant Party of its responsibilities under this Agreement; provided, however, that an Investment Consultant Party will not be indemnified against any liability to which it would otherwise be subject by reason of its willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, and reckless disregard. The Advisor and/or the Fund shall, upon request of an Investment Consultant Party, advance amounts in connection with the indemnification obligations described herein; provided, however, that if it is later determined by court order that such Investment Consultant Party was not entitled to be indemnified, then such Investment Consultant Party shall promptly reimburse the Advisor and/or the Fund, as applicable, for all advanced amounts. In the event that this indemnification obligation shall be deemed to be unenforceable, whether in whole or in part, such unenforceable portion shall be stricken or modified so as to give effect to this section to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Both parties acknowledge that applicable provisions of federal and state securities laws (and other non-waivable provisions of certain state and federal laws), may impose liabilities under certain circumstances on persons who act in good faith; therefore nothing contained in this Agreement shall constitute a waiver or limitation of liability that either party, or rights that either party may have under such laws.
In no event will any party be liable to the other party for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, exemplary, reliance or punitive damages (including loss of profits, data, business or goodwill, or government fines, penalties, taxes or filing fees), arising out of the Services, regardless of whether either party is advised of the likelihood of such damages.
7. Duration. This Agreement shall become effective upon the date first above written, provided that this Agreement shall not take effect unless it has first been approved: (i) by a vote of a majority of those Trustees of the Fund who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of any party to this Agreement (“Independent Trustees”), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (ii) by vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities. This Agreement shall continue in effect for an initial period of two (2) years from the date of its execution and shall continue annually thereafter only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
8. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, on sixty (60) days’ written notice to the Advisor and the Investment Consultant, or by the Advisor or Investment Consultant on sixty (60) days’ written notice to the Fund and the other party. This Agreement will automatically terminate, without the payment of any penalty, (i) in the event of its assignment (as defined in the Investment Company Act), or (ii) in the event the Investment Management Agreement between the Advisor and the Fund is assigned (as defined in the Investment Company Act) or terminates for any other reason. This Agreement will also terminate upon written notice to the other party in the event of (a) material breach of this Agreement by the other party provided that such breach is not cured within fourteen (14) calendar days' after written notice, or such longer period as the non-violating party may specify in such notice, (b) the bankruptcy or insolvency of the other party, (c) the inability of the other party for regulatory reasons to perform its services under this Agreement or (d) the commencement of winding up or dissolution of the Fund.
9. Assignment. Any assignment (as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act) of this Agreement made by the Investment Consultant shall result in the automatic termination of this Agreement, as provided in Section 8 hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no assignment shall be deemed to result from any changes in the directors, officers or employees of such Investment Consultant except as may be provided to the contrary in the Investment Company Act or the rules or regulations thereunder.
10. Amendments. No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, but only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought. Furthermore, except to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act or the rules or regulations thereunder or pursuant to exemptive relief granted by the SEC, this Agreement may be amended by the parties only if such amendment, if material, is specifically approved by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (unless such approval is not required by Section 15 of the Investment Company Act as interpreted by the SEC or its staff or unless the SEC has granted an exemption from such approval requirement) and by the vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
11. Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with, and governed by, the substantive laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the principles of the conflict of laws or the choice of laws. To the extent that the laws of the State of Delaware, or any of the provisions in this Agreement, conflict with applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act, the latter shall control.
12. Interpretation. Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the Investment Company Act shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the Investment Company Act and to interpretations thereof, if any, by the United States courts or, in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations or orders of the SEC validly issued pursuant to the Investment Company Act. Specifically, the terms “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “interested persons,” “assignment,” and “affiliated persons,” as used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them by Section 2(a) of the Investment Company Act. In addition, where the effect of a requirement of the Investment Company Act reflected in any provision of this Agreement is relaxed by a rule, regulation or order of the SEC, whether of special or of general application, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.
13. Representations and Warranties.
(a) Representations and Warranties of the Investment Consultant. The Investment Consultant hereby represents and warrants to the Advisor and the Fund as follows: (i) the Investment Consultant is a limited liability company duly organized and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and is fully authorized to enter into this Agreement and carry out its duties and obligations hereunder; and (ii) the Investment Consultant is registered as an investment advisor with the SEC under the Advisers Act, and shall maintain such registration in effect at all times during the term of this Agreement. The Investment Consultant represents that it will immediately notify the Advisor as to any changes in its registration status or otherwise legal authority to act in the capacity as an investment consultant. The Investment Consultant represents and warrants that it has financial resources, personnel and organizational means necessary to perform its obligations, including any liability and indemnification contemplated in Section 6, under this Agreement.
The Investment Consultant acknowledges receipt of the Advisor's Form ADV Part 2A and appropriate 2Bs, which serves as the Advisor's brochure under the Adviser's Act.
Services shall be in compliance with the provisions of the Agreement, the Advisers Act, and other applicable state and federal laws applicable to Investment Consultant.
The Investment Consultant has adopted a written code of ethics complying with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act and will provide the Advisor and the Board with a copy of such code of ethics, together with evidence of its adoption upon request. The Investment Consultant will certify quarterly, and as otherwise requested, that the Investment Consultant has complied with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 and Rule 204A-1 during the period and that there has been no material violation of the Investment Consultant’s code of ethics or, if such a material violation has occurred, that appropriate action was taken in response to such violation. Upon the written request of the Advisor, the Investment Consultant shall permit the Advisor, its employees or its agents to examine the reports required to be made to the Investment Consultant by Rule 17j-1(c)(1) and Rule 204A-1(b) and all other records relevant to the Investment Consultant’s code of ethics.
In providing the Services, the Investment Consultant will provide no services, information or guidance with respect to the securities of any individual company (except as it relates to a co-investment opportunity), including the securities of the Advisor. The Investment Consultant shall not provide any accounting or legal advice.
(b) Representations and Warranties of the Advisor. The Advisor hereby represents and warrants to the Investment Consultant as follows: (i) the Advisor is a limited liability company duly organized and in good standing under the laws of the State of Colorado and is fully authorized to enter into this Agreement and carry out its duties and obligations hereunder; and (ii) the Advisor is registered as an investment advisor with the SEC under the Advisers Act, and shall maintain such registration in effect at all times during the term of this Agreement. The Advisor represents that it will immediately notify the Investment Consultant as to any changes in its registration status or otherwise legal authority to act in the capacity as an investment adviser to its investors. The Advisor represents and warrants that it has financial resources, personnel and organizational means necessary to perform its obligations, including any liability and indemnification contemplated in Section 6, under this Agreement.
The Advisor acknowledges receipt of the Investment Consultant's Form ADV Part 2A and appropriate 2Bs, which serves as the Investment Consultant's brochure under the Advisers Act.
The Advisor acknowledges that the Investment Consultant renders investment advisory services for clients other than the Advisor and the Fund. The Advisor understands that the Investment Consultant may give advice and take action in performing its duties to other clients that may differ from advice or the timing or nature of action with respect to the Advisor.
The Advisor further acknowledges that the Investment Consultant cannot predict future activity in the financial markets and that the performance of investment managers retained by the Advisor are subject to various market, currency, economic, political and business risks, and that investment decisions made by these managers may not always be profitable. Thus, there can be no assurance as to any specific level of investment performance of any strategy that the Investment Consultant may recommend.
14. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby and, to this extent, the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to be severable.
15. Notice. Notices of any kind to be given to the Advisor hereunder by the Investment Consultant shall be in writing and shall be duly given if mailed or delivered to Bow River Asset Management LLC, 205 Detroit St., Suite 800, Denver, CO 80206, Attn: General Counsel or to such other address or to such individual as shall be so specified by the Advisor to the Investment Consultant. Notices of any kind to be given to the Investment Consultant hereunder by the Advisor shall be in writing and shall be duly given if mailed or delivered to Aksia TorreyCove Partners LLC, 10180 Barnes Canyon Road, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92121, Attn: David Fann, or at such other address or to such individual as shall be so specified by the Investment Consultant to the Advisor. Notices of any kind to be given to the Fund hereunder by the Investment Consultant shall be in writing and shall be duly given if mailed or delivered to Bow River Capital, 205 Detroit St., Suite 800, Denver, CO 80206 Attn: General Counsel, with a copy to Josh Deringer, Faegre Drinker, Biddle & Reath LLP, One Logan Square, Suite 2000, Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996 or to such other address or to such individual as shall be so specified by the Fund to the Investment Consultant. Notices shall be effective upon delivery.
16. Notice of Certain Changes in Investment Consultant. The Investment Consultant is hereby obligated to promptly notify the Fund and Advisor if there is a material change in the Investment Consultant's Managing Directors, as defined at the Effective Date, within a reasonable time after such change takes place. No assignment (including, but not limited to, an assignment as defined in the Advisers Act) by either party to this Agreement shall be made without the prior written consent of the other party.
17. Publicity. Except as expressly provided herein or as approved in writing by the parties, neither party shall make any media or press release or other public announcement or disclosure relating to or referring to this Agreement or the other party without the other party's prior written consent.
18. Marketing Relating to Investment Consultant.
(a) The parties agree that the name of the Investment Consultant, and the names of any of its affiliates, successors-in-interest, officers, managers, members, directors and employees and any derivative or logo or trademark or service mark or trade name of the foregoing are the valuable property of the Investment Consultant and its affiliates. The Advisor and the Fund shall have the right to use such name(s), derivatives, logos, trademarks or service marks or trade names only with the prior written approval of the Investment Consultant; unless the general form and scope of such use have been previously reviewed and approved by the Investment Consultant. Upon termination of this Agreement, the Advisor and the Fund shall cease to use such name(s), derivatives, logos, trademarks or service marks or trade names.
(b) The Fund and Advisor agree that the Fund and Advisor will only use marketing materials relating to or mentioning the Investment Consultant, its affiliates, successors-in-interest, officers, managers, members, directors and employees if such marketing materials were approved in writing for such use by Investment Consultant prior to use. The Fund and Advisor will review with the Investment Consultant any advertisement, sales literature, or notice prior to its use so that the Investment Consultant may review the context in which it is referred to, it being agreed that the Investment Consultant shall have no responsibility to ensure the adequacy of the form or content of such materials for purposes of the Fund's or Advisor's compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
19. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterpart signature pages (including facsimile counterparts), each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute one and the same instrument.
[Remainder of page left intentionally blank}
[Signature page follows]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the day and the year first written above.
BOW RIVER ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC | AKSIA TORREYCOVE PARTNERS LLC | ||
By: Blair Richardson | By: David Fann | ||
Title: Chief Executive Officer | Title: Vice Chairman |
11
Schedule 1- Scope of Services
Sourcing, Evaluation and Recommendation
a. | Assist Advisor in sourcing opportunities in secondary fund investments, primary fund commitments, and co-investments in private equity, private credit and liquid credit strategies ("Preliminary Opportunities"). |
b. | Assist Advisor in screening Preliminary Opportunities based upon Advisor's objectives and selection criteria ("Screened Opportunities"). |
c. | Recommend investments for the Fund in consultation with the Advisor ("Recommended Opportunities"). |
d. | Prepare due diligence reports for Recommended Opportunities ("Due Diligence Materials") in consultation with the Advisor. The format and structure of the Due Diligence Materials may vary over time and shall be based on the specifics of each Recommended Opportunity. |
e. | Facilitate communication between Advisor and general partners of Recommended Opportunities, as needed. |
f. | Upon request, provide advice to the Advisor in its commercial investment-related contract negotiations with respect to Recommended Opportunities. |
Governance
g. | Participate in an observer capacity on the Fund's investment committee and participate in investment committee meetings, as needed and mutually agreed upon by both parties. For the purposes of clarity, Advisor and Investment Consultant acknowledge and agree that Investment Consultant shall not have a voting or other decision-making authority relating to the Fund's investment committee. |
h. | Facilitate communication between the Advisor and general partners with respect to investment valuation. |
i. | Upon request and upon mutual agreement, prepare a summary of the Due Diligence Materials for the Fund's investment committee presentations. |
Portfolio Construction
j. | Work with Advisor to develop a model portfolio and pacing model consistent with the Fund's investment objectives. |
k. | Work with Advisor, to adjust the portfolio and pacing model, as needed. |
Ongoing Monitoring and Management
l. | Ongoing oversight of the underlying investments held by the Fund for which Investment Consultant has provided Investment Consultant services, the frequency of which will be agreed to by both parties. |
m. | Regular communication with the Advisor that will initially consist of weekly pipeline reviews, bi-weekly investment committee calls and quarterly portfolio reviews. |
n. | Ad-hoc portfolio management meetings between Investment Consultant and Advisor including discussion of Recommended Opportunities. |
o. | Meet with the Fund's board of trustees at its quarterly meetings. |
p. | To the extent the Fund hires a sub-advisor to manage a sleeve of the portfolio, the parties will mutually agree upon the frequency of communication between both parties and the sub-advisor, including annual meetings, which may be more frequent as agreed to by both parties. |
Marketing and Distribution Support
q. | Assist with branding, messaging and other marketing content as it pertains to the Investment Consultant and its role with respect to the Fund. |
r. | Provide Investment Consultant's white papers and market commentary. |
s. | Participate in Advisor conferences and due diligence events from time to time with sufficient notice, as mutually agreed to with the Investment Consultant. |
t. | Provide commercially reasonable field sales support coverage, from time to time with sufficient notice, as mutually agreed to with the Investment Consultant. |
Additional Support
u. | Upon request, Investment Consultant will cooperate, on a timely basis, with request for information required from Investment Consultant as an investment consultant to the Advisor and the Fund to facilitate the Fund's SEC and other regulatory filings. |
v. | Upon request, Investment Consultant will provide the Advisor and the Fund with records concerning the Investment Consultant's activities under this Agreement, which the Fund is required to maintain. |
w. | Upon request, Investment Consultant will render regular reports to the Advisor and the Fund concerning the Investment Consultant's discharge of the foregoing responsibilities. |
Schedule 2 - Fee
Fees and Other Payment Terms: -
• | Advisor shall pay Investment Consultant the following asset-based investment consultant fee ("Fee") based on the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets: |
Asset Based Fee | Investment Consultant-Advised Assets of the Bow River Evergreen Fund |
0.375% (37.5 basis points) | All Assets |
For purposes of calculating the Fee, “Managed Assets” shall be determined in accordance with the Fund's governing documents as of last business day of each calendar month.
The Fee is due and payable monthly within 30 days of the invoice receipt date. Interest at 9% per year will accrue after the invoice date until payment is received. Invoices will be submitted to Advisor on a monthly basis in arrears.
If the Fund's board of trustees agrees to reduce the fund advisory fee payable to Advisor, the Investment Consultant's Fee will also be reduced pro-rata in conjunction with the reduction in the fund advisory fee.
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of this [ ], 2020, by and among each of the Funds listed on Exhibit A attached hereto (each a Fund, and together, the “Funds”) and Foreside Financial Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Distributor”).
WHEREAS, each Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as a non-diversified closed-end management investment company and operates as an interval fund, and is authorized to issue units of beneficial interest (“Units”);
WHEREAS, the Funds desire to retain the Distributor as principal underwriter in connection with the offering of the Units of each of the Funds;
WHEREAS, the Distributor is registered as a broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”);
WHEREAS, this Agreement has been approved by a vote of each Fund’s board of trustees (the “Board”) and its disinterested directors in conformity with Section 15(c) of the 1940 Act; and
WHEREAS, the Distributor is willing to act as principal underwriter for the Funds on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.
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 Distributor. The Funds hereby appoint the Distributor as their exclusive agent for the sale and distribution of Units of the Funds, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, and the Distributor hereby accepts such exclusive appointment and agrees to perform the services and duties set forth in this Agreement.
2. Services and Duties of the Distributor.
A. The Distributor agrees to act as agent of the Funds for distribution of the Units of the Funds, upon the terms and at the current offering price (plus sales charge, if any) described in the Prospectus. As used in this Agreement, the term “Prospectus” shall mean each current prospectus, including the statement of additional information, as amended or supplemented, relating to any of the Funds and included in the currently effective registration statement(s) or post-effective amendment(s) thereto (the “Registration Statement”) of the Funds under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “1933 Act”) and the 1940 Act.
1
B. During the public offering of Units of the Funds, the Distributor shall use commercially reasonable efforts to distribute the Units. All orders for Units shall be made through financial intermediaries or directly to the applicable Fund, or its designated agent. Such purchase orders shall be deemed effective at the time and in the manner set forth in the Prospectus. The Funds or its designated agent will confirm orders and subscriptions upon receipt, will make appropriate book entries and, upon receipt of payment therefor, will issue the appropriate number of Units in uncertificated form.
C. The Distributor shall maintain membership with the NSCC and any other similar successor organization to sponsor a participant number for the Funds so as to enable the Units to be traded through FundSERV. The Distributor shall not be responsible for any operational matters associated with FundSERV or Networking transactions.
D. The Distributor acknowledges and agrees that it is not authorized to provide any information or make any representations regarding the Funds other than as contained in the Prospectus and any sales literature and advertising materials specifically approved by the Funds.
E. The Distributor agrees to review all proposed advertising materials and sales literature for compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and shall file with appropriate regulators those advertising materials and sales literature it believes are in compliance with such laws and regulations. The Distributor agrees to furnish to the Funds any comments provided by regulators with respect to such materials.
F. The Funds agree to redeem or repurchase Units tendered by shareholders of the Funds in accordance with the Funds’ obligations in the Prospectus and the Registration Statement. The Funds reserve the right to suspend such repurchase right upon written notice to the Distributor.
G. The Distributor may, in its discretion, and shall, at the request of the Funds, enter into agreements with such qualified broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries as it may select (the “Financial Intermediaries”), in order that such Financial Intermediaries may sell Units of the Funds. The form of any dealer agreement shall be approved by the Funds. The Distributor shall not be obligated to make any payments to the Financial Intermediaries or other third parties, unless (i) Foreside has received a corresponding payment from the applicable fund and (ii) such corresponding payment has been approved by the each Fund’s Board. The Distributor shall include in the forms of agreement with Financial Intermediaries a provision for the forfeiture by them of any sales charge or discount with respect to Units sold by them and redeemed, repurchased or tendered for redemption within seven business days after the date of confirmation of such purchases.
H. The Distributor shall devote its best efforts to effect sales of Units of the Funds but shall not be obligated to sell any certain number of Units.
I. The Distributor shall prepare reports for the Board regarding its activities under this Agreement as from time to time shall be reasonably requested by the Board.
2
J. The Distributor may enter into agreements (“Subcontracts”) with qualified third parties to carry out some or all of the Distributor’s obligations under this Agreement, with the prior written consent of the Funds, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld; provided that execution of a Subcontract shall not relieve the Distributor of any of its responsibilities hereunder.
K. The services furnished by the Distributor hereunder are not to be deemed exclusive and the Distributor shall be free to furnish similar services to others so long as its services under this Agreement are not impaired thereby.
L. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Distributor shall not be required to register as a broker or dealer in any specific jurisdiction or to maintain its registration in any jurisdiction in which it is now registered.
3. Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Funds.
A. Each Fund hereby represents and warrants to the Distributor, which representations and warranties shall be deemed to be continuing throughout the term of this Agreement, that:
(i) | it is duly organized and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation/organization and is registered as a closed-end management investment company under the 1940 Act; |
(ii) | this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Funds and, when executed and delivered, will constitute a valid and legally binding obligation of the Fund, 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; |
(iii) | 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/operating agreement or any contract binding it or affecting its property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement; |
(iv) | the Units are validly authorized and, when issued in accordance with the description in the Prospectus, will be fully paid and nonassessable; |
(v) | the Registration Statement and Prospectus included therein have been prepared in conformity with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder; |
(vi) | the Registration Statement and Prospectus and any advertising materials and sales literature prepared by the Fund or its agent do not and shall not contain any untrue statement of material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and that all statements or information furnished to the Distributor pursuant to this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects; |
3
(vii) | the Fund owns, possesses, licenses or has other rights to use all patents, patent applications, trademarks and service marks, trademark and service mark registrations, trade names, copyrights, licenses, inventions, trade secrets, technology, know-how and other intellectual property (collectively, “Intellectual Property”) necessary for or used in the conduct of the Fund’s business and for the offer, issuance, distribution and sale of the Fund Units in accordance with the terms of the Prospectus and this Agreement, and such Intellectual Property does not and will not breach or infringe the terms of any Intellectual Property owned, held or licensed by any third party; and |
(viii) | all necessary approvals, authorizations, consents or orders of or filings with any federal, state, local or foreign governmental or regulatory commission, board, body, authority or agency have been or will be obtained by the Fund in connection with the issuance and sale of the Units, including registration of the Units under the 1933 Act, and any necessary qualification under the securities or blue sky laws of the various jurisdictions in which the Units are being offered. |
B. The Funds shall take, or cause to be taken, all necessary action to register the Units under the federal and all applicable state securities laws and to maintain an effective Registration Statement for such Units in order to permit the sale of Units as herein contemplated. The Funds authorize the Distributor to use the Prospectus, in the form furnished to the Distributor from time to time, in connection with the sale of Units.
C. The Funds agree to advise the Distributor promptly in writing:
(i) | of any material correspondence or other communication by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or its staff relating to the Funds, including requests by the SEC for amendments to the Registration Statement or Prospectus; |
(ii) | in the event of the issuance by the SEC of any stop-order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement then in effect or the initiation of any proceeding for that purpose; |
(iii) | of the happening of any event which makes untrue any statement of a material fact made in the Prospectus or which requires the making of a change in such Prospectus in order to make the statements therein not misleading; |
(iv) | of all actions taken by the SEC with respect to any amendments to any Registration Statement or Prospectus which may from time to time be filed with the SEC; |
4
(v) | in the event that it determines to suspend the sale of Units at any time in response to conditions in the securities markets or otherwise or to suspend the redemption of Units of any Fund at any time as permitted by the 1940 Act or the rules of the SEC; and |
(vi) | of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against the Funds or any of their officers or directors in connection with the issue and sale of any of the Units. |
D. The Funds shall file such reports and other documents as may be required under applicable federal and state laws and regulations, including state blue sky laws, and shall notify the Distributor in writing of the states in which the Units may be sold and of any changes to such information.
E. The Funds agree to file from time to time such amendments to its Registration Statement and Prospectus as may be necessary in order that its Registration Statement and Prospectus will not contain any untrue statement of material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.
F. The Funds shall fully cooperate in the efforts of the Distributor to sell and arrange for the sale of Units. In addition, the Funds shall keep the Distributor fully informed of its affairs and shall provide to the Distributor from time to time copies of all information, financial statements, and other papers that the Distributor may reasonably request for use in connection with the distribution of Units, including, without limitation, certified copies of any financial statements prepared for the Funds by their independent public accountants and such reasonable number of copies of the most current Prospectus, statement of additional information and annual and interim reports to shareholders as the Distributor may request. The Funds shall forward a copy of any SEC filings, including the Registration Statement, to the Distributor within one business day of any such filings. The Funds represent that it will not use or authorize the use of any advertising or sales material unless and until such materials have been approved and authorized for use by the Distributor.
G. The Funds shall provide, and cause each other agent or service provider to the Funds, including the Funds’ transfer agent and investment adviser, to provide, to Distributor in a timely and accurate manner all such information (and in such reasonable medium) that the Distributor may reasonably request that may be necessary for the Distributor to perform its duties under this Agreement.
H. The Funds shall not file any amendment to the Registration Statement or Prospectus that amends any provision therein which pertains to Distributor, the distribution of the Units or the applicable sales loads or public offering price without giving Distributor reasonable advance notice thereof; provided, however, that nothing contained in this Agreement shall in any way limit the Funds’ right to file at any time such amendments to the Registration Statement or Prospectus, of whatever character, as the Funds may deem advisable, such right being in all respects absolute and unconditional.
5
I. The Funds have adopted policies and procedures pursuant to Title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, as may be modified from time to time. In this regard, the Funds (and relevant agents) shall have in place and maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards reasonably designed to protect the security, confidentiality and integrity of, and to prevent the unauthorized access to or use of, records and information relating to the Funds and the owners of the Units.
4. Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Distributor.
A. The Distributor hereby represents and warrants to the Funds, which representations and warranties shall be deemed to be continuing throughout the term of this Agreement, that:
(i) | 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; |
(ii) | this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Distributor and, when executed and delivered, will constitute a valid and legally binding obligation of the Distributor, 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; |
(iii) | 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, operating agreement or any contract binding it or affecting its property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement; and |
(iv) | it is registered as a broker-dealer under the 1934 Act and is a member in good standing of FINRA. |
B. In connection with all matters relating to this Agreement, the Distributor will comply with the applicable requirements of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act, the regulations of FINRA and all other applicable federal or state laws and regulations.
C. The Distributor shall promptly notify the Funds of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against the Distributor or any of its managers, officers or directors in connection with the issue and sale of any of the Units.
5. Compensation.
A. In consideration of Foreside’s services in connection with the distribution of Units of each Fund and Class thereof, Foreside shall receive the compensation set forth in Exhibit B.
B. Except as specified in Section 5A, Foreside shall be entitled to no compensation or reimbursement of expenses for services provided by Foreside pursuant to this Agreement. Foreside may receive compensation from Bow River Asset Management LLC (“Adviser”) related to its services hereunder or for additional services all as may be agreed to between the Adviser and Foreside.
6. Expenses.
A. The Funds shall bear all costs and expenses in connection with registration of the Units with the SEC and the applicable states, as well as all costs and expenses in connection with the offering of the Units and communications with shareholders of its Funds, including but not limited to (i) fees and disbursements of its counsel and independent public accountants; (ii) costs and expenses of the preparation, filing, printing and mailing of Registration Statements and Prospectuses and amendments thereto, as well as related advertising and sales literature, (iii) costs and expenses of the preparation, printing and mailing of annual and interim reports, proxy materials and other communications to shareholders of the Funds; and (iv) fees required in connection with the offer and sale of Units in such jurisdictions as shall be selected by the Funds pursuant to Section 3(D) hereof.
B. The Distributor shall bear the expenses of registration or qualification of the Distributor as a dealer or broker under federal or state laws and the expenses of continuing such registration or qualification. The Distributor does not assume responsibility for any expenses not expressly assumed hereunder.
7. Indemnification.
A. The Funds shall indemnify, defend and hold the Distributor, its affiliates and each of their respective members, managers, directors, officers, employees, representatives and any person who controls or previously controlled the Distributor within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the “Distributor Indemnitees”), free and harmless from and against any and all losses, claims, demands, liabilities, damages and expenses (including the costs of investigating or defending any alleged losses, claims, demands, liabilities, damages or expenses and any reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) (collectively, “Losses”) that any Distributor Indemnitee may incur under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act any other statute (including Blue Sky laws) or any rule or regulation thereunder, or under common law or otherwise, arising out of or relating to (i) the Distributor serving as distributor of the Funds pursuant to this Agreement; (ii) the Funds’ breach of any of its obligations, representations, warranties or covenants contained in this Agreement; (iii) the Funds’ failure to comply with any applicable securities laws or regulations; or (iv) any claim that the Registration Statement, Prospectus, shareholder reports, sales literature and advertising materials or other information filed or made public by the Funds (as from time to time amended) include or included an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading under the 1933 Act, or any other statute or the common law any violation of any rule of FINRA or of the SEC or any other jurisdiction wherein Units of the Funds are sold, provided, however, that the Funds’ obligation to indemnify any of the Distributor Indemnitees shall not be deemed to cover any Losses arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in the Registration Statement, Prospectus, annual or interim report, or any such advertising materials or sales literature in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to the Distributor and furnished to the Funds or their counsel by the Distributor in writing and acknowledging the purpose of its use. In no event shall anything contained herein be so construed as to protect the Distributor against any liability to the Funds or their shareholders to which the Distributor would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its duties under this Agreement or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations under this Agreement.
The Funds’ agreement to indemnify the Distributor Indemnitees with respect to any action is expressly conditioned upon the Funds being notified of such action or claim of loss brought against any Distributor Indemnitee, within a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such Distributor Indemnitee, unless the failure to give notice does not prejudice the Funds. Such notification shall be given by letter or by telegram addressed to the Funds’ President, but the failure so to notify the Funds of any such action shall not relieve the Funds from any liability which the Funds may have to the person against whom such action is brought by reason of any such untrue, or alleged untrue, statement or omission, or alleged omission, otherwise than on account of the Funds’ indemnity agreement contained in this Section 7(A).
B. The Funds shall be entitled to participate at their own expense in the defense or, if it so elects, to assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any such Losses, but if the Funds elect to assume the defense, such defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by the Funds and approved by the Distributor, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. In the event the Funds elect to assume the defense of any such suit and retain such counsel, the Distributor Indemnitee(s) in such suit shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by them. If the Funds do not elect to assume the defense of any such suit, or in case the Distributor does not, in the exercise of reasonable judgment, approve of counsel chosen by the Funds or, if under prevailing law or legal codes of ethics, the same counsel cannot effectively represent the interests of both the Funds and the Distributor Indemnitee(s), the Funds will reimburse the Distributor Indemnitee(s) in such suit, for the fees and expenses of any counsel retained by Distributor and them. The Funds’ indemnification agreement contained in Sections 7(A) and 7(B) shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Distributor Indemnitee(s), and shall survive the delivery of any Units and the termination of this Agreement. This agreement of indemnity will inure exclusively to the Distributor’s benefit, to the benefit of each Distributor Indemnitee.
C. The Funds shall advance attorney’s fees and other expenses incurred by a Distributor Indemnitee in defending any claim, demand, action or suit which is the subject of a claim for indemnification pursuant to this Section 7 to the maximum extent permissible under applicable law.
D. The Distributor shall indemnify, defend and hold the Funds, their affiliates, and each of their respective directors, officers, employees, representatives, and any person who controls or previously controlled the Funds within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the “Fund Indemnitees”), free and harmless from and against any and all Losses that any Fund Indemnitee may incur under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act, any other statute (including Blue Sky laws) or any rule or regulation thereunder, or under common law or otherwise, arising out of or based upon (i) the Distributor’s breach of any of its obligations, representations, warranties or covenants contained in this Agreement; (ii) the Distributor’s failure to comply with any applicable securities laws or regulations; or (iii) any claim that the Registration Statement, Prospectus, sales literature and advertising materials or other information filed or made public by the Funds (as from time to time amended) include or included an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements not misleading, insofar as such statement or omission was made in reliance upon, and in conformity with, information furnished to the Funds by the Distributor in writing. In no event shall anything contained herein be so construed as to protect the Funds against any liability to the Distributor to which the Funds would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its duties under this Agreement or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations under this Agreement.
The Distributor’s agreement to indemnify the Fund Indemnitees is expressly conditioned upon the Distributor’s being notified of any action or claim of loss brought against a Fund Indemnitee, such notification to be given by letter or telegram addressed to the Distributor’s President, within a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon the Fund Indemnitee, unless the failure to give notice does not prejudice the Distributor. The failure so to notify the Distributor of any such action shall not relieve the Distributor from any liability which the Distributor may have to the person against whom such action is brought by reason of any such untrue, or alleged untrue, statement or omission, otherwise than on account of the Distributor’s indemnity agreement contained in this Section 7(D).
E. The Distributor shall be entitled to participate at its own expense in the defense or, if it so elects, to assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any such Losses, but if the Distributor elects to assume the defense, such defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by the Distributor and approved by the Fund Indemnitee, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. In the event the Distributor elects to assume the defense of any such suit and retain such counsel, the Fund Indemnitee(s) in such suit shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by them. If the Distributor does not elect to assume the defense of any such suit, or in case the Fund does not, in the exercise of reasonable judgment, approve of counsel chosen by the Distributor or, if under prevailing law or legal codes of ethics, the same counsel cannot effectively represent the interests of both the Distributor and the Fund Indemnitee(s), the Distributor will reimburse the Fund Indemnitee(s) in such suit, for the fees and expenses of any counsel retained by the Fund and them. The Distributor’s indemnification agreement contained in Sections 7(D) and (E) shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Fund Indemnitee(s), and shall survive the delivery of any Units and the termination of this Agreement. This Agreement of indemnity will inure exclusively to the Funds’ benefit, to the benefit of each Fund Indemnitee.
F. No person shall be obligated to provide indemnification under this Section 7 if such indemnification would be impermissible under the 1940 Act, the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act or the rules of the FINRA; provided, however, in such event indemnification shall be provided under this Section 7 to the maximum extent so permissible.
8. Dealer Agreement Indemnification.
A. Distributor acknowledges and agrees that certain large and significant broker- dealers, such as (without limitation) Merrill Lynch, UBS and Morgan Stanley (all such brokers referred to herein as the “Brokers”), require that Distributor enter into dealer agreements (the
“Non-Standard Dealer Agreements”) that contain certain representations, undertakings and indemnification that are not included in the Standard Dealer Agreement.
B. To the extent that Distributor is requested or required by the Funds to enter into any Non-Standard Dealer Agreement, the Funds shall indemnify, defend and hold the Distributor Indemnitees free and harmless from and against any and all Losses that any Distributor Indemnitee may incur arising out of or relating to (a) Foreside’s actions or failures to act pursuant to any Non-Standard Dealer Agreement; (b) any representations made by Foreside in any Non-Standard Dealer Agreement to the extent that Foreside is not required to make such representations in the Standard Dealer Agreement; or (c) any indemnification provided by Foreside under a Non-Standard Dealer Agreement to the extent that such indemnification is beyond the indemnification Foreside provides to intermediaries in the Standard Dealer Agreement. In no event shall anything contained herein be so construed as to protect the Distributor Indemnitees against any liability to the Funds or their shareholders to which the Distributor Indemnitees would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of Distributor’s obligations or duties under the Non- Standard Dealer Agreement or by reason of Distributor’s reckless disregard of its obligations or duties under the Non-Standard Dealer Agreement.
9. Limitations on Damages. Neither Party shall be liable for any consequential, special or indirect losses or damages suffered by the other Party, whether or not the likelihood of such losses or damages was known by the Party.
10. Force Majeure. Neither Party shall be liable for losses, delays, failure, errors, interruption or loss of data occurring directly or indirectly by reason of circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, Acts of Nature (including fire, flood, earthquake, storm, hurricane or other natural disaster); action or inaction of civil or military authority; acts of foreign enemies; war; terrorism; riot; insurrection; sabotage; epidemics; pandemics; labor disputes; civil commotion; or interruption, loss or malfunction of utilities, transportation, computer or communications capabilities; provided, however, that in each specific case such circumstance shall be beyond the reasonable control of the party seeking to apply this force majeure clause.
11. Duration and Termination.
A. This Agreement shall become effective with respect to each Fund listed on Exhibit A hereof as of the date hereof and, with respect to each Fund not in existence on that date, on the date an amendment to Exhibit A to this Agreement relating to that Fund is executed. Unless sooner terminated as provided herein, this Agreement shall continue in effect for two years from the date hereof. Thereafter, if not terminated, this Agreement shall continue automatically in effect as to each Fund for successive one-year periods, provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (i) each Fund’s Board or (ii) the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund, in accordance with Section 15 of the 1940 Act.
B. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be terminated, without the payment of any penalty, with respect to a particular Fund (i) through a failure to renew this Agreement at the end of a term or (ii) upon mutual consent of the parties. Further, this Agreement may be terminated upon no less than 60 days’ written notice, by either each Fund through a vote of a majority of the members of the Board who are not interested persons, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act, and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Agreement or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund, or by the Distributor.
C. This Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment.
12. Anti-Money Laundering Compliance.
A. Each of Distributor and the Funds acknowledge that it is a financial institution subject to the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 and the Bank Secrecy Act (collectively, the “AML Acts”), which require, among other things, that financial institutions adopt compliance programs to guard against money laundering. Each represents and warrants to the other that it is in compliance with and will continue to comply with the AML Acts and applicable regulations in all relevant respects.
B. The Distributor shall include specific contractual provisions regarding anti-money laundering compliance obligations in agreements entered into by the Distributor with any broker- dealer or other financial intermediary that is authorized to effect transactions in Units of the Funds.
C. Each of Distributor and Funds agrees that it will take such further steps, and cooperate with the other as may be reasonably necessary, to facilitate compliance with the AML Acts, including but not limited to the provision of copies of its written procedures, policies and controls related thereto (“AML Operations”). Distributor undertakes that it will grant to the Funds, the Funds’ anti-money laundering compliance officer and appropriate regulatory agencies, reasonable access to copies of Distributor’s AML Operations, and related books and records to the extent they pertain to the Distributor’s services hereunder. It is expressly understood and agreed that the Funds and the Funds’ compliance officer shall have no access to any of Distributor’s AML Operations, books or records pertaining to other clients or services of Distributor.
13. Privacy. In accordance with Regulation S-P, the Distributor will not disclose any non- public personal information, as defined in Regulation S-P, received from the Funds or any Fund regarding any Fund shareholder; provided, however, that the Distributor may disclose such information to any party as necessary in the ordinary course of business to carry out the purposes for which such information was disclosed to the Distributor. The Distributor 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 consumers and customers of the Funds.
The Funds represent to the Distributor that it has adopted a Statement of its privacy policies and practices as required by Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-P and agrees to provide to the Distributor a copy of that statement annually. The Distributor agrees to use reasonable precautions to protect, and prevent the unintentional disclosure of, such non- public personal information.
14. Confidentiality. During the term of this Agreement, the Distributor and the Funds may have access to confidential information relating to such matters as either party’s business, trade secrets, systems, procedures, manuals, products, contracts, personnel, and clients. As used in this Agreement, “Confidential Information” means information belonging to the Distributor or the Funds which is of value to such party and the disclosure of which could result in a competitive or other disadvantage to either party, including, without limitation, financial information, business practices and policies, know-how, trade secrets, market or sales information or plans, customer lists, business plans, and all provisions of this Agreement. Confidential Information does not include: (i) information that was known to the receiving Party before receipt thereof from or on behalf of the Disclosing Party; (ii) information that is disclosed to the Receiving Party by a third person who has a right to make such disclosure without any obligation of confidentiality to the Party seeking to enforce its rights under this Section; (iii) information that is or becomes generally known in the trade without violation of this Agreement by the Receiving Party; or (iv) information that is independently developed by the Receiving Party or its employees or affiliates without reference to the Disclosing Party’s information.
Each party will protect the other’s Confidential Information with at least the same degree of care it uses with respect to its own Confidential Information, and will not use the other party’s Confidential Information other than in connection with its obligations hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a party may disclose the other’s Confidential Information if (i) required by law, regulation or legal process or if requested by any Agency; (ii) it is advised by counsel that it may incur liability for failure to make such disclosure; (iii) requested to by the other party; provided that in the event of (i) or (ii) the disclosing party shall give the other party reasonable prior notice of such disclosure to the extent reasonably practicable and cooperate with the other party (at such other party’s expense) in any efforts to prevent such disclosure.
15. Notices. Any notice required or permitted to be given by any party to the others shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given on the date delivered personally or by courier service or 3 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 as set forth below:
Notices to the Distributor shall be sent to:
Foreside Financial Services, LLC
Attn: Legal Department Three Canal Plaza Suite 100
Portland, ME 04101
Fax: (207) 553-7151
Notices to the Funds shall be sent to:
Bow River Asset Management, LLC 205 Detroit Street, Suite 800
Denver, Colorado 80206
Attn: Richard Wham, President Telephone:720-573-8085
Email: wham@bowrivercapital.com
16. Modifications. The terms of this Agreement shall not be waived, altered, modified, amended or supplemented in any manner whatsoever except by a written instrument signed by the Distributor and the Funds. If required under the 1940 Act, any such amendment must be approved by each Fund’s Board, including a majority of each Fund’s Board who are not interested persons, as such term is defined in the 1940 Act, of any party to this Agreement, by vote cast in person at a meeting for the purpose of voting on such amendment.
17. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the conflicts of law principles thereof.
18. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties hereto and supersedes all prior communications, understandings and agreements relating to the subject matter hereof, whether oral or written.
19. Survival. The provisions of Sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 12 and 13 of this Agreement shall survive any termination of this Agreement.
20. 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. 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. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors. This Agreement has been negotiated and executed by the parties in English. In the event any translation of this Agreement is prepared for convenience or any other purpose, the provisions of the English version shall prevail.
21. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by the Parties hereto in any number of counterparts, and all of the counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same document.
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.
FORESIDE FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC
By: | Name: Mark Fairbanks | |
Title: Vice President |
ON BEHALF OF EACH OF THE FUNDS LISTED ON EXHIBIT A
By: | Name: Richard Wham | |
Title: |
EXHIBIT A
Funds
Bow River Capital Evergreen Private Equity Fund
EXHIBIT B
Compensation
DISTRIBUTION FEE:
[ RESERVED]
BOW RIVER CAPITAL EVERGREEN FUND
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN
for Class II Shares
WHEREAS, Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund (the “Fund”) is engaged in business as a closed-end investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”);
WHEREAS, the Fund has issued two separate classes of shares of beneficial interests (the “Shares”) in the Fund known as Class I Shares and Class II Shares;
WHEREAS, the board of trustees of the Fund (the “Trustees”) have determined that there is a reasonable likelihood that this Distribution and Service Plan (the “Plan”) will benefit the Fund and the holders of Shares of Class II (the “Class II Shares”); and
WHEREAS, the Plan, together with any related agreements, has been approved by votes of the majority of both (i) the Trustees and (ii) the Independent Trustees (as defined herein), cast in person at a meeting of the Trustees called for the purpose of voting on this Plan and related agreements;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Fund hereby adopts this Plan in compliance with the terms of the exemptive application filed by the Fund with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on [ ], 2020 and approved by the SEC on [ ], 2020.
SECTION 1. The Fund has adopted this Plan to enable Class II Shares to directly or indirectly bear expenses relating to the distribution of Class II Shares.
SECTION 2. The Fund will pay the distributor of the Fund and/or any Recipient (as defined below) a distribution fee of up to 0.25% on an annualized basis of the Fund’s net asset value attributable to Class II Shares in connection with the promotion and distribution of Class II Shares and the provision of personal services to holders of Class II Shares, including, but not limited to, advertising, compensation to placement agents, dealers and selling personnel, the printing and mailing of offering memoranda to other than current members of the Fund, and the printing and mailing of sales literature. The Fund or the distributor may pay all or a portion of these fees to any registered securities dealer, financial institution or any other person (each, a “Recipient”) who renders assistance in distributing or promoting the sale of Class II Shares, or who provides certain shareholder services, pursuant to a written agreement. The actual fee to be paid by the Fund to broker/dealers and financial institutions and intermediaries will be negotiated based on the extent and quality of services provided.
SECTION 3. This Plan shall not take effect until it has been approved by a vote of at least a majority of the outstanding Class II Shares of the Fund.
SECTION 4. This Plan shall continue in effect for a period of more than one year after it takes effect only for so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by votes of the majority of both (i) the Trustees and (ii) the Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting of the Trustees called for the purpose of voting on this Plan.
SECTION 5. Any person authorized to direct the disposition of monies paid or payable by the Fund pursuant to this Plan or any related agreement shall provide to the Trustees, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts so expended and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.
SECTION 6. This Plan may be terminated at any time by the vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding Class II Shares of the Fund.
SECTION 7. All agreements with any person relating to implementation of this Plan shall be in writing, and any agreement related to this Plan shall provide (a) that such agreement may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by the vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding Class II Shares of the Fund, on not more than 60 days written notice to any other party to the agreement; and (b) that such agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.
SECTION 8. This Plan may be amended by votes of the majority of both (i) the Trustees and (ii) the Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting of the Trustees called for the purpose of voting on such amendment; provided, however, that the Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of distribution expenses permitted pursuant to Section 2 hereof without the approval of a majority of the outstanding Class II Shares of the Fund.
SECTION 9. While this Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of those Trustees who are not interested persons of the Fund shall be committed to the discretion of the Trustees then in office who are not interested persons of the Fund.
SECTION 10. As used in this Plan, (a) the term “Independent Trustees” shall mean those Trustees who are not interested persons, and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or any agreements related to it, and (b) the terms “assignment” and “interested person” shall have the respective meanings specified in the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, subject to such exemptions as may be granted by the SEC.
SECTION 11. This Plan shall not obligate the Fund or any other party to enter into an agreement with any particular person.
CUSTODY AGREEMENT
Dated [ ]
Between
UMB BANK, N.A.
and
Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund
1
CUSTODY AGREEMENT
This agreement made as of the date first set forth above between UMB Bank, n.a., a national banking association with its principal place of business located in Kansas City, Missouri (hereinafter "Custodian") and Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund, a Delaware statutory trust (the "Fund").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered as a closed-end interval fund under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“the 1940 Act”); and
WHEREAS, the Fund desires to appoint Custodian as its custodian for the custody of Assets (as hereinafter defined) owned by such Fund, which Assets are to be held in such accounts as such Fund may establish from time to time; and
WHEREAS, Custodian is willing to accept such appointment on the terms and conditions hereof.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises contained herein, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, mutually covenant and agree as follows:
1. APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN.
The Fund hereby constitutes and appoints the Custodian as custodian of Assets belonging to each such Fund which have been or may be from time to time delivered to and accepted by the Custodian. Custodian accepts such appointment as a custodian and agrees to perform the duties and responsibilities of Custodian as set forth herein on the conditions set forth herein. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Assets” shall include Securities, Underlying Shares, monies, and other property held by the Custodian for the benefit of a Fund. “Security” or “Securities” shall mean stocks, bonds, rights, warrants, certificates, instruments, obligations and all other negotiable or non-negotiable paper commonly known as Securities which have been or may from time to time be delivered to and accepted by the Custodian. The term “Securities”, as used in this Agreement, shall not include Underlying Shares. “Underlying Share or “Underlying Shares” shall mean uncertificated shares of, or other interests in, other investment funds, accounts or vehicles, including, but not limited to, mutual funds.
2. INSTRUCTIONS.
(a) An “Instruction,” as used herein, shall mean a request, direction, instruction or certification initiated by a Fund and conforming to the terms of this paragraph. An Instruction may be transmitted to the Custodian by any of the following means:
(i) a writing manually signed on behalf of a Fund by an Authorized Person (as hereinafter defined);
(ii) a telephonic or other oral communication from a person the Custodian reasonably believes to be an Authorized Person;
(iii) a facsimile transmission that the Custodian reasonably believes has been signed or otherwise originated by an Authorized Person;
2
(iv) a communication effected through the internet or web-based functionality (including without limitation, emails, data files and other communications) on behalf of a Fund (“Electronic Communication”); or
(v) other means reasonably acceptable to both parties.
Instructions in the form of oral communications shall be confirmed by the appropriate Fund by either a writing (as set forth in (i) above), a facsimile (as set forth in (iii) above), or an Electronic Communication (as set forth in (iv) above), but the lack of such confirmation shall in no way affect any action taken by the Custodian in reliance upon such oral Instructions prior to the Custodian’s receipt of such confirmation. The Fund authorizes the Custodian to record any and all telephonic or other oral Instructions communicated to the Custodian. The parties acknowledge and agree that, with respect to Instructions transmitted by facsimile, the Custodian cannot verify that the signature of an Authorized Person has been properly affixed and, with respect to Instructions transmitted by an Electronic Communication, the Custodian cannot verify that the Electronic Communication has been initiated by an Authorized Person; accordingly, the Custodian shall have no liability as a result of actions taken in reliance on unauthorized facsimile or Electronic Communication Instructions. The Custodian recommends that any Instructions transmitted by a Fund via email be done so through a secure system or process.
(b) “Special Instructions,” as used herein, shall mean Instructions countersigned or confirmed in writing by the Treasurer or any other officer of a Fund , which countersignature or confirmation shall be on the same instrument containing the Instructions or on a separate instrument relating thereto.
(c) Instructions and Special Instructions shall be delivered to the Custodian at the address and/or telephone, facsimile transmission or email address agreed upon from time to time by the Custodian and the Fund.
(d) Where appropriate, Instructions and Special Instructions shall be continuing Instructions.
(e) An Authorized Person shall be responsible for assuring the accuracy and completeness of Instructions. If the Custodian reasonably determines that an Instruction is unclear or incomplete, the Custodian may notify a Fund of such determination, in which case the Fund shall be responsible for delivering to the Custodian an amended Instruction. The Custodian shall have no obligation to take any action until the Fund re-delivers to the Custodian an Instruction that is clear and complete.
(f) The Fund shall be responsible for delivering to the Custodian Instructions or Special Instructions in a timely manner, after considering such factors as the involvement of subcustodians, brokers or agents in a transaction, time zone differences, reasonable industry standards, etc. The Custodian shall have no liability if a Fund delivers Instructions or Special Instructions to the Custodian after any deadline established by the Custodian.
(g) By providing Instructions to acquire or hold Foreign Assets (as defined in Rule 17f-5(a)(2) under the 1940 Act), the Fund shall be deemed to have confirmed to the Custodian that the Fund has (i) considered and accepted responsibility for all Sovereign Risks and Country Risks (as hereinafter defined) associated with investing in a particular country or jurisdiction, and (ii) made all determinations and provided to shareholders and other investors all disclosures required of registered investment companies by the 1940 Act. The term “Foreign Assets”, as used herein, shall mean any Asset (including foreign currencies) for which the primary market is outside the United States, and any cash or cash equivalents that are reasonably necessary to effect a Fund’s transactions in those Assets.
3
(h) The Fund acknowledges that where Instructions or Special Instructions require the Custodian to prepare and submit forms, letters or other writings to third parties on behalf of the Fund, including but not limited to subscription agreements (or any document, however titled, that performs the same function as a subscription agreement, which shall be defined herein as a “Subscription Agreement”), redemption requests, stock transfers and exchanges of cash for Underlying Shares (“Writings”), the Custodian will prepare but not submit such Writings unless and until all required information necessary to complete a Writing has been submitted by an Authorized Person. The Fund agrees to make available Authorized Persons during normal business hours to work with the Custodian and its affiliates to complete such Writings. The Fund acknowledges that the Custodian shall not be liable for its obligations with respect to Writings if such failure results from any delay, error, unavailability or inaccuracy in an Instruction or Special Instruction provided by the Fund or an Authorized Person.
Without limiting the foregoing, the parties agree that: (a) with respect to each subscription for Underlying Shares, a document substantially in the form of Exhibit 1 (as the Custodian may amend from time to time) shall be attached to each Subscription Agreement by the Custodian; and (b) the accuracy and completeness of all information provided in a Subscription Agreement, investor questionnaire or other similar document for an Underlying Share is the sole responsibility of the Fund, and not the Custodian or its affiliates, regardless of whether the Custodian or its affiliates assist in the completion of the Subscription Agreement, investor questionnaire or similar document. In the event that the investment fund rejects a Subscription Agreement and the document in the form of Exhibit 1, the Fund will be solely responsible for completing a new Subscription Agreement for the Underlying Share.
By providing an Instruction or Special Instruction to complete a Subscription Agreement or other such Writing, the Fund certifies that it has read and approved the relevant offering documents and the Subscription Agreement or other Writing required to be submitted to invest in the foregoing investment.
3. DELIVERY OF CORPORATE DOCUMENTS.
Each of the parties to this Agreement represents that its execution does not violate any of the provisions of its respective charter, articles of incorporation, partnership agreement, declaration of trust, articles of association or bylaws, that all required corporate or organizational action to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement has been taken, and that the person signing this Agreement is authorized to bind such party.
The Fund agrees to provide the Custodian, upon request, documentation regarding the Fund, including, by way of example: certificates of incorporation or trust, by-laws, resolutions, registration statements, W-9s and other tax-related documentation, compliance policies and procedures and other compliance documents, etc.
In addition, the Fund has delivered or will promptly deliver to the Custodian, copies of the Resolution(s) of its Board of Directors or Trustees and all amendments or supplements thereto, properly certified or authenticated, designating certain officers or employees of each such Fund who will have continuing authority to certify to the Custodian: (a) the names, titles, signatures and scope of authority of all persons authorized to give Instructions or any other notice, request, direction, instruction, certificate or instrument on behalf of the Fund, and (b) the names, titles and signatures of those persons authorized to countersign or confirm Special Instructions on behalf of the Fund (in both cases collectively, the "Authorized Persons" and individually, an "Authorized Person"). Such Resolutions and certificates may be accepted and relied upon by the Custodian as conclusive evidence of the facts set forth therein and shall be considered to be in full force and effect until delivery to the Custodian of a similar Resolution or certificate to the contrary; provided, however, that the Custodian may rely upon any written designation furnished by the Treasurer or other officer of the Fund designating persons authorized to countersign or confirm Special Instructions (as provided in Section 2(b)). Upon delivery of a certificate which deletes or does not include the name(s) of a person previously authorized to give Instructions or to countersign or confirm Special Instructions, such person shall no longer be considered an Authorized Person authorized to give Instructions or to countersign or confirm Special Instructions. Unless the certificate specifically requires that the approval of anyone else will first have been obtained, the Custodian will be under no obligation to inquire into the right of the person giving such Instructions or Special Instructions to do so. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, no Instructions or Special Instructions received by the Custodian from a Fund will be deemed to authorize or permit any director, trustee, officer, employee, or agent of such Fund to withdraw any of the Assets of such Fund upon the mere receipt of such authorization, Special Instructions or Instructions from such director, trustee, officer, employee or agent.
4
4. POWERS AND DUTIES OF CUSTODIAN AND DOMESTIC SUBCUSTODIAN.
Except for Assets held by any Foreign Subcustodian, Special Subcustodian or Eligible Securities Depository appointed pursuant to Sections 5(b), (c), or (f) of this Agreement, the Custodian shall have and perform the powers and duties hereinafter set forth in this Section 4. For purposes of this Section 4 all references to powers and duties of the "Custodian" shall also refer to any Domestic Subcustodian appointed pursuant to Section 5(a).
(a) Safekeeping.
The Custodian will keep safely the Assets of the Fund which are delivered to and accepted by it from time to time. The Custodian shall notify a Fund if it is unwilling or unable to accept custody of any asset of such Fund. The Custodian shall not be responsible for any property of a Fund held by a Fund and not delivered to the Custodian or for any pre-existing faults or defects in Assets that are delivered to the Custodian.
(b) Manner of Holding Securities.
(1) The Custodian shall at all times hold Securities of the Fund either: (i) by physical possession of the share certificates or other instruments representing such Securities, in registered or bearer form; in the vault of the Custodian, Domestic Subcustodian, a Special Custodian, depository or agent of the Custodian; or in an account maintained by the Custodian or agent at a Securities System (as hereinafter defined); or (ii) in book-entry form by a Securities System in accordance with the provisions of sub-paragraph (3) below.
(2) The Custodian may hold registrable portfolio Securities which have been delivered to it in physical form, by registering the same in the name of the appropriate Fund or its nominee, or in the name of the Custodian or its nominee, for whose actions such Fund and Custodian, respectively, shall be fully responsible. Upon the receipt of Instructions, the Custodian shall hold such Securities in street certificate form, so called, with or without any indication of representative capacity. However, unless it receives Instructions to the contrary, the Custodian will register all such portfolio Securities in the name of the Custodian's authorized nominee. All such Securities shall be held in an account of the Custodian containing only assets of the appropriate Fund or only assets held by the Custodian for the benefit of customers, provided that the records of the Custodian shall indicate at all times the Fund or other customer for which such Securities are held in such accounts and the respective interests therein.
(3) The Custodian may deposit and/or maintain domestic Securities owned by a Fund in, and the Fund hereby approves use of: (a) The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation; (b) any other clearing agency registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which acts as a securities depository; and (c) a Federal Reserve Bank or other entity authorized to operate the federal book-entry system described in the regulations of the Department of the Treasury or book-entry systems operated pursuant to comparable regulations of other federal agencies. Upon the receipt of Special Instructions, the Custodian may deposit and/or maintain domestic Securities owned by a Fund in any other domestic clearing agency that may otherwise be authorized by the SEC to serve in the capacity of depository or clearing agent for the Securities or other assets of investment companies and that acts as a Securities depository. Each of the foregoing shall be referred to in this Agreement as a "Securities System", and all such Securities Systems shall be listed on the attached Appendix A. Use of a Securities System shall be in accordance with applicable Federal Reserve Board and SEC rules and regulations, if any, and subject to the following provisions:
5
(i) The Custodian may deposit the Securities directly or through one or more agents or Subcustodians which are also qualified to act as custodians for investment companies.
(ii) Securities held in a Securities System shall be subject to any agreements or rules effective between the Securities System and the Custodian or a Subcustodian, as the case may be.
(iii) Any Securities deposited or maintained in a Securities System shall be held in an account ("Account") of the Custodian or a Subcustodian in the Securities System that includes only assets held by the Custodian or a Subcustodian as a custodian or otherwise for customers.
(iv) The books and records of the Custodian shall at all times identify those Securities belonging to the Fund which are maintained in a Securities System.
(v) The Custodian shall pay for Securities purchased for the account of a Fund only upon (a) receipt of advice from the Securities System that such Securities have been transferred to the Account of the Custodian in accordance with the rules of the Securities System, and (b) the making of an entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect such payment and transfer for the account of such Fund. The Custodian shall transfer Securities sold for the account of a Fund only upon (a) receipt of advice from the Securities System that payment for such Securities has been transferred to the Account of the Custodian in accordance with the rules of the Securities System, and (b) the making of an entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect such transfer and payment for the account of such Fund. Copies of all advices from the Securities System relating to transfers of Securities for the account of a Fund shall be maintained for such Fund by the Custodian. Such copies may be maintained by the Custodian in electronic form. The Custodian shall make available to the Fund or its agent on the next business day, by Electronic Communication, facsimile, or other means reasonably acceptable to both parties, daily transaction activity that shall include each day’s transactions for the account of such Fund.
(vi) The Custodian shall, if requested by a Fund pursuant to Instructions, provide such Fund with reports obtained by the Custodian or any Subcustodian with respect to a Securities System's accounting system, internal accounting control and procedures for safeguarding Securities deposited in the Securities System.
(c) Underlying Shares.
(1) The provisions of this Section 4(c) shall govern the custody of the Underlying Shares and, to the extent there is a conflict between such provisions and the provisions of any other section of this Agreement with respect to Underlying Shares, the terms of this Section 4(c) shall control.
6
(2) The Underlying Shares beneficially owned by the Fund shall be deposited and/or held in an account or accounts maintained by a transfer agent, registrar, recordkeeper, general partner, corporate secretary or other relevant third party (each a “Transfer Agent”) pursuant to Instructions to the Custodian. The Fund and the Custodian agree that the Custodian’s only responsibilities in connection with Underlying Shares shall be limited to the following:
(i) Upon receipt of a confirmation or statement from a Transfer Agent that such Transfer Agent is holding or maintaining Underlying Shares in the name of the Custodian (or a nominee of the Custodian) for the benefit of the Fund, the Custodian shall (A) mark such holdings on its books and records and (B) identify by book-entry that the relevant Underlying Shares are being held by the Custodian as custodian for the benefit of the Fund;
(ii) In accordance with Instructions, the Custodian shall (A) pay out monies from Fund Assets for the purchase of Underlying Shares for the account of the Fund and (B) record such purchase on the books and records of the Custodian; and
(iii) In accordance with Instructions, the Custodian shall (A) transfer Underlying Shares redeemed for the account of the Fund in accordance with such Instructions and (B) record such transfer on the books and records of the Custodian and, upon receipt of related proceeds, record the related payment for the account of the Fund on said books and records.
(d) Free Delivery of Assets.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement and except as provided in Section 3 hereof, the Custodian, upon receipt of Special Instructions, will undertake to make free delivery of Assets, provided such Assets are on hand and available, in connection with a Fund's transactions and to transfer such Assets to such broker, dealer, Subcustodian, bank, agent, Securities System or otherwise as specified in such Special Instructions.
(e) Exchange of Securities.
Upon receipt of Instructions, the Custodian will exchange Securities held by it for a Fund for other Securities or cash paid in connection with any reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, conversion, or similar event, and will deposit any such Securities in accordance with the terms of any reorganization or protective plan.
Unless otherwise directed by Instructions, the Custodian is authorized to exchange Securities held by it in temporary form for Securities in definitive form, to surrender Securities for transfer into a name or nominee name as permitted in Section 4(b)(2), to effect an exchange of shares in a stock split or when the par value of the stock is changed, to sell any fractional shares, and, upon receiving payment therefor, to surrender bonds or other Securities held by it at maturity or call.
(f) Purchases of Assets.
(1) Securities Purchases. In accordance with Instructions, the Custodian shall, with respect to a purchase of Securities, pay for such Securities out of monies held for a Fund's account for which the purchase was made, but only insofar as monies are available therein for such purpose, and receive the Securities so purchased. Unless the Custodian has received Special Instructions to the contrary, such payment will be made only upon delivery of such Securities to the Custodian, a clearing corporation of a national securities exchange of which the Custodian is a member, or a Securities System in accordance with the provisions of Section 4(b)(3) hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) in connection with a repurchase agreement, the Custodian may release funds to a Securities System prior to the receipt of advice from the Securities System that the Securities underlying such repurchase agreement have been transferred by book-entry into the Account maintained with such Securities System by the Custodian, provided that the Custodian's instructions to the Securities System require that the Securities System may make payment of such funds to the other party to the repurchase agreement only upon transfer by book-entry of the Securities underlying the repurchase agreement into such Account; (ii) in the case of options, Interest Bearing Deposits, currency deposits and other deposits, and foreign exchange transactions, pursuant to Sections 4(h), 4(l), and 4(m) hereof, the Custodian may make payment therefor before receipt of an advice of transaction; and (iii) the Custodian may make payment for Securities or other Assets prior to delivery thereof in accordance with Instructions, applicable laws, generally accepted trade practices, or the terms of the instrument representing such Security or other Asset, including, but not limited to, Securities and other Assets as to which payment for the Security and receipt of the instrument evidencing the Security are under generally accepted trade practices or the terms of the instrument representing the Security expected to take place in different locations or through separate parties.
7
(2) Other Assets Purchased. Upon receipt of Instructions and except as otherwise provided herein, the Custodian shall pay for and receive other Assets for the account of a Fund as provided in Instructions.
(g) Sales of Assets.
(1) Securities Sold. In accordance with Instructions, the Custodian shall, with respect to a sale, deliver or cause to be delivered the Securities thus designated as sold to the broker or other person specified in the Instructions relating to such sale. Unless the Custodian has received Special Instructions to the contrary, such delivery shall be made only upon receipt of payment therefor in the form of: (a) cash, certified check, bank cashier's check, bank credit, or bank wire transfer; (b) credit to the account of the Custodian with a clearing corporation of a national securities exchange of which the Custodian is a member; or (c) credit to the Account of the Custodian with a Securities System, in accordance with the provisions of Section 4(b)(3) hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Custodian may deliver Securities and other Assets prior to receipt of payment for such Securities in accordance with Instructions, applicable laws, generally accepted trade practices, or the terms of the instrument representing such Security or other Asset. For example, Securities held in physical form may be delivered and paid for in accordance with "street delivery custom" to a broker or its clearing agent, against delivery to the Custodian of a receipt for such Securities, provided that the Custodian shall have taken reasonable steps to ensure prompt collection of the payment for, or return of, such Securities by the broker or its clearing agent, and provided further that the Custodian shall not be responsible for the selection of or the failure or inability to perform of such broker or its clearing agent or for any related loss arising from delivery or custody of such Securities prior to receiving payment therefor.
(2) Other Assets Sold. Upon receipt of Instructions and except as otherwise provided herein, the Custodian shall receive payment for and deliver other Assets for the account of a Fund as provided in Instructions.
(h) Options.
(1) Upon receipt of Instructions relating to the purchase of an option or sale of a covered call option, the Custodian shall: (a) receive and retain Instructions or other documents, to the extent they are provided to the Custodian, evidencing the purchase or writing of the option by a Fund; (b) if the transaction involves the sale of a covered call option, deposit and maintain in a segregated account the Securities (either physically or by book-entry in a Securities System) subject to the covered call option written on behalf of such Fund; and (c) pay, release and/or transfer such Securities, cash or other Assets in accordance with any notices or other communications evidencing the expiration, termination or exercise of such options which are furnished to the Custodian by the Options Clearing Corporation (the "OCC"), the securities or options exchanges on which such options were traded, or such other organization as may be responsible for handling such option transactions.
8
(2) Upon receipt of Instructions relating to the sale of a naked option (including stock index and commodity options), the Custodian, the appropriate Fund and the broker-dealer shall enter into an agreement to comply with the rules of the OCC or of any registered national securities exchange or similar organizations(s). Pursuant to that agreement and such Fund's Instructions, the Custodian shall: (a) receive and retain Instructions or other documents, if any, evidencing the writing of the option; (b) deposit and maintain in a segregated account, Securities (either physically or by book-entry in a Securities System), cash and/or other Assets; and (c) pay, release and/or transfer such Securities, cash or other Assets in accordance with any such agreement and with any notices or other communications evidencing the expiration, termination or exercise of such option which are furnished to the Custodian by the OCC, the securities or options exchanges on which such options were traded, or such other organization as may be responsible for handling such option transactions. The appropriate Fund and the broker-dealer shall be responsible for determining the quality and quantity of assets held in any segregated account established in compliance with applicable margin maintenance requirements and the performance of other terms of any option contract.
(i) Segregated Accounts.
Upon receipt of Instructions, the Custodian shall establish and maintain on its books a segregated account or accounts for and on behalf of a Fund, into which account or accounts may be transferred Assets of such Fund, including Securities maintained by the Custodian in a Securities System pursuant to Paragraph (b)(3) of this Section 4, said account or accounts to be maintained (i) for the purposes set forth in Sections 4(h) and 4(n); and (ii) for the purpose of compliance by such Fund with the procedures required by SEC Investment Company Act Release Number 10666 or any subsequent release or releases relating to the maintenance of segregated accounts by registered investment companies, or (iii) for such other purposes as may be set forth, from time to time, in Special Instructions. The Custodian shall not be responsible for the determination of the type or amount of Assets to be held in any segregated account referred to in this paragraph, or for compliance by the Fund with required procedures noted in (ii) above.
(j) Depositary Receipts.
Upon receipt of Instructions, the Custodian shall surrender or cause to be surrendered Securities to the depository used for such Securities by an issuer of American Depositary Receipts or International Depositary Receipts (hereinafter referred to, collectively, as "ADRs"), against a written receipt therefor adequately describing such Securities and written evidence satisfactory to the organization surrendering the same that the depository has acknowledged receipt of instructions to issue ADRs with respect to such Securities in the name of the Custodian or a nominee of the Custodian, for delivery in accordance with such instructions.
Upon receipt of Instructions, the Custodian shall surrender or cause to be surrendered ADRs to the issuer thereof, against a written receipt therefor adequately describing the ADRs surrendered and written evidence satisfactory to the organization surrendering the same that the issuer of the ADRs has acknowledged receipt of instructions to cause its depository to deliver the Securities underlying such ADRs in accordance with such instructions.
9
(k) Corporate Actions, Put Bonds, Called Bonds, Etc.
Upon receipt of Instructions, the Custodian shall: (a) deliver warrants, puts, calls, rights or similar Securities to the issuer or trustee thereof (or to the agent of such issuer or trustee) for the purpose of exercise or sale, provided that the new Securities, cash or other Assets, if any, acquired as a result of such actions are to be delivered to the Custodian; and (b) deposit Securities upon invitations for tenders thereof, provided that the consideration for such Securities is to be paid or delivered to the Custodian, or the tendered Securities are to be returned to the Custodian.
Unless otherwise directed to the contrary in Instructions, the Custodian shall comply with the terms of all mandatory or compulsory exchanges, calls, tenders, redemptions, or similar rights of security ownership of which the Custodian receives notice through data services or publications to which it normally subscribes, and shall promptly notify the appropriate Fund of such action.
The Fund agrees that if it gives an Instruction for the performance of an act on the last permissible date of a period established by the Custodian or any optional offer or on the last permissible date for the performance of such act, the Fund shall hold the Custodian harmless from any adverse consequences in connection with acting upon or failing to act upon such Instructions.
If a Fund wishes to receive periodic corporate action notices of exchanges, calls, tenders, redemptions and other similar notices pertaining to Securities and to provide Instructions with respect to such Securities via the internet, the Custodian and such Fund may enter into a Supplement to this Agreement whereby such Fund will be able to participate in the Custodian’s Electronic Corporate Action Notification Service.
(l) Interest Bearing Deposits.
Upon receipt of Instructions directing the Custodian to purchase interest bearing fixed-term certificates of deposit or call deposits (hereinafter referred to, collectively, as "Interest Bearing Deposits") for the account of a Fund, the Custodian shall purchase such Interest Bearing Deposits with such banks or trust companies, including the Custodian, any Subcustodian or any subsidiary or affiliate of the Custodian (hereinafter referred to as "Banking Institutions"), and in such amounts as such Fund may direct pursuant to Instructions. Such Interest Bearing Deposits shall be denominated in U.S. dollars. Interest Bearing Deposits issued by the Custodian shall be in the name of the Fund. Interest Bearing Deposits issued by another Banking Institution may be in the name of the Fund or the Custodian or in the name of the Custodian for its customers generally. The responsibilities of the Custodian to a Fund for Interest Bearing Deposits issued by the Custodian shall be that of a U.S. bank for a similar deposit. With respect to Interest Bearing Deposits issued by any other Banking Institution, (a) the Custodian shall be responsible for the collection of income and the transmission of cash to and from such accounts; and (b) the Custodian shall have no duty with respect to the selection of the Banking Institution or for the failure of such Banking Institution to pay upon demand.
(m) Foreign Exchange Transactions.
(l) The Fund may appoint the Custodian as its agent in the execution of all currency exchange transactions. If requested, the Custodian agrees to provide exchange rate and U.S. Dollar information, in writing, or by other means agreeable to both parties, to the Fund.
(2) Upon receipt of Instructions, the Custodian shall settle foreign exchange contracts or options to purchase and sell foreign currencies for spot and future delivery on behalf of and for the account of a Fund with such currency brokers or Banking Institutions as such Fund may determine and direct pursuant to Instructions. If, in its Instructions, a Fund does not direct the Custodian to utilize a particular currency broker or Banking Institution, the Custodian is authorized to select such currency broker or Banking Institution as it deems appropriate to execute the Fund's foreign currency transaction. It is understood that all such transactions shall be undertaken by the Custodian as agent for the Fund.
10
(3) The Fund accepts full responsibility for its use of third party foreign exchange brokers and for execution of said foreign exchange contracts and understands that the Fund shall be responsible for any and all costs and interest charges which may be incurred as a result of the failure or delay of its third party broker to deliver foreign exchange. The Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability with respect to the selection of the currency brokers or Banking Institutions with which a Fund deals or the performance or non-performance of such brokers or Banking Institutions.
(4) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, upon receipt of Instructions the Custodian may, in connection with a foreign exchange contract, make free outgoing payments of cash in the form of U.S. Dollars or foreign currency prior to receipt of confirmation of such foreign exchange contract or confirmation that the countervalue currency completing such contract has been delivered or received.
(n) Pledges or Loans of Securities.
(1) Upon receipt of Instructions from a Fund, the Custodian will release or cause to be released Securities held in custody to the pledgees designated in such Instructions by way of pledge or hypothecation to secure loans incurred by such Fund with various lenders including but not limited to UMB Bank, n.a.; provided, however, that the Securities shall be released only upon payment to the Custodian of the monies borrowed, except that in cases where additional collateral is required to secure existing borrowings, further Securities may be released or delivered, or caused to be released or delivered for that purpose upon receipt of Instructions. Upon receipt of Instructions, the Custodian will pay, but only from funds available for such purpose, any such loan upon re-delivery to it of the Securities pledged or hypothecated therefor and upon surrender of the note or notes evidencing such loan. In lieu of delivering collateral to a pledgee, the Custodian, on the receipt of Instructions, shall transfer the pledged Securities to a segregated account for the benefit of the pledgee.
(2) Upon receipt of Instructions, the Custodian will release securities to a securities lending agent appointed by the Fund and designated in such Instructions. The Custodian shall act upon Instructions from the Fund and/or such agent in order to effect securities lending transactions on behalf of the Fund. For its services in facilitating a Fund’s securities lending activities through such agent, the Custodian may receive from the agent a portion of the agent’s securities lending revenue or a fee directly from the Fund. The Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for any losses arising in connection with the agent’s actions or omissions, including but not limited to the delivery of Securities prior to the receipt of collateral, in the absence of negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Custodian.
(o) Stock Dividends, Rights, Etc.
The Custodian shall receive and collect all stock dividends, rights, and other items of like nature and, upon receipt of Instructions, take action with respect to the same as directed in such Instructions.
(p) Routine Dealings.
The Custodian will, in general, attend to all routine and operational matters in accordance with industry standards in connection with the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase, transfer, or other dealings with Securities or other property of the Fund, except as may be otherwise provided in this Agreement or directed from time to time by Instructions from any particular Fund. The Custodian may also make payments to itself or others from the Assets for disbursements and out-of-pocket expenses incidental to handling Securities or other similar items relating to its duties under this Agreement, provided that all such payments shall be accounted for to the appropriate Fund.
11
(q) Collections.
The Custodian shall (a) collect amounts due and payable to the Fund with respect to Securities and other Assets; (b) promptly credit to the account of the Fund all income and other payments relating to Securities and other Assets held by the Custodian hereunder upon Custodian's receipt of such income or payments or as otherwise agreed in writing by the Custodian and any particular Fund; (c) promptly endorse and deliver any instruments required to effect such collection; and (d) promptly execute ownership and other certificates, affidavits and other documents for all federal, state, local and foreign tax purposes in connection with receipt of income or other payments with respect to Securities and other Assets, or in connection with the transfer of such Securities or other Assets; provided, however, that with respect to Securities registered in so-called street name, or physical Securities with variable interest rates, the Custodian shall use its best efforts to collect amounts due and payable to any such Fund. The Custodian shall not be responsible for the collection of amounts due and payable with respect to Securities or other Assets that are in default.
Any advance credit of cash or Securities or other Assets expected to be received shall be subject to actual collection and may, when the Custodian determines collection unlikely, be reversed by the Custodian.
(r) Dividends, Distributions and Redemptions.
To enable the Fund to pay dividends or other distributions to shareholders of each such Fund and to make payment to shareholders who have requested repurchase or redemption of their shares of each such Fund (collectively, the "Shares"), the Custodian shall release cash or Securities insofar as available. In the case of cash, the Custodian shall, upon the receipt of Instructions, transfer such funds by check or wire transfer to any account at any bank or trust company designated by each such Fund in such Instructions. In the case of Securities, the Custodian shall, upon the receipt of Special Instructions, make such transfer to any entity or account designated by each such Fund in such Special Instructions.
(s) Proceeds from Shares Sold.
The Custodian shall receive funds representing cash payments received for shares issued or sold from time to time by the Fund, and shall credit such funds to the account of the appropriate Fund. The Custodian shall notify the appropriate Fund of Custodian's receipt of cash in payment for shares issued by such Fund by facsimile transmission or in such other manner as such Fund and the Custodian shall agree. Upon receipt of Instructions, the Custodian shall: (a) deliver all federal funds received by the Custodian in payment for shares as may be set forth in such Instructions and at a time agreed upon between the Custodian and such Fund; and (b) make federal funds available to a Fund as of specified times agreed upon from time to time by such Fund and the Custodian, in the amount of checks received in payment for shares which are deposited to the accounts of such Fund.
(t) Proxies and Notices; Compliance with the Shareholder Communications Act of 1985.
The Custodian shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the appropriate Fund, or its designated agent or proxy service provider, all forms of proxies, all notices of meetings, and any other notices or announcements affecting or relating to Securities or Underlying Shares owned by such Fund that are received by the Custodian and, upon receipt of Instructions, the Custodian shall execute and deliver, or cause a Subcustodian or nominee to execute and deliver such proxies or other authorizations as may be required. Except as directed pursuant to Instructions, the Custodian shall not vote upon any such Securities or Underlying Shares, or execute any proxy to vote thereon, or give any consent or take any other action with respect thereto.
12
The Custodian will not release the identity of any Fund to an issuer which requests such information pursuant to the Shareholder Communications Act of 1985 for the specific purpose of direct communications between such issuer and any such Fund unless a particular Fund directs the Custodian otherwise pursuant to Instructions.
13
(u) Books and Records.
The Custodian shall maintain such records relating to its activities under this Agreement as are required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act and to preserve them for the periods prescribed in Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act. These records shall be open for inspection by duly authorized officers, employees or agents (including independent public accountants) of the appropriate Fund during normal business hours of the Custodian.
The Custodian shall provide accountings relating to its activities under this Agreement as shall be agreed upon by the Fund and the Custodian.
(v) Opinion of Fund's Independent Certified Public Accountants.
The Custodian shall take all reasonable action as the Fund may request to obtain from year to year favorable opinions from each such Fund's independent certified public accountants with respect to the Custodian's activities hereunder and in connection with the preparation of each such Fund's periodic reports to the SEC and with respect to any other requirements of the SEC.
(w) Reports by Independent Certified Public Accountants.
At the request of a Fund, the Custodian shall deliver to such Fund a written report, which may be in electronic form, prepared by the Custodian's independent certified public accountants with respect to the services provided by the Custodian under this Agreement, including, without limitation, the Custodian's accounting system, internal accounting control, financial strength and procedures for safeguarding cash, Securities and other Assets, including cash, Securities and other Assets deposited and/or maintained in a Securities System or with a Subcustodian. Such report shall be of sufficient scope and in sufficient detail as may reasonably be required by such Fund and as may reasonably be obtained by the Custodian.
(x) Bills and Other Disbursements.
Upon receipt of Instructions, the Custodian shall pay, or cause to be paid, all bills, statements, or other obligations of a Fund.
(y) Precious Metals
A Fund may, upon Special Instructions, direct the Custodian to appoint, or instruct the Domestic Subcustodian to appoint, a depository for the safekeeping and storage of gold, silver, platinum and other precious metals (“Precious Metals”) on behalf of such Fund.
(z) Sweep or Automated Cash Management.
Upon receipt of Instructions, the Custodian shall invest any otherwise uninvested cash of any Fund held by the Custodian in a money market mutual fund, a cash deposit product, or other cash investment vehicle made available by the Custodian from time to time, in accordance with the directions contained in such Instructions. A fee may be charged or a spread may be received by the Custodian for investing the Fund’s otherwise uninvested cash in the available cash investment vehicles or products.
The Custodian shall have no responsibility to determine whether any purchases of money market mutual fund shares or any other cash investment vehicle or cash deposit product by or on behalf of the Fund under the terms of this section will cause any Fund to exceed the limitations contained in the 1940 Act on ownership of shares of another registered investment company or any other asset or portfolio restrictions or limitations contained in applicable laws or regulations or the Fund’s prospectus. The Fund agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Custodian from all losses, damages and expenses (including attorney’s fees) suffered or incurred by the Custodian as a result of a violation by such Fund of the limitations on ownership of shares of another registered investment company or any other cash investment vehicle or cash deposit product.
14
5. SUBCUSTODIANS.
From time to time, in accordance with the relevant provisions of this Agreement, (i) the Custodian may appoint one or more Domestic Subcustodians, Foreign Subcustodians, Special Subcustodians or Interim Subcustodians (each as hereinafter defined) to act on behalf of the Fund; and (ii) the Custodian may be directed, pursuant to an agreement between a Fund and the Custodian (“Delegation Agreement”), to appoint a Domestic Subcustodian to perform the duties of the Foreign Custody Manager (as such term is defined in Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act) (“Approved Foreign Custody Manager”) for such Fund so long as such Domestic Subcustodian is so eligible under the 1940 Act. Such Delegation Agreement shall provide that the appointment of any Domestic Subcustodian as the Approved Foreign Custody Manager must be governed by a written agreement between the Custodian and the Domestic Subcustodian, which provides for compliance with Rule 17f-5. The Approved Foreign Custody Manager may then appoint a Foreign Subcustodian or Interim Subcustodian in accordance with this Section 5. For purposes of this Agreement, all Domestic Subcustodians, Special Subcustodians, Foreign Subcustodians and Interim Subcustodians shall be referred to collectively as “Subcustodians.”
(a) Domestic Subcustodians.
The Custodian may, at any time and from time to time, appoint any bank as defined in Section 2(a)(5) of the 1940 Act or any trust company or other entity, any of which meets the requirements of a custodian under Section 17(f) of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, to act for the Custodian on behalf of the Fund as a subcustodian for purposes of holding Assets of such Fund(s) and performing other functions of the Custodian within the United States (a "Domestic Subcustodian"). The Fund shall approve in writing the appointment of the proposed Domestic Subcustodian; and the Custodian's appointment of any such Domestic Subcustodian shall not be effective without such prior written approval of the Fund(s). Each such duly approved Domestic Subcustodian shall be reflected on Appendix A hereto.
(b) Foreign Subcustodians.
(1) Foreign Subcustodians. The Approved Foreign Custody Manager may appoint any entity meeting the requirements of an Eligible Foreign Custodian, as such term is defined in Rule 17f-5(a)(1) under the 1940 Act, and which term shall also include a bank that qualifies to serve as a custodian of assets of investment companies under Section 17(f) of the 1940 Act or by SEC order is exempt therefrom (each a “Foreign Subcustodian” in the context of either a subcustodian or a sub-subcustodian), provided that the Approved Foreign Custody Manager’s appointments of such Foreign Subcustodians shall at all times be governed by an agreement that complies with Rule 17f-5.
(2) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Approved Foreign Custody Manager determines that it will not provide delegation services (i) in a country in which a Fund has directed that the Fund invest in a security or other Asset or (ii) with respect to a specific Foreign Subcustodian which the Fund has directed be used, the Custodian shall, or shall cause the Approved Foreign Custody Manager to, promptly notify the Fund in writing by facsimile transmission, Electronic Communication, or otherwise of the unavailability of the approved Foreign Custody Manager’s delegation services in such country. The Custodian and the Approved Foreign Custody Manager (or Domestic Subcustodian) as applicable, shall be entitled to rely on and shall have no liability or responsibility for following such direction from the Fund as a Special Instruction and shall have no duties or liabilities under this Agreement save those that it may undertake specifically in writing with respect to each particular instance. Upon the receipt of such Special Instructions, the Custodian may, in it absolute discretion, designate, or cause the Approved Foreign Custody Manager to designate, an entity (defined herein as “Interim Subcustodian”) designated by the Fund in such Special Instructions, to hold such security or other Asset. In such event, the Fund represents and warrants that it has made a determination that the arrangement with such Interim Subcustodian satisfies the requirements of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder (including Rule 17f-5, if applicable). It is further understood that where the Approved Foreign Custody Manager and the Custodian do not agree to provide fully to the Fund the services under this Agreement and the Delegation Agreement with respect to a particular country or specific Foreign Subcustodian, the Fund may delegate such services to another delegate pursuant to Rule 17f-5.
15
(c) Special Subcustodians.
Upon receipt of Special Instructions, the Custodian shall, on behalf of a Fund, appoint one or more banks, trust companies or other entities designated in such Special Instructions to act for the Custodian on behalf of such Fund as a subcustodian for purposes of: (i) effecting third-party repurchase transactions with banks, brokers, dealers or other entities through the use of a common custodian or subcustodian; (ii) providing depository and clearing agency services with respect to certain variable rate demand note Securities, (iii) providing depository and clearing agency services with respect to dollar denominated Securities; and (iv) effecting any other transactions designated by such Fund in such Special Instructions. Each such designated subcustodian (hereinafter referred to as a "Special Subcustodian") shall be listed on Appendix A attached hereto, as it may be amended from time to time. In connection with the appointment of any Special Subcustodian, the Custodian may enter into a subcustodian agreement with the Special Subcustodian.
(d) Termination of a Subcustodian.
The Custodian may, at any time in its discretion upon notification to the appropriate Fund(s), terminate any Subcustodian of such Fund(s) in accordance with the termination provisions under the applicable subcustodian agreement, and upon the receipt of Special Instructions, the Custodian shall terminate any Subcustodian in accordance with the termination provisions under the applicable subcustodian agreement.
(e) Information Regarding Foreign Subcustodians.
Upon request of a Fund, the Custodian shall deliver, or cause any Approved Foreign Custody Manager to deliver, to the Fund a letter or list stating: (i) the identity of each Foreign Subcustodian then acting on behalf of the Custodian; (ii) the Eligible Securities Depositories (as defined in Section 5(f)) in each foreign market through which each Foreign Subcustodian is then holding cash, securities and other Assets of the Fund; and (iii) such other information as may be requested by the Fund to ensure compliance with rules and regulations under the 1940 Act.
16
(f) Eligible Securities Depositories.
(1) The Custodian or the Domestic Subcustodian may place and maintain a Fund’s Foreign Assets with an Eligible Securities Depository (as defined in Rule 17f-7, which term shall include any other securities depository for which the SEC by exemptive order has permitted registered investment companies to maintain their assets).
(2) Upon the request of a Fund, the Custodian shall direct the Domestic Subcustodian to provide to the Fund (including the Fund’s board of directors or trustees) and/or the Fund’s adviser or other agent an analysis of the custody risks associated with maintaining the Fund’s Foreign Assets with such Eligible Securities Depository utilized directly or indirectly by the Custodian or the Domestic Subcustodian as of the date hereof (or, in the case of an Eligible Securities Depository not so utilized as of the date hereof, prior to the placement of the Fund’s Foreign Assets at such depository) and at which any Foreign Assets of the Fund are held or are expected to be held. The Custodian shall direct the Domestic Subcustodian to monitor the custody risks associated with maintaining the Fund’s Foreign Assets at each such Eligible Securities Depository on a continuing basis and shall promptly notify the Fund or its adviser of any material changes in such risks through the Approved Foreign Custody Manager’s letter, market alerts or other periodic correspondence.
(3) The Custodian shall direct the Domestic Subcustodian to determine the eligibility under Rule 17f-7 of each foreign securities depository before maintaining the Fund’s Foreign Assets therewith and shall promptly advise the Fund if any Eligible Securities Depository ceases to be so eligible. Notwithstanding Subsection 17(c) hereof, Eligible Securities Depositories may, subject to Rule 17f-7, be added to or deleted from such list from time to time.
(4) Withdrawal of Assets. If an arrangement with an Eligible Securities Depository no longer meets the requirements of Rule 17f-7, the Custodian shall direct the Domestic Subcustodian to withdraw the Fund’s Foreign Assets from such depository as soon as reasonably practicable.
(5) Standard of Care. In fulfilling its responsibilities under this Section 5(f), the Custodian will exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence.
6. STANDARD OF CARE.
(a) General Standard of Care.
The Custodian shall exercise due care in accordance with reasonable commercial standards in discharging its duties hereunder. The Custodian shall be liable to a Fund for all losses, damages and reasonable costs and expenses suffered or incurred by such Fund resulting from the negligence or willful misconduct of the Custodian; provided, however, in no event shall the Custodian be liable for attorneys’ fees or for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages arising under or in connection with this Agreement.
(b) Actions Prohibited by Applicable Law, Etc.
In no event shall the Custodian incur liability hereunder if the Custodian or any Subcustodian or Securities System, or any Subcustodian, Eligible Securities Depository utilized by any such Subcustodian, or any nominee of the Custodian or any Subcustodian (individually, a “Person”) is prevented, forbidden or delayed from performing, or omits to perform, any act or thing which this Agreement provides shall be performed or omitted to be performed, by reason of: (i) any provision of any present or future law or regulation or order of the United States of America, or any state thereof, or of any foreign country, or political subdivision thereof or of any court of competent jurisdiction (and neither the Custodian nor any other Person shall be obligated to take any action contrary thereto); or (ii) any “Force Majeure,” which for purposes of this Agreement, shall mean any circumstance or event which is beyond the reasonable control of the Custodian, a Subcustodian or any agent of the Custodian or a Subcustodian and which adversely affects the performance by the Custodian of its obligations hereunder, by the Subcustodian of its obligations under its subcustodian agreement or by any other agent of the Custodian or the Subcustodian, unless in each case, such delay or nonperformance is caused by the negligence or willful misconduct of the Custodian. Such Force Majeure events may include any event caused by, arising out of or involving (a) an act of God, (b) accident, fire, water damage or explosion, (c) any computer, system outage or downtime or other equipment failure or malfunction caused by any computer virus or any other reason or the malfunction or failure of any communications medium, (d) any interruption of the power supply or other utility service, (e) any strike or other work stoppage, whether partial or total, (f) any delay or disruption resulting from or reflecting the occurrence of any Sovereign Risk (as defined below), (g) any disruption of, or suspension of trading in, the securities, commodities or foreign exchange markets, whether or not resulting from or reflecting the occurrence of any Sovereign Risk, (h) any encumbrance on the transferability of cash, currency or a currency position on the actual settlement date of a foreign exchange transaction, whether or not resulting from or reflecting the occurrence of any Sovereign Risk, or (i) any other cause similarly beyond the reasonable control of the Custodian.
17
Subject to the Custodian’s general standard of care set forth in Subsection 6(a) hereof and the requirements of Section 17(f) of the 1940 Act and Rules 17f-5 and 17f-7 thereunder, the Custodian shall not incur liability hereunder if any Person is prevented, forbidden or delayed from performing, or omits to perform, any act or thing which this Agreement provides shall be performed or omitted to be performed by reason of any (i) “Sovereign Risk,” which for the purpose of this Agreement shall mean, in respect of any jurisdiction, including but not limited to the United States of America, where investments are acquired or held under this Agreement, (a) any act of war, terrorism, riot, insurrection or civil commotion, (b) the imposition of any investment, repatriation or exchange control restrictions by any governmental authority, (c) the confiscation, expropriation or nationalization of any investments by any governmental authority, whether de facto or de jure, (d) any devaluation or revaluation of the currency, (e) the imposition of taxes, levies or other charges affecting investments, (f) any change in the applicable law, or (g) any other economic, systemic or political risk incurred or experienced that is not directly related to the economic or financial conditions of the Eligible Foreign Custodian, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement or the Delegation Agreement, or (ii) “Country Risk,” which for the purpose of this Agreement shall mean, with respect to the acquisition, ownership, settlement or custody of investments in a jurisdiction, all risks relating to, or arising in consequence of, systemic and markets factors affecting the acquisition, payment for or ownership of investments, including (a) the prevalence of crime and corruption in such jurisdiction, (b) the inaccuracy or unreliability of business and financial information (unrelated to the Approved Foreign Custody Manager’s duties imposed by Rule 17f-5(c) under the 1940 Act or to the duties imposed on the Custodian by Rule 17f-7 under the 1940 Act), (c) the instability or volatility of banking and financial systems, or the absence or inadequacy of an infrastructure to support such systems, (d) custody and settlement infrastructure of the market in which such investments are transacted and held, (e) the acts, omissions and operation of any Eligible Securities Depository, it being understood that this provision shall not excuse the Custodian’s performance under the express terms of this Agreement, (f) the risk of the bankruptcy or insolvency of banking agents, counterparties to cash and securities transactions, registrars or transfer agents, (g) the existence of market conditions which prevent the orderly execution or settlement of transactions or which affect the value of assets, and (h) the laws relating to the safekeeping and recovery of a Fund’s Foreign Assets held in custody pursuant to the terms of this Agreement; provided, however, that, in compliance with Rule 17f-5, neither Sovereign Risk nor Country Risk shall include the custody risk of a particular Eligible Foreign Custodian of a Fund’s Foreign Assets.
18
(c) Liability for Past Records.
Neither the Custodian nor any Domestic Subcustodian shall have any liability in respect of any loss, damage or expense suffered by a Fund, insofar as such loss, damage or expense arises from the performance of the Custodian or any Domestic Subcustodian in reliance upon records that were maintained for such Fund by entities other than the Custodian or any Domestic Subcustodian prior to the Custodian's employment hereunder.
(d) Advice of Counsel.
The Custodian and all Domestic Subcustodians shall be entitled to receive and act upon advice of counsel of its own choosing on all matters. The Custodian and all Domestic Subcustodians shall be without liability for any actions taken or omitted in good faith pursuant to the advice of counsel.
(e) Advice of the Fund and Others.
The Custodian and any Domestic Subcustodian may rely upon the advice of any Fund and upon statements of such Fund's accountants and other persons believed by it in good faith to be expert in matters upon which they are consulted, and neither the Custodian nor any Domestic Subcustodian shall be liable for any actions taken or omitted, in good faith, pursuant to such advice or statements.
(f) Information Services.
The Custodian may rely upon information received from issuers of Securities or other Assets or agents of such issuers, information received from Subcustodians or depositories, information from data reporting services that provide detail on corporate actions and other securities information, and other commercially reasonable industry sources; and, provided the Custodian has acted in accordance with the standard of care set forth in Section 6(a), the Custodian shall have no liability as a result of relying upon such information sources, including but not limited to errors in any such information.
(g) Instructions Appearing to be Genuine.
The Custodian and all Domestic Subcustodians shall be fully protected and indemnified in acting as a custodian hereunder upon any Resolutions of the Board of Directors or Trustees, Instructions, Special Instructions, advice, notice, request, consent, certificate, instrument or paper appearing to it to be genuine and to have been properly executed and shall, unless otherwise specifically provided herein, be entitled to receive as conclusive proof of any fact or matter required to be ascertained from any Fund hereunder a certificate signed by any officer of such Fund authorized to countersign or confirm Special Instructions. The Custodian shall have no liability for any losses, damages or expenses incurred by a Fund arising from the use of a non-secure form of email or other non-secure electronic system or process.
(h) No Investment Advice.
The Custodian shall have no duty to assess the risks inherent in Securities or other Assets or to provide investment advice, accounting or other valuation services regarding any such Securities or other Assets.
19
(i) Exceptions from Liability.
Without limiting the generality of any other provisions hereof, neither the Custodian nor any Domestic Subcustodian shall be under any duty or obligation to inquire into, nor be liable for:
(i) the validity of the issue of any Securities purchased by or for any Fund, the legality of the purchase thereof or evidence of ownership required to be received by any such Fund, or the propriety of the decision to purchase or amount paid therefor;
(ii) the legality of the sale, transfer or movement of any Securities by or for any Fund, or the propriety of the amount for which the same were sold; or
(iii) any other expenditures, encumbrances of Securities, borrowings or similar actions with respect to any Fund's Assets;
and may, until notified to the contrary, presume that all Instructions or Special Instructions received by it are not in conflict with or in any way contrary to any provisions of any such Fund's Declaration of Trust, Partnership Agreement, Articles of Incorporation or By-Laws or votes or proceedings of the shareholders, trustees, partners or directors of any such Fund, or any such Fund's currently effective Registration Statement on file with the SEC.
7. LIABILITY OF THE CUSTODIAN FOR ACTIONS OF OTHERS.
(a) Domestic Subcustodians
Except as provided in Section 7(d), the Custodian shall be liable for the acts or omissions of any Domestic Subcustodian to the same extent as if such actions or omissions were performed by the Custodian itself.
(b) Liability for Acts and Omissions of Foreign Subcustodians.
The Custodian shall be liable to a Fund for any loss or damage to such Fund caused by or resulting from the acts or omissions of any Foreign Subcustodian to the extent that, under the terms set forth in the subcustodian agreement between the Custodian or a Domestic Subcustodian and such Foreign Subcustodian, the Foreign Subcustodian has failed to perform in accordance with the standard of conduct imposed under such subcustodian agreement and the Custodian or Domestic Subcustodian recovers from the Foreign Subcustodian under the applicable subcustodian agreement.
(c) Securities Systems, Interim Subcustodians, Special Subcustodians, Eligible Securities Depositories.
The Custodian shall not be liable to any Fund for any loss, damage or expense suffered or incurred by such Fund resulting from or occasioned by the actions or omissions of a Securities System, Interim Subcustodian, Special Subcustodian, or Eligible Securities Depository unless such loss, damage or expense is caused by, or results from, the negligence or willful misconduct of the Custodian.
(d) Failure of Third Parties.
The Custodian shall not be liable for any loss, damage or expense suffered or incurred by any Fund resulting from or occasioned by the actions, omissions, neglects, defaults, insolvency or other failure of any (i) issuer of any Securities or Underlying Shares or of any agent of such issuer; (ii) any counterparty with respect to any Security or other Asset, including any issuer of any option, futures, derivatives or commodities contract; (iii) investment adviser or other agent of a Fund; or (iv) any broker, bank, trust company or any other person with whom the Custodian may deal (other than any of such entities acting as a Subcustodian, Securities System or Eligible Securities Depository, for whose actions the liability of the Custodian is set out elsewhere in this Agreement); or (v) any agent or depository (including but not limited to a securities lending agent or precious metals depository) with whom the Custodian may deal at the direction of, and behalf of, a Fund; unless such loss, damage or expense is caused by, or results from, the negligence or willful misconduct of the Custodian or the Custodian’s breach of the terms of any contract between the Fund and the Custodian.
20
(e) Transfer Agents.
The Custodian shall not be liable to the Fund for any loss or damage to the Fund resulting from the maintenance of Underlying Shares with a Transfer Agent except for losses resulting directly from the negligence or willful misconduct of the Custodian.
8. INDEMNIFICATION.
(a) Indemnification by Fund.
Subject to the limitations set forth in this Agreement, the Fund agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Custodian and its nominees from all losses, damages and expenses (including attorneys' fees) suffered or incurred by the Custodian or its nominee caused by or arising from actions taken by the Custodian, its employees or agents in the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, including, but not limited to, any indemnification obligations undertaken by the Custodian under any relevant subcustodian agreement; provided, however, that such indemnity shall not apply to the extent the Custodian is liable under Sections 6 or 7 hereof.
If any Fund requires the Custodian to take any action with respect to Securities, Underlying Shares or other Assets, which action involves the payment of money or which may, in the opinion of the Custodian, result in the Custodian or its nominee assigned to such Fund being liable for the payment of money or incurring liability of some other form, such Fund, as a prerequisite to requiring the Custodian to take such action, shall provide indemnity to the Custodian in an amount and form satisfactory to it.
The Fund agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Custodian for any action the Custodian takes or does not take in reliance upon directions, Instructions or Special Instructions, including but not limited to Instructions or Special Instructions to prepare, sign and submit Subscription Agreements or other Writings on behalf of the Manager or the Fund, except for such action or inaction resulting from the Custodian’s negligence or willful misconduct or if the Custodian follows an Instruction or Written Instruction expressly forbidden by this Agreement.
(b) Indemnification by Custodian.
Subject to the limitations set forth in this Agreement, the Custodian agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Fund from all losses, damages and expenses (with the exception of those damages and expenses referenced in Section 6(a)) suffered or incurred by each such Fund caused by the negligence or willful misconduct of the Custodian.
9. ADVANCES.
In the event that the Custodian or any Subcustodian, Securities System, or Eligible Securities Depository acting either directly or indirectly under agreement with the Custodian (each of which for purposes of this Section 9 shall be referred to as "Custodian"), makes any payment or transfer of funds on behalf of any Fund as to which there would be, at the close of business on the date of such payment or transfer, insufficient funds held by the Custodian on behalf of any such Fund, the Custodian may, in its discretion without further Instructions, provide an advance ("Advance") to any such Fund in an amount sufficient to allow the completion of the transaction by reason of which such payment or transfer of funds is to be made. In addition, in the event the Custodian is directed by Instructions to make any payment or transfer of funds on behalf of any Fund as to which it is subsequently determined that such Fund has overdrawn its cash account with the Custodian as of the close of business on the date of such payment or transfer, said overdraft shall constitute an Advance. Any Advance shall be payable by the Fund on behalf of which the Advance was made on demand by Custodian, unless otherwise agreed by such Fund and the Custodian, and shall accrue interest from the date of the Advance to the date of payment by such Fund to the Custodian at a rate determined from time to time by the Custodian. It is understood that any transaction in respect of which the Custodian shall have made an Advance, including but not limited to a foreign exchange contract or transaction in respect of which the Custodian is not acting as a principal, is for the account of and at the risk of the Fund on behalf of which the Advance was made, and not, by reason of such Advance, deemed to be a transaction undertaken by the Custodian for its own account and risk. The Custodian and the Fund which are parties to this Agreement acknowledge that the purpose of Advances is to finance temporarily the purchase or sale of Securities for prompt delivery in accordance with the settlement terms of such transactions or to meet emergency expenses not reasonably foreseeable by a Fund. The Custodian shall promptly notify the appropriate Fund of any Advance. Such notification may be communicated by telephone, Electronic Communication or facsimile transmission or in such other manner as the Custodian may choose. Nothing herein shall be deemed to create an obligation on the part of the Custodian to advance monies to a Fund.
21
10. SECURITY INTEREST.
To secure the due and prompt payment of all Advances, together with any taxes, charges, fees, expenses, assessments, obligations, claims or liabilities incurred by the Custodian in connection with its or their performance of any duties under this Agreement (collectively, “Liabilities”), except for any Liabilities arising from or the Custodian’s negligence or willful misconduct, the Fund grants to the Custodian a security interest in all of the Fund’s Securities and other Assets now or hereafter in the possession of the Custodian and all proceeds thereof (collectively, the “Collateral”). A Fund shall promptly reimburse the Custodian for any and all such Liabilities. In the event that a Fund fails to satisfy any of the Liabilities as and when due and payable, the Custodian shall have in respect of the Collateral, in addition to all other rights and remedies arising hereunder or under local law, the rights and remedies of a secured party under the Uniform Commercial Code. Without prejudice to the Custodian’s rights under applicable law, the Custodian shall be entitled, without notice to the Fund, to withhold delivery of any Collateral, sell, set-off, or otherwise realize upon or dispose of any such Collateral and to apply the money or other proceeds and any other monies credited to the Fund in satisfaction of the Liabilities. This includes, but is not limited to, any interest on any such unpaid Liability as the Custodian deems reasonable, and all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees) incurred by the Custodian in connection with the sale, set-off or other disposition of such Collateral.
11. COMPENSATION.
The Fund will pay to the Custodian such compensation as is set forth on Schedule A hereto, or as otherwise agreed to in writing by the Custodian and each such Fund from time to time. In addition, the Fund shall reimburse the Custodian for all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Custodian in connection with this Agreement, but excluding salaries and usual overhead expenses. Such compensation, and expenses shall be billed to each such Fund and paid in cash to the Custodian.
22
12. POWERS OF ATTORNEY.
Upon request, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian such proxies, powers of attorney or other instruments as may be reasonable and necessary or desirable in connection with the performance by the Custodian or any Subcustodian of their respective obligations under this Agreement or any applicable subcustodian agreement.
13. TAX LAWS.
The Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for any obligations now or hereafter imposed on a Fund or on the Custodian as custodian for such Fund by the tax law of any country or of any state or political subdivision thereof. The Fund agrees to indemnify the Custodian for and against any such obligations including taxes, tax reclaims, withholding and reporting requirements, claims for exemption or refund, additions for late payment, interest, penalties and other expenses (including legal expenses) that may be assessed against the Fund or the Custodian as custodian of a Fund.
14. TERM AND ASSIGNMENT.
This Agreement shall continue in effect with respect to each Fund for a three-year period beginning on the date of this Agreement (the “Initial Term”). Thereafter, if not terminated as provided herein, the Agreement shall continue automatically in effect as to each Fund for successive annual periods (each a “Renewal Term”).
In the event this Agreement is terminated by the Fund prior to the end of the Initial Term of any subsequent Renewal Term, the Fund shall be obligated to pay the Custodian the remaining balance of the fees payable to the Custodian under this Agreement through the end of the Initial Term or Renewal Term, as applicable. Either party may terminate this Agreement at the end of the Initial Term or at the end of any successive Renewal Term (the “Termination Date”) by giving the other party a written notice not less than ninety (90) days’ prior to the end of the respective term. Upon termination of this Agreement, the appropriate Fund shall pay to the Custodian such fees as may be due the Custodian hereunder as well as its reimbursable disbursements, costs and expenses paid or incurred. Upon termination of this Agreement, the Custodian shall deliver, at the terminating party's expense, all Assets held by it hereunder to a successor custodian designated by the Fund or, if a successor custodian is not designated, then to the appropriate Fund or as otherwise designated by such Fund by Special Instructions. Upon such delivery, the Custodian shall have no further obligations or liabilities under this Agreement except as to the final resolution of matters relating to activity occurring prior to the effective date of termination. In the event that for any reason Securities or other Assets remain in the possession of the Custodian after the date such termination shall take effect, the Custodian shall be entitled to compensation at the same rates as agreed to by the Custodian and the Fund during the term of this Agreement as set forth in Section 11.
This Agreement may not be assigned by the Custodian or any Fund without the respective consent of the other.
15. ADDITIONAL FUNDS.
[RESERVED]
16. NOTICES.
As to the Fund, notices, requests, instructions and other writings delivered to Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund, c/o Bow River Asset Management LLC, 205 Detroit Street, Suite 800, Denver, Colorado 80206, Attention: Jeremy Held, postage prepaid, or to such other address as the Fund may have designated to the Custodian in writing, shall be deemed to have been properly delivered or given to a Fund.
23
Notices, requests, instructions and other writings delivered to the Custodian at its office at 928 Grand Blvd., 10th Floor, Attn: Amy Small, Kansas City, Missouri 64106, postage prepaid, or to such other addresses as the Custodian may have designated to the Fund in writing, shall be deemed to have been properly delivered or given to the Custodian hereunder; provided, however, that procedures for the delivery of Instructions and Special Instructions shall be governed by Section 2(c) hereof.
17. CONFIDENTIALITY.
The parties agree that all Information, books and records provided by the Custodian or the Fund to each other in connection with this Agreement, and all information provided by either party pertaining to its business or operations, is “Confidential Information.” All Confidential Information shall be used by the party receiving such information only for the purpose of providing or obtaining services under this Agreement and, except as may be required to carry out the terms of this Agreement, shall not be disclosed to any other party without the express consent of the party providing such Confidential Information. The foregoing limitations shall not apply to any information that is available to the general public other than as a result of a breach of this Agreement, or that is required to be disclosed by or to any entity having regulatory authority over a party hereto or any auditor of a party hereto or that is required to be disclosed as a result of a subpoena or other judicial process, or otherwise by applicable laws.
18. ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING COMPLIANCE.
The Fund represents and warrants that it has established and maintain policies and procedures designed to meet the requirements imposed by the USA PATRIOT Act, including policies and procedures designed to detect and prevent money laundering, including those required by the USA PATRIOT Act. The Fund agrees to provide to the Custodian, from time to time upon the request of the Custodian, certifications regarding its compliance with the USA PATRIOT Act and other anti-money laundering laws. The Fund acknowledges that, because the Custodian will not have information regarding the shareholders of the Fund, the Fund will assume responsibility for customer identification and verification and other CIP requirements in regard to such shareholders.
19. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) This Agreement is executed and delivered in the State of Missouri and shall be governed by the laws of such state.
(b) All of the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by the respective successors and assigns of the parties hereto.
(c) No provisions of this Agreement may be amended, modified or waived in any manner except in writing, properly executed by both parties hereto; provided, however, Appendix A may be amended from time to time as Domestic Subcustodians, Securities Systems, and Special Subcustodians are approved or terminated according to the terms of this Agreement.
(d) 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.
(e) This Agreement shall be effective as of the date of execution hereof.
24
(f) This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.
(g) If any part, term or provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, in conflict with any law or otherwise invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining portion or portions shall be considered severable and shall not be affected, and the rights and obligations of the parties shall be construed and enforced as if this Agreement did not contain the particular part, term or provision held to be illegal or invalid.
(h) Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Delegation Agreement (if applicable), as amended from time to time, constitute the entire understanding and agreement of the parties thereto with respect to the subject matter therein and accordingly, supersedes as of the effective date of this Agreement any custodian agreement heretofore in effect between the Fund and the Custodian.
(i) The rights and obligations contained in Sections 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 17 of this Agreement shall continue, notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement, in order to fulfill the intention of the parties as described in such Sections.
[Signature page to follow.]
25
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Custody Agreement to be executed by their respective duly authorized officers.
Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund | |||
Attest: | By: | ||
Name: | |||
Title: | |||
Date: | |||
UMB BANK, N.A. | |||
Attest: | By: | ||
Name: | |||
Title: | |||
Date: |
26
Schedule A
to the
Custody Agreement
by and between
Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund
and
UMB Bank, N.A.
Fees
27
APPENDIX A
CUSTODY AGREEMENT
The following Subcustodians and Securities Systems are approved for use in connection with the Custody Agreement dated .
SECURITIES SYSTEMS:
Depository Trust Company
Federal Book Entry
SPECIAL SUBCUSTODIANS:
DOMESTIC SUBCUSTODIANS:
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. (Foreign Securities Only)
Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund | UMB BANK, N.A. | ||
By: | By: | ||
Name: | Name: Amy Small | ||
Title: | Title: Senior Vice President | ||
Date: | Date: |
28
EXHIBIT 1
“UMB BANK AGENCY NOTICE” (the “NOTICE”) to [FORMAL NAME OF SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT] (“Subscription Agreement”)
For Investment by
In
[UNDERLYING SHARE NAME]
UMB Bank, n.a., (“UMB”) is providing this [FORMAL NAME OF SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT] to which this Notice is attached solely as Custodian and agent for [FUND NAME](“Investor”) and at the direction of [FUND NAME], in connection with the investment by [NAME OF FUND] in interests (“Interests”) of [UNDERLYING SHARE NAME](“Fund”).
UMB is acting solely as Custodian in connection with the Investor’s investment in the Fund and holding of Interests. UMB does not exercise any investment responsibility or authority for the Investor, and can act in connection with the assets of the Investor only at the direction of the Investor, and only through authorized representatives of the Investor. UMB receives a fee to provide its services as custodian, but has no economic interest in the Fund.
Please be advised that:
(i) UMB is not the owner of, has no beneficial ownership interest in, and has no liability for the payment for any obligations or liabilities related to the Interests;
(ii) UMB will not be and is not liable to you, the Fund, the Fund’s investors or any other person or entity for any damages, costs, liabilities or expenses arising out of the investment by Investor in the Fund, or in connection with the Interests;
(iii) UMB has not made, is not responsible for, cannot verify the accuracy or completeness of, and in no way confirms, guarantees or supports any representations, warranties, covenants or similar assertions (collectively, “Representations”) made by Investor to the Fund or any other person or entity in connection with Investor’s investment in the Fund and purchase or purchases of Interests (including without limitation all Representations in any Subscription Agreement). Representations in any Subscription Agreement are made by the Investor;
(iv) Notwithstanding anything else to the contrary, UMB will not be deemed to have received any distribution or other asset of the Investor until that distribution or other asset of the Investor has in fact been received by UMB at the address and in the manner directed above; and
(v) Without limiting any of the foregoing, UMB makes no representations to the Fund or any other person or entity regarding the Investor’s qualifications to invest in the Fund, the Investor’s status under any anti-money laundering or similar statutes, the Investor’s financial status or condition, or any other information relating to the Investor. Representations regarding such matters in any subscription agreement or similar document are representations of the Investor. In this regard, other parts of UMB, and affiliates of UMB, may have business or other relationships with the Investor, and may have confidential or non-public knowledge about the Investor. UMB has no obligation to provide any such information to the Fund or any person or entity related to the Fund.
29
This Notice is incorporated into and made a part of the Subscription Agreement. In the event of any conflict, express or implied, between any provision contained in this Notice and the Subscription Agreement, the terms of this Notice shall control.
UMB Bank, n.a.
By: | ||
[Name] | ||
[Title] |
30
ADMINISTRATION AND FUND ACCOUNTING AGREEMENT
THIS ADMINISTRATION AND FUND ACCOUNTING AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made as of this [ ], 2020, by and between Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Fund”), and UMB Fund Services, Inc., a Wisconsin corporation, its successors and assigns (the “Administrator”).
WHEREAS, the Fund is a closed-end interval fund registered under the 1940 Act (as defined below) and is authorized to issue Shares; and
WHEREAS, the Fund and the Administrator desire to enter into an agreement pursuant to which the Administrator shall provide Services (as defined below) to the Fund.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and agreements 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. Definitions In addition to any terms defined in the body of this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have the meanings set forth hereinafter whenever they appear in this Agreement:
“1933 Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“1940 Act” shall mean the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
“Authorized Person” shall mean any individual who is authorized to provide Administrator with Instructions and requests on behalf of the Fund, whose name shall be certified to Administrator from time to time pursuant to this Agreement. Any officer of the Fund authorized by the Board to be an Authorized Person shall be considered an Authorized Person (unless such authority is limited in a writing from the Fund and received by Administrator) and has the authority to appoint additional Authorized Persons, to limit or revoke the authority of any previously designated Authorized Person, and to certify to Administrator the names of the Authorized Persons from time to time.
“Board” shall mean the Board of Trustees of the Fund.
“By-Laws” shall mean the Fund’s By-Laws, including any amendments made thereto.
“Commission” shall mean the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Declaration of Trust” shall mean the Declaration of Trust or other similar operational document of the Trust, as the case may be, as the same may be amended from time to time.
“Investment Adviser” shall mean the investment adviser or investment advisers to the Funds and includes all sub-advisers or persons performing similar services.
1
“Instructions” shall mean an oral communication from an Authorized Person or a written communication signed by an Authorized Person and actually received by Administrator. Instructions shall include manually executed originals, telefacsimile transmissions of manually executed originals or electronic communications.
“Prospectus” shall mean the current prospectus and statement of additional information with respect to a Fund (including any applicable amendments and supplements thereto) actually received by Administrator from the Fund with respect to which the Fund has indicated a Registration Statement has become effective under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act.
“Registration Statement” shall mean any registration statement on Form N-2 at any time now or hereafter filed with the Commission with respect to any of the Shares and any amendments and supplements thereto which at any time shall have been or will be filed with the Commission.
“Services” shall mean the administration and fund accounting services described on Schedule B hereto and such additional services as may be agreed to by the parties from time to time and set forth in an amendment to Schedule B.
“Shares” shall mean such shares of beneficial interest, or class thereof, of the Fund as may be issued from time to time.
“Shareholder” shall mean a record owner of Shares of the Fund.
2. Appointment and Services
(a) The Fund hereby appoints Administrator as administrator and fund accountant of the Funds and hereby authorizes Administrator to provide Services during the term of this Agreement and on the terms set forth herein. Subject to the oversight of the Board and utilizing information provided by the Fund and its current and prior agents and service providers, Administrator will provide the Services in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Administrator shall not be required to provide any Services or information that it believes, in its sole, reasonable discretion, to represent dishonest, unethical or illegal activity. In no event shall Administrator provide any investment advice or recommendations to any party in connection with its Services hereunder.
(b) Administrator may from time to time, in its reasonable discretion and at its own expense, appoint one or more other parties to carry out some or all of its responsibilities under this Agreement, provided that Administrator shall remain responsible to the Fund for all such delegated responsibilities in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, in the same manner and to the same extent as if Administrator were itself providing such Services.
(c) Administrator’s duties shall be confined to those expressly set forth herein, and no implied duties are assumed by or may be asserted against Administrator hereunder. The Services do not include correcting, verifying or addressing any prior actions or inactions of the Fund, any Fund or by any other current or prior agent or service provider. To the extent Administrator agrees to take such actions, those actions taken shall be deemed part of the Services.
2
(d) It is understood that in determining security valuations, Administrator employs one or more pricing services, as directed by the Fund, to determine valuations of portfolio securities for purposes of calculating net asset values of the Funds. The Fund shall identify to Administrator the pricing service(s) to be utilized. If requested by the Fund, the Administrator shall price the securities and other holdings of the Funds for which market quotations or prices are available by the use of such pricing service(s).
For those securities where prices are not provided by the pricing service(s) utilized by Administrator, the Fund shall approve, in good faith, the procedures for determining the fair value of the securities. The Investment Adviser shall determine or obtain the valuation of the securities in accordance with those procedures and shall deliver to Administrator the resulting prices for use in its calculation of net asset values. When security valuations are so provided, the following provisions will also apply:
(i) Valued securities are typically complicated financial instruments. There are many methodologies (including computer-based analytical modeling and individual security valuations) 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 Administrator and its suppliers, 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 valuations, however, the Fund acknowledges that there may be errors or defects in the software, databases, or methodologies generating the valuations that may cause resultant valuations to be inappropriate for use in certain applications.
The Fund assumes all responsibility for edit checking, external verification of valuations, and ultimately the appropriateness of using data containing valuations, regardless of any efforts made by Administrator and its suppliers in this regard.
(e) Subject to the terms of Section 8, and where applicable, the Administrator further agrees to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act the records described in Schedule B which are maintained by Administrator for the Fund. To the extent required by Rule 31a-3 under the 1940 Act, Administrator hereby agrees that all records which it maintains for the Fund hereunder are the property of the Fund and further agrees to surrender promptly to the Fund any of such records upon the Fund’s request.
(f) Any resolution passed by the Board that affects accounting practices and procedures under this Agreement shall be effective upon written receipt of notice and acceptance by Administrator.
(g) Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to appoint Administrator and its officers, directors and employees as the Fund’s attorney, form an attorney-client relationship or require the provision of legal advice. The Fund acknowledges that Administrator’s in-house attorneys exclusively represent Administrator and the Fund’s legal counsel will provide independent judgment on the Fund’s behalf. Because no attorney-client relationship exists between Administrator’s in-house attorneys and the Fund, any information provided to the Administrator’s in-house attorneys may not be privileged and may be subject to compulsory disclosure under certain circumstances, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 5. Administrator represents that it will maintain the confidentiality of information disclosed to its in-house attorneys on a best efforts basis.
3
3. Representations and Deliveries
(a) The Fund shall deliver or cause the following documents to be delivered to Administrator:
(i) A copy of the Declaration of Trust and By-laws and all amendments thereto, certified by a duly authorized person of the Fund;
(ii) Copies of the Fund’s Registration Statement, as of the date of this Agreement, together with any applications filed in connection therewith;
(iii) All other documents, records and information that Administrator may reasonably request in order for Administrator to perform the Services hereunder.
(b) The Fund represents and warrants to Administrator that:
(i) It is a statutory trust duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware; it is empowered under applicable laws and by its Declaration of Trust and By-laws to enter into and perform this Agreement; and all requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement.
(ii) It is duly registered as a closed-end investment company under the 1940 Act.
(iii) A Registration Statement under the 1933 Act will be effective before the Fund will issue Shares and will remain effective during such period as the Fund is offering Shares for sale. Additionally, appropriate state securities laws filings will be made before Shares are issued in any jurisdiction and such filings will continue to be made, with respect to Shares of the Funds being offered for sale.
(iv) It will conduct its business in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations, both state and federal, and has obtained (or will timely obtain) 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 Declaration of Trust, By-laws or any contract binding it or affecting its property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement.
(c) The Fund shall cause the Fund’s officers and trustees, and shall use its best efforts to cause the Fund’s Investment Adviser, legal counsel, independent accountants, transfer agent, custodian, distributor and other service providers and agents, past or present, to cooperate with Administrator and to provide Administrator with such information, documents and communications relating to the Funds and the Fund as necessary and/or appropriate or as reasonably requested by Administrator, in order to enable Administrator to perform the Services. In connection with the performance of the Services, Administrator shall (without investigation or verification) be entitled and is hereby instructed to, rely upon any and all Instructions, communications, information or documents provided to Administrator by a representative of the Funds or by any of the aforementioned persons. Administrator shall be entitled to rely on any document that it reasonably believes to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party. Fees charged by such persons shall be an expense of the Fund. Administrator shall not be held to have notice of any change of authority of any trustee, officer, agent, representative or employee of the Fund, Investment Adviser or service provider until receipt of written notice thereof from the Fund.
4
(d) The Board and the Investment Adviser have and retain primary responsibility for all compliance matters relating to the Fund and the Funds including but not limited to compliance with the 1940 Act, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the policies and limitations of the Fund relating to the portfolio investments as set forth in the Prospectus. Administrator’s monitoring and other functions hereunder shall not relieve the Board and the Investment Adviser of their primary day-to-day responsibility for assuring such compliance. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator will be responsible for its own compliance with such statutes insofar as such statutes are applicable to the Services it has agreed to provide hereunder, and will promptly notify the Fund if it becomes aware of any non-compliance which relates to the Fund. The Administrator shall provide the Fund with quarterly and annual certifications (on a calendar basis) with respect to the design and operational effectiveness of its compliance and procedures.
(e) The Fund will notify Administrator of any discrepancy between Administrator and the Fund, including, but not limited to, failing to account for a security position in a Fund’s portfolio, upon the later to occur of: (i) three (3) business days after receipt of any reports rendered by Administrator to the Fund; (ii) three (3) business days after discovery of any error or omission not covered in the balancing or control procedure; or (iii) three (3) business days after receiving notice from any Shareholder regarding any such discrepancy.
(f) The Fund agrees that it shall advise Administrator in writing at least thirty (30) days prior to affecting any change in any Prospectus which would increase or alter the duties and obligations of Administrator hereunder, and shall proceed with such change only if it shall have received the written consent of Administrator thereto.
(g) Administrator represents and warrants to the Fund that:
(i) It is a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Wisconsin; it is empowered under applicable law and by its Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws to enter into and perform this Agreement; and all requisite proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement.
(ii) It is conducting its business in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations, both state and federal, and has obtained (or will timely obtain) 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 operating documents or any contract binding it or affecting its property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement. Its execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement will not conflict with or violate (a) any provision of the organizational or governance documents of Administrator or (b) any law applicable to Administrator.
5
(iii) Administrator shall maintain a disaster recovery and business continuity plan and adequate and reliable computer and other equipment necessary and appropriate to carry out its obligations under this Agreement. Upon the Fund’s reasonable request, Administrator shall provide supplemental information concerning the aspects of its disaster recovery and business continuity plan that are relevant to the Services.
(iv) It has and will continue to have access to the necessary facilities, equipment and personnel to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement in accordance with industry standards.
(h) The Administrator shall act as liaison with a Fund’s independent public accountants and shall provide account analyses, fiscal year summaries, and other audit-related schedules. The Administrator shall take all reasonable action in the performance of its duties under this Agreement to assure that the necessary information is made available to such auditors and accountants in a timely fashion for the expression of their opinion, as required by the Fund.
(i) The Administrator agrees to comply (and to the extent the Administrator takes or is required to take action on behalf of a Fund hereunder shall cause the Fund to comply) with all applicable law, as well as all investment restrictions, policies and procedures adopted by the Fund. Except as set forth in this Agreement, the Administrator assumes no responsibility for such compliance by a Fund. The Administrator shall maintain at all times a program reasonably designed to prevent violations of the federal securities laws (as defined in Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act) with respect to the Services provided.
4. Fees and Expenses
(a) As compensation for the performance of the Services, the Fund agrees to pay Administrator the fees set forth on Schedule C hereto. Fees shall be adjusted in accordance with Schedule C or as otherwise agreed to by the parties from time to time. Fees shall be earned and paid monthly in an amount equal to at least 1/12th of the applicable annual fee. Basis point fees and minimum annual fees apply separately to the Fund, and average net assets are not aggregated in calculating the applicable basis point fee per Fund or the applicable minimum. The parties may amend this Agreement to include fees for any additional services requested by the Fund, enhancements to current Services, or to add Funds. The Fund agrees to pay Administrator’s (as the parties may agree to in writing from time to time) rate for Services added to, or for any enhancements to existing Services set forth on, Schedule B after the execution of this Agreement (as the parties may agree to in writing from time to time). In addition, to the extent that Administrator corrects, verifies or addresses any prior actions or inactions by any Fund or by any prior service provider, Administrator shall be entitled to additional fees as provided in Schedule C. In the event of any disagreement between this Agreement and Schedule C related to fees, the terms of Schedule C shall control.
(b) For the purpose of determining fees payable to Administrator, net asset value shall be computed in accordance with the Prospectus and resolutions of the Board. The fee for the period from the day of the month this Agreement is entered into until the end of that month shall be pro-rated according to the proportion that such period bears to the full monthly period. Upon any termination of this Agreement before the end of any month, the fee for such part of a month shall be pro-rated according to the proportion which such period bears to the full monthly period and shall be payable upon the date of termination of this Agreement. Should this Agreement be terminated (other than for cause on the part of the Administrator) or the Fund or any Fund be liquidated, merged with or acquired by another fund or investment company, any accrued fees shall be immediately payable.
6
(c) Administrator will bear all expenses incurred by it in connection with its performance of Services, except as otherwise provided herein. Administrator shall not be required to pay or finance any costs and expenses incurred in the operation of the Funds, including, but not limited to: taxes; interest; brokerage fees and commissions; salaries, fees and expenses of officers and trustees; Commission fees and state Blue Sky fees; advisory fees; charges of custodians, transfer agents, dividend disbursing and accounting services agents and other service providers; security pricing services; insurance premiums; outside auditing and legal expenses; costs of organization and maintenance of corporate existence; taxes and fees payable to federal, state and other governmental agencies; preparation, typesetting, printing, proofing and mailing of Prospectuses, statements of additional information, supplements, notices, forms and applications and proxy materials for regulatory purposes and for distribution to current Shareholders; preparation, typesetting, printing, proofing and mailing and other costs of Shareholder reports; expenses in connection with the electronic transmission of documents and information including electronic filings with the Commission and the states; research and statistical data services; expenses incidental to holding meetings of the Fund’s Shareholders and Trustees; fees and expenses associated with internet, e-mail and other related activities; and extraordinary expenses. Expenses incurred for distribution of Shares, including the typesetting, printing, proofing and mailing of Prospectuses for persons who are not Shareholders, will be borne by the Fund, except for such expenses permitted to be paid under a distribution plan adopted in accordance with applicable laws. Administrator shall not be required to pay any Blue Sky fees or take any related Blue Sky actions unless and until it has received the amount of such fees from the Fund.
(d) The Fund also agrees to promptly reimburse Administrator for all out-of-pocket expenses or disbursements reasonably incurred by Administrator in connection with the performance of Services under this Agreement. Out-of-pocket expenses shall include, but not be limited to, those items specified on Schedule C hereto. If reasonably requested by Administrator, out-of-pocket expenses are payable in advance. Payment of postage expenses, if prepayment is reasonably requested, is due at least seven (7) days prior to the anticipated mail date. In the event Administrator reasonably requests advance payment, Administrator shall not be obligated to incur such expenses or perform the related Service(s) until payment is received.
(e) The Fund agrees to pay all amounts due hereunder within thirty (30) days of receipt of each invoice (the “Due Date”). Except as provided in Schedule C, Administrator shall bill Service fees monthly, and out-of-pocket expenses as incurred (unless prepayment is requested by Administrator). Administrator may, at its option, arrange to have various service providers submit invoices directly to the Fund for payment of reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses.
(f) The Fund is aware that its failure to remit to Administrator all amounts due on or before the Due Date may cause Administrator to incur costs not contemplated by this Agreement, including, but not limited to carrying, processing and accounting charges. Accordingly, in the event that Administrator does not receive any amounts due hereunder by the Due Date, the Fund agrees to pay a late charge on the overdue amount equal to one and one-half percent (1.5%) per month or the maximum amount permitted by law, whichever is less. In addition, the Fund shall pay Administrator’s reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs if any amounts due Administrator in the event that an attorney is engaged to assist in the collection of amounts due. Acceptance of such late charge shall in no event constitute a waiver by Administrator of the Fund’s default or prevent Administrator from exercising any other rights and remedies available to it.
7
(g) In the event that any charges are disputed, the Fund shall, on or before the Due Date, pay all undisputed amounts due hereunder and notify the Administrator in writing of any disputed charges for out-of-pocket expenses which it is disputing in good faith. Payment for such disputed charges shall be due on or before the close of the fifth (5th) business day after the day on which Administrator provides documentation which the parties hereto agree that an objective observer would agree reasonably supports the disputed charges (the “Revised Due Date”). Late charges shall not begin to accrue as to charges disputed in good faith until the first day after the Revised Due Date.
(h) The Fund acknowledges that the fees charged by Administrator under this Agreement reflect the allocation of risk between the parties, including the exclusion of remedies and limitations of liability in Section 6. Modifying the allocation of risk from what is stated herein would affect the fees that Administrator charges. Accordingly, in consideration of those fees, the Fund agrees to the stated allocation of risk.
5. Confidential Information
Administrator agrees on behalf of itself its and its affiliates, partners, employees, directors and agents to treat confidentially and as proprietary information of the Fund all records and other information relative to the Funds’ portfolio holdings, not to use such information other than in the performance of its responsibilities and duties hereunder, and not to disclose such information except: (i) when requested to divulge such information by duly-constituted authorities or court process; (ii) to an affiliate, as defined by Section 248.3(a) of Regulation S-P; or, (iii) pursuant to any other exception permitted by Sections 248.14 and 248.15 of Regulation S-P in the ordinary course of business to carry out the activities covered by the exception under which Administrator received the information. In case of any requests or demands for inspection of the records of the Funds, Administrator will endeavor to notify the Fund promptly and to secure instructions from a representative of the Fund as to such inspection. Records and information which have become known to the public through no wrongful act of Administrator or any of its employees, agents or representatives, and information which was already in the possession of Administrator prior to receipt thereof, shall not be subject to this Section. Any party appointed pursuant to Section 2(b) above shall be required to observe the confidentiality obligations contained herein. The obligations of the parties under Section 5 shall indefinitely survive the termination of this Agreement.
6. Limitation of Liability
(a) The Administrator shall exercise due care and reasonable care in good faith and in accordance with reasonable commercial standards in discharging its duties hereunder. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Administrator shall be liable to a Fund for all losses, damages and reasonable costs and expenses suffered or incurred by such Fund resulting from the bad faith, gross negligence, fraud, reckless disregard in the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, uncured material breach of this Agreement or willful misconduct of the Administrator (the “Standard of Care”). Subject to the foregoing, Administrator shall not be liable for: (i) any action reasonably taken or omitted to be taken in accordance with or in reasonable reliance upon Instructions, communications, data, documents or information (without investigation or verification) received by the Administrator from an officer or representative of the Fund, or from any Authorized Person; (ii) any action taken or omission by a Fund, the Fund, Investment Adviser, any Authorized Person or any past or current service provider; or, (iii) its reliance on the security valuations without investigation or verification provided by pricing service(s), the Investment Adviser or representatives of the Fund.
8
(b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, each party hereto will be excused from its obligation to perform any Service or obligation required of it hereunder for the duration that such performance is prevented by events beyond its reasonable control and shall not be liable for any default, damage, loss of data or documents, errors, delay or any other loss whatsoever caused thereby. Administrator will, however, take all reasonable steps to minimize service interruptions for any period that such interruption continues beyond its reasonable control.
(c) In no event and under no circumstances shall the Indemnified Parties (as defined below) be liable to anyone, including, without limitation, the other party, under any theory of tort, contract, strict liability or other legal or equitable theory for lost profits, exemplary, punitive, special, indirect or consequential damages for any act or failure to act under any provision of this Agreement regardless of whether such damages were foreseeable and even if advised of the possibility thereof.
(d) The obligations of the parties under Section 6 shall indefinitely survive the termination of this Agreement.
7. Indemnification
(a) The Fund agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Administrator, and its nominees (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties”) from and against any and all claims, demands, actions and suits, and from and against any and all judgments, liabilities, losses, damages, costs, charges, fees, penalties, and other expenses (excluding attorney’s fees) of every nature and character (“Losses”) which may be asserted against or incurred by any Indemnified Party or for which any Indemnified Party may be held liable (a “Claim”), arising out of or in any way relating to any of the following, except, in each case, to the extent a Claim resulted from Administrator’s breach of the Standard of Care:
(i) any action or omission of Administrator;
(ii) Administrator’s reasonable reliance on, implementation of or use of, Instructions, communications, data, documents or information (without investigation or verification) received by Administrator from an officer or representative of the Fund, or from any Authorized Person;
(iii) any action taken, or omission by, a Fund, the Fund, Investment Adviser, any Authorized Person or any past or current service provider (not including Administrator);
9
(iv) any Claim that arises out of the Fund’s gross negligence or misconduct or breach of any representation or warranty of the Fund made herein; and
(v) its reliance on the security valuations without investigation or verification provided by pricing service(s), the Investment Adviser or representatives of the Fund.
(b) Promptly after receipt by Administrator of notice of the commencement of an investigation, action, claim or proceeding, Administrator shall, if a claim for indemnification in respect thereof is made under this Section, notify the Fund in writing of the commencement thereof, although the failure to do so shall not prevent recovery by Administrator or any Indemnified Party. The Fund shall be entitled to participate at its own expense in the defense or, if it so elects, to assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any such Loss, but if the Fund elects to assume the defense, such defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by the Fund and approved by Administrator, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. In the event the Fund elects to assume the defense of any such suit and retain such counsel and notifies Administrator of such election, the indemnified defendant or defendants in such suit shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by them subsequent to the receipt of the Fund’s election. If the Fund does not elect to assume the defense of any such suit, or in case Administrator does not, in the exercise of reasonable judgment, approve of counsel chosen by the Fund, or in case there is a conflict of interest between the Fund and Administrator or any Indemnified Party, the Fund will reimburse the Indemnified Party or Parties named as defendant or defendants in such suit, for the reasonable fees and expenses of any counsel retained by Administrator and them. The Fund’s indemnification agreement contained in this Section 7 and the Fund’s representations and warranties in this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of Administrator and each Indemnified Party, and shall survive the delivery of any Shares and the termination of this Agreement. This agreement of indemnity will inure exclusively to Administrator’s benefit, to the benefit of each Indemnified Party and their estates and successors. The Fund agrees to promptly notify Administrator of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against the Fund or any of its officers or directors in connection with the issue and sale of any of the Shares.
(c) The obligations of the parties under this Section 7 shall indefinitely survive the termination of this Agreement.
8. Term
(a) This Agreement shall become effective with respect to the Fund as of the date hereof. This Agreement shall continue in effect with respect to the Fund for a three-year period beginning on the date of this Agreement (the “Initial Term”). Thereafter, if not terminated as provided herein, the Agreement shall continue automatically in effect as to the Fund for successive annual periods (each a “Renewal Term”).
(b) In the event this Agreement is terminated by the Fund prior to the end of the Initial Term or any subsequent Renewal Term, the Fund shall be obligated to pay Administrator the remaining balance of the fees payable to Administrator under this Agreement through the end of the Initial Term or Renewal Term, as applicable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, either party may terminate this Agreement at the end of the Initial Term or at the end of any successive Renewal Term (the “Termination Date”) by giving the other party a written notice not less than ninety (90) days’ prior to the end of the respective term. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, upon the termination of the Agreement as provided herein or the liquidation, merger or acquisition of a Fund or the Fund, Administrator shall deliver the records of the Fund to the Fund or its successor service provider at the expense of the Fund in a form that is consistent with Administrator’s applicable license agreements, and thereafter the Fund or its designee shall be solely responsible for preserving the records for the periods required by all applicable laws, rules and regulations. The Fund shall be responsible for all expenses associated with the movement (or duplication) of records and materials and conversion thereof to a successor service provider, including all reasonable trailing expenses incurred by Administrator. In addition, in the event of termination of this Agreement, or the proposed liquidation, merger or acquisition of the Fund or a Fund(s), and Administrator’s agreement to provide additional Services in connection therewith, Administrator shall provide such Services and be entitled to such compensation as the parties may mutually agree. Administrator shall not reduce the level of service provided to the Fund prior to termination following notice of termination by the Fund.
10
9. Power of Attorney
The Fund hereby grants to Administrator the limited power of attorney on behalf of the Funds to sign Blue Sky forms and related documents in connection with the performance of Services under this Agreement.
10. Miscellaneous
(a) Any notice required or permitted to be given by either party to the other under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given when received by the other party as set forth below. Such notices shall be sent to the addresses listed below, or to such other location as either party may from time to time designate in writing:
If notice is sent by electronic delivery or facsimile, it shall be deemed to have been given immediately (contingent upon confirmed receipt by the intended recipient). If notice is sent by first-class mail, it shall be deemed to have been given five days after it has been mailed. If notice is sent by messenger, it shall be deemed to have been given on the day it is delivered.
11
(b) Except as provided to the contrary herein, this Agreement may not be amended or modified in any manner except by a written agreement executed by both parties with the formality of this Agreement.
(c) This Agreement shall be governed by Wisconsin law, excluding the laws on conflicts of laws. 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 Commission thereunder. Any provision of this Agreement which is 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.
(d) This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original agreement but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. The facsimile signature of any party to this Agreement shall constitute the valid and binding execution hereof by such party.
(e) The services of Administrator hereunder are not deemed to be exclusive. Administrator may render administration and fund accounting services and any other services to others, including other investment companies.
(f) The captions in the Agreement are included for convenience of reference only, and in no way define or limit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
(g) This Agreement is executed by the Fund with respect to the Funds and the obligations hereunder are not binding upon any of the trustees, officers or Shareholders individually but are binding only upon the Fund to which such obligations pertain and the assets and property of such Fund. All obligations of the Fund under this Agreement shall apply only on a Fund-by-Fund basis, and the assets of one Fund shall not be liable for the obligations of another Fund. The Fund’s Certificate of Fund is on file with the Secretary of State of Delaware.
(h) This Agreement and the Schedules incorporated herein constitute the full and complete understanding and agreement of Administrator and the Fund and supersedes all prior negotiations, understandings and agreements with respect to fund accounting and administration services.
(i) Except as specifically provided herein, this Agreement does not in any way affect any other agreements entered into among the parties hereto and any actions taken or omitted by any party hereunder shall not affect any rights or obligations of any other party hereunder.
(j) Administrator shall retain all right, title and interest in any and all computer programs, screen formats, report formats, procedures, data bases, interactive design techniques, derivative works, inventions, discoveries, patentable or copyrightable matters, concepts, expertise, trade secrets, trademarks and other related legal rights provided, developed or utilized by Administrator in connection with the Services provided by Administrator to the Fund hereunder.
12
(k) This Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding upon the parties hereto, and their respective successors and assigns. This Agreement shall not be assignable by either party without the written consent of the other party.
(l) The person signing below represents and warrants that he/she is duly authorized to execute this Agreement on behalf of the party on whose behalf such person is signing.
[Signature page to follow.]
13
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by a duly authorized person as of the day, month and year first above written.
Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund | |||
(the “Fund”) | |||
By: | |||
Title: | |||
Date: | |||
UMB FUND SERVICES, INC. | |||
(“Administrator”) | |||
By: | |||
Title: | |||
Date: |
14
Schedule A
to the
Administration and Fund Accounting Agreement
by and between
Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund
and
UMB Fund Services, Inc.
[RESERVED]
15
Schedule B
to the
Administration and Fund Accounting Agreement
by and between
Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund
and
UMB Fund Services, Inc.
SERVICES
Subject to the oversight of, and utilizing information provided by the Fund, Investment Adviser, and the Fund’s agents, the Administrator will provide the following services:
Fund Accounting
1. | Establish, maintain and review the administrative and procedural processes. |
2. | Establish, maintain and review the general ledgers. |
3. | Establish, maintain and review the investors’ capital accounts and record all transactions including subscriptions and redemptions. |
4. | Establish, maintain and review the investors’ capital accounts and record all transactions, including capital commitments, capital calls, draw downs and distributions. |
5. | Assess management and incentive fees, calculate net asset values and effect all appropriate allocations, including new issue carve-outs, in accordance with the Fund’s operating documents as provided to the Administrator. |
6. | Coordinate, execute and give third-party approval for all cash movements in accordance with the Funds’ offering documents. Provide cash reconciliations monthly or upon request. |
7. | Performed Daily: Load transactions in the portfolio accounting system. Maintain the security master files including monitoring and processing of corporate actions. Obtain market valuations from the appropriate pricing sources and value the investments in accordance with the Fund’s operating documents. Reconcile positions and cash per the portfolio accounting system to the broker(s)/custodian(s) records. Provide reporting including performance and exposure reporting. |
8. | Obtain market valuations from the appropriate pricing sources and value the investments in accordance with the Fund’s operating documents. |
9. | Receive and record all underlying investment transactions and reconcile to all bank accounts monthly. |
10. | Interface with the investment to determine and reconcile monthly valuations, long/short information, AUM and all other pertinent information. |
11. | Receive and record all underlying investment transactions, including capital commitments, capital calls, draw-downs and distributions, and reconcile to all bank accounts monthly. |
16
12. | Receive and record all underlying investment valuations and other pertinent information. |
13. | Determine and periodically monitor the Fund’s income and expense accruals. |
14. | Generate the financial reporting package as of each period-end including the Statements of Financial Position, Profit and Loss, Changes in Capital and Changes in Investor’s Capital. |
15. | Create and maintain UMB Website portal for the Fund. Includes access to details of investment and investor subscription and redemption activity, month-end balances, financial packages, investor capital statements, tax information, and fund-level information such as fund documents, fund annual audit reports, and fund communication letters. |
Regulatory Administration
Subject to the direction of and utilizing information provided by the Fund, the Investment Adviser, and the Fund’s agents, the Administrator will provide the services listed below. The Administrator’s provision of these services shall not relieve the Fund and the Fund’s Investment Adviser of their primary day-to-day responsibility for assuring such compliance. The Administrator’s ability to provide information regarding compliance with respect to applicable rules and regulations may be limited by the characteristics of the Fund’s investments.
The Administrator shall perform the following duties on behalf of the Funds:
1. | General Fund Management |
a. | Provide appropriate personnel, office facilities, information technology, record keeping and other resources as necessary for the Administrator to perform its duties and responsibilities under this agreement; |
b. | Act as liaison among all Fund service providers. |
2. | Coordinate Board activities |
a. | Develop with legal counsel and the secretary of the Fund an agenda and draft resolutions for each quarterly Board meeting; |
b. | Prepare Board reports based on financial and administrative data as requested by the Board. Coordinate the preparation of electronic board books for quarterly Board meetings; |
c. | Attend quarterly Board meetings, either in person or telephonically, and prepare a first draft of the quarterly meeting minutes, as requested by the Board. |
3. | Financial Reporting and Audits |
a. | Prepare quarterly, semi-annual and annual schedules and financial statements including schedule of investments and the related statements of operations, assets and liabilities, changes in net assets and cash flow (if required), and financial highlights to each financial statement; |
b. | Draft footnotes to financial statements for approval by the Funds’ officers and independent accountants; |
17
c. | Provide facilities, information and personnel as necessary to accommodate annual audits with the Funds’ independent accountants or examinations by the SEC or other regulatory authorities. |
4. | Compliance |
a. | From time to time as the Administrator deems appropriate (but no less frequently than quarterly), check the Fund’s compliance with the policies and limitations of the Fund relating to the portfolio investments as set forth in the Fund’s Offering Memorandum and Statement of Additional Information (but these functions shall not relieve the Fund’s Portfolio Managers, if any, of their primary day-to-day responsibility for assuring such compliance); |
b. | Monitor Fund activity for compliance with subchapter M under the Internal Revenue Code (but these functions shall not relieve the Fund’s Portfolio Managers, if any, of their primary day-to-day responsibility for assuring such compliance). Compliance testing is dependent on receiving necessary information from any underlying investment. |
5. | Expenses |
a. | Prepare annual Fund-level and class-level budgets and update on a periodic basis; |
b. | Coordinate the payment of expenses; |
c. | Establish accruals and provide to the Funds’ Fund Accountant; |
d. | Provide expense summary reporting as reasonably requested by the Fund. |
6. | Filings |
a. | Provide the following for Form N-2 filings and required updates: |
i. | Preparation of expense table; |
ii. | Performance information; |
iii. | Preparation of shareholder expense transaction and annual fund operating expense examples; and |
iv. Investment Advisor and trustee fee data.
b. | Subject to having received all relevant information from the Fund and upon the advice and direction of Fund counsel, prepare Form N-PX and provide to Fund counsel for its review; upon the advice and direction of Fund counsel, file Form N-PX with the Commission as required; |
c. | Assist in compiling exhibits and disclosures for Form N-CEN and Form N-CSR and file when approved by the principal officers of the Funds; |
d. | Subject to having received all relevant information regarding holdings, risk metrics, and liquidity buckets, compile data and prepare, maintain, and file timely N-PORT reports with the SEC; each Fund hereby agrees as follows with respect to the data provided by Bloomberg in connection with Form N-PORT (“Data”): |
i. | To comply with all laws, rules and regulations applicable to accessing and using Data; |
ii. | To not extract the Data from the view-only portal; |
iii. | To not use the Data for any purpose independent of the Form N-PORT (use in risk reporting or other systems or processes); |
18
iv. | To permit audits of the use of the Data by Bloomberg, its affiliates, or at your request, a mutually agreed upon third-party auditor; and |
v. | To exculpate Bloomberg, its affiliates and their respective suppliers from any liability or responsibility of any kind relating to your receipt or use of the Data. |
e. | Compile data, prepare timely notices and file with SEC pursuant to Rule 24f-2; |
f. | Prepare and file Form N-Q until the Fund is required to begin filing reports on Form N-PORT; |
g. | File Rule 17g-1 fidelity bond filing when received from the Funds or broker. |
7. | Other |
a. | Calculate dividend and capital gain distributions, subject to review and approval by the Funds’ officers and independent accountants; |
b. | Calculate standard performance, as defined by Rule 482 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as requested by the Fund; |
c. | Report performance and other portfolio information to outside reporting agencies as directed by the Investment Adviser; |
d. | Assist in securing and monitoring the directors and officers liability coverage and fidelity bond for the Funds; |
e. | Provide periodic updates on recent accounting, tax and regulatory events affecting the Funds and/or Investment Adviser; |
f. | Assist the Funds during SEC audits, including providing applicable documents from the SEC’s document request list; |
g. | Maintain a regulatory compliance calendar (initially provided by the Fund’s CCO) listing various Board approval and SEC filing dates. |
Additional services available but not included in the above are (specific charges to be agreed to by the parties):
1. | For money market funds, prepare for review an initial draft of Form N-MFP based on information contained in the accounting records and such additional information that may be needed from the Investment Adviser or other service providers. Upon review and acceptance by the Investment Adviser, file the EDGARized form with the SEC by the established deadlines; |
2. | Daily compliance testing and reporting; |
3. | Electronic board book portal; |
4. | FIN 48 documentation and review; |
5. | Multi-manager reporting; |
6. | Assisting the Fund in preparing and filing reports that need to be filed in XBRL format; |
7. | Regulatory Administration |
a. | Update annual amendments to the Funds’ registration statement; |
b. | Coordinate filing of Form 485a/485b and XBRL as agreed to with the Funds; |
c. | Assist in completing fidelity bond and D&O/E&O insurance applications. |
19
8. | Prepare draft minutes for additional Board meetings (beyond standard quarterly Board meetings); |
9. | Other special projects as agreed to by the parties. |
Any services other than those listed above are subject to negotiation and additional fees.
Blue Sky State Filings
Prepare and file state securities qualification/notice compliance filings, with the advice of the Fund’s legal counsel, upon and in accordance with instructions from the Fund, which instructions will include the states to qualify in, the amounts of shares to initially and subsequently qualify and the warning threshold to be maintained; promptly prepare an amendment to a Fund’s notice permit to increase the offering amount as necessary.
20
Schedule C
to the
Administration and Fund Accounting Agreement
by and between
Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund
and
UMB Fund Services, Inc.
FEES
21
TRANSFER AGENCY AGREEMENT
THIS TRANSFER AGENCY AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made as of this [ ] day of [ ], 2020, by and between Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Fund”), and UMB Fund Services, Inc., a Wisconsin corporation, its successors and assigns (the “Transfer Agent”).
WHEREAS, the Fund is a closed-end interval fund registered under the 1940 Act (as defined below) and authorized to issue Shares; and
WHEREAS, the Fund and Transfer Agent desire to enter into an agreement pursuant to which Transfer Agent shall provide Services to the Fund.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and agreements contained herein 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. Definitions In addition to any terms defined in the body of this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have the meanings set forth hereinafter whenever they appear in this Agreement:
“1933 Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“1934 Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“1940 Act” shall mean the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
“Authorized Person” shall mean any individual who is authorized to provide Transfer Agent with Instructions on behalf of the Fund, whose name shall be certified to Transfer Agent from time to time pursuant to Section 3(b) of this Agreement. Any officer of the Fund shall be considered an Authorized Person (unless such authority is limited in a writing from the Fund and received by Transfer Agent) and has the authority to appoint additional Authorized Persons, to limit or revoke the authority of any previously designated Authorized Person, and to certify to Transfer Agent the names of the Authorized Persons from time to time.
“Board” shall mean the Board of Trustees of the Fund.
“Commission” shall mean the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Custodian” shall mean the financial institution appointed as custodian under the terms and conditions of a custody agreement between the financial institution and the Fund, or its successor.
“Declaration of Trust” shall mean the Declaration of Trust or other similar operational document of the Fund, as the case may be, as the same may be amended from time to time.
1
“Fund Business Day” shall mean each day on which the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. is open for trading.
“Investment Adviser” shall mean the investment adviser or investment advisers to the Fund and includes all sub-advisers or persons performing similar services.
“Instructions” shall mean an oral communication from an Authorized Person or a written communication signed by an Authorized Person and actually received by Transfer Agent. Instructions shall include manually executed originals, telefacsimile transmissions of manually executed originals or electronic communications.
“Offering Price” shall mean the price per share that the Shares will be offered for sale to the public calculated in accordance with the Fund’s then current Prospectus.
“Prospectus” shall mean the current prospectus and statement of additional information with respect to a Fund (including any applicable amendments and supplements thereto) actually received by Transfer Agent from the Fund with respect to which the Fund has indicated a Registration Statement has become effective under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act.
“Registration Statement” shall mean any registration statement on Form N-2 at any time now or hereafter filed with the Commission with respect to any of the Shares and any amendments and supplements thereto which at any time shall have been or will be filed with the Commission.
“Services” shall mean the transfer agency and dividend disbursement services described on Schedule B hereto and such additional services as may be agreed to by the parties from time to time and set forth in an amendment to Schedule B.
“Shares” shall mean such shares of beneficial interest, or class thereof, of the Fund as may be issued from time to time.
“Shareholder” shall mean a record owner of Shares of the Fund.
2. Appointment and Services
(a) The Fund hereby appoints Transfer Agent as transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent of all Shares and hereby authorizes Transfer Agent to provide Services during the term of this Agreement and on the terms set forth herein. Subject to the direction and control of the Board and utilizing information provided by the Fund and its current and prior agents and service providers, Transfer Agent will provide the Services in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Transfer Agent shall not be required to provide any Services or information that it believes, in its sole discretion, to represent dishonest, unethical or illegal activity. In no event shall Transfer Agent provide any investment advice or recommendations to any party in connection with its Services hereunder.
(b) Transfer Agent may from time to time, in its discretion, appoint one or more other parties to carry out some or all of its duties under this Agreement, provided that Transfer Agent shall remain responsible to the Fund for all such delegated responsibilities in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, in the same manner and to the same extent as if Transfer Agent were itself providing such Services.
2
(c) Transfer Agent’s duties shall be confined to those expressly set forth herein, and no implied duties are assumed by or may be asserted against Transfer Agent hereunder. The Services do not include correcting, verifying or addressing any prior actions or inactions of the Fund or by any other current or prior agent or service provider. To the extent that Transfer Agent agrees to take such actions, those actions shall be deemed part of the Services.
(d) Transfer Agent shall not be responsible for the payment of any original issue or other taxes required to be paid by the Fund in connection with the issuance of any Shares in accordance with this Agreement.
(e) Processing and Procedures
(i) Transfer Agent agrees to accept purchase orders and repurchase requests with respect to the Shares of the Fund via postal mail, telephone, electronic delivery or personal delivery on each Fund Business Day in accordance with the Fund’s Prospectus; provided, however, that Transfer Agent shall only accept purchase orders from jurisdictions in which the Shares are qualified for sale, as indicated from time to time by the Fund or pursuant to an Instruction. Transfer Agent shall, as of the time at which the net asset value (“NAV”) of the Fund is computed on each Fund Business Day, issue to the accounts specified in a purchase order in proper form and accepted by the Fund the appropriate number of full and fractional Shares based on the NAV per Share of the Fund specified in a communication received on such Fund Business Day from or on behalf of the Fund. Transfer Agent shall redeem from accounts any Shares tendered for repurchase in accordance with procedures stated in the Fund’s Prospectus or pursuant to an Instruction. Transfer Agent shall not be required to issue any Shares after it has received from an Authorized Person or from an appropriate federal or state authority written notification that the sale of Shares has been suspended or discontinued, and Transfer Agent shall be entitled to rely upon such written notification. Payment for Shares shall be in the form of a check, wire transfer, Automated Clearing House transfer (“ACH”) or such other methods to which the parties shall mutually agree.
(ii) Upon receipt of a repurchase request and monies paid to it by the Custodian in connection with a repurchase of Shares, Transfer Agent shall cancel the repurchased Shares and after making appropriate deduction for any withholding of taxes required of it by applicable federal law, make payment in accordance with the Fund’s repurchase and payment procedures described in the Prospectus.
(iii) Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, Transfer Agent will exchange, transfer or repurchase Shares upon presentation to Transfer Agent of instructions endorsed for exchange, transfer or repurchase, accompanied by such documents as Transfer Agent deems necessary to evidence the authority of the person making such exchange, transfer or repurchase. Transfer Agent reserves the right to refuse to exchange, transfer or repurchase Shares until it is satisfied that the endorsement or instructions are valid and genuine. For that purpose, it will require, unless otherwise instructed by an Authorized Person or except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, a Medallion signature guarantee by an “Eligible Guarantor Institution” as that term is defined by Commission in Rule 17Ad-15. Transfer Agent also reserves the right to refuse to exchange, transfer or repurchase Shares until it is satisfied that the requested exchange, transfer or repurchase is legally authorized, and it shall incur no liability for the refusal, in good faith, to make exchanges, transfers or repurchases which Transfer Agent, in its judgment, deems improper or unauthorized, or until it is satisfied that there is no reasonable basis to any claims adverse to such exchange, transfer or repurchase. Notwithstanding any provision contained in this Agreement to the contrary, Transfer Agent shall not be required or expected to require, as a condition to any exchange, transfer or repurchase of any Shares pursuant to an electronic data transmission, any documents to evidence the authority of the person requesting the exchange, transfer or repurchase and/or the payment of any stock transfer taxes, and shall be fully protected in acting in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Section 3(e).
3
(iv) In connection with each purchase and each repurchase of Shares, Transfer Agent shall send such statements as are prescribed by the federal securities laws applicable to transfer agents or as described in the Prospectus. It is understood that certificates for Shares have not been and will not be offered by the Fund or made available to Shareholders.
(v) Transfer Agent and the Fund shall establish procedures for effecting purchase, repurchase, exchange or transfer transactions accepted from Shareholders by telephone or other methods consistent with the terms of the Prospectus. Transfer Agent may establish such additional procedures, rules and requirements governing the purchase, repurchase, exchange or transfer of Shares, as it may deem advisable and consistent with the Prospectus and industry practice. Transfer Agent shall not be liable, and shall be held harmless by the Fund, for its actions or omissions which are consistent with the forgoing procedures.
(f) Dividends and Distributions
(i) When a dividend or distribution has been declared, the Fund shall give or cause to be given to Transfer Agent a copy of a resolution of the Board that either:
(A) sets forth the date of the declaration of a dividend or distribution, the date of accrual or payment, as the case may be, thereof, the record date as of which Shareholders entitled to payment or accrual, as the case may be, shall be determined, the amount per Share of such dividend or distribution, the payment date on which all previously accrued and unpaid dividends are to be paid, and the total amount, if any, payable to Transfer Agent on such payment date; or
(B) authorizes the declaration of dividends and distributions on a daily or other periodic basis and further authorizes Transfer Agent to rely on a certificate of an Authorized Person setting forth the information described in subparagraph (A) above.
(ii) In connection with a reinvestment of a dividend or distribution of Shares of a Fund, Transfer Agent shall as of each Fund Business Day, as specified in a certificate or resolution described in subparagraph (i), issue Shares of the Fund based on the NAV per Share of the Fund specified in a communication received from or on behalf of the Fund on such Fund Business Day.
(iii) Upon the mail date specified in such certificate or resolution, as the case may be, the Fund shall, in the case of a cash dividend or distribution, cause the Custodian to deposit in an account in the name of Transfer Agent on behalf of a Fund, an amount of cash sufficient for Transfer Agent to make the payment, as of the mail date specified in such certificate or resolution, as the case may be, to the Shareholders who were of record on the record date. Transfer Agent will, upon receipt of any such cash, make payment of such cash dividends or distributions to the Shareholders as of the record date. Transfer Agent shall not be liable for any improper payments made in accordance with a certificate or resolution described in the preceding paragraph. If Transfer Agent does not receive from the Custodian sufficient cash to make payments of any cash dividend or distribution to all Shareholders of a Fund as of the record date, Transfer Agent shall, upon notifying the Fund, withhold payment to such Shareholders until sufficient cash is provided to Transfer Agent.
4
(iv) It is understood that Transfer Agent in its capacity as transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent shall in no way be responsible for the determination of the rate or form of dividends or capital gain distributions due to the Shareholders pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. It is further understood that Transfer Agent shall file with the Internal Revenue Service and Shareholders such appropriate federal tax forms concerning the payment of dividend and capital gain distributions but shall in no way be responsible for the collection or withholding of taxes due on such dividends or distributions due to shareholders, except and only to the extent, required by applicable federal law.
(g) Records
(i) Transfer Agent shall keep those records specified in Schedule D hereto in the form and manner, and for such period, as it may deem advisable but not inconsistent with the rules and regulations of appropriate government authorities, in particular Rules 31a-2 and 31a-3 under the 1940 Act. Transfer Agent shall destroy records only at the direction of the Fund, and any such destruction shall comply with the provisions of Section 248.30(b) of Regulation S-P (17 CFR 248.1-248.30). Transfer Agent may deliver to the Fund from time to time at Transfer Agent’s discretion, for safekeeping or disposition by Transfer Agent in accordance with law, such records, papers and documents accumulated in the execution of its duties as transfer agent, as Transfer Agent may deem expedient, other than those which Transfer Agent is itself required to maintain pursuant to applicable laws and regulations. The Fund shall assume all responsibility for any failure thereafter to produce any record, paper, or other document so returned, if and when required. To the extent required by Section 31 of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, the records specified in Schedule D hereto maintained by Transfer Agent, which have not been previously delivered to the Fund pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this paragraph, shall be considered to be the property of the Fund, shall be made available upon request for inspection by the trustees, officers, employees, and auditors of the Fund. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, Transfer Agent shall be permitted to maintain copies of any such records, papers and documents to the extent necessary to comply with the recordkeeping requirements of federal and state securities laws, tax laws and other applicable laws.
(h) Anti-Money Laundering (“AML”) Services
(i) Background In order to assist its transfer agency clients with their AML responsibilities under the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, the Bank Secrecy Act of 1970, the customer identification program rules jointly adopted by the Commission and the U.S. Treasury Department and other applicable regulations adopted thereunder (the “AML Laws”), Transfer Agent offers various tools designed to: (a) aid in the detection and reporting of potential money laundering activity by monitoring certain aspects of Shareholder activity; and (b) assist in the verification of persons opening accounts with the Fund and determine whether such persons appear on any list of known or suspected terrorists or terrorist organizations (“AML Monitoring Activities”). In connection with the AML Monitoring Activities, Transfer Agent may encounter Shareholder activity that would require it to file a Suspicious Activity Report (“SAR”) with the Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”), as required by 31 CFR 103.15(a)(2) (“Suspicious Activity”). The Fund has, after review, selected various procedures and tools offered by Transfer Agent to comply with its AML and customer identification program obligations under the AML Laws (the “AML Procedures”), and desires to implement the AML Procedures as part of its overall AML program and, subject to the terms of the AML Laws, delegate to Transfer Agent the day-to-day operation of the AML Procedures on behalf of the Fund.
5
(ii) Delegation The Fund acknowledges that it has had an opportunity to review, consider and select the AML Procedures and the Fund has determined that the AML Procedures, as part of the Fund’s overall AML program, are reasonably designed to prevent the Fund from being used for money laundering or the financing of terrorist activities and to achieve compliance with the applicable provisions of the AML Laws. Based on this determination, the Fund hereby instructs and directs Transfer Agent to implement the AML Procedures on its behalf, as such may be amended or revised from time to time. The customer identification verification component of the AML Procedures applies only to Shareholders who are residents of the United States. The Fund hereby also delegates to Transfer Agent the authority to report Suspicious Activity to FinCEN.
(iii) SAR Filing Procedures
(A) When Transfer Agent observes any Suspicious Activity, Transfer Agent shall prepare a draft of a SAR on Form SAR-SF, and shall send a copy to the Fund’s AML officer for review. Transfer Agent shall complete each SAR in accordance with the procedures set forth in 31 CFR §103.15(a)(3), with the intent to satisfy the reporting obligation of both Transfer Agent and the Fund. Accordingly, the SAR shall include the name of both Transfer Agent and the Fund, and shall include the words, “joint filing” in the narrative section.
(B) The Fund’s AML officer shall review the SAR and provide comments, if any, to Transfer Agent within a time frame sufficient to permit Transfer Agent to file the SAR in accordance with the deadline set forth in 31 CFR §103.15(b)(3). Upon receipt of final approval from the Fund’s AML officer, Transfer Agent (or its affiliate) shall file the SAR in accordance with the procedures set forth in 31 CFR §103.15(b).
(C) Transfer Agent shall provide to the Fund a copy of each SAR filed, together with supporting documentation. In addition, Transfer Agent shall maintain a copy of the same for a period of at least five (5) years from the date of the SAR filing.
(D) Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent either party from making a determination that such party has an obligation under the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 to file a SAR relating to any Suspicious Activity, and from making such filing independent of the other party hereto.
(iv) Amendment to Procedures It is contemplated that the AML Procedures will be amended from time to time by the parties as directed by the Fund as additional regulations are adopted and/or regulatory guidance is provided relating to the Fund’s AML responsibilities.
(v) Reporting Transfer Agent agrees to provide to the Fund: (i) prompt notification of any transaction or combination of transactions that Transfer Agent believes, based on the AML Procedures, evidence potential money laundering activity in connection with the Fund or any Shareholder; (ii) prompt notification of any true and complete match of a Shareholder(s) to the names included on the Office of Foreign Asset Controls (OFAC) list or any Section 314(a) search list; (iii) any reports received by Transfer Agent from any government agency or applicable industry self-regulatory organization pertaining to Transfer Agent’s AML Monitoring Activities; (iv) any action taken in response to AML violations as described above; and, (v) quarterly reports of its monitoring and verification activities on behalf of the Fund. Transfer Agent shall provide such other reports on the verification activities conducted at the direction of the Fund as may be agreed to from time to time by Transfer Agent and the Fund’s AML officer.
6
(vi) Inspection The Fund hereby directs, and Transfer Agent agrees to: (1) permit federal regulators access to such information and records maintained by Transfer Agent and relating to Transfer Agent’s implementation of the AML Procedures on behalf of the Fund, as they may request; and, (2) permit such federal regulators to inspect Transfer Agent’s implementation of the AML Procedures on behalf of the Fund.
(vii) Disclosure Obligations Regarding SARs Neither Transfer Agent nor the Fund shall disclose any SAR filed or the information included in a SAR to any third party other than affiliates of Transfer Agent or the Fund on a need to know basis and in accordance with applicable law, rule, regulation and interpretation, that would disclose that a SAR has been filed.
3. Representations and Deliveries
(a) The Fund shall deliver or cause the following documents to be delivered to Transfer Agent:
(1) A copy of the Declaration of Fund and By-laws and all amendments thereto, certified by the Secretary of the Fund;
(2) Copies of the Fund’s Registration Statement, as of the date of this Agreement, together with any applications filed in connection therewith;
(3) A certificate signed by the President and Secretary of the Fund specifying the number of authorized Shares and the number of such authorized Shares issued and currently outstanding, if any, the validity of the authorized and outstanding Shares, whether such Shares are fully paid and non-assessable, and the status of the Shares under the 1933 Act and any other applicable federal law or regulation;
(4) A certified copy of the resolutions of the Board appointing Transfer Agent and authorizing the execution of this Agreement on behalf of the Fund;
(5) A certificate containing the names of the initial Authorized Persons in a form acceptable to Transfer Agent. Any officer of the Fund shall be considered an Authorized Person (unless such authority is limited in a writing from the Fund and received by Transfer Agent) and has the authority to appoint additional Authorized Persons, to limit or revoke the authority of any previously designated Authorized Person, and to certify to Transfer Agent the names of the Authorized Persons from time to time. The certificate required by this paragraph shall be signed by an officer of the Fund and designate the names of the Fund’s initial Authorized Persons;
(6) Prior written notice of any increase or decrease in the total number of Shares authorized to be issued, or the issuance of any additional Shares of a Fund pursuant to stock dividends, stock splits, recapitalizations, capital adjustments or similar transactions, and to deliver to Transfer Agent such documents, certificates, reports and legal opinions as it may reasonably request; and
7
(7) All other documents, records and information that Transfer Agent may reasonably request in order for Transfer Agent to perform the Services hereunder.
(b) The Fund represents and warrants to Transfer Agent that:
(1) It is a statutory trust duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware; it is empowered under applicable laws and by its Declaration of Fund and By-laws to enter into and perform this Agreement; and all requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement.
(2) Any officer of the Fund has the authority to appoint additional Authorized Persons, to limit or revoke the authority of any previously designated Authorized Person, and to certify to Transfer Agent the names of such Authorized Persons.
(3) It is duly registered as a closed-end investment company under the 1940 Act.
(4) A Registration Statement under the 1933 Act will be effective before the Fund will issue Shares and will remain effective during such period as the Fund is offering Shares for sale. Additionally, appropriate state securities laws filings will be made before Shares are issued in any jurisdiction and such filings will continue to be made, with respect to Shares of the Fund being offered for sale.
(5) All outstanding Shares are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and when Shares are hereafter issued in accordance with the terms of the Declaration of Fund and the Fund’s Prospectus, such Shares shall be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
(6) 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 Declaration of Fund, By-laws or any contract binding it or affecting its property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement.
(c) During the term of this Agreement the Fund shall have the ongoing obligation to provide Transfer Agent with a copy of the Fund’s currently effective Prospectus as soon as they become effective. For purposes of this Agreement, Transfer Agent shall not be deemed to have notice of any information contained in any such Prospectus until a reasonable time after it is actually received by Transfer Agent.
(d) The Board and the Investment Adviser have and retain primary responsibility for all compliance matters relating to the Fund and the Fund including but not limited to compliance with the 1940 Act, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the policies and limitations of the Fund as set forth in the Prospectus. Transfer Agent’s Services hereunder shall not relieve the Board and the Investment Adviser of their primary day-to-day responsibility for assuring such compliance. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Transfer Agent will be responsible for its own compliance with such statutes insofar as such statutes are applicable to the Services it has agreed to provide hereunder, and will promptly notify the Fund if it becomes aware of any material non-compliance which relates to the Fund. The Transfer Agent shall provide the Fund with quarterly and annual certifications (on a calendar basis) with respect to the design and operational effectiveness of its compliance and procedures.
8
(e) The Fund agrees to take or cause to be taken all requisite steps to qualify the Shares for sale in all states in which the Shares shall at the time be offered for sale and require qualification. If the Fund receives notice of any stop order or other proceeding in any such state affecting such qualification or the sale of Shares, or of any stop order or other proceeding under the federal securities laws affecting the sale of Shares, the Fund will give prompt notice thereof to Transfer Agent.
(f) The Fund agrees that it shall advise Transfer Agent in writing at least thirty (30) days prior to affecting any change in any Prospectus which would increase or alter the duties and obligations of Transfer Agent hereunder, and shall proceed with such change only if it shall have received the written consent of Transfer Agent thereto, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
(g) Fund Instructions
(i) The Fund shall cause the Fund’s officers, trustees, Investment Adviser, legal counsel, independent accountants, administrator, fund accountant, Custodian and other service providers and agents, past or present, to cooperate with Transfer Agent and to provide Transfer Agent with such information, documents and communications as necessary and/or appropriate or as requested by Transfer Agent, in order to enable Transfer Agent to perform the Services. In connection with the performance of the Services, Transfer Agent shall (without investigation or verification) be entitled, and is hereby instructed to, rely upon any and all Instructions, communications, information or documents provided to Transfer Agent by a representative of the Fund or by any of the aforementioned persons. Transfer Agent shall be entitled to rely on any document that it reasonably believes to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party. Fees charged by such persons shall be an expense of the Fund. Transfer Agent shall not be held to have notice of any change of authority of any trustee, officer, agent, representative or employee of the Fund, Investment Adviser, Authorized Person or service provider until receipt of written notice thereof from the Fund.
(ii) The Fund shall provide Transfer Agent with an updated certificate evidencing the appointment, removal or change of authority of any Authorized Person, it being understood Transfer Agent shall not be held to have notice of any change in the authority of any Authorized Person until receipt of written notice thereof from the Fund.
(iii) Transfer Agent, its officers, agents or employees shall accept Instructions given to them by any person representing or acting on behalf of the Fund only if such representative is an Authorized Person. The Fund agrees that when oral Instructions are given, it shall, upon the request of Transfer Agent, confirm such Instructions in writing.
(iv) At any time, Transfer Agent may request Instructions from the Fund with respect to any matter arising in connection with this Agreement. If such Instructions are not received within a reasonable time, then Transfer Agent may seek advice from legal counsel for the Fund at the expense of the Fund, or its own legal counsel at its own expense, and it shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in good faith in accordance with such Instructions or in accordance with advice of counsel.
(h) Transfer Agent represents and warrants to the Fund that:
9
(i) It is a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Wisconsin; it is empowered under applicable law and by its Articles of Incorporation and By-laws to enter into and perform this Agreement; and all requisite proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement.
(ii) 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 operating documents or any contract binding it or affecting its property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement.
(iii) Transfer Agent shall maintain a disaster recovery and business continuity plan and adequate and reliable computer and other equipment necessary and appropriate to carry out its obligations under this Agreement. Upon the Fund’s reasonable request, the Transfer Agent shall provide supplemental information concerning the aspects of its disaster recovery and business continuity plan that are relevant to the Services.
(iv) It is duly registered as a transfer agent under Section 17A of the 1934 Act to the extent required.
4. Fees and Expenses
(a) As compensation for the performance of the Services, the Fund agrees to pay Transfer Agent the fees set forth on Schedule C hereto. Fees shall be adjusted in accordance with Schedule C or as otherwise agreed to in writing by the parties from time to time. Fees shall be earned and paid monthly in an amount equal to at least 1/12th of the applicable annual fee. Basis point fees and minimum annual fees apply separately to the Fund, and average net assets are not aggregated in calculating the applicable basis point fee per Fund or the applicable minimum. The parties may amend this Agreement to include fees for any additional services requested by the Fund, enhancements to current Services, or to add Fund. The Fund agrees to pay Transfer Agent’s then current rate for Services added to, or for any enhancements to existing Services set forth on Schedule B after the execution of this Agreement In addition, to the extent that Transfer Agent corrects, verifies or addresses any prior actions or inactions by any Fund or by any prior agent or service provider, Transfer Agent shall be entitled to additional fees as provided in Schedule C. In the event of any disagreement between this Agreement and Schedule C, the terms of Schedule C shall control.
(b) For the purpose of determining fees payable to Transfer Agent, NAV shall be computed in accordance with the Prospectus and resolutions of the Board. The fee for the period from the day of the month this Agreement is entered into until the end of that month shall be pro-rated according to the proportion that such period bears to the full monthly period. Upon any termination of this Agreement before the end of any month, the fee for such part of a month shall be pro-rated according to the proportion which such period bears to the full monthly period and shall be payable upon the date of termination of this Agreement. Should this Agreement be terminated or the Fund or any Fund(s) be liquidated, merged with or acquired by another fund or investment company, any accrued fees shall be immediately payable.
(c) Transfer Agent will bear all expenses incurred by it in connection with its performance of Services, except as otherwise provided herein. Transfer Agent shall not be required to pay or finance any costs and expenses incurred in the operation of the Fund, including, but not limited to: taxes; interest; brokerage fees and commissions; salaries, fees and expenses of officers and trustees; Commission fees and state Blue Sky fees; advisory fees; charges of custodians, administrators, fund accountants, dividend disbursing and accounting services agents and other service providers; security pricing services; insurance premiums; outside auditing and legal expenses; costs of organization and maintenance of corporate existence; taxes and fees payable to federal, state and other governmental agencies; preparation, typesetting, printing, proofing and mailing of Prospectuses, statements of additional information, supplements, notices, forms and applications and proxy materials for regulatory purposes and for distribution to current Shareholders; preparation, typesetting, printing, proofing and mailing and other costs of Shareholder reports; expenses in connection with the electronic transmission of documents and information including electronic filings with the Commission and the states; research and statistical data services; expenses incidental to holding meetings of the Fund’s Shareholders and Trustees; fees and expenses associated with internet, e-mail and other related activities; and extraordinary expenses. Expenses incurred for distribution of Shares, including the typesetting, printing, proofing and mailing of Prospectuses for persons who are not Shareholders, will be borne by the Investment Adviser, except for such expenses permitted to be paid under a distribution plan adopted in accordance with applicable laws.
10
(d) The Fund also agrees to promptly reimburse Transfer Agent for all out-of-pocket expenses or disbursements incurred by Transfer Agent in connection with the performance of Services under this Agreement. Out-of-pocket expenses shall include, but not be limited to, those items specified on Schedule C hereto. If requested by Transfer Agent, out-of-pocket expenses are payable in advance. Payment of postage expenses, if prepayment is requested, is due at least seven (7) days prior to the anticipated mail date. In the event Transfer Agent requests advance payment, Transfer Agent shall not be obligated to incur such expenses or perform the related Service(s) until payment is received.
(e) The Fund agrees to pay all amounts due hereunder within thirty (30) days of the date reflected on the invoice for such Services (the “Due Date”). Except as provided in Schedule C, Transfer Agent shall bill Service fees monthly, and out-of-pocket expenses as incurred (unless prepayment is requested by Transfer Agent). Transfer Agent may, at its option, arrange to have various service providers submit invoices directly to the Fund for payment of reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses.
(f) The Fund is aware that its failure to remit to Transfer Agent all amounts due on or before the Due Date will cause Transfer Agent to incur costs not contemplated by this Agreement, including, but not limited to carrying, processing and accounting charges. Accordingly, in the event that Transfer Agent does not receive any amounts due hereunder by the Due Date, the Fund agrees to pay a late charge on the overdue amount equal to one and one percent (1.5%) per month or the maximum amount permitted by law, whichever is less. In addition, the Fund shall pay Transfer Agent’s reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs if any amounts due Transfer Agent in the event that an attorney is engaged to assist in the collection of amounts due. The parties hereby agree that such late charge represents a fair and reasonable computation of the costs incurred by reason of the Fund’s late payment. Acceptance of such late charge shall in no event constitute a waiver by Transfer Agent of the Fund’s default or prevent Transfer Agent from exercising any other rights and remedies available to it.
(g) In the event that any charges are disputed, the Fund shall, on or before the Due Date, pay all undisputed amounts due hereunder and notify Transfer Agent in writing of any disputed charges for out-of-pocket expenses which it is disputing in good faith. Payment for such disputed charges shall be due on or before the close of the fifth (5th) Fund Business Day after the day on which Transfer Agent provides documentation which an objective observer would agree reasonably supports the disputed charges (the “Revised Due Date”). Late charges shall not begin to accrue as to charges disputed in good faith until the first day after the Revised Due Date.
11
(h) The Fund acknowledges that the fees charged by Transfer Agent under this Agreement reflect the allocation of risk between the parties, including the exclusion of remedies and limitations of liability in Sections 2, 3 and 6. Modifying the allocation of risk from what is stated herein would affect the fees that Transfer Agent charges. Accordingly, in consideration of those fees, the Fund agrees to the stated allocation of risk.
5. Confidential Information
Transfer Agent agrees on behalf of itself and its employees to treat confidentially and as proprietary information of the Fund all records and other information relative to the Fund’ Shareholders, not to use such information other than in the performance of its responsibilities and duties hereunder, and not to disclose such information except: (i) when requested to divulge such information by duly-constituted authorities or court process; (ii) when requested by a Shareholder or Shareholder’s agent with respect to information concerning an account as to which such Shareholder has either a legal or beneficial interest; (iii) when requested by the Fund, a Fund, the Shareholder, the Shareholder’s agent or the dealer of record with respect to such account; (iv) to seek to prevent fraud and/or money laundering by providing certain shareholder information to other financial institutions; (v) to an affiliate, as defined by Section 248.3(a) of Regulation S-P; or, (vi) pursuant to any other exception permitted by Sections 248.14 and 248.15 of Regulation S-P in the ordinary course of business to carry out the activities covered by the exception under which Transfer Agent received the information. In case of any requests or demands for inspection of the records of the Fund, Transfer Agent will endeavor to notify the Fund promptly and to secure instructions from a representative of the Fund as to such inspection. Records and information which have become known to the public through no wrongful act of Transfer Agent or any of its employees, agents or representatives, and information which was already in the possession of Transfer Agent prior to receipt thereof, shall not be subject to this section. Any party appointed pursuant to Section 2(b) above shall be required to observe the confidentiality obligations contained herein. Transfer Agent will implement and maintain such appropriate security measures as are necessary for the protection of confidential shareholder information. The obligations of the parties under Section 5 shall indefinitely survive the termination of this Agreement.
6. Limitation of Liability In addition to the limitations of liability contained in Sections 2 and 3 of this Agreement:
(a) Transfer Agent shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund or the Fund in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates, except for a loss resulting from Transfer Agent’s willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by it of its obligations and duties under this Agreement. Furthermore, Transfer Agent shall not be liable for: (1) any action taken or omitted to be taken in accordance with or in reliance upon Instructions, communications, data, documents or information (without investigation or verification) received by Transfer Agent from an officer or representative of the Fund or from any Authorized Person; or, (2) any action taken, or omission by, a Fund, the Fund, Investment Adviser, any Authorized Person or any past or current service provider (not including Transfer Agent).
12
(b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Transfer Agent will be excused from its obligation to perform any Service or obligation required of it hereunder for the duration that such performance is prevented by events beyond its reasonable control and shall not be liable for any default, damage, loss of data or documents, errors, delay or any other loss whatsoever caused thereby. Transfer Agent will, however, take all reasonable steps to minimize service interruptions for any period that such interruption continues beyond its reasonable control.
(c) In no event and under no circumstances shall the Indemnified Parties (as defined below) be liable to anyone, including, without limitation, the other party, under any theory of tort, contract, strict liability or other legal or equitable theory for lost profits, exemplary, punitive, special, indirect or consequential damages for any act or failure to act under any provision of this Agreement regardless of whether such damages were foreseeable and even if advised of the possibility thereof.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, Transfer Agent shall have no duty or obligation under this Agreement to inquire into, and shall not be liable for:
(i) the legality of the issue or sale of any Shares, the sufficiency of the amount to be received therefor, or the authority of the Fund, as the case may be, to request such sale or issuance;
(ii) the legality of a transfer, exchange, purchase or repurchase of any Shares, the propriety of the amount to be paid therefor, or the authority of the Fund, as the case may be, to request such transfer, exchange or repurchase;
(iii) the legality of the declaration of any dividend by the Fund, or the legality of the issue of any Shares in payment of any stock dividend;
(iv) the legality of any recapitalization or readjustment of Shares;
(v) Transfer Agent’s acting upon telephone or electronic instructions relating to the purchase, transfer, exchange or repurchase of Shares received by Transfer Agent in accordance with procedures established in writing by Transfer Agent and the Fund; or
(vi) the offer or sale of Shares in violation of any requirement under the securities laws or regulations of any jurisdiction that such Shares be qualified for sale in such state or in violation of any stop order or determination or ruling by any state with respect to the offer or sale of such Shares in such state.
(e) Transfer Agent may, in effecting transfers and repurchases of Shares, rely upon those provisions of the Uniform Act for the Simplification of Fiduciary Security Transfers (or such other statutes which protect it and the Fund in not requiring complete fiduciary documentation) and shall not be responsible for any act done or omitted by it in good faith in reliance upon such laws. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision contained in this Agreement to the contrary, Transfer Agent shall be fully protected by the Fund in not requiring any instruments, documents, assurances, endorsements or guarantees, including, without limitation, any Medallion signature guarantees, in connection with a repurchase, exchange or transfer of Shares whenever Transfer Agent reasonably believes that requiring the same would be inconsistent with the transfer, exchange and repurchase procedures described in the Prospectus.
13
(f) The obligations of the parties under Section 6 shall indefinitely survive the termination of this Agreement.
7. Indemnification
(a) The Fund agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Transfer Agent, its employees, agents, officers, directors, shareholders, affiliates and nominees (collectively, “Indemnified Parties”) from and against any and all claims, demands, actions and suits, and any and all judgments, liabilities, losses, damages, costs, charges, reasonable counsel fees and other expenses of every nature and character (“Losses”) which may be asserted against or incurred by any Indemnified Party or for which any Indemnified Party may be held liable (a “Claim”), arising out of or in any way relating to any of the following:
(i) any action or omission of Transfer Agent except to the extent a Claim resulted from Transfer Agent’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by it of its obligations and duties hereunder;
(ii) Transfer Agent’s reliance on, implementation of, or use of Instructions, communications, data, documents or information (without investigation or verification) received by Transfer Agent from an officer or representative of the Fund, any Authorized Person or any past or current service provider (not including Transfer Agent);
(iii) any action taken, or omission by, a Fund, the Fund, Investment Adviser, any Authorized Person or any past or current service provider (not including Transfer Agent);
(iv) the Fund’s refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement, or any Claim that arises out of the Fund’s gross negligence or misconduct or breach of any representation or warranty of the Fund made herein;
(v) the legality of the issue or sale of any Shares, the sufficiency of the amount received therefore, or the authority of the Fund, as the case may be, to have requested such sale or issuance;
(vi) the legality of the declaration of any dividend by the Fund, or the legality of the issue of any Shares in payment of any stock dividend;
(vii) the legality of any recapitalization or readjustment of Shares;
(viii) Transfer Agent’s acting upon telephone or electronic instructions relating to the purchase, transfer, exchange or repurchase of Shares received by Transfer Agent in accordance with procedures established by Transfer Agent and the Fund;
(ix) the acceptance, processing and/or negotiation of a fraudulent payment for the purchase of Shares unless the result of Transfer Agent’s or its affiliates’ willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by it of its obligations and duties under this Agreement. In the absence of a finding to the contrary, the acceptance, processing and/or negotiation of a fraudulent payment for the purchase, repurchase, transfer or exchange of Shares shall be presumed not to have been the result of Transfer Agent’s or its affiliates’ willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence; and
14
(x) the offer or sale of Shares in violation of any requirement under the securities laws or regulations of any state or other jurisdiction that such Shares be qualified for sale in such state or in violation of any stop order or determination or ruling by any state with respect to the offer or sale of such Shares in such state.
(b) Promptly after receipt by Transfer Agent of notice of the commencement of an investigation, action, claim or proceeding, Transfer Agent shall, if a claim for indemnification in respect thereof is made under this section, notify the Fund in writing of the commencement thereof, although the failure to do so shall not prevent recovery by Transfer Agent or any Indemnified Party. The Fund shall be entitled to participate at its own expense in the defense or, if it so elects, to assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any such Loss, but if the Fund elects to assume the defense, such defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by the Fund and approved by Transfer Agent, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. In the event the Fund elects to assume the defense of any such suit and retain such counsel and notifies Transfer Agent of such election, the indemnified defendant or defendants in such suit shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by them subsequent to the receipt of the Fund’s election. If the Fund does not elect to assume the defense of any such suit, or in case Transfer Agent does not, in the exercise of reasonable judgment, approve of counsel chosen by the Fund, or in case there is a conflict of interest between the Fund and Transfer Agent or any Indemnified Party, the Fund will reimburse the Indemnified Party or Parties named as defendant or defendants in such suit, for the fees and expenses of any counsel retained by Transfer Agent and them. The Fund’s indemnification agreement contained in this Section 7 and the Fund’s representations and warranties in this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of Transfer Agent and each Indemnified Party, and shall survive the delivery of any Shares and the termination of this Agreement. This agreement of indemnity will inure exclusively to Transfer Agent’s benefit, to the benefit of each Indemnified Party and their estates and successors. The Fund agrees to promptly notify Transfer Agent of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against the Fund or any of its officers or directors in connection with the issue and sale of any of the Shares.
(c) The obligations of the parties under Section 7 shall indefinitely survive the termination of this Agreement.
8. Term
(a) This Agreement shall become effective with respect to the Fund as of the date hereof. Unless sooner terminated as provided herein, this Agreement shall continue in effect with respect to the Fund for a three-year period beginning on the date of this Agreement (the “Initial Term”). Thereafter, if not terminated as provided herein, the Agreement shall continue automatically in effect as to the Fund for successive annual periods (each a “Renewal Term”).
(b) In the event this Agreement is terminated by the Fund prior to the end of the Initial Term or any subsequent Renewal Term, the Fund shall be obligated to pay Transfer Agent the remaining balance of the fees payable to Transfer Agent under this Agreement through the end of the Initial Term or Renewal Term, as applicable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, either party may terminate this Agreement at the end of the Initial Term or at the end of any successive Renewal Term (the “Termination Date”) by giving the other party a written notice not less than ninety (90) days’ prior to the end of the respective term. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, upon the termination of the Agreement as provided herein or the liquidation, merger or acquisition of a Fund or the Fund, Transfer Agent shall deliver the records of the Fund to the Fund or its successor service provider at the expense of the Fund in a form that is consistent with Transfer Agent’s applicable license agreements, and thereafter the Fund or its designee shall be solely responsible for preserving the records for the periods required by all applicable laws, rules and regulations. The Fund shall be responsible for all expenses associated with the movement (or duplication) of records and materials and conversion thereof to a successor service provider, including all reasonable trailing expenses incurred by Transfer Agent. In addition, in the event of termination of this Agreement, or the proposed liquidation, merger or acquisition of the Fund or a Fund(s), and Transfer Agent’s agreement to provide additional Services in connection therewith, Transfer Agent shall provide such Services and be entitled to such compensation as the parties may mutually agree. Transfer Agent shall not reduce the level of service provided to the Fund prior to termination following notice of termination by the Fund.
15
(c) In the event such notice is given by the Fund pursuant to subparagraph (c), it shall be accompanied by a copy of a resolution of the Board certified by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, electing to terminate this Agreement and designating the successor transfer agent or transfer agents. In the event such notice is given by Transfer Agent, the Fund shall on or before the termination date, deliver to Transfer Agent a copy of a resolution of its Board certified by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary designating a successor transfer agent or transfer agents. In the absence of such designation by the Fund, the Fund shall be deemed to be its own transfer agent as of the termination date and Transfer Agent shall thereby be relieved of all duties and responsibilities pursuant to this Agreement.
9. Miscellaneous
(a) Any notice required or permitted to be given by either party to the other under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given when received by the other party. Such notices shall be sent to the addresses listed below, or to such other location as either party may from time to time designate in writing:
(b) Except as provided to the contrary herein, this Agreement may not be amended or modified in any manner except by a written agreement executed by both parties with the formality of this Agreement.
(c) This Agreement shall be governed by Wisconsin law, excluding the laws on conflicts of laws. To the extent that the applicable laws of the State of Wisconsin, 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 Commission thereunder. Any provision of this Agreement which is 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.
16
(d) This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original agreement but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. The facsimile signature of any party to this Agreement shall constitute the valid and binding execution hereof by such party.
(e) The services of Transfer Agent hereunder are not deemed exclusive. Transfer Agent may render transfer agency and dividend disbursement services and any other services to others, including other investment companies.
(f) The captions in the Agreement are included for convenience of reference only, and in no way define or limit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
(g) This Agreement is executed by the Fund with respect to each of the Fund and the obligations hereunder are not binding upon any of the trustees, officers or Shareholders individually but are binding only upon the Fund to which such obligations pertain and the assets and property of the Fund. All obligations of the Fund under this Agreement shall apply only on a Fund-by-Fund basis, and the assets of one Fund shall not be liable for the obligations of another Fund. The Declaration of Fund is on file with the State of Delaware.
(h) This Agreement and the Schedules incorporated hereto constitute the full and complete understanding and agreement of Transfer Agent and the Fund and supersedes all prior negotiations, understandings and agreements with respect to transfer agency and dividend disbursement services.
(i) Except as specifically provided herein, this Agreement does not in any way affect any other agreements entered into among the parties hereto and any actions taken or omitted by any party hereunder shall not affect any rights or obligations of any other party hereunder.
(j) Transfer Agent shall retain all right, title and interest in any and all computer programs, screen formats, report formats, procedures, data bases, interactive design techniques, derivative works, inventions, discoveries, patentable or copyrightable matters, concepts, expertise, trade secrets, trademarks and other related legal rights provided, developed or utilized by Transfer Agent in connection with the Services provided by Transfer Agent to the Fund hereunder.
(k) This Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding upon the parties hereto, and their respective successors and assigns. This Agreement shall not be assignable by either party without the written consent of the other party, provided; however, that Transfer Agent may, in its sole discretion and upon advance written notice to the Fund, assign all its right, title and interest in this Agreement to an affiliate, parent or subsidiary, or to the purchaser of substantially all of its business.
17
(l) The person signing below represents and warrants that he/she is duly authorized to execute this Agreement on behalf of the Fund.
[Signature page to follow.]
18
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by a duly authorized officer as of the day, month and year first above written.
Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund | |||
(the “Fund”) | |||
By: | |||
Title: | |||
Date: | |||
UMB FUND SERVICES, INC. | |||
(“Transfer Agent”) | |||
By: | |||
Title: | |||
Date: |
19
Schedule A
to the
Transfer Agency Agreement
by and between
Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund
and
UMB Fund Services, Inc.
[RESERVED]
20
Schedule B
to the
Transfer Agency Agreement
by and between
Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund
and
UMB Fund Services, Inc.
SERVICES
In addition to, or in connection with, the Services set forth in Section 2 of the Agreement and subject to the direction of, and utilizing information provided by, the Fund, Investment Adviser, and the Fund’s agents, Transfer Agent will provide the following Services:
Transfer Agency/Investor Servicing
1. | Process Investor Subscriptions |
a. | Monitor and receive subscription documents from investors. |
b. | Review subscription documents for completeness. |
c. | Obtain investor demographic information. |
d. | Receive subscription money and match to subscription document. |
e. | Maintain, monitor, and reconcile DDA and escrow accounts. |
f. | Obtain appropriate approvals and transfer money to the trading account. |
g. | Provide good-order, pending wire, pending sub-docs reports. |
2. | Process Investor Redemptions |
a. | Monitor and receive redemption request. |
b. | Calculate redemption fee as appropriate. |
c. | Monitor tender cap and apply if applicable. |
d. | Calculate holdback percentage as appropriate. |
e. | Receive money from the trading account. |
f. | Obtain approvals and distribute money as appropriate. |
g. | Retain holdback according to Fund documents and distribute as appropriate. |
h. | Provide redemption and holdback reports. |
3. | Generate investor statements and confirmations. |
4. | Receive and respond to investor inquiries by telephone, mail, or email. |
5. | File IRS Forms 1099, 5498, 1042, 1042-S, and 945 with shareholders and/or the IRS. |
21
Tax Preparation, Compliance and Reporting – 1099
1. | Prepare income tax and excise tax provisions. Calculate required income and excise dividend and capital gains distribution amounts subject to review and approval by the Fund’s officers and their independent accountants. |
2. | Include the appropriate tax adjustment for wash sales, identified by third-party services, for inclusion in income tax and excise tax provisions and tax returns. |
3. | Include the appropriate tax adjustments for Passive Foreign Investment Company (PFIC) holdings, identified by third-party services or provided by the Investment Adviser, in tax work schedules. Assist the Investment Adviser in determining either the marked-to-market or Qualified Electing Fund (QEF) election. If the QEF election is chosen, the Investment Adviser will work with the underlying PFIC to procure and provide the required QEF Statement to the Fund, as well as an estimate for the excise tax calculation and the distribution. |
4. | Prepare for review by the Fund’s independent accountants the financial statement book/tax differences (e.g., capital accounts) and footnote disclosures. |
5. | Assist the Funds in monitoring and maintaining documentation associated with ASC 740-10 (Financial Interpretation Number 48 Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes). |
6. | Assist the Fund’s independent accountants in the preparation and filing, for execution by the Fund’s officers, of all federal income and excise tax returns and the Fund’s State of Organization’s income tax returns (and such other required tax filings as may be agreed to by the parties) other than those required to be made by the Fund’s custodian or Transfer Agent, subject to review, approval and signature by the Fund’s officers and the Fund’s independent accountants. |
7. | Prepare analysis in determining qualified dividend income amounts for notification to shareholders and prepare ICI Primary and Secondary Layouts for shareholder reporting. |
8. | Prepare forms 1099-MISC Miscellaneous Income for board members and other required Fund vendors. |
USA PATRIOT Act (AML)
1. | Conduct AML screening for new domestic investors, which shall include initial comparison of investor information against Identity Chek, OFAC and other watch lists; provide Fund with any exceptions. Systematically compare updates against investor name for each update of the OFAC list. |
2. | File Suspicious Activity Reports, if any, with the appropriate Reporting Authorities. |
3. | Provide AML certification report upon request. |
22
Schedule C
to the
Transfer Agency Agreement
by and between
Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund
and
UMB Fund Services, Inc.
FEES
23
Schedule D
to the
Transfer Agency Agreement
by and between
Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund
and
UMB Fund Services, Inc.
RECORDS MAINTAINED BY TRANSFER AGENT
▪ | Account applications | |
▪ | Checks including check registers, reconciliation records, any adjustment records and tax withholding documentation | |
▪ | Indemnity bonds for replacement of lost or missing checks | |
▪ | Liquidation, repurchase, withdrawal and transfer requests including signature guarantees and any supporting documentation | |
▪ | Shareholder correspondence | |
▪ | Shareholder transaction records | |
▪ | Share transaction history of the Fund |
24
EXPENSE LIMITATION AND REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT
Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund
AGREEMENT made as of the ___ day of ____, 2020 by and between Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Fund”), and Bow River Asset Management LLC, an investment adviser registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, (the “Adviser”).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”) as a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company;
WHEREAS, the Adviser acts as investment adviser to the Fund pursuant to an Investment Management Agreement with the Fund dated as of _____, 2020 (the “Investment Management Agreement”), pursuant to which it is paid an investment management fee (the “Investment Management Fee”);
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the Fund engaging the Adviser pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement and other good and valuable consideration, the parties to this Agreement agree as follows:
1. | Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Fund’s Prospectus as currently in effect. |
2. | The Adviser has agreed to waive fees that it would otherwise be paid, and/or to assume expenses of the Fund (a “Waiver”) if required to ensure the Fund’s aggregate monthly ordinary operating expenses, excluding certain “Specified Expenses” as provided in Paragraph 3 of this Agreement, borne by the Fund in respect of each Class of Shares to an amount not to exceed 0.50 %, on an annualized basis, of the Fund’s month-end net assets (the “Expense Cap”). If the Fund’s aggregate monthly ordinary operating expenses, exclusive of the Specified Expenses, in respect of any Class of Shares for any month exceed the Expense Cap applicable to that Class of Shares, the Adviser will waive its Management Fee and/or reimburse the Fund for expenses to the extent necessary to eliminate such excess. The Adviser may also directly pay expenses on behalf of the Fund and waive reimbursement under the Agreement. |
3. | Specified Expenses that are not covered by the Agreement include: (i) the Management Fee; (ii) all fees and expenses of Fund Investments (including any underlying fees of the Fund Investments (the “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses”)); (iii) transactional costs, including legal costs and brokerage commissions, associated with the acquisition and disposition of Fund Investments and other investments; (iv) interest payments incurred on borrowing by the Fund; (v) fees and expenses incurred in connection with a credit facility, if any, obtained by the Fund; (vi) distribution and shareholder servicing fees, as applicable; (vii) taxes; and (viii) extraordinary expenses resulting from events and transactions that are distinguished by their unusual nature and by the infrequency of their occurrence, including, without limitation, costs incurred in connection with any claim, litigation, arbitration, mediation, government investigation or similar proceeding, indemnification expenses, and expenses in connection with holding and/or soliciting proxies for all annual and other meetings of Shareholders). |
4. | Unless sooner terminated by the Board of Trustees of the Fund (the “Trustees”) as provided in Paragraph 5 of this Agreement, this Agreement will have a term ending one (1) year from the date that the Fund commences operations. This Agreement will automatically renew for consecutive twelve-month terms thereafter, provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Trustees. |
5. | This Agreement may be terminated at any time, and without payment of any penalty, by the Trustees, on behalf of the Fund, upon thirty (30) days’ written notice to the Adviser. This Agreement may not be terminated by the Adviser without the consent of the Trustees. |
6. | For a period not to exceed (3) three years from the date on which a Waiver is made by the Adviser, the Adviser may recoup amounts waived or assumed, provided it is able to effect such recoupment without causing the Fund’s expense ratio (after recoupment) to exceed the lesser of (a) the expense limit in effect at the time of the waiver, and (b) the expense limit in effect at the time of the recoupment. To the extent that such repayment is due, it shall be made as promptly as possible, in conjunction with the next succeeding payment of the Investment Management Fee to the Adviser. To the extent that the full amount of such waived amount or expense paid cannot be repaid as provided in the previous sentence within such applicable three-year period, such repayment obligation shall be extinguished. |
7. | If this Agreement is terminated by the Fund, the Fund agrees to repay to the Adviser any amounts payable pursuant to paragraph 6 that have not been previously repaid and, subject to the 1940 Act, such repayment will be made to the Adviser not later than (3) three years from the date on which a Waiver was made by the Adviser (regardless of the date of termination of this Agreement), so long as the Fund is able to effect such reimbursement and remain in compliance with the Expense Cap as if such Expense Cap was still in effect. If this Agreement is terminated by the Adviser, the Fund agrees to repay to the Adviser any amounts payable pursuant to paragraph 6 that have not been previously repaid and, subject to the 1940 Act, such repayment will be made to the Adviser not later than thirty (30) days after the termination of this Agreement, so long as the Fund is able to effect such reimbursement and remain in compliance with the Expense Cap as if such Expense Cap was still in effect. |
8. | This Agreement will be construed in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware and the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act. To the extent the applicable law of the State of Delaware, or any of the provisions in this Agreement, conflict with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act will control. |
9. | This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties to this Agreement with respect to the matters described in this Agreement. |
[Signature page follows.]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties to this Agreement have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
Bow River capital evergreen FUND | |
By: | |
Title: | |
bow river asset management llc | |
By: | |
Title: |
|
Faegre
Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
One Logan Square, Suite 2000 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 +1 215 988 2700 main +1 215 988 2757 fax |
December 21, 2020
Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund
c/o UMB Fund Services, Inc.
235 West Galena Street
Milwaukee, WI 53212
RE: | Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund (the “Fund”), a Delaware Statutory Trust, in connection with the filing of the Fund’s registration statement, including any amendment thereto (the “Registration Statement”), to register under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), shares of beneficial interest representing interests in the Fund. The Fund offers two classes of shares (the “Shares”), Class I Shares and Class II Shares. The Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of Shares.
We have examined the originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the Fund’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws (collectively, the “Governing Documents”) and the resolutions adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Fund (the “Resolutions”) relating to the authorization of the sale and issuance of the Shares in a continuous public offering, and have considered such other legal and factual matters as we have deemed appropriate.
In all cases, we have assumed the legal capacity of each natural person signing the Registration Statement, the genuineness of signatures, the authenticity of documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to authentic original documents of documents submitted to us as copies and the accuracy and completeness of all corporate records and other information made available to us by the Fund. We have assumed that the Resolutions will still be in effect at the time the Shares are issued and have not been amended or rescinded. As to questions of fact material to this opinion, we have relied upon the accuracy of any certificates and other comparable documents of officers and representatives of the Fund, upon statements made to us in discussions with the Fund’s management and upon statements and certificates of public officials.
This opinion is based exclusively on the laws of the State of Delaware.
We have assumed the following for this opinion:
1. The Shares will be issued in accordance with the Governing Documents and the Resolutions.
2. The Shares will be issued against consideration therefor as described in the Registration Statement, and that such consideration will have been at least equal to the applicable net asset value.
Page 1
Based on the foregoing, it is our opinion that:
1. The Shares to be issued pursuant to the Registration Statement have been duly authorized for issuance by the Fund; and
2. When issued and paid for upon the terms provided in the Registration Statement, the Shares to be issued pursuant to the Registration Statement will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable by the Fund and that the holders of the Shares will be entitled to the same limitation of personal liability extended to shareholders of private corporations for profit organized under the general corporation law of the State of Delaware (except that we express no opinion as to such holders who are also Trustees of the Fund).
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of the Fund and to the reference to our firm under the caption “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm; Legal Counsel” in the prospectus and statement of additional information incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, however, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the 1933 Act or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.
Very truly yours, | |
/s/ Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP | |
FAEGRE DRINKER BIDDLE & REATH LLP |
Page 2
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the inclusion in this Registration Statement on Form N-2 of our report dated December 17, 2020, relating to the financial statements of Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund, as of October 29, 2020, and to the references to our firm included in or made a part of this Pre-Effective Amendment under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 to the Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund Registration Statement on Form N-2.
/s/ Cohen & Company
Cohen & Company, Ltd.
Cleveland, Ohio
December 21, 2020
Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund
This Subscription Booklet is utilized for the private offering of shares of beneficial interest (the “Shares”) in Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund (the “Fund”). This Subscription Booklet may be used only by investors that are “accredited investors” within the meaning given to such term in Rule 501 under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).
All Applications must be received FIVE BUSINESS DAYS before the end of the month for a subscription to be accepted.
ALL WIRED AMOUNTS must be received THREE BUSINESS days before the end of the month for a subscription to be accepted and effective as of the beginning of the month immediately following such receipt.
ALL PURCHASE CHECKS must be received TEN BUSINESS days before the end of the month for a subscription to be accepted and effective as of the beginning of the month immediately following such receipt. In order to purchase, all checks must clear prior to month end.
NOTE that subscriptions by individual retirement accounts (IRAs) require the signature of the qualified IRA custodian or trustee of the IRA.
For more information, please call us toll-free at: 1.888.330.3350.
Please return all pages of the subscription document, including terms and conditions, via fax to the number below.
Fax Number: 816.860.3140
Overnight address:
Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund
Attn: UMB Fund Services
235 W. Galena St.
Milwaukee, WI 53212
U.S. Mailing Address:
Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund
Attn: UMB Fund Services
P.O. Box 2175
Milwaukee, WI 53201
Wiring Instructions:
UMB Bank N.A.
928 Grand Boulevard
Kansas City, MO 64106
ABA: 101000695
Account Number: 9872325591
Account Name: Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund Class I
FBO: (Insert Investor Name)
1
Acknowledgment
A I agree to become a shareholder of the Fund and in connection therewith subscribe for and agree to purchase Shares of the Fund on the terms provided for in (i) this Subscription Agreement, (ii)the Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information (the “SAI”), (iii) the Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust (the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, together with this Subscription Agreement, the Prospectus and SAI, ,the “Fund Documents”) and (iv)the Privacy Notice of the Fund in which I am investing and agree to be bound by their terms and conditions. I certify that I have the authority and legal capacity to make this purchase and that I am of legal age in my state of residence.
B I authorize the Fund and its agents to act upon instructions (by phone, in writing or other means) believed to be genuine and in accordance with the procedures described in the Fund Documents for this account. I agree that neither the Fund nor the transfer agent will be liable for any loss, cost or expense for acting on such instructions.
C I am aware that an investment in the Fund involves substantial risks and have determined that a subscription is a suitable investment for me and that, at this time, I can bear a complete loss of my entire investment therein.
D I understand that under the terms of the Fund Documents, shareholders cannot withdraw from the Fund and Shares cannot be transferred, except as provided in the Fund Documents. I understand that liquidity is generally only available through a hybrid repurchase mechanism, where under normal circumstances, the Fund intends to provide a limited degree of liquidity to common shareholders by conducting semi-annual repurchase offers, as well as discretionary repurchase offers. The frequency and amount of such discretionary repurchase offers will be made at the discretion of the Fund’s board of trustees. Consequently, I acknowledge that I am aware that I may have to bear the economic risk of investment in the Fund indefinitely and that Shares are speculative and illiquid securities involving substantial risk of loss.
E I understand that the Fund Documents are not an offer to sell Shares and are not soliciting an offer to buy Shares in any state or jurisdiction where such offer or sale is not permitted.
F I will acquire Shares of the Fund for my own account for investment purposes only, and not with a view to or for the re-sale, distribution or fractionalization thereof, in whole or in part. I agree not to offer, sell, transfer, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, all or any number of the Shares or any interest therein, except in accordance with the terms and provisions of the Fund Documents and applicable law (including without limitation, the registration requirements of the Securities Act or an exemption therefrom, and any other applicable securities laws).
G I certify that I am not a Foreign Financial Institution as defined in the U.S.A. Patriot Act.
H
(1) | I certify that if I am a Fiduciary executing this investor certification on behalf of an employee benefit plan as defined in Section 3(3) of the United States Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), that is subject to ERISA (a “Plan”), I represent and warrant that Bow River Capital (the “Investment Manager”) and its affiliates have not acted as a Fiduciary under ERISA with respect to the purchase, holding or disposition of Shares, and that no advice provided by the Investment Manager or any of its affiliates has formed a basis for any investment decision by the Plan or me in connection with such purchase, holding or disposition. |
(2) | I further represent and warrant that the investment by the Plan in the Fund is prudent for the Plan (taking into account any applicable liquidity and diversification requirements of ERISA), and that the investment in the Fund is permitted under ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, other applicable law and the governing plan documents of the Plan, |
(3) | I further represent and warrant that the Plan’s purchase of the Shares does not, and will not (assuming compliance by the Fund with its governing agreements), result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code (or in the case of any governmental plan, any Federal, state or local law that is substantially similar). |
I In connection with the Fund’s efforts to comply with applicable laws concerning money laundering and related activities, I represent, warrant and agree that to the best of my knowledge based upon reasonable diligence and investigation:
(1) I am not (nor is any person or entity controlled by, controlling or under common control with me, or any of my beneficial owners) any of the following:
(a) A person or entity listed in the Annex to Executive Order 13224 (2001) issued by the President of the United States, which is posted on the website of the U.S. Department of Treasury (http://www.treas.gov).
(b) Named on the List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons maintained by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), which is posted on the website of the U.S. Department of Treasury (http://www.treas.gov) under “OFAC/SDN List.”
(c) A person or entity resident in, or whose subscription funds are transferred from or through an account in, a foreign country or territory that has been designated as a “Non- Cooperative Jurisdiction” by the Financial Action Task Force.
(d) A person or entity resident in, or in the case of an entity organized or chartered under the laws of, a jurisdiction that has been designated by the Secretary of the U.S. Treasury under Sections 311 or 312 of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, and the regulations promulgated thereunder as warranting special measures due to money laundering concerns. For updates, see the website of the U.S. Department of Treasury (http://www.treas.gov).
(e) A foreign shell bank (See U.S.A. Patriot Act and related regulations for definition).
(f) A senior foreign political figure. This restriction on senior foreign political figures also applies to any immediate family member of such Figure or close associate of such Figure (See U.S.A Patriot Act and related regulations for definition).
2
(2) No consideration that I have contributed or will contribute to the Fund:
(a) Shall originate from, nor will they be routed through, a foreign shell bank or a bank organized or chartered under the laws of a Non-Cooperative Jurisdiction.
(b) Has been or shall be derived from, or Related to, any activity that is deemed criminal under U.S. law.
(c) Shall cause the Fund or the Investment Manager to be in violation of the U.S. Bank Secrecy Act and all other federal anti-money laundering regulations.
(3) I understand and agree that if at any time it is discovered that any of the representations in this Section I are incorrect, or if otherwise required by applicable law related to money laundering and similar activities, the Investment Manager may, in its sole discretion and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Fund Documents, as each may be amended or modified from time to time, undertake appropriate actions to ensure compliance with applicable law, including but not limited to freezing, segregating or redeeming my subscription in the Fund.
(4) I further understand that the Fund or the Investment Manager may release confidential information about me and, if applicable, any underlying beneficial ownership, to proper authorities if the Fund or the Investment Manager, in their sole discretion, determines that it is in the best interests of the Fund in light of applicable law concerning money laundering and similar activities.
(5) I agree to provide to the Fund any additional information that the Fund deems necessary or appropriate to ensure compliance with all applicable laws concerning money laundering and similar activities. I shall promptly notify the Fund if any of the representations in this Section I cease to be true and accurate. I agree to call the Fund if I need more information about Section I or if I am unsure whether any of the categories apply to me.
J I understand that the Fund and its affiliates are relying on the certification and agreements made herein in determining my qualification and suitability as an investor in the Fund. I understand that an investment in the Fund is not appropriate for, and may not be acquired by, any person who cannot make this certification, and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, agree to indemnify the Fund and its affiliates, the Investment Manager and its affiliates, and their respective directors, trustees, managers, members, shareholders, partners, officers, and employees and hold each of them harmless from any liability that they may incur as a result of this certification being untrue in any respect.
K I acknowledge that I am not subscribing pursuant hereto for the Shares as a result of or subsequent to (i) any advertisement, article, notice or other communications published in any newspaper, magazine, or similar media (including any internet site that is not password protected) or broadcast over television or radio, or (ii) any seminar or meeting whose attendees, including myself, had been invited as a result of, subsequent to or pursuant to any of the foregoing.
L The representations, warranties, agreements, undertakings and acknowledgments made by me in this Application are made with the intent that they be relied upon by the Fund in determining my suitability as an investor in the Fund, and shall survive my investment. I agree to provide, if requested, any additional information that may reasonably be required to determine eligibility to invest in the Fund or to enable the Fund to determine the Fund’s compliance with applicable regulatory requirements or tax status. In addition, I undertake to notify the Fund immediately of any change with respect to any of the information or representations made herein and to provide the Fund with such further information as the Fund may reasonably require.
M I acknowledge that this Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware with all rights being governed by Delaware law without regard to any applicable rules relating to conflicts of laws.
3
Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund Subscription Document
The Fund accepts investments from individuals or entities with a U.S. Social Security Number or Taxpayer Identification Number and a U.S. address, or from foreign institutions only in accordance with the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (USA Patriot Act) and rules thereunder and only to the extent the identity of such persons and the source of their funds can be reasonably ascertained. Please note that the value of your account may be transferred to the appropriate state if no activity occurs in the account within the time period specified by state law.
[ ] Initial Investment [ ] Subsequent Investment
1. | Account Registration |
Please choose the appropriate section to complete based upon the Account type you wish to establish. Note, if you are completing Section B or C, it is required that you provide beneficial owner information and authorized Controlling Individual.
Section A:
[ ] Individual
[ ] Joint*
[ ] Individual Retirement Account (IRA)
(*may not be a minor; joint tenants with rights of survivorship unless otherwise noted)
Owner’s Social Security Number | Date of Birth |
Owner’s Name (first, middle, last)
Joint Owner’s Social Security Number | Date of Birth |
Joint Owner’s Name (first, middle, last)
Section B:
[ ] Trust
Trust instrument documentation required.
Note: For a Statutory Trust, please complete the Entity section below.
Tax Identification Number | Date of Trust |
Name of Trust
Trustee Name
Trustee Social Security Number | Date of Birth |
Additional Trustee Name (if applicable)
Additional Trustee Social Security Number | Date of Birth |
Section C:
Organization documentation required such as articles of incorporation. If a Statutory Trust, please include entire trust instrument.
[ ] Statutory Trust | [ ] Partnership | |||
[ ] C-Corporation | [ ] Government | |||
[ ] S-Corporation | ||||
[ ] Other Entity: |
[ ] LLC Classified for tax purposes by one of the following:
[ ] Partnership
[ ] S-Corporation
[ ] C-Corporation
Check if appropriate: [ ] I am an exempt recipient as defined under U.S. federal income tax regulations (e.g., C-Corporation, financial institution, registered broker-dealer, or tax exempt organization).
Exempt payee code:_____________________________
Note: Please see IRS Form W-9 for a list of exempt payee codes.
Entity Tax Identification Number
Name of Entity
Certification of Beneficial Owners for Legal Entity Clients
This information is required by federal regulations as a means to identify and document information for individuals who own and/or control a legal entity.
To help the government fight financial crime, federal regulation requires certain financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information about the beneficial owners of legal entity customers. A legal entity includes a corporation, limited liability company, or other entity that is created by a filing of a public document with a Secretary of State or similar office, a general partnership, and any similar business entity formed in The United States of America or a foreign country. A legal entity does not include sole proprietorships, unincorporated associations, or natural persons opening accounts on their own behalf.
Do not complete if the entity is publicly traded on an exchange or subject to ERISA.
4
(Section C continued)
Beneficial Owners
Identify each individual who owns—directly or indirectly through any agreement, arrangement, understanding, relationship, or otherwise—25% or more of the equity interests of the legal entity.
[ ] Check this box if no individual owns 25% or more of the legal entity and that you will inform the Fund if/when an individual assumes 25% or more ownership.
(1) Beneficial Owner’s Name (first, middle, last)
Beneficial Owner’s Residence Address
Beneficial Owner’s Social Security Number | Date of Birth |
(2) Beneficial Owner’s Name (first, middle, last)
Beneficial Owner’s Residence Address
Beneficial Owner’s Social Security Number | Date of Birth |
(3) Beneficial Owner’s Name (first, middle, last)
Beneficial Owner’s Residence Address
Beneficial Owner’s Social Security Number | Date of Birth |
(4) Beneficial Owner’s Name (first, middle, last)
Beneficial Owner’s Residence Address
Beneficial Owner’s Social Security Number | Date of Birth |
Authorized Controlling Individual
Provide information for one individual with significant responsibility for managing the legal entity (ex: CEO, CFO, managing member, general partner, president, treasurer, etc.)
Authorized Controlling Individual’s Name (first, middle, last)
Authorized Controlling Individual’s Residence Address
Social Security Number | Date of Birth |
2. | Mailing Address and Other Contact Information |
Applications will only be accepted if they contain a U.S. street address.
Street Address (If PO Box, please indicate the residential/street address below.)
City | State | Zip |
Daytime Telephone | Evening Telephone |
E-mail Address* | Fax Number |
[ ]Additional Address or
[ ]Residential/Street Address
Send copies of confirmations and statements for this account to:
Name
Street Address
City | State | Zip |
E-mail Address*
* | Please note that by providing an e-mail address, you are consenting to electronic delivery of Fund documentation if and when it becomes available. Your selection applies to any periodic reports and all other account-related documents that the Fund will send to you. Many of the documents will contain confidential information that is specific to your private financial matters. Regardless of the delivery method you select, the Fund will take reasonable precautions to ensure the integrity, confidentiality and security of the documents, but will not be liable for any interception. |
Please note that you will first receive a hard copy trade confirmation with your account number which you will need to register your account online for electronic delivery. Once you register, the Fund will deliver a document to you by sending you an e-mail that contains a link to the document. Such selection will remain in effect as long as you maintain an investment with the Fund or until you notify the Fund of a change. The Fund does not impose any additional charge for electronic delivery, but you may incur charges from your Internet service provider and your telephone company or other Internet access provider. In addition, there are risks, such as systems outages, that are associated with electronic delivery.
5
3. | Custodian Information |
Must be completed for IRA and custodied taxable accounts.
Name
Custodian Tax ID
Street Address
City | State | Zip |
Phone Number
4. | Custodian Bank Information |
Must be completed for IRA and custodied taxable accounts.
Custodian Bank Name
Bank Phone Number
Street Address
City | State | Zip |
Name(s) on Bank Account
Bank Account Number | ABA Number (available from your bank) |
For Further Credit Name
For Further Credit Account Number
5. | Broker/Dealer or Financial Advisor Information* |
Investor Account Number at Firm
Broker/Dealer Name
Broker/Dealer Address
City | State | Zip |
Broker/Dealer Phone Number
Rep Name
Rep Phone Number | Rep Number/CRD # |
Rep Address
City | State | Zip |
Rep E-mail Address
* | Prospective investors are advised and hereby acknowledge that the Investment Manager and/or its respective affiliates may pay ongoing consideration to intermediaries in connection with the offering and sale of Shares and/or ongoing services provided by such parties in connection therewith. |
6. | Investment Instructions |
Initial Investment minimum is $1,000,000; subsequent investment minimum is $25,000.
The Fund, in its sole discretion, may accept investments below the minimum. Investors subscribing through a given broker/dealer or registered investment adviser may have shares aggregated to meet these minimums, so long as denominations are not less than $50,000 and incremental contributions are not less than $25,000.
[ ]Purchase by check: make check payable to Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund Class I
[ ]Purchase by wire (wire instructions are on cover page)
$ ______________________________ subscription amount
6
7. | Bank Information |
For direct investments only; all custodied accounts must complete section 4.
Please attach a voided, unsigned check or deposit slip for this bank account. If information on voided check differs from information on this application, the information from the voided check will be used.
Bank Name
Bank Phone Number
Street Address
City | State | Zip |
Name(s) on Bank Account
Bank Account Number | ABA Number (available from your bank) |
This is a: [ ] Checking Account or [ ] Savings Account
8. | Distribution Instructions |
Reinvestment required for IRAs.
All distributions will be reinvested unless the following is checked:
[ ] Send all distributions via WIRE to the Custodian listed in Section 4.
[ ] Send all distributions via WIRE to the bank listed in Section 7.
9. | Please indicate your preference of Cost Basis Relief |
If none selected, the default will be FIFO (first in, first out).
[ ] | FIFO (first in, first out) | [ ] | LIFO (last in, first out) |
[ ] | LOFO (lowest in, first out) | [ ] | Average Cost |
[ ] | HIFO (highest in, first out) | [ ] | Specific Lot ID |
If no option is selected above, your account will use the Fund’s default method. If your account cost basis method is Average Cost, whether by election or default, and you are receiving a gift, you agree to receive that gift at FMV if received at a loss.
10. | Accredited Investor Status |
I certify that I am an “accredited investor” at the time of my investment in the Fund because I satisfy one or more of the categories of accredited client listed below.
The subscriber is: | [ ] |
(write corresponding letter(s) in box provided) |
A. | A natural person who individually or together with a spouse has a “net worth” in excess of U.S. $1.0 million. For purposes of determining net worth, (i) the person’s primary residence shall not be included as an asset; (ii) indebtedness that is secured by the person’s primary residence, up to the estimated fair market value of the primary residence at the time of the proposed subscription date, shall not be included as a liability (except that if the amount of such indebtedness outstanding at the proposed subscription date exceeds the amount outstanding 60 days before such date, other than as a result of the acquisition of the primary residence, the amount of such excess shall be included as a liability); and (iii) indebtedness that is secured by the person’s primary residence in excess of the estimated fair market value of the primary residence at the proposed subscription date shall be included as a liability; |
B. | A natural person who had an individual gross income in excess of U.S. $200,000 (or joint income together with a spouse in excess of $300,000) in each of the two most recent years and reasonably expects a gross individual income in excess of $200,000 (or joint income together with a spouse in excess of $300,000) in the current year; |
C. | An entity who has total assets in excess of $5,000,000 AND was not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the securities offered, AND is any of the following: |
● | a corporation; |
● | a partnership; |
● | a Massachusetts or similar business trust; OR |
● | an organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code |
D. | An entity who is any of the following: |
● | a trust, not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the securities offered, with total assets in excess of $5,000,000 and whose purchase is directed by a sophisticated person, with such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in the Shares; |
● | a bank, as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act, or any savings and loan association or other institution, as defined in Section 3(a)(5)(A) of the Securities Act, acting in its individual or fiduciary capacity; |
● | a broker or dealer registered pursuant to Section 15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; |
● | an insurance company, as defined in Section 2(a)(13) of the Securities Act; |
● | an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), as amended; |
7
● | a business development company as defined in Section 2(a)(48) of the 1940 Act; |
● | a private business development company as defined in Section 202(a)(22) of the Advisers Act; |
● | a Small Business Investment Company licensed by the U.S. Small Business Administration under Section 301(c) or (d) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958; |
● | a plan established and maintained by a State or any of its political subdivisions or any agency or instrument thereof for the benefit of its employees and has total assets in excess of $5,000,000; |
● | an employee benefit plan within the meaning of ERISA, and the investment decision to acquire Shares has been made by a plan fiduciary, as defined in section 3(21) of ERISA, which is either a bank, savings and loan association, insurance company or registered investment adviser; |
● | an employee benefit plan within the meaning of ERISA, and has total assets in excess of $5,000,000 or, if a self directed plan, with investment decisions made solely by persons that are “accredited investors.” |
● | An IRA plan where grantor is an “accredited investor.” The fund, in its sole discretion may request information regarding the basis on which such grantor is an “accredited investor.” |
E. | An entity in which all of the beneficial owners are investors described in one or more categories A through D above. |
11. | Risks |
● | Shares are not listed on any securities exchange and it is not anticipated that a secondary market for Shares will develop. |
● | You should generally not expect to be able to sell your Shares (other than through the repurchase process), regardless of how the Fund performs. |
● | Although the Fund is required to implement a Share repurchase program, the Fund’s hybrid repurchase mechanism provides that only a limited number of Shares will be eligible for repurchase by the Fund. |
● | If you are permitted to sell your Shares to a third party rather than through the repurchase process, you may receive less than your purchase price. |
● | Shares are subject to substantial restrictions on transferability and resale and may not be transferred or resold except as permitted under the Agreement and Declaration of Trust. Although the Fund may offer to repurchase Shares from time to time, Shares will not be repurchased by the Fund at a Common Shareholder’s option nor will they be exchangeable for Shares or shares of any other fund. As a result, an investor may not be able to sell or otherwise liquidate his or her Shares. Due to these restrictions, an investor should consider an investment in common shares to be illiquid. |
● | Shares are appropriate only for those investors who can tolerate a high degree of risk and do not require a liquid investment and for whom an investment in the Fund does not constitute a complete investment program. |
● | Because you will be unable to sell your Shares or have them repurchased immediately, you will find it difficult to reduce your exposure on a timely basis during a market downturn. |
● | Common Shareholders will pay offering and organizational expenses and will have to receive a total return at least in excess of those expenses to receive an actual return on any investment. |
● | Any interest accrued by borrowing in anticipation of share repurchases or tender offers or accumulation of cash in anticipation of repurchases will reduce the Fund’s net income; any expense of which will be indirectly borne by the holders of the Fund’s common shares. |
● | As a result of the selling commissions and dealer manager fees you pay and the offering expenses incurred, Shares are subject to immediate dilution upon purchase. In addition, because Shares are continuously offered, you may experience additional dilution in the net asset value of your Shares. |
● | The Fund will use direct investments, secondary purchases of interests, private fund commitments, and short-term investments to achieve its investment objective. The Fund may also, at times, be a “fund of funds”, in that a substantial portion of its assets may be invested in closed-end private funds and in other registered investment companies, including exchange-traded funds. |
● | You should invest in the Fund only if you can sustain a complete loss of investment. |
● | The Fund has no operating history and Shares have no history of public trading. |
● | The Fund may seek to enhance returns through the use of leverage. The Fund intends to use borrowings, including loans from certain financial institutions, to leverage its portfolio, in an aggregate amount of up to 33 1/3% of the Fund’s total assets (including the assets subject to, and obtained with the proceeds of, such borrowings) immediately after such borrowings. Leverage magnifies volatility and will decrease the Fund’s return if the Fund fails to earn as much on its investment purchased with borrowed funds as it pays for the use of those funds. The Fund’s leverage strategy may not work as planned or achieve its goal. All leverage expenses of the Fund will be borne solely by holders of the Fund’s Common Shares. |
Risks associated with the Fund’s distribution sources.
● | The amount of distributions that the Fund may pay, if any, is uncertain. |
● | The Fund may pay distributions in significant part from sources that may not be available in the future and that are unrelated to the Fund’s performance, such as offering proceeds, borrowings, amounts from the Fund’s affiliates that are subject to repayment by investors, and return of capital (i.e. generally the return of your investment rather than a return of earnings or gains derived from the Fund’s investment activities, made after deduction of the fees and expenses payable in connection with the offering, including any fees payable to the adviser). When distributions are paid from these sources, the amount of capital available to the Fund for purposes of investment may be reduced. |
8
● | Fees and expenses, including any future reimbursement of waived fees and expenses for which the adviser is eligible, will reduce any distributions a Common Shareholder would otherwise receive. |
12. | Acknowledgement and Signature |
All account owners/trustees must sign.
By signing below: (please check all three boxes)
[ ] I certify that I have received and read the current Prospectus and Privacy Notice of the Fund in which I am investing and agree to be bound by its terms and conditions. I certify that I have the authority and legal capacity to make this purchase and that I am of legal age in my state of residence.
[ ] I authorize Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund and its agents to act upon instructions (by phone, in writing or other means) believed to be genuine and in accordance with the procedures described in the Prospectus for this account. I agree that neither Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund nor the transfer agent will be liable for any loss, cost or expense for acting on such instructions.
[ ] I certify that I am not a Foreign Financial Institution as defined in the USA Patriot Act.
Under penalty of perjury, I certify that:
1. | The Social Security Number or Taxpayer Identification Number shown on this application is correct. |
2. | I am not subject to backup withholding because: (a) I am exempt from backup withholding; or (b) I have not been notified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that I am subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or dividends; or (c) the IRS has notified me that I am no longer subject to backup withholding. |
3. | I am a U.S. citizen or other U.S. Person (including resident alien). |
4. | I am exempt from FATCA reporting. |
Note: Cross out item 2 if you have been notified by the IRS that you are currently subject to backup withholding.
The Internal Revenue Service does not require your consent to any provision of this document other than the certifications required to avoid backup withholding.
If this is an individual retirement account, the custodian or trustee of the account is also required to execute this Agreement below:
Signature of Owner, Trustee or Custodian | Date |
Signature of Joint Owner, Trustee or Custodian (if applicable) |
Date |
Printed name(s) of Authorized Signer(s) (for verification purposes)
9
Conduct Requirements |
Fund Code of Ethics (“1940 Act Code of Ethics”)
I. | Purpose of the Code of Ethics |
The Bow River Capital Evergreen Private Equity Fund (the “Fund”) has adopted this Code of Ethics (the “Code”) to set forth guidelines and procedures that promote ethical practices and conduct by all of the Fund’s Access Persons, as defined below, and to ensure compliance with the federal securities laws. To the extent that any such individuals are subject to compliance with the separately maintained Code of Ethics of the Fund’s Adviser (the “Adviser”), Fund Administrator or Distributor (collectively the “Service Providers”), as applicable, whose Codes of Ethics complies with Rule 17j-1, compliance by such individuals with the provisions of the Code of the applicable Service Providers shall constitute compliance with this Code. This Code is based on the principle that, each Access Person of the Fund will conduct such activities in accordance with to the following principles:
● | To be dutiful in placing the interests of the Fund’s shareholders first and before their own; |
● | all personal securities transactions must be conducted 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 Fund and responsibility; and |
● | adhere to the fundamental standard that Access Persons shall not take inappropriate advantage of their position. |
Any violation of this Code must be reported promptly to John Blue, the Fund Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”). Failure to do so will be deemed a violation of the Code.
II. | Legal Requirement |
Pursuant to Rule 17j-1(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), it is unlawful for any Access Person to:
● | employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud the Fund; |
● | make any untrue statement of a material fact to the Fund or fail to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made to the Fund, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; |
● | engage in any act, practice, or course of business which operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon the Fund; or |
● | engage in any manipulative practice with respect to the Fund, in connection with the purchase or sale (directly or indirectly) by such Access Person of a security "held or to be acquired" by the Fund. |
III. | Definitions - All definitions shall have the same meaning as explained in Rule 17j-1 or Section 2(a) of the 1940 Act and are summarized below. |
Access Person means – Any officers, Trustees, general partner or employee of the Fund or of a Fund’s Investment Adviser, Bow River Asset Management, LLC (or of any entity in a control relationship to the Fund or Investment Adviser) who, in connection with his/her regular functions or duties, makes participates in, or obtains information regarding the purchase or sale of Covered Securities by the Fund, or whose functions relate to the making of any recommendations with respect to such purchases or sales.
CONFIDENTIAL | 147 |
Conduct Requirements |
Automatic Investment Plan – A program in which regular periodic purchases (or withdrawals) are made automatically in (or from) investment accounts in accordance with a predetermined schedule and allocation. An Automatic Investment Plan includes a dividend reinvestment plan.
Beneficial Ownership – means in general and subject to the specific provisions of Rule 16a- 1(a)(2) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), as amended, having or sharing, directly or indirectly, through any contract arrangement, understanding, relationship, or otherwise, a direct or indirect “pecuniary interest” in the security.
Connected Persons – Adult children or parents living at home, and any relative, person or entity for whom the Access Person directs the investments or securities trading unless otherwise specified
Control shall have the same meaning as that set forth in Section 2(a)(9) of the Exchange Act.
Covered Security – shall be any security except that it does not include:
1. | Direct obligations of the Government of the United States; |
2. | Bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and high quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements; and |
3. | Shares issued by open-end Fund (excluding open-end exchange traded Fund). |
De Minimis Security means securities issued by any company included in the Standard and Poor's 500 Stock Index and in an amount less than $10,000.
Exchange Traded Fund (“ETF”) means an open-end registered investment company that is not a unit investment Fund, and that operates pursuant to an order from the SEC exempting it from certain provisions of the 1940 Act permitting it to issue securities that trade on the secondary market. Examples of open-end exchange-traded Fund include, but are not limited to: Select Sector SPDRS; iShares; PowerShares; etc.
Fund means an investment company registered under the 1940 Act.
Independent Trustees means those Trustees of the Fund that would not be deemed an “interested person” of the Fund, as defined in Section 2(a)(19)(A) of the 1940 Act.
An Initial Public Offering means an offering of securities registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”), the issuer of which, immediately before the registration, was not subject to the reporting requirements of Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Act.
Limited Offering means an offering that is exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(2) or Section 4(6) or pursuant to Rule 504, Rule 505, or Rule 506 under the Securities Act.
Purchase or Sale of a Covered Security includes, among other things, the writing of an option to purchase or sell a Covered Security.
CONFIDENTIAL | 148 |
Conduct Requirements |
Restricted Trustee or Restricted Officer means each Trustee or officer of the Fund who is not also a director, officer, partner, employee or controlling person of any one or more of the Fund's investment advisers, administrator, custodian, transfer agent, or distributor.
Security held or to be Acquired by the Fund means:
1. | Any Covered Security which, within the most recent fifteen (15) days: |
a. | Is or has been held by the Fund; or |
b. | Is being or has been considered by the Fund or its Investment Advisor for purchase by the Fund; and |
c. | Any option to purchase or sell, and any security convertible into or exchangeable for, a Covered Security. |
IV. | Policies of the Fund Regarding Personal Securities Transactions |
General
No Access Person of the Fund shall engage in any act, practice or course of business that would violate the provisions of Rule 17j-1 as set forth above, or in connection with any personal investment activity, engage in conduct inconsistent with this Code.
Specific Policies
1. | Restrictions on Personal Securities Transactions By Access Persons Other Than Restricted Trustees and Restricted Officers. |
a. | Except as provided below, no Access Person who is not a Restricted Trustee or Restricted Officer may buy or sell Covered Securities for his or her personal portfolio or the portfolio of a member of his or her immediate family without obtaining authorization from the Compliance Officer of the Fund's Adviser prior to effecting such security transaction. |
Note: If an Access Person has questions as to whether purchasing or selling a security for his or her personal portfolio or the portfolio of a member of his or her immediate family requires prior authorization, the Access Person should consult the Adviser’s Compliance Officer for clearance or denial of clearance to trade prior to effecting any securities transactions.
b. | Pre-clearance approval under paragraph (a) will expire at the close of business on the trading day after the date on which the authorization is received, and the Access Person is required to renew clearance for the transaction if the trade is not completed before the authority expires. |
c. | No clearance will be given to an Access Person other than a Restricted Trustee or Restricted Officer to purchase or sell any Covered Security (1) on a day when any Fund of the Fund has a pending "buy" or "sell" order in that same Covered Security until that pending "buy" or "sell" order is executed or withdrawn or (2) when the Fund Compliance Officer has been advised by the Adviser that the same Covered Security is being considered for purchase or sale for any portfolio of the Fund. |
CONFIDENTIAL | 149 |
Conduct Requirements |
d. | The pre-clearance requirement contained above shall not apply to the following securities ("Exempt Securities"): |
1) | Securities that are not Covered Securities; |
2) | De Minimis Securities; |
3) | Securities purchased or sold in any account over which the Access Person has no direct or indirect influence or control; |
4) | Securities purchased or sold in a transaction which is non-volitional on the part of either the Access Person or the Fund; |
5) | Securities acquired as a part of an Automatic Investment Plan; |
6) | Securities acquired 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; and |
7) | Securities which the Fund's Fund are not permitted to purchase under the investment objectives and policies set forth in the Fund's then current prospectus(es) under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Fund's registration statement on Form N-1A, provided that prior to a transaction by an Access Person such securities have been approved for inclusion in a list of securities which are not permissible for purchase by the Fund's Fund. |
e. | The pre-clearance requirement contained shall apply to all purchases of a beneficial interest in any security through an Initial Public Offering or a Limited Offering by any Access Person who is also classified as Investment Personnel. A record of any decision and the reason supporting such decision to approve the acquisition by Investment Personnel of Initial Public Offerings or Limited Offerings shall be made by the Compliance Officer. |
2. | Restrictions on Personal Securities Transactions by Restricted Trustees and Restricted Officers. |
The Fund recognizes that a Restricted Trustee and a Restricted Officer do not have on-going, day- to-day involvement with the operations of the Fund. In addition, it has been the practice of the Fund to give information about securities purchased or sold by the Fund or considered for purchase or sale by the Fund to Restricted Trustees and Restricted Officers in materials circulated more than 15 days after such securities are purchased or sold by the Fund or are considered for purchase or sale by the Fund. Accordingly, the Fund believes that less stringent controls are appropriate for Restricted Trustees and Restricted officers, as follows:
a. | The securities pre-clearance requirement contained in section IV above shall only apply to a Restricted Trustee or Restricted Officer if he or she knew or, in the ordinary course of fulfilling his or her official duties as a Trustee or officer, should have known, that during the 15-day period before the transaction in a Covered Security (other than an Exempt Security ) or at the time of the transaction that the Covered Security purchased or sold by him or her other than an Exempt Security was also purchased or sold by the Fund or considered for the purchase or sale by the Fund. |
CONFIDENTIAL |
Conduct Requirements |
b. | If the pre-clearance provisions of the preceding paragraph apply, no clearance will be given to a Restricted Trustee or Restricted Officer to purchase or sell any Covered Security (1) on a day when any portfolio of the Fund has a pending "buy" or "sell" order in that same Covered Security until that order is executed or withdrawn or (2) when a Compliance Officer has been advised by the Adviser that the same Covered Security is being considered for purchase or sale for any portfolio of the Fund. |
V. | Reporting Requirements |
The Fund CCO or designee shall monitor all personal trading activity of all Access Persons as deemed appropriate and covered by this Code. An Access Person of a Fund who is also an Access Person of the Fund’s principal underwriter, affiliates or Adviser may submit such reporting requirements via the forms prescribed by any such separate Code of Ethics provided that the associated forms comply with the requirements of Rule 17j-1(d)(1) of the 1940 Act.
1. | Initial/Ongoing Disclosure of Personal Brokerage Accounts. Within ten (10) days of the commencement of employment or at the commencement of a relationship with the Fund, all Access Persons, except Independent Trustees, are required to submit to the Chief Compliance Officer a report stating the names and account numbers of all of their personal brokerage accounts, brokerage accounts of any Connected Persons, and any brokerage accounts which they control or in which they or a Connected Person has Beneficial Ownership. Such report must contain the date on which it is submitted and the information in the report must be current as of a date no more than forty-five (45) days prior to that date. In addition, if a new brokerage account is opened during the course of the year, the Chief Compliance Officer must be notified immediately. The information required by the above paragraph must be provided to the Chief Compliance Officer on an annual basis. Disclosure of an account shall cover, at a minimum, all accounts at a broker-dealer, bank or other institution opened during the quarter and provide the following information: |
a. | the name of the broker, dealer or bank with whom the Access Person has established the account; |
b. | the date the account was established; |
c. | the date that the report is submitted by the Access Person. |
Each of these accounts is required to furnish duplicate confirmations and statements to the Chief Compliance Officer. Such statements and confirms as an Access Person of the Fund may be sent to the Adviser.
2. | Holdings Report. Within ten (10) days of becoming an Access Person (and with information that is current as of a date no more than forty-five (45) days prior to the date that the person becomes an Access Person), each Access Person, except Independent Trustees, must submit (i) a holdings report that must contain, at a minimum, the title and type of Security, and as applicable, the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, number of shares, and principal amount of each Covered Security in which the Access Person has any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership and (ii) the name of any broker, dealer or bank with whom the Access Person maintained an account in which any securities were held for the Access Person’s direct or indirect benefit as of the date they became an Access Person. This report must state the date on which it is submitted. |
CONFIDENTIAL |
Conduct Requirements |
3. | Quarterly Transaction Reports. All Access Persons, except Independent Trustees, shall report to the Chief Compliance Officer or designee the following information with respect to transactions in a Covered Security in which such person has, or by reason of such transaction acquires, any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership in the Covered Security: |
a. | The date of the transaction, the title, and as applicable the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, interest rate and maturity date, number of shares, and the principal amount of each Covered Security; |
b. | The nature of the transaction (i.e., purchase, sale or any other type of acquisition or disposition); |
c. | The price of the Covered Security at which the transaction was effected |
d. | The name of the broker, dealer, or bank with or through whom the transaction was effected; and |
e. | The date the Access Person Submits the Report. |
Reports pursuant to this section of this Code shall be made no 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 include a certification that the reporting person has reported all Personal Securities Transactions required to be disclosed or reported pursuant to the requirements of this Code. Confirmations and Brokerage Statements sent directly to the appropriate address noted above is an acceptable form of a quarterly transaction report.
VI. | Review of Reports |
The CCO of the Fund, or designee, shall be responsible for reviewing the reports received, maintaining a record of the names of the persons responsible for reviewing these reports, and as appropriate and reporting to the board of Trustees:
● | any transaction that appears to evidence a possible violation of this Code; and |
● | apparent violations of the reporting requirements stated herein. |
The CCO of the Fund shall review the reports referenced hereunder and shall determine whether the policies established in Sections IV and V of this Code have been violated, and what sanctions, if any, should be imposed on the violator. Sanctions include but are not limited to a letter of censure, suspension or termination of the employment of the violator, or the unwinding of the transaction and the disgorgement of any profits.
The CCO and the Board of Trustees of the Fund shall review the operation of this Code at least annually. All material violations of this Code and any sanctions imposed with respect thereto shall periodically be reported to the Board of Trustees of the Fund.
VII. | Certification |
Each Access Person will be required to certify annually that he/she has read and understood the provisions of this Code and will abide by them. Each Access Person will further certify that he/she has disclosed or reported all personal securities transactions required to be reported under the Code. A form of such certification is attached below:
CONFIDENTIAL |
Conduct Requirements |
I certify that I have read and understand the Code of Ethics of and recognize that I am subject to it. [if an employee of the Adviser] I further certify I will fulfill my personal securities holdings and transactions reporting obligates through the procedures of the Adviser with respect to covered securities.
Printed Name: | Signature: |
Date: |
Before the Board of Trustees of the Fund may approve the Code of Ethics, the Fund must certify to the Board that the Fund has adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent Access Persons from violating this Code. Such certification shall be submitted to the Board of Trustees at least annually.
Adopted:
CONFIDENTIAL |
CODE OF ETHICS
Background
Investment advisers are fiduciaries that owe their undivided loyalty to their clients. Investment advisers are trusted to represent clients' interests in many matters, and advisers must hold themselves to the highest standard of fairness in all such matters.
Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act requires each registered investment adviser to adopt and implement a written code of ethics that contains provisions regarding:
● | The adviser's fiduciary duty to its clients; |
● | Compliance with all applicable Federal Securities Laws; |
● | Reporting and review of personal Securities transactions and holdings; |
● | Reporting of violations of the code; and |
● | The provision of the code to all supervised persons. |
Risks
In developing these policies and procedures, Bow River Capital considered the material risks associated with administering the Code of Ethics. This analysis includes risks such as:
● | Associates do not understand the fiduciary duty that they, and Bow River Capital, owe to Clients; |
● | Associates and/or Bow River Capital fail to identify and comply with all applicable Federal Securities Laws; |
● | Associates do not report personal Securities transactions; |
● | Associates trade personal accounts ahead of Client accounts; |
● | Associates allocate profitable trades to personal accounts or unprofitable trades to Client accounts; |
● | Violations of the Federal Securities Laws, the Code of Ethics, or the policies and procedures set forth in this Manual, are not reported to the CCO and/or appropriate supervisory personnel; |
● | Bow River Capital does not provide its Code of Ethics and any amendments to all Associates; and |
● | Bow River Capital does not retain Associates' written acknowledgements that they received the code and any amendments. |
Bow River Capital has established the following guidelines to mitigate these risks.
8
Policies and Procedures
Fiduciary Standards and Compliance with the Federal Securities Laws
At all times, Bow River Capital and its Associates must comply with the spirit and the letter of the Federal Securities Laws and the rules governing the capital markets. The CCO administers the Code of Ethics (or the "Code"). All questions regarding the Code should be directed to the CCO. Associates must cooperate to the fullest extent reasonably requested by the CCO to enable (i) Bow River Capital to comply with all applicable Federal Securities Laws and (ii) the CCO to discharge her duties under the Manual.
All Associates will act with competence, dignity, integrity, and in an ethical manner, when dealing with Clients, Investors, the public, prospects, third-party service providers and fellow Associates. Associates must use reasonable care and exercise independent professional judgment when conducting investment analysis, making investment recommendations, trading, promoting Bow River Capital's services, and engaging in other professional activities.
We expect all Associates to adhere to the highest standards with respect to any potential conflicts of interest with Clients. As a fiduciary, Bow River Capital must act in its Clients' best interests. Neither Bow River Capital, nor any Associate should ever benefit at the expense of any Client. Notify the CCO promptly about any practice that creates, or gives the appearance of, a material conflict of interest.
Associates are generally expected to discuss any perceived risks, or concerns about Bow River Capital's business practices, with their direct supervisor. However, if an Associate is uncomfortable discussing an issue with their supervisor, or if they believe that an issue has not been appropriately addressed, they should bring the matter to the CCO's attention.
Reporting Violations
Improper actions by Bow River Capital or its Associates could have severe negative consequences for Bow River Capital, its Clients and Investors, and its Associates. Impropriety, or even the appearance of impropriety, could negatively impact all Associates, including people who had no involvement in the problematic activities.
Associates must promptly report any improper or suspicious activities, including any suspected violations of the Code of Ethics, to the CCO. Issues can be reported to the CCO in person, or by telephone, email, or written letter. Reports of potential issues may be made anonymously. Any reports of potential problems will be thoroughly investigated by the CCO, who will report directly to the CEO and/or the President on the matter. Any problems identified during the review will be addressed in ways that reflect Bow River Capital's fiduciary duty to its Clients.
An Associate's identification of a material compliance issue will be viewed favorably by the Company's senior executives. Retaliation against any Associate who reports a violation of the Code of Ethics in good faith is strictly prohibited and will be cause for corrective action, up to and including dismissal. If an Associate believes that he or she has been retaliated against, he or she should notify the CEO directly.
Violations of this Code of Ethics, or the other policies and procedures set forth in the Manual, may warrant sanctions including, without limitation, requiring that personal trades be reversed, requiring the disgorgement of profits or gifts, issuing a letter of caution or warning, suspending personal trading rights, imposing a fine, suspending employment (with or without compensation), making a civil referral to the SEC, making a criminal referral, terminating employment for cause, and/or a combination of the foregoing. Violations may also subject an Associate to civil, regulatory or criminal sanctions. No Associate will determine whether he or she committed a violation of the Code of Ethics or impose any sanction against himself or herself. All sanctions and other actions taken will be in accordance with applicable employment laws and regulations.
9
Distribution of the Code and Acknowledgement of Receipt
Bow River Capital will distribute this Manual, which contains the Company's Code of Ethics, to each Associate upon the commencement of employment, annually, and upon any change to the Code of Ethics or any material change to another portion of the Manual.
All Associates must acknowledge that they have received, read, understood, and agree to comply with Bow River Capital's policies and procedures described in this Manual, including this Code of Ethics. Associates should complete the Compliance Manual Certification in Associate TradeSphere upon commencement of employment, annually, and following any material change to the Manual. Alternatively, with permission from the CCO, Associates may complete the attached Compliance Manual Acknowledgement Form and submit the completed form to the CCO
Conflicts of Interest
Conflicts of interest may exist between various individuals and entities, including Bow River Capital, Associates, and current or prospective Clients and Investors. Any failure to identify or properly address a conflict can have severe negative repercussions for Bow River Capital, its Associates, and/or Clients and Investors. In some cases, the improper handling of a conflict could result in litigation and/or disciplinary action.
Bow River Capital's policies and procedures have been designed to identify and properly disclose, mitigate, and/or eliminate applicable conflicts of interest. However, written policies and procedures cannot address every potential conflict, so Associates must use good judgment in identifying and responding appropriately to actual or apparent conflicts. Conflicts of interest that involve Bow River Capital and/or its Associates on one hand, and Clients and/or Investors on the other hand, will generally be fully disclosed and/or resolved in a way that favors the interests of Clients and/or Investors over the interests of Bow River Capital and its Associates. If an Associate believes that a conflict of interest has not been identified or appropriately addressed, that Associate should promptly bring the issue to the CCO's attention.
In some instances, conflicts of interest may arise between Clients and/or Investors. Responding appropriately to these types of conflicts can be challenging and may require robust disclosures if there is any appearance that one or more Clients or Investors have been unfairly disadvantaged. Associates should notify the CCO promptly ifit appears that any actual or apparent conflict of interest between Clients and/or Investors has not been appropriately addressed.
It may sometimes be beneficial for Bow River Capital to be able to retroactively demonstrate that it carefully considered particular conflicts of interest. The CCO may use the attached Miscellaneous Reporting Form to document the Company's assessment of, and response to, such conflicts.
Personal Securities Transactions
Associate's trades should be executed in a manner consistent with our fiduciary obligations to our Clients: trades should avoid actual improprieties, as well as the appearance of impropriety. Associate trades must not be timed to precede orders placed for any Client, nor should trading activity be so excessive as to conflict with the Associate's ability to fulfill daily job responsibilities.
10
Accounts Covered by the Policies and Procedures
Bow River Capital's Personal Securities Transactions policies and procedures apply to all accounts holding any Securities over which Associates have any beneficial ownership interest, which typically includes accounts held by immediate family members sharing the same household. Immediate family members include children, stepchildren, grandchildren, parents, step-parents, grandparents, spouses, domestic partners, siblings, parents-in-law, and children-in-law, as well as adoptive relationships that meet the above criteria .
It may be possible for Associates to exclude accounts held personally or by immediate family members sharing the same household if the Associate does not have any direct or indirect influence or control over the accounts, or if the Associate can rebut the presumpt ion of beneficial ownership over family members' accounts. Associates should consult with the CCO before excluding any accounts held by immediate family members sharing the same household.
Reportable Securities
Bow River Capital requires Associates to provide periodic reports regarding transactions and holdings in all "Reportable Securities," which include any Security, except:
● | Direct obligations of the Government of the United States; |
● | Bankers' acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and high-quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements; |
● | Shares issued by money market funds; |
● | Shares issued by open-end investment companies registered in the U.S., other than funds advised or underwritten by Bow River Capital or an affiliate; |
● | Interests in 529 college savings plans; and |
● | Shares issued by unit investment trusts that are invested exclusively in one or more open-end registered investment companies, none of which are advised or underwritten by Bow River Capital or an affiliate. |
Shares of the Exchange-Traded Funds ("ETFs"). listed below:
● | SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF ("DIA") |
● | SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust ("SPY") |
● | PowerShares QQQ Trust, Series I (ETF) ("QQQ") |
● | iShares MSCI EAFE ETF ("EFA" ) |
● | iShares Core S&P 500 ETF ("IVV") |
● | iShares Russell 2000 ETF ("IWM") |
● | iShares MSCI Emerging Market ETF ("EEM") |
● | iShares FTSE I00 UCITS ETF ("GB/ISF") |
II
Transactions by in all other ETFs must be reported by Associates to the CCO.
Pre-clearance Procedures
Associates must have written clearance for all transactions involving IPOs, Private Placements or transactions in the secondaries markets before completing the transactions. Bow River Capital may disapprove any proposed transaction, particularly if the transaction appears to pose a conflict of interest or otherwise appears improper. If clearance is granted for a specified period of time, the Associate receiving the approval is responsible for ensuring that his or her trading is completed before the clearance's expiration. Associates should be cautious when submitting good-until-cancelled orders to avoid inadvertent violations of Bow River Capital's pre-clearance procedures.
Associates must use the attached Trade Pre-clearance Form or submit a request via Employee TradeSphere to seek pre-clearance. All pre-clearance requests must be submitted to the CCO. Exemptions from the pre- clearance procedures may be available under very limited circumstances with approval from the Compliance Committee.
Reporting
Bow River Capital must collect information regarding the personal trading activities and holdings of all Associates or Access Persons. Associates must submit quarterly reports regarding Reportable Securities transactions and newly opened accounts, as well as annual reports regarding holdings and existing accounts.
Quarterly Transaction Reports
Each quarter, Associates must report all Reportable Securities transactions in accounts in which they have a Beneficial Interest. Associates must also report any accounts opened during the quarter that hold any Securities (including Securities excluded from the definition of a Reportable Security). Reports regarding Securities transactions and newly opened accounts must be submitted to the CCO within 30 days of the end of each calendar quarter.
Associates must utilize Associate TradeSphere to fulfill quarterly reporting obligations. Alternately, Associates, with an approval from Bow River Capital's CCO to not use Associate TradeSphere, may use the Quarterly Reporting forms attached to this Compliance Manual. For Broker-Dealers that don't feed directly into Associate TradeSphere, Associates may also elect to use the attached Letter to a Broker-Dealer to instruct the institution hosting their accounts to send the CCO duplicate account statements. The CCO must receive all such statements within 30 days of the end of each calendar quarter. Any trades that did not occur through a broker-dealer, such as the purchase of a private fund, must be reported in Associate TradeSphere or on the attached Quarterly Reporting Forms. If an Access Person did not have any transactions or account openings to report, this should be indicated within Associate TradeSphere within 30 days of the end of each calendar quarter.
Initial and Annual Holdings Reports
Associates must periodically report the existence of any account that holds any Securities (including Securities excluded from the definition of a Reportable Security), as well as all Reportable Securities holdings. Reports regarding accounts and holdings must be submitted to the CCO or Associate TradeSphere on or before February 14th of each year, and within 15 days of an individual first becoming an Associate. Annual reports must be current as of December 31st; initial reports must be current as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the date that the person became an Associate. If an Associate has not been granted access to Associate TradeSphere to allow an Associate to produce Initial Holdings Reports within 15 days of becoming an Associate, please see attached copy of the Periodic Holdings Reporting Forms.
12
Initial and annual reports must disclose the existence of all accounts that hold any Securities, even if none of those Securities fall within the definition of a "Reportable Security."
If an Associate does not have any holdings and/or accounts to report, this should be indicated in Associate TradeSphere within 15 days of becoming an Associate and by February 14th of each year or on the Periodic Holdings Reporting Form attached to this Compliance Manual.
Exceptions from Reporting Requirements
There are limited exceptions from certain reporting requirements. Specifically, an Associate is not required to submit:
● | Quarterly reports for any transactions effected pursuant to an Automatic Investment Plan; or |
● | Any reports with respect to Securities held in accounts over which the Associate had no direct or indirect influence or control, such as an account managed by an investment adviser on a discretionary basis. |
Any investment plans or accounts that may be eligible for either of these exceptions should be brought to the attention of the CCO who will, on a case-by-case basis, determine whether the plan or account qualifies for an exception. In making this determination, the CCO may ask for supporting documentation, such as a copy of the Automatic Investment Plan, a copy of the discretionary account management agreement, and/or a written certification from an unaffiliated investment adviser.
Personal Trading and Holdings Reviews
Bow River Capital's Personal Securities Transactions policies and procedures are designed to mitigate any potential material conflicts of interest associated with Associates' personal trading activities. Accordingly, the CCO will closely monitor Associates' investment patterns to detect the following potentially abusive behavior:
● | Frequent and/or short-term trades in any Security, with particular attention paid to potential market- timing of mutual funds; |
● | Trading opposite of Client trades; |
● | Trading ahead of Clients; and |
● | Trading that appears to be based on Material Non-Public Information. |
The CCO will review all reports submitted pursuant to the Personal Securities Transactions policies and procedures for potentially abusive behavior and compare securities traded to the restricted list. Upon review, the CCO will initial and date each report received, and will attach a written description of any issues noted. Any personal trading that appears abusive may result in further inquiry by the CCO and/or sanctions, up to and including dismissal.
If no exemptions from review are applicable, the Chief Financial Officer will monitor the CCO's personal Securities transactions for compliance with the Personal Securities Transactions policies and procedures.
13
Co-Investment Opportunities
Associate co-investments can help to align Associates' interests with Clients' interests, encourage prudence and diligence during the investment process, and demonstrate Associates' confidence in Bow River Capital's investment processes. However, co-investments could present conflicts of interest if not properly structured and monitored.
The CCO is responsible for monitoring co-investments by the Company and its Associates. Among other things, the CCO will seek to ensure that:
● | Co-investment activities have been accurately disclosed to affected Investors; |
● | Client investments and any Company or Associate's co-investments are on the same terms and in the same portion of the portfolio company's capital structure; |
● | The extent to which Company or Associate co-investments take away from the size of the investment opportunity available to Clients is properly disclosed and/or mitigated through limits on the size of the co-investments; |
● | Co-investments will be made at the same time as Client investments, and the Company and its Associates will not dispose of a co-investment ahead of Bow River Capital's Clients; and |
● | The CCO has access to all information necessary to monitor Associates' co-investments in the same way that other personal securities transactions are monitored. |
Disclosure of the Code of Ethics
Bow River Capital will describe its Code of Ethics in Part 2 of Form ADV and, upon request, furnish Clients and Investors with a copy of the Code of Ethics. All Client requests for Bow River Capital's Code of Ethics should be directed to the CCO.
14
Code of Ethics and Compliance Manual Representations
I hereby represent that all of my personal securities transactions have been effected in compliance with the Code of Ethics. I also confirm that I have provided or instructed all brokerage or other firms where I maintain an investment account to supply duplicate copies ofmy monthly or quarterly account statements to the Chief Compliance Officer.
In addition to the representations contained throughout the Compliance Manual and Code of Ethics, I hereby certify (i) that I have never been found civilly liable for, nor criminally guilty of, insider trading and that no legal proceedings alleging that I have violated the law on insider trading are now pending or, to my knowledge, threatened by any person or authority and (ii) I am not engaged in any business activities outside my employment with Bow River Capital other than those outside business activities which have already been disclosed to, and approved by, the Chief Compliance Officer.
Name of Access Person | |
Signature of Access Person | |
Date |
15
Initial: | |||
Dte : |
Annual Compliance Questionnaire Supp lement.
Please answer the following questions accurately. If you mark any shaded boxes, explain your response in the space following the table.
Question | Yes | No |
1. Are you or any members of your immediate family employed by a financial services company other than Bow River Capital, or by a company that provides products or services to Bow River Capital? | ||
2. Do you or any member of your immediate family serve as a general partner or managing member for an investment-related pooled investment vehicle outside of Bow River Capital's Funds? | ||
3. Do you or any members of your immediate family have some other business or personal relationship with, or substantive investment in, a financial services company or a company that provides products or services to Bow River Capital? | ||
4. Do you or any members of your immediate family serve as trustee, executor, or in a similar capacity for any Client or Investor? | ||
5. Do you or any members of your immediate family have any other business or personal relationship with any Client or Investor? | ||
6. Are you or any members of your immediate family employed by any government? | ||
7. Do you or any members of your immediate family serve as officers or directors of any organizations (including private companies, public companies, and not- for-profit organizations)? | ||
8. Are you aware of any conflicts of interest that have not already been disclosed to the CCO involving Bow River Capital, you or your immediate family members and any Client or Investor? | ||
9. Have you complied with Bow River Capital's requirements regarding the disclosure and approval of outside business activities? | ||
10. Are you aware of any potentially Material Non-Public Information that has not been previously disclosed to the CCO? (If yes, please indicate the capacity in which you received the information at the end of this form, but do not include the specific information in question on this form.) |
16
Initial: | |||
Date : |
Question | Yes | No |
11. Have you improperly transmitted proprietary information between Bow River Capital and any prior employers or other individuals or entities? | ||
12. Have you reported all of the political contributions that you made in the past two years? | ||
13. In the past 10 years, have you been convicted of or plead guilty or no contest in a domestic, foreign, or military court to any: | ||
● Felony | ||
● Misdemeanor involving investments or an investment-related business, or any fraud, false statements, filings or omissions, wrongful taking of property, bribery, perjury, forgery, counterfeiting, extortion, or a conspiracy to commit any of these offenses? | ||
14. In the past 10 years, has any federal regulatory agency, the U.S. Postal Service, any state regulatory agency, or any foreign financial regulatory authority found you to have: | ||
● Made a false statement or omission, or been dishonest, unfair, or unethical? | ||
● Been involved in a violation of investment-related regulations or statutes? | ||
● Been a cause of an investment-related business having its authorization to do business denied, suspended, revoked, or restricted? | ||
15. In the past 10 years, has any federal regulatory agency, the U.S. Postal Service, any state regulatory agency, or any foreign financial regulatory authority: | ||
● Entered an order or injunction against you in connection with an investment- related activity or the making of false representations? | ||
● Denied, suspended, or revoked your registration or license, or otherwise prevented you, by order, from associating with an investment-related business or restricted your activity? | ||
16. In the past l O years, has any self-regulatory organization or commodities exchange found you to have: | ||
● Made a false statement or omission? | ||
● Been involved in a violation of its rules (other than a violation designated as a "minor rule violation" under a plan approved by the SEC)? |
17
Initial: | |||
Date : |
Question | Yes | No |
● Been the cause of an investment-related business having its authorization to do business denied, suspended, revoked, or restricted? |
||
17. Has an authorization to act as an attorney, accountant, or federal contractor granted to you ever been revoked or suspended? | ||
18. Tn the past 10 years, has any domestic or foreign court:
● Enjoined or restrained you in connection with any investment or Securities- related activity, or in connection with any false SEC filing?
● Found that you were involved in a violation of investment-related statutes or regulations ?
● Dismissed, pursuant to a settlement agreement, an investment-related civil action brought against you by a state or foreign financial regulatory authority?
|
||
19. Arc you now the subject of any proceeding that could result in a "yes" answer to any of the preceding questions? | ||
New Associates should skip the remaining questions and explain any marks in shaded boxes below the table. | ||
20. During the past 12 months, have you reported all personal Securities transactions in accordance with Bow River Capital's reporting policies? | ||
21. During the past 12 months, have you reported gifts and entertainment m accordance with Bow River Capital's reporting policies?
|
||
22. During the past 12 months , have you traded on or improperly transmitted any Material Non-Public Information? | ||
23. During the past 12 months, have you become aware of any violation of Bow River Capital's Code of Ethics that you did not disclose to the CCO? | ||
24. To the best of your knowledge, during the past 12 months, has Bow River Capital and its Associates (including yourself) complied with the Company's written policies and procedures regarding:
● Insider trading;
● Outside business activities and prior employment;
● Political contributions;
|
18
Initial: | |||
Date : |
Question | Yes | No |
● Identification, reporting, and resolution of complaints;
● Portfolio management;
● Proxy voting;
● Trading;
● Identification , reporting, and resolution of trade errors;
● Soft dollars;
● Security valuation;
● Account opening and closing;
● Side pockets;
● Anti-money laundering;
● Protection of Clients' privacy;
● Custody and safeguarding of assets;
● Fee billing;
● The maintenance and dissemination of disclosure documents;
● The use of electronic communications;
● Advertising and marketing;
● Solicitation arrangements;
● Media communications
● Contingency and disaster recovery planning; and
● The maintenance of books and records.
|
Please use the space below to explain any marks in shaded boxes. For each explanation, indicate the relevant question number. Use additio nal pages as necessary.
By signing below, I certify that I responded to the Annual Compliance Questionnaire Supplement completely and accurately.
Print Name:
19
Trtitial: | |||
Date : |
Signature: | ||||||
Date: |
20
Trade Pre-clearance Form
Transaction Type: Buy/ Sell/ Short/ Cover Short/ Other (describe):
Security Name:
Security Type: Common Stock/ Option/ Debt/ Other (describe):
Symbol or Identifier:
Number of Shares/ Contracts / Principal Amount:
For Options, Indicate the Expiration Date:
Broker / Custodian:
Does the transaction involve an IPO or private placement?
If you are seeking to invest in a private fund, describe the fund's investment strategy.
Pre-clearance sought through (date):
By signing below, I certify and acknowledge the following:
1. | I have no Material Non-Public Information or other knowledge pertaining to this proposed transaction that constitutes a violation of Company policy, confidentiality agreements or securities laws. |
2. | The proposed transaction does not limit a Client's investment opportunities or disadvantage a Client in any way. |
Signature: | Date: | ||||
Print Name: |
Internal Use Only | |||
Reviewer: | Approved / Disapproved | Date: | |
Reasons Supporting Decision: |
21
22
I certify that this form fully discloses all transactions of Reportable Securities in which l have a Beneficial Interest. I understand that I am presumed to have a Beneficial Interest in Securities transactions of immediate family members living in the same household.
Signature: | Print Name: | Date: |
Deliver to the CCO within 30 days of the end of each calendar quarter. Use additional sheets if necessary.
With respect to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, nothing in this report should be construed as an admission that the person making the report has a direct or indirect beneficial ownership interest in the Securities to which the report relates.
23
Quarterly Reporting Form: New Accounts
For the Quarter Ended:_ _ _ _ _ _ _
Name of Broker-Dealer or Bank | Account Title | Account Number | Date Account was Established |
I certify that this form fully discloses all Securities accounts opened during the calendar quarter noted above in which I have a Beneficial Interest. I understand that I am presumed to have a Beneficial Interest in Securities accounts of immediate family members living in the same household.
Signature: | Print Name: | Date: |
Deliver to the CCO within 30 days of the end of each calendar quarter. Use additional sheets if necessary .
24
Letter to a Broker-Dealer
DATE
NAME OF BROKER/CUSTODIAN
ADDRESS
CITY, STATR ZIP
Re: | Account No. |
Account Name |
DearNAME,
As of DATE, please send duplicate monthly account statements for the above-named account to:
Bow River Capital
Attn: Regina M. Watson, Chief Compliance Officer
205 Detroit Street, Suite 800
Denver, Colorado 80206
If you have any questions or concerns, please call me at (720) 510-3240. Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
NAME
cc: | Regina M. Watson, Chief Compliance Officer |
25
Periodic Holdings Reporting Form: Accounts
Information is current as of:
Name of Broker-Dealer or Bank | Account Title | Account Number |
I certify that this form fully discloses all of the Securities accounts in which I have a Beneficial Interest. I understand that I am presumed to have a Beneficial Interest in Securities accounts of immediate family members living in the same household.
Deliver to the CCO within 15 days of becoming associated with Bow River Capital, and by February 14th of each year. Use additional sheets if necessary.
Signature | Date | |||
Print Name |
26
Periodic Holdings Reporting Form: Reportable Securities
Security Name
|
Ticker or CUSIP (As Applicable) |
Type (Common Stock, Bond, etc.)
|
Number of Shares or Principal Amount (As Applicable) |
I certify that this form fully discloses all Reportable Security holdings in which I have a Beneficial Interest. I understand that I am presumed to have a Beneficial Interest in Securities holdings of immediate family members living in the same household.
Deliver to the CCO within 10 days of becoming associated with Bow River Capital, and by February 14th of each year. Use additional sheets if necessary.
Signature | Date | ||
Print Name |
27
Miscellaneous Reporting Form
Use this form to make disclosures or seek approvals not addressed by other forms in this Manual.
Provide a detailed description of the issue you are disclosing or for which you are seeking approval. To the extent possible, include specific names and dates, as well as any applicable conflicts of interest or regulatory issues.
Submitted by: | |||
Signature | Date | ||
Print Name | |||
Reviewed by: | |||
Signature | Date | ||
Print Name | |||
Describe any necessary follow up: |
28
APPENDIX A
CODE OF ETHICS
INTRODUCTION
High ethical standards are essential for the success of Aksia and to maintain the confidence of Aksia’s Clients. Aksia’s long-term business interests are best served by adherence to the principle that the interests of Advisory Clients come first. We have a fiduciary duty to Advisory Clients to act solely for the benefit of such Clients. All Supervised Persons of Aksia must put the interests of Aksia’s Advisory Clients before their own personal interests and must act honestly and fairly in all respects in dealings with Advisory Clients. All personnel of Aksia must also comply with all federal securities laws. In recognition of Aksia’s fiduciary duty to its Advisory Clients and Aksia’s desire to maintain its high ethical standards, Aksia has adopted this Code of Ethics (the “Code”) containing provisions designed to prevent improper personal trading, identify conflicts of interest and provide a means to resolve any actual or potential conflicts in favor of Aksia’s Clients.
Adherence to the Code and the related restrictions on personal investing is considered a basic condition of employment by Aksia. If you have any doubt as to the propriety of any activity, you should consult with Compliance, who is charged with the administration of the Code.
I. | PERSONAL TRADING POLICY |
A. | Definitions |
1. | Automatic Investment Plan means a program in which regular periodic purchases (or withdrawals) are made automatically in (or from) investment accounts in accordance with a predetermined schedule and allocation, including a dividend reinvestment plan. |
2. | Beneficial Ownership includes ownership by any person who, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares a direct or indirect power to vote or influence the transaction decisions regarding a specific account. |
3. | Immediate Family Member 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, and includes adoptive relationships. |
4. | Small Cap Stock means any equities in publicly traded companies which have a market value of less than $1 billion. |
5. | Reportable Security means a security as defined in Section 202(a)(18) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 80b-2(a)(18)) and includes any derivative, options or forward contracts relating thereto, securities-based swaps, interests in limited partnerships and other private funds, shares of exchange-traded funds, and shares of registered funds managed by the Adviser or registered funds whose adviser or principal underwriter controls the Adviser, is controlled by the Adviser, or is under common control with the Adviser (each a “Reportable Fund”) except that it does not include: |
(a) | Direct obligations of the Government of the United States; |
(b) | Bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and high quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements; |
(c) | Currencies, including cryptocurrencies and any derivatives thereof; |
(d) | Commodities; |
(e) | Indices and index futures; |
(f) | Shares issued by money market funds; |
(g) | Shares issued by registered open-end funds other than Reportable Funds; and |
(h) | Shares issued by unit investment trusts that are invested exclusively in one or more registered open-end funds, none of which is a Reportable Fund. |
6. | Restricted Security means any security that is (1) a publicly listed Client of Aksia; (2) a security Aksia is researching, analyzing or considering buying or selling for a Client; or (3) a security on which Aksia currently is or may become in possession of material non-public information. |
45
7. | Short Sale means the sale of securities that the seller does not own. A Short Sale is “against the box” to the extent that the seller contemporaneously owns or has the right to obtain securities identical to those sold short, at no added cost. |
B. | Applicability |
The Code, and the personal trading policy, applies to all of a Supervised Person’s “Personal Accounts”.
In addition to accounts maintained by and for the Supervised Person themselves, a “Personal Account” also includes all accounts maintained by or for any of the following:
● | A Supervised Person’s spouse (other than a legally separated or divorced spouse of the Supervised Person), minor children, and step-children, regardless of whether they are living in the Supervised Person’s household (other than a legally separated or divorced spouse); |
● | Any other Immediate Family Members who live in the Supervised Person’s household (e.g. siblings, parents and in-laws); |
● | Any persons to whom the Supervised Person provides primary financial support, and either (i) whose financial affairs the Supervised Person controls, or (ii) for whom the Supervised Person provides discretionary advisory services (regardless of whether such persons are living in the Supervised Person’s household); and |
● | Any partnership, corporation or other entity in which the Supervised Person has a 25% or greater beneficial interest, or in which the Supervised Person exercises effective control. |
C. | Restrictions on Personal Investing Activities |
1. | General |
Each Supervised Person is responsible for ensuring that a particular securities transaction being considered for any Personal Account is not subject to a restriction contained in the Code or otherwise prohibited by any applicable laws. Securities transactions in any Personal Account may be effected only in accordance with the provisions of this policy.
2. | Prohibitions on Trading in Securities on the Restricted Securities List |
Personal Accounts may not be used to transact any Restricted Security, except with the prior written approval of Compliance. A list of Restricted Securities is maintained by Compliance on the SchwabCT portal through the Personal Trading tab (the Restricted List link is on the left) and is amended from time to time. Please refer to the Restricted List on a regular basis.
3. | 60-Day Holding Requirement |
All securities must be held for at least 60 days from the time of purchase and may not be re-purchased within 60 days following a sale except with the prior written approval of Compliance. This 60-day holding restriction is NOT lot-specific, applies to any and all trading in the name and also applies to options, bonds, short sales, and covers (but does not apply to ETFs or mutual funds).
46
4. | Small Cap Trading |
Personal Accounts may not be used to trade in Small Cap stock, except with the prior written approval of Compliance. This Small Cap trading restriction applies to equities, options and bonds.
5. | Initial Public Offerings (“IPOs”) |
Personal Accounts may not be used to acquire any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in any securities in any initial public offering, except with the prior written approval of Compliance.
6. | Hedge Fund, Fund of Hedge Funds, Private Equity Fund or Private Credit Fund |
Ownership, or the ownership of any type of fund shares that are offered pursuant to a private placement (each, a “Private Fund”) Personal Accounts may not be used to acquire any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in any Private Fund, except with the prior written approval of Compliance.
IF A PERSONAL ACCOUNT HAS DIRECT OR INDIRECT BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP IN A PRIVATE FUND, BY VIRTUE OF THE FACT THAT SUCH BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP EXISTED PRIOR TO A SUPERVISED PERSON BEING AFFILIATED WITH AKSIA, THE SUPERVISED PERSON MUST NOTIFY COMPLIANCE IMMEDIATELY. A FULL REDEMPTION OF SUCH INVESTMENT MAY BE REQUIRED.
7. | Private Placements and Investment Opportunities of Limited Availability |
Personal Accounts may not be used to acquire any beneficial ownership in any private placement of securities (including Private Funds or venture capital funds) (collectively, “Private Placement Interests”) or investment opportunity of limited availability, except with the prior written approval of Compliance.
8. | Management of Non-Adviser Accounts |
Supervised Persons are prohibited from managing accounts for third parties who are not Clients of Aksia or serving as a trustee for third parties unless Compliance pre-clears the arrangement and finds that the arrangement would not harm any Client. Compliance may require the Supervised Person to report transactions for such account and may impose such conditions or restrictions as are warranted under the circumstances.
9. | Subsequent Breaches |
Supervised Persons may not engage in transactions that, while initially compliant, have a high likelihood of causing a future violation of any part of the Personal Trading Policy. For example, avoid engaging in a transaction in which an option may be exercised or expire in less than 60 days (long or short). Also, positions established as a result of an option expiration must meet the 60-day holding period requirement from the date of exercise.
D. | Exceptions From Reporting Requirements |
In recognition of the de minimis or involuntary nature of certain transactions, and the nature of certain financial instruments, this section sets forth exceptions from the reporting requirements. Accordingly, the following transactions will be exempt only from the reporting requirements in Section II.E. below:
47
1. | Purchases or sales in a Personal Account that are non-volitional such as purchases that are made pursuant to a merger, tender offer or exercise of rights; |
2. | Purchases or sales in a Personal Account that are made pursuant to an Automatic Investment Plan; |
3. | Transactions in securities in a Personal Account that are not Reportable Securities; |
4. | Transactions effected in, and the holdings of, any account over which the Supervised Person has no direct or indirect influence or control (i.e., blind trust, discretionary account, 529 Plan, or trust managed by a third party). |
E. | Reporting |
1. | Disclosure of Brokerage Accounts |
All Supervised Persons will, generally, within 10 days of commencement of employment with Aksia, submit through SchwabCT a listing all of the names and account numbers of any brokerage firms or banks that constitute Personal Accounts in which any Reportable Securities are held. Except as otherwise approved by Compliance, Personal Accounts are only permitted at the following five brokerage firms: Charles Schwab, Fidelity, E*Trade, Vanguard, TD Ameritrade or Interactive Brokers. Compliance may require an employee to close any Personal Accounts held at any other brokerage firm. For any Personal Accounts approved by Compliance which are not held at an approved brokerage firm or cannot be set up in SchwabCT, Supervised Persons must otherwise direct the relevant brokers or custodians or any persons managing the Personal Account in which any Reportable Securities are held to supply Compliance with:
● | Monthly or quarterly brokerage statements for such Personal Account; and |
● | A report of the securities transactions effected through such Personal Account no later than 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter, including a list of each transaction in a Reportable Security covered by the report. |
2. | New Accounts |
New Personal Accounts may only be opened at one of the six approved brokerage firms listed above. Each Supervised Person must promptly disclose through SchwabCT any new account in which any securities are held with a broker or custodian or if he or she moves such an existing account to a different broker or custodian. As a reminder, life events such as a marriage, children, or other change in a Supervised Person’s household may warrant disclosure of additional accounts to which this Code applies because the definition of a “Personal Account” includes more than just a Supervised Person’s own account(s).
3. | Exceptions to Reporting Requirements |
A Supervised Person need not submit any report with respect to securities held in Personal Accounts over which the Supervised Person or account holder of the Personal Account has no direct or indirect influence or control or transaction reports with respect to transactions effected pursuant to an automatic investment plan. However, these accounts must still be disclosed through SchwabCT with either (1) a letter from the brokerage firm confirming a lack of direct or indirect influence or (2) a representation from the Supervised Person.
4. | Supervised Persons must immediately report any suspected violations of the above policy to Compliance. |
5. | Transactions Subject to Review |
The Reportable Securities transactions reported on the brokerage statements will be continuously compared against the Restricted List as well as monitored for any other violations.
48
F. | Enforcement |
At the discretion of Compliance, violations of this Personal Trading policy may result in consequences for the violating employee, including, but not limited to:
● | First offense: Warning; |
● | Second Offense: Six-month suspension of personal trading in Reportable Securities; and |
● | Third Offense: Permanent suspension of personal trading in Reportable Securities. |
II. | GIFTS AND BUSINESS ENTERTAINMENT POLICY |
In order to address conflicts of interest that may arise when a Supervised Person accepts or gives a gift, favor, special accommodation, or other items of value, Aksia places restrictions on gifts and certain types of business entertainment. Aksia is of the view that its Supervised Persons (and their Immediate Family Members) should not accept (in the context of their business activities for Aksia) excessive benefits or gifts. In general, a Supervised Person should not accept any gifts or benefits that may influence the decisions that he or she must make in business transactions involving Aksia, or that others may reasonably believe would influence those decisions. Set forth below is Aksia’s policy relating to gifts and business entertainment.
A. | Definitions |
1. Gifts mean anything of value given or received from a counterparty which Aksia does or potentially may have a business relationship with.
2. Entertainment constitutes anything of value given or received from a counterparty which Aksia does or potentially may have a business relationship with and the counterparty is present.
As a point of clarification, tickets to a game in which the counterparty is not present would be deemed a “gift” whereas if the counterparty were present, the tickets would be deemed “entertainment.”
B. | No Solicited Gifts |
No Supervised Person may intentionally use his or her position with Aksia to obtain anything of value from a Client, prospective Client, fund manager, supplier, person, or entity to which the Supervised Person refers business, or any other entity with which Aksia does business.
C. | No Cash Gifts |
No Supervised Person may give or accept cash gifts or cash equivalents (including gift certificates) to or from a fund manager, supplier, Client, prospective client, person or any entity that does business with or potentially could conduct business with or on behalf of Aksia.
D. | No Extravagant Gifts |
No Supervised Person may provide or accept gifts that is or may be viewed as, so extravagant, frequent or of such a high value as to raise a question of impropriety (reasonably determined to be a value greater than $50 per item and subject to Section III.F.2.) to or from a fund manager, supplier, Client, prospective client, person, or entity that does or potentially could do business with or on behalf of Aksia without the prior written approval of Compliance.
49
E. | No Extravagant Entertainment |
No Supervised Person may provide or accept entertainment that is or may be viewed as, so extravagant, excessive, frequent or of such a high value as to raise a question of impropriety (reasonably determined to be a value greater than $100 per instance and subject to Section III.F.2.) to or from a fund manager, supplier, Client, prospective client, person, or entity that does or potentially could do business with or on behalf of Aksia without the prior written approval of Compliance.
F. | No Gifts or Entertainment involving Public or Government Pensions |
No Supervised Person may provide or accept gifts or entertainment at any value to or from a trustee, member of board, staff member, or individual affiliated with any public or government pension Client or prospective client does or potentially could do business with, or on behalf of Aksia, without the prior written approval of Compliance.
G. | Reporting |
1. | Pre-clearance Requirements |
All Supervised Persons must submit for pre-clearance by Compliance any entertainment to or from any fund manager, supplier, Client, prospective client, person, or entity that does business with or potentially could conduct business with or on behalf of Aksia with a value in excess of $100 per instance (if foreign, then US equivalent) and all gifts to or from any fund manager, supplier, Client, prospective client, person, or entity that does business with or on behalf of Aksia in excess of $50 per item (e.g. the value of a gift basket with 5 items would be the total value of each item in the basket) irrespective of face value (e.g., a game ticket with a face value of $75 but a reasonably estimated market value of $150 would need to be submitted for pre-clearance). Where the Supervised Person does not anticipate receiving a gift that is later given to such Supervised Person,approval must be sought after the gift is received.
Pre-clearance by Compliance must be obtained at least 48 hours prior to the receipt of expected entertainment or gift and immediately after receipt of an unexpected gift or entertainment that would have otherwise required pre-clearance, or as soon as practicable. Requests for pre-approval must be submitted through the SchwabCT portal by completing the Gifts and Entertainment Request/Disclosure form found on the homepage. Compliance may require that any gift in excess of the de minimis value be returned to the provider or that an expense be repaid by the Supervised Person.
2. | Pre-Clearance Requirements with respect to Public or Government Pension Clients or Prospective Clients |
Some state regulations strictly prohibit or limit the value of gifts of entertainment received by trustees, members of the board, or staff of public or government pension programs. In order to ensure compliance with such regulations, Supervised Persons must disclose and pre-clear to Compliance. ALL gifts and entertainment, irrespective of value, to or from any trustee, member of board, staff member, or individual affiliated with any public or government pension Client or prospective client.
For the avoidance of doubt, Compliance may elect to deny acceptance of a gift or entertainment below the de minimis threshold based on the totality of circumstances.
50
3. | Disclosure Requirements with respect to Union Personnel; LM-10 Reporting |
The Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (“LMRDA”) requires that investment managers report gifts and entertainment expenses provided to union personnel, including personnel associated with union sponsored pension plans, annually on Form LM-10 with the Department of Labor’s Office of Labor-Management Standards.
a. | There is an annual de minimis exemption for $250 or less provided that: |
● | Benefits provided to the same union official by different employees of the same investment manager are to be aggregated; |
● | Benefits provided to different union officials are not aggregated; |
● | When an investment manager pays for a union official to attend an educational conference, the costs of the official’s meals, refreshments, travel, and lodging are counted towards reportable benefits; the costs of conference rooms and audio-visual equipment are not. |
b. | Special Rules for Widely-Attended Gatherings: |
● | If the cost of the gathering, excluding facility rental, security, and staff time, is $20 or less per person, no Form LM-10 reporting is required; |
● | If the cost of the gathering, as described above, is $125 or less per person (but more than $20), an investment manager may have the same union officials in attendance at two such gatherings during its fiscal year without any Form LM-10 reporting. If the same union official attends three or more such gatherings, the cost attributable to all such gatherings during the fiscal year must be reported. |
H. | Monitoring |
Compliance will periodically monitor reimbursement requests for gifts and business entertainment and electronic communications of Supervised Persons to review compliance with this policy.
I. | Recordkeeping |
Compliance will maintain records of gifts and/or business entertainment events so reported on SchwabCT.
If Compliance identifies circumstances where a Supervised Person’s receipt of gifts becomes so frequent or extensive so as to raise any question of impropriety, Compliance will review the facts of the situation and may rely upon the advice of legal counsel. Gifts or entertainment from third parties that are received by Aksia as a firm, and not any one individual, are excluded from this Policy unless deemed excessive by Compliance (in which case Compliance may opt to reject the gift(s) or entertainment).
51
III. | ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS AND SOCIAL NETWORKING POLICY |
A. | Electronic Communications |
The SEC has stated that the substantive requirements and liability provisions of the Advisers Act, including the antifraud provisions of Section 206 of the Advisers Act and the rules promulgated thereunder, apply equally to electronic and paper based media.1
Accordingly, Aksia will retain all electronic communications that are required to be maintained in accordance with Rule 204-2 under the Advisers Act until an affirmative determination has been made that any particular communication can be deleted. All such electronic communications, including e-mail communications and “instant messages”, will be subject to the same record retention and review policies as paper-based communications. Supervised Persons may “Instant Messaging” application Microsoft Teams as a form of communication for general business matters, but may not be used for the placing or execution of any order to purchase or sell any security. Supervised Persons may not use unapproved electronic messaging systems, including text messaging, WhatsApp, WeChat or other communication applications, for business purposes, unless otherwise pre-approved by Compliance. In the event that a Supervised Person receives a business-related electronic message using a form of communication prohibited by Aksia, the Supervised Person is required to promptly alert Compliance so that appropriate steps can be taken. Electronic communications sent and received by Supervised Persons will be subject to random periodic inspections by Compliance to ensure that such communications do not violate Aksia’s policies and procedures, any of the provisions of the Advisers Act, or the rules promulgated thereunder. Supervised Persons are not permitted to use personal e-mail accounts to communicate business matters of Aksia.
Electronic communications sent or received by Supervised Persons that would be required to be maintained under Rule 204-2 will be electronically maintained in Aksia’s files in accordance with this Policy. Rule 204-2 requires the retention of communications with Clients and communications that relate to the following topics, among others:
● | any recommendation made or proposed to be made, and any advice given or proposed to be given; |
● | any receipt, disbursement or delivery of funds or securities; or |
● | the placing or execution of any order to purchase or sell any security. |
Supervised Persons are advised that they should have no expectation of privacy in any communication that enters, leaves, is accessed through or is stored in Aksia’s communications systems, including the e-mail system or any other system accessed through Aksia’s communications system. Aksia expressly reserves the right to monitor its communications systems in its sole discretion including any activities engaged in while on work time and on equipment provided by Aksia. Supervised Persons are also reminded that all electronic communications, including personal communications, may be subject to examination by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
As stated above, Supervised Persons are prohibited from using unapproved electronic messaging platforms, including, but not limited to, text messaging applications, to conduct Aksia business without prior approval from Compliance. Supervised Persons are also prohibited from using their personal e-mail accounts to conduct Aksia business. If it is discovered that a Supervised Person has violated this Policy, Compliance will request copies of all business-related e-mails from the personal e-mail account of such Supervised Person.
1 | United States Securities and Exchange Commission, Interpretive Release No. 33-7288, (“Use of Electronic Media by Broker-Dealers, Transfer Agents and Investment Advisers for Delivery of Information.”) |
52
A detailed description of the books and records Aksia is required to maintain under Rule 204-2 is set forth in Appendix H to Aksia’s Compliance Manual. Any questions regarding whether a communication or other document constitutes a book or record required to be maintained should be directed to Compliance.
B. | Social Networking Policy |
1. | General |
Supervised Persons must be mindful of how they represent themselves on social networks as the lines between public and private, personal and professional are becoming increasingly blurred. The use of social networking websites may have implications under securities laws, including but not limited to, the Advisers Act and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. In addition, the use of social media is subject to restrictions on advertising under the Advisers Act and the 1940 Act. Supervised Persons who identify themselves as Aksia employees in a social network must ensure that such content is consistent with their role in the organization and does not compromise Aksia’s brand and reputation.
“Social media” and “social networks” include but are not limited to:
● | Facebook; |
● | Facebook Messenger; |
● | Twitter; |
● | LinkedIn; |
● | Instagram; |
● | Blogs and micro-blogs; |
● | YouTube; |
● | Snapchat; |
● | WeChat; |
● | Gchat; |
● | Flickr; |
● | Digg; |
● | Reddit; |
● | RSS; and |
● | Participation in interactive electronic forums such as chat rooms and online seminars. |
The specific websites and messaging applications referenced above are provided by way of example only, and the absence of, or lack of explicit reference to, any particular site shall not limit the extent of the application of this Policy. These sites are allowed for personal networking and may not be used for any business-related purposes.
2. | Permitted Activities |
Supervised Persons shall be permitted to post Approved Content on LinkedIn. Approved Content includes:
● | Content that has been posted to Aksia’s corporate LinkedIn page; |
● | Other content that has received pre-approval from Compliance. Such content may include, but is not limited to: |
● | Third-party articles that mention Aksia; |
● | Third-party articles that mention a Supervised Person in his or her capacity as an employee of Aksia; |
53
● | Additional text, beyond a basic description, accompanying content that has been posted to Aksia’s corporate LinkedIn page; and |
● | Original content created by the Supervised Person (e.g., blog posts). |
3. | Prohibited Activities |
When using social media for personal use (including professional purposes (e.g., listing individual work experience on LinkedIn.com in accordance with Section 3 below)) or on behalf of Aksia or with respect to activities relating to Aksia’s business, no Supervised Person may (unless approved in accordance with Section 2, above, and except in certain circumstances with the prior written approval of Compliance):
● | Discuss, mention or otherwise communicate any information relating to: (i) Aksia’s business; (ii) an existing, former or prospective client or investor; (iii) members of management of Aksia or other Supervised Persons; (iv) portfolio information or potential investment opportunities; (v) a recommendation or guidance with respect to a specific security or other investment; or (vi) confidential manager information; |
● | Make any forward-looking or predictive statement about the performance or specific future results of Aksia’s monitored funds or any of its Clients’ portfolios; |
● | Use superlatives to describe Aksia or our services; |
● | Host or maintain a blog or website that covers, in whole or in part, the financial industry, financial advice or topics related thereto, or any blog or website that will (or is likely to) mention Aksia and its business or a competitor of Aksia; |
● | Provide a link to the Firm’s internal or external website on any blog, social networking site or other website; |
● | Communicate through social networking on behalf of Aksia or indicate that the views or comments being expressed by the Supervised Person through social networking are a reflection or representation of the views of Aksia, its personnel, or its Clients; |
● | Solicit clients, or conduct Firm business on social networking sites; |
● | Place marketing content on any social networking site; |
● | Provide or receive a recommendation or referral to or from any other person on the site with respect to the investment management services provided by Aksia; or |
● | Use the email or messaging function on any site to conduct business or to solicit or communicate with Clients on any social networking site. |
4. | Guidelines for Personal Use of Social Media Sites |
Even when making posts in personal accounts, Supervised Persons may still be representing Aksia. Public perception is very important to keep in mind. The use of a personal social media account does not absolve Supervised Persons from their commitments to the Firm or applicable securities regulations. When utilizing social media, Supervised Persons should adhere to the following guidelines:
● | All information listed on sites such as LinkedIn or similar professional networking sites must be limited to factual data such as name, title, dates of employment, and contact information but may not contain any other information about Aksia unless specifically authorized in advance by Compliance. |
● | Certain social networking websites, such as LinkedIn, provide a mechanism to allow “connections” to “recommend” or “endorse” a user who has posted a profile. Such a recommendation may be considered to be an impermissible “testimonial” under the Advisers Act. As a result, Supervised Persons must disable any “recommendation”, “endorsement” or similar feature associated with a social networking website. |
● | Be consistent with the Firm’s values, brand, and public image. |
54
● | Be respectful and courteous; do not use insulting or obscene language. |
● | Avoid conflicts of interest. The Supervised Person must bring any conflicts of interest to Compliance immediately. |
● | Social media accounts used for recreational or personal purposes may not mention any affiliation with the Firm unless specifically authorized in advance by Compliance. |
● | Refrain from using social media while on work time or equipment provided by Aksia unless specifically authorized in advance by Compliance. |
● | Consider all policies regarding confidentiality, privacy, and all applicable rules and regulations in connection with your status as a Supervised Person of Aksia. |
5. | Monitoring |
Supervised Persons should have no expectation of privacy when using social media on Aksia’s equipment or systems. Aksia reserves the right to monitor all communications, including social media activity, using the Firm’s equipment and systems. Aksia may use content management tools to monitor, review or block content on social media sites that violate Adviser’s policies and guidelines. Aksia will perform a quarterly, risk-based review of the LinkedIn accounts of Supervised Persons, in order to monitor for compliance with this Policy. On a quarterly basis, Supervised Persons will be required to attest that their social media activity complies with this Policy.
6. | Sanctions |
Upon a determination that a violation of this Policy has occurred, Compliance may impose such sanctions or remedial action as it deems appropriate or to the extent required by law. Such remedial action may include immediate termination of employment.
C. | Use of Company Equipment and Systems |
1. | Prohibition on Use of Cloud-Based Storage |
Supervised Persons are prohibited from using cloud-based storage systems such as Dropbox on any device provided by Aksia. Supervised Persons will be required to immediately delete such systems upon its discovery.
2. | Prohibition of Downloading Files for Personal Use |
Supervised Persons are prohibited from using peer to peer file sharing sources such as torrents.
3. | Use of Network Resources |
Supervised Persons should use best efforts to avoid unnecessarily burdening Aksia’s network resources for non-business related content on any device. This includes streaming onto a mobile device over the Wi-Fi network.
55
IV. | POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND PAYMENTS TO THIRD PARTY SOLICITORS |
A. | Definitions |
1. | “Contributions” means gifts, subscriptions, loans, advances, deposits of money, or anything of value made for: (i) the purpose of influencing any election for federal, state or local office; (ii) payments of debt incurred in connection with any such election; or (iii) transition or inaugural expenses of the successful candidate for state or local office. |
2. | “Covered Associates” means (i) Aksia’s general partners, managing members, executive officers and other individuals with a similar status or function; (ii) Aksia’s Supervised Persons and any immediate family members living in their households; and (iii) any political action committee controlled by Aksia or by any person described in (i) or (ii) above. An “executive officer” of Aksia means the president, any vice president in charge of a principal business unit, division or function (such as sales, administration or finance), any other officer of Aksia who performs a policy-making function or any other person who performs similar policy-making functions for Aksia. |
3. | “Covered Investment Pool” means (i) an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 that is an investment option of a plan or program of a government entity or (ii) any company that would be an investment company under section 3(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, but for the exclusion provided from that definition by either section 3(c)(1), section 3(c)(7) or section 3(c)(11) of that Act. |
4. | “Foreign Official” means any officer or employee of a foreign government or any department, agency or instrumentality thereof, or of a public international organization, or any person acting in an official capacity for or on behalf of any such government or department, agency or instrumentality, or for or on behalf of any such public international organization. |
5. | “Government Entity” means any state or political subdivision of a state, including (i) any agency, authority or instrumentality of the state or political subdivision; (ii) a pool of assets sponsored or established by the state or political subdivision or any agency, authority or instrumentality thereof, including, but not limited to, a “defined benefit plan” as defined in section 414(j) of the Internal Revenue Code, or a state general fund; (iii) a plan or program of a government entity; and (iv) officers, agents or employees of the state or political subdivision or any agency, authority or instrumentality thereof, acting in their official capacity. |
6. | “Official” means any person (including any election committee for the person) who was, at the time of the contribution, an incumbent, candidate or successful candidate for elective office of a government entity if the office (i) is directly or indirectly responsible for, or can influence the outcome of, the hiring of Aksia by the government entity or (ii) has the authority to appoint any person who is directly or indirectly responsible for, or can influence the outcome of, the hiring of Aksia by the government entity |
7. | “Payments” means gifts, subscriptions, loans, advances or deposits of money or anything of value. |
8. | “Regulated Person” means: |
(i) an investment adviser registered with the SEC that has not, and whose covered associates have not, within two years of soliciting a government entity, (A) made a contribution to an official of that government entity other than as permitted by Rule 206(4)-5(b)(1), and (B) coordinated or solicited any person or political action committee to make any contribution to an official of a government entity to which Aksia is providing or seeking to provide investment advisory services or payment to a political party of a state or locality where Aksia is providing or seeking to provide investment advisory services;
56
(ii) a “broker”2, as defined in section 3(a)(4) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), or a “dealer”, as defined in section 3(a)(5) of that Act, that is registered with the SEC and is a member of a national securities association registered under section 15A of that Act (e.g., FINRA), provided that (A) the rules of the association prohibit members from engaging in distribution or solicitation activities if certain political contributions have been made and (B) the SEC, by order, finds that such rules impose substantially equivalent or more stringent restrictions on broker-dealers than the restrictions imposed by Rule 206(4)-5 of the Advisers Act and that such rules are consistent with the objectives of such Rule; or
(iii) a “municipal advisor”3 registered with the SEC under section 15B of the Exchange Act and subject to the rules of the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board, provided that (A) such rules prohibit municipal advisors from engaging in distribution or solicitation activities if certain political contributions have been made and (B) the SEC, by order, finds that such rules impose substantially equivalent or more stringent restrictions on municipal advisors than the restrictions imposed by Rule 206(4)-5 of the Advisers Act and that such rules are consistent with the objectives of such Rule.
9. | “Solicit” means (i) with respect to investment advisory services, to communicate, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of obtaining or retaining a Client for, or referring a Client to, Aksia, and (ii) with respect to a contribution or payment, to communicate, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of obtaining or arranging a contribution or payment. |
B. | Statement of Policy |
To the extent Aksia provides or seeks to provide investment advisory services to a government entity,4 Aksia will take the measures described herein to seek to ensure that contributions to an official of such Government Entity and payments to any third party who is engaged to solicit advisory business from such Government Entity are not made with the purpose of influencing the award of an advisory contract or the decision to invest in a Covered Investment Pool managed by Aksia. All italicized terms used in these procedures are defined in Section A, “Definitions”.
2 | FINRA has not adopted pay to play rules applicable to brokers; thus, until the later of (i) the effective date of such FINRA pay to play rule or (ii) the effective date of an MSRB pay to play rule, the SEC will not recommend enforcement action against an investment adviser or its covered associates under such rule. See supra Section II(B). |
3 | The MSRB has not adopted pay to play rules applicable to municipal advisors; thus, until the later of (i) the effective date of a FINRA pay to play rule or (ii) the effective date of such MSRB pay to play rule, the SEC will not recommend enforcement action against an investment adviser or its covered associates under such rule. See supra Section II(B). |
4 | Aksia will be deemed to be seeking to provide investment advisory services to a Government Entity when it responds to a request for proposal, communicates with the Government Entity regarding the entity’s formal selection process for investment advisers or engages in some other solicitation of the Government Entity for the purpose of providing advisory services to such Government Entity, either directly or through a Government Entity’s investment in a Covered Investment Pool managed by Aksia. |
57
In this regard, Aksia has adopted policies and procedures in order to comply with Rule 206(4)-5 under the Advisers Act (the “Rule”).5 The Rule, with certain exceptions, prohibits Aksia from:
● | receiving compensation for providing investment advisory services to a Government Entity, directly or indirectly, for two years after Aksia or any of its Covered Associates makes a contribution to an official of such Government Entity; |
● | coordinating, or soliciting any person or political action committee to make, (a) contributions to an official of a Government Entity to which Aksia is providing or seeking to provide advisory services or (b) payments to a political party of a state or locality where Aksia is providing or seeking to provide advisory services to a Government Entity; and |
● | making or agreeing to make payments to third parties to solicit advisory business from a Government Entity on behalf of Aksia unless such third parties are registered investment advisers or registered broker-dealers who are themselves subject to similar restrictions regarding contributions to officials of Government entities as Aksia. |
The Rule applies only to the extent that Aksia provides or seeks to provide investment advisory services to a Government Entity, either directly or through a Government Entity’s investment in a Covered Investment Pool managed by Aksia.
C. | Procedures |
These procedures seek to ensure that neither Aksia nor any of its Covered Associates makes or has made a contribution in violation of the restrictions on political contributions that Aksia has adopted herein on or after March 14, 2011. In addition, these procedures prohibit Aksia from paying or entering into an agreement to pay a third party to solicit advisory business from a government entity on its behalf unless such third party has affirmed its status as a regulated person.6
D. | Political Contributions |
1. | Preclearance of Political Contributions |
Aksia and each Covered Associate must obtain the prior written approval of Compliance before the Covered Associate may make a contribution to any person (including any election committee for the person) who is an incumbent, candidate or successful candidate for state or local office, including any such person who is running for federal office (a “Candidate”).
As a matter of policy, Compliance expects not to approve any contributions by any Covered Associates. In seeking preclearance under this paragraph (i) and under paragraphs (ii) and (iii) of this Section II (A), Aksia and each Covered Associate should speak directly with Compliance. Compliance will not approve any contribution that would result in serious adverse consequences to Aksia under the Rule. Any approval granted under this sub-section shall remain in effect for thirty (30) days from the date of approval.
5 | Aksia may have additional responsibilities under the code of conduct of a government program or plan it manages and/or the laws of the state or city in which such program or plan is located. (See, for example, the Code of Conduct of the New York State and Local Employees’ Retirement System, the New York State and Local Police and Fire Retirement System and the New York State Common Retirement Fund at www.osc.state.ny.us/pension/codeofconduct.pdf.) |
6 | Although the third-party solicitation ban compliance date was July 31, 2015, the staff of the SEC Division of Investment Management has indicated that it will not recommend enforcement action against an investment adviser or its covered associates under Rule 206(4)-5(a)(2)(i) for the payment to any person who is not a regulated person to solicit a government entity for investment advisory services until the later of (i) the effective date of a FINRA pay to play rule or (ii) the effective date of an MSRB pay to play rule. See U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Staff Responses to Questions About the Pay to Play Rule, Question 1.4. (June 25, 2015), available at https://www.sec.gov/divisions/investment/pay-to-play-faq.htm. See also infra Section II(B). |
58
2. | Preclearance of Coordination and Solicitation of Contributions and Payments |
Aksia and each Covered Associate must obtain the prior written approval of Compliance prior to the Covered Associate coordinating or soliciting any person or political action committee to make (a) a contribution to a Candidate, or (b) a payment to a political party of a state or locality. In this regard, Aksia and each Covered Associate must obtain the prior written approval of Compliance prior to consenting to the use of the Covered Associate name on any fundraising literature for a Candidate or sponsoring a meeting or conference which features a Candidate as an attendee or guest speaker and which involves fundraising for such person.
3. | Preclearance of Contributions to Political Action Committees and State and Local Political Parties |
Aksia and each Covered Associate must obtain the prior written approval of Compliance prior to the Covered Associate making any contribution to a political action committee or a state or local political party. Compliance will inquire as to how the contribution will be used in order to determine whether the political action committee or political party is closely associated with an official of a Government Entity. In the event Compliance determines that the political action committee or political party is closely associated with an official of a Government Entity, Compliance will make a determination as to whether to permit the contribution to such political action committee or political party. As a matter of policy, Compliance expects not to approve any such contributions.
4. | Special Disclosure Prior to Hire, Promotion or Transfer |
Prior to the hiring, promotion or transfer of a person that would result in such person serving as a Covered Associate of Aksia, such person will be required to disclose, as a condition of the hiring, promotion or transfer, all of the contributions and payments made by such person to Candidates, political action committees and state and local political parties within the preceding two years (if the person will solicit clients for Aksia) or six months (if the person will not solicit clients for Aksia), but not prior to March 14, 2011. To the extent Aksia is aware that a contribution or payment was made in violation of these procedures, Aksia will make a determination as to whether to hire, promote or transfer such person to serve as a Covered Associate.
5. | Exception for Certain Returned Contributions7 |
The prohibition on receiving compensation for providing advisory services to a Government Entity for two years after Aksia or a Covered Associate has made a contribution to an official of such Government Entity will not apply in certain instances where the triggering contribution is returned. In the event Compliance discovers that a Covered Associate has made a contribution in violation of these procedures, Compliance will make a determination as to whether it will require the Covered Associate to seek to obtain a return of the contribution. In the event Compliance determines that a return is necessary, it will, within four months after the date of the contribution and 60 days after discovering the contribution, take all available steps to cause the Covered Associate to seek to obtain a return of such contribution and will take such other remedial or preventive measures that it determines are appropriate under the circumstances. Aksia’s reliance on this exception for returned contributions is limited to no more than two times per a 12-month period and no more than once for each Covered Associate, regardless of the time period.
7 | In addition to the limited exceptions for certain returned contributions provided for in Rule 206(4)-5(a)(3), the SEC has the authority to grant and in very limited circumstances has granted exemptions from the prohibitions set forth in Rule 206(4)-5(a)(1). See In the Matter of Davidson Kempner Capital Mgmt. LLC, Release No. IA-3715/603-00215 (Nov. 13, 2013); see also In the Matter of T. Rowe Price Assoc., Inc. and T. Rowe Price Inti. Ltd., Release No. IA-4058/803-00224 (Apr. 8, 2015); In the Matter of Crestview Advisors, L.L.C., Release No. IA-3997 (Jan. 14, 2015); In the Matter of Ares Real Estate Mgmt. Holdings, LLC, Release No. IA-3969/803-00221 (Nov. 18, 2014). |
59
6. | Indirect Violations |
Neither Aksia nor any of its Covered Associates may do anything indirectly that would result in a violation of these procedures.
7. | Reporting of Political Contributions and Payments |
In the event that a Covered Associate (or any immediate family member living in the household) makes a direct or indirect contribution or payment to a Candidate, a political action committee or a political party of a state or political subdivision thereof, such Covered Associate must immediately notify Compliance, disclosing the amount and date of such contribution or payment and the name and title of the recipient. Compliance will periodically monitor political contributions through public records to ensure all such contributions are reported. Failure to immediately report such direct or indirect political contribution or payment may result in severe disciplinary action.
8. | Recordkeeping |
Compliance will compile and keep a list of (a) the names, titles and business and residence addresses of all Covered Associates of Aksia, (b) all Government entities to which Aksia seeks to provide or has provided investment advisory services, or which are or were investors in any Covered Investment Pool to which Aksia provides seeks to provide or has provided investment advisory services, as applicable, in the past five years (but not prior to March 14, 2011)8, and (c) all direct or indirect contributions made by Aksia or any of its Covered Associates to an official of a Government Entity, or direct or indirect payments to a political party of a state or political subdivision thereof, or a political action committee on or after March 14, 2011. The records described in (c) above will be listed in chronological order and will indicate (1) the name and title of each contributor, (2) the name and title (including any city/county/state or other political subdivision) of each recipient of a contribution or payment, (3) the amounts and date of each contribution or payment, and (4) whether any such contribution was the subject of the exception for certain returned contributions.
With respect to any Covered Investment Pool Client that is a registered investment company in which a government entity may invest through an omnibus account (each, a “registered covered investment pool”), Aksia may make and keep, as an alternative to the records relating to a Covered Investment Pool described in (viii)(b) above, a list or other record that includes:
● | Each Government Entity that invests in a registered Covered Investment Pool, where the account of such Government Entity can reasonably be identified as being held in the name of or for the benefit of the Government Entity on the records of the registered Covered Investment Pool or its transfer agent; |
● | Each Government Entity, the account of which was identified as that of a Government Entity – at or around the time of the initial investment – to Aksia or one of its Client servicing Supervised Persons, Regulated Persons or Covered Associates; |
8 | Note that if Aksia provides advice to a registered investment company that is a Covered Investment Pool, then Aksia must comply with the recordkeeping requirements with respect to such registered investment company beginning on September 13, 2011. |
60
● | Each Government Entity that sponsors or establishes a 529 Plan and has selected a specific registered Covered Investment Pool as an option to be offered by such 529 Plan; |
● | Each Government Entity that has been solicited to invest in a registered Covered Investment Pool either (1) by a Covered Associate or Regulated Person of Aksia; or (2) by an intermediary or affiliate of the registered Covered Investment Pool if a Covered Associate, regulated person or Client servicing Supervised Person of Aksia participated in or was involved in such solicitation, regardless of whether such Government Entity invested in the registered Covered Investment Pool; and |
● | A list of each Government Entity to which Aksia markets, whether successfully or not. |
E. | Payments to Third Parties to Solicit Advisory Business from Government Entities |
Review and Approval of Third Party Solicitation Agreements: Compliance will review and approve each third party solicitation agreement or arrangement prior to Aksia entering into such agreement or arrangement.
Required Disclosure by Regulated Persons: Prior to Aksia providing or agreeing to provide Payment to a third party to Solicit advisory business from a Government Entity on its behalf, Compliance will require the third party to provide, as a condition to Aksia engaging such third party, a written representation regarding its status as a Regulated Person. In addition, Compliance will take any additional measures it deems necessary to verify such third party’s status as a Regulated Person.
Ongoing Review of Regulated Person Status: In the event Aksia provides or agrees to provide payment to a third party to solicit advisory business from a Government Entity, Aksia will require such third party to provide Aksia with satisfactory representations that the third party meets and will continue to meet the definition of a Regulated Person as of such date or will obtain such other evidence as Aksia deems satisfactory to verify such third party’s status as a Regulated Person as of such date.
Recordkeeping: Aksia will keep a list of the name and business address of each Regulated Person to whom Aksia provides or agrees to provide, on or after September 13, 2011, directly or indirectly, payment to solicit a Government Entity for investment advisory services on its behalf.
F. | Sub-Advisory Arrangements |
1. | Serving as Sub-adviser: In the event Aksia enters into an agreement or other arrangement with a third party whereby Aksia will serve as a sub-adviser to an account or a Covered Investment Pool managed by such third party, Compliance will obtain all necessary information from the third party in order to determine whether a Government Entity invests in such account or Covered Investment Pool. In the event a Government Entity does invest in such account or Covered Investment Pool, Compliance will take appropriate measures with respect to such Government Entity in order to ensure compliance with these procedures. In addition, Compliance will use reasonable efforts to require the third party to obtain the prior written approval of Aksia prior to admitting a Government Entity as an investor in a Covered Investment Pool to which Aksia is providing sub-advisory services. |
2. | Hiring of Sub-adviser: In the event Aksia hires a third party to serve as a sub-adviser to an account or a Covered Investment Pool in which a Government Entity invests, Compliance will require such third party to disclose whether it or any of its Covered Associates has made a contribution or payment that would result in a serious adverse consequence to such third party under the Rule. In addition, Compliance will require the third party to verify on an ongoing basis that neither the third party nor any of its Covered Associates has made a contribution or payment that would result in a serious adverse consequence to such third party under the Rule. |
61
G. | FCPA |
1. | Policy Statement |
The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1997, as amended (“FCPA”), is a U.S. criminal statute that prohibits improper payment to, or other improper transactions with, foreign government officials to influence performance of official duties. More specifically, the FCPA prohibits offering to pay, paying, promising to pay, or authorizing the payment, directly or indirectly through a third party, of money or “anything of value” to any “foreign official” in order to influence any act or decision of the foreign official in his or her official capacity or to secure any other improper advantage in order to obtain or retain business.
Aksia is committed to complying with applicable provisions of the FCPA. Failure to comply with this Policy may lead to disciplinary action, including dismissal, demotion or reprimand and other serious consequences, including possible criminal penalties.
2. | Prohibition |
Supervised Persons are prohibited from making to a Foreign Official a payment of anything of value, including in-kind contributions, investment opportunities, subcontracts, positions in joint ventures, favorable contracts, consulting fees, business opportunities, political contributions, and/or charitable donations and sponsorships with the intent to induce the recipient to misuse his or her official position, to obtain any improper advantage or to direct business wrongfully to Aksia or any other person (a “Prohibited Payment”). Supervised Persons are also prohibited from making any Prohibited Payment to a family member, charitable organization of choice, political campaign, political party or political organization of a Foreign Official.
3. | Pre Clearance |
Each FCPA Covered Person will obtain written approval from Compliance prior to making any payment to a Foreign Official, his or her family member, charitable organization of choice, political campaign, political party or political organization. It is important to remember that pre-clearance must be obtained prior to the offer or promise of any payment and without regard to the purpose or motivation behind the giving of such payment. Compliance will track requests for pre-approval and all pre-approvals that have been granted in SCT.
V. | OUTSIDE BUSINESS ACTIVITIES |
Supervised Persons are not permitted to serve on the board of directors of any company, including a publicly traded company (but excluding charitable organizations), without prior written authorization from the Compliance Officer.
In order to monitor for conflicts of interest, Supervised Persons are required tdo submit to Compliance via the form on SchwabCT a description of any business activities outside of the scope of their employment with Aksia in which they have a significant role, including all board of directors seats or offices that they hold. Additionally, Supervised Persons must include information as to whether any family members serve on the boards of directors of any company, including a publicly traded company. Relevant information includes such family member’s name, their relation to the Supervised Person, the company for which such family member serves on the board, and their title within the organization.
62
VI. | RECORDKEEPING |
A. | General Requirements |
Aksia will maintain and preserve the information necessary to perform the investment supervisory or account management services provided by it to its Clients in an easily accessible place for a period of not less than five (5) years, as more fully described below. Generally, information concerning such Clients’ financial condition, investment objectives, investment policies and restrictions, and degree of acceptable risk will be obtained as part of each Advisory Client’s investment guidelines. This information will be reviewed periodically and updated (as needed) by the Supervised Persons primarily responsible for such Advisory Client. Compliance will supervise the keeping of all records required to be kept by the Firm pursuant to Rule 204-2 of the Advisers Act. All Supervised Persons will be required to follow the procedures in this section.
B. | Records in Electronic Format |
1. | Storage of Electronic Records |
a. | Records required to be maintained and preserved that are stored on electronic storage media will be arranged and indexed in a way that permits easy location, access and retrieval. All such records that are solely kept in electronic format (no paper back-up) will be properly backed-up (i.e., server and back-up server or disk). |
b. | All Supervised Persons of Aksia will adhere to the following procedures for records on electronic media: |
(1) Records will be maintained and preserved so as to reasonably safeguard them from loss, alteration or destruction;
(2) Access to the records will be limited to properly authorized Supervised Persons and the SEC; and
(3) It will be reasonably ensured that any reproduction of a non-electronic record on an electronic storage media is complete, true and legible when retrieved.
2. | E-Mail Transmissions |
To the extent that any of the following topics, covered by Rule 204-2 of the Advisers Act, are transmitted via e-mail, all Supervised Persons should note that they are required to keep such e-mails in accordance with the guidelines set for “electronic media” (as described in this Section):
a. | any recommendation made or proposed to be made, and any advice given or proposed to be given; |
b. | any receipt, disbursement or delivery of funds or securities; or |
c. | the placing or execution of any order to purchase or sell any security. |
In addition, all e-mails sent to/from Aksia’s e-mail server are retained on Aksia’s email retention program, Global Relay, Inc. and will be subject to a periodic audit or review by the Compliance. Such Supervised Person may or may not be notified in advance of such review. If there are any questions about this directive or policy, please direct them to Compliance.
63
C. | Record Retention |
Section 204-2 under the Advisers Act imposes various requirements for the creation and maintenance of records. The chart in Appendix H sets forth records required to be maintained under the federal securities laws, the required retention periods and the Supervised Person(s) responsible for maintaining the records. The source of the legal requirements for creation and maintenance of records is indicated in brackets after the description of each record. In some cases, best practices in the industry are the source of the requirement.
Generally, records required to be kept pursuant to Rule 204-2 of the Advisers Act will be retained for a period of not less than five (5) years from the end of the fiscal year during which the last entry was made on such record, the first two (2) years in an appropriate office of Aksia. Such records must be retained for a period of not less than five (5) years from the end of the fiscal year during which Aksia last published or otherwise disseminated, directly or indirectly, the notice, circular, advertisement, newspaper article, investment letter, bulletin, or other communication. In addition, Aksia’s organizational structure documents (e.g. articles of incorporation, by-laws, and stock certificate books) must be maintained in Aksia’s principal office and preserved until at least three (3) years after termination of Aksia’s business as an investment adviser.
Compliance will maintain a list of all Supervised Persons (which includes all Access Persons) of Aksia currently and for the last five (5) years.
All brokerage statements related to Personal Accounts may be kept electronically in a computer database.
VII. | OVERSIGHT OF CODE OF ETHICS |
A. | Acknowledgment |
Compliance will annually distribute a copy of the Code of Ethics to all Supervised Persons (this distribution may be electronic in nature and executed through SchwabCT). Compliance will also distribute promptly all amendments to the Code of Ethics. All Supervised Persons are required annually to sign and acknowledge their receipt of this Code of Ethics by signing the form of acknowledgment available on SchwabCT or such other form as may be approved by Compliance. Compliance may also require interim certifications as policy changes occur.
B. | Review of Transactions |
Transactions in each Personal Account will be reviewed by Compliance on a regular basis and compared with transactions made on behalf of the Advisory Clients and against the Restricted List. Any Personal Account transactions that are believed to be a violation of this Code of Ethics will be reported promptly to the management of Aksia.
C. | Sanctions |
Aksia’s management, with advice of legal counsel, at their discretion, will consider reports made to them and upon determining that a violation of this Code of Ethics has occurred, may impose such sanctions or remedial action as they deem appropriate or to the extent required by law. These sanctions may include, among other things, disgorgement of profits, suspension or termination of employment and/or criminal or civil penalties.
D. | Authority to Exempt Transactions |
Compliance has the authority to exempt any Supervised Person or any personal securities transaction of a Supervised Person from any or all of the provisions of this Code of Ethics if Compliance determines that such exemption would not be against any interests of a Client and in accordance with applicable law. Compliance will prepare and file a written memorandum of any exemption granted, describing the circumstances and reasons for the exemption.
64
E. | ADV Disclosure |
Compliance will ensure that Aksia’s Form ADV (a) describes the Code of Ethics within Part 2 and (b) offers to provide a copy of the Code of Ethics to any Client or prospective client upon request.
VIII. | CONFIDENTIALITY |
All reports of personal securities transactions and any other information filed pursuant to this Code of Ethics will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.
65