Securities Act Registration No. 333-178833
Investment Company Act Registration No. 811-22655
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 22, 2016
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 ý
¨ | Pre-Effective Amendment No |
ý | Post-Effective Amendment No. 221 |
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 ý
ý | Amendment No. 224 |
(Check appropriate box or boxes.)
Northern Lights Fund Trust III
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
17605 Wright Street, Omaha, NE 68130
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)(Zip Code)
Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: (402) 895-1600
The Corporation Trust Company
1209 Orange Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
With copy to:
JoAnn M. Strasser, Esq. Thompson Hine LLP 41 South High Street, Suite 1700 Columbus, Ohio 43215 614-469-3265 (phone) 614-469-3361 (fax) |
James P. Ash, Esq. Gemini Fund Services, LLC 80 Arkay Drive, Suite 110 Hauppauge, New York 11788 (631) 470-2600 |
Approximate date of proposed public offering: As soon as practicable after the effective date of the Registration Statement.
It is proposed that this filing will become effective:
¨ Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
x On February 1, 2016 pursuant to paragraph (b)
¨ 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
¨ On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
¨ 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
¨ On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485.
If appropriate, check the following box:
¨ This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.
Class A Shares (TCBAX)
Class I Shares (TCBIX)
PROSPECTUS
February 1, 2016
Adviser:
Stonebridge Capital Advisors, LLC
2550 University Avenue West
Suite 180 South
Saint Paul, MN 55114
www.thecoveredbridgefund.com 1-855-525-2151
This Prospectus provides important information about the Fund that you should know before investing. Please read it carefully and keep it for future reference.
These securities have not been approved or disapproved by the Securities and Exchange Commission nor has the Securities and Exchange Commission passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Table of Contents
Page
FUND SUMMARY | 1 |
Investment Objectives | 1 |
Fees and Expenses of the Fund | 1 |
Principal Investment Strategies | 2 |
Principal Investment Risks | 2 |
Performance | 2 |
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares | 3 |
Tax Information | 3 |
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries | 4 |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS | 4 |
Investment Objectives | 4 |
Principal Investment Strategies | 4 |
Principal Investment Risks | 4 |
Temporary Investments | 5 |
Portfolio Holdings Disclosure | 5 |
Cybersecurity | 5 |
MANAGEMENT | 6 |
Investment Adviser | 6 |
Portfolio Managers | 6 |
HOW SHARES ARE PRICED | 7 |
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES | 8 |
PURCHASING SHARES | 10 |
HOW TO REDEEM SHARES | 11 |
FREQUENT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF FUND SHARES | 14 |
TAX STATUS, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS | 15 |
DISTRIBUTION OF SHARES | 16 |
Distributor | 16 |
Distribution Fees | 16 |
Additional Compensation to Financial Intermediaries | 16 |
Householding | 16 |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | 17 |
PRIVACY NOTICE | 19 |
FUND SUMMARY
Investment Objectives: The Fund seeks current income and realized gains from writing options with capital appreciation as a secondary objective.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund: This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts on purchases of Class A shares if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $25,000 in the Fund. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in How to Purchase Shares on page 8 of the Fund’s Prospectus.
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment) |
Class A | Class I |
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) |
5.25% | None |
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) | None | None |
Redemption Fee (as a % of amount redeemed if held less than 90 days) |
1.00% | 1.00% |
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) |
||
Management Fees | 1.25% | 1.25% |
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.25% | None |
Other Expenses | 0.83% | 0.83% |
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses (1) | 0.01% | 0.01% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 2.34% | 2.09% |
Fee Waiver (2) | (0.43)% | (0.43)% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver | 1.91% | 1.66% |
(1) | Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are the indirect costs of investing in other investment companies, including exchange traded funds. The operating expenses in this fee table will not correlate to the expense ratio in the Fund’s financial highlights because the financial statements include only the direct operating expenses incurred by the Fund. |
(2) | The Fund’s adviser, Stonebridge Capital Advisors, LLC (the “Adviser”), has contractually agreed to waive management fees and to make payments to limit Fund expenses, at least until January 31, 2017, so that the total annual operating expenses (exclusive of any front-end or contingent deferred loads; brokerage fees and commissions; acquired fund fees and expenses; borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expense on securities sold short); taxes; and extraordinary expenses, such as litigation expenses (which may include indemnification of Fund officers and Trustees, contractual indemnification of Fund service providers (other than the Adviser)) does not exceed 1.90% and 1.65% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for its Class A and Class I shares, respectively. These fee waivers and expense reimbursements are subject to possible recoupment from the Fund in future years on a rolling three-fiscal year basis if such recoupment can be achieved within the foregoing expense limits. This agreement may be terminated only by the Trust’s Board of Trustees on 60 days’ written notice to the Adviser. |
Example: This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based upon these assumptions your costs would be:
Class | 1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Year | 10 Years |
A | $709 | $1,178 | $1,673 | $3,029 |
I | $169 | $613 | $1,084 | $2,387 |
Portfolio Turnover: The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the fiscal year ending September 30, 2015, the Fund's portfolio turnover rate was 208% of the average value of its portfolio.
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Principal Investment Strategies: The Fund seeks to meet its investment objective by investing, under normal market conditions, in dividend paying equity securities of domestic and foreign large capitalization companies. The Adviser defines large capitalization companies to be those with total average market values of at least $10 billion. The Fund will also sell options on these securities in order to generate income for the Fund from premiums.
The Fund expects to invest up to 20% of the Fund’s assets in foreign securities and the remainder in domestic securities. It is expected that the Fund’s strategy will result in high portfolio turnover.
Principal Investment Risks: As with all mutual funds, there is the risk that you could lose money through your investment in the Fund. The Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program. Many factors affect the Fund’s net asset value and performance.
· | Equity Risk: The net asset value of the Fund will fluctuate based on changes in the value of the U.S. and/or foreign equity securities held by the Fund. Equity prices can fall rapidly in response to developments affecting a specific company or industry, or to changing economic, political or market conditions. |
· | Foreign Investment Risk: Foreign investing (including through ADRs, EDRs and GDRs) involves risks not typically associated with U.S. investments, including adverse fluctuations in foreign currency values, adverse political, social and economic developments, less liquidity, greater volatility, less developed or less efficient trading markets, political instability and differing auditing and legal standards. |
· | Management Risk: The Adviser’s judgment about the attractiveness, value and potential appreciation of particular asset classes and securities in which the Fund invests may prove to be incorrect and may not produce the desired results. |
· | Market Risk: Overall securities and derivatives 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 |
· | Portfolio Turnover Risk: A higher portfolio turnover will result in higher transactional and brokerage costs. |
· | Written Options Risk: Selling covered call options will limit the Fund's gain, if any, on its underlying securities. The Fund continues to bear the risk of a decline in the value of its underlying stocks. Option premiums are treated as short-term capital gains and when distributed to shareholders, are usually taxable as ordinary income, which may have a higher tax rate than long-term capital gains for shareholders holding Fund shares in a taxable account. |
Performance:
The bar chart and performance table show the variability of the Fund’s returns, which is some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows performance of the Fund’s Class I shares for each full calendar year since the Fund's inception. The performance table compares the performance of the Fund’s Class I shares over time to the performance of a broad-based market index. You should be aware that the Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) may not be an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. Although Class A shares would have similar returns to Class I shares because the classes are invested in the same portfolio of securities, the returns for Class A shares would be different from Class I shares because Class A shares have different expenses than Class I shares. Updated performance information will be available at no cost by visiting www.thecoveredbridgefund.com or by calling 1-855-525-2151.
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Class I Performance Bar Chart For Calendar Years Ended December 31
(Returns do not reflect sales loads and would be lower if they did)
Best Quarter: | 12/31/15 | 4.79% |
Worst Quarter: | 9/30/15 | (6.62)% |
Performance Table
Average Annual Total Returns
(For periods ended December 31, 2015)
One Year |
Since Inception (10-1-13) |
|||
Class I shares | ||||
Return before taxes | (1.96)% | 4.43% | ||
Return after taxes on distributions | (3.78)% | 1.73% | ||
Return after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares |
(0.62)% | 2.42% | ||
Class A shares | ||||
Return before Taxes | (7.34)% | 1.71% | ||
S&P 500 TR (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
1.38% | 10.96% |
After-tax returns were calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown, and after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold shares of the Fund through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. After tax returns for the share classes which are not presented will vary from the after-tax returns of Class I shares.
Investment Adviser: Stonebridge Capital Advisors, LLC
Portfolio Managers: John Schonberg, CFA, is a Portfolio Manager and Principal of the Adviser and Michael Dashner is an Assistant Portfolio Manager of the Adviser. Each has served the Fund as a Portfolio Manager since it commenced operations in 2013.
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares: You may purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on any day that the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading. The minimum initial investment in the Fund is $5,000 for investors in Class A shares of the Fund. The minimum initial investment in the Fund is $1,000,000 for investors in Class I shares of the Fund. The minimum subsequent investment is $1,000 for all share classes of the Fund.
Tax Information: Dividends and capital gain distributions you receive from the Fund, whether you reinvest your distributions in additional Fund shares or receive them in cash, are taxable to you at either ordinary income or capital gains tax rates unless you are investing through a tax-deferred plan such as an IRA or 401(k)
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plan. However, these dividend and capital gain distributions may be taxable upon their eventual withdrawal from tax-deferred plans.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries: If you purchase the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS
Investment Objectives:
The Fund seeks current income and realized gains from writing options with capital appreciation as a secondary objective. The Fund’s investment objective may be changed by the Trust’s Board of Trustees upon 60 days’ written notice to shareholders.
Principal Investment Strategies:
The Fund seeks to meet its investment objective by investing, under normal market conditions, in dividend paying equity securities of domestic and foreign large capitalization companies. The Adviser defines large capitalization companies to be those with total average market values of at least $10 billion. The Fund will also sell options on these securities in order to generate income for the Fund from premiums. In severe market declines, the Fund may also purchase index put options to protect the Fund’s overall portfolio.
The Fund expects to invest up to 20% of the Fund’s assets in foreign securities and the remainder in domestic securities. Under normal circumstances, the Fund expects to hold approximately 30-60 issues in its portfolio.
The Adviser selects the securities for the Fund’s portfolio based on fundamental data and analysis as well as qualitative factors. The Adviser analyzes dividend payout ratios and cash flows to determine the most advantageous securities for the Fund’s portfolio. The Adviser also uses a proprietary macro analysis to gauge the current position of the economic and business cycle, and then targets industries and sectors the Adviser believes are well positioned to grow. The individual companies chosen will rank highest based on this analysis as well as qualitative factors such as financial health, cash flows, position in their respective markets and quality of management. It is expected that the Fund’s strategy will result in high portfolio turnover.
Principal Investment Risks:
The following risks may apply to the Fund’s direct investments as well the Fund’s indirect risks through investing in Underlying Funds.
· | Equity Risk: The net asset value of the Fund will fluctuate based on changes in the value of the U.S. and/or foreign equity securities held by the Fund. Equity prices can fall rapidly in response to developments affecting a specific company or industry, or to changing economic, political or market conditions. |
· | Foreign Investment Risk: Foreign investing (including through ADRs, EDRs and GDRs) involves risks not typically associated with U.S. investments, including adverse fluctuations in foreign currency values, adverse political, social and economic developments, less liquidity, greater volatility, less developed or less efficient trading markets, political instability and differing auditing and legal standards. |
· | Management Risk: The net asset value of the Fund changes daily based on the performance of the securities and derivatives in which it invests. The Adviser’s judgments about the attractiveness, value and potential appreciation of particular asset classes and securities in which the Fund invests (long or short) may prove to be incorrect and may not produce the desired results. |
· | Market Risk: The net asset value of the Fund will fluctuate based on changes in the value of the securities and derivatives in which the Fund invests. The Fund invests in securities and derivatives, which may be more volatile and carry more risk than some other forms of investment. The price of securities and derivatives may rise or fall because of economic or political changes. Security and derivative prices in |
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general may decline over short or even extended periods of time. Market prices of securities and derivatives in broad market segments may be adversely affected by price trends in commodities, interest rates, exchange rates or other factors wholly unrelated to the value or condition of an issuer.
· | Portfolio Turnover Risk: A higher portfolio turnover will result in higher transactional and brokerage costs. |
· | Written Call Option Risk: Selling covered call options will limit the Fund's gain, if any, on its underlying securities. Option premiums are treated as short-term capital gains and when distributed to shareholders, are usually taxable as ordinary income, which may have a higher tax rate than long-term capital gains for shareholders holding Fund shares in a taxable account. Call options involve risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. These risks include risk of mispricing or improper valuation and the risk that changes in the value of the call option may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index. Derivative prices are highly volatile and may fluctuate substantially during a short period of time. Such prices are influenced by numerous factors that affect the markets, including, but not limited to: changing supply and demand relationships; government programs and policies; national and international political and economic events, changes in interest rates, inflation and deflation and changes in supply and demand relationships. Trading derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities including: |
Temporary Investments: To respond to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions, the Fund may invest 100% of its total assets, without limitation, in high-quality short-term debt securities and money market instruments. These short-term debt securities and money market instruments include: shares of money market mutual funds, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances, U.S. Government securities and repurchase agreements. While the Fund is in a defensive position, the opportunity to achieve its investment objective will be limited. Furthermore, to the extent that the Fund invests in money market mutual funds for cash positions, there will be some duplication of expenses because the Fund pays its pro-rata portion of such money market funds’ advisory fees and operational fees. The Fund may also invest a substantial portion of its assets in such instruments at any time to maintain liquidity or pending selection of investments in accordance with its policies.
Portfolio Holdings Disclosure: A description of the Fund’s policies regarding the release of portfolio holdings information is available in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.
Cybersecurity
The computer systems, networks and devices used by the Funds and their service providers to carry out routine business operations employ a variety of protections designed to prevent damage or interruption from computer viruses, network failures, computer and telecommunication failures, infiltration by unauthorized persons and security breaches. Despite the various protections utilized by the Funds and their service providers, systems, networks, or devices potentially can be breached. The Funds and their shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result of a cybersecurity breach.
Cybersecurity breaches can include unauthorized access to systems, networks, or devices; infection from
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computer viruses or other malicious software code; and attacks that shut down, disable, slow, or otherwise disrupt operations, business processes, or website access or functionality. Cybersecurity breaches may cause disruptions and impact the Funds’ business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses; interference with the Funds’ ability to calculate their NAV; impediments to trading; the inability of the Funds, the Advisor, and other service providers to transact business; violations of applicable privacy and other laws; regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs, or additional compliance costs; as well as the inadvertent release of confidential information.
Similar adverse consequences could result from cybersecurity breaches affecting issuers of securities in which the Funds invest; counterparties with which the Funds engage in transactions; governmental and other regulatory authorities; exchange and other financial market operators, banks, brokers, dealers, insurance companies, and other financial institutions (including financial intermediaries and service providers for the Funds’ shareholders); and other parties. In addition, substantial costs may be incurred by these entities in order to prevent any cybersecurity breaches in the future.
MANAGEMENT
Investment Adviser: Stonebridge Capital Advisors, LLC, 2550 University Avenue West, Suite 180 South, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55114, serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Subject to the authority of the Board of Trustees, the Adviser is responsible for management of the Fund’s investment portfolio. The Adviser is responsible for assuring that investments are made according to the Fund’s investment objective, policies and restrictions. The Adviser was established in 1997 for the purpose of advising individuals and institutions. As of September 30, 2015, the Adviser had approximately $892 million in assets under management.
Pursuant to an investment advisory agreement with the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and the Adviser, the Adviser is entitled to receive, on a monthly basis, an annual advisory fee equal to 1.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive management fees and to make payments to limit Fund expenses, until January 31, 2017 so that the total annual operating expenses (exclusive of any front-end or contingent deferred loads; brokerage fees and commissions; acquired fund fees and expenses; borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expense on securities sold short); taxes; and extraordinary expenses, such as litigation expenses (which may include indemnification of Fund officers and Trustees, contractual indemnification of Fund service providers (other than the Adviser)) do not exceed 1.90% and 1.65% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for its Class A and Class I shares, respectively . These fee waivers and expense reimbursements are subject to possible recoupment from the Fund in future years on a rolling three-year basis (within the three fiscal years after the fees have been waived or reimbursed) if such recoupment can be achieved within the foregoing expense limits. This agreement may be terminated only by the Trust’s Board of Trustees, on 60 days’ written notice to the Adviser. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the advisory agreement is available in the Fund’s annual report to shareholders dated September 30, 2015. For the most recent fiscal year ended September 30, 2015, the Fund incurred advisory fees totaling of 0.82% of its average net assets, after waiver.
Portfolio Managers: The Fund is managed on a day to day basis by John Schonberg, CFA and Michael Dashner. The SAI provides additional information about each portfolio manager’s compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio manager, and the portfolio manager’s ownership in the Fund.
John Schonberg, CFA
Mr. Schonberg, Portfolio Manager & Principal of the Adviser, has been responsible for the management of equity portfolios for institutions and high net worth individuals since joining the Adviser in 2013. As a member of the Equity Team he serves on the Research Committee and works with the members of the equity team in the analysis, selection and structuring of the equity portfolios.
Prior to joining the Adviser, Mr. Schonberg was a Senior Portfolio manager and Equity Team Leader for Columbia Management from 2005 to 2013. At Columbia he led all Equity teams and products managed in Minneapolis, MN. This included the oversight of the Contrarian Equity and Mid Cap Growth Teams.
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Prior to Columbia Management, Mr. Schonberg was a Senior Portfolio Manager managing large capitalization growth portfolios and hedge funds for institutions with the American Express group of companies beginning in 1997. Prior to American Express, Mr. Schonberg worked at Piper Capital Management for 10 years in the following positions: (i) from 1991 to 1997 he was an equity portfolio manager managing funds for individuals, institutions, and mutual fund clients; (ii) from 1989 to 1991 he was a fundamental equity analyst covering consumer related stocks; and (iii) from 1987-1989 he was a technical analyst. Mr. Schonberg earned his BS degree in finance from the University of Nebraska in 1987, and completed the Chartered Financial Analyst program in 1990.
Michael Dashner
Michael Dashner, Assistant Portfolio Manager, joined the Adviser in 2009. Mr. Dashner is a member of the Equity Team at of the Adviser and is responsible for equity trading and portfolio management. As a member of the Research Committee, Mr. Dashner follows sector specific companies and maintains the equity universe and models for each equity strategy.
Prior to joining the Equity Team, Mr. Dashner was head of fixed income trading at the Adviser. He was in charge of fulfilling investment objectives for high net worth individuals and institutions and achieving best prices for each trade.
Mr. Dashner is a Level 2 CFA Candidate and earned a BBA in Economics from the University of South Dakota in 2007. He also earned an MBA in 2009 from the University of South Dakota.
HOW SHARES ARE PRICED
The net asset value ("NAV") and offering price (NAV plus any applicable sales charges) of the Fund’s shares is determined as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") every day the NYSE is open for business. The NYSE normally closes at 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time). NAV is computed by determining the aggregate market value of all assets of the Fund, less its liabilities, divided by the total number of shares outstanding ((assets-liabilities)/number of shares = NAV). The NYSE is closed on weekends and New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The NAV takes into account the expenses and fees of the Fund, including management, administration, and distribution fees, which are accrued daily. The determination of NAV for a share class for a particular day is applicable to all applications for the purchase of shares, as well as all requests for the redemption of shares, received by the Fund (or an authorized broker or agent, or its authorized designee) before the close of trading on the NYSE on that day.
Generally, the Fund's securities are valued each day at the last quoted sales price on each security's primary exchange. Securities traded or dealt in upon one or more securities exchanges (whether domestic or foreign) for which market quotations are readily available and not subject to restrictions against resale shall be valued at the last quoted sales price on the primary exchange or, in the absence of a sale on the primary exchange, at the mean between the current bid and ask prices on such exchange. Securities primarily traded in the National Association of Securities Dealers' Automated Quotation System ("NASDAQ") National Market System for which market quotations are readily available shall be valued using the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. If market quotations are not readily available, securities will be valued at their fair value as determined in good faith by the Adviser in accordance with procedures approved by the Board and evaluated by the Board as to the reliability of the fair value method used. In these cases, the Fund's NAV will reflect certain portfolio securities' fair value rather than their market price. Fair value pricing involves subjective judgments and it is possible that the fair value determined for a security is materially different than the value that could be realized upon the sale of that security. The fair value prices can differ from market prices when they become available or when a price becomes available. The Board has delegated execution of these procedures to a fair value team composed of one or more representatives from each of the (i) Trust, (ii) administrator, and (iii) Adviser. The team may also enlist third party consultants such as an audit firm or financial officer of a security issuer on an as-needed basis to assist in determining a security-specific fair value. The Board reviews and ratifies the execution of this process and the resultant fair value prices at least quarterly to assure the process produces reliable results.
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The Fund may use independent pricing services to assist in calculating the value of the Fund's securities. In addition, market prices for foreign securities are not determined at the same time of day as the NAV for the Fund. Because the Fund may invest in underlying ETFs that hold portfolio securities primarily listed on foreign exchanges, and these exchanges may trade on weekends or other days when the underlying ETFs do not price their shares, the value of some of the Fund’s portfolio securities may change on days when you may not be able to buy or sell Fund shares. In computing the NAV, the Fund values foreign securities held by the Fund at the latest closing price on the exchange in which they are traded immediately prior to closing of the NYSE. Prices of foreign securities quoted in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at current rates. If events materially affecting the value of a security in the Fund's portfolio, particularly foreign securities, occur after the close of trading on a foreign market but before the Fund prices its shares, the security will be valued at fair value. For example, if trading in a portfolio security is halted and does not resume before the Fund calculates its NAV, the Adviser may need to price the security using the Fund’s fair value pricing guidelines. Without a fair value price, short-term traders could take advantage of the arbitrage opportunity and dilute the NAV of long-term investors. Fair valuation of the Fund's portfolio securities can serve to reduce arbitrage opportunities available to short-term traders, but there is no assurance that fair value pricing policies will prevent dilution of the Fund's NAV by short term traders. The determination of fair value involves subjective judgments. As a result, using fair value to price a security may result in a price materially different from the prices used by other mutual funds to determine net asset value, or from the price that may be realized upon the actual sale of the security.
With respect to any portion of the Fund's assets that are invested in one or more open-end management investment companies registered under the 1940 Act, the Fund's net asset value is calculated based upon the net asset values of those open-end management investment companies, and the prospectuses for these companies explain the circumstances under which those companies will use fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value pricing.
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES
Share Classes
This Prospectus describes two classes of shares offered by the Fund: Class A and Class I. The Fund offers these classes of shares so that you can choose the class that best suits your investment needs. Refer to the information below so that you can choose the class that best suits your investment needs. The main differences between each class are sales charges, ongoing fees and minimum investment. For information on ongoing distribution fees, see Distribution Fees on page 16 of this Prospectus. Each class of shares in the Fund represents interest in the same portfolio of investments within the Fund. There is no investment minimum on reinvested distributions and the Fund may change investment minimums at any time. The Fund reserves the right to waive sales charges, as described below. The Fund and the Adviser may each waive investment minimums at their individual discretion. Not all share classes may be available for purchase in all states.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Share Class
When deciding which class of shares of the Fund to purchase, you should consider your investment goals, present and future amounts you may invest in the Fund, and the length of time you intend to hold your shares. To help you make a determination as to which class of shares to buy, please refer back to the examples of the Fund's expenses over time in the Fees and Expenses of the Fund section for the Fund in this Prospectus. You also may wish to consult with your financial adviser for advice with regard to which share class would be most appropriate for you.
Class A Shares
Class A shares are offered at their public offering price, which is NAV plus the applicable sales charge and is subject to 12b-1 distribution fees of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of Class A shares. The minimum initial investment in Class A shares of the Fund is $5,000 for all accounts. The minimum subsequent
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investment in Class A shares of the Fund is $1,000 for all accounts. A 5.25% sales charge applies to your purchase of Class A shares of the Fund. There are no sales charges on reinvested distributions.
Amount Invested | Sales Charge as a % of Offering Price | Sales Charge as a % of Amount Invested | Dealer Reallowance |
Under $25,000 | 5.25% | 5.54% | 4.50% |
$25,000 to $49,999 | 5.00% | 5.26% | 4.25% |
$50,000 to $99,999 | 4.75% | 4.99% | 4.00% |
$100,000 to $249,999 | 4.25% | 4.44% | 3.50% |
$250,000 to $499,999 | 3.00% | 3.09% | 2.50% |
$500,000 to $999,999 | 2.00% | 2.04% | 1.75% |
$1,000,000 and above | 1.00% | 1.01% | 1.00% |
Sales Charge Waivers
The sales charge on purchases of Class A shares is waived for certain types of investors, including:
· | Current and retired directors and officers of the Fund sponsored by the adviser or any of its subsidiaries, their families ( e.g. , spouse, children, mother or father) and any purchases referred through the adviser. |
· | Employees of the adviser and their families, or any full-time employee or registered representative of the distributor or of broker-dealers having dealer agreements with the distributor (a “Selling Broker”) and their immediate families (or any trust, pension, profit sharing or other benefit plan for the benefit of such persons). |
· | Any full-time employee of a bank, savings and loan, credit union or other financial institution that utilizes a Selling Broker to clear purchases of the fund's shares and their immediate families. |
· | Participants in certain “wrap-fee” or asset allocation programs or other fee-based arrangements sponsored by broker-dealers and other financial institutions that have entered into agreements with the distributor. |
· | Clients of financial intermediaries that have entered into arrangements with the distributor providing for the shares to be used in particular investment products made available to such clients and for which such registered investment advisors may charge a separate fee. |
· | Institutional investors (which may include bank trust departments and registered investment advisors). |
· | Any accounts established on behalf of registered investment advisors or their clients by broker-dealers that charge a transaction fee and that have entered into agreements with the distributor. |
· | Separate accounts used to fund certain unregistered variable annuity contracts or Section 403(b) or 401(a) or (k) accounts. |
· | Employer-sponsored retirement or benefit plans with total plan assets in excess of $5 million where the plan's investments in the Fund are part of an omnibus account. A minimum initial investment of $1 million in the Fund is required. The distributor in its sole discretion may waive these minimum dollar requirements. |
The Fund does not waive sales charges for the reinvestment of proceeds from the sale of shares of a different fund where those shares were subject to a front-end sales charge (sometimes called an “NAV transfer”). Whether a sales charge waiver is available for your retirement plan or charitable account depends upon the policies and procedures of your intermediary. Please consult your financial adviser for further information.
Class I Shares
Class I shares of the Fund are sold at NAV without an initial sales charge and are not subject to 12b-1 distribution fees, but have a higher minimum initial investment than Class A shares. This means that 100% of your initial investment is placed into shares of the Fund. Class I shares require a minimum initial investment of $1,000,000 and the minimum subsequent investment is $1,000.
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PURCHASING SHARES:
You may purchase shares of the Fund by sending a completed application form to the following address:
Regular Mail THE COVERED BRIDGE FUND c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC PO Box 541150 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 |
Express/Overnight Mail THE COVERED BRIDGE FUND c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC 17605 Wright Street, Suite 2 Omaha, Nebraska 68130 |
The USA PATRIOT Act requires financial institutions, including the Fund, to adopt certain policies and programs to prevent money-laundering activities, including procedures to verify the identity of customers opening new accounts. As requested on the Application, you should supply your full name, date of birth, social security number and permanent street address. Mailing addresses containing a P.O. Box will not be accepted. This information will assist the Fund in verifying your identity. Until such verification is made, the Fund may temporarily limit additional share purchases. In addition, the Fund may limit additional share purchases or close an account if it is unable to verify a shareholder’s identity. As required by law, the Fund may employ various procedures, such as comparing the information to fraud databases or requesting additional information or documentation from you, to ensure that the information supplied by you is correct.
Purchase through Brokers: You may invest in the Fund through brokers or agents who have entered into selling agreements with the Fund’s distributor. The brokers and agents are authorized to receive purchase and redemption orders on behalf of the Fund. Such Brokers are authorized to designate other intermediaries to receive purchase and redemption orders on the Funds behalf. The Fund will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when an authorized broker or, if applicable, a brokers authorized designee receives the order. The broker or agent may set their own initial and subsequent investment minimums. You may be charged a fee if you use a broker or agent to buy or redeem shares of the Fund. Finally, various servicing agents use procedures and impose restrictions that may be in addition to, or different from those applicable to investors purchasing shares directly from the Fund. You should carefully read the program materials provided to you by your servicing agent.
Purchase by Wire: If you wish to wire money to make an investment in the Fund, please call the Fund at 1-855-525-2151 for wiring instructions and to notify the Fund that a wire transfer is coming. Any commercial bank can transfer same-day funds via wire. The Fund will normally accept wired funds for investment on the day received if they are received by the Fund’s designated bank before the close of regular trading on the NYSE. Your bank may charge you a fee for wiring same-day funds.
Transactions through www.thecoveredbridgefund.com : You may purchase the Fund’s shares and redeem the Fund's shares through the website www.thecoveredbridgefund.com. To establish Internet transaction privileges you must enroll through the website. You automatically have the ability to establish Internet transaction privileges unless you decline the privileges on your New Account Application or IRA Application. You will be required to enter into a user's agreement through the website in order to enroll in these privileges. In order to conduct Internet transactions, you must have telephone transaction privileges. To purchase shares through the website you must also have ACH instructions on your account.
Redemption proceeds may be sent to you by check to the address of record, or if your account has existing bank information, by wire or ACH. Only bank accounts held at domestic financial institutions that are ACH members can be used for transactions through the website. Transactions through the website are subject to the same minimums as other transaction methods.
You should be aware that the Internet is an unsecured, unstable, unregulated and unpredictable environment. Your ability to use the website for transactions is dependent upon the Internet and equipment, software, systems, data and services provided by various vendors and third parties. While the Fund and its service
10 |
providers have established certain security procedures, the Fund, its distributor and its transfer agent cannot assure you that trading information will be completely secure.
There may also be delays, malfunctions, or other inconveniences generally associated with this medium. There also may be times when the website is unavailable for Fund transactions or other purposes. Should this happen, you should consider purchasing or redeeming shares by another method. Neither the Fund nor its transfer agent, distributor nor adviser will be liable for any such delays or malfunctions or unauthorized interception or access to communications or account information.
Automatic Investment Plan: You may participate in the Fund’s Automatic Investment Plan, an investment plan that automatically moves money from your bank account and invests it in the Fund through the use of electronic funds transfers or automatic bank drafts. You may elect to make subsequent investments by transfers of a minimum of $50 on specified days of each month into your established Fund account. Please contact the Fund at 1-855-525-2151 for more information about the Fund’s Automatic Investment Plan.
The Fund, however, reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to reject any application to purchase shares. Applications will not be accepted unless they are accompanied by a check drawn on a U.S. bank, thrift institutions, or credit union in U.S. funds for the full amount of the shares to be purchased. After you open an account, you may purchase additional shares by internet or by sending a check together with written instructions stating the name(s) on the account and the account number, to the above address. Make all checks payable to “The Covered Bridge Fund.” The Fund will not accept payment in cash, including cashier’s checks or money orders. Also, to prevent check fraud, the Fund will not accept third party checks, U.S. Treasury checks, credit card checks or starter checks for the purchase of shares.
Note: Gemini Fund Services, LLC, the Fund’s transfer agent, will charge a $25 fee against a shareholder’s account, in addition to any loss sustained by the Fund, for any check returned to the transfer agent for insufficient funds.
When Order is Processed: All shares will be purchased at the NAV per share (plus applicable sales charges, if any) next determined after the Fund receives your application or request in good order. All requests received in good order by the Fund before 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) will be processed on that same day. Requests received after 4:00 p.m. will be processed on the next business day.
Good Order : When making a purchase request, make sure your request is in good order. “Good order” means your purchase request includes:
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Retirement Plans: You may purchase shares of the Fund for your individual retirement plans. Please call the Fund at 1-855-525-2151 for the most current listing and appropriate disclosure documentation on how to open a retirement account.
HOW TO REDEEM SHARES
Redeeming Shares: You may redeem all or any portion of the shares credited to your account by submitting a written request for redemption to:
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Regular Mail THE COVERED BRIDGE FUND c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC PO Box 541150 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 |
Express/Overnight Mail THE COVERED BRIDGE FUND c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC 17605 Wright Street, Suite 2 Omaha, Nebraska 68130 |
Redemptions by Telephone: The telephone redemption privilege is automatically available to all new accounts except retirement accounts. If you do not want the telephone redemption privilege, you must indicate this in the appropriate area on your account application or you must write to the Fund and instruct it to remove this privilege from your account.
The proceeds will be sent by mail to the address designated on your account or wired directly to your existing account in a bank or brokerage firm in the United States as designated on your application. To redeem by telephone, call 1-855-525-2151. The redemption proceeds normally will be sent by mail or by wire within three business days after receipt of your telephone instructions. IRA accounts are not redeemable by telephone.
The Fund reserves the right to suspend the telephone redemption privileges with respect to your account if the name(s) or the address on the account has been changed within the previous 30 days. Neither the Fund, the transfer agent, nor their respective affiliates will be liable for complying with telephone instructions they reasonably believe to be genuine or for any loss, damage, cost or expenses in acting on such telephone instructions and you will be required to bear the risk of any such loss. The Fund or the transfer agent, or both, will employ reasonable procedures to determine that telephone instructions are genuine. If the Fund and/or the transfer agent do not employ these procedures, they may be liable to you for losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. These procedures may include, among others, requiring forms of personal identification prior to acting upon telephone instructions, providing written confirmation of the transactions and/or tape recording telephone instructions.
Redemptions through Broker: If shares of the Fund are held by a broker-dealer, financial institution or other servicing agent, you must contact that servicing agent to redeem shares of the Fund. The servicing agent may charge a fee for this service.
Redemptions by Wire: You may request that your redemption proceeds be wired directly to your bank account. The Fund’s transfer agent imposes a $15 fee for each wire redemption and deducts the fee directly from your account. Your bank may also impose a fee for the incoming wire.
Automatic Withdrawal Plan: If your individual accounts, IRA or other qualified plan account have a current account value of at least $10,000, you may participate in the Fund’s Automatic Withdrawal Plan, an investment plan that automatically moves money to your bank account from the Fund through the use of electronic funds transfers. You may elect to make subsequent withdrawals by transfers of a minimum of $50 on specified days of each month into your established bank account. Please contact the Fund at 1-855-525-2151 for more information about the Fund’s Automatic Withdrawal Plan.
Redemptions in Kind: The Fund reserves the right to honor requests for redemption or repurchase orders by making payment in whole or in part in readily marketable securities (“redemption in kind”) if the amount is greater than the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the Fund’s assets. The securities will be chosen by the Fund and valued under the Fund’s net asset value procedures. A shareholder will be exposed to market risk until these securities are converted to cash and may incur transaction expenses in converting these securities to cash.
When Redemptions are Sent: Once the Fund receives your redemption request in “good order” as described below, it will issue a check based on the next determined NAV following your redemption request. The redemption proceeds normally will be sent by mail or by wire within three business days after receipt of a request in “good order.” If you purchase shares using a check and soon after request a redemption, your redemption proceeds will not be sent until the check used for your purchase has cleared your bank (usually within 10 days of the purchase date).
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Good Order: Your redemption request will be processed if it is in “good order.” To be in good order, the following conditions must be satisfied: · The request should be in writing, unless redeeming by telephone, indicating the number of shares or dollar amount to be redeemed; · The request must identify your account number; · The request should be signed by you and any other person listed on the account, exactly as the shares are registered; and · If you request that the redemption proceeds be sent to a person, bank or an address other than that of record or paid to someone other than the record owner(s), or if the address was changed within the last 30 days, or if the proceeds of a requested redemption exceed $50,000, the signature(s) on the request must be medallion signature guaranteed by an eligible signature guarantor. |
Redemption Fee: The Fund will deduct a 1.00% redemption fee on your redemption amount if you sell your shares within 90 days of purchase. Shares held longest will be treated as being redeemed first and shares held shortest as being redeemed last. Shares held for 90 days or more are not subject to the 1.00% fee. Redemption fees are paid to the Fund directly and are designed to offset costs associated with fluctuations in Fund asset levels and cash flow caused by short-term shareholder trading.
Waivers of Redemption Fees: The Fund has elected not to impose the redemption fee for:
· | redemptions and exchanges of Fund shares acquired through the reinvestment of dividends and distributions; |
· | certain types of redemptions and exchanges of Fund shares owned through participant-directed retirement plans; |
· | redemptions or exchanges in discretionary asset allocation, fee based or wrap programs ("wrap programs") that are initiated by the sponsor/financial advisor as part of a periodic rebalancing; |
· | redemptions or exchanges in a fee based or wrap program that are made as a result of a full withdrawal from the wrap program or as part of a systematic withdrawal; and |
· | involuntary redemptions, such as those resulting from a shareholder's failure to maintain a minimum investment in the Fund, or to pay shareholder fees; or other types of redemptions as the Adviser or the Trust may determine in special situations and approved by the Fund’s or the Adviser's Chief Compliance Officer. |
When You Need Medallion Signature Guarantees: If you wish to change the bank or brokerage account that you have designated on your account, you may do so at any time by writing to the Fund with your signature guaranteed. A medallion signature guarantee assures that a signature is genuine and protects you from unauthorized account transfers. You will need your signature guaranteed if:
· | you request a redemption to be made payable to a person not on record with the Fund; |
· | you request that a redemption be mailed to an address other than that on record with the Fund; |
· | the proceeds of a requested redemption exceed $50,000; |
· | any redemption is transmitted by federal wire transfer to a bank other than the bank of record; or |
· | your address was changed within 30 days of your redemption request. |
Signatures may be guaranteed by any eligible guarantor institution (including banks, brokers and dealers, credit unions, national securities exchanges, registered securities associations, clearing agencies and savings associations). Further documentation will be required to change the designated account if shares are held by a corporation, fiduciary or other organization. A notary public cannot guarantee signatures.
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Retirement Plans: If you own an IRA or other retirement plan, you must indicate on your redemption request whether the Fund should withhold federal income tax. Unless you elect in your redemption request that you do not want to have federal tax withheld, the redemption will be subject to withholding.
Low Balances: If at any time your account balance in the Fund falls below $250, the Fund may notify you that, unless the account is brought up to at least $250 within 60 days of the notice; your account could be closed. After the notice period, the Fund may redeem all of your shares and close your account by sending you a check to the address of record. Your account will not be closed if the account balance drops below $250 due to a decline in NAV.
FREQUENT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF FUND SHARES
The Fund discourages and does not accommodate market timing. Frequent trading into and out of the Fund can harm all Fund shareholders by disrupting the Fund’s investment strategies, increasing Fund expenses, decreasing tax efficiency and diluting the value of shares held by long-term shareholders. The Fund is designed for long-term investors and is not intended for market timing or other disruptive trading activities. Accordingly, the Trust’s Board has approved policies that seek to curb these disruptive activities while recognizing that shareholders may have a legitimate need to adjust their Fund investments as their financial needs or circumstances change. The Fund currently uses several methods to reduce the risk of market timing. These methods include, but are not limited to:
· | Committing staff to review, on a continuing basis, recent trading activity in order to identify trading activity that may be contrary to the Fund’s Market Timing Trading Policy; and |
· | Assessing a 1.00% redemption fee for shares sold within 90 days. |
Though these methods involve judgments that are inherently subjective and involve some selectivity in their application, the Fund seeks to make judgments and applications that are consistent with the interests of the Fund’s shareholders.
Based on the frequency of redemptions in your account, the Adviser or transfer agent may in its sole discretion determine that your trading activity is detrimental to the Fund as described in the Fund’s Market Timing Trading Policy and elect to (i) reject or limit the amount, number, frequency or method for requesting future purchases into the Fund and/or (ii) reject or limit the amount, number, frequency or method for requesting future exchanges or redemptions out of the Fund.
The Fund reserves the right to reject or restrict purchase requests for any reason, particularly when the shareholder’s trading activity suggests that the shareholder may be engaged in market timing or other disruptive trading activities. Neither the Fund nor the Adviser will be liable for any losses resulting from rejected purchase orders. The Adviser may also bar an investor who has violated these policies (and the investor’s financial advisor) from opening new accounts with the Fund.
Although the Fund attempts to limit disruptive trading activities, some investors use a variety of strategies to hide their identities and their trading practices. There can be no guarantee that the Fund will be able to identify or limit these activities. Omnibus account arrangements are common forms of holding shares of the Fund. While the Fund will encourage financial intermediaries to apply the Fund’s Market Timing Trading Policy to their customers who invest indirectly in the Fund, the Fund is limited in its ability to monitor the trading activity or enforce the Fund’s Market Timing Trading Policy with respect to customers of financial intermediaries. For example, should it occur, the Fund may not be able to detect market timing that may be facilitated by financial intermediaries or made difficult to identify in the omnibus accounts used by those intermediaries for aggregated purchases, exchanges and redemptions on behalf of all their customers. More specifically, unless the financial intermediaries have the ability to apply the Fund’s Market Timing Trading Policy to their customers through such methods as implementing short-term trading limitations or restrictions and monitoring trading activity for what might be market timing, the Fund may not be able to determine whether trading by customers of financial intermediaries is contrary to the Fund’s Market Timing Trading Policy. Brokers maintaining omnibus accounts with the Fund have agreed to provide shareholder transaction information to the extent known to the broker to
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the Fund upon request. If the Fund or its transfer agent or shareholder servicing agent suspects there is market timing activity in the account, the Fund will seek full cooperation from the service provider maintaining the account to identify the underlying participant. At the request of the Adviser, the service providers may take immediate action to stop any further short-term trading by such participants.
TAX STATUS, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Any sale or exchange of the Fund’s shares may generate tax liability (unless you are a tax-exempt investor or your investment is in a qualified retirement account). When you redeem your shares you may realize a taxable gain or loss. This is measured by the difference between the proceeds of the sale and the tax basis for the shares you sold. (To aid in computing your tax basis, you generally should retain your account statements for the period that you hold shares in the Fund.)
The Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its net investment income quarterly and net capital gains annually in December. Both distributions will be reinvested in shares of the Fund unless you elect to receive cash. Dividends from net investment income (including any excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss) are taxable to investors as ordinary income, while distributions of net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) are generally taxable as long-term capital gain, regardless of your holding period for the shares. Any dividends or capital gain distributions you receive from the Fund will normally be taxable to you when made, regardless of whether you reinvest dividends or capital gain distributions or receive them in cash. Certain dividends or distributions declared in October, November or December will be taxed to shareholders as if received in December if they are paid during the following January. Each year the Fund will inform you of the amount and type of your distributions. IRAs and other qualified retirement plans are exempt from federal income taxation until retirement proceeds are paid out to the participant.
Your redemptions, including exchanges, may result in a capital gain or loss for federal tax purposes. A capital gain or loss on your investment is the difference between the cost of your shares, including any sales charges, and the amount you receive when you sell them.
On the account application, you will be asked to certify that your social security number or taxpayer identification number is correct and that you are not subject to backup withholding for failing to report income to the IRS. If you are subject to backup withholding or you did not certify your taxpayer identification number, the IRS requires the Fund to withhold a percentage of any dividend, redemption or exchange proceeds. The Fund reserves the right to reject any application that does not include a certified social security or taxpayer identification number. If you do not have a social security number, you should indicate on the purchase form that your application to obtain a number is pending. The Fund is required to withhold taxes if a number is not delivered to the Fund within seven days.
This summary is not intended to be and should not be construed to be legal or tax advice. You should consult your own tax advisors to determine the tax consequences of owning the Fund’s shares.
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DISTRIBUTION OF SHARES
Distributor: Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, 17605 Wright Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68130, is the distributor for the shares of the Fund. Northern Lights Distributors, LLC is a registered broker-dealer and member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”). Shares of the Fund are offered on a continuous basis.
Distribution Fees: The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, has adopted the Trust’s Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan for Class A shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (the “Plan”), pursuant to which the Fund pays the Fund’s distributor an annual fee for distribution and shareholder servicing expenses of 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares. Class I shares are not subject to a Plan. Because these fees are paid out of the Fund’s assets on an on-going basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges.
The Fund’s distributor and other entities are paid under the Plan for services provided and the expenses borne by the distributor and others in the distribution of Fund shares, including the payment of commissions for sales of the shares and incentive compensation to and expenses of dealers and others who engage in or support distribution of shares or who service shareholder accounts, including overhead and telephone expenses; printing and distribution of prospectuses and reports used in connection with the offering of the Fund’s shares to other than current shareholders; and preparation, printing and distribution of sales literature and advertising materials. In addition, the distributor or other entities may utilize fees paid pursuant to the Plan to compensate dealers or other entities for their opportunity costs in advancing such amounts, which compensation would be in the form of a carrying charge on any un-reimbursed expenses.
Additional Compensation to Financial Intermediaries: The Fund’s distributor, its affiliates, and the Fund’s adviser and its affiliates may, at their own expense and out of their own assets including their legitimate profits from Fund-related activities, provide additional cash payments to financial intermediaries who sell shares of the Fund or assist in the marketing of the Fund. Financial intermediaries include brokers, financial planners, banks, insurance companies, retirement or 401(k) plan administrators and others. These payments may be in addition to the Rule 12b-1 fees and any sales charges that are disclosed elsewhere in this Prospectus. These payments are generally made to financial intermediaries that provide shareholder or administrative services, or marketing support. Marketing support may include access to sales meetings, sales representatives and financial intermediary management representatives, inclusion of the Fund on a sales list, including a preferred or select sales list, or other sales programs. These payments also may be made as an expense reimbursement in cases where the financial intermediary provides shareholder services to Fund shareholders. The distributor may, from time to time, provide promotional incentives to certain investment firms. Such incentives may, at the distributor’s discretion, be limited to investment firms who allow their individual selling representatives to participate in such additional compensation.
Householding: To reduce expenses, the Fund mails only one copy of a Prospectus and each annual and semi-annual report to those addresses shared by two or more accounts. If you wish to receive individual copies of these documents, please call the Fund at 1-855-525-2151 on days the Fund is open for business or contact your financial institution. The Fund will begin sending you individual copies thirty days after receiving your request.
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FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the period of the Fund’s operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). This information has been derived from the consolidated financial statements audited by BBD, LLP whose report, along with the Fund’s consolidated financial statements which are incorporated by reference into the SAI, and are included in the Fund’s September 30, 2015 annual report, which is available at no charge upon request.
The Covered Bridge Fund - Class A
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FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | |||||||
Per share data and ratios for a share of beneficial interest throughout each year presented. | |||||||
For the Year | For the Year | |||||||
Ended | Ended | |||||||
September 30, 2015 | September 30, 2014 (1) | |||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year | $ | 11.19 | $ | 10.00 | ||||
Increase (Decrease) From Operations: | ||||||||
Net investment income (2) | 0.11 | 0.08 | ||||||
Net gain (loss) from investments (both realized and unrealized) | (0.84 | ) | 1.17 | |||||
Total from operations | (0.73 | ) | 1.25 | |||||
Less Distributions: | ||||||||
From net investment income | (0.10 | ) | (0.06 | ) | ||||
From net realized gains | (1.00 | ) | — | |||||
Total Distributions | (1.10 | ) | (0.06 | ) | ||||
Paid in capital from redemption fees (2)(4) | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||||||
Net Asset Value, End of Year | $ | 9.36 | $ | 11.19 | ||||
Total Return (3) | (7.13 | )% | 12.55 | % | ||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||
Net assets, end of year (in 000’s) | $ | 3,647 | $ | 3,745 | ||||
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets (5) | 2.33 | % | 2.69 | % | ||||
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets | 1.90 | % | 1.90 | % | ||||
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets | 1.03 | % | 0.76 | % | ||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 208 | % | 266 | % |
(1) | Class A commenced operations October 1, 2013. | ||||
(2) | Per share amounts are calculated using the average shares method, which more appropriately presents the per share data for the year. | ||||
(3) | Total returns are historical in nature and assume changes in share price, reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any, excluding the effect of sales loads and redemptions fees. Had the Adviser not absorbed a portion of Fund expenses, total returns would have been lower. | ||||
(4) | Amount is less than $.01 per share. | ||||
(5) | Represents the ratio of expenses to average net assets absent fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements by the Adviser. | ||||
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The Covered Bridge Fund - Class I |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS |
Per share data and ratios for a share of beneficial interest throughout each year presented. |
For the Year | For the Year | |||||||
Ended | Ended | |||||||
September 30, 2015 | September 30, 2014 (1) | |||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year | $ | 11.20 | $ | 10.00 | ||||
Increase (Decrease) From Operations: | ||||||||
Net investment income (2) | 0.13 | 0.11 | ||||||
Net gain (loss) from investments (both realized and unrealized) | (0.82 | ) | 1.18 | |||||
Total from operations | (0.69 | ) | 1.29 | |||||
Less Distributions: | ||||||||
From net investment income | (0.13 | ) | (0.09 | ) | ||||
From net realized gains | (1.00 | ) | — | |||||
Total Distributions | (1.13 | ) | (0.09 | ) | ||||
Paid in capital from redemption fees (2)(4) | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||||||
Net Asset Value, End of Year | $ | 9.38 | $ | 11.20 | ||||
Total Return (3) | (6.80 | )% | 12.88 | % | ||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||
Net assets, end of year (in 000’s) | $ | 24,232 | $ | 22,094 | ||||
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets (5) | 2.08 | % | 2.44 | % | ||||
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets | 1.65 | % | 1.65 | % | ||||
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets | 1.28 | % | 1.04 | % | ||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 208 | % | 266 | % |
(1) | Class I commenced operations October 1, 2013. | ||||||
(2) | Per share amounts are calculated using the average shares method, which more appropriately presents the per share data for the year. | ||||||
(3) | Total returns are historical in nature and assume changes in share price, reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any, excluding the effect of redemptions fees. Had the Adviser not absorbed a portion of Fund expenses, total returns would have been lower. | ||||||
(4) | Amount is less than $.01 per share. | ||||||
(5) | Represents the ratio of expenses to average net assets absent fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements by the Adviser. |
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Rev. February 2014
PRIVACY NOTICE | |||||
FACTS |
WHAT DOES NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST III DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION? |
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Why? | Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do. | ||||
What? |
The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include: · Social Security number · Purchase History · Assets · Account Balances · Retirement Assets · Account Transactions · Transaction History · Wire Transfer Instructions · Checking Account Information When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice. |
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How? | All financial companies need to share customers' personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers' personal information; the reasons Northern Lights Fund Trust III chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing. | ||||
Reasons we can share your personal information | Does Northern Lights Fund Trust III share? | Can you limit this sharing? | |||
For our everyday business purposes – such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus |
Yes | No | |||
For our marketing purposes – to offer our products and services to you |
No | We don't share | |||
For joint marketing with other financial companies | No | We don't share | |||
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes – information about your transactions and experiences |
No | We don't share | |||
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness |
No | We don't share | |||
For nonaffiliates to market to you | No | We don't share | |||
Questions? |
Call (402) 493-4603
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Who we are | ||
Who is providing this notice? |
Northern Lights Fund Trust III
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What we do | ||
How does Northern Lights Fund Trust III protect my personal information? |
To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.
Our service providers are held accountable for adhering to strict policies and procedures to prevent any misuse of your nonpublic personal information. |
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How does Northern Lights Fund Trust III collect my personal information? |
We collect your personal information, for example, when you § Open an account § Provide account information § Give us your contact information § Make deposits or withdrawals from your account § Make a wire transfer § Tell us where to send the money § Tells us who receives the money § Show your government-issued ID § Show your driver's license We also collect your personal information from other companies. |
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Why can't I limit all sharing? |
Federal law gives you the right to limit only ▪ Sharing for affiliates' everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness ▪ Affiliates from using your information to market to you ▪ Sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you
State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing. |
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Definitions | ||
Affiliates |
Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies. § Northern Lights Fund Trust III does not share with our affiliates. |
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Nonaffiliates |
Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies § Northern Lights Fund Trust III does not share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you. |
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Joint marketing |
A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you. § Northern Lights Fund Trust III doesn’t jointly market. |
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THE COVERED BRIDGE FUND
Adviser |
Stonebridge Capital Advisors, LLC 2550 University Avenue West Suite 180 South Saint Paul, MN 55114 |
Distributor |
Northern Lights Distributors, LLC 17605 Wright Street Omaha, NE 68130 |
Independent Registered Public Accountant |
BBD, LLP 1835 Market Street, 26 th floor Philadelphia, PA 19103 |
Legal Counsel |
Thompson Hine LLP 41 South High Street, Suite 1700 Columbus, OH 43215 |
Custodian |
MUFG Union Bank, N.A. 400 California Street, San Francisco, CA 94104 |
Transfer Agent |
Gemini Fund Services, LLC
Omaha, NE 68130 |
Additional information about the Fund is included in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information dated February 1, 2016. The SAI is incorporated into this Prospectus by reference (i.e., legally made a part of this Prospectus). The SAI provides more details about the Fund’s policies and management. Additional information about the Fund’s investments is available in the Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to Shareholders. In the Fund’s Annual Report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year or fiscal period.
To obtain a free copy of the SAI and/or the Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to Shareholders, or for other information about the Fund, or to make shareholder inquiries about the Fund, please call 1-855-525-2151 or visit www.thecoveredbridgefund.com. You may also write to:
THE COVERED BRIDGE FUND
c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC
17605 Wright Street, Suite 2
Omaha, NE 68130
You may review and obtain copies of the Fund’s information at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Please call 1-202-551-8090 for information relating to the operation of the Public Reference Room. Reports and other information about the Fund are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of the information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following E-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the Public Reference Section, Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C. 20549-1520.
Investment Company Act File # 811-22655
The Covered Bridge Fund
a series of Northern Lights Fund Trust III
Class | A | Shares | TCBAX |
Class | I | Shares | TCBIX |
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
February 1, 2016
This Statement of Additional Information ("SAI") is not a Prospectus and should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus of The Covered Bridge Fund (the "Fund") dated February 1, 2016, which is incorporated by reference into this SAI (i.e., legally made a part of this SAI). Copies may be obtained without charge by contacting the Fund's Transfer Agent, Gemini Fund Services, LLC, 17605 Wright Street, Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68130 or by calling 1-855-525-2151. You may also obtain a prospectus by visiting the Fund's website at www.thecoveredbridgefund.com.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
THE FUND | 1 |
INVESTMENTS AND RISKS | 2 |
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER | 22 |
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS | 22 |
INVESTMENT ADVISER | 24 |
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS | 25 |
ALLOCATION OF BROKERAGE | 27 |
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS | 27 |
OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS | 29 |
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM | 31 |
LEGAL COUNSEL | 31 |
DISTRIBUTOR | 31 |
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES | 33 |
CODE OF ETHICS | 34 |
PROXY VOTING POLICIES | 34 |
PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF FUND SHARES | 35 |
TAX STATUS | 37 |
ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM | 43 |
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES | 43 |
MANAGEMENT | 44 |
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | 50 |
APPENDIX A – PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES | 51 |
THE FUND
The Fund is a diversified series of shares of Northern Lights Fund Trust III, a Delaware statutory trust organized on December 5, 2011 (the "Trust"). The Trust is registered as an open-end management investment company. The Trust is governed by its Board of Trustees (the "Board" or "Trustees").
The Fund may issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest. All shares of the Fund have equal rights and privileges. Each share of the Fund is entitled to one vote on all matters as to which shares are entitled to vote. In addition, each share of the Fund is entitled to participate equally with other shares, on a class-specific basis, (i) in dividends and distributions declared by the Fund and (ii) on liquidation to its proportionate share of the assets remaining after satisfaction of outstanding liabilities. Shares of the Fund are fully paid, non-assessable and fully transferable when issued and have no pre-emptive, conversion or exchange rights. Fractional shares have proportionately the same rights, including voting rights, as are provided for a full share.
Stonebridge Capital Advisors, LLC (the "Adviser") is the Fund's investment adviser. The Fund's investment objectives, restrictions and policies are more fully described here and in the Prospectus. The Board may start other series and offer shares of a new fund under the Trust at any time.
The Fund offers three classes of shares: Class A shares, Class C shares, and Class I shares. Class C shares are not currently available. Each share class represents an interest in the same assets of the Fund, has the same rights and is identical in all material respects except that (i) each class of shares may be subject to different (or no) sales loads; (ii) each class of shares may bear different (or no) distribution fees; (iii) each class of shares may have different shareholder features, such as minimum investment amounts; (iv) certain other class-specific expenses will be borne solely by the class to which such expenses are attributable, including transfer agent fees attributable to a specific class of shares, printing and postage expenses related to preparing and distributing materials to current shareholders of a specific class, registration fees paid by a specific class of shares, the expenses of administrative personnel and services required to support the shareholders of a specific class, litigation or other legal expenses relating to a class of shares, Trustees' fees or expenses paid as a result of issues relating to a specific class of shares and accounting fees and expenses relating to a specific class of shares and (v) each class has exclusive voting rights with respect to matters relating to its own distribution arrangements. The Board of Trustees may classify and reclassify the shares of the Fund into additional classes of shares at a future date.
Under the Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust, each Trustee will continue in office until the termination of the Trust or his/her earlier death, incapacity, resignation or removal. Shareholders can remove a Trustee to the extent provided by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Vacancies may be filled by a majority of the remaining Trustees, except insofar as the 1940 Act may require the election by shareholders. As a result, normally no annual or regular meetings of shareholders will be held unless matters arise requiring a vote of shareholders under the Agreement and Declaration of Trust or the 1940 Act.
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INVESTMENTS AND RISKS
The investment objective of the Fund and the descriptions of the Fund's principal investment strategies are set forth under "Investment Objective, Principal Investment Strategies, Related Risks" in the Prospectus. The Fund's investment objective is not fundamental and may be changed without the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust.
The following pages contain more detailed information about the types of instruments in which the Fund may invest, strategies the Adviser may employ in pursuit of the Fund's investment objective and a summary of related risks.
Equity Securities
Equity securities in which the Fund invests include common stocks, preferred stocks and securities convertible into common stocks, such as convertible bonds, warrants, rights and options. The value of equity securities varies in response to many factors, including the activities and financial condition of individual companies, the business market in which individual companies compete and general market and economic conditions. Equity securities fluctuate in value, often based on factors unrelated to the value of the issuer of the securities, and such fluctuations can be significant.
Common Stock
Common stock represents an equity (ownership) interest in a company, and usually possesses voting rights and earns dividends. Dividends on common stock are not fixed but are declared at the discretion of the issuer. Common stock generally represents the riskiest investment in a company. In addition, common stock generally has the greatest appreciation and depreciation potential because increases and decreases in earnings are usually reflected in a company's stock price.
Preferred Stock
The Fund may invest in preferred stock with no minimum credit rating. Preferred stock is a class of stock having a preference over common stock as to the payment of dividends and the recovery of investment should a company be liquidated, although preferred stock is usually junior to the debt securities of the issuer. Preferred stock typically does not possess voting rights and its market value may change based on changes in interest rates.
The fundamental risk of investing in common and preferred stock is the risk that the value of the stock might decrease. Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of an individual company or in response to general market and/or economic conditions. Historically, common stocks have provided greater long-term returns and have entailed greater short-term risks than preferred stocks, fixed-income securities and money market investments. The market value of all securities, including common and preferred stocks, is based upon the market's perception of value and not necessarily the book value of an issuer or other objective measures of a company's worth.
Fixed Income/Debt/Bond Securities
Yields on fixed income securities are dependent on a variety of factors, including the general conditions of the money market and other fixed income securities markets, the size of a particular offering, the maturity of the obligation and the rating of the issue. An investment in the Fund will be
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subjected to risk even if all fixed income securities in the Fund's portfolio are paid in full at maturity. All fixed income securities, including U.S. Government securities, can change in value when there is a change in interest rates or the issuer's actual or perceived creditworthiness or ability to meet its obligations.
There is normally an inverse relationship between the market value of securities sensitive to prevailing interest rates and actual changes in interest rates. In other words, an increase in interest rates produces a decrease in market value. The longer the remaining maturity (and duration) of a security, the greater will be the effect of interest rate changes on the market value of that security. Changes in the ability of an issuer to make payments of interest and principal and in the markets' perception of an issuer's creditworthiness will also affect the market value of the debt securities of that issuer. Obligations of issuers of fixed income securities (including municipal securities) are subject to the provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency, and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors, such as the Federal Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978. In addition, the obligations of municipal issuers may become subject to laws enacted in the future by Congress, state legislatures, or referenda extending the time for payment of principal and/or interest, or imposing other constraints upon enforcement of such obligations or upon the ability of municipalities to levy taxes. Changes in the ability of an issuer to make payments of interest and principal and in the market's perception of an issuer's creditworthiness will also affect the market value of the debt securities of that issuer. The possibility exists, therefore, that, the ability of any issuer to pay, when due, the principal of and interest on its debt securities may become impaired.
The corporate debt securities in which the Fund may invest include corporate bonds and notes and short-term investments such as commercial paper and variable rate demand notes. Commercial paper (short-term promissory notes) is issued by companies to finance their or their affiliate's current obligations and is frequently unsecured. Variable and floating rate demand notes are unsecured obligations typically redeemable upon not more than 30 days' notice. These obligations include master demand notes that permit investment of fluctuating amounts at varying rates of interest pursuant to a direct arrangement with the issuer of the instrument. The issuer of these obligations often has the right, after a given period, to prepay the outstanding principal amount of the obligations upon a specified number of days' notice. These obligations generally are not traded, nor generally is there an established secondary market for these obligations. To the extent a demand note does not have a 7-day or shorter demand feature and there is no readily available market for the obligation, it is treated as an illiquid security.
The Fund may invest in debt securities, including non-investment grade debt securities. The following describes some of the risks associated with fixed income debt securities:
Interest Rate Risk. Debt securities have varying levels of sensitivity to changes in interest rates. In general, the price of a debt security can fall when interest rates rise and can rise when interest rates fall. Securities with longer maturities and mortgage securities can be more sensitive to interest rate changes although they usually offer higher yields to compensate investors for the greater risks. The longer the maturity of the security, the greater the impact a change in interest rates could have on the security's price. In addition, short-term and long-term interest rates do not necessarily move in the same amount or the same direction. Short-term securities tend to react to changes in short-term interest rates and long-term securities tend to react to changes in long-term interest rates.
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Credit Risk. Fixed income securities have speculative characteristics and changes in economic conditions or other circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of those issuers to make principal or interest payments, as compared to issuers of more highly rated securities.
Extension Risk. The Fund is subject to the risk that an issuer will exercise its right to pay principal on an obligation held by the Fund (such as mortgage-backed securities) later than expected. This may happen when there is a rise in interest rates. These events may lengthen the duration (i.e. interest rate sensitivity) and potentially reduce the value of these securities.
Prepayment Risk. Certain types of debt securities, such as mortgage-backed securities, have yield and maturity characteristics corresponding to underlying assets. Unlike traditional debt securities, which may pay a fixed rate of interest until maturity when the entire principal amount comes due, payments on certain mortgage-backed securities may include both interest and a partial payment of principal. Besides the scheduled repayment of principal, payments of principal may result from the voluntary prepayment, refinancing, or foreclosure of the underlying mortgage loans.
Securities subject to prepayment are less effective than other types of securities as a means of "locking in" attractive long-term interest rates. One reason is the need to reinvest prepayments of principal; another is the possibility of significant unscheduled prepayments resulting from declines in interest rates. These prepayments would have to be reinvested at lower rates. As a result, these securities may have less potential for capital appreciation during periods of declining interest rates than other securities of comparable maturities, although they may have a similar risk of decline in market value during periods of rising interest rates. Prepayments may also significantly shorten the effective maturities of these securities, especially during periods of declining interest rates. Conversely, during periods of rising interest rates, a reduction in prepayments may increase the effective maturities of these securities, subjecting them to a greater risk of decline in market value in response to rising interest rates than traditional debt securities, and, therefore, potentially increasing the volatility of the Fund.
At times, some of the mortgage-backed securities in which the Fund may invest will have higher than market interest rates and therefore will be purchased at a premium above their par value. Prepayments may cause losses in securities purchased at a premium, as unscheduled prepayments, which are made at par, will cause the Fund to experience a loss equal to any unamortized premium.
Certificates of Deposit and Bankers' Acceptances
Certificates of deposit are receipts issued by a depository institution in exchange for the deposit of funds. The issuer agrees to pay the amount deposited plus interest to the bearer of the receipt on the date specified on the certificate. The certificate usually can be traded in the secondary market prior to maturity.
The Fund may invest in insured bank obligations. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") insures the deposits of federally insured banks and savings and loan associations (collectively referred to as "banks") up to $250,000. The Fund may purchase bank obligations that are fully insured as to principal by the FDIC. Currently, to remain fully insured as to principal, these investments must be limited to $250,000 per bank; if the principal amount and accrued interest together exceed $250,000, the excess principal and accrued interest will not be insured. Insured bank obligations may have limited marketability.
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Bankers' acceptances typically arise from short-term credit arrangements designed to enable businesses to obtain funds to finance commercial transactions. Generally, an acceptance is a time draft drawn on a bank by an exporter or an importer to obtain a stated amount of funds to pay for specific merchandise. The draft is then "accepted" by a bank that, in effect, unconditionally guarantees to pay the face value of the instrument on its maturity date. The acceptance may then be held by the accepting bank as an earning asset or it may be sold in the secondary market at the going rate of discount for a specific maturity. Although maturities for acceptances can be as long as 270 days, most acceptances have maturities of six months or less.
Time Deposits and Variable Rate Notes
The Fund may invest in fixed time deposits, whether or not subject to withdrawal penalties. The commercial paper obligations, which the Fund may buy are unsecured and may include variable rate notes. The nature and terms of a variable rate note (i.e., a "Master Note") permit the Fund to invest fluctuating amounts at varying rates of interest pursuant to a direct arrangement between the Fund as Lender, and the issuer, as borrower. It permits daily changes in the amounts borrowed. The Fund has the right at any time to increase, up to the full amount stated in the note agreement, or to decrease the amount outstanding under the note. The issuer may prepay at any time and without penalty any part of or the full amount of the note. The note may or may not be backed by one or more bank letters of credit. Because these notes are direct lending arrangements between the Fund and the issuer, it is not generally contemplated that they will be traded; moreover, there is currently no secondary market for them. Except as specifically provided in the Prospectus, there is no limitation on the type of issuer from whom these notes may be purchased; however, in connection with such purchase and on an ongoing basis, the Fund's advisor will consider the earning power, cash flow and other liquidity ratios of the issuer, and its ability to pay principal and interest on demand, including a situation in which all holders of such notes made demand simultaneously. Variable rate notes are subject to the Fund's investment restriction on illiquid securities unless such notes can be put back to the issuer on demand within seven days.
Commercial Paper
The Fund may purchase commercial paper. Commercial paper consists of short-term (usually from 1 to 270 days) unsecured promissory notes issued by corporations in order to finance their current operations. It may be secured by letters of credit, a surety bond or other forms of collateral. Commercial paper is usually repaid at maturity by the issuer from the proceeds of the issuance of new commercial paper. As a result, investment in commercial paper is subject to the risk the issuer cannot issue enough new commercial paper to satisfy its outstanding commercial paper, also known as rollover risk. Commercial paper may become illiquid or may suffer from reduced liquidity in certain circumstances. Like all fixed income securities, commercial paper prices are susceptible to fluctuations in interest rates. If interest rates rise, commercial paper prices will decline. The short-term nature of a commercial paper investment makes it less susceptible to interest rate risk than many other fixed income securities because interest rate risk typically increases as maturity lengths increase. Commercial paper tends to yield smaller returns than longer-term corporate debt because securities with shorter maturities typically have lower effective yields than those with longer maturities. As with all fixed income securities, there is a chance that the issuer will default on its commercial paper obligation.
Repurchase Agreements
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The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements. In a repurchase agreement, an investor (such as the Fund) purchases a security (known as the "underlying security") from a securities dealer or bank. Any such dealer or bank must be deemed creditworthy by the Adviser. At that time, the bank or securities dealer agrees to repurchase the underlying security at a mutually agreed upon price on a designated future date. The repurchase price may be higher than the purchase price, the difference being income to the Fund, or the purchase and repurchase prices may be the same, with interest at an agreed upon rate due to the Fund on repurchase. In either case, the income to the Fund generally will be unrelated to the interest rate on the underlying securities. Repurchase agreements must be "fully collateralized," in that the market value of the underlying securities (including accrued interest) must at all times be equal to or greater than the repurchase price. Therefore, a repurchase agreement can be considered a loan collateralized by the underlying securities.
Repurchase agreements are generally for a short period of time, often less than a week, and will generally be used by the Fund to invest excess cash or as part of a temporary defensive strategy. Repurchase agreements that do not provide for payment within seven days will be treated as illiquid securities. In the event of a bankruptcy or other default by the seller of a repurchase agreement, the Fund could experience both delays in liquidating the underlying security and losses. These losses could result from: (a) possible decline in the value of the underlying security while the Fund is seeking to enforce its rights under the repurchase agreement; (b) possible reduced levels of income or lack of access to income during this period; and (c) expenses of enforcing its rights.
High Yield Securities
The Fund may invest in high yield securities. High yield, high risk bonds are securities that are generally rated below investment grade by the primary rating agencies (BB+ or lower by S&P and Ba1 or lower by Moody's). Other terms used to describe such securities include "lower rated bonds," "non-investment grade bonds," "below investment grade bonds," and "junk bonds." These securities are considered to be high-risk investments. The risks include the following:
Greater Risk of Loss. These securities are regarded as predominately speculative. There is a greater risk that issuers of lower rated securities will default than issuers of higher rated securities. Issuers of lower rated securities generally are less creditworthy and may be highly indebted, financially distressed, or bankrupt. These issuers are more vulnerable to real or perceived economic changes, political changes or adverse industry developments. In addition, high yield securities are frequently subordinated to the prior payment of senior indebtedness. If an issuer fails to pay principal or interest, the Fund would experience a decrease in income and a decline in the market value of its investments.
Sensitivity to Interest Rate and Economic Changes. The income and market value of lower-rated securities may fluctuate more than higher rated securities. Although non-investment grade securities tend to be less sensitive to interest rate changes than investment grade securities, non-investment grade securities are more sensitive to short-term corporate, economic and market developments. During periods of economic uncertainty and change, the market price of the investments in lower-rated securities may be volatile. The default rate for high yield bonds tends to be cyclical, with defaults rising in periods of economic downturn. For example, in 2000, 2001 and 2002, the default rate for high yield securities was significantly higher than in the prior or subsequent years.
Valuation Difficulties. It is often more difficult to value lower rated securities than higher rated securities. If an issuer's financial condition deteriorates, accurate financial and business information may be limited or unavailable. In addition, the lower rated investments may be thinly traded and there
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may be no established secondary market. Because of the lack of market pricing and current information for investments in lower rated securities, valuation of such investments is much more dependent on judgment than is the case with higher rated securities.
Liquidity. There may be no established secondary or public market for investments in lower rated securities. Such securities are frequently traded in markets that may be relatively less liquid than the market for higher rated securities. In addition, relatively few institutional purchasers may hold a major portion of an issue of lower-rated securities at times. As a result, the Fund may be required to sell investments at substantial losses or retain them indefinitely when an issuer's financial condition is deteriorating.
Credit Quality. Credit quality of non-investment grade securities can change suddenly and unexpectedly, and even recently-issued credit ratings may not fully reflect the actual risks posed by a particular high-yield security.
New Legislation. Future legislation may have a possible negative impact on the market for high yield, high risk bonds. As an example, in the late 1980's, legislation required federally-insured savings and loan associations to divest their investments in high yield, high risk bonds. New legislation, if enacted, could have a material negative effect on the Fund's investments in lower rated securities.
High yield, high risk investments may include the following:
Straight fixed-income debt securities. These include bonds and other debt obligations that bear a fixed or variable rate of interest payable at regular intervals and have a fixed or resettable maturity date. The particular terms of such securities vary and may include features such as call provisions and sinking funds.
Zero-coupon debt securities. These bear no interest obligation but are issued at a discount from their value at maturity. When held to maturity, their entire return equals the difference between their issue price and their maturity value.
Zero-fixed-coupon debt securities. These are zero-coupon debt securities that convert on a specified date to interest-bearing debt securities.
Pay-in-kind bonds. These are bonds which allow the issuer, at its option, to make current interest payments on the bonds either in cash or in additional bonds. These are bonds sold without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("1933 Act"), usually to a relatively small number of institutional investors.
Convertible Securities. These are bonds or preferred stock that may be converted to common stock.
Preferred Stock. These are stocks that generally pay a dividend at a specified rate and have preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and in liquidation.
Loan Participations and Assignments. These are participations in, or assignments of all or a portion of loans to corporations or to governments, including governments of less developed countries ("LDCs").
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Securities issued in connection with Reorganizations and Corporate Restructurings. In connection with reorganizing or restructuring of an issuer, an issuer may issue common stock or other securities to holders of its debt securities. The Fund may hold such common stock and other securities even if it does not invest in such securities.
Municipal Government Obligations
In general, municipal obligations are debt obligations issued by or on behalf of states, territories and possessions of the United States (including the District of Columbia) and their political subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities. Municipal obligations generally include debt obligations issued to obtain funds for various public purposes. Certain types of municipal obligations are issued in whole or in part to obtain funding for privately operated facilities or projects. Municipal obligations include general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, industrial development bonds, notes and municipal lease obligations. Municipal obligations also include additional obligations, the interest on which is exempt from federal income tax, that may become available in the future as long as the Board of the Fund determines that an investment in any such type of obligation is consistent with the Fund's investment objectives. Municipal obligations may be fully or partially backed by local government, the credit of a private issuer, current or anticipated revenues from a specific project or specific assets or domestic or foreign entities providing credit support such as letters of credit, guarantees or insurance.
Bonds and Notes. General obligation bonds are secured by the issuer's pledge of its full faith, credit and taxing power for the payment of interest and principal. Revenue bonds are payable only from the revenues derived from a project or facility or from the proceeds of a specified revenue source. Industrial development bonds are generally revenue bonds secured by payments from and the credit of private users. Municipal notes are issued to meet the short-term funding requirements of state, regional and local governments. Municipal notes include tax anticipation notes, bond anticipation notes, revenue anticipation notes, tax and revenue anticipation notes, construction loan notes, short-term discount notes, tax-exempt commercial paper, demand notes and similar instruments.
Municipal Lease Obligations. Municipal lease obligations may take the form of a lease, an installment purchase or a conditional sales contract. They are issued by state and local governments and authorities to acquire land, equipment and facilities, such as vehicles, telecommunications and computer equipment and other capital assets. The Fund may invest in Underlying Funds that purchase these lease obligations directly, or it may purchase participation interests in such lease obligations (See "Participation Interests" section). States have different requirements for issuing municipal debt and issuing municipal leases. Municipal leases are generally subject to greater risks than general obligation or revenue bonds because they usually contain a "non-appropriation" clause, which provides that the issuer is not obligated to make payments on the obligation in future years unless funds have been appropriated for this purpose each year. Such non-appropriation clauses are required to avoid the municipal lease obligations from being treated as debt for state debt restriction purposes. Accordingly, such obligations are subject to "non-appropriation" risk. Municipal leases may be secured by the underlying capital asset and it may be difficult to dispose of any such asset in the event of non-appropriation or other default.
Exchange-Traded Notes (“ETNs”)
The Fund may invest in ETNs, which are senior, unsecured, unsubordinated debt securities whose returns are linked to the performance of a particular market benchmark or strategy, minus applicable fees. ETNs are traded on an exchange (e.g., the New York Stock Exchange) during
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normal trading hours; however, investors also can hold ETNs until they mature. At maturity, the issuer pays to the investor a cash amount equal to the principal amount, subject to the day‘s market benchmark or strategy factor. ETNs do not make periodic coupon payments or provide principal protection. ETNs are subject to credit risk, including the credit risk of the issuer, and the value of the ETN may drop due to a downgrade in the issuer‘s credit rating, despite the underlying market benchmark or strategy remaining unchanged. The value of an ETN also may be influenced by time to maturity, level of supply and demand for the ETN, volatility and lack of liquidity in underlying assets, changes in the applicable interest rates, changes in the issuer‘s credit rating, and economic, legal, political, or geographic events that affect the referenced underlying asset. When the Fund invests in ETNs, it will bear its proportionate share of any fees and expenses borne by the ETN. A decision by the Fund to sell ETN holdings may be limited by the availability of a secondary market. In addition, although an ETN may be listed on an exchange, the issuer may not be required to maintain the listing, and there can be no assurance that a secondary market will exist for an ETN.
ETNs also are subject to tax risk. No assurance can be given that the IRS will accept, or a court will uphold, how the Fund characterizes and treats ETNs for tax purposes.
An ETN that is tied to a specific market benchmark or strategy may not be able to replicate and maintain exactly the composition and relative weighting of securities, commodities or other components in the applicable market benchmark or strategy. Some ETNs that use leverage can, at times, be relatively illiquid, and thus they may be difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price. Leveraged ETNs are subject to the same risk as other instruments that use leverage in any form. The market value of ETNs may differ from their market benchmark or strategy. This difference in price may be due to the fact that the supply and demand in the market for ETNs at any point in time is not always identical to the supply and demand in the market for the securities, commodities or other components underlying the market benchmark or strategy that the ETN seeks to track. As a result, there may be times when an ETN trades at a premium or discount to its market benchmark or strategy.
United States Government Obligations
These consist of various types of marketable securities issued by the United States Treasury, i.e., bills, notes and bonds. Such securities are direct obligations of the United States government and differ mainly in the length of their maturity. Treasury bills, the most frequently issued marketable government security, have a maturity of up to one year and are issued on a discount basis. The Fund may also invest in Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS). TIPS are special types of treasury bonds that were created in order to offer bond investors protection from inflation. The values of the TIPS are automatically adjusted to the inflation rate as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). If the CPI goes up by half a percent, the value of the bond (the TIPS) would also go up by half a percent. If the CPI falls, the value of the bond does not fall because the government guarantees that the original investment will stay the same. TIPS decline in value when real interest rates rise. However, in certain interest rate environments, such as when real interest rates are rising faster than nominal interest rates, TIPS may experience greater losses than other fixed income securities with similar duration.
United States Government Agency Obligations
These consist of debt securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities of the United States government, including the various types of instruments currently outstanding or which may be offered in the future. Agencies include, among others, the Federal Housing Administration, Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA"), Farmer's Home Administration, Export-Import Bank of the
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United States, Maritime Administration, and General Services Administration. Instrumentalities include, for example, each of the Federal Home Loan Banks, the National Bank for Cooperatives, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC"), the Farm Credit Banks, the Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA"), and the United States Postal Service. These securities are either: (i) backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government (e.g., United States Treasury Bills); (ii) guaranteed by the United States Treasury (e.g., GNMA mortgage-backed securities); (iii) supported by the issuing agency's or instrumentality's right to borrow from the United States Treasury (e.g., FNMA Discount Notes); or (iv) supported only by the issuing agency's or instrumentality's own credit (e.g., Tennessee Valley Association). On September 7, 2008, the U.S. Treasury Department and the Federal Housing Finance Authority (the "FHFA") announced that FNMA and FHLMC had been placed into conservatorship, a statutory process designed to stabilize a troubled institution with the objective of returning the entity to normal business operations. The U.S. Treasury Department and the FHFA at the same time established a secured lending facility and a Secured Stock Purchase Agreement with both FNMA and FHLMC to ensure that each entity had the ability to fulfill its financial obligations. The FHFA announced that it does not anticipate any disruption in pattern of payments or ongoing business operations of FNMA and FHLMC.
Government-related guarantors (i.e. not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government) include FNMA and FHLMC. FNMA is a government-sponsored corporation owned entirely by private stockholders. It is subject to general regulation by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. FNMA purchases conventional (i.e., not insured or guaranteed by any government agency) residential mortgages from a list of approved seller/servicers which include state and federally chartered savings and loan associations, mutual savings banks, commercial banks and credit unions and mortgage bankers. Pass-through securities issued by FNMA are guaranteed as to timely payment of principal and interest by FNMA but are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government.
FHLMC was created by Congress in 1970 for the purpose of increasing the availability of mortgage credit for residential housing. It is a government-sponsored corporation formerly owned by the twelve Federal Home Loan Banks and now owned entirely by private stockholders. FHLMC issues Participation Certificates ("PC's"), which represent interests in conventional mortgages from FHLMC's national portfolio. FHLMC guarantees the timely payment of interest and ultimate collection of principal, but PCs are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government. Commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers also create pass-through pools of conventional residential mortgage loans. Such issuers may, in addition, be the originators and/or servicers of the underlying mortgage loans as well as the guarantors of the mortgage-related securities. Pools created by such nongovernmental issuers generally offer a higher rate of interest than government and government-related pools because there are no direct or indirect government or agency guarantees of payments in the former pools. However, timely payment of interest and principal of these pools may be supported by various forms of insurance or guarantees, including individual loan, title, pool and hazard insurance and letters of credit. The insurance and guarantees are issued by governmental entities, private insurers and the mortgage poolers.
Securities of Other Investment Companies
The Fund's investments in Exchange Traded Funds ("ETFs"), mutual funds and closed-end funds involve certain additional expenses and certain tax results, which would not be present in a direct investment in the underlying fund. Generally, the Fund will not purchase securities of another
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investment company if, as a result: (i) more than 10% of the Fund’s total assets would be invested in securities of other investment companies, (ii) such purchase would result in more than 3% of the total outstanding voting securities of any such investment company being held by the Fund, or (iii) more than 5% of the Fund’s total assets would be invested in any one such investment company. However, many ETFs have obtained exemptive relief from the SEC to permit unaffiliated funds to invest in the ETFs’ shares beyond the above statutory limitations, subject to certain conditions and pursuant to a contractual arrangement between the particular ETF and the investing fund. A Fund may rely on these exemptive orders to invest in unaffiliated ETFs. In the alternative, the Fund intends to rely on Rule 12d1-3, which allows unaffiliated mutual funds and ETFs to exceed the 5% limitation and the 10% limitation, provided the aggregate sales loads any investor pays (i.e., the combined distribution expenses of both the acquiring fund and the acquired fund) does not exceed the limits on sales loads established by FINRA for funds of funds. In addition to ETFs, the Fund may invest in other investment companies such as open-end mutual funds or exchange-traded closed-end funds, within the limitations described above.
Closed-End Investment Companies
The Fund may invest its assets in "closed-end" investment companies (or "closed-end funds"), subject to the investment restrictions set forth above. Shares of closed-end funds are typically offered to the public in a one-time initial public offering by a group of underwriters who retain a spread or underwriting commission of between 4% or 6% of the initial public offering price. Such securities are then listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System (commonly known as "NASDAQ") and, in some cases, may be traded in other over-the-counter markets. Because the shares of closed-end funds cannot be redeemed upon demand to the issuer like the shares of an open-end investment company (such as the Fund), investors seek to buy and sell shares of closed-end funds in the secondary market.
The Fund generally will purchase shares of closed-end funds only in the secondary market. The Fund will incur normal brokerage costs on such purchases similar to the expenses the Fund would incur for the purchase of securities of any other type of issuer in the secondary market. The Fund may, however, also purchase securities of a closed-end fund in an initial public offering when, in the opinion of the Adviser, based on a consideration of the nature of the closed-end fund's proposed investments, the prevailing market conditions and the level of demand for such securities, they represent an attractive opportunity for growth of capital. The initial offering price typically will include a dealer spread, which may be higher than the applicable brokerage cost if the Fund purchased such securities in the secondary market.
The shares of many closed-end funds, after their initial public offering, frequently trade at a price per share, which is less than the net asset value per share, the difference representing the "market discount" of such shares. This market discount may be due in part to the investment objective of long-term appreciation, which is sought by many closed-end funds, as well as to the fact that the shares of closed-end funds are not redeemable by the holder upon demand to the issuer at the next determined net asset value but rather are subject to the principles of supply and demand in the secondary market. A relative lack of secondary market purchasers of closed-end fund shares also may contribute to such shares trading at a discount to their net asset value.
The Fund may invest in shares of closed-end funds that are trading at a discount to net asset value or at a premium to net asset value. There can be no assurance that the market discount on shares of any closed-end fund purchased by the Fund will ever decrease. In fact, it is possible that
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this market discount may increase and the Fund may suffer realized or unrealized capital losses due to further decline in the market price of the securities of such closed-end funds, thereby adversely affecting the net asset value of the Fund's shares. Similarly, there can be no assurance that any shares of a closed-end fund purchased by the Fund at a premium will continue to trade at a premium or that the premium will not decrease subsequent to a purchase of such shares by the Fund.
Closed-end funds may issue senior securities (including preferred stock and debt obligations) for the purpose of leveraging the closed-end fund's common shares in an attempt to enhance the current return to such closed-end fund's common shareholders. The Fund's investment in the common shares of closed-end funds that are financially leveraged may create an opportunity for greater total return on its investment, but at the same time may be expected to exhibit more volatility in market price and net asset value than an investment in shares of investment companies without a leveraged capital structure.
Open-End Investment Companies
The Fund and any "affiliated persons," as defined by the 1940 Act, may purchase in the aggregate only up to 3% of the total outstanding securities of any underlying fund. Accordingly, when affiliated persons hold shares of any of the underlying fund, the Fund's ability to invest fully in shares of those funds is restricted, and the Adviser must then, in some instances, select alternative investments that would not have been its first preference. The 1940 Act also provides that an underlying fund whose shares are purchased by the Fund when relying on certain exemptions to limitations on investments in other investment companies will be obligated to redeem shares held by the Fund only in an amount up to 1% of the underlying fund's outstanding securities during any period of less than 30 days. Therefore, shares held by the Fund when relying on certain exemptions to limitations on investments in other investment companies under the 1940 Act in excess of 1% of an underlying fund's outstanding securities will be considered not readily marketable securities, which, together with other such securities, may not exceed 15% of the Fund's total assets.
Under certain circumstances, an underlying fund may determine to make payment of a redemption by the Fund wholly or partly by a distribution in kind of securities from its portfolio, in lieu of cash, in conformity with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). In such cases, the Fund may hold securities distributed by an underlying fund until the Adviser determines that it is appropriate to dispose of such securities.
Investment decisions by the investment advisers of the underlying fund(s) are made independently of the Fund and its Adviser. Therefore, the investment adviser of one underlying fund may be purchasing shares of the same issuer whose shares are being sold by the investment adviser of another such fund. The result would be an indirect expense to the Fund without accomplishing any investment purpose.
Exchange Traded Funds
ETFs are generally passive funds that track their related index and have the flexibility of trading like a security. They are managed by professionals and provide the investor with diversification, cost and tax efficiency, liquidity, marginability, are useful for hedging, have the ability to go long and short, and some provide quarterly dividends. Additionally, some ETFs are unit investment trusts (UITs). ETFs typically have two markets. The primary market is where institutions swap "creation units" in block-multiples of, for example, 50,000 shares for in-kind securities and cash in the form of dividends. The secondary market is where individual investors can trade as little as a single share during trading hours on the exchange. This is different from open-ended mutual funds
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that are traded after hours once the net asset value (NAV) is calculated. ETFs share many similar risks with open-end and closed-end funds.
Foreign Securities
General . The Fund may invest in foreign securities and exchange traded funds ("ETFs") and other investment companies that hold a portfolio of foreign securities. Investing in securities of foreign companies and countries involves certain considerations and risks that are not typically associated with investing in U.S. government securities and securities of domestic companies. There may be less publicly available information about a foreign issuer than a domestic one, and foreign companies are not generally subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial standards and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies. There may also be less government supervision and regulation of foreign securities exchanges, brokers and listed companies than exists in the United States. Interest and dividends paid by foreign issuers may be subject to withholding and other foreign taxes, which may decrease the net return on such investments as compared to dividends and interest paid to the Fund by domestic companies or the U.S. government. There may be the possibility of expropriations, seizure or nationalization of foreign deposits, confiscatory taxation, political, economic or social instability or diplomatic developments that could affect assets of the Fund held in foreign countries. Finally, the establishment of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws or restrictions could adversely affect the payment of obligations.
To the extent the Fund's currency exchange transactions do not fully protect the Fund against adverse changes in currency exchange rates, decreases in the value of currencies of the foreign countries in which the Fund will invest relative to the U.S. dollar will result in a corresponding decrease in the U.S. dollar value of the Fund's assets denominated in those currencies (and possibly a corresponding increase in the amount of securities required to be liquidated to meet distribution requirements). Conversely, increases in the value of currencies of the foreign countries in which the Fund invests relative to the U.S. dollar will result in a corresponding increase in the U.S. dollar value of the Fund's assets (and possibly a corresponding decrease in the amount of securities to be liquidated).
Securities Options
The Fund may purchase and write ( i.e., sell) put and call options. Such options may relate to particular securities or stock indices, and may or may not be listed on a domestic or foreign securities exchange and may or may not be issued by the Options Clearing Corporation. Options trading is a highly specialized activity that entails greater than ordinary investment risk. Options may be more volatile than the underlying instruments, and therefore, on a percentage basis, an investment in options may be subject to greater fluctuation than an investment in the underlying instruments themselves.
A call option for a particular security gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and the writer (seller) the obligation to sell, the underlying security at the stated exercise price at any time prior to the expiration of the option, regardless of the market price of the security. The premium paid to the writer is in consideration for undertaking the obligation under the option contract. A put option for a particular security gives the purchaser the right to sell the security at the stated exercise price at any time prior to the expiration date of the option, regardless of the market price of the security.
Stock index options are put options and call options on various stock indices. In most respects, they are identical to listed options on common stocks. The primary difference between stock options
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and index options occurs when index options are exercised. In the case of stock options, the underlying security, common stock, is delivered. However, upon the exercise of an index option, settlement does not occur by delivery of the securities comprising the index. The option holder who exercises the index option receives an amount of cash if the closing level of the stock index upon which the option is based is greater than, in the case of a call, or less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option. This amount of cash is equal to the difference between the closing price of the stock index and the exercise price of the option expressed in dollars times a specified multiple. A stock index fluctuates with changes in the market value of the stocks included in the index. For example, some stock index options are based on a broad market index, such as the Standard & Poor's 500® Index or the Value Line Composite Index or a narrower market index, such as the Standard & Poor's 100®. Indices may also be based on an industry or market segment, such as the AMEX Oil and Gas Index or the Computer and Business Equipment Index. Options on stock indices are currently traded on the Chicago Board Options Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, the Pacific Stock Exchange and the Philadelphia Stock Exchange.
The Fund's obligation to sell an instrument subject to a call option written by it, or to purchase an instrument subject to a put option written by it, may be terminated prior to the expiration date of the option by the Fund's execution of a closing purchase transaction, which is effected by purchasing on an exchange an option of the same series ( i.e. , same underlying instrument, exercise price and expiration date) as the option previously written. A closing purchase transaction will ordinarily be effected to realize a profit on an outstanding option, to prevent an underlying instrument from being called, to permit the sale of the underlying instrument or to permit the writing of a new option containing different terms on such underlying instrument. The cost of such a liquidation purchase plus transactions costs may be greater than the premium received upon the original option, in which event the Fund will have paid a loss in the transaction. There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular option. An option writer unable to effect a closing purchase transaction will not be able to sell the underlying instrument or liquidate the assets held in a segregated account, as described below, until the option expires or the optioned instrument is delivered upon exercise. In such circumstances, the writer will be subject to the risk of market decline or appreciation in the instrument during such period.
If an option purchased by the Fund expires unexercised, the Fund realizes a loss equal to the premium paid. If the Fund enters into a closing sale transaction on an option purchased by it, the Fund will realize a gain if the premium received by the Fund on the closing transaction is more than the premium paid to purchase the option, or a loss if it is less. If an option written by the Fund expires on the stipulated expiration date or if the Fund enters into a closing purchase transaction, it will realize a gain (or loss if the cost of a closing purchase transaction exceeds the net premium received when the option is sold). If an option written by the Fund is exercised, the proceeds of the sale will be increased by the net premium originally received and the Fund will realize a gain or loss.
Certain Risks Regarding Options.
There are several risks associated with transactions in options. For example, there are significant differences between the securities and options markets that could result in an imperfect correlation between these markets, causing a given transaction not to achieve its objectives. In addition, a liquid secondary market for particular options, whether traded over-the-counter or on an exchange, may be absent for reasons which include the following: there may be insufficient trading interest in certain options; restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on opening transactions or closing transactions or both; trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options or underlying securities or currencies; unusual or
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unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange; the facilities of an exchange or the Options Clearing Corporation may not at all times be adequate to handle current trading value; or one or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at some future date to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options), in which event the secondary market on that exchange (or in that class or series of options) would cease to exist, although outstanding options that had been issued by the Options Clearing Corporation as a result of trades on that exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.
Successful use by the Fund of options on stock indices will be subject to the ability of the Adviser to correctly predict movements in the directions of the stock market. This requires different skills and techniques than predicting changes in the prices of individual securities. In addition, a fund's ability to effectively hedge all or a portion of the securities in its portfolio, in anticipation of or during a market decline, through transactions in put options on stock indices, depends on the degree to which price movements in the underlying index correlate with the price movements of the securities held by the Fund. Inasmuch as the Fund's securities will not duplicate the components of an index, the correlation will not be perfect. Consequently, the Fund bears the risk that the prices of its securities being hedged will not move in the same amount as the prices of its put options on the stock indices. It is also possible that there may be a negative correlation between the index and the Fund's securities that would result in a loss on both such securities and the options on stock indices acquired by the Fund.
The hours of trading for options may not conform to the hours during which the underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the options markets close before the markets for the underlying securities, significant price and rate movements can take place in the underlying markets that cannot be reflected in the options markets. The purchase of options is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The purchase of stock index options involves the risk that the premium and transaction costs paid by the Fund in purchasing an option will be lost as a result of unanticipated movements in prices of the securities comprising the stock index on which the option is based.
There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an options exchange will exist for any particular option, or at any particular time, and for some options no secondary market on an exchange or elsewhere may exist. If the Fund is unable to close out a call option on securities that it has written before the option is exercised, the Fund may be required to purchase the optioned securities in order to satisfy its obligation under the option to deliver such securities. If the Fund is unable to effect a closing sale transaction with respect to options on securities that it has purchased, it would have to exercise the option in order to realize any profit and would incur transaction costs upon the purchase and sale of the underlying securities.
Cover for Options Positions .
Transactions using options (other than options that the Fund has purchased) expose the Fund to an obligation to another party. The Fund will not enter into any such transactions unless it owns either (i) an offsetting ("covered") position in securities or other options or (ii) cash or liquid securities with a value sufficient at all times to cover its potential obligations not covered as provided in (i) above. The Fund will comply with SEC guidelines regarding cover for these instruments and, if the guidelines so require, set aside cash or liquid securities in a segregated account with the Fund's
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custodian in the prescribed amount. Under current SEC guidelines, the Fund will segregate assets to cover transactions in which the Fund writes or sells options.
Assets used as cover or held in a segregated account cannot be sold while the position in the corresponding option is open, unless they are replaced with similar assets. As a result, the commitment of a large portion of the Fund's assets to cover or segregated accounts could impede portfolio management or the Fund's ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.
Options on Futures Contracts
The Fund may purchase and sell options on the same types of futures in which it may invest. Options on futures are similar to options on underlying instruments except that options on futures give the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in a futures contract (a long position if the option is a call and a short position if the option is a put), rather than to purchase or sell the futures contract, at a specified exercise price at any time during the period of the option. Upon exercise of the option, the delivery of the futures position by the writer of the option to the holder of the option will be accompanied by the delivery of the accumulated balance in the writer's futures margin account which represents the amount by which the market price of the futures contract, at exercise, exceeds (in the case of a call) or is less than (in the case of a put) the exercise price of the option on the futures contract. Purchasers of options who fail to exercise their options prior to the exercise date suffer a loss of the premium paid.
Dealer Options
The Fund may engage in transactions involving dealer options as well as exchange-traded options. Certain additional risks are specific to dealer options. While the Fund might look to a clearing corporation to exercise exchange-traded options, if the Fund were to purchase a dealer option it would need to rely on the dealer from which it purchased the option to perform if the option were exercised. Failure by the dealer to do so would result in the loss of the premium paid by the Fund as well as loss of the expected benefit of the transaction.
Exchange-traded options generally have a continuous liquid market while dealer options may not. Consequently, the Fund may generally be able to realize the value of a dealer option it has purchased only by exercising or reselling the option to the dealer who issued it. Similarly, when the Fund writes a dealer option, it may generally be able to close out the option prior to its expiration only by entering into a closing purchase transaction with the dealer to whom the Fund originally wrote the option. While the Fund will seek to enter into dealer options only with dealers who will agree to and which are expected to be capable of entering into closing transactions with the Fund, there can be no assurance that the Fund will at any time be able to liquidate a dealer option at a favorable price at any time prior to expiration. Unless the Fund, as a covered dealer call option writer, is able to effect a closing purchase transaction, it will not be able to liquidate securities (or other assets) used as cover until the option expires or is exercised. In the event of insolvency of the other party, the Fund may be unable to liquidate a dealer option. With respect to options written by the Fund, the inability to enter into a closing transaction may result in material losses to the Fund. For example, because the Fund must maintain a secured position with respect to any call option on a security it writes, the Fund may not sell the assets, which it has segregated to secure the position while it is obligated under the option. This requirement may impair the Fund's ability to sell portfolio securities at a time when such sale might be advantageous.
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The Staff of the SEC has taken the position that purchased dealer options are illiquid securities. The Fund may treat the cover used for written dealer options as liquid if the dealer agrees that the Fund may repurchase the dealer option it has written for a maximum price to be calculated by a predetermined formula. In such cases, the dealer option would be considered illiquid only to the extent the maximum purchase price under the formula exceeds the intrinsic value of the option. Accordingly, the Fund will treat dealer options as subject to the Fund's limitation on illiquid securities. If the SEC changes its position on the liquidity of dealer options, the Fund will change its treatment of such instruments accordingly.
Futures Contracts
A futures contract provides for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of a specific financial instrument (e.g., units of a stock index) for a specified price, date, time and place designated at the time the contract is made. Brokerage fees are paid when a futures contract is bought or sold and margin deposits must be maintained. Entering into a contract to buy is commonly referred to as buying or purchasing a contract or holding a long position. Entering into a contract to sell is commonly referred to as selling a contract or holding a short position.
Unlike when the Fund purchases or sells a security, no price would be paid or received by the Fund upon the purchase or sale of a futures contract. Upon entering into a futures contract, and to maintain the Fund's open positions in futures contracts, the Fund would be required to deposit with its custodian or futures broker in a segregated account in the name of the futures broker an amount of cash, U.S. government securities, suitable money market instruments, or other liquid securities, known as "initial margin." The margin required for a particular futures contract is set by the exchange on which the contract is traded, and may be significantly modified from time to time by the exchange during the term of the contract. Futures contracts are customarily purchased and sold on margins that may range upward from less than 5% of the value of the contract being traded.
If the price of an open futures contract changes (by increase in underlying instrument or index in the case of a sale or by decrease in the case of a purchase) so that the loss on the futures contract reaches a point at which the margin on deposit does not satisfy margin requirements, the broker will require an increase in the margin. However, if the value of a position increases because of favorable price changes in the futures contract so that the margin deposit exceeds the required margin, the broker will pay the excess to the Fund.
These subsequent payments, called "variation margin," to and from the futures broker, are made on a daily basis as the price of the underlying assets fluctuate making the long and short positions in the futures contract more or less valuable, a process known as "marking to the market." The Fund expects to earn interest income on its margin deposits.
Although certain futures contracts, by their terms, require actual future delivery of and payment for the underlying instruments, in practice most futures contracts are usually closed out before the delivery date. Closing out an open futures contract purchase or sale is effected by entering into an offsetting futures contract sale or purchase, respectively, for the same aggregate amount of the identical underlying instrument or index and the same delivery date. If the offsetting purchase price is less than the original sale price, the Fund realizes a gain; if it is more, the Fund realizes a loss. Conversely, if the offsetting sale price is more than the original purchase price, the Fund realizes a gain; if it is less, the Fund realizes a loss. The transaction costs must also be included in these calculations. There can be no assurance, however, that the Fund will be able to enter into an offsetting transaction with respect to a particular futures contract at a particular time. If the Fund is not
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able to enter into an offsetting transaction, the Fund will continue to be required to maintain the margin deposits on the futures contract.
For example, one contract in the Financial Times Stock Exchange 100 Index future is a contract to buy 25 pounds sterling multiplied by the level of the UK Financial Times 100 Share Index on a given future date. Settlement of a stock index futures contract may or may not be in the underlying instrument or index. If not in the underlying instrument or index, then settlement will be made in cash, equivalent over time to the difference between the contract price and the actual price of the underlying asset at the time the stock index futures contract expires.
Swap Agreements
The Fund may enter into swap agreements for purposes of attempting to gain exposure to equity, debt, commodities or other asset markets without actually purchasing those assets, or to hedge a position. Swap agreements are two-party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a day to more than one year. In a standard "swap" transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments. The gross returns to be exchanged or "swapped" between the parties are calculated with respect to a "notional amount," i.e., the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested in a "basket" of securities representing a particular index.
Most swap agreements entered into by the Fund calculate the obligations of the parties to the agreement on a "net basis." Consequently, the Fund's current obligations (or rights) under a swap agreement will generally be equal only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on the relative values of the positions held by each party to the agreement (the "net amount"). Payments may be made at the conclusion of a swap agreement or periodically during its term.
Swap agreements do not involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets. Accordingly, if a swap is entered into on a net basis, if the other party to a swap agreement defaults, the Fund's risk of loss consists of the net amount of payments that the Fund is contractually entitled to receive, if any.
The net amount of the excess, if any, of the Fund's obligations over its entitlements with respect to a swap agreement entered into on a net basis will be accrued daily and an amount of cash or liquid asset having an aggregate net asset value at least equal to the accrued excess will be maintained in an account with the Custodian. The Fund will also establish and maintain such accounts with respect to its total obligations under any swaps that are not entered into on a net basis. Obligations under swap agreements so covered will not be construed to be "senior securities" for purposes of the Fund's investment restriction concerning senior securities.
Because they are two-party contracts and because they may have terms of greater than seven days, swap agreements may be considered to be illiquid for the Fund's illiquid investment limitations. The Fund will not enter into any swap agreement unless the Adviser believes that the other party to the transaction is creditworthy. The Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counter-party.
The Fund may enter into a swap agreement in circumstances where the Adviser believes that it may be more cost effective or practical than buying the securities represented by such index or a
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futures contract or an option on such index. The counter-party to any swap agreement will typically be a bank, investment banking firm or broker/dealer. The counter-party will generally agree to pay the Fund the amount, if any, by which the notional amount of the swap agreement would have increased in value had it been invested in the particular stocks represented in the index, plus the dividends that would have been received on those stocks. The Fund will agree to pay to the counter-party a floating rate of interest on the notional amount of the swap agreement plus the amount, if any, by which the notional amount would have decreased in value had it been invested in such stocks. Therefore, the return to the Fund on any swap agreement should be the gain or loss on the notional amount plus dividends on the stocks less the interest paid by the Fund on the notional amount.
The swap market has grown substantially in recent years with a large number of banks and investment banking firms acting both as principals and as agents utilizing standardized swap documentation. As a result, the swap market has become relatively liquid in comparison with the markets for other similar instruments that are traded in the OTC market.
Regulation as a Commodity Pool Operator
The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, has filed with the National Futures Association, a notice claiming an exclusion from the definition of the term "commodity pool operator" under the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended (“CEA”), and the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) promulgated thereunder, with respect to the Funds' operations. Accordingly, the Fund is not currently subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator.
When-Issued, Forward Commitments and Delayed Settlements
The Fund may purchase and sell securities on a when-issued, forward commitment or delayed settlement basis. In this event, the Custodian (as defined under the section entitled "Custodian") will segregate liquid assets equal to the amount of the commitment in a separate account. Normally, the Custodian will set aside portfolio securities to satisfy a purchase commitment. In such a case, the Fund may be required subsequently to segregate additional assets in order to assure that the value of the account remains equal to the amount of the Fund's commitment. It may be expected that the Fund's net assets will fluctuate to a greater degree when it sets aside portfolio securities to cover such purchase commitments than when it sets aside cash.
The Fund does not intend to engage in these transactions for speculative purposes but only in furtherance of its investment objectives. Because the Fund will segregate liquid assets to satisfy its purchase commitments in the manner described, the Fund's liquidity and the ability of the Adviser to manage them may be affected in the event the Fund's forward commitments, commitments to purchase when-issued securities and delayed settlements ever exceeded 15% of the value of its net assets.
The Fund will purchase securities on a when-issued, forward commitment or delayed settlement basis only with the intention of completing the transaction. If deemed advisable as a matter of investment strategy, however, the Fund may dispose of or renegotiate a commitment after it is entered into, and may sell securities it has committed to purchase before those securities are delivered to the Fund on the settlement date. In these cases, the Fund may realize a taxable capital gain or loss. When the Fund engages in when-issued, forward commitment and delayed settlement transactions, it relies on the other party to consummate the trade. Failure of such party to do so may result in the Fund incurring a loss or missing an opportunity to obtain a price credited to be advantageous.
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The market value of the securities underlying a when-issued purchase, forward commitment to purchase securities, or a delayed settlement and any subsequent fluctuations in their market value is taken into account when determining the market value of the Fund starting on the day the Fund agrees to purchase the securities. The Fund does not earn interest on the securities it has committed to purchase until it has paid for and delivered on the settlement date.
Illiquid and Restricted Securities
The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities. Illiquid securities include securities subject to contractual or legal restrictions on resale (e.g., because they have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act")) and securities that are otherwise not readily marketable (e.g., because trading in the security is suspended or because market makers do not exist or will not entertain bids or offers). Securities that have not been registered under the Securities Act are referred to as private placements or restricted securities and are purchased directly from the issuer or in the secondary market. Foreign securities that are freely tradable in their principal markets are not considered to be illiquid.
Restricted and other illiquid securities may be subject to the potential for delays on resale and uncertainty in valuation. The Fund might be unable to dispose of illiquid securities promptly or at reasonable prices and might thereby experience difficulty in satisfying redemption requests from shareholders. The Fund might have to register restricted securities in order to dispose of them, resulting in additional expense and delay. Adverse market conditions could impede such a public offering of securities.
A large institutional market exists for certain securities that are not registered under the Securities Act, including foreign securities. The fact that there are contractual or legal restrictions on resale to the general public or to certain institutions may not be indicative of the liquidity of such investments. Rule 144A under the Securities Act allows such a broader institutional trading market for securities otherwise subject to restrictions on resale to the general public. Rule 144A establishes a "safe harbor" from the registration requirements of the Securities Act for resale of certain securities to qualified institutional buyers. Rule 144A has produced enhanced liquidity for many restricted securities, and market liquidity for such securities may continue to expand as a result of this regulation and the consequent existence of the PORTAL system, which is an automated system for the trading, clearance and settlement of unregistered securities of domestic and foreign issuers sponsored by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. ("FINRA").
Under guidelines adopted by the Trust's Board, the Adviser may determine that particular Rule 144A securities, and commercial paper issued in reliance on the private placement exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, are liquid even though they are not registered. A determination of whether such a security is liquid or not is a question of fact. In making this determination, the Adviser will consider, as it deems appropriate under the circumstances and among other factors: (1) the frequency of trades and quotes for the security; (2) the number of dealers willing to purchase or sell the security; (3) the number of other potential purchasers of the security; (4) dealer undertakings to make a market in the security; (5) the nature of the security (e.g., debt or equity, date of maturity, terms of dividend or interest payments, and other material terms) and the nature of the marketplace trades (e.g., the time needed to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offers, and the mechanics of transfer); and (6) the rating of the security and the financial condition and prospects of the issuer. In the case of commercial paper, the Adviser will also determine that the paper (1) is not traded flat or in default as to principal and interest, and (2) is rated
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in one of the two highest rating categories by at least two National Statistical Rating Organizations ("NRSROs") or, if only one NRSRO rates the security, by that NRSRO, or, if the security is unrated, the Adviser determines that it is of equivalent quality.
Rule 144A securities and Section 4(a)(2) commercial paper that have been deemed liquid as described above will continue to be monitored by the Adviser to determine if the security is no longer liquid as the result of changed conditions. Investing in Rule 144A securities or Section 4(a)(2) commercial paper could have the effect of increasing the amount of the Fund's assets invested in illiquid securities if institutional buyers are unwilling to purchase such securities.
Lending Portfolio Securities
For the purpose of achieving income, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities, provided (1) the loan is secured continuously by collateral consisting of U.S. Government securities or cash or cash equivalents (cash, U.S. Government securities, negotiable certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances or letters of credit) maintained on a daily mark-to-market basis in an amount at least equal to the current market value of the securities loaned, (2) the Fund may at any time call the loan and obtain the return of securities loaned, (3) the Fund will receive any interest or dividends received on the loaned securities, and (4) the aggregate value of the securities loaned will not at any time exceed one-third of the total assets of the Fund.
Short Sales
Short Sales Against The Box. The Fund may engage in short sales against the box. In a short sale, the Fund sells a borrowed security and has a corresponding obligation to the lender to return the identical security. The seller does not immediately deliver the securities sold and is said to have a short position in those securities until delivery occurs. The Funds may engage in a short sale if at the time of the short sale the Fund owns or has the right to obtain without additional cost an equal amount of the security being sold short. This investment technique is known as a short sale “against the box.” It may be entered into by the Fund to, for example, lock in a sale price for a security the Fund does not wish to sell immediately. If the Fund engages in a short sale, the collateral for the short position will be segregated in an account with the Fund’s custodian or qualified sub-custodian. No more than 10% of the Fund’s net assets (taken at current value) may be held as collateral for short sales against the box at any one time.
The Fund may make a short sale as a hedge, when it believes that the price of a security may decline, causing a decline in the value of a security owned by the Fund (or a security convertible or exchangeable for such security). In such case, any future losses in the Fund’s long position should be offset by a gain in the short position and, conversely, any gain in the long position should be reduced by a loss in the short position. The extent to which such gains or losses are reduced will depend upon the amount of the security sold short relative to the amount the Fund owns. There will be certain additional transaction costs associated with short sales against the box, but the Fund will endeavor to offset these costs with the income from the investment of the cash proceeds of short sales.
If the Fund effects a short sale of securities at a time when it has an unrealized gain on the securities, it may be required to recognize that gain as if it had actually sold the securities (as a “constructive sale”) on the date it effects the short sale. However, such constructive sale treatment may not apply if the Fund closes out the short sale with securities other than the appreciated securities held at the time of the short sale and if certain other conditions are satisfied. Uncertainty
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regarding the tax consequences of effecting short sales may limit the extent to which the Fund may effect short sales.
Short Sales (excluding Short Sales “Against the Box”). The Fund may sell securities short. A short sale is a transaction in which the Fund sells securities it does not own in anticipation of a decline in the market price of the securities.
To deliver the securities to the buyer, the Fund must arrange through a broker to borrow the securities and, in so doing, the Fund becomes obligated to replace the securities borrowed at their market price at the time of replacement, whatever that price may be. The Fund will make a profit or incur a loss as a result of a short sale depending on whether the price of the securities decreases or increases between the date of the short sale and the date on which the Fund purchases the security to replace the borrowed securities that have been sold. The amount of any loss would be increased (and any gain decreased) by any premium or interest the Fund is required to pay in connection with a short sale.
The Fund’s obligation to replace the securities borrowed in connection with a short sale will be secured by cash or liquid securities deposited as collateral with the broker. In addition, the Fund will place in a segregated account with its custodian or a qualified sub-custodian an amount of cash or liquid securities equal to the difference, if any, between (i) the market value of the securities sold at the time they were sold short and (ii) any cash or liquid securities deposited as collateral with the broker in connection with the short sale (not including the proceeds of the short sale). Until it replaces the borrowed securities, the Fund will maintain the segregated account daily at a level so that (a) the amount deposited in the account plus the amount deposited with the broker (not including the proceeds from the short sale) will equal the current market value of the securities sold short and (b) the amount deposited in the account plus the amount deposited with the broker (not including the proceeds from the short sale) will not be less than the market value of the securities at the time they were sold short.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
The Fund may sell a portfolio investment soon after its acquisition if the Adviser believes that such a disposition is consistent with attaining the investment objective of the Fund. Portfolio investments may be sold for a variety of reasons, such as a more favorable investment opportunity or other circumstances bearing on the desirability of continuing to hold such investments. A high rate of portfolio turnover (over 100%) may involve correspondingly greater transaction costs, which must be borne directly by the Fund and ultimately by its shareholders. High portfolio turnover may result in the realization of substantial net capital gains. To the extent short-term capital gains are realized, distributions attributable to such gains will be deemed ordinary income for federal income tax purposes. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014, the Fund's portfolio turnover rate was 266% of the average value of its portfolio. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015, the Fund's portfolio turnover rate was 208% of the average value of its portfolio.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The Fund has adopted the following investment restrictions that may not be changed without approval by a "majority of the outstanding shares" of the Fund which, as used in this SAI, means the vote of the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the shares of the Fund represented at a meeting, if the
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holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund are present or represented by proxy, or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. The Fund may not:
1. | Issue senior securities. This limitation is not applicable to activities that may be deemed to involve the issuance or sale of a senior security by the Fund, provided that the Fund's engagement in such activities is consistent with or permitted by the 1940 Act, as amended, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or interpretations of the SEC or its staff; |
2. | Borrow money, except (a) from a bank, provided that immediately after such borrowing there is an asset coverage of 300% for all borrowings of the Fund; or (b) from a bank or other persons for temporary purposes only, provided that such temporary borrowings are in an amount not exceeding 5% of the Fund's total assets at the time when the borrowing is made. This limitation does not preclude the Fund from entering into reverse repurchase transactions, provided that the Fund has an asset coverage of 300% for all borrowings and repurchase commitments of the Fund pursuant to reverse repurchase transactions; |
3. | Purchase securities on margin, participate on a joint or joint and several basis in any securities trading account, or underwrite securities. (Does not preclude the Fund from obtaining such short-term credit as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of its portfolio securities, and except to the extent that the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933, by virtue of disposing of portfolio securities); |
4. | Purchase or sell real estate or interests in real estate. This limitation is not applicable to investments in marketable securities that are secured by or represent interests in real estate. This limitation does not preclude the Fund from investing in mortgage-related securities or investing in companies engaged in the real estate business or that have a significant portion of their assets in real estate (including real estate investment trusts); |
5. | Invest 25% or more of the market value of its assets in the securities of companies engaged in any one industry. (Does not apply to investment in the securities of the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities); |
6. | Purchase or sell commodities (unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other investments or through commodity forward contracts, futures contracts or options), except that the Fund may purchase and sell forward and futures contracts and options to the full extent permitted under the 1940 Act, sell foreign currency contracts in accordance with any rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, invest in securities or other instruments backed by commodities, and invest in companies that are engaged in a commodities business or have a significant portion of their assets in commodities; or |
7. | Make loans to others, except (a) through the purchase of debt securities in accordance with its investment objectives and policies, (b) to the extent the entry into a repurchase agreement is deemed to be a loan, and (c) by loaning portfolio securities. |
With respect to 75% of the Fund’s total assets, the Fund may not purchase the securities of any issuer (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities, or, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief, securities of other investment companies) if, as a result, (1) more than 5% of the Fund’s total assets would be invested in the securities of that issuer; or (2) the Fund would hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of that issuer.
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The Fund observes the following policies, which are not deemed fundamental and which may be changed without shareholder vote. The Fund may not:
1. | Invest in any issuer for purposes of exercising control or management; |
2. | Invest in securities of other investment companies except as permitted under the 1940 Act; |
3. | Invest, in the aggregate, more than 15% of its net assets, measured at time of purchase, in securities with legal or contractual restrictions on resale, securities, which are not readily marketable and repurchase agreements with more than seven days to maturity; or |
4. | Mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or in any manner transfer, as security for indebtedness, any assets of the Fund except as may be necessary in connection with borrowings described in limitation (2) above. Margin deposits, security interests, liens and collateral arrangements with respect to transactions involving options, futures contracts, short sales and other permitted investments and techniques are not deemed to be a mortgage, pledge or hypothecation of assets for purposes of this limitation. |
If a restriction on the Fund's investments is adhered to at the time an investment is made, a subsequent change in the percentage of Fund assets invested in certain securities or other instruments, or change in average duration of the Fund's investment portfolio, resulting from changes in the value of the Fund's total assets, will not be considered a violation of the restriction; provided, however, that the asset coverage requirement applicable to borrowings shall be maintained in the manner contemplated by applicable law.
INVESTMENT ADVISER
The Adviser . Stonebridge Capital Advisors, LLC, 2550 University Avenue West, Suite 180 South, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55114, serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Subject to the authority of the Board of Trustees, the Adviser is responsible for management of the Fund's investment portfolio. The Adviser is responsible for selecting the Fund's investments according to the Fund's investment objective, policies and restrictions. The Adviser was established in 1997 for the purpose of advising individuals and institutions. As of September 30, 2015, it had approximately $892 million in assets under management.
Pursuant to an investment advisory agreement with the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, the Adviser receives, on a monthly basis, an annual advisory fee from the Fund equivalent to 1.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets. The Advisory Agreement continued in effect for two (2) years initially and thereafter shall continue from year to year provided such continuance is approved at least annually by (a) a vote of the majority of the Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting specifically called for the purpose of voting on such approval and by (b) the majority vote of either all of the Trustees or the vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund. The Advisory Agreement may be terminated without penalty on no more than 60 days written notice by a vote of a majority of the Trustees or the Adviser, or by holders of a majority of that Trust's outstanding shares. The Advisory Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.
The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its fees and reimburse expenses of the Fund, at least until January 31, 2017, to ensure that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver
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and Reimbursement (exclusive of any front-end or contingent deferred loads; brokerage fees and commissions; acquired fund fees and expenses; borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expense on securities sold short); taxes; and extraordinary expenses, such as litigation expenses (which may include indemnification of Fund officers and Trustees, contractual indemnification of Fund service providers (other than the Adviser))) will not exceed 1.90%and 1.65% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for its Class A and Class I shares, respectively. These fee waivers and expense reimbursements are subject to possible recoupment from the Fund in future years on a rolling three-year basis (within the three fiscal years after the fees have been waived or reimbursed) if such recoupment can be achieved within the foregoing expense limits. These agreements may be terminated only by the Trust’s Board of Trustees, on 60 days’ written notice to the Adviser. Fee waiver and reimbursement arrangements can decrease a Fund's expenses and boost its performance.
The table below provides information about the advisory fees paid to the Adviser by the Fund for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2015:
Year | Management Fee | Fees Earned by the Adviser | Advisory Fees Waived | Net Fees Earned by the Adviser | Expenses Reimbursed |
September 30, 2014 | 1.25% | $213,795 | $153,469 | $60,326 | - |
September 30, 2015 | 1.25% | $350,689 | $119,761 | $230,928 | - |
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Portfolio Manager . As described in the Prospectus, the Portfolio Managers listed below are responsible for the management of the Fund and, as of September 30, 2015, the other accounts set forth in the following tables.
Other Registered Investment Companies | Other Pooled Investment Vehicles | Other Accounts | ||||||||||
Portfolio Manager | Number |
Total Assets |
Number | Total Assets | Number |
Total Assets |
||||||
John Schonberg | None | $0 | None | $0 | 92 | $38,000,000 | ||||||
Michael Dashner | None | $0 | None | $0 | 240 | $48,000,000 |
Of the accounts above, the following are subject to performance-based fees.
Other Registered Investment Companies | Other Pooled Investment Vehicles | Other Accounts | ||||||||||
Portfolio Manager | Number |
Total Assets |
Number | Total Assets | Number |
Total Assets |
||||||
John Schonberg | None | $0 | None | $0 | None | $0 | ||||||
Michael Dashner | None | $0 | None | $0 | None | $0 |
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Conflicts of Interest.
In general, when a Portfolio Manager has responsibility for managing more than one account, potential conflicts of interest may arise. Those conflicts could include preferential treatment of one account over others in terms of allocation of resources or of investment opportunities. For instance, the Adviser may receive fees from certain accounts that are higher than the fee it receives from the Fund, or it could receive a performance-based fee on certain accounts. The procedures to address conflicts of interest, if any, are described below.
The Adviser attempts to avoid conflicts of interest that may arise as a result of the management of multiple client accounts. From time to time, the Adviser may recommend or cause a client to invest in a security in which another client of the Adviser has an ownership position. The Adviser has adopted certain procedures intended to treat all client accounts in a fair and equitable manner. To the extent that the Adviser seeks to purchase or sell the same security for multiple client accounts, the Adviser may aggregate, or bunch, these orders where it deems this to be appropriate and consistent with applicable regulatory requirements. When a bunched order is filled in its entirety, each participating client account will participate at the average share prices for the bunched order. When a bunched order is only partially filled, the securities purchased will be allocated on a pro-rata basis to each account participating in the bunched order based upon the initial amount requested for the account, subject to certain exceptions. Each participating account will receive the average share price for the bunched order on the same business day. In the event a single block transaction cannot be affected across all custodial platforms, a trade rotation policy shall be implemented to ensure fairness of execution. The trade rotation policy sequences each directed client that was not aggregated into the block order onto a rotating list defining the timing of order releases. The list is made up of all such directed accounts along with the block order. For purposes of speed, all directed clients who share a particular broker are assumed to be a single block on the trade rotation schedule. The execution of trades is rotated among the block order and the directed clients. If a trade for a particular rotation is not completed during the trading day, any remaining portion of the trade will be completed on the following day(s) before any trade in the same security may be initiated for the next rotation. After the trades have been completed, the schedule is moved up in order and the next broker is put first on the list for the next implementation of trades.
Compensation .
For services as Portfolio Manager to the Fund, Mr. Schonberg and Mr. Dashner are each compensated through a combination of base salary and discretionary bonus.
Ownership of Securities
The following table shows the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by the Portfolio Managers in the Fund as of September 30, 2015:
Name of Portfolio Manager | Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Fund |
John Schonberg | Over $1,000,000 |
Michael Dashner | $10,001 - $50,000 |
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ALLOCATION OF BROKERAGE
Specific decisions to purchase or sell securities for the Fund are made by the Portfolio Managers who are employees of the Adviser. Generally, the Adviser is authorized by the Trustees to allocate the orders placed by it on behalf of the Fund to brokers or dealers who may, but need not, provide research or statistical material or other services to the Fund or the Adviser for the Fund's use. Such allocation is to be in such amounts and proportions as the Adviser may determine.
In selecting a broker or dealer to execute each particular transaction, the Adviser will generally take the following into consideration:
Brokers or dealers executing a portfolio transaction on behalf of the Fund may receive a commission in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for executing the transaction if the Adviser determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in relation to the value of brokerage and research services provided to the Fund. In allocating portfolio brokerage, the Adviser may select brokers or dealers who also provide brokerage, research and other services to other accounts over which the Adviser exercises investment discretion. Some of the services received as the result of Fund transactions may primarily benefit accounts other than the Fund, while services received as the result of portfolio transactions effected on behalf of those other accounts may primarily benefit the Fund. For the year ended September 30, 2014, the Fund paid brokerage commissions of $62,170. For the year ended September 30, 2015, the Fund paid brokerage commissions of $48,378.
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
The Trust has adopted policies and procedures that govern the disclosure of the Fund's portfolio holdings. These policies and procedures are designed to ensure that such disclosure is in the best interests of Fund shareholders.
It is the Trust's policy to: (1) ensure that any disclosure of portfolio holdings information is in the best interest of Trust shareholders; (2) protect the confidentiality of portfolio holdings information; (3) have procedures in place to guard against personal trading based on the information; and (4) ensure that the disclosure of portfolio holdings information does not create conflicts between the interests of the Trust's shareholders and those of the Trust's affiliates.
The Fund discloses its portfolio holdings by mailing the annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders approximately two months after the end of the fiscal year and semi-annual period. In addition, the Fund discloses its portfolio holdings reports on Forms N-CSR and Form N-Q two months after the end of each quarter/semi-annual period.
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Within thirty days after the end of each quarter, the Adviser posts on the Fund’s website a profile of the Fund which typically includes the Fund’s top ten holdings. The Fund may choose to make available, no sooner than thirty days after the end of each quarter, a complete schedule of its portfolio holdings as of the last day of the month.
The Fund may choose to make portfolio holdings information available to rating agencies such as Lipper, Morningstar or Bloomberg earlier and more frequently on a confidential basis.
Under limited circumstances, as described below, the Fund's portfolio holdings may be disclosed to, or known by, certain third parties in advance of their filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form N-CSR or Form N-Q. In each case, a determination has been made that such advance disclosure is supported by a legitimate business purpose and that the recipient is subject to a duty to keep the information confidential.
Adviser. Personnel of the Adviser, including personnel responsible for managing the Fund's portfolio, may have full daily access to Fund portfolio holdings since that information is necessary in order for them to provide management, administrative, and investment services to the Fund. As required for purposes of analyzing the impact of existing and future market changes on the prices, availability, demand and liquidity of such securities, as well as for the assistance of portfolio managers in the trading of such securities, Adviser personnel may also release and discuss certain portfolio holdings with various broker-dealers.
Gemini Fund Services, LLC. Gemini Fund Services, LLC is the transfer agent, fund accountant, administrator and custody administrator for the Fund; therefore, its personnel have full daily access to the Fund's portfolio holdings since that information is necessary in order for them to provide the agreed-upon services for the Trust.
MUFG Union Bank, N.A. MUFG Union Bank, N.A is custodian for the Fund; therefore, its personnel have full daily access to the Fund's portfolio holdings since that information is necessary in order for them to provide the agreed-upon services for the Trust.
BBD, LLP. BBD, LLP is the Fund's independent registered public accounting firm; therefore, its personnel have access to the Fund's portfolio holdings in connection with auditing of the Fund's annual financial statements and providing assistance and consultation in connection with SEC filings.
Thompson Hine LLP. Thompson Hine LLP is counsel to the Fund; therefore, its personnel have access to the Fund's portfolio holdings in connection with review of the Fund's annual and semi-annual shareholder reports and SEC filings.
Blank Rome LLP. Blank Rome LLP is counsel to the Independent Trustees; therefore, its personnel have access to the Fund’s portfolio holdings in connection with review of the Fund’s annual and semi-annual shareholder reports and SEC filings.
Additions to List of Approved Recipients
The Fund's Chief Compliance Officer is the person responsible, and whose prior approval is required, for any disclosure of the Fund's portfolio securities at any time or to any persons other than those described above. In such cases, the recipient must have a legitimate business need for the information and must be subject to a duty to keep the information confidential. There are no ongoing
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arrangements in place with respect to the disclosure of portfolio holdings. In no event shall the Fund, the Adviser, or any other party receive any direct or indirect compensation in connection with the disclosure of information about the Fund's portfolio holdings.
Compliance With Portfolio Holdings Disclosure Procedures
The Fund's Chief Compliance Officer will report periodically to the Board with respect to compliance with the Fund's portfolio holdings disclosure procedures, and from time to time will provide the Board any updates to the portfolio holdings disclosure policies and procedures.
There is no assurance that the Trust's policies on disclosure of portfolio holdings will protect the Fund from the potential misuse of holdings information by individuals or firms in possession of that information.
OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS
Fund Administration, Fund Accounting and Transfer Agent Services
Gemini Fund Services, LLC ("GFS"), which has its principal office at 80 Arkay Drive, Hauppauge, New York 11788, serves as administrator, fund accountant and transfer agent for the Fund pursuant to a Fund Services Agreement (the "Agreement") with the Trust and subject to the supervision of the Board. GFS is primarily in the business of providing administrative, fund accounting and transfer agent services to retail and institutional mutual funds. GFS is an affiliate of the Distributor. GFS may also provide persons to serve as officers of the Fund. Such officers may be directors, officers or employees of GFS or its affiliates.
The Agreement became effective on February 23, 2012 and will remain in effect for two years from the applicable effective date for the Fund, and will continue in effect for successive twelve-month periods provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Board. The Agreement is terminable by the Board or GFS on 90 days’ written notice and may be assigned by either party, provided that the Trust may not assign this agreement without the prior written consent of GFS. The Agreement provides that GFS shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to the Agreement.
Under the Agreement, GFS performs administrative services, including: (1) monitor the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to the Trust by others service providers; (2) monitor Fund holdings and operations for post-trade compliance with the Fund’s registration statement and applicable laws and rules; (3) prepare and coordinate the printing of semi-annual and annual financial statements; (4) prepare selected management reports for performance and compliance analyses; (5) prepare and disseminate materials for and attend and participate in meetings of the Board; (6) determine income and capital gains available for distribution and calculate distributions required to meet regulatory, income, and excise tax requirements; (7) review the Trust's federal, state, and local tax returns as prepared and signed by the Trust's independent public accountants; (8) prepare and maintain the Trust's operating expense budget to determine proper expense accruals to be charged to the Fund to calculate its daily net asset value; (9) assist in and monitor the preparation, filing, printing and where applicable, dissemination to shareholders of amendments to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, periodic reports to the Trustees, shareholders and the SEC, notices pursuant to Rule 24f-2, proxy materials and reports to the SEC on
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Forms N-SAR, N-CSR, N-Q and N-PX; (10) coordinate the Trust's audits and examinations by assisting the Fund’s independent public accountants; (11) determine, in consultation with others, the jurisdictions in which shares of the Trust shall be registered or qualified for sale and facilitate such registration or qualification; (12) monitor sales of shares and ensure that the shares are properly and duly registered with the SEC; (13) monitor the calculation of performance data for the Fund; (14) prepare, or cause to be prepared, expense and financial reports; (15) prepare authorization for the payment of Trust expenses and pay, from Trust assets, all bills of the Trust; (16) provide information typically supplied in the investment company industry to companies that track or report price, performance or other information with respect to investment companies; (17) upon request, assist the Fund in the evaluation and selection of other service providers, such as independent public accountants, printers, EDGAR providers and proxy solicitors (such parties may be affiliates of GFS); (18) perform other services, recordkeeping and assistance relating to the affairs of the Trust as the Trust may, from time to time, reasonably request.
GFS also provides the Fund with accounting services, including: (i) daily computation of net asset value; (ii) maintenance of security ledgers and books and records as required by the 1940 Act; (iii) production of the Fund’s listing of portfolio securities and general ledger reports; (iv) reconciliation of accounting records; (v) calculation of yield and total return for the Fund; (vi) maintaining certain books and records described in Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act, and reconciling account information and balances among the Fund’s custodian and Adviser; and (vii) monitoring and evaluating daily income and expense accruals, and sales and redemptions of shares of the Fund.
GFS also acts as transfer, dividend disbursing, and shareholder servicing agent for the Fund pursuant to the Agreement. Under the Agreement, GFS is responsible for administering and performing transfer agent functions, dividend distribution, shareholder administration, and maintaining necessary records in accordance with applicable rules and regulations.
For the services rendered to the Fund by GFS, the Fund pays GFS the greater of an annual minimum fee or an asset based fee, which scales downward based upon net assets for fund administration, fund accounting and transfer agency services. The Fund also pays GFS for any out-of-pocket expenses.
For the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014 and 2015, the Fund paid the following fees to GFS:
Services | 2014 | 2015 |
Administration | $42,558 | $45,246 |
Fund Accounting | $29,701 | $33,009 |
Transfer Agency | $43,984 | $45,126 |
Custodian
MUFG Union Bank, National Association, (the "Custodian") located at 400 California Street, San Francisco, California 94104, serves as the custodian of the Fund's assets pursuant to a custody agreement (the "Custody Agreement") by and between the Custodian and the Trust on behalf of the Fund. The Custodian's responsibilities include safeguarding and controlling the Fund's cash and securities, handling the receipt and delivery of securities, and collecting interest and dividends on the Fund's investments. Pursuant to the Custody Agreement, the Custodian also maintains original entry documents and books of record and general ledgers; posts cash receipts and disbursements; and records purchases and sales based upon communications from the Adviser and Sub-Adviser. The Fund may employ foreign sub-custodians that are approved by the Board to hold foreign assets.
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Compliance Services
Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC ("NLCS"), located at 80 Arkay Drive, Hauppauge, NY 11788, an affiliate of GFS and the Distributor, provides a Chief Compliance Officer to the Trust as well as related compliance services pursuant to a consulting agreement between NLCS and the Trust. NLCS’s compliance services consist primarily of reviewing and assessing the policies and procedures of the Trust and its service providers pertaining to compliance with applicable federal securities laws, including Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act. For the compliance services rendered to the Fund, the Fund pays NLCS a one-time fee of $2,500, plus an annual fee, based on Fund assets, ranging from $13,500 (net assets of $50 million or less) to $31,500 (net assets over $1 billion). The Fund also pays NLCS for any out-of-pocket expenses. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015, the Fund paid $13,569 for compliance services.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Fund has selected BBD, LLP, located at 1835 Market Street, 26 th floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103, as its independent registered public accounting firm for the current fiscal year. The firm provides services including (i) audit of annual financial statements, and (ii) assistance and consultation in connection with SEC filings.
LEGAL COUNSEL
Thompson Hine LLP, 41 South High Street, Suite 1700, Columbus, Ohio 43215 serves as the Trust's legal counsel.
DISTRIBUTOR
Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, located at 17605 Wright Street, Omaha, NE 68130 (the "Distributor") serves as the principal underwriter and national distributor for the shares of the Fund pursuant to an underwriting agreement with the Trust (the "Underwriting Agreement"). The Distributor is registered as a broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and each state's securities laws and is a member of FINRA. The offering of the Fund's shares are continuous. The Underwriting Agreement provides that the Distributor, as agent in connection with the distribution of Fund shares, will use reasonable efforts to facilitate the sale of the Fund's shares.
The Underwriting Agreement provides that, unless sooner terminated, it will continue in effect for two years initially and thereafter shall continue from year to year, subject to annual approval by (a) the Board or a vote of a majority of the outstanding shares, and (b) by a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust or of the Distributor by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
The Underwriting Agreement may be terminated by the Fund at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the entire Board of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund on 60 days written notice to the Distributor, or by the Distributor at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on 60 days written notice to the Fund. The Underwriting Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment.
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The following table sets forth the total compensation received by the Distributor from Fund during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015:
Rule 12b-1 Plan
The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, has adopted the Trust’s Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan for Class A shares, pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the “Plan”) pursuant to which the Fund is authorized to pay the Distributor, as compensation for Distributor's account maintenance services under the Plan, a distribution and shareholder servicing fee at the rate of up to 0.25% for Class A shares of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares. Such fees are to be paid by the Fund monthly, or at such other intervals as the Board shall determine. Such fees shall be based upon the Fund’s average daily net assets during the preceding month, and shall be calculated and accrued daily. The Fund may pay fees to the Distributor at a lesser rate, as agreed upon by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and the Distributor. The Plan authorizes payments to the Distributor as compensation for providing account maintenance services to Fund shareholders, including arranging for certain securities dealers or brokers, administrators and others ("Recipients") to provide these services and paying compensation for these services. The Fund will bear its own costs of distribution with respect to its shares. The Fund may make other payments, such as contingent deferred sales charges imposed on certain redemptions of shares, which are separate and apart from payments made pursuant to the Plan.
The services to be provided by Recipients may include, but are not limited to, the following: assistance in the offering and sale of Fund shares and in other aspects of the marketing of the shares to clients or prospective clients of the respective recipients; answering routine inquiries concerning the Fund; assisting in the establishment and maintenance of accounts or sub-accounts in the Fund and in processing purchase and redemption transactions; making the Fund's investment plan and shareholder services available; and providing such other information and services to investors in shares of the Fund as the Distributor or the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, may reasonably request. The distribution services shall also include any advertising and marketing services provided by or arranged by the Distributor with respect to the Fund.
The Distributor is required to provide a written report, at least quarterly to the Board of Trustees, specifying in reasonable detail the amounts expended pursuant to the Plan and the purposes for which such expenditures were made. Further, the Distributor will inform the Board of any Rule 12b-1 fees to be paid by the Distributor to Recipients.
The Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of the Distributor's compensation to be paid by the Fund, unless such amendment is approved by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the affected class of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act). All material amendments must be approved by a majority of the Board of Trustees of the Trust and a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on a Plan. During the term of the Plan, the selection and nomination of non-interested Trustees
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of the Trust will be committed to the discretion of current non-interested Trustees. The Distributor will preserve copies of the Plan, any related agreements, and all reports, for a period of not less than six years from the date of such document and for at least the first two years in an easily accessible place.
Any agreement related to the Plan will be in writing and provide that: (a) it may be terminated by the Trust or the applicable Fund at any time upon sixty days' written notice, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the respective Rule 12b-1 Trustees, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust or the Fund; (b) it will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act); and (c) it will continue in effect for a period of more than one year from the date of its execution or adoption only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Board and a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such agreement.
During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015, the Fund paid $9,827 in distribution related fees pursuant to the Plan, which were allocated as set forth below:
Actual 12b-1 Expenditures Paid by The Covered Bridge Fund
Shares During the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2015
Actual 12b-1 Expenditures Paid by | |
The Covered Bridge Fund | |
During the Fiscal Period Ended September 30, 2015 | |
Total Dollars Allocated | |
Advertising/Marketing | None |
Printing/Postage | None |
Payment to distributor | $9,774 |
Payment to dealers | $53 |
Compensation to sales personnel | None |
Other | $0 |
Total | $9,827 |
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES
Each share of beneficial interest of the Trust has one vote in the election of Trustees. Cumulative voting is not authorized for the Trust. This means that the holders of more than 50% of the shares voting for the election of Trustees can elect 100% of the Trustees if they choose to do so, and, in that event, the holders of the remaining shares will be unable to elect any Trustees.
Shareholders of the Trust and any other future series of the Trust will vote in the aggregate and not by series except as otherwise required by law or when the Board determines that the matter to be voted upon affects only the interest of the shareholders of a particular series or classes. Matters such as election of Trustees are not subject to separate voting requirements and may be acted upon by shareholders of the Trust voting without regard to series.
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The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest. Each share has equal dividend, distribution and liquidation rights. There are no conversion or preemptive rights applicable to any shares of the Fund. All shares issued are fully paid and non-assessable.
CODE OF ETHICS
The Trust, the Adviser and the Distributor have each adopted codes of ethics under Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act that governs the personal securities transactions of their board members, officers and employees who may have access to current trading information of the Trust. Under the code of ethics adopted by the Trust (the "Code"), the Trustees are permitted to invest in securities that may also be purchased by the Fund.
In addition, the Trust has adopted a code of ethics, which applies only to the Trust's executive officers to ensure that these officers promote professional conduct in the practice of corporate governance and management. The purpose behind these guidelines is to promote (i) honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships; (ii) full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that a registrant files with, or submits to, the SEC and in other public communications made by the Funds; (iii) compliance with applicable governmental laws, rule and regulations; (iv) the prompt internal reporting of violations of this Code to an appropriate person or persons identified in the Code; and (v) accountability for adherence to the Code.
PROXY VOTING POLICIES
The Board has adopted Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures ("Policies") on behalf of the Trust, which delegate the responsibility for voting proxies to the Adviser or its designee, subject to the Board's continuing oversight. The Policies require that the Adviser or its designee vote proxies received in a manner consistent with the best interests of the Fund and shareholders. The Policies also require the Adviser or its designee to present to the Board, at least annually, the Adviser's Proxy Policies, or the proxy policies of the Adviser's designee, and a record of each proxy voted by the Adviser or its designee on behalf of the Fund, including a report on the resolution of all proxies identified by the Adviser as involving a conflict of interest.
Where a proxy proposal raises a material conflict between the Adviser's interests and the Fund's interests, the Adviser will resolve the conflict by voting in accordance with the policy guidelines or at the client's directive using the recommendation of an independent third party. If the third party's recommendations are not received in a timely fashion, the Adviser will abstain from voting the securities held by that client's account. A copy of the Adviser's proxy voting policies is attached hereto as Appendix A.
Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge, upon request, by calling toll free, 1-855-525-2151, by accessing the Fund's website at www.thecoveredbridgefund.com and by accessing the information on proxy voting filed by the Fund on Form N-PX on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov . In addition, a copy of the Fund's proxy voting policies and procedures are also available by calling 1-855-525-2151 and will be sent within three business days of receipt of a request.
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PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF FUND SHARES
Calculation of Share Price
As indicated in the Prospectus under the heading "Net Asset Value," the net asset value ("NAV") of the Fund's shares is determined by dividing the total value of the Fund's portfolio investments and other assets, less any liabilities, by the total number of shares outstanding of the Fund.
For purposes of calculating the NAV, portfolio securities and other assets for which market quotes are available are stated at market value. Market value is generally determined on the basis of last reported sales prices, or if no sales are reported, based on quotes obtained from a quotation reporting system, established market makers, or pricing services. Securities primarily traded in the NASDAQ National Market System for which market quotations are readily available shall be valued using the NASDAQ Official Closing Price ("NOCP"). If the NOCP is not available, such securities shall be valued at the last sale price on the day of valuation, or if there has been no sale on such day, at the last bid price. Certain securities or investments for which daily market quotes are not readily available may be valued, pursuant to guidelines established by the Board, with reference to other securities or indices. Short-term investments having a maturity of 60 days or less are generally valued at amortized cost. Exchange traded options, futures and options on futures are valued at the settlement price determined by the exchange. Other securities for which market quotes are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board or persons acting at their direction.
Investments initially valued in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are converted to U.S. dollars using exchange rates obtained from pricing services. As a result, the NAV of the Fund's shares may be affected by changes in the value of currencies in relation to the U.S. dollar. The value of securities traded in markets outside the United States or denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar may be affected significantly on a day that the New York Stock Exchange is closed and an investor is not able to purchase, redeem or exchange shares.
Fund shares are valued at the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) (the "NYSE Close") on each day that the New York Stock Exchange is open. For purposes of calculating the NAV, the Fund normally uses pricing data for domestic equity securities received shortly after the NYSE Close and do not normally take into account trading, clearances or settlements that take place after the NYSE Close. Domestic fixed income and foreign securities are normally priced using data reflecting the earlier closing of the principal markets for those securities. Information that becomes known to the Fund or its agents after the NAV has been calculated on a particular day will not generally be used to retroactively adjust the price of the security or the NAV determined earlier that day.
In unusual circumstances, instead of valuing securities in the usual manner, the Fund may value securities at fair value or estimate their value as determined in good faith by the Board or their designees, pursuant to procedures approved by the Board. Fair valuation may also be used by the Board if extraordinary events occur after the close of the relevant market but prior to the NYSE Close.
The Trust expects that the holidays upon which the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") will be closed are as follows: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, President's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
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Purchase of Shares
Orders for shares received by the Fund in good order prior to the close of business on the NYSE on each day during such periods that the NYSE is open for trading are priced at the public offering price, which is NAV plus any sales charge, or at NAV per share (if no sales charges apply) computed as of the close of the regular session of trading on the NYSE. Orders received in good order after the close of the NYSE, or on a day it is not open for trading, are priced at the close of such NYSE on the next day on which it is open for trading at the next determined net asset value per share plus sales charges, if any.
Redemption of Shares
The Fund will redeem all or any portion of a shareholder's shares of the Fund when requested in accordance with the procedures set forth in the "Redemptions" section of the Prospectus. Under the 1940 Act, a shareholder's right to redeem shares and to receive payment therefore may be suspended at times:
(a) when the NYSE is closed, other than customary weekend and holiday closings; (b) when trading on that exchange is restricted for any reason; (c) when an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by the Fund of securities owned is not reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund to fairly determine the value of net assets, provided that applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (or any succeeding governmental authority) will govern as to whether the conditions prescribed in (b) or (c) exist; or (d) when the Securities and Exchange Commission by order permits a suspension of the right to redemption or a postponement of the date of payment on redemption.
In case of suspension of the right of redemption, payment of a redemption request will be made based on the net asset value next determined after the termination of the suspension.
Supporting documents in addition to those listed under "Redemptions" in the Prospectus will be required from executors, administrators, trustees, or if redemption is requested by someone other than the shareholder of record. Such documents include, but are not restricted to, stock powers, trust instruments, certificates of death, appointments as executor, certificates of corporate authority and waiver of tax required in some states when settling estates.
Redemption Fees
A redemption fee of 1.00% of the amount redeemed is assessed on shares that have been redeemed within 90 days of purchase.
Waivers of Redemption Fees: The Fund has elected not to impose the redemption fee for:
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TAX STATUS
The following discussion is general in nature and should not be regarded as an exhaustive presentation of all possible tax ramifications. All shareholders should consult a qualified tax adviser regarding their investment in the Fund.
The Fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), which requires compliance with certain requirements concerning the sources of its income, diversification of its assets, and the amount and timing of its distributions to shareholders. Such qualification does not involve supervision of management or investment practices or policies by any government agency or bureau. By so qualifying, the Fund should not be subject to federal income or excise tax on its net investment income or net capital gain, which are distributed to shareholders in accordance with the applicable timing requirements. Net investment income and net capital gain of the Fund will be computed in accordance with Section 852 of the Code.
Net investment income is made up of dividends and interest less expenses. Net capital gain for a fiscal year is computed by taking into account any capital loss carryforward of the Fund. The Fund’s net realized capital gains from securities transactions will be distributed only after reducing such gains by the amount of any available capital loss carryforwards. Capital losses incurred in tax years beginning after December 22, 2010 may now be carried forward indefinitely and retain the character of the original loss. Under previously enacted laws, capital losses could be carried forward to offset any capital gains only for eight years, and carried forward as short-term capital losses, irrespective of the character of the original loss. Capital loss carryforwards are available to offset future realized capital gains. To the extent that these carryforwards are used to offset future capital gains it is probable that the amount offset will not be distributed to shareholders.
The Fund intends to distribute all of its net investment income, any excess of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses, and any excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses in accordance with the timing requirements imposed by the Code and therefore should not be required to pay any federal income or excise taxes. Distributions of net investment income and net capital gain will be made after the end of each fiscal year. Both types of distributions will be in shares of the Fund unless a shareholder elects to receive cash.
To be treated as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code, the Fund must also (a) derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans, net income from certain publicly traded partnerships and gains from the sale or other disposition of securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to the business of investing in such securities or currencies, and (b) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each fiscal quarter, (i)
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at least 50% of the market value of the Fund's assets is represented by cash, U.S. government securities and securities of other regulated investment companies, and other securities (for purposes of this calculation, generally limited in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the market value of the Fund's assets and 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer) and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of its assets is invested in the securities of (other than U.S. government securities or the securities of other regulated investment companies) any one issuer, two or more issuers which the Fund controls and which are determined to be engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses, or the securities of certain publicly traded partnerships.
If the Fund fails to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M in any fiscal year, it will be treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes. As such, the Fund would be required to pay income taxes on its net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, at the rates generally applicable to corporations. Shareholders of the Fund generally would not be liable for income tax on the Fund's net investment income or net realized capital gains in their individual capacities. Distributions to shareholders, whether from the Fund's net investment income or net realized capital gains, would be treated as taxable dividends to the extent of current or accumulated earnings and profits of the Fund.
The Fund is subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on certain undistributed amounts of ordinary income and capital gain under a prescribed formula contained in Section 4982 of the Code. The formula requires payment to shareholders during a calendar year of distributions representing at least 98% of the Fund's ordinary income for the calendar year and at least 98.2% of its capital gain net income (i.e., the excess of its capital gains over capital losses) realized during the one-year period ending October 31 during such year plus 100% of any income that was neither distributed nor taxed to the Fund during the preceding calendar year. Under ordinary circumstances, the Fund expects to time its distributions so as to avoid liability for this tax.
The following discussion of tax consequences is for the general information of shareholders that are subject to tax. Shareholders that are IRAs or other qualified retirement plans are exempt from income taxation under the Code.
Distributions of taxable net investment income and the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss are generally taxable to shareholders as ordinary income, unless such distributions are attributable to “qualified dividend income” eligible for the reduced federal income tax rates applicable to long-term capital gains, provided certain holding period and other requirements are satisfied. The special tax treatment of qualified dividend income will expire for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, unless Congress enacts legislation providing otherwise.
Distributions of net capital gain ("capital gain dividends") generally are taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gain, regardless of the length of time the shares of the Fund have been held by such shareholders.
For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, certain U.S. shareholders, including individuals and estates and trusts, will be subject to an additional 3.8% Medicare tax on all or a portion of their “net investment income,” which should include dividends from the Fund and net gains from the disposition of shares of the Fund. U.S. shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the implications of the additional Medicare tax resulting from an investment in the Fund.
A redemption of Fund shares by a shareholder will result in the recognition of taxable gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized and the shareholder's tax
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basis in his or her Fund shares. Such gain or loss is treated as a capital gain or loss if the shares are held as capital assets. The gain or loss will generally be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares were held for more than one year and if not held for such period, as short-term capital gain or loss. However, any loss realized upon the redemption of shares within six months from the date of their purchase will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated as capital gain dividends during such six-month period. All or a portion of any loss realized upon the redemption of shares may be disallowed to the extent shares are purchased (including shares acquired by means of reinvested dividends) within 30 days before or after such redemption.
Distributions of taxable net investment income and net capital gain will be taxable as described above, whether received in additional shares or cash. Shareholders electing to receive distributions in the form of additional shares will have a cost basis for federal income tax purposes in each share so received equal to the net asset value of a share on the reinvestment date.
All distributions of taxable net investment income and net capital gain, whether received in shares or in cash, must be reported by each taxable shareholder on his or her federal income tax return. Dividends or distributions declared in October, November or December as of a record date in such a month, if any, will be deemed to have been received by shareholders on December 31, if paid during January of the following year. Redemptions of shares may result in tax consequences (gain or loss) to the shareholder and are also subject to these reporting requirements.
Under the Code, the Fund will be required to report to the Internal Revenue Service all distributions of income and capital gains as well as gross proceeds from the redemption or exchange of Fund shares, except in the case of certain exempt shareholders. Under the backup withholding provisions of Section 3406 of the Code, distributions of net investment income and net capital gain and proceeds from the redemption or exchange of the shares of a regulated investment company may be subject to withholding of federal income tax in the case of non-exempt shareholders who fail to furnish the investment company with their taxpayer identification numbers and with required certifications regarding their status under the federal income tax law, or if the Fund is notified by the IRS or a broker that withholding is required due to an incorrect TIN or a previous failure to report taxable interest or dividends. If the withholding provisions are applicable, any such distributions and proceeds, whether taken in cash or reinvested in additional shares, will be reduced by the amounts required to be withheld.
Payments to a shareholder that is either a foreign financial institution (“FFI”) or a non-financial foreign entity (“NFFE”) within the meaning of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”) may be subject to a generally nonrefundable 30% withholding tax on: (a) income dividends paid by a Fund after June 30, 2014 and (b) certain capital gain distributions and the proceeds arising from the sale of Fund shares paid by the Fund after December 31, 2016. FATCA withholding tax generally can be avoided: (a) by an FFI, subject to any applicable intergovernmental agreement or other exemption, if it enters into a valid agreement with the IRS to, among other requirements, report required information about certain direct and indirect ownership of foreign financial accounts held by U.S. persons with the FFI and (b) by an NFFE, if it: (i) certifies that it has no substantial U.S. persons as owners or (ii) if it does have such owners, reports information relating to them. A Fund may disclose the information that it receives from its shareholders to the IRS, non-U.S. taxing authorities or other parties as necessary to comply with FATCA. Withholding also may be required if a foreign entity that is a shareholder of a Fund fails to provide the Fund with appropriate certifications or other documentation concerning its status under FATCA.
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Options, Futures, Forward Contracts and Swap Agreements
To the extent such investments are permissible for the Fund, the Fund's transactions in options, futures contracts, hedging transactions, forward contracts, straddles and foreign currencies will be subject to special tax rules (including mark-to-market, constructive sale, straddle, wash sale and short sale rules), the effect of which may be to accelerate income to the Fund, defer losses to the Fund, cause adjustments in the holding periods of the Fund's securities, convert long-term capital gains into short-term capital gains and convert short-term capital losses into long-term capital losses. These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders.
To the extent such investments are permissible, certain of the Fund's hedging activities (including its transactions, if any, in foreign currencies or foreign currency-denominated instruments) are likely to produce a difference between its book income and its taxable income. If the Fund's book income exceeds its taxable income, the distribution (if any) of such excess book income will be treated as (i) a dividend to the extent of the Fund's remaining earnings and profits (including earnings and profits arising from tax-exempt income), (ii) thereafter, as a return of capital to the extent of the recipient's basis in the shares, and (iii) thereafter, as gain from the sale or exchange of a capital asset. If the Fund's book income is less than taxable income, the Fund could be required to make distributions exceeding book income to qualify as a regular investment company that is accorded special tax treatment.
Passive Foreign Investment Companies
Investment by the Fund in certain "passive foreign investment companies" ("PFICs") could subject the Fund to a U.S. federal income tax (including interest charges) on distributions received from the company or on proceeds received from the disposition of shares in the company, which tax cannot be eliminated by making distributions to Fund shareholders. However, the Fund may elect to treat a PFIC as a "qualified electing fund" ("QEF election"), in which case the Fund will be required to include its share of the company's income and net capital gains annually, regardless of whether they receives any distribution from the company.
The Fund also may make an election to mark the gains (and to a limited extent losses) in such holdings "to the market" as though it had sold and repurchased its holdings in those PFICs on the last day of the Fund's taxable year. Such gains and losses are treated as ordinary income and loss. The QEF and mark-to-market elections may accelerate the recognition of income (without the receipt of cash) and increase the amount required to be distributed for the Fund to avoid taxation. Making either of these elections therefore may require the Fund to liquidate other investments (including when it is not advantageous to do so) to meet its distribution requirement, which also may accelerate the recognition of gain and affect the Fund's total return.
Foreign Currency Transactions
The Fund's transactions in foreign currencies, foreign currency-denominated debt securities and certain foreign currency options, futures contracts and forward contracts (and similar instruments) may give rise to ordinary income or loss to the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency concerned.
Other Regulated Investment Companies
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Generally, the character of the income or capital gains that the Fund receives from another investment company will pass through to the Fund’s shareholders as long as the Fund and the other investment company each qualify as a regulated investment company. However, to the extent that another investment company that qualifies as a regulated investment company realizes net losses on its investments for a given taxable year, the Fund will not be able to recognize its share of those losses until it disposes of shares of such investment company. Moreover, even when the Fund does make such a disposition, a portion of its loss may be recognized as a long-term capital loss, which will not be treated as favorably for federal income tax purposes as an ordinary deduction. In particular, the Fund will not be able to offset any capital losses from its dispositions of shares of other investment companies against its ordinary income. As a result of the foregoing rules, and certain other special rules, it is possible that the amounts of net investment income and net capital gains that the Fund will be required to distribute to shareholders will be greater than such amounts would have been had the Fund invested directly in the securities held by the investment companies in which it invests, rather than investing in shares of the investment companies. For similar reasons, the character of distributions from the Fund (e.g., long-term capital gain, qualified dividend income, etc.) will not necessarily be the same as it would have been had the Fund invested directly in the securities held by the investment companies in which it invests.
Foreign Taxation
Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries. Tax treaties and conventions between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes. If more than 50% of the value of the Fund's total assets at the close of its taxable year consists of securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may be able to elect to "pass through" to the Fund's shareholders the amount of eligible foreign income and similar taxes paid by the Fund. If this election is made, a shareholder generally subject to tax will be required to include in gross income (in addition to taxable dividends actually received) his or her pro rata share of the foreign taxes paid by the Fund, and may be entitled either to deduct (as an itemized deduction) his or her pro rata share of foreign taxes in computing his or her taxable income or to use it as a foreign tax credit against his or her U.S. federal income tax liability, subject to certain limitations. In particular, a shareholder must hold his or her shares (without protection from risk of loss) on the ex-dividend date and for at least 15 more days during the 30-day period surrounding the ex-dividend date to be eligible to claim a foreign tax credit with respect to a gain dividend. No deduction for foreign taxes may be claimed by a shareholder who does not itemize deductions. Each shareholder will be notified within 60 days after the close of the Fund's taxable year whether the foreign taxes paid by the Fund will "pass through" for that year.
Generally, a credit for foreign taxes is subject to the limitation that it may not exceed the shareholder's U.S. tax attributable to his or her total foreign source taxable income. For this purpose, if the pass-through election is made, the source of the Fund's income will flow through to shareholders of the Fund. With respect to the Fund, gains from the sale of securities will be treated as derived from U.S. sources and certain currency fluctuation gains, including fluctuation gains from foreign currency-denominated debt securities, receivables and payables will be treated as ordinary income derived from U.S. sources. The limitation on the foreign tax credit is applied separately to foreign source passive income, and to certain other types of income. A shareholder may be unable to claim a credit for the full amount of his or her proportionate share of the foreign taxes paid by the Fund. The foreign tax credit can be used to offset only 90% of the revised alternative minimum tax imposed on corporations and individuals and foreign taxes generally are not deductible in computing alternative minimum taxable income.
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Original Issue Discount and Pay-In-Kind Securities
Current federal tax law requires the holder of a U.S. Treasury or other fixed income zero coupon security to accrue as income each year a portion of the discount at which the security was purchased, even though the holder receives no interest payment in cash on the security during the year. In addition, pay-in-kind securities will give rise to income which is required to be distributed and is taxable even though the Fund holding the security receives no interest payment in cash on the security during the year.
Some of the debt securities (with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by the Fund may be treated as debt securities that are issued originally at a discount. Generally, the amount of the original issue discount ("OID") is treated as interest income and is included in income over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, usually when the debt security matures. A portion of the OID includable in income with respect to certain high-yield corporate debt securities (including certain pay-in-kind securities) may be treated as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Some of the debt securities (with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by the Fund in the secondary market may be treated as having market discount. Generally, any gain recognized on the disposition of, and any partial payment of principal on, a debt security having market discount is treated as ordinary income to the extent the gain, or principal payment, does not exceed the "accrued market discount" on such debt security. Market discount generally accrues in equal daily installments. The Fund may make one or more of the elections applicable to debt securities having market discount, which could affect the character and timing of recognition of income.
Some debt securities (with a fixed maturity date of one year or less from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by the Fund may be treated as having acquisition discount, or OID in the case of certain types of debt securities. Generally, the Fund will be required to include the acquisition discount, or OID, in income over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, usually when the debt security matures. The Fund may make one or more of the elections applicable to debt securities having acquisition discount, or OID, which could affect the character and timing of recognition of income.
If the Fund holds the foregoing kinds of securities, it may be required to pay out as an income distribution each year an amount, which is greater than the total amount of cash interest the Fund actually received. Such distributions may be made from the cash assets of the Fund or by liquidation of portfolio securities, if necessary (including when it is not advantageous to do so). The Fund may realize gains or losses from such liquidations. In the event the Fund realizes net capital gains from such transactions, its shareholders may receive a larger capital gain distribution, if any, than they would in the absence of such transactions.
Shareholders of the Fund may be subject to state and local taxes on distributions received from the Fund and on redemptions of the Fund's shares.
A brief explanation of the form and character of the distribution accompany each distribution. After the end of each year the Fund issues to each shareholder a statement of the federal income tax status of all distributions.
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Shareholders should consult their tax advisers about the application of federal, state and local and foreign tax law in light of their particular situation.
ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM
The Trust has established an Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Program (the "Program") as required by the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 ("USA PATRIOT Act"). To ensure compliance with this law, the Trust's Program provides for the development of internal practices, procedures and controls, designation of anti-money laundering compliance officers, an ongoing training program and an independent audit function to determine the effectiveness of the Program. The Trust's secretary serves as its Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer.
Procedures to implement the Program include, but are not limited to, determining that the Fund's Distributor and Transfer Agent have established proper anti-money laundering procedures, reporting suspicious and/or fraudulent activity and providing a complete and thorough review of all new opening account applications. The Trust will not transact business with any person or entity whose identity cannot be adequately verified under the provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act.
As a result of the Program, the Trust may be required to "freeze" the account of a shareholder if the shareholder appears to be involved in suspicious activity or if certain account information matches information on government lists of known terrorists or other suspicious persons, or the Trust may be required to transfer the account or proceeds of the account to a governmental agency.
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
A principal shareholder is any person who owns (either of record or beneficially) 5% or more of the outstanding shares of a fund. A control person is one who owns, either directly or indirectly more than 25% of the voting securities of a company or acknowledges the existence of control. A shareholder owning of record or beneficially more than 25% of a Fund's outstanding shares may be considered a controlling person. That shareholder's vote could have more significant effect on matters presented at a shareholder's meeting than votes of other shareholders.
As of January 6, 2016, the following shareholders of record owned 5% or more of the outstanding shares of each class of the Fund:
Name & Address | Shares | Percentage of Class | ||||||
Class A Shares | ||||||||
Charles Schwab & Co. | 282,707.2030 | 68.68 | % | |||||
211 Main Street | ||||||||
San Francisco, CA 94105 | ||||||||
Schonberg, John | 116,707.5760 | 28.35 | % | |||||
4085 Lexington Ave S | ||||||||
Eagan, MN 55123 | ||||||||
Class I Shares | ||||||||
Charles Schwab & Co. | 1,626,662.0590 | 58.75 | % | |||||
211 Main Street |
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San Francisco, CA 94105 |
MANAGEMENT
The business of the Trust is managed under the direction of the Board in accordance with the Agreement and Declaration of Trust and the Trust's By-laws (the "Governing Documents"), which have been filed with the SEC and are available upon request. The Board consists of five individuals, all of whom are not "interested persons" (as defined under the 1940 Act) of the Trust and the Adviser ("Independent Trustees"). Pursuant to the Governing Documents of the Trust, the Trustees shall elect officers including a President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Principal Executive Officer and a Principal Accounting Officer. The Board retains the power to conduct, operate and carry on the business of the Trust and has the power to incur and pay any expenses, which, in the opinion of the Board, are necessary or incidental to carry out any of the Trust's purposes. The Trustees, officers, employees and agents of the Trust, when acting in such capacities, shall not be subject to any personal liability except for his or her own bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his or her duties.
Board Leadership Structure . The Board is led by John V. Palancia, who has served as the Chairman of the Board since May 2014. The Board has not appointed a Lead Independent Trustee because all Trustees are Independent Trustees. Under the Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, the Chairman of the Board is responsible for (a) presiding at Board meetings, (b) calling special meetings on an as-needed basis, and (c) execution and administration of Trust policies, including (i) setting the agendas for Board meetings and (ii) providing information to Board members in advance of each Board meeting and between Board meetings. Generally, the Trust believes it best to have a non-executive Chairman of the Board, who together with the President (principal executive officer), are seen by our shareholders, business partners and other stakeholders as providing strong leadership. The Trust believes that its Chairman/Lead Independent Trustee, the independent chair of the Audit Committee, and, as an entity, the full Board of Trustees, provide effective leadership that is in the best interests of the Trust, its Funds and each shareholder.
Board Risk Oversight . The Board of Trustees is comprised entirely of Independent Trustees with an Audit Committee with a separate chair. The Board is responsible for overseeing risk management, and the full Board regularly engages in discussions of risk management and receives compliance reports that inform its oversight of risk management from its Chief Compliance Officer at quarterly meetings and on an ad hoc basis, when and if necessary. The Audit Committee considers financial and reporting the risk within its area of responsibilities. Generally, the Board believes that its oversight of material risks is adequately maintained through the compliance-reporting chain where the Chief Compliance Officer is the primary recipient and communicator of such risk-related information.
Trustee Qualifications . Generally, the Fund believes that each Trustee is competent to serve because of their individual overall merits including: (i) experience, (ii) qualifications, (iii) attributes and (iv) skills.
Mr. James Jensen has over 40 years of business experience in a wide range of industries including the financial services industry. His experience includes over 25 years of mutual fund board experience with service as chairman of the Audit Committee, chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee and, for the past eight years and currently, as Chairman of the Board of Wasatch Funds. Since April 2008, Mr. Jensen has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Clearwater Law & Governance Group, where he devotes full time to corporate law practice, board
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governance consulting for operating companies and private investing. In May 2014 Mr. Jensen and his firm conducted the eleventh Green River Conference on Corporate Governance for lawyers, accountants, directors and service providers. From 2001 to 2008, Mr. Jensen co-founded and was Chairman of the Board for Intelisum, Inc., a company pursuing computer and measurement technology and products. From 1986 to 2004, Mr. Jensen held key positions with NPS Pharmaceuticals, Inc., as Vice President, Corporate Development, Legal Affairs and General Counsel and Secretary. In addition to his business experience, Mr. Jensen was Chairman of the Board of Agricon Global Corporation, formerly BayHill Capital Corporation from 2008 to 2014 and has been a Director of the University of Utah Research Foundation from 2001 and currently. Mr. Jensen was the founder and first President of the MountainWest Venture Group (now "MountainWest Capital Network") in 1983. Mr. Jensen is a member of the National Association of Corporate Governance ("NACD"). Mr. Jensen graduated with a BA degree from the University of Utah in 1967 and received degrees of Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration from Columbia University in 1971.
Patricia Luscombe, CFA, has more than 25 years in financial advisory and valuation services. She has delivered a broad range of corporate finance advice including fairness opinions and valuations. At her current position at Lincoln International, she assists regulated investment funds, business development companies, private equity funds and hedge funds in the valuation of illiquid securities for fair value accounting purposes. Ms. Luscombe's clients have ranged from closely-held businesses to large publicly traded companies. Ms. Luscombe joined Lincoln International in 2007 as a Managing Director and co-head of Lincoln's Valuations & Opinions Group. Previously, Ms. Luscombe spent 16 years with Duff & Phelps Corporation, as a Managing Director in the firm's valuation and financial advisory business. Prior to joining Duff & Phelps Corporation, Ms.Luscombe was an Associate at Smith Barney, a division of Citigroup Capital Markets, Inc., where she managed a variety of financial transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, and equity and debt financings. Ms. Luscombe is a member of the Chicago Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth, the Chartered Financial Analyst Society of Chicago and former president of the Chicago Finance Exchange. Ms. Luscombe holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Stanford University, a Master's degree in economics from the University of Chicago and a Masters of Business Administration degree from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. In addition, Ms. Luscombe is licensed under the Series 24, 79 and 63 of FINRA.
Mr. John V. Palancia has over 36 years of business experience in financial services industry including serving as the Director of Global Futures Operations for Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. Mr. Palancia also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics. Mr. Palancia possesses an in depth understanding of broker-dealer operations from having served in various management capacities and has held industry registrations in both securities and futures. He also possesses a strong understanding of risk management, balance sheet analysis, compliance and the regulatory framework under which regulated financial entities must operate based on service to Merrill Lynch. Additionally, he is well versed in the regulatory framework under which investment companies must operate based on his service as a member of 2 other mutual fund boards. This practical and extensive experience in the securities industry provides valuable insight into fund operations and enhances his ability to effectively serve as chairman of the Trust.
Mark H. Taylor has over two decades of academic and professional experience in the accounting and auditing areas which makes him particularly qualified to serve as the Trust audit committee chair. He has a PhD in Accounting and holds Master's and Bachelor's degrees in Accounting as well and is licensed as a Certified Public Accountant. Mr. Taylor is the Andrew D. Braden Professor of Accounting and Auditing and Chair of the Department of Accountancy at the
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Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University. From 2012 to 2015 he is serving a 3-year term on the Executive Committee of the Auditing Section of the American Accounting Association as Vice-President, President, and Past President, respectively. He serves as a member of two other mutual fund boards within the Northern Lights Fund Complex, and completed a fellowship in the Professional Practice Group of the Office of the Chief Accountant at the headquarters of the United States Securities Exchange Commission. He also served a three-year term on the AICPA Auditing Standards Board (2008-2011). Recently he received a research grant from the Center for Audit Quality to study how auditors manage the process of auditing fair value measurements in financial statements. He teaches corporate governance and accounting policy and auditing, and possesses a strong understanding of the regulatory framework under which investment companies must operate.
Mr. Jeff D. Young has 38 years of business management experience in the transportation industry including operations and information technologies. Until he retired in 2014, he served as Assistant Vice President of Transportation System at Union Pacific Railroad Company, where he was responsible for development and implementation of large scale command and control systems that support railroad operations and safety. At this position, Mr. Young was heavily involved in the regulatory compliance of safety and mission critical systems. Mr. Young also served as Chairman of the Association of American Railroads Policy Committee and represented both Union Pacific Railroad and the railroad industry in safety and regulatory hearings with the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Railroad Administration in Washington, DC. Mr. Young was a member of the Board of Directors of PS Technologies, a Union Pacific affiliate serving as a technology supplier to the railroad industry. His practical business experience and understanding of regulatory compliance provides a different perspective that will bring diversity to Board deliberations.
Trustees and Officers . The Trustees and officers of the Trust, together with information as to their principal business occupations during the past five years and other information, are shown below. Unless otherwise noted, the address of each Trustee and Officer is 17605 Wright Street, Suite 2, Omaha, Nebraska 68130.
Independent Trustees
|
|||||
Name,
Address* Year of Birth |
Position(s) Held
with Registrant |
Length of Service and Term |
Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years |
Number of Funds Overseen In The Fund Complex** | Other Directorships Held During Past 5 Years |
James U. Jensen 1944 |
Trustee | Since February 2012, Indefinite | Chief Executive Officer, ClearWater Law & Governance Group, LLC (an operating board governance consulting company) (since 2008). | 39 | Wasatch Funds Trust, (since 1986); Agricon Global Corporation, formerly Bayhill Capital Corporation (large scale farming in Ghana, West Africa) (since December 2007 to February 2014); Lifetime Achievement Fund, Inc. |
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|
(February 2012 to April 2012). | ||||
Patricia Luscombe 1961 |
Trustee | Since January 2015, Indefinite | Managing Director of the Valuations and Opinions Group, Lincoln International LLC (since 2007). | 39 | None |
John V. Palancia 1954 |
Trustee, Chairman |
Trustee, since February 2012, Indefinite; Chairman of the Board since May 2014 | Retired (since 2011); Formerly, Director of Global Futures Operations Control, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. (1975-2011). | 149 | Northern Lights Fund Trust (since 2011); Northern Lights Variable Trust (since 2011); Lifetime Achievement Fund, Inc. (February 2012 to April 2012); Alternative Strategies Fund (since 2012) |
Mark H. Taylor 1964 |
Trustee, Chairman of the Audit Committee |
Since February 2012, Indefinite | Andrew D. Braden Professor of Accounting and Auditing, Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University (since 2009); President, Auditing Section of the American Accounting Association (2012-2015); Former member of the AICPA Auditing Standards Board, AICPA ( 2008-2011). | 149 | Alternative Strategies Fund (since June 2010); Lifetime Achievement Fund, Inc. (February 2007 to April 2012); Northern Lights Fund Trust (since 2007); Northern Lights Variable Trust (since 2007). |
Jeffery D. Young 1956 |
Trustee | Since January 2015, Indefinite | Retired (since 2014); Formerly Asst. Vice President - Transportation Systems, Union Pacific Railroad Company (1976-2014). | 39 | PS Technology, Inc. (2010-2013). |
* The address of each Trustee and officer is c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC, 17605 Wright Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68130
** The "Fund Complex" includes the following registered management investment companies in addition to the Trust: Northern Lights Fund Trust, Northern Lights Fund Trust II, Northern Lights Fund Trust IV and Northern Lights Variable Trust.
Officers of the Trust
Name,
Address Year of Birth |
Position(s) Held
with Registrant |
Length of Service and Term |
Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years |
James P. Ash 80 Arkay Drive Hauppauge, NY |
President | May 2015, indefinite | Senior Vice President, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (since 2012); Vice President, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2011 - 2012); Director of Legal Administration, |
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11788 1976 |
Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2009 - 2011); Assistant Vice President of Legal Administration, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2008 - 2011). | ||
Brian Curley 80 Arkay Drive Hauppauge, NY 11788 1970 |
Treasurer | February 2013, indefinite | Vice President, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2015 to present), Assistant Vice President, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (April 2012 to December 2014); Senior Controller of Fund Treasury, The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (2008 – 2012). |
Eric Kane 80 Arkay Drive Hauppauge, NY 11788 1981 |
Secretary | Since November 2013, indefinite | Assistant Vice President, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2014 to present), Staff Attorney, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (March, 2013 to July 2014), Law Clerk, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (October, 2009 to March, 2013), Legal Intern, NASDAQ OMX (January 2011 to September 2011). |
William Kimme 17605 Wright Street Omaha, NE 68130 1962 |
Chief Compliance Officer | February 2012, indefinite | Senior Compliance Officer of Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (since 2011); Due Diligence and Compliance Consultant, Mick & Associates (August, 2009-September 2011). |
Audit Committee. The Board has an Audit Committee that consists solely of Trustees who are not "interested persons" of the Trust within the meaning of the 1940 Act. The Audit Committee's responsibilities include: (i) recommending to the Board the selection, retention or termination of the Trust's independent auditors; (ii) reviewing with the independent auditors the scope, performance and anticipated cost of their audit; (iii) discussing with the independent auditors certain matters relating to the Trust's financial statements, including any adjustment to such financial statements recommended by such independent auditors, or any other results of any audit; (iv) reviewing on a periodic basis a formal written statement from the independent auditors with respect to their independence, discussing with the independent auditors any relationships or services disclosed in the statement that may impact the objectivity and independence of the Trust's independent auditors and recommending that the Board take appropriate action in response thereto to satisfy itself of the auditor's independence; and (v) considering the comments of the independent auditors and management's responses thereto with respect to the quality and adequacy of the Trust's accounting and financial reporting policies and practices and internal controls. The Audit Committee operates pursuant to an Audit Committee Charter. Mr. Taylor is Chairman of the Audit Committee. During the past fiscal year, the Audit Committee held six meetings.
Compensation of Directors . Effective January 1, 2016, each Trustee who is not affiliated with the Trust or an investment adviser to any series of the Trust will receive a quarterly fee of $16,000 for his attendance at the regularly scheduled meetings of the Board of Trustees, to be paid in advance of each calendar quarter, as well as reimbursement for any reasonable expenses incurred. From January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015, each Trustee who is not affiliated with the Trust or an investment adviser to any series of the Trust received a quarterly fee of $13,500.From January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014, each Trustee who is not affiliated with the Trust or an investment adviser to any series of the Trust received a quarterly fee of $12,000. Prior to January 1, 2014 each Trustee who is not affiliated with the Trust or an adviser received a quarterly fee of $6,000. Effective January 1, 2016, in addition to the quarterly fees and reimbursements, the Chairman of the Board receives a quarterly fee of $3,750, and the Audit Committee Chairmen receive a quarterly fee of $3,000.
Additionally, in the event an in-person meeting of the Board of Trustees other than its regularly scheduled meetings (a “Special Meeting”) is required, each Independent Trustee will receive a fee of
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$2,500 per Special Meeting, as well as reimbursement for any reasonable expenses incurred, to be paid by the relevant series of the Trust or its investment adviser depending on the circumstances necessitating the Special Meeting. The “interested persons” who serve as Trustees of the Trust receive no compensation for their services as Trustees. None of the executive officers receive compensation from the Trust.
The table below details the amount of compensation the Trustees received from the Trust during the Fund’s fiscal year ending September 30, 2015. The Trust does not have a bonus, profit sharing, pension or retirement plan.
Name and Position | Aggregate Compensation From Trust* | Total Compensation From Trust and Fund Complex** Paid to Trustees |
James U. Jensen | $50,000 | $50,000 |
Patricia Luscombe*** | $40,500 | $40,500 |
John V. Palancia | $62,000 | $210,750 |
Mark H. Taylor | $59,000 | $230,250 |
Jeffery D. Young*** | $40,500 | $40,500 |
* Trustees' fees are allocated ratably to each fund in the Trust.
** The "Fund Complex" includes the following registered management investment companies in addition to the Trust: Northern Lights Fund Trust, Northern Lights Fund Trust II, Northern Lights fund Trust IV and Northern Lights Variable Trust.
*** Ms. Luscombe and Mr. Young were added as members of the Board of Trustees, effective January 1, 2015.
Name and Position | Aggregate Compensation From Trust* | Total Compensation From Trust and Fund Complex** Paid to Trustees |
James U. Jensen | $50,000 | $50,000 |
Patricia Luscombe*** | $40,500 | $40,500 |
John V. Palancia | $62,000 | $210,750 |
Anthony M. Payne | $25,000 | $25,000 |
Mark H. Taylor | $59,000 | $230,250 |
Jeffery D. Young*** | $40,500 | $40,500 |
* Trustees' fees are allocated ratably to each fund in the Trust.
** The "Fund Complex" includes the following registered management investment companies in addition to the Trust: Northern Lights Fund Trust, Northern Lights Fund Trust II, Northern Lights fund Trust IV and Northern Lights Variable Trust.
*** Ms. Luscombe and Mr. Young were added as members of the Board of Trustees, effective January 1, 2015.
Trustees' Ownership of Shares in the Fund . As of December 31, 2015, the Trustees beneficially owned the following amounts in the Fund:
Name of Trustee | Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Fund | Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in All Registered Investment Companies Overseen by Trustee in Family of Investment Companies* |
James U. Jensen | None | None |
Patricia Luscombe** | None | None |
John V. Palancia | None | None |
Mark H. Taylor | None | None |
Jeffery D. Young** | None | None |
* The "Family of Investment Companies" includes the following registered management investment companies in addition to the Trust: Northern Lights Fund Trust, Northern Lights Fund Trust II, Northern Lights Fund Trust IV and Northern Lights Variable Trust.
** Ms. Luscombe and Mr. Young were added as members of the Board of Trustees effective January 1, 2015.
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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The audited financial statements and report of the independent registered public accounting firm required to be included in this SAI are hereby incorporated by reference to the Annual Report for the Fund for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015. You may obtain a copy of the Annual Report without charge by calling the Fund at 1-855-525-2151.
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APPENDIX A
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
STONEBRIDGE CAPITAL ADVISORS, LLC
Proxy Voting
Policy
Stonebridge Capital Advisors, LLC, as a matter of policy and as a fiduciary to our clients, has responsibility for voting proxies for portfolio securities consistent with the best economic interests of the clients. Our firm maintains written policies and procedures as to the handling, research, voting and reporting of proxy voting and makes appropriate disclosures about our firm’s proxy policies and practices. Our policy and practice includes the responsibility to monitor corporate actions, receive and vote client proxies and disclose any potential conflicts of interest as well as making information available to clients about the voting of proxies for their portfolio securities and maintaining relevant and required records.
Background
Proxy voting is an important right of shareholders and reasonable care and diligence must be undertaken to ensure that such rights are properly and timely exercised.
Investment advisers registered with the SEC, and which exercise voting authority with respect to client securities, are required by Rule 206(4)-6 of the Advisers Act to (a) adopt and implement written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to ensure that client securities are voted in the best interests of clients, which must include how an adviser addresses material conflicts that may arise between an
adviser's interests and those of its clients; (b) to disclose to clients how they may obtain information from the adviser with respect to the voting of proxies for their securities; (c) to describe to clients a summary of its proxy voting policies and procedures and, upon request, furnish a copy to its clients; and (d) maintain certain records relating to the adviser's proxy voting activities when the adviser does have proxy voting authority.
Responsibility
Equity Portfolio Management Team has the responsibility for the implementation and monitoring of our proxy voting policy, practices, disclosures and record keeping, including outlining our voting guidelines in our procedures.
Procedure
Stonebridge Capital Advisors, LLC has adopted procedures to implement the firm’s policy and conducts reviews to monitor and ensure the firm’s policy is observed, implemented properly and amended or updated, as appropriate, which include the following:
Voting Procedures
● All employees will forward any proxy materials received on behalf of clients to Equity Portfolio
Management Team;
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● Equity Portfolio Management Team will determine which client accounts hold the security to which the proxy relates;
● Absent material conflicts, Equity Portfolio Management Team will determine how Stonebridge Capital Advisors, LLC should vote the proxy in accordance with applicable voting guidelines, complete the proxy and vote the proxy in a timely and appropriate manner.
Disclosure
● Stonebridge Capital Advisors, LLC will provide required disclosures in response to Item 17 of Form ADV Part 2A summarizing this proxy voting policy and procedures, including a statement that clients may request information regarding how Stonebridge Capital Advisors, LLC voted a client’s proxies, and that clients may request a copy of the firm's proxy policies and procedures.
● Equity Portfolio Management Team will also send a copy of this summary to all existing clients who have previously received Stonebridge Capital Advisors, LLC's Form ADV Part 2; or Equity Portfolio Management Team may send each client the amended Form ADV Part 2.
Client Requests for Information
● All client requests for information regarding proxy votes, or policies and procedures, received by any employee should be forwarded to Equity Portfolio Management Team.
● In response to any request, Equity Portfolio Management Team will prepare a written response to the client with the information requested, and as applicable will include the name of the issuer, the proposal voted upon, and how Stonebridge Capital Advisors, LLC voted the client’s proxy with respect to each proposal about which client inquired.
Voting Guidelines
● In the absence of specific voting guidelines from the client, Stonebridge Capital Advisors, LLC will vote proxies in the best interests of each particular client. Stonebridge Capital Advisors, LLC's policy is to vote all proxies from a specific issuer the same way for each client absent qualifying restrictions from a client. Clients are permitted to place reasonable restrictions on Stonebridge Capital Advisors, LLC's voting authority in the same manner that they may place such restrictions on the actual selection of account securities.
● Stonebridge Capital Advisors, LLC will generally vote in favor of routine corporate housekeeping proposals such as the election of directors and selection of auditors absent conflicts of interest raised by an auditors non-audit services.
● Stonebridge Capital Advisors, LLC will generally vote against proposals that cause board members to become entrenched or cause unequal voting rights.
● In reviewing proposals, Stonebridge Capital Advisors, LLC will further consider the opinion of management and the effect on management, and the effect on shareholder value and the issuer’s business practices.
● Mutual fund proxies will be voted separately and in accordance with the procedures stated above.
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Conflicts of Interest
● Stonebridge Capital Advisors, LLC will identify any conflicts that exist between the interests of the adviser and the client by reviewing the relationship of Stonebridge Capital Advisors, LLC with the issuer of each security to determine if Stonebridge Capital Advisors, LLC or any of its employees has any financial, business or personal relationship with the issuer.
● If a material conflict of interest exists, Equity Portfolio Management Team will determine whether it is appropriate to disclose the conflict to the affected clients, to give the clients an opportunity to vote the proxies themselves, or to address the voting issue through other objective means such as voting in a manner consistent with a predetermined voting policy or receiving an independent third party voting recommendation.
● Stonebridge Capital Advisors, LLC will maintain a record of the voting resolution of any conflict of interest.
Recordkeeping
Equity Portfolio Management Team shall retain the following proxy records in accordance with the SEC’s five- year retention requirement.
● These policies and procedures and any amendments;
● Each proxy statement that Stonebridge Capital Advisors, LLC receives;
● A record of each vote that Stonebridge Capital Advisors, LLC casts;
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PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 28. Exhibits.
(a) Articles of Incorporation.
(i) Registrant's Agreement and Declaration of Trust, which was filed as an exhibit to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A on December 30, 2011, is incorporated by reference.
(ii) Certificate of Trust, which was filed as an exhibit to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A on December 30, 2011, is incorporated by reference.
(b) By-Laws. Registrant's By-Laws as previously filed on August 19, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 62, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(c) Instruments Defining Rights of Security Holder. None other than in the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the Registrant.
(d) Investment Advisory Contracts.
(i) Investment Advisory Agreement between Swan Capital Management, Inc. and Registrant, with respect to the Swan Defined Risk Fund as previously filed on November 13, 2012 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 17, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(ii) Investment Advisory Agreement between Footprints Asset Management & Research, Inc., and Registrant with respect to the Footprints Discover Value Fund as previously filed on January 24, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 88, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(ii)(a) Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between Footprints Asset Management & Research, Inc., and Registrant with respect to the Footprints Discover Value Fund as previously filed on January 13, 2015 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 149, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(iii) Investment Advisory Agreement between Persimmon Capital Management, LP, and Registrant, with respect to the Persimmon Long/Short Fund as previously filed on December 17,
2012 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 23, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(iii)(a) Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between Persimmon Capital Management, LP and Registrant, with respect to the Persimmon Long/Short Fund as previously filed on July 8, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 119, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(iv) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Persimmon Capital Management, LP and Caerus Global Investors, LLC, with respect to the Persimmon Long/Short Fund as previously filed on March 8, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 33, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(v) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Persimmon Capital Management, LP and Weatherbie Capital, LLC, with respect to the Persimmon Long/Short Fund as previously filed on March 8, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 33, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(vi) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Persimmon Capital Management, LP and Infinitas Capital, LLC with respect to the Persimmon Long/Short Fund as previously filed on June 2, 2015 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 171, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(vii) Investment Advisory Agreement between Good Harbor Financial, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Good Harbor U.S. Tactical Core Fund as previously filed on December 26, 2012 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 24, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(viii) Investment Advisory Agreement between Spectrum Advisory Services, Inc. and Registrant, with respect to the Marathon Value Portfolio as previously filed on
March 8, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 33, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(viii)(a) Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between Spectrum Advisory Services, Inc. and Registrant, with respect to Marathon Value Portfolio as previously filed on July 8, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 119, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(ix) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Persimmon Capital Management, LP and ISF Management, LLC, with respect to the Persimmon Long/Short Fund as previously filed on July 8, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 119, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(x) Investment Advisory Agreement between Triumph Alternatives, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Discretionary Managed Futures Strategy Fund as previously filed on May 30, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 53, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(x)(a) Amendment to Investment Advisory Agreement between Triumph Alternatives, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Discretionary Managed Futures Strategy Fund as previously filed on July 29, 2015 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 180, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xi) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Triumph Alternatives, LLC and Milne, LLC d/b/a/ JKMilne Asset Management, with respect to the Discretionary Managed Futures Strategy Fund as previously filed on May 30, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 53, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xii) Investment Advisory Agreement between Pinnacle Family Advisers, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Pinnacle Tactical Allocation Fund as previously filed on May 15, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 51, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xiii) Investment Advisory Agreement between Stonebridge Capital Advisors, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Covered Bridge Fund as previously filed on August 19, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 62, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xiv) Investment Advisory Agreement between Global View Capital Management, Ltd. and Registrant, with respect to the Tactical Asset Allocation Fund as previously filed on September 6, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 67, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xv) Investment Advisory Agreement between Good Harbor Financial, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Good Harbor Tactical Core International Developed Markets Fund and Good Harbor Tactical Equity Income Fund as previously filed on September 23, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 70, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xvi) Investment Advisory Agreement between Good Harbor Financial, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Good Harbor Tactical Core International Emerging Markets Fund is filed as previously filed on December 11, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 84, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xvii) Investment Advisory Agreement between First Associated Investment Advisors, Inc. and Registrant, with respect to The Teberg Fund as previously filed on December 13, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 86, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xviii) Investment Advisory Agreement between RESQ Investment Partners, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the RESQ Absolute Equity Fund and RESQ Absolute Income Fund as previously filed on December 13, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 85, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xix) Investment Advisory Agreement between R.W. Rogé & Company, Inc. and Registrant, with respect to the Rogé Partners Fund as previously filed on April 24, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 106, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xx) Investment Advisory Agreement between Horizon Capital Management, Inc. and Registrant, with respect to the Issachar Fund as previously filed on February 10, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 93, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxi) Investment Advisory Agreement between Cane Capital Management, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Cane Alternative Strategies Fund as previously filed on April 22, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 104, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxii) Investment Advisory Agreement between Newfound Research LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Newfound Risk Managed Global Sectors Fund as previously filed on April 25, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 107, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxiii) Investment Advisory Agreement between Cozad Asset Management, Inc. and Registrant, with respect to the Cozad Small Cap Value Fund as previously filed on April 29, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 108, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxiv) Investment Advisory Agreement between Good Harbor Financial, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Good Harbor Tactical Currency Strategy Fund as previously filed on May 29, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 114, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxv) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Good Harbor Financial, LLC and FDO Partners, LLC, with respect to the Good Harbor Tactical Currency Strategy Fund as previously filed on May 29, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 114, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxvi) Investment Advisory Agreement between Howard Capital Management, Inc., and the Registrant with respect to the HCM Tactical Growth Fund as previously filed on July 8, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 119, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxvii) Investment Advisory Agreement between Good Harbor Financial, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Good Harbor Tactical Core US II Fund as previously filed on May 15, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 113, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxviii) Investment Advisory Agreement between Newfound Research LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Newfound Multi-Asset Income Fund as previously filed on September 3, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 130, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxix) Investment Advisory Agreement between Newfound Research LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Newfound Total Return Fund as previously filed on September 3, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 131, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxx) Investment Advisory Agreement between Counterpoint Mutual Funds, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Counterpoint Tactical Income Fund as previously filed on September 24, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Stamen in Post-Effective Amendment No. 203, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxxi) Investment Advisory Agreement between Swan Capital Management, Inc. and Registrant, with respect to the Swan Defined Risk Emerging Markets Fund as previously filed on December 3, 2014 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 143, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxxii) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Swan Capital Management, Inc., and Swan Global Management, LLC, with respect to the Swan Defined Risk Fund as previously filed on January 13, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 149, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxxiii) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Swan Capital Management, Inc., and Swan Global Management, LLC, with respect to the Swan Defined Risk Emerging Markets Fund as previously filed on January 13, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 149, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxxiv) Investment Advisory Agreement between Ascendant Capital Management, LLC and Registrant, with respect to ACM Dynamic Opportunity Fund, as previously filed on January 13, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 149, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxxv) Investment Advisory Agreement between Howard Capital Management, Inc. and Registrant, with respect to HCM Dividend Sector Plus Fund, as previously filed on March 3, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 160, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxxvi) Investment Advisory Agreement between Newfound Research LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Newfound Risk Managed U.S. Sectors Fund, as previously filed on June 2, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 171, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxxvii) Investment Advisory Agreement between Good Harbor Financial LLC and Registrant with respect to the Leland International Advantage Fund, Leland Thomson Reuters Venture Capital Index Fund and Leland Thomson Reuters Private Equity Index Fund as previously filed on September 24, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Stamen in Post-Effective Amendment No. 203, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxxviii) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Good Harbor Financial, LLC and FDO Partners, LLC, with respect to the Leland International Advantage Fund, as previously filed on July 24, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 177, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxxix) Investment Advisory Agreement between United Global Advisors, LLC and Registrant with respect to the United Income and Art Fund to be filed by subsequent amendment.
(xl) Investment Advisory Agreement between Pinnacle Family Advisers, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Pinnacle Sherman Multi-Strategy Core Fund as previously filed on September 3, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 202, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xli) Investment Advisory Agreement between Absolute Capital Management, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Absolute Capital Asset Allocator Fund and Absolute Capital Defender Fund as previously filed on October 13, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 207, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xlii) Investment Advisory Agreement between Counterpoint Mutual Funds, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Counterpoint Tactical Equity Fund is filed as previously filed on October 19, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 208, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xliii) Investment Advisory Agreement between Swan Capital Management, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Swan Defined Risk Foreign Developed Fund and Swan Defined Risk U.S. Small Cap Fund is filed as previously filed on October 27, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 210, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xliv) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Swan Capital Management, LLC, and Swan Global Management, LLC, with respect to the Swan Defined Risk Foreign Developed Fund and Swan Defined Risk U.S. Small Cap Fund is filed as previously filed on October 27, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 210, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(e) Underwriting Contracts.
(i) Underwriting Agreement between the Registrant and Northern Lights Distributors LLC as previously filed on June 2, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, is incorporated by reference.
(f) Bonus or Profit Sharing Contracts. None.
(g) Custodial Agreement.
(i) Custody Agreement between the Registrant and The Huntington National Bank as previously filed on August 28, 2012 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(ii) Custody Agreement between the Registrant and Union Bank, N.A. as previously filed on August 28, 2012 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(iii) Custody Agreement between the Registrant and U.S. Bank, N.A. as previously filed on February 10, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 93, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(iv) Custody Agreement between the Registrant and First National Bank of Omaha as previously filed on October 14, 2014 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 139, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(v) Amendment to Custody Agreement between the Registrant and U.S. Bank, N.A. as previously filed on May 15, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 113, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h) Other Material Contracts.
(i) Fund Services Agreement as previously filed on April 9, 2012 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(ii) Expense Limitation Agreement between Swan Capital Management, Inc. and the Registrant, with respect to the Swan Defined Risk Fund as previously filed on November 13, 2012 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 17, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(iii) Expense Limitation Agreement between Footprints Asset Management & Research, Inc., and Registrant, with respect to the Footprints Discover Value Fund as previously filed on November 13, 2012 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 17, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(iv) Expense Limitation Agreement between Persimmon Capital Management, LLC, and Registrant, with respect to the Persimmon Long/Short Fund as previously filed on December 17, 2012 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 23, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(v) Expense Limitation Agreement between Good Harbor Financial, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Good Harbor U.S. Tactical Core Fund as previously filed on December 26, 2012 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 24, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(vi) Expense Limitation Agreement between Triumph Alternatives, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Discretionary Managed Futures Strategy Fund as previously filed on May 30, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 53, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(vi)(a) Amendment to the Expense Limitation Agreement between Triumph Alternatives, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Discretionary Managed Futures Strategy Fund as previously filed on July 29, 2015 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 180, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(vii) Expense Limitation Agreement between Pinnacle Family Advisers, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Pinnacle Tactical Allocation Fund as previously filed on May 15, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 51, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(viii) Expense Limitation Agreement between Stonebridge Capital Advisors, LLC and Registrant, with respect to The Covered Bridge Fund as previously filed on August 19, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 62, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(viii)(a) Amendment to the Expense Limitation Agreement between Stonebridge Capital Advisors, LLC and Registrant, with respect to The Covered Bridge Fund as previously filed on April 28, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective No. 163, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(ix) Expense Limitation Agreement between Global View Capital Management, Ltd. and Registrant, with respect to the Tactical Asset Allocation Fund as previously filed on September 6, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 67, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(ix)(a) Amendment to the Expense Limitation Agreement between Global View Capital Management, Ltd. and Registrant, with respect to Tactical Asset Allocation Fund as previously filed on April 28, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective No. 163, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(x) Expense Limitation Agreement between Good Harbor Financial, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Good Harbor Tactical Core International Developed Markets Fund and Good Harbor Tactical Equity Income Fund as previously filed on September 23, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 70, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xi) Expense Limitation Agreement between Good Harbor Financial, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Good Harbor Tactical Core International Emerging Markets Fund as previously filed on December 11, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 84, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xii) Expense Limitation Agreement between First Associated Investment Advisors, Inc. and Registrant, with respect to The Teberg Fund as previously filed on December 13, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 86, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xiii) Expense Limitation Agreement between RESQ Investment Partners, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the RESQ Absolute Equity Fund and RESQ Absolute Income Fund as previously filed on December 13, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 85, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xiv) Expense Limitation Agreement between R.W. Rogé & Company, Inc. and Registrant, with respect to the Rogé Partners Fund as previously filed on October 28, 2015 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 214, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xv) Expense Limitation Agreement between Horizon Capital Management, Inc. and Registrant, with respect to the Issachar Fund is as previously filed on February 27, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 98, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xvi) Expense Limitation Agreement between Cane Capital Management, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Cane Alternative Strategies Fund is as previously filed on April 22, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 104, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xvii) Expense Limitation Agreement between Newfound Research LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Newfound Risk Managed Global Sectors Fund as previously filed on April 25, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 107, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xviii) Expense Limitation Agreement between Cozad Asset Management, Inc. and Registrant, with respect to the Cozad Small Cap Value Fund is as previously filed on April 29, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 108, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xix) Expense Limitation Agreement between Good Harbor Financial, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Good Harbor Tactical Currency Strategy Fund is as previously filed on May 29, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 114, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xx) Custody Administration Agreement between Registrant and the Administrator, with respect to certain Rogé Partners Fund as previously filed on April 24, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 106, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxi) Expense Limitation Agreement between Good Harbor Financial, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Good Harbor Tactical Core US II Fund as previously filed on May 15, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 113, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxiii) Expense Limitation Agreement between Newfound Research LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Newfound Multi-Asset Income Fund as previously filed on September 3, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 130, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxiii) Expense Limitation Agreement between Newfound Research LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Newfound Total Return Fund as previously filed on September 3, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 131, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxiv) Expense Limitation Agreement between Howard Capital Management, Inc., and Registrant, with respect to the HCM Tactical Growth Fund as previously filed on July 8, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 119, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxv) Expense Limitation Agreement between Counterpoint Mutual Funds, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Counterpoint Tactical Income Fund is as previously filed on September 24, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 203, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxvi) Expense Limitation Agreement between RESQ Investment Partners, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Class C shares of RESQ Absolute Equity Fund and the Class C Shares of RESQ Absolute Income Fund as previously filed on September 3, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 129, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxvii) Expense Limitation Agreement between Swan Capital Management, Inc. and Registrant, with respect to the Swan Defined Risk Emerging Markets Fund as previously filed on December 3, 2014 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 143, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxvii) Expense Limitation Agreement between Ascendant Capital Management, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the ACM Dynamic Opportunity Fund as previously filed on January 13, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 149, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxix) Expense Limitation Agreement between Howard Capital Management, Inc. and Registrant, with respect to HCM Dividend Sector Plus Fund as previously filed on March 3, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 160, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxx) Expense Limitation Agreement between Newfound Research LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Newfound Risk Managed U.S. Sectors Fund as previously filed on June 2, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 160, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxxi) Expense Limitation Agreement between Good Harbor Financial, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Leland International Advantage Fund, as previously filed on July 24, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 177, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxxii) Expense Limitation Agreement between Good Harbor Financial, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Leland Thomson Reuters Venture Capital Index Fund as previously filed on July 24, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 177, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxxiii) Expense Limitation Agreement between Good Harbor Financial, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Leland Thomson Reuters Private Equity Index Fund as previously filed on July 24, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 177, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxxiv) Expense Limitation Agreement between United Global Advisors, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the United Income and Art Fund to be filed by subsequent amendment.
(xxxv) Expense Limitation Agreement between Pinnacle Family Advisers, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Pinnacle Sherman Multi-Strategy Core Fund previously filed on September 3, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 202, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxxvi) Expense Limitation Agreement between Absolute Capital Management, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Absolute Capital Asset Allocator Fund and Absolute Capital Defender Fund as previously filed on October 13, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 207, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxxvii) Expense Limitation Agreement between Counterpoint Mutual Funds, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Counterpoint Tactical Equity Fund as previously filed on October 19, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 208, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxxviii) Consulting Services Agreement between Registrant and Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC, as previously filed on July 24, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 177, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxxix) Expense Limitation Agreement between Swan Capital Management, LLC and Registrant with respect of the Swan Defined Risk Foreign Developed Fund and Swan Defined Risk U.S. Small Cap Fund is filed as previously filed on October 27, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 210, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(i) Legal consent is filed herewith.
(j) Other Opinions. Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm is filed herewith.
(k) Omitted Financial Statements. None.
(l) Initial Capital Agreements. None.
(m) Rule 12b-1 Plans.
(i) Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Class A Shares as previously filed on April 22, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 104, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(a) Amended and Restated exhibit A to Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Class A Shares is filed herewith.
(ii) Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Class C Shares as previously filed on April 22, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 104, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(a) Amended and Restated exhibit A to Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Class C Shares previously filed on September 3, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 202, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(iii) Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Class N Shares as previously filed on April 22, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 104, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(iv) Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for No-Load Shares as previously filed on August 19, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 62, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(v) Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Non-Designated Class as previously filed on April 22, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 104, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(vi) Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Class R Shares as previously filed on July 8, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 119, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(a) Amended and Restated exhibit A to Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Class R as previously filed on March 3, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 160, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(vii) Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Class A1 as previously filed on March 3, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 160, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(viii) Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Investor Class Shares as previously filed on March 3, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 160, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(ix) Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Class I Shares as previously filed on March 3, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 160, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(n) (i) Rule 18f-3 Plan as previously filed on July 8, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 119, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(ii) Amended and Restated Appendix A to Rule 18f-3 Plan previously filed on September 3, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 202, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(o) Reserved.
(p) Code of Ethics.
(i) Code of Ethics for the Trust as previously filed on April 9, 2012 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(iii) Code of Ethics for Northern Lights Distributors as previously filed on April 9, 2012 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(iii) Code of Ethics of Swan Capital Management, Inc. was filed previously filed on June 8, 2012 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 4, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(iv) Code of Ethics of Footprints Asset Management & Research, Inc. is filed herewith.
(v) Code of Ethics of Persimmon Capital Management LP as previously filed on December 17, 2012 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 23, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(vi) Code of Ethics of Caerus Investors, LLC is filed herewith.
(vii) Code of Ethics of Weatherbie Capital, LLC is filed herewith.
(viii) Code of Ethics of Good Harbor Financial, LLC is filed herewith.
(ix) Code of Ethics of Spectrum Advisory Services, Inc. as previously filed on March 8, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 33, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(x) Code of Ethics of ISF Management, LLC as previously filed on December 17, 2012 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 23, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xi) Code of Ethics of Triumph Alternatives, LLC as previously filed on May 30, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 53, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xii) Code of Ethics of Milne, LLC d/b/a/ JKMilne Asset Management as previously filed on May 30, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 53, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xiii) Code of Ethics of Pinnacle Family Advisers, LLC as previously filed on May 15, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 51, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xiv) Code of Ethics of Stonebridge Capital Advisors, LLC as previously filed on August 19, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 62, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xv) Code of Ethics of Global View Capital Management, Ltd. is filed herewith.
(xvi) Code of Ethics of First Associated Investment Advisors, Inc. as previously filed on December 13, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 86, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xvii) Code of Ethics of RESQ Investment Partners, LLC is filed herewith.
(xviii) Code of Ethics of R.W. Rogé & Company, Inc. as previously filed on April 24, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 106, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xix) Code of Ethics of Horizon Capital Management, Inc. is filed herewith.
(xx) Code of Ethics of Cane Capital Management, LLC as previously filed on April 22, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 104, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxi) Code of Ethics of Newfound Research LLC is filed herewith.
(xxii) Code of Ethics of Cozad Asset Management, Inc. is as previously filed on April 29, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 108, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxiii) Code of Ethics of FDO Partners, LLC is filed herewith.
(xxiv) Code of Ethics of Howard Capital Management, Inc. as previously filed on July 8, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 119, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxv) Code of Ethics of Counterpoint Mutual Funds, LLC as previously filed on October 7, 2014 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 137, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxvi) Code of Ethics of Ascendant Capital Management, LLC as previously filed on January 13, 2015 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 149, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxvii) Code of Ethics of Swan Global Management, LLC is filed herewith.
(xxviii) Code of Ethics of United Global Advisors, LLC to be filed by subsequent amendment.
(xxix) Code of Ethics of Absolute Capital Management, LLC as previously filed on October 13, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 207, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(q) Powers of Attorney.
(i) Power of Attorney for the Trust, and a certificate with respect thereto, and each executive officer, as previously filed on May 30, 2013 to the Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 53, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(ii) Power of Attorney for each trustee as previously filed on February 26, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 159, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(iii) Power of Attorney for the DMFSF Fund Limited, and a certificate with respect thereto, and each director, as previously filed on June 4, 2013 to the Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 54, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(iv) Power of Attorney for the TXMFS Fund Limited, and a certificate with respect thereto, and each director, as previously filed on June 4, 2013 to the Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 54, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(v) Power of Attorney for the CAS Fund Limited, and a certificate with respect thereto, and each director, as previously filed on April 22, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 104, and hereby incorporated by reference.
Item 29. Control Persons. None.
Item 30. Indemnification.
Reference is made to Article VIII of the Registrant's Agreement and Declaration of Trust Instrument which is included, Section 8 of the Underwriting Agreement, Section 7 of the Custody Agreement, and Section 4 of the Fund Services Agreement. The application of these provisions is limited by the following undertaking set forth in the rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission:
Article VIII, Section 2(b) provides that every note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate or undertaking and every other act or document whatsoever issued, executed or done by or on behalf of the Trust, the officers or the Trustees or any of them in connection with the Trust shall be conclusively deemed to have been issued, executed or done only in such Person's capacity as Trustee and/or as officer, and such Trustee or officer, as applicable, shall not be personally liable therefore, except as described in the last sentence of the first paragraph of Section 2 of Article VIII.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in such Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in such Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. The Registrant may maintain a standard mutual fund and investment advisory professional and directors and officers liability policy. The policy, if maintained, would provide coverage to the Registrant, its Trustees and officers, and could cover its advisers, among others. Coverage under the policy would include losses by reason of any act, error, omission, misstatement, misleading statement, neglect or breach of duty.
The Underwriting Agreement provides that the Registrant agrees to indemnify, defend and hold Northern Lights Distributors, LLC ("NLD"), its several officers and directors, and any person who controls NLD within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act free and harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses (including the reasonable cost of investigating or defending such claims, demands or liabilities and any reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) which NLD, its officers and directors, or any such controlling persons, may incur under the Securities Act, the 1940 Act, or common law or otherwise, arising out of or based upon: (i) any untrue statement, or alleged untrue statement, of a material fact required to be stated in either any Registration Statement or any Prospectus, (ii) any omission, or alleged omission, to state a material fact required to be stated in any Registration Statement or any Prospectus or necessary to make the statements in any of them not misleading, (iii) the Registrant's failure to maintain an effective Registration statement and Prospectus with respect to Shares of the Funds that are the subject of the claim or demand, or (iv) the Registrant's failure to provide NLD with advertising or sales materials to be filed with the FINRA on a timely basis.
The Fund Services Agreements with Gemini Fund Services, LLC ("GFS") provides that the Registrant agrees to indemnify and hold GFS harmless from and against any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, reasonable counsel fees, payments, expenses and liability arising out of or attributable to the Registrant's refusal or failure to comply with the terms of the Agreement, or which arise out of the Registrant's lack of good faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to the Registrant's performance under or in connection with this Agreement.
The Consulting Agreement with Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC ("NLCS") provides that the Registrant agree to indemnify and hold NLCS harmless from and against any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, reasonable counsel fees, payments, expenses and liability arising out of or attributable to the Trust's refusal or failure to comply with the terms of the Agreement, or which arise out of the Trust's lack of good faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to the Trust's performance under or in connection with the Agreement. NLCS shall not be liable for, and shall be entitled to rely upon, and may act upon information, records and reports generated by the Trust, advice of the Trust, or of counsel for the Trust and upon statements of the Trust's independent accountants, and shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to such records and reports.
Item 31. Activities of Investment Advisor and Sub-Advisor.
Certain information pertaining to the business and other connections of each Advisor of each series of the Trust is hereby incorporated herein by reference to the section of the respective Prospectus captioned "Investment Advisor" and to the section of the respective Statement of Additional Information captioned "Investment Advisory and Other Services." The information required by this Item 31 with respect to each director, officer or partner of each Advisor is incorporated by reference to the Advisor's Uniform Application for Investment Adviser Registration ("Form ADV") on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Each Advisor's Form ADV may be obtained, free of charge, at the SEC's website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov, and may be requested by File No. as follows:
Swan Capital Management, LLC. the Advisor of the Swan Defined Risk Fund, Swan Defined Risk Emerging Markets Fund, Swan Defined Risk Foreign Developed Fund and Swan Defined Risk U.S. Small Cap Fund– File No. 801-76701.
Swan Global Management, LLC, a Sub-Adviser of the Swan Defined Risk Fund, Swan Defined Risk Emerging Markets Fund, Swan Defined Risk Foreign Developed Fund and Swan Defined Risk U.S. Small Cap Fund – File No. 801-80552.
Footprints Asset Management & Research, Inc., the Adviser of the Footprints Discover Value Fund – File No. 801-62315.
Persimmon Capital Management, LP, the Adviser of the Persimmon Long/Short Fund – File No. 801-56210.
Caerus Investors, LLC, a Sub-Adviser of the Persimmon Long/Short Fund – File No. 801-72410.
Weatherbie Capital, LLC, a Sub-Adviser of the Persimmon Long/Short Fund – File No. 801-50672.
Good Harbor Financial, LLC, the Adviser of the Good Harbor Tactical Core US II Fund, Good Harbor U.S. Tactical Core Fund, Good Harbor Tactical Core International Developed Markets Fund, Good Harbor Tactical Core International Emerging Markets Fund, Good Harbor Tactical Equity Income Fund, Good Harbor Tactical Currency Strategy Fund, International Advantage Fund, Leland Thomson Reuters Venture Capital Index Fund and Leland Thomson Reuters Private Equity Index Fund – File No. 801-71064.
Spectrum Advisory Services, Inc., the Adviser of the Marathon Value Portfolio – File No. 801-40286.
ISF Management, LLC, a Sub-Adviser of the Persimmon Long/Short Fund – File No. 801-71827.
Triumph Alternatives, LLC, the Adviser of the Discretionary Managed Futures Strategy Fund – File No. 801-77659.
Milne, LLC d/b/a JKMilne Asset Management, a Sub-Adviser of the Discretionary Managed Futures Strategy Fund– File No. 801-63470.
Pinnacle Family Advisers, LLC, the Adviser of the Pinnacle Tactical Allocation Fund and Pinnacle Sherman Multi-Strategy Core Fund – File No. 801-78013.
Stonebridge Capital Advisors, LLC, the Adviser of The Covered Bridge Fund– File No. 801-53760.
Global View Capital Management, Ltd., the Adviser of the Tactical Asset Allocation Fund – File No. 801-72887.
First Associated Investment Advisors, the Adviser of The Teberg Fund – File No. 801-60972.
RESQ Investment Partners, LLC, the Adviser of the RESQ Absolute Equity Fund and RESQ Absolute Income Fund – File No. 801-78822.
R.W. Rogé & Company, Inc. the Adviser of the Rogé Partners Fund– File No. 801-28012.
Horizon Capital Management, Inc., the Adviser of the Issachar Fund – File No. 801-26038.
Cane Capital Management, LLC the Adviser of the Cane Alternative Strategies Fund – File No. 801-79377.
Newfound Research LLC the Adviser of the Newfound Risk Managed Global Sectors Fund, Newfound Multi-Asset Income Fund, Newfound Total Return Fund, and Newfound Risk Managed U.S. Sectors Fund – File No. 801-73042.
Cozad Asset Management, Inc. the Adviser of the Cozad Small Cap Value Fund – File No. 801-18060.
FDO Partners, LLC the Sub-Adviser of the Good Harbor Tactical Currency Strategy Fund – File No. 801-55104.
Howard Capital Management, Inc. the Adviser of the HCM Tactical Growth Fund and HCM Dividend Sector Plus Fund – File No. 801-69763.
Counterpoint Mutual Funds, LLC the Adviser of the Counterpoint Tactical Income Fund and Counterpoint Tactical Equity Fund – File No. 801-80197.
Ascendant Capital Management, LLC the Adviser of ACM Dynamic Opportunity Fund – File No. 801-80770.
Infinitas Capital, LLC a Sub-Adviser of Persimmon Long/Short Fund – File No. 801-95173
United Global Advisors, LLC the Adviser of United Income and Art Fund – File No. to be provided in subsequent amendment.
Absolute Capital Management, LLC the Adviser of Absolute Capital Asset Allocator Fund and Absolute Capital Defender Fund– File No. 801-61336.
Item 32. Principal Underwriter.
(a) NLD is the principal underwriter for all series of Northern Lights Fund Trust III. NLD also acts as principal underwriter for the following:
AdvisorOne Funds, AmericaFirst Quantitative Funds , Arrow ETF Trust, BlueArc Multi-Strategy Fund, CLA Strategic Allocation Fund, Copeland Trust, Equinox Funds Trust, Forethought Variable Insurance Trust, Hays Series Trust, Miller Investment Trust, Morgan Creek Series Trust, Mutual Fund Series Trust, Neiman Funds, Nile Capital Investment Trust, North Country Funds, Northern Lights Fund Trust, Northern Lights Fund Trust II, Northern Lights Variable Trust, Northern Lights Fund Trust IV, OCM Mutual Fund, Trust, Princeton Private Equity Fund, The Multi-Strategy Growth & Income Fund, The Saratoga Advantage Trust, Total Income+ Real Estate Fund, Tributary Funds, Inc., Two Roads Shared Trust, Vertical Capital Income Fund.
(b) NLD is registered with Securities and Exchange Commission as a broker-dealer and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. The principal business address of NLD is 17605 Wright Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68130. NLD is an affiliate of Gemini Fund Services, LLC. To the best of Registrant's knowledge, the following are the members and officers of NLD:
Name | Positions and Offices with Underwriter |
Positions and Offices
with the Trust |
Brian Nielsen | Manager, Chief Executive Officer, Secretary | None |
William Wostoupal | President | None |
Daniel Applegarth | Treasurer/ FINOP | None |
Mike Nielsen | Chief Compliance Officer and AML Compliance Officer | None |
Bill Strait | General Counsel | None |
(c) Not applicable.
Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records.
All accounts, books and documents required to be maintained by the Registrant pursuant to Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and Rules 31a-1 through 31a-3 thereunder are maintained at the office of the Registrant, Adviser, Sub-Adviser, Principal Underwriter, Transfer Agent, Fund Accountant, Administrator and Custodian at the addresses stated in the SAI.
Swan Capital Management, LLC 277 E. Third Avenue, Unit A Durango, CO 81301, pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Swan Defined Risk Fund, Swan Defined Risk Emerging Markets Fund, Swan Defined Risk Foreign Developed Fund and Swan Defined Risk U.S. Small Cap Fund.
Footprints Asset Management & Research, Inc., 11422 Miracle Hills Drive, Suite 208, Omaha, NE 68154 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Footprints Discover Value Fund.
Persimmon Capital Management, LP, 1777 Sentry Parkway, Gwynedd Hall, Suite 102, Blue Bell, PA 19422 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Persimmon Long/Short Fund.
Caerus Global Investors, LLC, 712 Fifth Avenue, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10019 pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement with Persimmon Capital Management, LP, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Persimmon Long/Short Fund.
Weatherbie Capital, LLC, 256 Franklin Street, Suite 1601, Boston, MA 02110 pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement with Persimmon Capital Management, LP, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Persimmon Long/Short Fund.
Good Harbor Financial, LLC, 155 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 1850, Chicago, IL 60606 pursuant to the Advisory Agreements with Trust, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Good Harbor Tactical Core US II Fund, Good Harbor U.S. Tactical Core Fund, Good Harbor Tactical Core International Developed Markets Fund, Good Harbor Tactical Core International Emerging Markets Fund, Good Harbor Tactical Equity Income Fund, Good Harbor Tactical Currency Strategy Fund, Leland Thomson Reuters Venture Capital Index Fund and Leland Thomson Reuters Private Equity Index Fund.
Spectrum Advisory Services, Inc., 1050 Crown Pointe Parkway, Suite 750, Atlanta, GA 30338 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Marathon Value Portfolio.
ISF Management, LLC, 767 Third Avenue, 39th Floor, New York, NY 10017 pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement with Persimmon Capital Management, LP, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Persimmon Long/Short Fund.
Triumph Alternatives, LLC, 316 Sixth Avenue, Suite 100, LaGrange, Illinois 60525 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Discretionary Managed Futures Strategy Fund.
Milne, LLC d/b/a/ JKMilne Asset Management, Royal Palm Corporate Center, 1520 Royal Palm Square Blvd., #210, Fort Meyers, FL 33919 pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement with Triumph Alternatives, LLC, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Discretionary Managed Futures Strategy Fund.
Pinnacle Family Advisers, LLC, 4200 S. Quail Creek Ave., Suite A, Springfield, MO 65810 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Pinnacle Tactical Allocation Fund and Pinnacle Sherman Multi-Strategy Core Fund.
Stonebridge Capital Advisors, LLC, 2550 University Avenue West, Suite 180 South, Saint Paul, MN 55114 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to The Covered Bridge Fund.
Global View Capital Management, Ltd., Stone Ridge Business Center III, Suite 350, Waukesha, WI 53188 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Tactical Asset Allocation Fund.
First Associated Investment Advisors, Inc., 5161 Miller Trunk Highway Duluth, MN 55811 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to The Teberg Fund.
RESQ Investment Partners, LLC 9383 East Bahia Drive, Suite 120, Scottsdale, AZ 85260 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to RESQ Absolute Equity Fund and RESQ Absolute Income Fund.
R.W. Rogé & Company, Inc. 630 Johnson Ave, Suite 103, Bohemia, NY 11716 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Rogé Partners Fund.
Horizon Capital Management, Inc. 106 Valerie Drive, Lafayette, LA 70508 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Issachar Fund.
Cane Capital Management, LLC, 8440 Jefferson Hwy, Suite 402, Baton Rouge, LA 70809 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Cane Alternative Strategies Fund.
Newfound Research LLC, 425 Boylston Street, Third Floor, Boston, MA 02116 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Newfound Risk Managed Global Sectors Fund, the Newfound Multi-Asset Income Fund, the Newfound Total Return Fund, and the Newfound Risk Managed U.S. Sectors Fund.
Cozad Asset Management, Inc., 2501 Galen Drive, Champaign, IL 61821 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Cozad Small Cap Value Fund.
FDO Partners, LLC, 134 Mount Auburn St., Cambridge, MA 02138 pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement with Good Harbor Financial, LLC, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Good Harbor Tactical Currency Strategy Fund and International Advantage Fund.
Howard Capital Management, Inc., 555 Sun Valley Drive, Suite B-4, Rosewell, GA 30076 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the HCM Tactical Growth Fund and HCM Dividend Sector Plus Fund.
Counterpoint Mutual Funds, LLC 12707 High Bluff Drive, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92130 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Counterpoint Tactical Income Fund and Counterpoint Tactical Equity Fund.
Ascendant Capital Management, LLC 10866 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1600, Los Angeles, CA 90024 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the ACM Dynamic Opportunity Fund.
Swan Global Management, LLC 7 Ridgetop, Palmas Del Mar, PR 19103 pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement with Swan Capital Management, Inc., maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Swan Defined Risk, the Swan Defined Risk Emerging Markets Fund, the Swan Defined Risk Foreign Developed Fund and the Swan Defined Risk U.S. Small Cap Fund.
Infinitas Capital, LLC 99 Hudson Street, 5 th Floor, New York, NY 10013 pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement with Persimmon Capital Management, LP, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Persimmon Long/Short Fund.
United Global Advisors, LLC 9701 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1115, Beverly Hills, CA 90212 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the United Income and Art Fund.
Absolute Capital Management, LLC 101 Pennsylvania Boulevard, Pittsburg, PA 15228 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Absolute Capital Asset Allocator Fund and Absolute Capital Defender Fund.
Item 34. Management Services. Not applicable.
Item 35. Undertakings. The Registrant undertakes that each Subsidiary and each Director of each Subsidiary hereby consents to service of process within the United States, and to examination of its books and records.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act and the Investment Company Act, the Fund certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this registration statement under rule 485(b) under the Securities Act and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of Hauppauge, and State of New York, on the 22th day of January, 2016.
Northern Lights Fund Trust III
By: /s/ James P. Ash
James P. Ash, President
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated on the dates indicated.
Northern Lights Fund Trust III
Name | Title |
/s/ James P. Ash | President |
/s/ Brian Curley | Treasurer |
James U. Jensen* | Independent Trustee |
Patricia Luscombe* | Independent Trustee |
John V. Palancia* | Independent Trustee |
Mark H. Taylor* | Independent Trustee |
Jeffery D. Young* | Independent Trustee |
Date: January 22, 2016
*By: /s/ Eric D. Kane
Eric D. Kane, Esq.
*Attorney-in-Fact – Pursuant to Powers of Attorney as previously filed February 26, 2015.
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit | Exhibit No. |
Legal Consent | (i) |
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | (j) |
Amended and Restated exhibit A to Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Class A Shares |
(m)(i)(a) |
Code of Ethics of Footprints Asset Management & Research, Inc. | (p)(iv) |
Code of Ethics of Caerus Investors, LLC | (p)(vi) |
Code of Ethics of Weatherbie Capital, LLC | (p)(vii) |
Code of Ethics of Good Harbor Financial, LLC | (p)(viii) |
Code of Ethics of Global View Capital Management, Ltd. | (p)(xv) |
Code of Ethics of RESQ Investment Partners, LLC | (p)(xvii) |
Code of Ethics of Horizon Capital Management, Inc. | (p)(xix) |
Code of Ethics of Newfound Research LLC | (p)(xxi) |
Code of Ethics of FDO Partners, LLC | (p)(xxiii) |
Code of Ethics of Swan Global Management, LLC | (p)(xxvii) |
NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST III
CLASS A
MASTER DISTRIBUTION AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICING PLAN
PURSUANT TO RULE 12B-1
UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
Adopted May 30, 2013
WHEREAS, Northern Lights Fund Trust III, a Delaware statutory trust (the "Trust"), is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as an open- end management investment company; and
WHEREAS, the Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest without par value (the "Shares"), which may be divided into one or more series of Shares (each such series a "Fund" and collectively, the "Funds"); and
WHEREAS, the Trust previously adopted separate distribution plans pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (each an "Existing Plan" and collectively, the "Existing Plans") for certain of the Funds in existence prior to the date hereof; and
WHEREAS, the trustees of the Trust now desire to amend and consolidate the Existing Plans into a separate master plan for each class of Shares offered by the Funds, such that there will exist one master plan for each similarly named class of Shares; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of such consolidation is to make administration of the Existing Plans more convenient and such consolidation shall be given effect without amending the amount to be spent for distribution and/or shareholder services and thus may be approved in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act by a vote of the board of trustees of the Trust (the "Board"), including those Board members who are not interested persons of the Trust and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of such plans or any agreements related thereto (“Independent Trustees”); and
WHEREAS, the trustees of the Trust as a whole, and the Independent Trustees, have determined, through the exercise of reasonable business judgment and in light of their fiduciary duties under state law and under Sections 36(a) and (b) of the 1940 Act, that there is a reasonable likelihood that amendment and consolidation of the Existing Plans into separate master plans for each class of Shares offered by the Funds, including, without limitation, this Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan for Class A Shares of the Funds (this "Plan") will benefit each applicable Fund and its shareholders; and
WHEREAS, each Fund may engage a distributor (the "Distributor") to provide, or arrange for the provision of services pursuant to this Plan and the Funds are willing to authorize the payment of certain fees as set forth herein in consideration of the Distributor’s offering such services.
NOW THEREFORE, the Trust hereby adopts this Plan for each Fund listed in Exhibit A (as it may be amended from time to time) and the payment of certain fees as follows:
1. Distribution Activities and Shareholder Services.
a. Distribution Activities. Each Fund is authorized to engage in, directly or indirectly through the Distributor or otherwise, and to perform, or cause to be performed, activities related to the distribution of Class A Shares of the Fund, which activities may include, but are not limited to, the following ("Distribution Activities"): (a) the making of payments, including payment of incentive compensation, to securities dealers or other financial intermediaries, financial institutions, investment advisers and others that are engaged in the sale of Class A Shares of the Fund, or that may be advising shareholders of the Fund regarding the purchase, sale or retention of Class A Shares of the Fund; (b) incurring expenses of maintaining personnel (including personnel of organizations with which the Fund has entered into agreements related to this Plan) who engage in or support distribution of Class A Shares of the Fund; (c) incurring costs of preparing, printing and distributing prospectuses and statements of additional information and reports of the Fund for recipients other than existing shareholders of the Fund; (d) incurring costs of formulating and implementing marketing and promotional activities, including, but not limited to, sales seminars, direct mail promotions and television, radio, newspaper, magazine and other mass media advertising; (e) incurring costs of preparing, printing and distributing sales literature; (f) incurring costs of obtaining such information, analyses and reports with respect to marketing and promotional activities as the Fund may, from time to time, deem advisable; and (g) incurring costs of implementing and operating this Plan. The Trust also is authorized to engage in Distribution Activities related to the distribution of Class A Shares of the Funds, either directly or indirectly through persons with whom the Trust has entered into agreements related to this Plan, including, without limitation, the Distributor.
b. Shareholder Services. In order to facilitate and/or enhance the Fund’s and/or the Trust’s Distribution Activities related to the Fund’s Class A Shares, each Fund may pay fees (or otherwise incur expenses) (subject to the limitations set forth in Section 2 hereof) for Shareholder Services. For purposes of this Plan “Shareholder Services” shall mean those services of securities dealers or other financial intermediaries, financial institutions, investment advisers and others rendered in connection with the holding of Class A Shares of the Fund for shareholders in omnibus accounts or as shareholders of record or in providing shareholder support or administrative services to the Fund and its shareholders or that are rendered to shareholders of the Fund’s Class A Shares and not otherwise provided by the Trust’s transfer agent, including, but not limited to, allocated overhead, office space and equipment, telephone facilities and expenses, answering routine inquiries regarding the Trust or the Fund, processing shareholder transactions, and in providing such other shareholder services as the Trust or the Fund may reasonably request.
2. | Fees. |
a. Distribution and Shareholder Service Fees . Each Fund is authorized to pay the Distributor, as compensation for Distribution Activities and Shareholder Services
2 |
at an aggregate, annualized rate not to exceed the lesser of (i) the "Maximum Authorized Rate" and (ii) the "Currently Approved Rate" (each as set forth opposite such Fund’s name on Exhibit A attached hereto). The "Maximum Authorized Rate" shall mean the maximum rate authorized by the Board under this Plan and the "Currently Approved Rate" shall mean that portion of the Maximum Authorized Rate that is currently authorized for payment by the Fund, as may be amended from time to time by the Board. The applicable rate shall be applied to the average daily net assets attributable to Class A Shares of the Fund. In no event shall the rate paid for Distribution Activities exceed 0.75% and the rate paid for Shareholder Services exceed 0.25% per annum.
b. Fees in Relation to Expenses. The amount of fees payable by each Fund pursuant to this Section 2 may be greater or lesser than the expenses actually incurred by such Fund or by the Distributor or other financial intermediary on behalf of such Fund in connection with the performance of Distribution Activities and Shareholder Services. The amount of fees payable by each Fund to the Distributor pursuant to this Section 2 may be reduced by amounts (if any) paid directly by such Fund to the provider of any Distribution Activities or Shareholder Services.
3. Authority of the Distributor. Each Fund is hereby authorized and directed to retain the services of the Distributor to act as its principal underwriter, and, in such capacity, the Distributor is authorized to engage in Distribution Activities and/or Shareholder Services for and on behalf of the Funds and to enter into agreements with securities dealers, financial intermediaries, financial institutions, investment advisers, and others to engage in Distribution Activities and/or Shareholder Services for and on behalf of the Funds and to receive for itself or for the benefit of such third parties (and to the extent received for the benefit of such third parties to pay to such third parties) the fees authorized to be paid by the Funds pursuant to Section 2 hereof. The Distributor also is authorized to make payments to the investment adviser of any Fund for reimbursement of marketing related expenses and/or compensation for administrative assistance.
4. | Term and Termination. |
a. This Plan shall become effective with respect to each Fund listed on Exhibit A attached hereto (which may be amended from time to time) upon the first issuance by such Fund of Class A Shares.
b. Unless terminated as herein provided, this Plan shall continue in effect for one year from the effective date and shall continue in effect for successive periods of one year thereafter, but only so long as each such continuance is specifically approved by votes of a majority of both: (i) the trustees of the Board; and (ii) the Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
c. This Plan may be terminated with respect to a Fund 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 voting securities of the Class A Shares of the Fund; and Exhibit A attached hereto shall be amended accordingly.
3 |
d. The Trust or any Fund subject to this Plan may terminate any agreement related to this Plan, without payment of any penalty, by the vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Class A Shares of the Fund, upon sixty (60) days’ written notice to the other parties to such agreement. In addition, any agreement related to this Plan shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.
5. Amendments . All material amendments to this Plan (including, without limitation, material amendments to Exhibit A attached hereto) must be approved in the manner provided for annual renewal of this Plan in Section 4(b) hereof. In addition, this Plan (including, without limitation, Exhibit A attached hereto) may not be amended to increase materially the amount of expenditures provided for in Sections 2 and 3 hereof unless such amendment is approved by a vote of the majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Class A Shares of the Fund to which the increase applies.
6. Selection and Nomination of Independent Trustees. While this Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of the Independent Trustees shall be made solely at the discretion of the Independent Trustees.
7. Quarterly Reports. The Board shall review, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts expended pursuant to this Plan and any related agreement and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.
8. Recordkeeping. The Trust shall preserve copies of this Plan and any related agreement and all reports made pursuant to Section 7 hereof, for a period of not less than six years from the date of this Plan, the agreements or such reports, as the case may be, the first two years in an easily accessible place.
9. Limitation of Liability. A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Trust is on file with the Secretary of the State of Delaware and notice is hereby given that this Plan is executed on behalf of the trustees of the Trust as trustees and not individually and that the obligations of this Plan are not binding upon the trustees, the shareholders of the Funds individually or, with respect to each Fund, the assets or property of any other series of the Trust, but are binding only upon the assets and property of each Fund, respectively.
10. Incorporation by Reference. Exhibit A to this Plan (as the same may be amended from time to time) shall be deemed part of this Plan and is incorporated herein by this reference.
11. Defined Terms. As used in this Plan, the terms "majority of the outstanding voting securities," "assignment," and "interested person" shall have the meanings ascribed to those terms in the 1940 Act.
4 |
Exhibit A
NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST III CLASS A
MASTER DISTRIBUTION AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICING PLAN
Date Last Amended: August 27, 2015
Fund Name | Maximum Authorized Rate | Currently Approved Rate | Distributor |
ACM Dynamic Opportunity Fund | 0.25% | 0.25% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
Asset Allocator Fund | 0.25% | 0.25% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
Cane Alternative Strategies Fund | 0.25% | 0.25% | Foreside Fund Services, LLC |
Counterpoint Tactical Equity Fund | 0.25% | 0.25% |
Northern Lights Distributors, LLC
|
Counterpoint Tactical Income Fund | 0.25% | 0.25% |
Northern Lights Distributors, LLC
|
Cozad Small Cap Value Fund | 0.25% | 0.25% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
Footprints Discover Value Fund | 0.25% | 0.25% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
Good Harbor Tactical Core Developed Markets Fund | 0.25% | 0.25% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
Good Harbor Tactical Core Emerging Markets Fund | 0.25% | 0.25% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
Good Harbor Tactical Core US Fund | 0.25% | 0.25% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
Good Harbor Tactical Core US II Fund | 0.25% | 0.25% |
Northern Lights Distributors, LLC
|
Good Harbor Tactical Equity Income Fund | 0.25% | 0.25% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
HCM Dividend Sector Plus Fund | 0.25% | 0.25% |
Northern Lights Distributors, LLC
|
HCM Tactical Growth Fund | 0.25% | 0.25% |
Northern Lights Distributors, LLC
|
Leland Currency Strategy Fund | 0.25% | 0.25% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
Leland International Advantage Fund | 0.25% | 0.25% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
Leland Thomson Reuters Private Equity Index Fund | 0.25% | 0.25% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
Leland Thomson Reuters Venture Capital Index Fund | 0.25% | 0.25% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
Newfound Multi-Asset Income Fund | 0.25% | 0.25% |
Northern Lights Distributors, LLC
|
Newfound Risk Managed Global Sectors Fund | 0.25% | 0.25% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
Newfound Risk Managed U.S Sectors Fund | 0.25% | 0.25% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
Newfound Total Return Fund | 0.25% | 0.25% |
Northern Lights Distributors, LLC
|
Persimmon Long/Short Fund | 0.25% | 0.25% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
5 |
Pinnacle Sherman Multi-Strategy Fund | 0.25% | 0.25% |
Northern Lights Distributors, LLC
|
Pinnacle Tactical Allocation Fund | 0.25% | 0.25% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
Portfolio Protector Fund | 0.25% | 0.25% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
Raylor Managed Futures Strategy Fund | 0.25% | 0.25% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
RESQ Dynamic Allocation Fund | 0.40% | 0.40% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
RESQ Strategic Income Fund | 0.40% | 0.40% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
Swan Defined Risk Emerging Markets Fund | 0.25% | 0.25% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
Swan Defined Risk Foreign Developed Fund | 0.25% | 0.25% |
Northern Lights Distributors, LLC
|
Swan Defined Risk Fund | 0.25% | 0.25% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
Swan Defined Risk U.S. Small Cap Fund | 0.25% | 0.25% |
Northern Lights Distributors, LLC
|
Tactical Asset Allocation Fund | 0.25% | 0.25% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
Teton Valley Fund | 0.25% | 0.25% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
The Covered Bridge Fund | 0.25% | 0.25% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
United Income and Art Fund | 0.25% | 0.25% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
6 |
Acknowledged and Approved by:
Northern Lights Fund Trust III: |
Northern Lights Distributors, LLC: |
|||
By: | /s/ James P. Ash | By: | /s/ Brian Nielsen | |
James P. Ash, President | Brian Nielsen, Chief Executive Officer | |||
Foreside Fund Services, LLC: |
||||
By: | By: /s/ Mark Fairbanks | |||
Name: Mark Fairbanks
Title: Vice President Effective August 27, 2015 |
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the references to our firm in the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Northern Lights Fund Trust III and to the use of our report dated November 24, 2015 on the financial statements and financial highlights of The Covered Bridge Fund, a series of shares of beneficial interest of Northern Lights Fund Trust III. Such financial statements and financial highlights appear in the September 30, 2015 Annual Report to Shareholders that is incorporated by reference into the Statement of Additional Information.
BBD, LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
January 22, 2016
January 22, 2016
Northern Lights Fund Trust III
17605 Wright Street
Suite 2
Omaha, Nebraska 68130
Re: Northern Lights Fund Trust III - File Nos. 333-178833 and 811-22655
Gentlemen:
A legal opinion (the “Legal Opinion”) that we prepared was filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 208 to the Northern Lights Fund Trust III Registration Statement. We hereby give you our consent to incorporate by reference the Legal Opinion into Post-Effective Amendment No. 221 under the Securities Act of 1933 (Amendment No. 224 under the Investment Company Act of 1940) (the “Amendment”) and consent to all references to us in the Amendment.
Very truly yours,
/s/ THOMPSON HINE LLP
THOMPSON HINE LLP
850913.53
CAERUS GLOBAL
INVESTORS
CODE OF ETHICS
Effective: May 20, 2011
Page 1 of 16 |
M ESSAGE F ROM W ARD D AVIS AND B RIAN A GNEW
Caerus’s continued success will continue to be built on our ability to fulfill our legal, business and ethical commitments and to abide by a consistent set of values and standards. Caerus’s Code of Ethics (the “Code”) expresses the standards of integrity, honesty, judgment and business practice that support Caerus’s own unique set of values. The Code also helps guide us in complying with the laws, regulations rules and ethical standards that govern our business practices and activities. The Code and Caerus’s policies and procedures as set forth in its Compliance Manual are intended to serve as a basis for ethical decision-making in the conduct of all professional work.
As a condition of employment or other affiliation with Caerus, every employee is expected to comply with this Code and will be held strictly accountable if he or she fails to do so. Any violation of this Code by an employee, or any employee conduct that violates any Caerus policy or procedure or any law, rule, regulation, or ethical or professional norm, shall subject the employee to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment. Employees are also expected to cooperate fully and openly with any company audits or investigations (whether conducted by Caerus personnel or designated, authorized third parties) and to answer all questions fully and truthfully. It is a violation of company policy to intimidate, harass, threaten, coerce, harm, discipline, discharge or otherwise retaliate against any employee who reports any actual or suspected illegal or unethical conduct. However, an employee who knowingly makes a false report, knowingly brings or asserts false allegations or accusations, knowingly provides false information or knowingly files a false complaint may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.
Caerus employees, officers and directors are expected and required to perform their Caerus assignments, tasks, functions, duties and responsibilities consistent with the standards of conduct and ethics, the policies, the procedures, the requirements, the rules and the business practices embodied within this Code. The Code guides our day-to-day actions and provides us with a set of unifying principles that help us maintain our high standards of business conduct, honesty, ethics and integrity.
The Code cannot cover every situation that arises in connection with Caerus’s business, operations and/or related activities. When choices and decisions must be made, sound judgment always must be exercised. When in doubt about any action, event, situation, occurrence or circumstance or any decision to be made, ask for help and use the Code of Ethics as a guide and a starting point to make the right choices and take the right actions in conducting Caerus business. If you ever have reason to believe that a legal or ethical violation has occurred, you must report it to the Chief Compliance Officer. Our policies forbid any form of retaliation against you for fulfilling this obligation. Compliance with the Code, other company policies and procedures and the laws, rules, regulations and ethical and professional norms applicable to our business must be a priority for each of us. I expect all of us to foster a culture in which ethical conduct is recognized and valued. Anything less is unacceptable.
Ward Davis
Founder and Portfolio Manager
Brian Agnew
Managing Partner and Portfolio Manager
Page 2 of 16 |
Introduction
Certain rules under the Investment Advisors Act of 1940 (“IAA”) and the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“ICA”) require Caerus Global Investors (“Caerus” or the “Company”) to maintain this Code of Ethics (the “Code”). The Code requires that each employee of the Company (individually, an “Access Person”, collectively, “Access Persons”) deal with the Company’s clients fairly and equitably, maintain a standard of business conduct consistent with the Company’s fiduciary obligations to its clients and comply with all applicable federal securities laws. The requirements of the Code are intended to create safeguards to ensure that the Company’s and its Access Persons’ duties regarding clients are being fulfilled and to address potential conflicts of interest that may arise when Access Persons maintain Beneficial Ownership in Covered Securities. See Sections II.A.2. and II.A.4. for definitions of Beneficial Ownership and Covered Securities. To further ensure our fiduciary obligations, the Code also imposes certain restrictions on transactions in which Access Persons directly or indirectly acquire or dispose of Beneficial Ownership in Covered Securities. It also restricts transactions in which an Access Person transacts on behalf of the funds and managed accounts (collectively “the Funds”) for which Caerus provides Investment Management Services or in proprietary trading portfolios held for the benefit of Caerus. These restrictions and the associated reporting requirements are discussed further in this Code.
Under the Insider Trading and Securities Fraud Enforcement Act of 1988 and Section 204A of the IAA, Caerus, as an investment adviser, has an affirmative statutory obligation to establish, maintain and enforce written policies and procedures reasonably designed, taking into consideration the nature of Caerus’s business, to prevent the misuse of material, non-public information (often called “inside information”) by Caerus or persons associated with Caerus.
Access Persons are required to report potential violations of the Code to the Company’s Chief Compliance Officer, who will disclose such information only as necessary to resolve the potential issue pursuant to the Code.
The Company will distribute a copy of the Code of Ethics to all Access Persons (i) upon commencement of their employment or engagement with Caerus, (ii) at least annually thereafter and (iii) upon amendment. Upon distribution, Access Persons are required to acknowledge in writing the receipt of the Code and any amendments. The Code will be provided to Access Persons on an annual basis in accordance with the annual compliance calendar. The acknowledgements will be reviewed and maintained by the Chief Compliance Officer in the compliance file pursuant to the IAA’s Recordkeeping requirements.
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I. I NSIDER T RADING
In the course of your work, you may have access to, receive or discover information which is not generally known to the public regarding Caerus’s activities, operations or plans, or the activities, operations or plans of other companies with which Caerus does business or in which Caerus invests. You must not trade or trade in securities if you have material nonpublic information about those securities. Each of us must follow certain steps to protect ourselves, the firm and others from the misappropriation, misuse and/or unauthorized disclosure, communication, publication or transfer of nonpublic information in the securities markets and the appearance of conflicts of interest or impropriety in handling confidential customer or client information.
Insider trading refers to the illegal practice of improperly trading securities while possessing material nonpublic information. Under federal securities laws, it is generally illegal for any person who possesses "material nonpublic" information about a company to:
• | Buy or sell stock, options or other securities, either personally or on behalf of other persons, in that company; |
• Tell or "tip" anyone else by communicating material non-public information to them;
• Use such inside information in an effort to achieve or acquire personal gain.
You must follow all insider trading and securities laws and all Caerus policies, procedures and work rules on securities transactions and handling confidential information. Insider trading is unethical and illegal. It will be dealt with firmly by Caerus. Caerus employees who engage in insider trading will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including the termination of their employment and other relationships or affiliations with Caerus. You could face civil and criminal penalties for insider trading.
A. Material Non-Public Information
Information is “non-public” when it has not been disseminated broadly to investors in the marketplace. Tangible evidence of such dissemination is the best indication that the information is public. For example, the following would be considered public information: (a) information found in a public filing with the SEC or a stock exchange, (b) information disseminated by the issuer or securities analysts to the investment community through written reports or public meetings, or (c) information appearing in publications or general circulation (for example, Bloomberg, Dow Jones News Service, Reuters Economic Services, The Wall Street Journal, etc.).
1) Non-public information is deemed “material” when there is a substantial likelihood that a reasonable investor would consider it important in making a decision about buying, holding or selling a company's securities. Generally, this is information which if disclosed would have an impact on the price of a company’s securities. No simple “bright line” test exists to determine when information is material: it often relates to a company’s results and operations including, for example, dividend changes, earning results, changes in agreements, major litigation, and extraordinary management developments. Material information also may relate to the market for a company’s securities. Information about a
Page 4 of 16 |
significant order to purchase or sell securities may, in some contexts, be deemed material. Generally, “material” information is information that a reasonable investor would think is important when making.
In order to guard against the misuse of material, non-public information, Access Persons are subject to the following provisions regarding such information as well as certain Trading Restrictions as described in Section 2.B.
1. Any Access Person that believes he or she has received information that might constitute material, non-public information with respect to any issuer must immediately notify the Chief Compliance Officer. Any uncertainty as to whether information is material and non-public must be resolved by referring the question to the Chief Compliance Officer.
2. Access persons are strictly prohibited from providing access to material, non-public information about the Company’s securities recommendations and the Company’s Clients’ securities holdings and transactions to persons who do not need such information to perform their duties to the Company or the Company’s Clients.
3. All Access Persons must take great care in protecting material, non-public information with respect to Caerus’s recommendation, holdings and transactions.
4. Disclosing material, non-public information to inappropriate personnel whether for consideration or not (i.e., tipping) is strictly prohibited. Disclosing material, non-public information to family, friends or acquaintances may be grounds for immediate termination. “Material, non-public information must be disseminated on a “need to know” basis only to appropriate personnel. The Chief Compliance Officer must be consulted should a question arise as to who should be privy to material, non-public information.
5. No Access Person should engage in a transaction in a financial instrument while in possession of material, non-public information concerning such financial instrument. This includes situations in which the Access Person directly or indirectly acquires or disposes of Beneficial Ownership or in which the Access person executes a transaction in a Client Portfolio for which Caerus provides investment management services or a proprietary trading portfolio held for the benefit of Caerus. For purposes of the Code, financial instruments or an issuer include any debt, equity or other instruments issued by the issuer as well as any derivative financial instruments on such debt, equity or other instruments issued by the issuer (for example, stock options, securities futures).
II. P ERSONAL S ECURITIES T RANSACTIONS
A. Definitions.
1. Access Person
An Access Person is:
a. Any Person who, in connection with his or her regular functions or duties, makes, participates in, or obtains information regarding the purchase or sale of Covered Securities
Page 5 of 16 |
by accounts managed by Caerus, or whose functions relate to making of any recommendations with respect to the purchases or sales;
b. Any person who obtains information concerning securities recommendations being made by the Company prior to the effective dissemination of such recommendations or of the information concerning such recommendations and is: 1) in a control relationship to the Company, 2) is an affiliated person of such controlling person, or 3) is an affiliated person of such affiliated person; or
c. All full-time employees of the Company; all directors and officers of the Company, and holders of General Partnership interests of the Funds. With respect to part-time employees, the Chief Compliance Officer may deem such individuals to be Access Persons for the purposes of the Code depending on the nature of the individual’s responsibilities with the Company.
2. Beneficial Ownership
For purposes of the Code, an Access Person has a Beneficial Ownership in a financial instrument or account (a) if the Access Person may stand to profit from the financial instrument or account in some way through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise or (b) if the Access Person has the ability to exercise investment decision-making powers, or other influence or control, over the financial instrument or account.
3. Client
For purposes of the Code, a Client is any person or entity to which the Company provides investment management (both discretionary and non-discretionary) advice, consultation or other services.
4. Covered Security
Covered Security shall generally have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(36) of the Investment Company Act (ICA) but shall also include, for the purposes of the Code, (a) any derivative financial instrument and (b) any shares of open-end investment companies for which the Company serves as investment adviser.
Section 2(a)(36) includes the following financial instruments: any note, stock, treasury stock, security future, bond, debenture, evidence of indebtedness, certificate of interest or participation in any profit-sharing agreement, collateral-trust certificate, preorganization certificate of deposit for a security, fractional undivided interest in oil, gas, or other mineral rights, any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege on any security (including a certificate of deposit) or on any group or index or securities (including any interest therein or based on the value thereof), or any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege entered into on a national securities exchange relating to foreign currency, or in general, any interest or instrument commonly known as a “security”, or a certificate of interest or participation in, temporary or interim certificate for, receipt for, guaranty of, or warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase any of the foregoing.
The definition of Covered Security does not include direct obligations of the government of the United States, bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and shares of registered
Page 6 of 16 |
open-end investment companies for which the Company does not serve as investment adviser, or such other securities as may be excepted under the provisions of ICA Rule 17j-1 and Section 204A-1.
B. Trading Restrictions
The following trading restrictions apply to transactions in which an Access Person directly or indirectly acquires or disposes of Beneficial Ownership in a Covered Security as well as situations in which an Access Person executes a transaction in a Client portfolio for which Caerus provides investment management services or a proprietary trading portfolio held for the benefit of Caerus.
1. Access Persons must ensure that a contemplated transaction does not work to defraud, deceive or engage in any manipulative practice with respect to a Client.
2. No Access Person may engage in a transaction (including directly or indirectly acquiring or disposing of Beneficial Ownership) in a financial instrument while in possession of material, non- public information concerning such financial instrument.
1. Trading in Specific Securities
Page 7 of 16 |
Trading in direct obligations of the government of the United States, bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and shares of registered open-end investment companies for which the company does not serve as investment adviser. |
Such securities are not Covered Securities and as such Access Persons may freely trade in these securities and are not required to report transactions in such instruments under the Code. |
C. The Restricted List
The Chief Compliance Officer will maintain and make available a list of Restricted Securities representing those securities in which the Company holds a material position. A “material position” is a position equal to or greater than 2% of the portfolio’s value on the date of the transaction. The Restricted List will include the dates on which transactions in each security occurred. The Restricted List must be updated no less frequently than weekly and may be updated more frequently on an “as needed” basis.
D. Reporting Requirements
The Code imposes reporting requirements for certain financial institutions and accounts. Some reporting requirements are applicable to holdings of and transactions involving Covered Securities in which an Access Person has Beneficial Ownership. Other reporting requirements are applicable to accounts in which an Access Person may have Beneficial Ownership (but the financial instruments in the account may not fall within the definition of Covered Securities).
1. Initial Holdings Report. An Initial holdings report shall be made not later than 10 days after a person becomes an Access Person. The information must be current as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the person becoming an Access Person. The report shall contain the following information:
a. The title and type of security, and as applicable the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, number of shares, the principal amount or relevant indicator of quantity owned (e.g. for future contracts the relevant indicator would be the number of contracts) of each Covered Security in which the Access Person had any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership;
b. The name of any broker, dealer or bank with whom the Access Person maintained an account in which any financial instruments are held for the direct or indirect benefit of the Access Person; and
c. The date the report is submitted by the Access Person.
2. Quarterly Transaction and Account Opening Reports. A report of a new account established during a quarter shall be made no later than 30 days after the end of a calendar quarter. A monthly report of securities transactions shall be made no later than 10 days after the end of each month.The reports shall contain the following information:
Page 8 of 16 |
a. With respect to any transaction during the month in a Covered Security in which an Access Person had, or as a result of the transaction acquired, any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership, the report shall contain the following:
i. 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 principal amount or relevant indicator of each Covered Security involved;
ii. The nature of the transaction (i.e., purchase, sale or any other type of acquisition of disposition);
iii. The price of the Covered Security at which the transaction was effected;
iv. The name of the broker, dealer or bank with or through which the transaction was effected: and
v. The date that the report is submitted by the Access Person.
b. With respect to any account established by the Access person in which any financial instruments were held during the quarter for the direct or indirect benefit of the access Person, the report shall contain the following:
i. The name of the broker, dealer or bank with whom the Access Person established the account;
ii. The date the account was established; and
iii. The date that the report was submitted by the Access Person.
3. Annual Holdings Reports. An annual holdings report shall be submitted not later than 30 days after the end of the year. The report shall contain the following information (which information must be current as of a date no more than 45 days before the report is submitted):
a. The title and type of security, and as applicable the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, number of shares, and principal amount or relevant indicator of each Covered Security in which the Access Person has any direct or indirect beneficial Ownership;
b. The name of the broker, dealer or bank with whom the Access Person maintained an account in which any financial instruments were held for the direct or indirect benefit of the Access Person; and
c. The date that the report is submitted by the access Person.
Access Persons may submit copies of brokerage account statements and/or confirmations to fulfill the reporting requirements above if such statements contain all the information required in the named reports and are received within the time periods specified above.
Page 9 of 16 |
Access Persons are reminded that they are also responsible for delivering the reports listed above with respect to Covered Securities in which they have Beneficial Ownership that are not held in brokerage accounts.
4. Terminated Employees. On their last date of employment with Caerus, terminated employees are required to sign a statement regarding their trading activities since their last quarterly review. In cases where they are not present to sign this document, this statement will be sent by certified mail with return receipt or by overnight courier to their last known address for completion.
5. Exemptions from Reporting Requirements. An Access Person may not be required to deliver reports listed above with respect to Covered Securities held in accounts over which an Access Person has no direct or indirect influence or control. The Chief Compliance Officer will determine on a case-by-case basis whether an account qualifies for this exemption. In the event that an account qualifies for this exemption, such account shall be deemed to be exempt from the Reporting Requirements as well as the Trading Restrictions described in the Code.
6. Sanctions. Any employee who violates this personal trading policy shall be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination. The Chief Compliance Officer shall recommend the appropriate action to the CEO following an investigation of the facts and circumstances.
III. A DMINISTRATION AND O VERSIGHT
The Chief Compliance Officer shall be responsible for administering the Code and amending the Code. The responsibilities of the Chief Compliance Officer in administering the Code include:
• Monitoring Access Persons’ transactions in financial instruments;
• Maintaining a list of all Access Persons;
• Obtaining written acknowledgements required under the Code;
• Notifying all Access Persons of their reporting obligations under the Code;
• Reviewing all transactions and holding reports submitted by Access Persons against the Restricted List and signing off on his/her acceptance of the reports;
• Maintaining the Restricted List described in the Code;
• Maintaining applicable documentation of approvals granted under the Code;
• Updating the Code as required by changes in securities laws and regulations; and
• Distributing the Code at least annually to all Access Persons.
The Chief Compliance Officer may at any time delegate any or all of his or her duties as defined above to a member of the Company’s staff or to an external compliance consultant subject to the Chief Compliance Officer’s general supervision, provided however, that the Chief Compliance Officer retains ultimate responsibility for any duties delegated under the Code.
Page 10 of 16 |
In regards to the monitoring of the trading activities of the Chief Compliance Officer, the Managing Partner shall review the Chief Compliance Officer’s Annual Holding and Quarterly Transaction Reports.
IV. R EPORTING V IOLATIONS
Before making any determination that a violation has been committed by an Access Person, the Chief Compliance Officer shall give such Access Person an opportunity to supply additional information regarding the transaction in question. If the Chief Compliance Officer reasonable determines that a violation of the Code has occurred, he or she shall recommend appropriate action with respect to the Access Person which may include, but is not limited to, the issuance of a warning to the individual, disgorgement of profits from trades made in violation of the Code or termination of employment or engagement or engagement with the Company. In determining which sanction is appropriate, the Chief Compliance Officer shall consider all the facts and circumstances including, but not limited to, whether a Client was harmed, whether the individual profited or had the opportunity to profit, and the materiality of the transaction.
The Chief Compliance Officer shall at all times keep the Managing Partner informed of all known or suspected violations of the Code. The Managing Partner may determine additional sanctions for any Access Person who has violated the Code, including those sanctions described above. The Chief Compliance Officer may also report violations of the Code to regulators and other third parties as required in the normal course of business or as determined by the Chief Compliance Officer.
V . R ECORDKEEPING
All reports of securities transactions and any other information filed with the Company pursuant to the Code shall be treated as confidential subject to the reporting obligations above. However, in the following situations Caerus may, and retains the right to, disclose such information: (1) to auditors, consultants or other parties engaged by Caerus for the purpose of reviewing Caerus’s compliance with applicable regulations, laws, and/or Caerus’s own policies and procedures; (2) pursuant to a governmental or regulatory body audit or investigation; (3) pursuant to a court or administrative order, subpoena or discovery request; or (4) as otherwise required or advisable under applicable law or regulation.
The following records relating to the Code shall be maintained by the Chief Compliance Officer pursuant to recordkeeping requirements for a period of not less than five years in an appropriate office of the Company:
• | A copy of the Code and any other Code of Ethics, which is, or at any time within the past five years has been, in effect; |
• | A record of any violation of the Code and any action taken as a result of such violation; |
• | A record of all acknowledgements required under the Code for each person who was or is currently required to complete such acknowledgement; |
• | A copy of each personal securities transaction report made pursuant to the Code by any Access Person; |
• | A list of all persons who are, or within the past five years have been, required to make reports pursuant to the Code or who are, or within the past five years have been, responsible for reviewing these reports; |
Page 11 of 16 |
VI. O UR E THICAL D ECISION -M AKING F RAMEWORK
At times there may be competing interests and tensions among our various constituencies (Limited Partners, Clients, Funds, consultants, third party business partners, employees and directors). Yet, common to all is the desire to build trusting, open, professional, value-added relationships.
This means that we:
• Are clear, open, truthful and honest
o Make what you know accessible to others.
o Do not conceal, “cover-up” or omit material or significant information that should be disclosed;
o Deliver bad news early, tactfully and personally; and
o Raise concerns and problems at the earliest possible time with the appropriate persons.
• Keep our promises:
o Hold yourself and others accountable for targets and deadlines;
o Do what you say you will do;
o Do not hide or conceal problems or mistakes when disclosure is warranted; and
o Take responsibility for correcting your mistakes and do all you can to correct them.
• Are fair in our dealings with others:
o Express differences of opinion with respect for others;
o | Assume positive intent; and strive for a win-win outcome with customers, clients, vendors, employees, directors, consultants, colleagues, and suppliers. |
o Uphold and fulfill our legal obligations:
o Comply with all federal (SEC) and state laws, rules and regulations; and
o Comply with all contractual obligations.
When the right course of action is not clear, seek clarification from the Chief Compliance Officer to help guide you to an ethical and lawful decision that is in keeping with Caerus's commitment to the highest standards of business conduct and integrity.
Page 12 of 16 |
A CKNOWLEDGEMENT O F T HE C ODE O F E THICS
Please sign and return this form to Matthew Husar, Chief Compliance Officer, within 10 days after receiving the Code.
I have read the entire Code of Ethics (the “Code”). I have also had an opportunity to ask, review and receive answers to any questions that I have on the interpretation of any part of the Code.. I believe I understand fully how the Code relates to my position with or on behalf of Caerus and to the best of my knowledge I am in compliance with the Code.
I understand that if I fail to comply with the policies, work rules, processes, procedures, requirements and standards in the Code, or with statutes, rules and/or regulations applicable to Caerus’s business, I may be subject to disciplinary action, including possible dismissal or termination of my relationship with Caerus. Conduct which violates Code provisions may also constitute a violation of civil or criminal law.
Signature Date
Print Name Title
For Compliance Office Use Only:
Date Signed Form Received:
Page 13 of 16 |
CAERUS
MONTHLY PERSONAL TRANSACTIONS REPORT
List all Covered Securities which you or your immediate family members maintain (including your spouse, your domestic partner, children, step-children if they reside in your household or are financially dependent upon you) or any individual over whose account you have control.
A copy of the brokerage account statement(s) may be provided in lieu of this form provided the statement(s) contain all the information requested below.
This form must be submitted no later than 10 days after the end of each month.
Name of Broker Ticker or CUSIP No. of Shares Pr ice of Security Purchase or Sale Date of Transaction
I hereby certify that the transactions listed above represent a full and complete list of all transactions in Covered
Securities during the reportable period which I am required to report pursuant to the Code of Ethics.
Name Date
For Compliance Office Use Only:
I certify that the securities did not appear on the Restricted List at the time the transactions occurred or that the Company did not transact in any of the listed securities for a period of 5 working days from the dates listed above.
Chief Compliance Officer or Designee Date
Page 14 of 16 |
CAERUS
ANNUAL HOLDINGS REPORT
List all Covered Securities which you or your immediate family members maintain (including your spouse, your domestic partner, children, step-children if they reside in your household or are financially dependent upon you) or any individual over whose account you have control as of the end of this calendar year. A copy of the brokerage account statement(s) may be provided in lieu of this form provided in lieu of this form provided the statement(s) contain all the information requested below.
This form must be submitted no later than 30 days after the end of each calendar year and must be current as of 45 days before the report is submitted.
Name of Broker Type of Security Ticker or CUSIP No. of Shares Principal Amount
I hereby certify that the transactions listed above represent a full and complete list of all Covered Securities held as of the end of the reportable year which I am required to report pursuant to the Code of Ethics.
Name Date
For Compliance Office
Use Only:
I certify that the securities did not appear on the Restricted List at the time the transactions occurred or that the Company did not transact in any of the listed securities for a period of 5 working days from the dates listed above.
Chief Compliance Officer or Designee Date
Page 15 of 16 |
CAERUS
INITIAL HOLDINGS REPORT
List all Covered Securities which you or your immediate family members currently maintain (including your spouse, your domestic partner, children, step-children if they reside in your household or are financially dependent upon you) or any individual over whose account you have control. A copy of the brokerage account statement(s) may be provided in lieu of this form provided in lieu of this form provided the statement(s) contain all the information requested below.
This report must be made no later than 10 days after you became an Access Person and must be current as of 45 days before you became an Access Person.
Name of Broker Type of Security Ticker or CUSIP No. of Shares Principal Amount
I hereby certify that the Covered Securities listed above represent a full and complete list of all Covered Securities held as of this date which I am required to report pursuant to the Code of Ethics.
Name Date
For Compliance Office
Use Only:
I certify that the above securities comply with the Trading Restrictions set forth in this Code.
Chief Compliance Officer or Designee Date
Page 16 of 16 |
CEDAR CAPITAL, LLC AND AFFILIATES
CODE OF ETHICS
Adopted: January 2015
INTRODUCTION
This document covers Cedar Capital, LLC and its affiliated entities (collectively, the “Cedar Group”). As of the date of this document, affiliates include Good Harbor Financial, LLC and Broadmeadow Capital, LLC. All members of the Cedar Group are SEC-registered investment advisers.
Cedar Capital, LLC will be referred to throughout the document as the “Adviser” “we” or “us” and is intended to cover all principals and employees (“Access Persons” or “you”) of the Cedar Group.
Cedar Capital, LLC has adopted this Code of Ethics (“Code”) to provide our employees with a framework for conduct in all aspects of their employment within our firm. The goal is to provide employees with an understanding of the requirements of conduct as prescribed by 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”) and Rule 204A-1 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”). This Code applies to the Adviser with respect to any client of the Adviser, including any investment company for which the Adviser serves as an investment adviser. This Code formalizes the high standard of ethical behavior required of our employees.
We have developed this Code to promote the highest levels of ethical conduct among our principals and employees (“Access Persons” or “you”). Among the purposes of the Code are to: (1) educate Access Persons regarding the Adviser’s expectations and the laws governing their conduct; (2) remind Access Persons that they are in a position of trust and must act with complete propriety at all times; (3) protect the reputation of the Adviser; (4) guard against violation of the securities laws; (5) protect the Adviser’s clients by deterring misconduct; and (6) establish procedures for Access Persons to follow so that the Adviser can assess whether its Access Persons are complying with the Adviser’s ethical principles.
PART 1. GENERAL PRINCIPLES
The Adviser provides portfolio management services to individuals, institutions, private funds and funds registered under the Investment Company Act (collectively, the “Clients”). The Adviser has entered into a fiduciary relationship with its Clients and owes each Client the utmost duty of loyalty, good faith, and fair dealing. The Adviser places its Clients’ interests ahead of those of its principals and employees. Therefore, each of us is likewise expected to place Client interests ahead of personal interests. The Adviser embraces the following general principles with respect to the conduct of each of its Access Persons when acting on behalf of the Adviser or in any capacity that affects the interests of the Adviser’s Clients:
1. | The duty at all times to place the interests of our Clients first; |
2. | The requirement that all personal securities transactions be conducted consistent with this Code and in such a manner as to avoid any actual or potential conflict of interest or any abuse of your position of trust and responsibility; |
3. | The fundamental standard that the Adviser’s personnel should not take inappropriate advantage of their positions; |
4. | The fiduciary principle that information concerning the identity of security holdings and financial circumstances of Clients is confidential; |
5. | The principle that the Adviser and its personnel will exercise independent, unbiased judgment in the investment decision-making process; and |
6. | The importance of acting with honesty, integrity and professionalism in all aspects of our business. |
These general principles govern all conduct, whether or not the conduct also is covered by more specific provisions below. We expect that all of our Access Persons will abide by this Code both in word and in spirit. Failure to comply with this Code is a serious matter that may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.
If you have any questions or need clarification regarding what the Code does and does not permit, please do not hesitate to contact the Adviser’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”).
PART 2. SCOPE OF THE CODE
The Code addresses the personal trading and other conduct of the Adviser’s Access Persons and is an integral part of its compliance program.
A. | Persons Covered by the Code |
This Code applies to each of the Adviser’s employees, all of whom are deemed to be “Access Persons” for purposes of this Code. Certain provisions of this Code also apply to the “Family Members” of Access Persons. The term “Family Members” includes an Access Person’s spouse, domestic partner, minor children, and relatives by blood or marriage living in the person’s household (including an adult child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, sibling, or in-laws). The Adviser’s CCO may designate additional persons as Access Persons subject to the Code from time to time as appropriate, such as consultants, temporary employees or interns.
B. | Securities Covered by the Code |
The term “Covered Security” as used in this Code means any stock, bond, warrant, future,
exchange-traded fund (“ETF”), closed end fund, investment contract or any other instrument that is considered a “security” under the Advisers Act. The term Covered Security is very broad and includes instruments and products such as: (1) options on securities, on indexes, and on currencies; (2) all kinds of limited partnerships (including those managed by the Adviser); and (3) private equity funds, hedge funds, foreign unit trusts and investment clubs.
The term Covered Security does NOT include: (1) direct obligations of the U.S. government; (2) bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper, and high quality short-term debt obligations, including repurchase agreements; (3) shares issued by money market funds; (4) shares of open-end mutual funds; (excluding those managed by the Adviser) and (5) shares issued by unit investment trusts that are invested exclusively in one or more open-end funds.
The Code governs any Covered Security in which you, as an Access Person, have any direct or indirect beneficial interest, including interests in a trust, partnership, or retirement plan. For purpose of this Code, you are presumed to have a “beneficial interest” in securities or accounts held by your Family Members – See definition in Part 2.A. above.
C. | Funds Covered by the Code |
The Code governs the Adviser’s private funds (“Private Funds”) and funds registered under the Investment Company Act (“Registered Funds”) for which we serve as investment adviser.
PART 3. STANDARDS OF BUSINESS CONDUCT
You are required to comply with certain standards of business conduct in accordance with the Adviser’s fiduciary obligations to its Clients.
A. | Compliance with Laws and Regulations |
You must comply with all applicable federal securities laws. You are not permitted, in connection with the purchase or sale (directly or indirectly) of a security held or to be acquired by a Client of the Adviser:
1. | To defraud the Client in any manner; |
2. | To mislead the Client, including by making a statement that omits material facts; |
3. | To engage in any act, practice or course of conduct which operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon the Client; |
4. | To engage in any manipulative practice with respect to the Client; or |
5. | To engage in any manipulative practice with respect to securities, including price manipulation. |
B. | Conflicts of Interest |
As a fiduciary, the Adviser has an affirmative duty to act in the best interest of its Clients. Integral to this duty is avoiding many types of potential conflicts of interest. The Adviser strives to identify conflicts of interest with Clients and to fully disclose all material facts concerning any
conflict that does arise with respect to any Client. As an Access Person of the Adviser, you should avoid any situation that may have the appearance of a conflict or impropriety.
1. | Conflicts among Client Interests . You are prohibited from inappropriate favoritism of one Client over another Client that would constitute a breach of fiduciary duty. |
2. | Competing with Client Trades. You are prohibited from using knowledge about pending or currently considered securities transactions for Clients to profit personally (directly or indirectly) as a result of such transactions, including by purchasing or selling such securities – referred to as “front running.” Conflicts raised by personal securities transactions also are addressed more specifically below. |
3. | Disclosure of Personal Interest . Access Persons who make investment decisions for Clients or help execute and/or implement investment decisions are prohibited from recommending, implementing, or considering any securities transaction for a Client without having disclosed any material Beneficial Ownership, business or personal relationship, or other material interest in the issuer or its affiliates, to the CCO. If the CCO deems the disclosed interest to present a material conflict, the CCO will make a judgment regarding the securities of that issuer. This provision applies in addition to the Adviser’s quarterly and annual personal securities reporting requirements set forth in Section D below. |
4. | Referrals/Brokerage. You are required to act in the best interests of the Adviser’s Clients regarding execution and other costs paid by Clients for brokerage services. You must strictly adhere to the Adviser’s policies and procedures regarding brokerage (including best execution and directed brokerage, if applicable). See the Best Execution Policy for more information. |
5. | Vendors and Suppliers. You must disclose to the CCO any personal investments or other interests in vendors or suppliers with respect to which that person negotiates or makes decisions on behalf of the Adviser. If you have such an interest, it is within the CCO’s sole discretion to prohibit you from negotiating or making decisions regarding the Adviser’s business with those companies. |
C. | Insider Trading |
You are prohibited from any trading, either personally or on behalf of others, while in possession of material, nonpublic information. You are prohibited from communicating material nonpublic information to others in violation of the law. Additionally, all Access Persons who come into contact with material nonpublic information are subject to the Adviser’s prohibitions on insider trading and any potential sanctions. See the Adviser’s Prevention of Insider Trading Policy for more information.
Insider trading is a very serious matter. Penalties for violating the Adviser’s insider trading
policy may include (in addition to termination of employment) civil injunctions, permanent bars from employment in the securities industry, civil penalties up to three times the profits made or losses avoided, criminal fines, and jail sentences.
D. | Personal Securities Transactions |
You (and your Family Members) are required to strictly adhere to the Adviser’s policies and procedures regarding personal securities transactions.
1. | Limited or Private Offerings – Pre-Clearance . Prior written approval by the CCO (or delegate) is required before you and your Family Members purchase, sell or transfer securities in a limited offering ( e.g., private placement) including those managed by the Adviser. In addition, prior written approval is required for additional or “add-on” investments in private placements. The CCO shall consider among other factors in approving such a transaction, whether the investment opportunity should be reserved for Clients, and whether the opportunity is being offered by virtue of your position with the Adviser. |
2. | Initial Public Offering – Pre-Clearance . You and your Family Members must obtain prior written approval from the CCO before purchasing any initial public offering. |
3. | Restricted List – Prohibition & Pre-clearance. You and your Family Members are prohibited from purchasing individual securities, including options on individual securities, on the Restricted List. If you currently own securities on the prohibited list, you may sell with pre-clearance. You may transact in all other securities on the Restricted List with pre-clearance from the CCO (or delegate). |
The Restricted List is maintained and updated by the CCO (or delegate). The Restricted List is updated quarterly or more frequently as needed and is distributed to Access Persons at least quarterly or whenever an addition, deletion or modification occurs.
4. | Blackout Period . You are prohibited from purchasing or selling any Covered Security on the Restricted List for an account in which you (or a Family Member) has Beneficial Ownership during a blackout period. Blackout periods occur on or around trade and/or rebalance days. The CCO (or delegate) will seek approval from the respective portfolio manager prior to granting approval for a Restricted List trade request. |
5. | Registered Funds managed by the Adviser. Registered Funds managed by the Adviser fall under the definition of Covered Security. Therefore, all transactions in the Registered Funds are subject to the Adviser’s quarterly transaction and annual holdings requirements. |
Authority to Exempt Transactions . The CCO has the authority to exempt personal securities transaction of an Access Person from any or all of the provisions of this Code if the CCO
determines that such exemption would not be against any interests of a Client and in accordance with applicable law. The CCO will document any exemption granted, describing the circumstances and reasons for the exemption.
E. | Gifts and Entertainment |
You should not accept inappropriate gifts, favors, entertainment, special accommodations, or other things of material value that could influence your decision-making or suggest that you are beholden to any particular person or firm. Similarly, you should not offer gifts, favors, entertainment, special accommodations, or other things of value that could be viewed as overly generous or aimed at influencing decision-making or making a Client feel beholden to you or to the Adviser. These policies also apply to your Family Members.
1. | Gifts. You may not give or receive any gift, service, or other thing in excess of |
$100 per person from any person or entity that does business with, or on behalf of, the Adviser.
Promotional items of nominal value that display the firm’s logo (e.g. umbrellas, golf balls, or shirts) valued at substantially less than $100 are excluded from this limit. However, promotional items valued at or near $100 are not considered nominal and are subject to the limit.
Gifts given or received under $100 need not be reported to the CCO. If an Access Person receives a gift over $100, it should be promptly reported to the CCO. If an Access Person indents on giving a gift over $100, the Access Person must seek pre-clearance from the CCO. Exceptions may be granted on a limited basis.
2. | Business Entertainment. You may not provide or accept entertainment that could be viewed as extravagant or excessive to or from a Client, prospective Client, or any person or entity that does or s eeks to do business with, or on behalf of, the Adviser. You may provide or accept a business entertainment event of reasonable value ( i.e., an occasional meal, sporting event, theatre production, or comparable entertainment event) provided that such entertainment is neither so frequent nor so extensive as to raise any question of propriety. |
3. | Cash. You may not give or accept cash gifts or cash equivalents to or from a Client, prospective Client, or any entity that does business with or on behalf of the Adviser. |
4. | Pre-Clearance. You should seek CCO prior approval when you are unsure about the value of a proposed gift or proposed entertainment. You must pre-clear with the CCO all gifts and any entertainment or other expenses involving any government, municipal or similar authority. |
5. | Referrals. You are prohibited from making referrals to Clients ( e.g., of accountants, attorneys, or the like) if you expect to benefit in any way. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is not the intent of this Code to prohibit the everyday courtesies of business life. Therefore, the specific guidelines above shall not apply to an occasional meal or ticket to a theater, entertainment or sporting event that is social in nature, or that is an incidental part of a business meeting with a clear business purpose, or a food item received by an individual but shared with the Adviser’s other employees or principals and consumed on the Adviser’s premises.
F. | Political Contributions |
(Rule 206(4)-5 Pay-to-Play) An adviser is prohibited from receiving compensation for providing advisory services to a government entity for two years following any contribution, other than certain de minimis contributions, by the Adviser or its Access Persons to an official of a state or local government entity who is or will be in a position to influence the award of advisory business. In addition, an adviser is also prohibited from coordinating, or soliciting others to make, contributions for an official of a government entity to which the adviser is providing or seeking to provide advisory services.
Accordingly, the Adviser has adopted policies and procedures concerning political contributions and activities regarding state and local candidates, officials and political parties. These policies regarding activities and political contributions apply to the Adviser and all its Access Persons. Please see the Adviser’s Policies and Procedures Regarding Political Contributions.
These policies are intended solely to comply with these laws and regulations and to avoid any appearance of impropriety. These policies are not intended to otherwise interfere with an individual’s right to participate in the political process.
G. | Charitable Contributions |
The Adviser has established policies and procedures concerning charitable contributions. The Adviser’s policy is to limit charitable contributions that are frequent or substantial in nature which may create conflicts of interest. Access Persons are prohibited from making contributions to a charitable or non-profit organization in excess of $250 at the request of a “business contact.” A business contact is defined as an organization or individual that currently does business with or is a prospect of the Adviser. The $250 limit is per business contact, per year.
These policies are intended solely to comply with these laws and regulations and to avoid any appearance of impropriety. These policies are not intended to discourage personal charitable contributions or those that are considered customary or nominal in nature.
H. | Confidentiality |
Information concerning the identity of security holdings in Client accounts and the financial circumstances of investors in such accounts is confidential.
1. | Adviser Duties. The Adviser must keep all information about Client accounts and |
investors in Client accounts in strict confidence, including identity and financial circumstances, security holdings, and advice furnished by the Adviser unless permitted to do so in writing from such Client or investor (such as when permission is received to disclose a Client’s or investor’s name.)
2. | Access Persons’ Duties. You are prohibited from disclosing to persons outside the Adviser any material non-public information about any Client or any investor in a Client account, the securities investments made by the Adviser on behalf of a Client, information about contemplated securities transactions, or information regarding the Adviser’s trading strategies, except as required to effectuate securities transactions on behalf of a Client. Access Persons who are involved in marketing efforts on behalf of the Adviser may disclose information regarding the Adviser’s trading strategies in the ordinary course of their duties and as permitted by federal securities laws. |
I. | Service on a Board of Directors |
Given the increased potential for conflicts of interest and insider trading issues, you must seek prior approval from the CCO to serve on the board of directors of a publicly traded company.
J. | Other Outside Activities |
You must disclose to the CCO any personal interests that may present a conflict of interest or harm the reputation of the Adviser. Additionally, you must obtain prior written approval by the CCO for other outside activities that may create a conflict of interest for you or the Adviser, including outside business or investment activities (such as directorships, consulting engagements, outside business affiliations, or public positions) and acting as an executor or trustee or accepting a power of attorney.
K. | Marketing and Promotional Activities |
Any oral or written statement you make, including those made to Clients, prospective Clients, their representatives, or the media, must be professional, accurate, balanced, and not misleading in any way. Statements made to the media should be pre-cleared by the CCO. See Section 5 – Sales and Marketing in the Adviser’s Manual for more information.
PART 4. COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES
A. | Personal Securities Transaction Procedures and Reporting |
1. | Disclosure of Personal Accounts . The Adviser’s Access Persons must disclose to the CCO within 10 days of date of employment through the automated compliance software all Personal Accounts in which the Access Person or Family Members have a direct interest or for which the Access Person influences or controls the investment decisions. In addition, Access Persons must pre-clear any new Personal Accounts prior to opening the account. An account established for the benefit of the following will be presumed to |
be a Personal Account unless the Access Person and the CCO agree otherwise in writing: (i) an Access Person; (ii) the spouse of an Access Person; (iii) any child of any Access Person under the age of 21, whether or not residing with the Access Person; (iv) any other Family Member of the Access Person residing in the same household with the Access Person or to whose financial support the Access Person makes a significant contribution; and (v) any other account in which the Access Person has a direct or indirect beneficial interest (e.g., joint accounts, trustee accounts, partnerships, investment clubs, estates or closely held corporations in which the Access Person has a beneficial interest).
2. | Pre-clearance Procedures . |
Pre-clearance for eligible securities on the Restricted List should be requested via the automated compliance software.
Approval for a trade is valid for the day on which it is granted and the immediately following business day. After that, a new request is required to be submitted to the CCO. Your trading activity is reviewed to ensure that each transaction was properly authorized.
PRE-CLEARANCE IS NOT REQUIRED for the following types of transactions:
a. | Purchases or sales over which an Access Person has no direct or indirect influence or control (e.g., a managed account); |
b. | Purchases or sales pursuant to an Automatic Investment Plan (including a dividend reinvestment plan); |
c. | Purchases effected upon 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 issuers, and sales of such rights so acquired; |
d. | Acquisition of securities through stock dividends, dividend reinvestments, stock splits, reverse stock splits, mergers, consolidations, spin-offs, and other similar corporate reorganizations or distributions generally applicable to all holders of the same class of securities; |
e. | Open end investment company shares; |
f. | Unit investment trusts; and |
g. | Assignment of options or exercise of an option at expiration. |
3. | Short - Term Trading . The Adviser believes that short term or excessive personal trading by its Access Persons can raise compliance and conflicts issues. Therefore, Access Persons are required to hold any securities purchased from the Restricted List for at least 30 days. |
4. | Market Timing . Frequent trading can also harm open-end fund shareholders in various ways, including reducing the returns to long-term shareholders by increasing costs to the fund and disrupting portfolio management strategies. Access Persons are required to comply with the policies of any open-end funds in which they invest regarding purchases, redemptions and exchanges, and are prohibited from engaging in frequent trading in |
open-end funds. To prevent disruption in the management of a fund, excessive exchange activity is limited. Generally, exchange activity is considered excessive if it exceeds parameters as set forth below:
· | A substantive exchange redemption in the same fund within 30 days of each other, in the amount of $50,000 or 1% of net assets, whichever is higher. |
The Adviser has adopted these procedures in compliance with the Trust’s Compliance Manual.
5. | Late Trading. Late trading is prohibited by law and, with respect to Registered Funds managed by the Adviser, may represent a violation of fiduciary duty. Even though this Code only requires Access Persons to report transactions in these funds, the Code prohibits Access Persons from engaging in or facilitating late trading in shares of any open-end fund. |
6. | Reporting Requirements . All reporting is submitted through the automated compliance software. |
a. | Holdings Reports . You are required to submit to the CCO a holdings report that includes: (1) information regarding all holdings in Covered Securities in which you or your Family Members have a beneficial interest. New Access Persons should submit these reports within 10 days of employment with the Adviser, and thereafter on an annual basis, by January 30 of each year. Reports should be current as of a date not more than 45 days before the report is due. |
b. | Quarterly Transaction Reports. You are required to submit to the CCO quarterly transaction reports that cover all transactions in Covered Securities and Registered Funds managed by the Adviser in which you or your Family Members have a beneficial interest no later than 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter. Certain types of transactions, listed in subsection e below, are not required to be included in these reports. |
c. | Quarterly Personal Account Establishment Reports. New Personal Accounts for you or your Family Members must be pre-cleared through the compliance software and quarterly you are required to affirm that you have disclosed to the CCO all of Personal Accounts in which you or your Family Members have a beneficial interest. |
d. | Confidentiality of Reports. The Adviser will keep confidential all transactions and holdings reports, except to the extent necessary to implement and enforce the provisions of the Code or to comply with requests for information from government authorities. |
e. | Reporting Exemptions . The following reporting exemptions apply: |
i. | Any report with respect to securities held in accounts over which you and/or |
your Family Members have no direct or indirect influence or control; and
ii. | Any transaction report with respect to transactions effected pursuant to an Automatic Investment Plan (including dividend reinvestment plans). |
7. | Monitoring of Personal Securities Transactions. The CCO (or delegate) is responsible for periodically reviewing personal securities transactions and holdings reports. The CCO will name as a delegate a senior employee to be responsible for reviewing and monitoring the personal securities transactions of the CCO and for taking on the responsibilities of the CCO in the CCO’s absence. |
B. | Gifts and Business Entertainment Reporting. Disclosures will be submitted through automated compliance software. |
a. | You are required to disclose to the CCO, upon receipt but no less than quarterly, any gifts given or received in excess of $100 per person. |
b. | You are required to disclose to the CCO, upon receipt but no less than quarterly, any business entertainment expenses provided or received which may be deemed excess in nature. |
C. | Certifications of Compliance. All certifications will be submitted through automated compliance software. |
1. | Initial Certification. You are required to provide certification that you have: |
(a) received a copy of the Code; (b) read and understood all provisions of the Code; and (c) agreed to comply with the terms of the Code. Such initial certification must be provided within 10 days of becoming designated as an Access Person under the Code.
2. | Acknowledgement of Amendments. The Adviser will provide you with any amendments to the Code and you must submit an acknowledgement that you have received, read, and understood the amendments to the Code. |
3. | Annual Certification . You are required to certify on an annual basis that that you have read, understood, and complied with the Code . |
PART 5. RECORDKEEPING
The Adviser maintains the following records related to the Code in a readily accessible place:
1. | A copy of each Code that has been in effect at any time during the past five years; |
2. | A record of any violation of the Code and any action taken as a result of such violation for five years from the end of the fiscal year in which the violation occurred; |
3. | A record of compliance certifications for each person who is currently, or within |
the past five years was, an Access Person;
4. | Holdings and transactions reports made pursuant to the Code, including any brokerage account statements made in lieu of these reports; |
5. | A list of the names of persons who are currently, or within the past five years were Access Persons; |
6. | A record of any decision and supporting reasons for approving the acquisition of securities by Access Persons in a limited offering, initial public offering or in the Sectors; and |
7. | A record of any decision and supporting reasons for granting any Access Person a waiver from or exception to the Code. |
PART 6. ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF THE CODE
A. | Training and Education. The CCO, or delegate, shall be responsible for training and educating Access Persons regarding the Code. Such training shall be mandatory for all Access Persons and shall occur within 10 days of date of hire and on an annual basis or more frequently as determined necessary by the CCO. |
B. | Annual Review . The CCO shall review the adequacy of the Code and the effectiveness of its implementation as the CCO deems appropriate, but no less frequently than annually. |
C. | Reporting Violations. You are required to report actual or suspected violations of the Adviser’s Code promptly to the CCO, or in the case of a violation by the CCO, to senior management. The Adviser has adopted a policy of non-retaliation with respect to any person who reports matters in good faith. Please refer to the “Whistleblower” policy in the Adviser’s Compliance Manual. |
1. | Confidentiality. Any reports created to satisfy the requirements of the Code shall be treated confidentially and shall be investigated promptly as required by the particular circumstances. |
2. | Types of Reporting. You are obligated to report any: (a) noncompliance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations; (b) fraud or illegal acts involving any aspect of the Adviser’s business; (c) material misstatements in regulatory filings, internal books and records, Clients records or reports; (d) activity that is harmful to Clients; and (e) material deviations from required controls and procedures that safeguard Clients and the Adviser. |
3. | Guidance. You are encouraged to seek guidance from the CCO or other senior management with respect to any action or transaction that may violate the Code and to refrain from any action or transaction which might lead to the appearance of a violation. |
D. | Sanctions. As noted in Part 1 of this Code, a violation of the Code may result in any disciplinary action that the CCO or senior management deems appropriate, including but |
not limited to a warning, fines, disgorgement, suspension, demotion, or termination of employment. In addition to sanctions, violations may result in referral to civil or criminal authorities where appropriate.
E. | Further Information Regarding the Code. You should contact the CCO to obtain any additional information about compliance and ethics issues. |
DEFINITIONS
For purposes of this Code:
“Access Person” means any employee (i) who has access to non-public information regarding any clients’ purchase or sale of securities, or non-public information regarding the portfolio holdings of any client of the Adviser, or (ii) who is involved in making securities recommendations to clients, or who has access to such recommendations that are non-public. Notwithstanding the above definition, the CCO has determined that all principals, officers and employees of the Adviser will be considered Access Persons under this Code unless otherwise specifically exempted by the Senior Managing Member and the CCO.
Additionally, a consultant, temporary employee, or other person may be considered an Access Person depending on various factors, including length of service, nature or duties and access to information about the Adviser. Such person will be notified by the CCO when he or she is considered an Access Person.
“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. An automatic investment plan includes a dividend reinvestment plan.
“Beneficial Ownership” means that a person, directly, or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares a direct or indirect pecuniary interest in the security. A pecuniary interest means the opportunity, directly or indirectly, to profit or share in any profit derived from a transaction in the security. An indirect pecuniary interest includes (i) securities held by a member of a person’s immediate family sharing the same household, (ii) a person’s interest in securities held by a trust, and (iii) a person’s right to acquire securities through the exercise of a derivative security.
The definition of “beneficial ownership” is complex, and questions regarding whether an Employee has a beneficial interest in a security should be directed to the CCO. Any report filed under this Code may state that the report is not to be construed as an admission that the person making the report has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in the security to which the report relates. The term “beneficial ownership” is interpreted in the same manner as it would be under Rule 16a-1(a)(2) in determining whether a person has beneficial ownership of a security for purposes of Section 16 of the 1934 Act.
“Covered Security” means a Security (defined herein), except that it does not include: (i) direct obligations of the government of the United States; (ii) bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and high quality short-term debt instruments (including repurchase agreements); (iii) shares issued by money market funds; (iv) shares issued by open-end mutual funds not affiliated with the Adviser; and (v) shares issued by
unit investment trusts that are invested exclusively in one or more open-end mutual funds.
“Initial Public Offering (IPO)” means an offering of securities registered under the 1933 Act, the issuer of which, immediately before the registration, was not subject to the reporting requirements of Sections 13 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act.
“Inside Information” means material non-public information (i.e., information which is not available to investors generally) that a reasonable investor would consider to be important in deciding whether to buy, sell or retain a security, including for example non- public information relating to a pending merger, acquisition, disposition, joint venture, contract award or termination, major lawsuit or claim, earnings announcement or change in dividend policy, significant product development, or the gain or loss of a significant customer or supplier. Any non-public information may be inside information regardless of whether it is developed internally or obtained from others (e.g., information received from the issuer, current or prospective customers, suppliers or business partners). Information is considered non-public until the market has had a reasonable time after public announcement to assimilate and react to the information.
“Limited Offering” means an offering that is exempt from registration under the 1933 Act pursuant to Sections 4(2) or 4(6) or Rule 504, 505 or 506. Limited Offerings are sometimes referred to as private placements of securities.
“Personal Account” means any securities and futures account of an Employee in which the Employee has a direct or pecuniary interest or for which such Employee influences or controls the investment decisions (other than accounts for the Adviser’s clients, except those clients who fall within the list in the next sentence). An account established for the benefit of the following will be presumed to be a Personal Account unless the Employee and the CCO agree otherwise in writing: (i) an Employee; (ii) the spouse or domestic partner of an Employee; (iii) any child of any Employee under the age of 21, whether or not residing with the Employee; (iv) any other family member of the Employee residing in the same household with the Employee or to whose financial support the Employee makes a significant contribution; and (v) any other account in which the Employee has a direct or indirect beneficial interest (e.g., joint accounts, trustee accounts, partnerships, investment clubs, estates or closely held corporations in which the Employee has a beneficial interest).
“Publicly Traded Security” means any equity or debt instrument traded on an exchange, through NASDAQ or through the “Pink Sheets,” any option to purchase or sell such equity or debt instrument, any index stock or bond group option that includes such equity or debt instrument, and futures contract on stock or bond groups that includes such equity or debt instrument, and any option on such futures contract. A Publicly Traded Security also means any security traded on foreign security exchanges, and publicly traded shares of registered closed-end investment companies, exchange-traded funds, unit trusts, partnership and similar interests, notes, warrants, or fixed income instruments, and bonds and debt obligations issued by foreign governments, states, or municipalities.
Exceptions to the definition of “Publicly Traded Security” include the following: securities issued by mutual funds (not affiliated with the Adviser), U.S. treasury bonds, notes and bills, U.S. savings bonds and other instruments issued by the U.S. government, debt instruments issued by a banking institution (such as bankers’ acceptances, certificates of deposit, commercial paper and other high-quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements) and U.S. and foreign currency. The securities covered by this exception are referred to as “Non-covered Securities”.
“Purchase or sale of a security” includes, among other things, the writing of an option to purchase or sell a security.
“Security” means any note, stock, treasury stock, security future, bond, debenture, evidence of indebtedness, certificate of interest or participation in any profit-sharing agreement, collateral-trust certificate, preorganization certificate or subscription, transferable share, investment contract, voting-trust certificate, certificate of deposit for a security, fractional undivided interest in oil, gas, or other mineral rights, any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege on any security (including a certificate of deposit) or on any group or index of securities (including any interest therein or based on the value thereof), or any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege entered into on a national securities exchange relating to foreign currency, or, in general, any interest or instrument commonly known as a “security,” or any certificate of interest or participation in, temporary or interim certificate for, receipt for, guaranty of, or warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase any of the foregoing.
FDO Partners, LLC
Code of Ethics
6 Code of Ethics and standards of conduct
All Members and employees of FDO Partners are subject to a variety of compliance requirements, some of these stemming from formal laws and regulations (e.g. the Investment Advisers Act), and some from policies and procedures that FDO has decided to adopt as a matter of safe and sound business practice. This Section collects all of these compliance requirements together in one place, to facilitate understanding of and adherence to the requirements.
Under Rule 204A-1 of the Investment Advisers Act, FDO’s written Code of Ethics must include the following:
1) the standards of business conduct required for Supervised Persons;
2) | provisions requiring supervised persons to comply with applicable federal securities laws; |
3) provisions requiring all Access Persons to report their securities transactions and holdings periodically for review;
4) provisions requiring Supervised Persons to report any violations of the Code of Ethics;
5) provisions requiring FDO to provide the Code of Ethics to all Supervised Persons, and to receive a written receipt for same.
A “Supervised Person” is defined as any partner, officer, director (or other person occupying a similar status or performing similar functions), or employee of an investment adviser, or other person who provides investment advice on behalf of the investment adviser and is subject to the supervision and control of the investment adviser. An “Access Person” is defined as a Supervised Person who has access to nonpublic information regarding clients' purchase or sale of securities, is involved in making securities recommendations to clients or who has access to such recommendations that are nonpublic. For the avoidance of doubt, all employees and partners of FDO are considered to be both Supervised Persons and Access Persons.
This Section covers items 2) through 5) of the above list first, and then follows with an itemized description of our specific standards of conduct.
6.1 | Compliance with applicable laws |
FDO seeks to foster a reputation for integrity and professionalism. A cornerstone of this is compliance with all federal and state laws. All Supervised Persons are responsible for, and have agreed as a requirement of their employment, to respect and obey all of the laws, rules and regulations applicable to our business, including among others, securities, banking, employment and other federal, state and local laws. Any employee found to be in violation of an applicable law will be subject to potential dismissal, and reporting to relevant authorities.
This Compliance Policies & Procedures Manual lists many of the laws to which the firm and its employees are subject. However, it can be assumed that it is fully comprehensive. If in any doubt regarding the applicability or interpretation of a particular statute, an employee should seek the advice of the CCO.
6.2 | Insider Trading Policy |
The Wikipedia page covering American insider trading law states the following.
US insider trading prohibitions are based on English and American common law prohibitions against fraud. In 1909, well before the Securities Exchange Act was passed, the United States Supreme Court ruled that a corporate director, who bought that company's stock when he knew it was about to jump up in price, committed fraud by buying but not disclosing his inside information.
Section 15 of the Securities Act of 1933 contained prohibitions of fraud in the sale of securities which were greatly strengthened by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 prohibits short- swing profits (from any purchases and sales within any six-month period) made by corporate directors, officers, or stockholders owning more than 10% of a firm's shares. Under Section 10(b) of the 1934 Act, SEC Rule 10b-5, prohibits fraud related to securities trading.
The Insider Trading Sanctions Act of 1984 and the Insider Trading and Securities Fraud Enforcement Act of 1988 provide for penalties for illegal insider trading to be as high as three times the profit gained or the loss avoided from the illegal trading.
Clearly, this is one of the most important set of federal securities laws with which supervised persons must comply.
With regard to FDO’s currency investment advisory business, there is naturally a lesser chance that FDO Access Persons will come into the possession of currency-relevant material non- public information about securities through their work activities than may be true at other investment advisory firms. Nevertheless, it is still possible that certain information fitting this definition, such as prospective client transactions would come into their possession.
Historically, the illegal usage of material non-public information has been more common in the equity markets. Contrary to discretionary equity investment managers that are selecting individual stocks based on human research and intelligence gathering, the quantitative nature and confines of FDO’s investment strategies and execution processes do not present a straightforward format for the use of material non-public information. FDO’s equity execution process is entirely quantitative and systematic in nature. Furthermore, position sizes are small relative to the overall size of the portfolio. Due to these characteristics, it would be more difficult for an employee to effect portfolio positioning and fund profits from the usage of material non- public information. This acts as a natural deterrent to its illegal usage.
All FDO employees are prohibited from misusing material non-public information relating to any security, whatever the source of the information. Furthermore, employees who know or suspect that they, or another employee, have come into the possession of material non-public information are required to disclose that fact to the CCO. The CCO, in turn, will document the acquisition of the information and the steps taken to protect against its misuse.
FDO and State Street Bank and Trust (SSB) are part-owners of State Street Associates, LLC (SSA), a partnership of academics and practitioners dedicated to providing a full spectrum of
investor behavior indicators and innovative portfolio and risk management strategies to institutional investors. FDO and its representatives do not have access to any proprietary client- specific information through this partnership. However, FDO and SSB recognize that they have a joint obligation to pro-actively ensure that no conflicts of interest or perceived conflicts of interest arise. Accordingly, FDO and SSB have taken specific, visible and affirmative steps to prevent any employee, partner or representative of FDO from having any kind of access, direct or indirect, to information on the proprietary transactions or holdings of custodial clients of SSB. In addition, FDO employees, partners and representatives are prohibited from obtaining or attempting to obtain such information from those individuals at SSB who have access to such data.
6.3 | Personal securities trading by Access Persons |
Rule 204A-1 of the Advisers Act requires all Access Persons of an investment adviser registered with the SEC to report, and the investment adviser to review, their personal securities transactions and holdings periodically. These reports must encompass all holdings and trades in any stock, bond, futures contract, investment contract or any other instrument that is considered a “Covered Security” under the Investment Advisers Act. The definition of Covered Security is broad, and includes items you might not ordinarily think of as “securities,” such as:
· options on securities, indexes, and currencies;
· | futures contracts traded on exchanges or OTC contracts; |
· | all kinds of limited partnerships; |
· | foreign unit trusts and foreign mutual funds; |
· | private investment funds, hedge funds, and investment clubs; |
· | forward currency contracts, both deliverable and non-deliverable; |
· CD and money market accounts denominated in foreign currencies.
However, the following are not classified as Covered Securities:
· | direct obligations of the U.S. government (e.g., treasury securities); |
· | CDs and money market accounts denominated in USD. |
· | bankers’ acceptances, commercial paper, and high quality short-term debt obligations, including repurchase agreements; |
· | shares issued by money market funds; |
· | shares of open-end mutual funds that are not advised or sub-advised by the firm; and |
· | shares issued by unit investment trusts that are invested exclusively in one or more open-end funds, none of which are funds advised or sub-advised by the firm. |
FDO has also implemented additional personal securities trading restrictions. Please see sections 6.3.3, 6.3.4, and 6.3.5 to review these restrictions.
6.3.1 | Holdings report |
No later than ten (10) days after the commencement of employment, and annually thereafter, Access Persons must submit a Holdings Report to the CCO detailing the following information with respect to each of their Covered Security holdings:
· | the title and type of security; |
· | as applicable the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number of the security; |
· | the number of shares held; |
· | the principal amount of the holding; |
· | the name of the broker, bank or fiduciary with custody of the security. |
The information contained in the Holdings Report must be current as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the date the Report is filed. In general, the CCO will indicate the calendar dates for which the reports must be current. Annual reports are due by February 15 each year, and must reflect holdings as of December 31 of the prior year. The Holdings Reports will be reviewed with respect to securities positions that FDO has established, or may establish, on behalf of clients.
6.3.2 | Transaction report |
On a quarterly basis, Access Persons must submit a Securities Transaction Report to the CCO detailing the following information with respect to each transaction in a Covered Security that they undertook during the quarter:
· | the date of the transaction; |
· | Purchase Date (if sale or short cover of single name equity or equity-linked security) |
· | the title and type of security; |
· | as applicable the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number of the security; |
· | the type of trade (i.e. buy or sell); |
· | the number of shares or units traded; |
· | the principal amount of the trade; |
· | the name of the broker, bank or fiduciary through which the transaction was effected. |
Quarterly Transaction Reports must be submitted to the CCO no more than 25 days after the end of each calendar quarter. In general, the CCO will provide a reminder of this obligation, though the failure of the CCO to do so does not relieve Access Persons from fulfilling this requirement. The Transaction Reports will be reviewed with respect to securities transactions that FDO has effected, or may effect, on behalf of clients.
6.3.3 | Restricted List |
Commencing on May 2, 2014, FDO instituted an Access Person personal security trading restriction on all purchases of the Sector focused ETFs listed below (ticker in parentheses). This coincided with the agreement to provide weekly investment recommendations of these securities to a private organization. The recommendations are determined by FDO’s quantitative models. Any transaction in these names requires pre-approval from the CCO.
· | Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) |
· | Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLB) |
· | Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI) |
· | Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLY) |
· | Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLP) |
· | Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) |
· | Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) |
· | Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLK) |
· | Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU) |
Given FDO’s relationship with State Street Associates, Access Persons are prohibited from transacting in securities issued by State Street Corporation without pre-approval from the CCO.
However, Access Persons of FDO who receive securities from State Street Corporation as long term compensation (e.g. options or restricted stock) may sell or otherwise dispose of such securities within thirty (30) days of the vesting of such awards without preapproval from the CCO, provided that they retain documented evidence of the award and the associated vesting schedule.
6.3.4 | Holding Periods |
Commencing on June 2, 2014, FDO instituted an Access Person personal security trading restriction on all single name issuer equity and equity-like instruments. This new policy was directly related to the launch of the Alpine Street Funds (the “Funds”), which is FDO’s first equity strategy offered to external investors. The policy calls for a required minimum holding period of 30 days from the date on which the securities were first purchased or sold-short (first in, first out basis). ASMF utilizes an automated quantitative trading strategy, holding many positions, and have an average holding period of less than 30 days. The nature of the strategy would make it difficult for an Access Person to attempt to trade ahead of the Funds. This policy is meant to ensure that an Access Person would not gain an advantage by trading ahead of the Fund, as they would be entirely unsure what the investment strategy would do with that position over the following 30 days. This is on top of the natural mitigants of the strategy due to it being entirely quantitative and taking many small positions in mid to large cap stocks. Access Persons would not necessarily understand the true reasons for a position being taken by the quantitative strategy let alone necessarily be aware of the position before execution.
6.3.5 | Pre-clearance of trades |
FDO requires that all Access Persons obtain written approval from the CCO prior to trading in any currency investment that is also recommended to clients, or that is substantially similar to currency investment recommended to clients. This standard is interpreted broadly. For example, currency-based ETFs such as NYSE:FXA are considered to be substantially similar to the Australian dollar, a security recommended to clients.
As previously mentioned, Access Persons are prohibited from transacting in securities issued by State Street Corporation as well as ETFs listed in Section 6.3.3, without written pre-approval from the CCO.
If an Access Person wishes to trade in any such security, he or she must provide twenty four
(24) hours written notice to the CCO of the intended transaction. The CCO will review the transaction, and advise the Access Person as to whether it is approved or not, in accordance with the following principles:
· | An Access Person may not transact in such Covered Security when FDO has any type of open order in the security in place for any client. |
· | An Access Person may not transact in such Covered Security if the CCO believes, or has reason to believe, that FDO may advise a client in respect of that Covered |
Security in the future in a way that benefits, or has the potential to benefit, the Access Person.
Initial Public Offerings and Private Placements are not utilized by FDO in its investment advisory business. However, Access Persons will be prohibited from participation in all such offerings without the prior approval of the CCO. In some cases, the CCO has approved private placement investments for Access Persons and has granted permission for follow-on investments in those same private placements without pre-approval. However, the Access Person has been made aware that this permission disappears should the investment strategy change or if FDO broadens investment activities in such a way that creates a conflict with the private placement.
Pre-approval from the CCO for transactions is void after 24 hours.
While pre-approval for all other single name issuer equity and equity-like instruments (not outlined above) is not required, all securities in these categories are subject to the minimum Holding Period outlined in Section 6.3.4.
If there is any doubt or uncertainty around whether a transaction requires pre-approval, always consult the CCO first.
6.4 | Implementation and reporting |
An Access Person can be subject to discipline, up to and including termination of employment, if he or she violates this Code of Ethics and its component parts. If an employee knows of, or reasonably believes there is, a violation of applicable laws or this Code, said employee has an affirmative responsibility to report that information immediately to the CCO. If the violation involves the CCO, the employee must report it to a company Manager who is not the CCO. Employees should not conduct preliminary investigations themselves, unless authorized to do so by the CCO. Anyone who in good faith raises an issue regarding a possible violation of law, regulation or company policy or any suspected illegal or unethical behavior, will be protected from retaliation.
6.5 | Recordkeeping |
Rules 204-2(a) (12) and (13) of the Advisers Act requires advisors to keep copies of all relevant material relating to the Code of Ethics. In addition, the CCO must provide each FDO Supervised Person with a copy of this Code of Ethics and any amendments thereto. All Supervised Persons are required to provide the CCO with a written acknowledgment of their receipt of the Code of Ethics. In fulfillment of these requirements:
· | FDO stores all Holdings Reports and Transaction Reports in a secure electronic archive; |
· | FDO requires all Supervised Persons to certify on an annual basis that they have received, read and understood this Manual and the Code of Ethics. These certifications are also stored in a secure form. |
6.6 | Standards of business conduct |
In addition to the requirements explicitly set down in Rule 204A-1, employees are subject to the standards of conduct encompassing the following areas:
· | confidentiality of information; |
· | conflicts of interest; |
· | competition; |
· | gifts and entertainment; |
· | drug and substance abuse; |
· | anti-money laundering; |
· | books and records accuracy; |
· | intellectual property; |
· | political affairs; |
· | information technology. |
These are discussed in turn in the following sections.
6.6.1 | Confidentiality and protection of information |
FDO’s clients entrust the firm with highly sensitive information. Often it is proprietary, meaning that it is owned by someone. FDO also collects a variety of personal information regarding individuals who are clients or employees. All employees are required to treat such information with care. It may not be used for personal benefit or the benefit of others. It must be protected from unauthorized disclosure. It must only be used for the purpose for which it was gathered, and kept for only the period that is necessary.
Regarding trading, Supervised Persons who possess material non-public information that could affect the value of an investment must not act or cause others to act on the information. Access Persons are prohibited from using non-public information regarding portfolio holdings, model changes, or client transactions for their personal benefit.
6.6.2 | Conflicts of interest |
FDO has an affirmative duty of care, loyalty, honesty, and good faith to act in the best interests of its Clients. Compliance with this duty can be achieved by trying to avoid conflicts of interest and by fully disclosing all material facts concerning any conflict that does arise with respect to any Client. Employees should make every effort to avoid situations that have even the appearance of conflict or impropriety.
Employees may not engage in any investment strategy that might compete with FDO’s offered strategies. Employees are prohibited from recommending, implementing or considering any securities transaction for a Client without having disclosed any material beneficial ownership, business or personal relationship, or other material interest in the issuer or its affiliates to FDO’s CCO.
Employees may not advocate or recommend any service provider to the company if they have a financial interest or other type of interest in the service provider. All employees are required to disclose any personal investments or other interests in vendors or suppliers with which the firm has a relationship or a prospective relationship.
No employee or other person working for or on behalf of FDO, individual members of their immediate families, or other persons living in their households may own, directly or indirectly, any interest in any corporation or other entity if ownership of such interest could compromise the loyalty or judgment of such employee or person working for or on behalf of FDO. Whether a particular financial interest will constitute a conflict of interest or the appearance thereof will vary
depending on the circumstances.
6.6.3 | Outside business activities |
Employees must receive prior written approval from the Chief Compliance Officer and the Managing Members of FDO prior to engaging in any outside business activity. If approved, the employee has an obligation to keep FDO apprised of these activities and provide updated information about the interests. Service by the employee as a director, officer, or employee of any other corporation or business must be approved, in writing, by the Chief Compliance Officer.
6.6.4 | Competition |
FDO operates in a competitive marketplace. The firm is committed to competing honestly and fairly with others who provide the same or similar services to our clients and prospective clients. Employees may not engage in any misrepresentation of facts, or any unfair dealings that are not acceptable business practices. No form of explicit or implicit cooperation with our competitors around pricing or terms is permitted. Any information on the products or activities of competitors must be in the public domain, or be acquired by lawful means.
6.6.5 | Gifts and entertainment |
FDO employees are not permitted to accept inappropriate gifts, favors, entertainment, special accommodations, or other things of material value that could influence their decision-making or make them feel beholden to a person or firm. Individual gifts can only be accepted up to a limit of $100 in value, while the cumulative value of individual gifts received over a year from any person cannot exceed $250 in value per person. Employees are required to file a quarterly Gifts and Entertainment report to the CCO detailing the following:
· | the date that any gift or gift was received; |
· | a description of the gift; |
· | the identity of the gift provider; |
· | the fair value of the gift. |
6.6.6 | Drug-free workplace policy |
FDO Partners, LLC is committed to protecting the safety, health and well-being of all employees and other individuals in our workplace. Therefore the company has established a workplace policy that balances respect for individual rights with the need to maintain an alcohol and drug- free environment.
FDO’s drug-free workplace policy is intended to apply whenever anyone is representing or conducting business for the organization. Therefore, the policy applies during all working hours and whenever an employee is conducting business or representing the organization. Any
individual who is an employee or Member of FDO, is applying for a position at FDO, or is conducting business on the organization's property is subject to the policy.
The policy has the following elements and stipulations.
· | No employee or Member of FDO may possess, sell, trade, and/or offer for sale illegal drugs or intoxicants. |
· | The consumption of alcoholic beverages in moderation is permitted in situations where employees are entertaining prospective or actual clients of the firm or where employees are being entertained by prospective or actual service providers or vendors. If alcohol is consumed by an employee while representing or conducting business for the organization, all applicable laws must be strictly adhered to. Employees and Members must not consume alcohol in excess. |
· | Reporting for work while impaired due to on- or off-duty use of alcohol or other drugs is prohibited. |
· | FDO recognizes that alcohol, drug abuse and addiction are treatable illnesses. FDO also realizes that early intervention and support improve the success of rehabilitation. Under this policy employees are encouraged to seek help if they are concerned that they or any of their family members may have a drug and/or alcohol problem. Treatment for alcoholism and/or other drug use disorders may be covered by the employee benefit plan. However, the ultimate financial responsibility for recommended treatment belongs to the employee. |
· | All information received by the organization through the drug-free workplace program is confidential communication. Access to this information is limited to the Manager. |
If an individual violates this policy, the consequences are serious. Applicants, who violate the drug-free workplace policy prior to employment, will have their offer for employment immediately revoked, and they may not reapply. An employee who violates the policy will be subject to progressive disciplinary action and may be required to enter rehabilitation. An employee required to enter rehabilitation that fails to successfully complete the program and/or repeatedly violates the policy will be terminated from employment. Nothing in this policy prohibits the employee from being disciplined or discharged for other violations and/or performance problems.
6.6.7 | Anti-money laundering |
Neither FDO nor its employees will engage in any behavior or activity that assists any person with any transaction that involves money laundering. See Section 8 for complete details of FDO’s anti-money laundering policies.
6.6.8 | Books and records accuracy |
The maintenance of accurate and complete books and records is vital to the effective functioning of FDO’s business. This includes, but is not limited to, the books and records referred to in Rule 204-2 of the Act, discussed in Section 4.2. Each employee is personally responsible for the integrity of the records, reports and information that he or she prepares. Falsification of any records is prohibited. Document retention policies that are set forth by management from time to time must be adhered to.
6.6.9 | Intellectual property |
Employees must adhere fully to the terms of the “FDO Non-compete, Confidentiality and
Inventions Agreement” that they signed as a condition of employment.
6.6.10 | Political affairs |
If an employee chooses to participate in the political process, he or she must do so in an individual capacity, rather than as a representative of FDO.
An employee’s personal political contributions may compromise the ability of FDO to do business in certain jurisdictions. In addition to the requirements of Rule 206(4)-5 of the Act, discussed in Section 4.12, employees must at all times exercise prudence and good judgment in regards to engagement in the political process, and its consequences for FDO’s business. In particular, employees must be cognizant of so-called “pay-to-play” laws.
Employees may not use any FDO property or communications equipment to support their political activities.
6.6.11 | Information technology |
Employees must at all times abide by the information technology policies set down in Section 12 of this document.
6.6.12 | Whistleblower policy |
FDO has a strong commitment to ethical standards and compliance with all applicable securities laws. The firm has established a Whistleblower Policy (as fully outlined in the Whistleblower Policy Manual) for the reporting of information relating to unethical or unlawful conduct by the firm, a Member or a fellow employee. Employees with knowledge of such information are encouraged to submit a Whistleblower Complaint Form (WCF). Full submission instructions are provided in the Whistleblower Policy Manual. WCFs are separately available in the Compliance Folder in the shared drive.
Employees who submit WCFs (Reporting Person) may do so anonymously if they so desire. All submissions are to be made in good faith. FDO will not discharge, demote, suspend, threaten, harass or otherwise retaliate against any Reporting Person in the terms or condition of his or her employment with FDO based upon such Reporting Person’s submitting in good faith any complaint.
The CCO is responsible for overseeing the receipt, investigation, resolution, and retention of complaints under this policy. The President of FDO is responsible for overseeing this process if the complaint relates to the CCO. The CCO will keep the identity of any inside Reporting Person confidential and privileged under all circumstances to the fullest extent allowed by law, unless the Reporting Person has authorized FDO to disclose his or her identity.
Upon receipt of a WCF, the CCO will attempt to determine whether the complaint pertains to a violation. The CCO may seek advice from external counsel, should it be required. If possible, the CCO will acknowledge receipt to the reporting individual. An investigation of the complaint will be conducted as quickly as possible, taking into account the nature and complexity of the complaint and the issues raised therein. The CCO will alert the Managing Members of the results of the investigation, and prompt and appropriate remedial action will be taken as warranted in the judgment of the Managing members or as otherwise directed by the CCO.
Footprints Asset Management & Research
Investment Adviser Code of Ethics
March 2013
Footprints Asset Management & Research
Investment Adviser Code of Ethics
March 2013
Table of Contents
1 - Statement of General Policy
2 - Definitions
3 - Standards of Business Conduct
4 - Prohibition Against Insider Trading
5 - Personal Securities Transactions
6 - Gifts and Entertainment
7 - Protecting the Confidentiality of Client Information
8 - Service as a Director
9 - Compliance Procedures
10 - Certification
11 - Records
12 - Reporting Violations and Sanctions
Footprints Asset Management & Research
Investment Adviser Code of Ethics
March 2013
Statement of General Policy
This Code of Ethics (“Code”) has been adopted by Footprints Asset Management & Research and is designed to comply with Rule 204A-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (“Advisers Act”). This Code establishes rules of conduct for all employees of Footprints Asset Management & Research and is designed to, among other things, govern personal securities trading activities in the accounts of employees. The Code is based upon the principle that Footprints Asset Management & Research and its employees owe a fiduciary duty to Footprints Asset Management & Research's clients to conduct their affairs, including their personal securities transactions, in such a manner as to avoid (i) serving their own personal interests ahead of clients, (ii) taking inappropriate advantage of their position with the firm and (iii) any actual or potential conflicts of interest or any abuse of their position of trust and responsibility.
The Code is designed to ensure that the high ethical standards long maintained by Footprints Asset Management & Research continue to be applied. The purpose of the Code is to preclude activities which may lead to or give the appearance of conflicts of interest, insider trading and other forms of prohibited or unethical business conduct. The excellent name and reputation of our firm continues to be a direct reflection of the conduct of each employee.
Pursuant to Section 206 of the Advisers Act, both Footprints Asset Management & Research and its employees are prohibited from engaging in fraudulent, deceptive or manipulative conduct. Compliance with this section involves more than acting with honesty and good faith alone. It means that Footprints Asset Management & Research has an affirmative duty of utmost good faith to act solely in the best interest of its clients.
Footprints Asset Management & Research and its employees are subject to the following specific fiduciary obligations when dealing with clients:
The duty to have a reasonable, independent basis for the investment advice provided;
The duty to obtain best execution for a client’s transactions where the Firm is in a position to direct brokerage transactions for the client;
The duty to ensure that investment advice is suitable to meeting the client’s individual objectives, needs and circumstances; and
A duty to be loyal to clients.
Footprints Asset Management & Research
Investment Adviser Code of Ethics
March 2013
In meeting its fiduciary responsibilities to its clients, Footprints Asset Management & Research expects every employee to demonstrate the highest standards of ethical conduct for continued employment with Footprints Asset Management & Research. Strict compliance with the provisions of the Code shall be considered a basic condition of employment with Footprints Asset Management & Research.
Footprints Asset Management & Research's reputation for fair and honest dealing with its clients has taken considerable time to build. This standing could be seriously damaged as the result of even a single securities transaction being considered questionable in light of the fiduciary duty owed to our clients. Employees are urged to seek the advice of CCO, the Chief Compliance Officer, for any questions about the Code or the application of the Code to their individual circumstances. Employees should also understand that a material breach of the provisions of the Code may constitute grounds for disciplinary action, including termination of employment with Footprints Asset Management & Research.
The provisions of the Code are not all-inclusive. Rather, they are intended as a guide for employees of Footprints Asset Management & Research in their conduct. In those situations where an employee may be uncertain as to the intent or purpose of the Code, he/she is advised to consult with CCO. CCO may grant exceptions to certain provisions contained in the Code only in those situations when it is clear beyond dispute that the interests of our clients will not be adversely affected or compromised. All questions arising in connection with personal securities trading should be resolved in favor of the client even at the expense of the interests of employees.
CCO will periodically report to senior management/board of directors of Footprints Asset Management & Research to document compliance with this Code.
Definitions
For the purposes of this Code, the following definitions shall apply:
“Access person” means any supervised person who: has access to nonpublic information regarding any clients’ purchase or sale of securities, or nonpublic information regarding the portfolio holdings of any separately managed account or limited partnership; or is involved in making securities recommendations to clients that are nonpublic.
“Account” means accounts of any employee and includes accounts of the employee’s immediate family members (any relative by blood or marriage living in the employee’s household), and any account in which he or she has a direct or indirect beneficial interest, such as trusts and custodial accounts or other accounts in which the employee has a beneficial interest or exercises investment discretion.
“Beneficial ownership” shall be interpreted in the same manner as it would be under Rule 16a-1(a)(2) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in determining whether
Footprints Asset Management & Research
Investment Adviser Code of Ethics
March 2013
a person is the beneficial owner of a security for purposes of Section 16 of such Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.
“Reportable security” means any security as defined in Section 202(a)(18) of the Advisers Act, except that it does not include: (i) Transactions and holdings in direct obligations of the Government of the United States; (ii) Bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and other high quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements; (iii) Shares issued by money market funds; (iv) Transactions and holdings in shares of other types of open-end registered mutual funds, unless Footprints Asset Management & Research or a control affiliate acts as the investment adviser or principal underwriter for the fund; and (v) Transactions in units of a unit investment trust if the unit investment trust is invested exclusively in mutual funds, unless Footprints Asset Management & Research or a control affiliate acts as the investment adviser or principal underwriter for the fund.
“Supervised person” means directors, officers and partners of Footprints Asset Management & Research (or other persons occupying a similar status or performing similar functions); employees of Footprints Asset Management & Research; and any other person who provides advice on behalf of Footprints Asset Management & Research and is subject to Footprints Asset Management & Research's supervision and control.
Standards of Business Conduct
Footprints Asset Management & Research places the highest priority on maintaining its reputation for integrity and professionalism. That reputation is a vital business asset. The confidence and trust placed in our firm and it's employees by our clients is something we value and endeavor to protect. The following Standards of Business Conduct sets forth policies and procedures to achieve these goals. This Code is intended to comply with the various provisions of the Advisers Act and also requires that all supervised persons comply with the various applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and applicable rules and regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Section 204A of the Advisers Act requires the establishment and enforcement of policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent the misuse of material, nonpublic information by investment advisers. Such policies and procedures are contained in this Code. The Code also contains policies and procedures with respect to personal securities transactions of all Footprints Asset Management & Research's access persons as defined herein. These procedures cover transactions in a reportable security in which an access person has a beneficial interest in or accounts over which the access person exercises control as well as transactions by members of the access person’s immediate family.
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Section 206 of the Advisers Act makes it unlawful for Footprints Asset Management & Research or its agents or employees to employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud any client or prospective client, or to engage in fraudulent, deceptive or manipulative practices. This Code contains provisions that prohibit these and other enumerated activities and that are reasonably designed to detect and prevent violations of the Code, the Advisers Act and rules thereunder.
Prohibition Against Insider Trading
Introduction
Trading securities while in possession of material, nonpublic information, or improperly communicating that information to others may expose supervised persons and Footprints Asset Management & Research to stringent penalties. Criminal sanctions may include a fine of up to $1,000,000 and/or ten years imprisonment. The SEC can recover the profits gained or losses avoided through the illegal trading, impose a penalty of up to three times the illicit windfall, and/or issue an order permanently barring you from the securities industry. Finally, supervised persons and Footprints Asset Management & Research may be sued by investors seeking to recover damages for insider trading violations.
The rules contained in this Code apply to securities trading and information handling by supervised persons of Footprints Asset Management & Research and their immediate family members.
The law of insider trading is unsettled and continuously developing. An individual legitimately may be uncertain about the application of the rules contained in this Code in a particular circumstance. Often, a single question can avoid disciplinary action or complex legal problems. You must notify CCO immediately if you have any reason to believe that a violation of this Code has occurred or is about to occur.
General Policy
No supervised person may trade, either personally or on behalf of others (such as investment funds and private accounts managed by Footprints Asset Management & Research), while in the possession of material, nonpublic information, nor may any personnel of Footprints Asset Management & Research communicate material, nonpublic information to others in violation of the law.
1. What is Material Information?
Information is material where there is a substantial likelihood that a reasonable investor would consider it important in making his or her investment decisions. Generally, this includes any information the disclosure of which will have a substantial effect on the price of a company’s securities. No simple test exists to determine when information is material; assessments of materiality involve a highly fact-specific inquiry. For this reason, you should direct any questions about whether information is material to CCO.
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Material information often relates to a company’s results and operations, including, for example, dividend changes, earnings results, changes in previously released earnings estimates, significant merger or acquisition proposals or agreements, major litigation, liquidation problems, and extraordinary management developments.
Material information also may relate to the market for a company’s securities. Information about a significant order to purchase or sell securities may, in some contexts, be material. Prepublication information regarding reports in the financial press also may be material. For example, the United States Supreme Court upheld the criminal convictions of insider trading defendants who capitalized on prepublication information about The Wall Street Journal’s “Heard on the Street” column.
You should also be aware of the SEC’s position that the term “material nonpublic information” relates not only to issuers but also to Footprints Asset Management & Research's securities recommendations and client securities holdings and transactions.
2. What is Nonpublic Information?
Information is “public” when it has been disseminated broadly to investors in the marketplace. For example, information is public after it has become available to the general public through a public filing with the SEC or some other government agency, the Dow Jones “tape” or The Wall Street Journal or some other publication of general circulation, and after sufficient time has passed so that the information has been disseminated widely.
3. Identifying Inside Information
Before executing any trade for yourself or others, including investment funds or private accounts managed by Footprints Asset Management & Research (“Client Accounts”), you must determine whether you have access to material, nonpublic information. If you think that you might have access to material, nonpublic information, you should take the following steps:
Report the information and proposed trade immediately to CCO.
Do not purchase or sell the securities on behalf of yourself or others, including investment funds or private accounts managed by the firm.
Do not communicate the information inside or outside the firm, other than to CCO.
After CCO has reviewed the issue, the firm will determine whether the information is material and nonpublic and, if so, what action the firm will take.
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You should consult with CCO before taking any action. This degree of caution will protect you, our clients, and the firm.
4. Contacts with Public Companies
Contacts with public companies may represent an important part of our research efforts. The firm may make investment decisions on the basis of conclusions formed through such contacts and analysis of publicly available information. Difficult legal issues arise, however, when, in the course of these contacts, a supervised person of Footprints Asset Management & Research or other person subject to this Code becomes aware of material, nonpublic information. This could happen, for example, if a company’s Chief Financial Officer prematurely discloses quarterly results to an analyst, or an investor relations representative makes selective disclosure of adverse news to a handful of investors. In such situations, Footprints Asset Management & Research must make a judgment as to its further conduct. To protect yourself, your clients and the firm, you should contact CCO immediately if you believe that you may have received material, nonpublic information.
5. Tender Offers
Tender offers represent a particular concern in the law of insider trading for two reasons: First, tender offer activity often produces extraordinary gyrations in the price of the target company’s securities. Trading during this time period is more likely to attract regulatory attention (and produces a disproportionate percentage of insider trading cases). Second, the SEC has adopted a rule which expressly forbids trading and “tipping” while in the possession of material, nonpublic information regarding a tender offer received from the tender offeror, the target company or anyone acting on behalf of either. Supervised persons of Footprints Asset Management & Research and others subject to this Code should exercise extreme caution any time they become aware of nonpublic information relating to a tender offer.
6. Restricted/Watch Lists
Although Footprints Asset Management & Research does not typically receive confidential information from portfolio companies, it may, if it receives such information, take appropriate procedures to establish restricted or watch lists in certain securities.
CCO may place certain securities on a “restricted list.” Access persons are prohibited from personally, or on behalf of an advisory account, purchasing or selling securities during any period they are listed. Securities issued by companies about which a number of supervised persons are expected to regularly have material, nonpublic information should generally be placed on the restricted list.
CCO shall take steps to immediately inform all supervised persons of the securities listed on the restricted list.
Restricted as of January 2012: WEGENER CORP (WGNR)
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CCO may place certain securities on a “watch list.” Securities issued by companies about which a limited number of supervised persons possess material, nonpublic information should generally be placed on the watch list. The list will be disclosed only to CCO and a limited number of other persons who are deemed necessary recipients of the list because of their roles in compliance.
Personal Securities Transactions
General Policy
Footprints Asset Management & Research has adopted the following principles governing personal investment activities by Footprints Asset Management & Research's supervised persons:
The interests of client accounts will at all times be placed first;
All personal securities transactions will be conducted in such manner as to avoid any actual or potential conflict of interest or any abuse of an individual’s position of trust and responsibility; and
Access persons must not take inappropriate advantage of their positions.
Pre-Clearance required for all personal security transaction
All access persons shall make FAMR an interested party on all outside held accounts. All access persons shall acquire pre-approval, from the portfolio manager, to buy or sell any security within personal or family related accounts held outside of FAMR’s custodians or trades to be executed at the individual account level, not aggregated with other client trades. Based on current client trading or potential client trading activity by portfolio manager, employees' trade requests will be placed secondary to client trading activities.
Pre-Clearance Required for Participation in IPOs
No access person shall acquire any beneficial ownership in any securities in an Initial Public Offering for his or her account, as defined herein without the prior written approval of CCO who has been provided with full details of the proposed transaction (including written certification that the investment opportunity did not arise by virtue of the access person’s activities on behalf of a client) and, if approved, will be subject to continuous monitoring for possible future conflicts.
Pre-Clearance Required for Private or Limited Offerings
No access person shall acquire beneficial ownership of any securities in a limited offering or private placement without the prior written approval of CCO who has been provided with full details of the proposed transaction (including written certification that the investment opportunity did not arise by virtue of the access
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person’s activities on behalf of a client) and, if approved, will be subject to continuous monitoring for possible future conflicts.
Gifts (Including Charitable Contributions), Entertainment
Giving, receiving or soliciting gifts in a business setting may create an appearance of impropriety or may raise a potential conflict of interest. Footprints Asset Management & Research has adopted the policies set forth below to guide access
persons in this area.
General Policy
Footprints Asset Management & Research's policy with respect to gifts and entertainment is as follows:
Giving, receiving or soliciting gifts in a business may give rise to an appearance of impropriety or may raise a potential conflict of interest;
Access persons should not accept or provide any gifts or favors that might influence the decisions you or the recipient must make in business transactions involving Footprints Asset Management & Research, or that others might reasonably believe would influence those decisions;
Modest gifts and favors, which would not be regarded by others as improper, may be accepted or given on an occasional basis. Entertainment that satisfies these requirements and conforms to generally accepted business practices also is permissible;
Where there is a law or rule that applies to the conduct of a particular business or the acceptance of gifts of even nominal value, the law or rule must be followed.
Reporting Requirements
Any access person who accepts, directly or indirectly, anything of value from any person or entity that does business with or on behalf of Footprints Asset Management & Research, including gifts and gratuities with value in excess of $100 per year must obtain consent from CCO before accepting such gift.
Any access person who contributes, directly or indirectly, anything of value to any person or entity that does business with or on behalf of Footprints Asset Management & Research, including gifts, charitable contributions, and gratuities with value in excess of $100 per year must obtain consent from CCO before giving such gift.
This reporting requirement does not apply to bona fide dining or bona fide entertainment if, during such dining or entertainment, you are accompanied by the person or representative of the entity that does business with Footprints Asset Management & Research.
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This gift reporting requirement is for the purpose of helping Footprints Asset Management & Research monitor the activities of its employees. However, the reporting of a gift does not relieve any access person from the obligations and policies set forth in this Section or anywhere else in this Code. If you have any questions or concerns about the appropriateness of any gift, please consult CCO.
Political Contributions by Investment Advisers (Pay to Play) Policy
Background:
Rule 206(4)-5 of the Advisers Act provides that an adviser who makes political contributions to an elected official who is in a position to influence the selection of the adviser to provide advisory services to a government entity will be barred for two years from providing advisory services for compensation to that government entity. The rule applies to the adviser as well as certain executives and employees of the adviser.
Rule 206(4)-5 also prohibits an adviser from paying a third party, such as a solicitor or placement agent, to solicit a government client on behalf of the adviser, unless the solicitor or placement agent is a “regulated person” subject to prohibitions against engaging in pay-to-play practices. Further, the rule prevents an adviser from coordinating or asking another person or political action committee (“PAC”) to make contributions to an elected official, candidate, or political party for purposes of influencing the selection of the adviser. Finally, the rule prohibits an adviser and certain of its executive officers and employees from engaging in pay-to-play conduct indirectly, such as by directing or funding contributions through third parties such as spouses, lawyers, or companies affiliated with the adviser, if that conduct would violate the rule if the adviser engaged in it directly.
Rule 206(4)-5 applies to any adviser registered or required to register with the SEC, as well as any adviser not registered in reliance on Section 203(b)(3) of the Advisers Act.
1. | Restrictions on Political Contributions. Rule 206(4)-5 makes it unlawful for an adviser to receive compensation for providing advisory services to a government entity for a two-year period after the adviser or any of its covered associates makes a political contribution to an elected official or candidate of a government entity that is in a position to directly or indirectly influence the hiring of the adviser or has the authority to |
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appoint an person who could directly or indirectly influence the hiring of the adviser.
a. | The term “contribution” includes a gift, subscription, loan, advance, deposit of money or anything of value made for the purpose of influencing an election for federal, state or local office, including any payment of debt incurred in connection with an election. A contribution also includes transition or inaugural expenses of the successful candidate for state or local office. Transition or inaugural expenses of a successful candidate for federal office are not included in the definition. The SEC would not consider donations of time by an individual to be a contribution, provided the donation of time is not made at the adviser’s request and the adviser’s resources, such as office space and telephone are not used. |
Any expenses incurred by an adviser in hosting a fundraising meeting or conference for a candidate or official would be a contribution by the adviser, thereby triggering the two-year time-out on the adviser receiving compensation for providing advisory services to the government entity over which that official has influence. Such expenses may include, but are not limited to, the cost of the facility, the cost of refreshments, any expenses paid for administrative staff or the payment or reimbursement of any of the government official’s expenses for the event. The de minimis exception discussed below would not be available with respect to these expenses because they would have been incurred by the firm, not by a natural person.
b. | An “official” is defined in the rule to mean any person (including the campaign committee for that person) who, at the time of the contribution, was an incumbent, candidate or successful candidate for elective office of a government entity, if the office is directly or indirectly responsible for or can influence the hiring of an adviser by a governmental entity or has the authority to appoint any person who is directly or indirectly responsible for or can influence the hiring of an adviser by a governmental entity. An incumbent state or local official running for a federal office would continue to be an “official” under the rule not because of the office he is running for, but because of the office he currently holds. |
c. | Under the rule, “covered associates” include the adviser’s general partners, managing members, executive officers, or other individuals with similar status or function. The term also includes any employee |
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who solicits a government entity for the adviser and any person who directly or indirectly supervises that employee . Finally, the term also includes any PAC controlled by the adviser or any of its covered associates. An adviser and its covered employees are considered to control a PAC if each has the ability to direct or cause the direction of the governance or operation of the PAC.
d. | The term “executive officers” includes: (i) the adviser’s president; (ii) any vice president in charge of a principal business unit, division or function; (iii) any other officer of the adviser who performs a policy-making function; and (iv) a person who performs similar policy-making functions for the adviser. Whether an individual is an executive officer depends on his function not title. Contributions by non-executive employees (other than those who solicit government entities) would not trigger the rule, unless the adviser or any of its covered associates used the person to indirectly make a contribution. |
e. | Two Year Timeout . Advisers making contributions covered by the rule would not be prohibited from providing advisory services after triggering the two-year “timeout,” but would be prohibited from receiving compensation for providing advisory services during that time. The two-year time-out begins to run once the contribution is made and not when the contribution is discovered by the adviser or the SEC examination staff. An adviser’s fiduciary duties may obligate it to continue to provide advisory services without compensation for a reasonable period of time after the two-year time-out is triggered. |
Under the rule, the two-year time-out continues to apply to an advisory firm after the covered associate who made the triggering contribution has left the firm. In addition, the two-year time-out applies to any new advisory firm that, within two years after the contribution was made, employs a person who made the contribution. However, the two-year time-out will not be applicable to a covered associate’s new advisory firm if the contribution that would normally trigger the time-out is made more than six months prior to the individual becoming a covered associate of the new firm, unless the person, after becoming a covered associate, solicits clients.
f. | Exceptions . Rule 206(4)-5(b)(1) permits contemplates two exceptions to the two-year time-out applicable to contributions made by covered associates. |
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(1) | De Minimis Exception . Each covered associate, if a natural person, may make an aggregate contribution without triggering the two-year time-out of up to $350 to an elected official or candidate for whom the covered associate is entitled to vote and up to $150 per election to an elected official for whom the individual is not entitled to vote. The $350 limit applies per covered employee and is not an aggregate limit for all of an adviser’s covered associates. |
(2) | Returned Contributions . This exception is available to contributions by a covered associate, if a natural person, that in the aggregate do not exceed $350 per official, per election. In order to qualify for this exception, the adviser must have discovered the contribution within four months of the date the contribution was made and, within 60 calendar days of learning of the contribution, must cause the contribution to be returned to the contributor. An adviser with more than 50 employees may rely on this exception three times in any calendar year, while advisers with 50 or fewer employees may rely on this exception no more than twice in a calendar year. No adviser may rely on the exception more than once with respect to the same covered associate, regardless of the time period. |
Both of these exceptions are applicable only to contributions made by natural persons, not to contributions made by the advisory firm.
2. | Prohibition on the Use of Third-Party Solicitors . Rule 206(4)-5(a)(2)(i) makes it unlawful for an adviser subject to the rule and its covered associates to make or agree to make payments to any third-party solicitor or placement agent, directly or indirectly, to solicit a government entity for advisory business, unless the solicitor or placement agent is a “regulated person” subject to prohibitions against engaging in pay-to-play practices. |
a. | A “regulated person” is a registered investment adviser or broker/dealer who is in compliance with applicable pay-to-play regulations. An adviser must immediately cease compensating a solicitor who no longer meets the definition of a “regulated person.” Advisers compensating other advisers who qualify as regulated persons for soliciting government entities must adopt policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent a violation of the rule. |
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b. | The rule defines “payment” to mean any gift, subscription, loan, advance, deposit of money, or anything of value, and would include payments to pension consultants for performing various services, such as sponsoring conferences, if those services are intended to obtain government clients. Unlike the definition of “contribution,” the definition of “payment” does not include the limiting language relating to the purposes for which the money is given. |
The rule applies only to third-party solicitors who solicit government entities for advisory services. The prohibition does not apply to the solicitation activities of the adviser’s employees, general partners, managing members, executive officers, or other individuals with similar status or functions. A violation of this section of the rule does not trigger the two-year ban on compensation, but would be a violation of the rule.
3. | Ban on Solicitation or Coordination of Contributions. Rule 206(4)-5(a)(2)(ii) makes it unlawful for an adviser subject to the rule and its covered associates to coordinate or solicit any person or PAC to make contributions to an official of a government entity to which the adviser is providing or seeking to provide investment advisory services, or to make payments to a political party of a state or locality where the adviser is providing or seeking to provide investment advisory services to a government entity. |
a. | The SEC declined to draw a bright line on what activities involve coordination or solicitation of a contribution, stating that whether a particular activity involves coordination or solicitation of a contribution or payment for purposes of the rule will depend on the facts and circumstances. However, the SEC did note in the adopting release that an adviser who consents to the use of its name on fundraising literature for a candidate would be soliciting contributions for that candidate. Similarly, an adviser who sponsors a meeting or conference that features a government official as an attendee or guest speaker and that involves fundraising for the government official would be soliciting contributions for that official. |
b. | An adviser is deemed to be “seeking to provide” advisory services to a government entity when it responds to a request for proposal, communicates with a government entity regarding that entity’s formal selection process for advisers, or engages in some other |
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solicitation of investment advisory business of the government entity. A violation of this section of the rule would not trigger the two-year ban on compensation, but would be a violation of the rule.
4. | Prohibition on Certain Indirect Activities. To ensure that advisers and government officials do not structure pay-to-play arrangements in a way that attempts to evade the prohibitions of the rule, the rule includes a provision that makes it unlawful for an adviser or any of its covered associates to do anything indirectly that, if done directly, would result in a violation of the rule. As a result, an adviser and its covered associates may not funnel payments through third parties, including, for example, consultants, attorneys, family members, friends, or companies affiliated with the adviser as a means to circumvent the rule. |
5. | Application to Covered Investment Pools. An adviser to certain pooled investment vehicles in which a government entity invests or is solicited to invest, is treated as though the adviser were providing or seeking to provide investment advisory services directly to the government entity. Thus, a political contribution to a government official that would, under the rule, trigger the two-year time-out from providing advice for compensation to the government entity would also trigger a two-year time-out from the receipt of compensation for the management of those assets through a covered investment pool. Covered investment pools include registered investment companies, hedge funds, private equity funds, and collective investment trusts. |
a. | The term “covered investment pool” include any investment company registered under the 1940 Act that is an investment option of a plan or program of a government entity. A “plan or program of a government entity” is defined to mean a participant directed plan established by a state or political subdivision, including 529 plans, 403(b) plans, 457 plans, or any similar plan or program. |
b. | The term “covered investment pool” also includes any company that would be an investment company under Section 3(a) of the 1940 Act but for the exclusions provided by Sections 3(c)(1), 3(c)(7) or 3(c)(11) of the 1940 Act. |
If a government entity is an investor in a covered investment pool at the time a contribution triggering a two-year time-out is made, the adviser must forgo any compensation related to the assets invested or committed by that government entity.
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6. | Sub-advisers. By the terms of the rule, if an adviser or sub-adviser makes a contribution that triggers the two-year time-out, the sub-adviser or adviser, as applicable, that did not make the triggering contribution could continue to receive compensation from the government entity, unless the arrangement were a means to do indirectly what the adviser or sub-adviser could not do directly under the rule. Advisers to underlying funds in a fund-of-funds arrangement are not required to look through the investing fund to determine whether a government entity is an investor in the investing fund unless the investment was made in that manner as a means for the adviser to do indirectly what it could not do directly under the rule. |
7. | SEC Exemptions. Rule 206(4)-5 contains a provision authorizing the SEC to exempt advisers from the time-out requirements where the adviser discovers the contributions that trigger the compensation ban only after they have been made or when the imposition of the prohibitions is unnecessary to achieve the rule’s intended purpose. Rule 206(4)-5(e) lists the factors to be considered by the SEC in determining whether to grant an exemption. An adviser seeking an exemption could place into an escrow account any advisory fees earned between the date of the contribution triggering the prohibition and the date on which the SEC determines whether to grant an exemption. The escrow account would be payable to the adviser if the SEC grants the exemption. If the SEC does not grant the exemption, the fees contained in the account would be returned to the government entity client. |
8. | Recordkeeping Requirements. Rule 204-2 under the Advisers Act requires an adviser who is registered or required to be registered with the SEC to make and keep records of contributions made by the adviser and covered associates to government officials and candidates, payments to state or local political parties and PACs, and the names of regulated persons the adviser pays for solicitation services. The amendments only require advisers to make and keep records of their covered associates, and their own and their covered associates’ contributions, if they provide advisory services to a government client. However, an adviser who does not maintain these records because it currently does not have any government entity clients risks violating Rule 206(4)-5 and subjecting itself to the two-year time-out if it ultimately obtains a government entity client. |
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The records of contributions and payments are required to be in chronological order and indicate the name and title of the contributor, the name and title of the recipient, the amount and date of each contribution or payment, and whether the contribution or payment was subject to an exception provided by the rule. The records would need to be maintained for five years, the first two in the office of the investment adviser.
Procedures :
1. | Prior to commencement of employment, all new covered associates must disclose in writing all political contributions to elected officials or candidates for office made within the last 24 months. The disclosure shall include: |
a. | The name of the elected official or candidate; |
b. | The name of the elected office held by the official or sought by the candidate; |
c. | The date of the contribution; and |
d. | The amount contributed. |
2. | All covered associates must obtain pre-clearance before contributing the following to an elected official or candidate for office: |
a. | Gifts; |
b. | Subscriptions; |
c. | Loans, advances, or deposits of money; |
d. | Payment of debt incurred in connection with an election; |
e. | Transition or inaugural expenses; or |
f. | Anything of value made for the purpose of influencing an election for federal, state, or local office. |
3. | All covered associates must obtain pre-clearance before donating time to the election campaign of an elected official or candidate for elected office. |
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4. | Covered associates must obtain pre-clearance before hosting a fundraising meeting or conference for a candidate or official, or volunteering to bear expenses associated with such fundraising meeting or conference. |
5. | On an annual basis, all covered associates must disclose in writing all political contributions to elected officials or candidates for office and volunteer in connection with the campaigns of such elected officials or candidates for office made within the last 24 months. |
6. | If the Advisers discovers a political contributions made in violation of Rule 206(4)-5 for which an exception is not available: |
a. | If assets of the government entity are managed in a separate account, the Adviser shall: |
(1) | Return all compensation promptly upon discovering the triggering contribution; and |
(2) | waive the advisory fee or terminate the contract with the governmental entity. |
b. | If the government entity is invested in a private pool, the Adviser shall: |
(1) | cause the pool to redeem the investment of the government entity; or |
(2) | waive or rebate the portion of its fees or any performance allocation or carried interest attributable to assets of the government client. |
c. | If the government entity is invested in a registered investment company, the Adviser shall: |
(1) | waive its advisory fee for the fund as a whole in an amount approximately equal to fees attributable to the government entity; or |
(2) | rebate the government entities portion of the advisory fee to the fund as a whole. |
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Responsible Party: Chief Compliance Officer
Protecting the Confidentiality of Client Information
Confidential Client Information
In the course of investment advisory activities of Footprints Asset Management & Research, the firm gains access to non-public information about its clients. Such information may include a person's status as a client, personal financial and account information, the allocation of assets in a client portfolio, the composition of investments in any client portfolio, information relating to services performed for or transactions entered into on behalf of clients, advice provided by Footprints Asset Management & Research to clients, and data or analyses derived from such non-public personal information (collectively referred to as 'Confidential Client Information'). All Confidential Client Information, whether relating to Footprints Asset Management & Research's current or former clients, is subject to the Code's policies and procedures. Any doubts about the confidentiality of information must be resolved in favor of confidentiality.
Non-Disclosure Of Confidential Client Information
All information regarding Footprints Asset Management & Research's clients is confidential. Information may only be disclosed when the disclosure is consistent with the firm's policy and the client's direction. Footprints Asset Management & Research does not share Confidential Client Information with any third parties, except in the following circumstances:
As necessary to provide service that the client requested or authorized, or to maintain and service the client's account. Footprints Asset Management & Research will require that any financial intermediary, agent or other service provider utilized by Footprints Asset Management & Research (such as broker-dealers or sub-advisers) comply with substantially similar standards for non-disclosure and protection of Confidential Client Information and use the information provided by Footprints Asset Management & Research only for the performance of the specific service requested by Footprints Asset Management & Research;
As required by regulatory authorities or law enforcement officials who have jurisdiction over Footprints Asset Management & Research, or as otherwise required by any applicable law. In the event Footprints Asset Management & Research is compelled to disclose Confidential Client Information, the firm shall provide prompt notice to the clients affected, so that the clients may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy. If no protective order or other appropriate remedy is obtained, Footprints Asset Management & Research shall disclose only such information, and only in such detail, as is legally required;
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To the extent reasonably necessary to prevent fraud, unauthorized transactions or liability.
Employee Responsibilities
All access persons are prohibited, either during or after the termination of their employment with Footprints Asset Management & Research, from disclosing Confidential Client Information to any person or entity outside the firm, including family members, except under the circumstances described above. An access person is permitted to disclose Confidential Client Information only to such other access persons who need to have access to such information to deliver Footprints Asset Management & Research's services to the client.
Access persons are also prohibited from making unauthorized copies of any documents or files containing Confidential Client Information and, upon termination of their employment with Footprints Asset Management & Research, must return all such documents to Footprints Asset Management & Research.
Any supervised person who violates the non-disclosure policy described above will be subject to disciplinary action, including possible termination, whether or not he or she benefited from the disclosed information.
Security Of Confidential Personal Information
Footprints Asset Management & Research enforces the following policies and procedures to protect the security of Confidential Client Information:
The firm restricts access to Confidential Client Information to those access persons who need to know such information to provide Footprints Asset Management & Research's services to clients;
Any access person who is authorized to have access to Confidential Client Information in connection with the performance of such person's duties and responsibilities is required to keep such information in a secure compartment, file or receptacle on a daily basis as of the close of each business day;
All electronic, including smart phones synched to FAMR’s CRM, or computer files containing any Confidential Client Information shall be password secured and firewall protected from access by unauthorized persons;
Any conversations involving Confidential Client Information, if appropriate at all, must be conducted by access persons in private, and care must be taken to avoid any unauthorized persons overhearing or intercepting such conversations.
Footprints Asset Management & Research
Investment Adviser Code of Ethics
March 2013
Privacy Policy
As a registered investment adviser, Footprints Asset Management & Research and all supervised persons, must comply with SEC Regulation S-P, which requires investment advisers to adopt policies and procedures to protect the 'nonpublic personal information' of natural person clients. 'Nonpublic information,' under Regulation S-P, includes personally identifiable financial information and any list, description, or grouping that is derived from personally identifiable financial information. Personally identifiable financial information is defined to include information supplied by individual clients, information resulting from transactions, any information obtained in providing products or services. Pursuant to Regulation S-P Footprints Asset Management & Research has adopted policies and procedures to safeguard the information of natural person clients.
Enforcement and Review of Confidentiality and Privacy Policies
CCO is responsible for reviewing, maintaining and enforcing Footprints Asset Management & Research's confidentiality and privacy policies and CO is responsible for conducting appropriate employee training to ensure adherence to these policies. Any exceptions to this policy requires the written approval of CCO.
Service as a Director
No access person shall serve on the board of directors of any publicly traded company without prior authorization by CCO or a designated supervisory person based upon a determination that such board service would be consistent with the interest of Footprints Asset Management & Research's clients. Where board service is approved Footprints Asset Management & Research shall implement a “Chinese Wall” or other appropriate procedure to isolate such person from making decisions relating to the company’s securities. At a minimum, the stock will be added to the Restricted Stock List, effective date of service on Board of Directors.
Compliance Procedures Reporting Requirements
Every access person shall provide initial and annual holdings reports and quarterly transaction reports to CCO which must contain the information described below.
1. Initial Holdings Report
Every access person shall, no later than ten (10) days after the person becomes an access person, file an initial holdings report containing the following information:
The title and exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, type of security, number of shares and principal amount (if applicable) of each reportable security in which the access person had any direct or indirect beneficial interest ownership when the person becomes an access person;
Footprints Asset Management & Research
Investment Adviser Code of Ethics
March 2013
The name of any broker, dealer or bank, account name, number and location with whom the access person maintained an account in which any securities were held for the direct or indirect benefit of the access person; and
The date that the report is submitted by the access person. The information submitted must be current as of a date no more than forty-five (45) days before the person became an access person.
Employee shall add Footprints Asset Management & Research, Inc. as an Interested Party to all investment accounts held outside of our custodians, so that FAMR will receive all confirms and statements directly from custodians.
2. Annual Holdings Report
Every access person shall, no later than January 30 each year, file an annual holdings report containing the same information required in the initial holdings report as described above. The information submitted must be current as of a date no more than forty-five (45) days before the annual report is submitted.
3. Quarterly Transaction Reports
Every access person must, no later than thirty (30) days after the end of each calendar quarter, file a quarterly transaction report containing the following
information:
With respect to any transaction during the quarter in a reportable security in which the access persons had any direct or indirect beneficial ownership:
The date of the transaction, the title and exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, the interest rate and maturity date (if applicable), the number of shares and the principal amount (if applicable) of each covered security;
The nature of the transaction (i.e., purchase, sale or any other type of acquisition or disposition);
The price of the reportable security at which the transaction was effected;
The name of the broker, dealer or bank with or through whom the transaction was effected; and
The date the report is submitted by the access person.
4. Exempt Transactions An access person need not submit a report with respect to:
Transactions effected for, securities held in, any account over which the person has no direct or indirect influence or control;
Footprints Asset Management & Research
Investment Adviser Code of Ethics
March 2013
Transactions effected pursuant to an automatic investment plan;
A quarterly transaction report if the report would duplicate information contained in securities transaction confirmations or brokerage account statements that Footprints Asset Management & Research holds in its records so long as the firm receives the confirmations or statements no later than 30 days after the end of the applicable calendar quarter;
Any transaction or holding report if Footprints Asset Management & Research has only one access person, so long as the firm maintains records of the information otherwise required to be reported
5. Monitoring and Review of Personal Securities Transactions
CCO or a designee will monitor and review all reports required under the Code for compliance with Footprints Asset Management & Research's policies regarding personal securities transactions and applicable SEC rules and regulations. CCO may also initiate inquiries of access persons regarding personal securities trading. Access persons are required to cooperate with such inquiries and any monitoring or review procedures employed Footprints Asset Management & Research. Any transactions for any accounts of CCO will be reviewed and approved by a board member. CCO shall at least annually identify all access persons who are required to file reports pursuant to the Code and will inform such access persons of their reporting obligations.
Certification
Initial Certification
All supervised persons will be provided with a copy of the Code and must initially certify in writing to CCO that they have: (i) received a copy of the Code; (ii) read and understand all provisions of the Code; (iii) agreed to abide by the Code; and (iv) reported all account holdings as required by the Code.
Acknowledgement of Amendments
All supervised persons shall receive any amendments to the Code and must certify to CCO in writing that they have: (i) received a copy of the amendment; (ii) read and understood the amendment; (iii) and agreed to abide by the Code as amended.
Annual Certification
All supervised persons must annually certify in writing to CCO that they have: (i) read and understood all provisions of the Code; (ii) complied with all requirements of the Code; and (iii) submitted all holdings and transaction reports as required by the Code.
Footprints Asset Management & Research
Investment Adviser Code of Ethics
March 2013
Further Information
Supervised persons should contact CCO regarding any inquiries pertaining to the Code or the policies established herein.
Records
CCO shall maintain and cause to be maintained in a readily accessible place the following records:
A copy of any code of ethics adopted by the firm pursuant to Advisers Act Rule 204A-1 which is or has been in effect during the past five years;
A record of any violation of Footprints Asset Management & Research's Code and any action that was taken as a result of such violation for a period of five years from the end of the fiscal year in which the violation occurred;
A record of all written acknowledgements of receipt of the Code and amendments thereto for each person who is currently, or within the past five years was, an access person which shall be retained for five years after the individual ceases to be an access person of Footprints Asset Management & Research;
A copy of each report made pursuant to Advisers Act Rule 204A-1, including any brokerage confirmations and account statements made in lieu of these reports;
A list of all persons who are, or within the preceding five years have been, access persons;
A record of any decision and reasons supporting such decision to approve an access persons' acquisition of securities in IPOs and limited offerings within the past five years after the end of the fiscal year in which such approval is granted.
Reporting Violations and Sanctions (Whistleblower policy)
All supervised persons shall promptly report to the CCO or CO all apparent violations of the Code. Any retaliation for the reporting of a violation under this Code will constitute a violation of the Code.
The CO shall promptly report to CCO all apparent material violations of the Code. The CO will conduct an investigation and determine if fraud, deceit, or a manipulative practice in deed occurred in violation of Section 206 of the Advisers Act. The CO will submit a written memorandum of such findings to CCO. Appropriate sactions, if any, will be imposed. Possible sanctions may include
Footprints Asset Management & Research
Investment Adviser Code of Ethics
March 2013
reprimands, monetary fine or assessment, or suspension or termination of the employee’s employment with the firm.
Code of Ethics
March 18, 2014
Stone Ridge III Business Center ▪ N14 W23833 Stone Ridge Drive ▪ Suite 350A ▪ Waukesha ▪ WI ▪ 53188
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. | GENERAL PROVISIONS | 1 |
1.1. | Professional Responsibilities | 1 |
1.2. | Failure to Comply | 2 |
2. | COVERED PERSONS | 2 |
2.1. | Supervised Persons include | 2 |
2.2. | Access Persons include any supervised person who: | 3 |
2.3. | Family Members | 3 |
3. | BUSINESS CONDUCT STANDARDS | 3 |
3.1. | Compliance with Laws and Regulations | 3 |
3.2. | Conflicts of Interest | 4 |
3.3. | Personal Securities Transactions | 4 |
3.4. | Outside Business Interests | 5 |
3.5. | Gifts and Loans | 5 |
4. | INSIDER TRADING | 6 |
5. | REPORTING REQUIREMENTS | 7 |
5.1. | Scope | 7 |
5.2. | Reportable Securities | 7 |
5.3. | Reporting Exceptions | 8 |
5.4. | Initial/Annual Holdings Report | 8 |
5.5. | Quarterly Transaction Reports | 9 |
6. | RECORDKEEPING REQUIREMENTS | 9 |
7. | FORM ADV DISCLOSURE | 10 |
8. | WHISTLEBLOWER PROCEDURES | 10 |
9. | ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RECEIPT | 10 |
1. | General Provisions |
1.1. | Professional Responsibilities |
Global View Capital Management, LLC (“GVCM”) is registered as an investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the provisions of Section 203 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. GVCM is dedicated to providing effective and proper professional investment management services. GVCM’s reputation is a reflection of the quality of our employees and their dedication to excellence in serving our clients. To ensure these qualities and dedication to excellence, our employees must possess the requisite qualifications of experience, education, intelligence, and judgment necessary to effectively serve as investment management professionals. In addition, every employee is expected to demonstrate the highest standards of moral and ethical conduct for continued employment with GVCM.
The SEC and the courts have stated that portfolio management professionals, including registered investment advisers and their representatives, have a fiduciary responsibility to their clients. In the context of securities investments, fiduciary responsibility should be thought of as the duty to place the interests of the client before that of the person providing investment advice. Failure to do so may render the adviser in violation of the anti-fraud provisions of the Advisers Act.
Fiduciary responsibility also includes the duty to disclose material facts that might influence an investor’s decision to purchase or refrain from purchasing a security recommended by the adviser or from engaging the adviser to manage the client’s investments. The SEC has made it clear that the duty of an investment adviser not to engage in fraudulent conduct includes an obligation to disclose material facts to clients whenever the failure to disclose such facts might cause financial harm. An adviser’s duty to disclose material facts is particularly important whenever the advice given to clients involves a conflict or potential conflict of interest between the employees of the adviser and its clients.
Under Rule 204A-1 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, GVCM is required to establish, maintain and enforce a written code of ethics reasonably designed to prevent its employees from violating provisions of the Act with respect to personal securities trading and fiduciary obligations. In meeting such responsibilities to our clients, GVCM has adopted this Code of Ethics (the “Code”) regarding the purchase and/or sale of securities in the personal accounts of our employees or in those accounts in which our employees may have a direct or indirect beneficial interest. The Code, including any amendments, is provided to all supervised persons and is also intended to lessen the chance of any misunderstanding between GVCM and our employees regarding such trading activities.
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In those situations where employees may be uncertain as to the intent or purpose of this Code, they are advised to consult with the Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”). The CCO may under circumstances that are considered appropriate, or after consultation with the senior management of GVCM, grant exceptions to the provisions contained in this manual only when it is clear that the interests of GVCM’s clients will not be adversely affected. All questions arising in connection with personal securities trading should be resolved in favor of the interest of the clients even at the expense of the interest of our employees. The senior management of GVCM will satisfy themselves as to the adherence to this policy through periodic review and reports by the CCO.
1.2. | Failure to Comply |
Strict compliance with the provisions of this Code shall be considered a basic condition of employment with GVCM. It is important that employees understand the reasons for compliance with this Code. GVCM’s reputation for fair and honest dealing with its clients and the investment community in general, has taken considerable time to build. This standing could be seriously damaged as the result of even a single security transaction considered questionable in light of the fiduciary duty owed to our clients. Employees are urged to seek the advice of the CCO for any questions as to the application of this Code to their individual circumstances. Employees should also understand that a material breach of the provisions of this Code may constitute grounds for disciplinary action and/or termination of employment with GVCM.
2. | Covered Persons |
2.1. | Supervised Persons include: |
· | directors, officers, and partners of the adviser (or other persons occupying a similar status or performing similar functions); |
· | any person who assists in determining the composition of any model, strategy or portfolio of any GVCM separately managed accounts or mutual funds; |
· | any person who provides advice on behalf of the adviser and is subject to the adviser’s supervision and control; |
· | any member of the firm’s Investment Advisory Committee; |
· | employee’s of the adviser; |
· | any licensed or unlicensed persons in any support capacity at any GVCM Branch location; |
· | temporary workers; consultants; interns and independent contractors; and |
· | Access persons. |
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2.2. | Access Persons include any supervised person who: |
· | has access to nonpublic information regarding any client’s purchase or sale of securities, or non public information regarding the portfolio holdings of any fund the adviser or its affiliates manage; |
· | is involved in making securities recommendations to clients, or has access to such recommendations that are nonpublic; |
· | is involved or has influence assists in determining the composition of any model, strategy or portfolio of any GVCM separately managed account or mutual funds or |
· | all GVCM directors, officers, partners and members of the Investment Advisory Committee. |
If there is any question by a supervised person as to whether they are also considered an Access person under this Code, they should consult with the CCO for clarification on the issue.
2.3. | Family Members |
For purposes of personal securities reporting requirements, GVCM considers the Access persons defined above to also include the person’s immediate family (including any relative by blood or marriage living in the employee’s household), and any account in which he or she has a direct or indirect beneficial interest (such as a trust).
3. | Business Conduct Standards |
3.1. | Compliance with Laws and Regulations |
All supervised persons must comply with all applicable state and federal securities laws including, but not limited to, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, Regulation S-P and the Patriot Act as it pertains to Anti-Money Laundering. All supervised persons are not permitted, in connection with the purchase or sale, directly or indirectly, of a security held or to be acquired or sold by a client:
· | to defraud such client in any manner; |
· | to mislead such client, including by making a statement that omits material facts; |
· | to engage in any act, practice or course of conduct which operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon such client; |
· | to engage in any manipulative practice with respect to such client; or |
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· | to engage in any manipulative practice with respect to securities, including price manipulation. |
3.1.1 Safeguarding of Firm, Branch and/or Personal Assets
All supervised persons must comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws and statutes as they apply to fraud and/or theft of firm, branch or personal assets. Supervised persons are required to promptly notify the Chief Compliance Officer of any suspected violation.
3.2. | Conflicts of Interest |
GVCM, as a fiduciary, has an affirmative duty of care, loyalty, honesty, and good faith to act in the best interests of its clients. Compliance with this duty can be achieved by trying to avoid conflicts of interest and by fully disclosing all material facts concerning any conflict that does arise with respect to any client.
Conflicts among Client Interests . Conflicts of interest may arise where the firm or its supervised persons have reason to favor the interests of one client over another client ( e.g., larger accounts over smaller accounts, accounts compensated by lower ticket charges to the Investment Adviser Representative (“IAR”) over accounts not so compensated, accounts in which employees have made material personal investments, accounts of close friends or relatives of supervised persons). GVCM specifically prohibits inappropriate favoritism of one client over another client that would constitute a breach of fiduciary duty.
Competing with Client Trades . GVCM prohibits access persons from using knowledge about pending or currently considered securities transactions for clients to profit personally, directly or indirectly, as a result of such transactions. In order to avoid any potential conflict of interest between GVCM and its clients, securities transactions for the accounts of access persons in the same security as that purchased/sold for advisory accounts may only be executed on the same day as those of clients if blocked in the same trade and at the same price as clients.
No Transactions with Clients . GVCM specifically prohibits supervised persons from knowingly selling to or purchasing from a client any security or other property, except securities issued by the client (i.e. the client is a public company).
3.3. | Personal Securities Transactions |
Personal securities transactions by access persons are subject to the following trading restrictions:
Short Term Trading . No Access Person of GVCM may purchase and subsequently sell (or sell and purchase) the same security within any 60-day period, unless such transaction is approved in advance in writing by the CCO. The CCO shall consider the
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totality of the circumstances, including whether such transaction is necessitated by an unexpected special circumstance involving the Access Person, whether the trade would involve a breach of any fiduciary duty, whether it would otherwise be inconsistent with applicable laws and Legacy’s policies and procedures, and whether the trade would create an appearance of impropriety. Based on his/her consideration of these issues, the CCO shall have the sole authority to grant or deny permission to allow execution of the trade.
Initial Public Offerings (IPO) and Limited or Private Offerings . Access persons are prohibited from acquiring any securities in an initial public offering or limited offering (i.e. private placement) without first obtaining written pre-clearance from the CCO. The CCO must receive pre-clearance from a member of senior management. The prior approval must take into account, among other factors, whether the investment opportunity should be reserved for clients, and whether the opportunity is being offered to an individual by virtue of their position with GVCM.
The final decision will then be sent in writing to the access person requesting the permission for the IPO or limited offering. Only upon receipt of the written approval from GVCM can the access person then engage in the purchase of the requested IPO. The CCO must maintain final written approval or denial for their files.
3.4. | Outside Business Interests |
A supervised person who seeks or is offered a position as an officer, trustee, director, or is contemplating employment in any other capacity in an outside enterprise is expected to discuss such anticipated plans with GVCM’s CCO prior to accepting such a position. Information submitted to the CCO will be considered as confidential and will not be discussed with the supervised person’s prospective employer without the supervised person’s permission.
GVCM does not wish to limit any supervised person’s professional or financial opportunities, but needs to be aware of such outside interests so as to avoid potential conflicts of interest and ensure that there is no interruption in services to our clients. Understandably, GVCM must also be concerned as to whether there may be any potential financial liability or adverse publicity that may arise from an undisclosed business interest by a supervised person.
3.5. | Gifts and Loans |
Gifts of nominal value (i.e., a gift whose reasonable value, alone or in the aggregate, is not more than $100 in any twelve month period), customary business meals, entertainment (e.g. sporting events), and promotional items (i.e., pens, mugs, T-shirts) may be accepted or given. All gifts given or received to or from a prospect, client or vendor must be recorded on the firm’s gift log .
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Gifts of Cash or Gift Cards. Cash gifts given or received by a supervised person is never allowed. Gift Cards may be given or received in denominations of ten dollars or less.
Acceptance of Extraordinary Gifts . Acceptance of extraordinary or extravagant gifts is prohibited. Any such extravagant gifts must be declined and returned in order to protect the reputation and integrity of GVCM. All gifts received by a supervised person of GVCM that might violate this Code must be promptly reported to the CCO.
Solicitation of Gifts . GVCM’s supervised persons are prohibited from soliciting gifts of any size under any circumstances.
Giving Gifts . GVCM’s supervised persons may not give any gift with a value in excess of $100 per year to an advisory client or persons who do business with, regulate, advise or render professional service to GVCM.
Loans . Supervised Persons of GVCM are prohibited from loaning money to, or borrowing money from, clients, brokers, vendors, or other persons.
4. | Insider Trading |
In 1989, Congress enacted the Insider Trading and Securities Enforcement Act to address the potential misuse of material non-public information. Courts and the Securities and Exchange Commission currently define inside information as information that has not been disseminated to the public through the customary news media; is known by the recipient to be non-public; and has been improperly obtained. In addition, the information must be material, e.g. it must be of sufficient importance that a reasonably prudent person might base their decision to invest or not invest on such information.
The definition and application of inside information is continually being revised and updated by the regulatory authorities. If a GVCM supervised person believes they are in possession of inside information, it is critical that they not act on the information or disclose it to anyone, but instead advises the CCO or a principal of GVCM accordingly. Acting on such information may subject the supervised person to severe federal criminal penalties and the forfeiture of any profit realized from any transaction.
Although this section is included under the provisions of this Code, it is, in fact, a separate set of procedures required under Section 204A of the Advisers Act and is included in GVCM’s Compliance Manual. All GVCM supervised persons are required to read and acknowledge having read such procedures annually.
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5. | Reporting Requirements |
5.1. Scope
The provisions of this Code apply to every security transaction, in which an access person of GVCM has, or by reason of such transaction acquires, any direct or indirect beneficial interest, in any account over which they have any direct or indirect control. Generally, an access person is regarded as having a beneficial interest in those securities held in their name, the name of their spouse, and the names of their minor children who reside with them. An access person may be regarded as having a beneficial interest in the securities held in the name of another person (individual, partnership, corporation, trust, custodian, or another entity) if by reason of any contract, understanding, or relationship they obtain or may obtain benefits substantially equivalent to those of ownership. An access person does not derive a beneficial interest by virtue of serving as a trustee or executor unless the person, or a member of their immediate family, has a vested interest in the income or corpus of the trust or estate. However, if a family member is a fee-paying client, the account will be managed in the same manner as that of all other GVCM clients with similar investment objectives.
If an access person believes that they should be exempt from the reporting requirements with respect to any account in which they have direct or indirect beneficial ownership, but over which they have no direct or indirect control in the management process, they should so advise the CCO in writing, giving the name of the account, the person(s) or firm(s) responsible for its management, and the reason for believing that they should be exempt from reporting requirements under this Code.
The CCO’s reports and transactions will be reviewed by a member of senior management for any evidence of improper holdings, trading activities, or conflicts of interest by the CCO.
5.2. | Reportable Securities |
Section 202(a)(18) of the Advisers Act defines the term “Security” as follows:
Any note, stock, treasury stock, security future, bond, debenture, evidence of indebtedness, certificate of interest or participation in any profit-sharing agreement, collateral-trust certificate, pre-organization certificate or subscription, transferable share, investment contract, voting-trust certificate, certificate of deposit for a security, fractional undivided interest in oil, gas or other mineral rights, any put, call straddle, option, or privilege on any security (including a certificate of deposit) or on any group or index of securities (including any interest therein or based on the value thereof), or any put, call straddle, option or privilege entered into on a national securities exchange relating to a foreign currency, or in general, any interest or instrument commonly known as a “security” or any certificate of interest or participation in, temporary or
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interim certificate for, receipt for, guarantee of, or warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase, any of the foregoing.
For purposes of this Code, the term “Reportable Securities” means all such securities described above except:
· | direct obligations of the United States; |
· | bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and high quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements; |
· | shares issued by money market funds; |
· | shares issued by open-end funds other than reportable funds ( Note : The term “Reportable Funds” means any fund whose investment adviser or principal underwriter controls you, is controlled by you, or is under common control with you.); and |
· | shares issued by unit investment trusts that are invested exclusively in one or more open-end funds, none of which are reportable funds. |
If there is any question by an access person as to whether a security is reportable under this Code, they should consult with the CCO for clarification on the issue before entering any trade for their personal account.
5.3. | Reporting Exceptions |
Under Rule 204A-1, access persons are not required to submit:
· | any report with respect to securities held in accounts over which the access person has no direct or indirect influence or control; |
· | a transaction report with respect to transactions effected pursuant to an automatic investment plan ( Note: This exception includes dividend reinvestment plans.); and |
· | A transaction report if the report would duplicate information contained in broker trade confirmations or account statements that GVCM holds in its records so long as GVCM receives the confirmations or statements no later than 30 days after the end of the applicable calendar quarter. |
5.4. Initial/Annual Holdings Report Initially
Any employee of GVCM who during the course of their employment becomes a supervised person, as that term is defined in sub-section 2.2 of this Code, must provide
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the CCO with an Initial/Annual Securities Holdings Report Certification no later than 10 days after the employee becomes an access person. The holdings information provided in conjunction with this certification must be current as of 45 days before the employee became an access person. A copy of the current brokerage statement may be stapled to the Holdings Report in lieu of manually filling out the report.
Annually
Every supervised person must submit an Initial/Annual Securities Holdings Report Certification to the CCO due by the last business day of January of each year. The annual holdings requirement will be satisfied through receipt by the CCO of year-end statements received directly from the custodian. The CCO will review each statement for any evidence of improper holdings, trading activities, or conflicts of interest by the access person.
5.5. | Quarterly Transaction Reports |
All supervised persons must arrange for duplicate statements to be sent to the CCO. Following receipt of the quarterly statements transaction information, the CCO will review each transaction for any evidence of improper trading activities or conflicts of interest by the supervised person. After careful review of each report, the CCO will document that they conducted such review. Quarterly securities transaction information is to be maintained by GVCM in accordance with the records retention provisions of Rule 204-2(a) of the Advisers Act.
6. | Recordkeeping Requirements |
GVCM will maintain the following records for at least five years from the end of the fiscal year in which it is made, the first two years in an easily accessible place, in accordance with the records retention provisions of Rule 204-2(a) of the Advisers Act:
· | A copy of each Code that has been in effect at any time during the past five years; |
· | A record of any violation of the Code and any action taken as a result of such violation for five years from the end of the fiscal year in which the violation occurred; |
· | A record of all written acknowledgements of receipt of the Code and amendments for each person who is currently, or within the past five years was, a supervised person; |
· | Holdings and transactions reports made pursuant to the Code, including any brokerage confirmation and account statements made in lieu of these reports; |
· | A list of the names of persons who are currently, or within the past five years were, access persons; |
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· | A record of any decision and supporting reasons for approving the acquisition of securities by access persons in initial public offerings limited offerings for at least five years after the end of the fiscal year in which approval was granted, and; |
· | Any waiver from or exception to the Code for any employee of GVCM subject to the Code. |
7. | Form ADV Disclosure |
A description of the code will be provided in GVCM’s ADV Part 2. With the description, a statement will be made that GVCM will provide a copy of the code to any client or prospective client upon request.
8. | Whistleblower Procedures |
Any conflict of interest, unlawful activity, theft, fraud, suspicious activity or other activity or situation that any supervised person observes or suspects may violate the Code of Ethics, any other firm policy or procedure or any federal, state or local laws or statutes is required to immediately contact the Chief Compliance Officer at 262-650-1030 x118. If the supervised person suspects the CCO of wrongdoing, they should contact firm management.
All reports will be confidential to the extent possible and will not be discussed with any unauthorized persons of the firm. However, if required the Securities Exchange Commission, Department of Labor or Federal, State or Local law enforcement may be notified.
9. | Acknowledgment of Receipt |
GVCM will provide all supervised persons with a copy of GVCM’s Code of Ethics. Each supervised person must acknowledge, initially and annually on the form provided by GVCM, that they have received, read, and understand, the above Code of Ethics regarding personal securities trading and other potential conflicts of interest and agree to comply with the provisions therein. In addition, GVCM will provide and supervised persons must agree to acknowledge any subsequent amendments to the Code (within specified time frame set forth in any future communications notifying of an amendment) by any means deemed by GVCM to satisfactorily fulfill the supervised person’s obligation to read, understand, and agree to any such amendment.
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This Code is revised, approved and promulgated effective March 18, 2014. For Global View Capital Management, LLC:
By: James F. Wawrzyniakowski Chief Compliance Officer
I certify that I have received and read Global View Capital Management’s Code of Ethics and the following amended sections:
· | 2.1 – Definition of Supervised Persons |
· | 2.2 – Definition of Access Persons |
· | 3.1.1 – Safeguarding of Firm, Branch and/or Personal Assets |
· | 3.5 – Gifts and Loans |
· | 5.4 – Initial/Annual Holdings Report |
· | 5.5 – Quarterly Transactions Report |
· | 8 – Whistleblower Procedures |
I agree to comply with the afore mentioned Code as amended and understand that any violation of the Code may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination with Global View Capital Management and/or notification of said violations to regulatory authorities or law enforcement.
Name:
Signature:
Date:
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CODE OF ETHICS |
Updated: |
April 2014 |
Horizon Kinetics LLC |
470 Park Avenue South, 4 th Floor |
New York, New York 10016 |
(646) 291-2300 |
www.horizonkinetics.com |
www.kineticsfunds.com |
1 |
Table of Contents | ||
1. | Introduction and Purpose of the Code | 3 |
2. | Definitions | 4 |
3. | Statement of General Principles | 8 |
4. | General Guidelines | 9 |
5. | Personal Trading Policy | 11 |
6. | Reporting Obligations | 13 |
7. | Sanctions | 15 |
8. | Records and Confidentiality | 15 |
Exhibits | |
Exhibit A | Policies and Procedures Designed to Detect and Prevent Insider Trading |
Exhibit B | Gift and Entertainment Policy |
Exhibit C | Employee Complaint (Whistleblower) Reporting and Procedures |
Exhibit D | Personal Trading Guidelines |
Exhibit E | Reportable Funds |
Exhibit F | Political Contribution (Pay-to-Play) Policies |
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SECTION 1. Introduction and Purpose of the Code.
Horizon Kinetics LLC ( HK ) is the parent holding company of: Horizon Asset Management LLC ( HAM ), Kinetics Asset Management LLC (KAM), Kinetics Advisers, LLC (KA ), each an investment adviser registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and KBD Securities, LLC ( KBD ), and Kinetics Funds Distributor LLC ( KFD ), each a broker-dealer registered with the SEC and members of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) (collectively, HK, HAM, KAM, KA, KBD and KFD are referred to as the Firm or Firms).
HAM publishes research and serves as sub-adviser to both investment companies registered with the SEC and UCIT funds registered in Ireland and also manages separate accounts and private funds. KAM is as the investment adviser to the Kinetics Mutual Funds, Inc. (KMF), a series of U.S. registered investment companies, serves as a sub-adviser to other registered investment companies and UCIT funds registered in Ireland, and manages separate accounts. KA manages U.S.-based and offshore private funds. KBD supports the marketing efforts of the Firm, and KFD serves as principal underwriter/distributor for KMF. The Firms have adopted this Code of Ethics (the Code) to specify and prohibit, among other things, certain types of conduct, including personal securities transactions deemed to create a conflict of interest, or at least the potential for, or appearance of, such a conflict, and to establish reporting requirements and preventive procedures pursuant to the provisions of Rule 17j-1(b)(1) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the 1940 Act) and Section 204A-1 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the Advisers Act), as applicable.
This Code makes it unlawful for Affiliated Persons (as defined below) of the Firms, in connection with the purchase or sale, directly or indirectly, of a Security Held or to be Acquired (as defined below) by the Firms or any investment product managed by the Firms:
1. | To employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud the Firms or any investment products managed by the Firms; |
2. | To make any untrue statement of a material fact to the Firms or any investment products managed by the Firms or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made to the Firms or any investment products managed by the Firms, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading; |
3. | Engage in any act, practices or course of business that operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit on the Firms or any investment products managed by the Firms; or |
4. | To engage in any manipulative practices with respect to the Firms or any investment products managed by the Firms. |
Similarly, Section 206 of the Advisers Act provides that it is unlawful for any investment adviser, directly or indirectly:
1. | To employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud any client or prospective client; |
2. | To engage in any transaction, practice or course of business which operates as a fraud or deceit upon any client or prospective client; or |
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3. | To engage in any act, practice or course of business that is fraudulent, deceptive or manipulative. |
In addition, Section 204A of the Advisers Act requires every investment adviser to establish, maintain and enforce written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent the misuse in violation of the Advisers Act or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Securities Exchange Act), or the rules or regulations thereunder of material, non-public information by such investment adviser or any person associated with such investment adviser. Pursuant to Section 204A, the SEC has adopted Rule 204A-1 which requires the Firms to establish, maintain and enforce a written code or ethics.
In compliance with paragraph (c)(1) of Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act and Section 204A of the Advisers Act, this Code has been adopted by the Firms for purposes of implementing policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent Access Persons (as defined below) of the Firms from engaging in any conduct prohibited by Rule 17j-1. All personnel of the Firms must follow not only the letter of this Code but also must abide by the spirit of this Code and the principles articulated herein, which, among other things, requires the Firms and its directors, officer and employees to place the interests of the Firms clients first and to operate in a manner that promotes fair dealing and honesty. The Firms and each director, officer and employee owe a fiduciary duty to the Firms clients.
The Firms also maintain other compliance-oriented policies and procedures, which include Policies and Procedures Designed to Detect and Prevent Insider Trading (Exhibit A), Gift and Entertainment Policy (Exhibit B), Employee Complaint (Whistleblower) Reporting Procedures (Exhibit C), Personal Trading Guidelines (Exhibit D) and Political Contributions (Pay-to-Play) Policies (Exhibit F), all of which are hereby adopted and incorporated into this Code, and which are attached as Exhibits at the end of this Code.
Questions about the Code should be directed to the Firms Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) or her designee. In the event that any provision of this Code conflicts with any other of the Firms policies or procedures, the terms herein shall apply. All directors, officers and employees are expected to read the Code carefully and to observe and adhere to its guidelines at all times. On at least an annual basis, and at such other times as the CCO may deem necessary or appropriate, every director, officer and employee must acknowledge in writing that he or she has read and understands the Code and agrees, as a condition of employment, to comply with the Code.
SECTION 2. Definitions.
1. | Access Person – means: |
a. | any director, officer, general partner, full-time employee, or part-time employee of the Firms regardless of title or job function; |
b. | any natural person who has influence or control over the Firms and who obtains or provides information (other than publicly available information) concerning investment recommendations to the Firms or to the investment products managed by the Firms. |
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The CCO will maintain a list of individuals who are not considered to be Access Persons.
2. | Affiliated Person means: |
a. | Any immediate family member (defined as spouse, child, mother, father, brother, sister or other similar relative) of an Access Person that lives in the same household, including those relationships recognized by law (e.g., domestic or civil unions, etc.); |
b. | Any natural person that is financially dependent on an Access Person; |
c. | Any account for which an Access Person is a custodian, trustee or otherwise acting in a fiduciary capacity or with respect to which any such Access Person either has the authority to make investment decisions or from time to time gives investment advice; |
d. | Any partnership, corporation, joint venture, trust or other entity in which an Access Person, directly or indirectly, in the aggregate, has a 10% or more beneficial interest (defined below) or for which such Access Person is a general partner or executive officer. |
3. | 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. An Automatic Investment Plan includes a dividend reinvestment plan. |
4. | Beneficial Ownership – shall be defined as and interpreted in the same manner as in determining whether an Access Person or Affiliated Person is subject to the provisions of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, which generally encompasses those situations where the Access Person or Affiliated Person has the right to enjoy some economic benefit from the account, regardless of the identity of the registered owner of the account. |
5. | Beneficial Ownership Account – means accounts where an Access Person or Affiliated Person has Beneficial Ownership, and that contain Covered Securities (or which are eligible to hold Covered Securities, defined below). This would include: |
a. | an account where an Access Person or Affiliated Person holds securities for his or her own benefit either in bearer form, registered in his or her name or otherwise, regardless of whether the securities are owned individually or jointly; |
b. | an account held in the name of an Access Person or Affiliated Persons immediate family (spouse or minor child) sharing the same household; |
c. | an account where an Access Person or Affiliated Person acts as trustee, executor, administrator, custodian or broker; |
d. | an account owned by a general partnership of which the Access Person or Affiliated Person is a member or a limited partnership of which such Access Person or Affiliated Person is a general partner; |
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e. | an account held by a corporation (other than with respect to treasury shares of a corporation) of which such person is an officer, director, trustee or 10% or greater stockholder or by a corporation which can be regarded as a personal holding company of an Access Person or Affiliated Person; |
f. | an account recently purchased by a person and awaiting transfer into the Access Person or Affiliated Persons name; |
g. | an account held by any other person if, by reason of contract, understanding, relationship, agreement or other arrangement, such Access Person or Affiliated Person obtains therefrom benefits substantially equivalent to those of ownership; |
h. | an account held by an Access Person or Affiliated Persons spouse or minor children or any other person, if, even though such Access Person or Affiliated Person does not obtain therefrom the above-mentioned benefits of ownership, such Access Person or Affiliated Person can vest or revest title in himself or herself at once or at some future time; and |
i. | an account where an Access Person or Affiliated Person, directly or indirectly, through contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares voting power and/or investment power with respect to such account. For purposes of this provision, voting power shall include the power to vote, the power to dispose, or to direct disposition of Covered Securities in such account. |
6. | Control – shall have the same meaning as set forth in Section 2(a)(9) of the 1940 Act. |
7. | Covered Security – means a reportable security as defined in Section 202(a)(18) of the Advisers Act or Section 2(a)(36) of the 1940 Act, and shall include any note, stock treasury stock, security future, bond, including corporate bond, zero coupon bond and Treasury bond, debenture, evidence of indebtedness, certificate of interest or participation in any profit-sharing agreement, collateral-trust certificate, pre-organization certificate or subscription, transferable share, investment contract, voting trust certificate, certificate of deposit of a security, fractional undivided interest in oil, gas, or other mineral rights, any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege on any security (including a certificate of deposit) or any group or index of securities (including any interest therein or based on the value thereof), or any put, call, straddle, option or privilege entered into in a national securities exchange relating to a foreign currency, or, in general, any interest or instrument commonly known as a security, or any certificate of interest or participation in, temporary or interim certificate for, receipt for, guarantee of, or warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase, any of the foregoing, including without limitation rights in ADRs or IDRs, except however , that in accordance with Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act, a Covered Security shall 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. | Shares issued by open-end funds (other than those that are managed or sub- |
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advised by the Firms which are defined as Reportable Funds 1 ); |
d. | Shares of funds structured under 2a-7 of the 1940 Act, otherwise referred to as money market funds; |
8. | Chief Compliance Officer – means Robin Shulman or her successor appointed by the Firms, who is charged with the responsibility for administering this Code and the policies and procedures thereunder. |
9. | Federal Securities Laws – means the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act, Title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, and any rules adopted by the SEC under any of these statutes, the Bank Secrecy Act as it applies to investment companies and investment advisers, and any rules adopted thereunder by the SEC, applicable Self-Regulatory Organizations, or the Department of Treasury, as they may apply to the Firms or the investment products managed by the Firms. |
10. | FRMO Corporation – means the publicly traded corporation (ticker currently FRMO), |
11. | Holding Period – means the period of time after the purchase or short sale of a Covered Security during which an Access Person or Affiliated Person is prohibited from selling or buying back the Covered Security. This period is 30 days. |
12. | Initial Public Offering (IPO) – means an offering of securities registered under the Securities Act of 1933, the issuer of which, immediately before the registration, was not subject to the reporting requirements of Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. |
13. | Non-Discretionary Account – means a Beneficial Ownership Account for which neither an Access Person nor Affiliated Person has control or discretion of the purchases or sales being made therein. |
14. | Outside Business Activity – means any activity by an Access Person where they are actively engaged in: |
a. | any investment related business or occupation; or |
b. | any business or occupation for compensation that provides greater than 10% of the Access Persons income or for which the Access Person devotes a substantial percentage of their time. |
1 | A list of Reportable Funds can be found in Exhibit E. |
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15. | Pre-Clearance Security – means an instrument that requires pre-clearance with the CCO, which includes all instruments defined as Covered Securities but which shall not include any of the exclusions from the definition of Covered Securities or any of the following: |
a. | Direct Obligations of foreign governments; |
b. | Municipal bonds and other fixed income instruments that are based on municipal bonds, such as principal protected notes and variable rate demand notes; |
c. | Options or futures on direct obligations of the United States; |
d. | Options or futures on index or sector basket proxies; |
e. | Commodity and commodity contracts; |
f. | Foreign currencies, options thereon and currency futures thereon; and |
g. | Passively managed exchange traded funds and notes (ETFs and ETNs). |
16. | Purchase or sale of a Covered Security – includes, among other things, the writing of an option to purchase or sell a Covered Security. |
17. | Purchase or sale of a security – includes, among other things, the purchase or writing of an option to purchase or sell a security. |
18. | Reportable Fund – means any investment company registered under the 1940 Act for which the Firms serve as investment adviser as defined in Section 2(a)(20) of the 1940 Act or an investment company registered under the 1940 Act whose investment adviser or principal underwriter controls the Firms, is controlled by the Firms or is under common control with the Firms or for which the Firm acts as adviser or sub-adviser thereto. Reportable Funds must be pre-cleared prior to purchase or sale. |
19. | Restricted List – means a list of securities that, due to the determination of the Firms, are prohibited from being traded for a period of time in Beneficial Ownership Accounts while on the Restricted List. |
20. | Security Held or to be Acquired – means: |
a. | Any Covered Security which, within the most recent 15 days: |
i. | Is or has been held by the Firms or any investment product managed by the Firms; or |
ii. | Is being or has been considered for purchase by the Firms or any of the investment products managed by the Firms; and |
b. | Any option to purchase or sell, and any security convertible into or exchangeable for, a Covered Security described in paragraph (i) of this definition. |
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SECTION 3. Statement of General Principles.
It is the policy of the Firms that Access Persons comply with applicable Federal Securities Laws and that no Access Persons engage in any act or practice or course of conduct that would violate the provisions of Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act or Sections 204 or 206 of the Advisers Act. The following general fiduciary principles shall govern the personal investment activities of all Access Persons.
Each Access Person shall adhere to the highest ethical standards and shall:
1. | At all times, place the interests of the Firms and the investment products managed by the Firms before his or her personal interests; |
2. | Conduct all personal securities transaction in a manner consistent with this Code, so as to avoid any actual or potential conflicts of interest, or an abuse of a position of trust and responsibility; and |
3. | Not take any inappropriate advantage of his or her position with or on behalf of the Firms or investment products managed by the Firms. |
SECTION 4. General Guidelines
1. | General |
a. | No Access Person shall recommend to, or cause or attempt to cause, the Firms or any of the investment products managed by the Firms to acquire, dispose of or hold any Covered Security (including any option, warrant or other right or interest relating to such Covered Security) in which such Access Person or Affiliated Person has direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership unless such Access Person first discloses in writing to the CCO, or her authorized designee, all facts reasonably necessary to identify the nature of the ownership and any potential conflicts of interest relating to the ownership by the Access Person or Affiliated Person in such Covered Security. |
b. | If, as a result of fiduciary obligations to other persons or entities, an Access Person believes that he or she is unable to comply with certain provisions of the Code, such Access Person shall advise the CCO in writing, setting forth with reasonable specificity the nature of such fiduciary obligations and the reasons why such Access Person believes they are unable to comply with any such provisions. The CCO may, in her discretion, exempt such Access Person or an Affiliated Person from any such provisions, if the CCO determines that the services of such Access Person are valuable to the Firms and investment products managed by the Firms and the failure to grant such exemptions is likely to cause such Access Person to be unable to render services to the Firms or any investment products managed by the Firms. Any Access Person granted an exemption (including, an exception for an Affiliated Person of such Access Person), pursuant to this paragraph shall, within 3 business days after engaging in a purchase or sale of a Covered Security Held or to be Acquired by the Firms or investment products managed by the Firms, furnish the CCO with a written report concerning such transaction setting forth the date of the transaction(s) involving Covered Securities, the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, interest |
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rate and maturity date, number of shares and principal amount, nature of the transaction, price at which the transaction was effected and the name of the broker, dealer or bank through whom the transaction was effected.
c. | From time to time, Access Persons may establish special insider relationships with one or more issuers of Covered Securities (i.e., an Access Person may become an officer, director, or trustee of an issuer, a member of a creditors committee which engages in material negotiations with an issuer, etc.). In such cases, the insider relationships must first be disclosed to the CCO, who will make a determination as to whether the issuer should be put on a restricted list of securities that are not eligible for purchase or sale by the Firms or investment products managed by the Firms or any Access Persons thereof. |
d. | Access Persons shall bear the responsibility of production for any notices, disclosures, evidence and filings that are required under this Code which relate to Affiliated Persons who are designated as such as a result of their relationship with such Access Persons. |
2. | Service as a Trustee |
a. | No Advisory Person shall serve on a board of trustees/directors of a publicly traded company without prior authorization from the CCO, based upon a determination that such board service would be consistent with the interests of the Firms and investment products managed by the Firms. |
b. | If board service of an Access Person is authorized by the CCO, such Access Person shall be isolated from the investment making decisions regarding the purchase or sale by the Firm or any investment product managed by the Firms of the securities of the company upon whose board they serve. |
3. | Insider Trading |
Access Persons are subject to the Firms Insider Trading Policies and Procedures, which are administered by the CCO and which generally prohibit Access Persons from trading, either personally or on behalf of others (including for accounts of the Firms and/or clients thereof), while in possession of material, non-public information. Access Persons are also prohibited from disclosing to outside parties material non-public information. Strict sanctions apply for breaches of the Insider Trading Policies and Procedures.
4. | Gifts |
No Advisory Person shall give or receive any gift or other item of value to or from any person or entity that does business with or on behalf of any of the Firms, if such gift could pose a potential conflict of interest or appearance of impropriety. Access Persons shall comply with the Firms Gift and Entertainment Policy.
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5. | Outside Business Activities |
All Outside Business Activities must be disclosed and approved by the CCO prior to an Access Persons engaging in such activity.
6. | Whistleblower Procedures |
All Access Persons are subject to the Firms Employee Complaint (Whistleblower) Reporting Procedures, which are administered by the CCO.
SECTION 5. Personal Trading Policy
1. | Initial Public Offerings |
Access Persons may not acquire, directly or indirectly, any Beneficial Ownership in any securities (other than municipal bonds) in an IPO without prior approval in writing from the CCO as described in the Firms Personal Trading Guidelines, attached as Exhibit D. Furthermore, should written consent of the CCO be given, Access Persons are required to disclose such investment when they participate, in any manner, in subsequent consideration of the Firms investment products managed by the Firms to make investments in such issuer. In such circumstances, the decision to purchase securities of the issuer for the Firms, investment products managed by the Firms and/or clients of the Firms should be subject to an independent review by Access Persons with no personal interest in the issuer.
2. | Private Placements and Limited Offerings |
Access Persons may not acquire, directly or indirectly, any beneficial ownership in any securities in a private placement or limited offering without the prior written consent of the CCO. Furthermore, should written consent be given, Access Persons are required to disclose such investment when they, participate, in any manner, in the subsequent consideration of the Firms investment products managed by the Firms to make investments in such issuer. In such circumstances, the decision to purchase securities of the issuer for the Firms, investment products managed by the Firm and/or clients of the Firms should be subject to an independent review by Access Persons with no personal interest in the issuer.
3. | Holding Period Restrictions |
a. | No Access Person shall engage in a closing transaction (i.e., selling a position held, or buying back a security for which a short-sale was executed) of the same (or equivalent) Pre-Clearance Security of which such Access Person or Affiliated Person has Beneficial Ownership within thirty (30) calendar days of such purchase or sale unless such purchase or sale falls within the exceptions listed in the Personal Trading Guidelines, attached as Exhibit D. The Firm may impose additional holding period restrictions for Access Persons and Affiliated Persons, in its discretion, and may exempt such holding period requirements in instances where the Pre-Clearance Security is not held or being traded in client accounts. |
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b. | The Holding Period shall be measured using the Last In, First Out (LIFO) method to determine the trade date of the opening trade for such position being closed out. |
c. | The CCO may waive the holding period in her discretion in situations not deemed to present a conflict of interest or be disadvantageous to the Firms or its clients, or in instances such as when, for example, an Access Person is selling a position at a loss or where such Access Person is selling for purposes of tax loss harvesting. |
4. | Personal Trading and Pre-Clearance Procedures |
Access Persons and Affiliated Persons are permitted to engage in personal trading. An Access Person or an Affiliated Person may not, directly or indirectly, acquire or dispose of a Pre-Clearance Security in a Beneficial Ownership Account unless such purchase or sale has been approved by the CCO; the approved transaction is completed on the same day approval is received 2 ; and the CCO has not rescinded such approval prior to execution of the transaction. Pre-clearance is not required for instruments that are not Covered Securities, are excluded from the definition of Covered Security, or which are not explicitly listed under the definition of Pre-Clearance Security.
a. | Pre-Clearance Process |
i. | Submissions to trade Pre-Clearance Securities should be made to the CCO or her designee through My Compliance Office (MCO), the Firms web-based compliance system. |
ii. | The CCO may deny any trade requests in her sole discretion. |
iii. | The CCOs trades will be pre-cleared by the General Counsel, or his designee. |
iv. | Approvals by the CCO or her designee are only valid on the day they are given. Approvals for securities that only trade in the overnight market are assumed to be given for that nights trading session. |
v. | Good until Cancel orders or any orders extending beyond one day are not permitted without the express permission of the CCO or her designee. |
vi. | Private Placement and Limited Offering Transaction approvals shall be valid on the next immediately available subscription date or as may otherwise be approved by the CCO or her designee. |
vii. | Access Persons are responsible for compliance with this Code on behalf of Affiliated Persons. |
2. | Approvals for securities that only trade in the overnight market are assumed to be given for that nights trading session. |
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viii. | The CCO may waive any applicable restrictions when such transactions are deemed not to create a material conflict of interest and do not otherwise disadvantage the Firm, the investment products managed by the Firm or its clients. |
ix. | The CCO will maintain a list of any waivers granted hereunder. |
SECTION 6. Reporting Requirements
Access Persons are required to notify the CCO of any Beneficial Ownership Accounts, and to assist the CCO in ensuring such Beneficial Ownership Accounts are set up through MCO. Such information to be provided to the CCO via email is the name of the brokerage firm and the date the account was established.
1. | Statements and Confirms |
The CCO shall receive, electronically through MCO, statements and confirms from brokerage firms, banks, or other custodians at which the Access Person or Affiliated Persons have a Beneficial Ownership Account. If the CCO is unable to receive confirms and statements via MCO, Access Persons will supply the CCO, on a timely basis, with duplicate copies of such Beneficial Ownership Account confirms and statements. All Access Persons shall promptly inform the CCO of any newly established Beneficial Ownership Account on behalf of the Access Persons or Affiliated Persons.
2. | Filings |
All Access Persons shall make the following attestations regarding the accuracy of, through MCO, no later than 30 calendar days after the end of each calendar quarter, the following information:
a. | The date of any transaction involving a Covered Security, the date the report is being submitted by the Access Person under Rule 17j-1(d)(1)(ii)(A)(5), the title, and as applicable, the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, interest rate and maturity date, and the number of shares and the principal amount of each Covered Security involved; |
b. | The nature of the transaction (i.e. purchase, sale or any other type of acquisition or disposition); |
c. | The price at which the transaction was effected; and |
d. | The name of the broker, dealer or bank with or through whom the transactions was effected. |
3. | Annual Reporting |
No later than 10 days after becoming an Access Person, provided that the information must be current as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the date the person becomes an Access Person, and thereafter on an annual basis as of December 31 of each year no later
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than thirty (30) calendar days after the end of each calendar year, each Access Person shall attest the accuracy of, in MCO, the following information, which must be current as of a date no more than 45 days before the report is submitted:
a. | the title, type of security, the date that the report is submitted by the Access Person per Rule 17j-1(d)(1)(iii)(C) and as applicable, the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, number of shares and principal amount of each Covered Security in a Beneficial Ownership Account; |
b. | the name of any broker, dealer or bank with whom the Access Person or Affiliated Person maintains a Beneficial Ownership Account; and |
c. | a statement that the Access Person (1) has reviewed and understands the Code, (2) recognizes that the Access Person is subject to the Code, and (3) if such Access Person was subject to the Code during the past year, has complied with its requirements, including the requirements regarding reporting of personal securities transactions hereunder. |
4. | No Admission of Ownership |
Any report filed with the CCO pursuant to this Section 6 may contain a statement that it shall not be construed as an admission by the person making the report that he or she has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in the security to which the report relates.
5. | Review |
The CCO shall notify each Access Person that he or she is subject to the reporting requirements set forth herein and shall deliver a copy of this Code to each such Access Person upon request.
The CCO or her designee shall review all personal holdings reports submitted by each Access Person and Affiliated Person, including confirmations of personal securities transactions, to ensure that no trading has taken place in violation of Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act, Section 204A of the Advisers Act, or the Code.
The CCO will review employee trading as well as client trading, with the goal of assessing the actual or potential misuse of material, non-public information (regardless of the source), examining items such as certain short-term trades, trades in a security before it was added to the Firms Restricted List, and trades made in securities with large price changes. This review also encompasses a comparison of the reported personal securities transactions with completed and contemplated portfolio transactions on behalf of clients to determine whether a violation of this Code may have occurred. The General Counsel, or his designee, will review the reports of the CCO.
In reviewing transactions, the CCO shall take into account the exemptions allowed under this Code. Before making any determination that a violation has been committed by any person, the CCO shall give such person an opportunity to supply additional information regarding the
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transaction in question. The CCO shall maintain a list of personnel responsible for reviewing transaction and personal holdings reports.
SECTION 7. Sanctions.
If the CCO determines that a material violation of this Code has occurred, she shall so advise the General Counsel, and, based on review by the General Counsel, may impose such sanctions they deem appropriate, including, among other things, disgorgement of profits, censure, suspension and/or termination of the employment of the violator. All violations of this Code and any sanctions imposed as a result thereof shall be documented and maintained by the CCO.
The CCO shall submit a report to the Board of the Firm, no less frequently than annually, which shall identify any material violations of the Code, along with the circumstances giving rise to the violations, any action that was taken or is recommended to be taken as a result of the violations and what changes, if any, were made or are being made to the Code during the last 12 months.
The Firms reserve the right to take any legal action they may deem appropriate against any Access Person for violations of this code and to hold Access Persons liable for any and all damages (including but not limited to Attorney fees) that the Firms may incur as a direct or indirect result of any such Access Persons violation of this Code or related law or regulation.
SECTION 8. Records and Confidentiality.
1. | Records |
The CCO shall maintain records in the manner and to the extent set forth below, which records may be maintained on microfilm under the conditions described in Rule 204-2(g) of the Advisers Act and Rule 17j-1 and Rule 31a-2(f) under the 1940 Act, and shall be available for examination by representatives of the SEC:
a. | a copy of this Code and any other code which is, or at any time within the past five years has been, in effect shall be preserved in an easily accessible place; |
b. | a record of any decision and the reasons supporting the decision to approve any acquisition or sale by Access Persons or Affiliated Persons of Covered Securities in an IPO or Limited Offering; |
c. | each memorandum made by the CCO hereunder; |
d. | a record of any violation of this Code and of any action taken as a result of such violation shall be preserved in an easily accessible place for a period of not less than five (5) years following the end of the fiscal year in which the violation occurs; |
e. | a copy of each report made pursuant to this Code shall be preserved for a period of not less than five (5) years from the end of the fiscal year in which it is made, the first two (2) years in an easily accessible place; |
f. | a copy of all written acknowledgements for each person who is currently, or within the past five years was, an Access Person; and |
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g. | a list of all persons who, within the past five (5) years have been required to make reports pursuant to this Code or who are or were responsible for reviewing the reports under this Code, shall be maintained in an easily accessible place. |
2. | Confidentiality |
The current portfolio and account positions and current portfolio transactions pertaining to the Firms or investment products managed by the Firms must be kept confidential.
If material non-public information regarding the Firms or investment products managed by the Firms should become known to any Access Person, whether in the line of duty or otherwise, he or she should not reveal it to anyone unless it is properly part of his or her work to do so.
If anyone is asked about investment portfolios or whether a security has been sold or bought, his or her reply should be that this is an improper question and that this answer does not mean that the Firms or investment products managed by the Firms have bought, sold or retained the particular security. Reference, however, may, of course, be made to the latest published report of the investment portfolios or accounts for the Firms or investment products managed by the Firms.
3. | Interpretation of Provisions |
The Firms may from time to time adopt such interpretations of this Code as they deem appropriate.
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Exhibit A
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
DESIGNED TO DETECT AND PREVENT INSIDER TRADING
Section I. Policy Statement on Insider Trading.
The Firms forbid any of their Access Persons from trading, either personally or on behalf of others on material nonpublic information or communicating material nonpublic information to others in violation of the law. This conduct is frequently referred to as insider trading. The Firms policy applies to every Access Person and extends to activities within and outside the scope of Access Persons duties at the Firms. Every Access Person must read and retain this Policy Statement on Insider Trading. Any questions regarding this Policy Statement should be referred to the CCO or in his/her absence, his/her designee, who is responsible for monitoring this Policy Statement on Insider Trading and the procedures established herein.
THIS
POLICY STATEMENT ON INSIDER TRADING APPLIES TO THE FIRM,
ACCESS PERSONS AND THE ADVISORY CLIENTS
The term insider trading is not defined in the federal securities laws, but is generally understood to refer to the use of material nonpublic information, and to the communication of material nonpublic information to others, to trade in securities (whether or not one is an insider of the issuer of the securities being traded).
While the law concerning insider trading is not static, it is generally understood that the law prohibits:
(i) | trading by an insider while in possession of material nonpublic information; |
(ii) | trading by a non-insider while in possession of material nonpublic information, where the information either was disclosed to the non-insider in violation of an insiders duty to keep it confidential or was misappropriated; or |
(iii) | an insider, or a non-insider described in clause (ii) above, from communicating material nonpublic information to others. |
The elements of insider trading and the penalties for such unlawful conduct are discussed below. If, after reviewing this Policy Statement on Insider Trading, you have any questions, you should consult the CCO or his/her designee.
Who is an Insider?
The concept of insider is broad. It potentially includes all Access Persons of the Firms. In addition, a person can be a temporary insider if he or she enters into a special confidential relationship in the conduct of a companys affairs and, as a result, is given access to information solely for the companys purposes. The Firms may become a temporary insider of a company they advise or for which they perform other services. Temporary insiders can also include, among others, a companys law firm, accounting firm, consulting firm, bank, and the employees of such organizations.
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What is Material Information?
Trading on inside information is not a basis for liability unless the information is material. Material information is generally defined as (i) information for which there is a substantial likelihood that a reasonable investor would consider it important in making his or her investment decisions, (ii) information that, if publicly disclosed, is reasonably certain to have a substantial effect on the price of a companys securities, or (iii) information that could cause insiders to change their trading patterns. Information that Access Persons should consider material includes, without limitation, changes in dividend policies, earnings estimates, changes in previously released earnings estimates, significant merger or acquisition proposals or agreements, major litigation, liquidity problems, and significant new products, services or contracts.
Material information can also relate to events or circumstances affecting the market for a companys securities. For example, in 1987, the Supreme Court considered as material certain information about the contents of a forthcoming newspaper column that was expected to affect the market price of a security. In that case, a reporter from The Wall Street Journal was found criminally liable for disclosing to others the dates that reports on various companies would appear in The Wall Street Journal and whether those reports would be favorable or not.
What is Nonpublic Information?
Information is nonpublic until such time as it has been effectively communicated to the marketplace. One must be able to point to some fact to show that the information is generally public. For example, information found in a report filed with the SEC, or appearing in Dow Jones , Reuters Economic Services , The Wall Street Journal or other publications of general circulation, would be considered public. In addition, if information is being disseminated to traders generally by brokers or institutional analysts, such information would be considered public unless there is a reasonable basis to believe that such information is confidential and came from a corporate insider.
Bases for Liability
Fiduciary Duty Theory
In 1980, the Supreme Court found that there is no general duty to disclose before trading on material nonpublic information, but that such a duty arises where there is a fiduciary relationship. A relationship must exist between the parties to a transaction such that one party has a right to expect that the other party will disclose any material nonpublic information or will refrain from trading.
In 1983, the Supreme Court stated that outsiders can acquire the fiduciary duties of insiders (i) by entering into a confidential relationship with a company through which the outsider gains material nonpublic information ( e.g. , attorneys, accountants, underwriters or consultants), or (ii) by becoming a tippee if the outsider is, or should have been, aware that it has been given confidential information by an insider who has violated his or her fiduciary duty to the companys shareholders.
However, in the tippee situation, a breach of duty occurs only if the insider personally benefits, directly or indirectly, from the disclosure. The benefit does not have to be pecuniary, but can be
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a gift, a reputational benefit that will translate into future earnings, or even evidence of a relationship that suggests a quid pro quo .
Misappropriation Theory
Another basis for insider trading liability is the misappropriation theory, where liability is established when trading occurs on material nonpublic information that was stolen or misappropriated from another person. The Supreme Court found, in 1987, that a columnist defrauded The Wall Street Journal when he stole information from The Wall Street Journal and used it for trading in the securities markets. It should be noted that the misappropriation theory can be used to reach a variety of individuals not previously thought to be encompassed under the fiduciary duty theory.
Penalties for Insider Trading
Penalties for trading on or communicating material nonpublic information are severe, both for individuals involved in such unlawful conduct and their employers. A person can be subject to some or all of the following penalties, even if he or she does not personally benefit from the violation. Penalties include civil injunctions; treble damages; disgorgement of profits; jail sentences; and substantial fines . In addition, any violation of this Policy Statement on Insider Trading can be expected to result in serious sanctions by the Firms, including dismissal of any Access Persons involved.
Section II. Procedures to Implement the Firms Policies Against Insider Trading and to Comply with Section 204A under the Advisers Act
The following procedures have been established to aid Access Persons in avoiding insider trading, to aid the Firms in preventing, detecting and imposing sanctions against insider trading, and to comply with Section 204A under the Advisers Act, as amended. Every Access Person must follow these procedures or risk serious sanctions, including dismissal, substantial personal liability and criminal penalties. If you have any questions about these procedures, you should consult the CCO or his/her designee.
Identifying Inside Information
Before trading for yourself or others (including an Advisory Client) in the securities of a company about which you may have potential inside information, ask yourself the following questions:
(i) | Is the information material ? Is this information that an investor would consider important in making his or her investment decisions? Is this information that would substantially affect the market price of the securities if generally disclosed? Is this information which could cause insiders to change their trading habits? |
(ii) | Is the information nonpublic ? To whom has this information been provided? Has the information been filed with the SEC, or been effectively communicated to the marketplace by being published in Reuters Economic Services , The Wall Street Journal or other publications of general circulation, or by appearing on the wire services? |
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If, after consideration of the above, you believe that the information is material and nonpublic, or if you have a question as to whether the information is material and nonpublic, you should take the following steps:
(i) | Report the matter immediately to the CCO or his/her designee; |
(ii) | Do not purchase or sell the securities of the relevant company on behalf of yourself or others, including the Advisory Clients; and |
(iii) | Do not communicate the information to anyone inside or outside the Firm, other than to the CCO or his/her designee. |
After the CCO or his/her designee has reviewed the issue, you will be instructed to continue the prohibitions against trading and communication, or you will be allowed to trade and communicate the information.
Restricting Access to Material Nonpublic Information
Information in your possession that you identify as material and nonpublic may not be communicated to anyone, including persons within the Firm. The Firm is establishing this policy to help avoid conflicts, appearances of impropriety, and the misuse of confidential, proprietary information. In addition, care should be taken to ensure that all material nonpublic information is secure. For example, files containing material nonpublic information should be sealed, and access to computer files containing material nonpublic information should be restricted.
Contacts with Third Parties
Requests of third parties, such as the press and analysts, for information should be directed to the CCO or the General Counsel.
Resolving Issues Concerning Insider Trading
If, after consideration of the items set forth in this Appendix A, doubt remains as to whether information is material or nonpublic, or if there are any unresolved questions as to the applicability or interpretation of the foregoing procedures or as to the propriety of any action, these matters must be promptly discussed with the CCO or his/her designee before trading on or communicating the information to anyone.
Section III. Supervisory Procedures
The role of the CCO is critical to the implementation and maintenance of the Firms policies and procedures against insider trading. Supervisory procedures can be divided into two classifications – prevention of insider trading and detection of insider trading.
Prevention of Insider Trading
To prevent insider trading, the CCO should:
(i) | ensure that Access Persons are familiar with the Firms policies and procedures; |
(ii) | answer questions regarding the Firms policies and procedures; |
(iii) | resolve issues of whether information received by an Access Person is material and nonpublic; |
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(iv) | review on a regular basis and update as necessary the Firms policies and procedures; |
When it has been determined that an Access Person has material nonpublic information, the CCO should:
(i) | implement measures to prevent dissemination of such information, and |
(ii) | restrict Access Persons from trading in the securities. |
Detection of Insider Trading
To detect insider trading, the CCO or his/her designee should:
(i) | review the trading activity and other reports received from each Access Person; |
(ii) | review the trading activity of Advisory Clients; and |
(iii) | coordinate the review of such reports with other appropriate Access Persons. |
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Exhibit B
Gift and Entertainment Policy (GEP)
The Firm strives to maintain a high standard of business ethics, which it believes are consistent with good corporate citizenship. To ensure that these standards are not being violated, the Firm requires all Employees to perform their jobs in an ethical and legal fashion. The Firm competes and earns its business and its reputation through the quality of the service and expertise it provides, not by gifts, lavish entertainment, and the like. Moreover, the provision or exchange of gifts or lavish entertainment can result in violations of laws, rules, and regulations.
The GEP sets forth the Firms rules and restrictions related to giving/receiving gifts and entertainment. Application of the rules of the GEP can vary depending upon the business or social context, who the recipient is, the nature of the gift or entertainment, and the entity involved.
ALL gifts and entertainment exceeding a total of $25 must be pre-cleared through MCO, the Firms electronic compliance and reporting system. For any gift or entertainment that could not reasonably be pre-cleared, the Employee should nonetheless inform the CCO as soon afterwards as practicable.
A. | Gifts |
● | An Employee may not give or receive a gift that could influence or appear to influence the business judgment of the Employee or the Recipient/Donor. |
● | An Employee may not give/receive cash or cash equivalents (including gift certificates) to/from anyone doing business with the Firm unless approved by the CCO. |
● | There are significant limitations and/or prohibitions on giving gifts to: government officials; principals, officers and employees of exchanges and regulatory organizations; U.S. union officials; and fiduciaries of ERISA Plans (collectively Restricted Recipient). As a practical matter, no Firm Employee shall knowingly give a gift to a Restricted Recipient. |
● | In general, gifts are restricted to a total of $100 per person per calendar year. When seeking approval in MCO, the Employee shall provide the date, na m e and employer of the person offering/receiving the gift, a description and the approximate value of the gift. |
● | De minimis gifts (token gifts, i.e. – pens, notepads, desk ornament), Promotional Gifts (umbrellas, tote bags, t-shirts) and Bereavement Gifts (reasonable and customary gifts such as flowers or food baskets given in connection with a funeral or memorial service) are not included in the calculation of the $100 limit. |
● | Personal gifts (Employees relationship with the other party is a personal one, which typically would be long-standing or arises primarily out of activities or relationships not involving the Firms) are not restricted by this policy. |
B. | Meals and Entertainment |
The Firm generally encourages participation in appropriate entertainment events to foster better business relationships. Although there is not a defined limit on the value of meals or entertainment to be received or offered, the Firm advises Employees to utilize discretion in accepting or offering either. Keep in mind that providing or receiving even the most nominal meal or entertainment requires reporting through MCO.
● | An Employee may not entertain or be entertained if such entertainment could influence or appear to influence proper business judgment. |
● | The Employee and the Recipient/Donor both must attend the entertainment event. Entertainment will be |
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considered a gift, and fall under the limitations and restrictions that apply to gifts if the Donor does not attend the event.
● | Lavish entertainment is prohibited. In general, events such as meals, theater, sporting events, leisure activities, and day outings would not be considered lavish. If you have a question about whether or not entertainment is lavish, contact the CCO. |
● | Excessive entertainment – e.g., where the Employee or the Recipient is repeatedly being taken to meals, sporting events or other leisure activities is prohibited. Although excessive entertainment clearly depends upon the facts and circumstances, a pattern of entertainment, even if consistent with industry standards, may raise issues in hindsight. |
C. | Violations of the GEP |
If an Employee fails to get approval, exceeds the guidelines, or otherwise fails to comply with the GEP, the Firm may take appropriate disciplinary action, including but not limited to, returning gifts, not reimbursing out-of-pocket expenses or other remedial action against the offending Employee.
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Exhibit C
Employee Complaint (Whistleblower) Reporting and Procedures
The Firm is committed to achieving compliance with all applicable securities laws and regulations, accounting standards, accounting controls and audit practices. Accordingly, a process has been created to allow all Employees to submit a good faith complaint without fear of dismissal or retaliation of any kind, to the Firms Human Resources Director (the HR Director). The HR Director, together with the General Counsel and/or CCO, will oversee the treatment of Employee complaints. As a first step, you are always obligated to report any irregularities in the matters set forth above to your immediate supervisor or another manager. If, however, you are uncomfortable doing so for any reason or simply prefer not to report to those persons, you may submit your complaint to the CCO or General Counsel. If you prefer to submit a complaint anonymously, you may mail such complaint or message to the CCO or to any officer or director of the Firm. The following is a brief summary of the procedures for submitting a complaint:
a. | Content of Complaints. – The complaint or concern should, to the extent possible, contain (i) a complete description of the alleged event, matter or issue that is the subject of the complaint, including the approximate date and location; (ii) the name of each person allegedly involved in the conduct giving rise to the complaint or concern; and (iii) any additional information, documentation or other evidence available to support the complaint or concern or aid the investigation. Complaints or concerns that contain unspecified wrongdoing (for example, John Doe is a crook) or broad allegations without verifiable support may reduce the likelihood that an investigation based on such complaints or concerns will be initiated. |
b. | Treatment of Complaints after Submission. – The HR Director is responsible for monitoring the whistleblower submissions. After receiving a complaint, the HR Director will review the complaint and determine the proper course of action and/or response to the complaint. |
c. | Determining the Status of Your Complaint. – If you want to follow up on the status of your complaint, you may contact the HR Director. However, depending upon the sensitive or confidential nature of the issues, you may not be able to be advised of the status of the complaint. |
d. | Confidentiality/Anonymity. – The anonymity of the Employee making a complaint will be maintained to the extent reasonably practicable within the legitimate needs of law and any ensuing evaluation or investigation. If you would like to discuss any matter with the HR Director or any other officer or director of the Firm, you should indicate this in the submission and include a telephone number or email address at which you may be contacted, if appropriate. |
e. | No Retaliation Permitted. – The Firm does not permit retaliation against, nor will it discharge, demote, suspend, threaten, harass or discriminate against, any Employee for submitting a complaint made in good faith. Good Faith means that the Employee has a reasonably held belief that the complaint is true. |
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EXHIBIT D
Personal Trading Guidelines
These Personal Trading Guidelines set forth the general policy and procedures for employees of the Firm (defined in the Code as Access Persons and Affiliated Persons) with respect to personal trading, but where appropriate, the Firm reserves the right to change or modify these standards.
Access Persons who wish to engage in transactions that are not explicitly exempt from the pre-clearance process (listed below and defined in the Code as Pre-Clearance Securities) are required to submit their trade requests through My Compliance Office (MCO), the Firms electronic reporting system and to obtain pre-clearance prior to engaging in the trade.
1. | REPORTING |
Access Persons are required to notify the CCO of any Beneficial Ownership Accounts (defined as accounts in which an Access Person or their immediate family members residing in the same household have beneficial ownership), and to assist the CCO in ensuring such Beneficial Ownership Accounts are set up such that the CCO may obtain confirms and duplicate account statements on a quarterly basis, generally through MCO.
a. | Statements and Confirms |
The CCO shall receive, electronically through MCO, statements and confirms from brokerage firms, banks, or other custodians at which the Access Person or Affiliated Persons has a Beneficial Ownership Account. If the CCO is unable to receive confirms and statements via MCO, Access Persons will supply the CCO, on a timely basis, with duplicate copies of such Beneficial Ownership Account confirms and statements. All Access Persons shall promptly inform the CCO of any newly established Beneficial Ownership Account on behalf of the Access Person or Affiliated Persons.
2. | HOLDING PERIOD REQUIREMENTS |
No Access Person shall engage in a closing transaction (i.e., selling a position held, or buying back a security for which a short-sale was executed) of the same (or equivalent) Pre-Clearance Security of which such Access Person had Beneficial Ownership within thirty (30) calendar days of such purchase or sale. The Firm may impose additional holding period requirements or may waive these requirements when the Pre-Clearance Security is not held or being traded in client accounts or in instances such as when, for example:
a. | An Access Person is selling a position at a loss or where such Access Person is selling for purposes of tax loss harvesting; |
b. | An open-end fund or ETF that is not managed or sub-advised by the Firm; |
c. | Purchases of FRMO Corp. must be held for at least thirty (30) days. |
d. | The Holding Period shall be measured using the Last In, First Out (LIFO) method to determine the trade date of the opening trade for such position being closed out. |
e. | Options purchased or sold by an Access Person must have an expiration of at least thirty (30) days. |
f. | The holding period requirements apply to all transactions in a Beneficial Ownership Account that involve a Pre-Clearance Security, except those involving: |
i. | Purchases and sales that are part of an automatic investment plan; |
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ii. | Purchases and sales effected upon the exercise of rights issued by an issuer pro rata to all holders to a class of securities to the extent such rights were acquired from such issuer, and to the sales of such rights so acquired; and |
iii. | Purchases and sales upon receipt of an exercise notice of puts and calls sold by the Access Person and sales from margin accounts pursuant to a bona fide margin call. |
3. | PRE-CLEARANCE OF TRADES |
Most securities transactions are required to be submitted to the CCO and pre-cleared prior to an Access Person or an Affiliated Person engaging in the proposed trade. Approvals by the CCO or her designee are only valid on the day they are given. Approvals for securities that only trade in the overnight market are assumed to be given for that nights trading session.
The only exceptions to the requirement to pre-clear trades are for those transactions exempt from the holding period requirement listed in 2(d) above.
4. | RESTRICTED LIST AND OTHER TRADING CONSIDERATIONS |
Access Persons and Affiliated Persons may not trade securities that are either on the Firms Restricted List or are being traded for clients (or have been traded within the previous business day), unless the purchase or sale meets one of the following de minimis conditions. If such security is being traded in client accounts at the time of pre-clearance, and it does not meet these de minimis conditions, it may not be traded by Access Persons or Affiliated Persons:
a. | Up to 50 shares per day of an issuer with a market capitalization of $500 million to $1 billion; |
b. | Up to 100 shares per day of an issuer with a market capitalization of at least $1 billion; |
c. | Up to 200 shares per day of an issuer with a market capitalization of at least $2 billion; |
d. | Up to 1000 shares of an issuer with a market capitalization of at least $5 billion, measured at the time of investment; |
e. | The amount is no greater than $10,000 par value of a debt obligation instrument whose issuer has a market capitalization of at least $2 billion, or $20,000 par value of an issuer with a market capitalization of at least $5 billion, at the time of investment; |
f. | Purchases and sales of no greater than 500 shares of a closed-end fund that is not managed or sub-advised by the Firm. |
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EXHIBIT E
Reportable Funds
As of July 10, 2013, the list below contains all Reportable Funds, as referenced in the Code of Ethics:
Non-Kinetics Funds
Absolute Strategies Fund
Axa Premier VIP Trust Multimanager Small Cap Value Portfolio
Liberty Street Horizon Fund
PTA Comprehensive Alternatives Fund
Virtus Wealth Masters Fund
Vaneck VIP Multi-Manager Alternatives Fund
Vaneck Multi-Manager Alternatives Fund
Kinetics Funds
Kinetics Global Fund
Kinetics Internet Fund
Kinetics Market Opportunities Fund
Kinetics Medical Fund
Kinetics Multi-Disciplinary Fund
Kinetics Paradigm Fund
Kinetics Small Cap Opportunities Fund
Kinetics Alternative Income Fund
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EXHIBIT F
Political Contribution (Pay-to-Play) Policies
A. | Introduction |
On July 1, 2011, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted Rule 206(4)-5 (the Rule) under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the Advisers Act) addressing pay to play practices by registered investment advisers. Pay to play practices involve payments, including political contributions, made or solicited by investment managers to government officials or candidates who may directly or indirectly influence the awarding of advisory contracts for state and local government entities including, for example, public pension plans or other government funds. As registered investment advisers subject to the Rule, Horizon Asset Management LLC, Kinetics Asset Management LLC and Kinetics Advisers, LLC (collectively the Firms) are required to establish and implement internal policies reasonably designed to ensure compliance under the Rule. Accordingly the Firms have adopted these policies (the Political Contribution Policies) to adhere to the Rule and the spirit thereof.
B. | Definitions |
(1) | Contributions are defined as any gift, subscription, loan, advance or deposit of money or anything of value made for: |
a. | The purpose of influencing any election for federal, state or local office; |
b. | The payment of debt incurred in connection with any such election; or |
c. | Transition of inaugural expenses incurred by a successful candidate for state or local office. |
(2) | Covered Associates means, as it relates to the Firms, any: |
a. | General Partner, managing member, executive officer (or President or other person in charge of a business unit, division or other function that performs a policy-making function) or other person with similar status or function; |
b. | Employee who solicits a government entity (and any such person who supervises, directly or indirectly, such employee); and |
c. | Political Action Committees (PACs) that are controlled by the investment adviser. |
(3) | Covered Investment Pool is defined as: |
a. | A registered investment company that is an investment option of a plan or program of a Government Entity; or |
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b. | Any company that would be an investment company as defined in section 3(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the Investment Company Act) but for the exclusion from the definition of investment company under Sections 3(c)-1, 3(c)-7 or 3(c)-11 of the Investment Company Act. |
(4) | Government Entity includes all state and local governments, their agencies and instrumentalities, and all public pension plans and other collective government funds. |
(5) | Official includes incumbents, candidates or successful candidates for elective office of a government entity if the office, or a person that the office has authority to appoint, is directly or indirectly responsible for, or can influence the outcome of, the hiring of a fund manager or an investment in an underlying fund. |
C. | Two-Year Time-Out for Contributions |
Under the Rule, the Firms shall not provide advisory services for compensation to a Government Entity for two years after the Firms or a Covered Associate makes a Contribution to an Official of such Government Entity. In accordance with the Rule, the Firms must also determine whether any Covered Associates, during the last two years 3 , gave Contributions to Officials of Government Entity clients.
The Rule contains a de minimis exception that allows Covered Associates of the Firms to contribute: (i) up to $350 to an Official per election (primary and general elections count separately) if the Covered Associate was entitled to vote for the Official at the time of the Contribution, and (ii) up to $150 to an Official per election if the Covered Associate was not entitled to vote for the Official at the time of the Contribution. Contributions under this de minimis exception would not trigger the two-year time-out under the Rule.
D. | Reporting by Covered Associates |
It is the policy of the Firms that Covered Associates pre-clear any Contributions to Officials of a Government Entity which do not meet the de minimis exceptions described in Section C through the Firms web-based document retention and compliance system, My Compliance Office, or through any other means as may be deemed acceptable by the Chief Compliance Officer (CCO).
Covered Associates shall be required to provide details on the following items:
(i) | The date and dollar amount of the proposed contribution; |
(ii) | Name of the Candidate, Government Entity or PAC as applicable; |
(iii) | Whether the Covered Associate is eligible to vote for the Candidate; and |
(iv) | Whether the Covered Associate is aware of any previous, existing or potential business relationship between the Candidate, Government Entity or PAC and the Firms. |
3 The Rule requires a two-year look-back for all covered associates who solicit clients, but only a six month look-back for new covered associates who do not solicit clients. The look-back period will follow covered associates that change investment advisers such that a prohibited contribution by a covered associate will result in a time-out for the covered associates new firm for the remainder of the two-year or six-month period, depending on whether the covered associate solicits clients for the new firm.
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Once the Covered Associate receives written approval from the CCO, he or she may proceed with the political contribution within a reasonable time frame thereafter. If the CCO denies the contribution, the Covered Associate shall not engage in the contribution.
New hires will be required to disclose political contribution activity, which includes the details above, that were made during the previous six-month period and which were above the de minimis exceptions described under Section C.
E. | Ban on using Third Parties to Solicit Government Business |
The Firms or a Covered Associate shall not pay (or agree to pay), directly or indirectly, any person to solicit a Government Entity for advisory services on behalf of the Firms unless the person is: (i) a registered investment adviser that has not made, coordinated or solicited a Contribution within the last two years that would violate the Rule, (ii) a broker-dealer registered with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), or (iii) an executive officer, general partner, managing member (or person with similar status or function), or employee of the Firms.
F. | Ban on Soliciting and Coordinating Contributions and Payments |
The Firms or a Covered Associate shall not coordinate or solicit a person or political action committee (PAC) to: (i) contribute to an Official of a Government Entity to which the Firms provide or seek to provide advisory services, or (ii) make a payment to a political party of a state or locality in which the Firms provide or seek to provide advisory services to a Government Entity.
G. | Application to pooled investment vehicles |
Under the Rule, the Firms will be held to the same standards and prohibitions set forth in these Political Contribution Policies whether a Government Entity is a direct prospective client of the Firms or whether the Government Entity is a prospective investor in a Covered Investment Pool.
H. | Record Keeping and Training |
To the extent the Firms provide investment advisory services to a Government Entity or a Covered Investment Pool in which a Government Entity is an investor, the Firms shall collect and maintain the below information, which shall be maintained in the Firms My Compliance Office application, or in another format as may be permitted by the CCO:
(i) | The names, titles and business and resident addresses of all Covered Associated of the Firms; |
(ii) | All Government Entities to which the Firms provide or have provided investment advisory services (directly or indirectly through a Covered Investment Pool) in the last five years; |
(iii) | All direct and indirect Contributions made by the Firms or Covered Associates to an Official of a Government Entity or direct and indirect payments made to a political party or PAC; and |
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(iv) | The Name and business address of each regulated person to which the Firms agree to provide direct or indirect payment to solicit a Government Entity. |
The Firms shall conduct reviews with Covered Associates that are departing the Firms to ensure that political contribution activities do not trigger a time-out. Moreover, the Firms shall perform employee training on a periodic basis for Covered Associates and new hires that fall within the definition of a Covered Associate relating to the requirements under the Rule and the process for reporting. To the extent certain Covered Associates are actively engaged in soliciting Officials and Government Entities, the Firms may obtain written assurances from such Covered Associates sufficient to ensure political contribution activities do not result in a time-out or other breach under the Rule.
I. | Addressing a Potential Time-Out |
To the extent a time-out under the Rule is imposed against the Firms, the Firms shall determine whether to seek SEC exemptive relief, during which time, the Firms shall establish an escrow account for any fees that would have been owed by a Government Entity, but for which may not be permitted due to political contributions that were made by Covered Associates or the Firms.
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Newfound Research LLC
Code of Ethics
Amended and Restated December 2014.
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Statement of General Policy
This Code of Ethics ("Code") has been adopted by Newfound Research LLC and is designed to comply with Rule 204A-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 ("Advisers Act").
This Code establishes rules of conduct for all employees of Newfound Research LLC and is designed to, among other things, govern personal securities trading activities in the accounts of employees, immediate family/household accounts and accounts in which an employee has a beneficial interest. The Code is based upon the principle that Newfound Research LLC and its employees owe a fiduciary duty to Newfound Research LLC's clients to conduct their affairs, including their personal securities transactions, in such a manner as to avoid (i) serving their own personal interests ahead of clients, (ii) taking inappropriate advantage of their position with the firm and (iii) any actual or potential conflicts of interest or any abuse of their position of trust and responsibility.
The purpose of the Code is to preclude activities which may lead to or give the appearance of conflicts of interest, insider trading and other forms of prohibited or unethical business conduct.
Pursuant to Section 206 of the Advisers Act, both Newfound Research LLC and its employees are prohibited from engaging in fraudulent, deceptive or manipulative conduct. Compliance with this section involves more than acting with honesty and good faith alone. It means that Newfound Research LLC has an affirmative duty of utmost good faith to act solely in the best interest of its clients.
Newfound Research LLC and its employees are subject to the following specific fiduciary obligations when dealing with clients (where applicable):
• | The duty to have a reasonable, independent basis for the investment advice provided; |
• | The duty to obtain best execution for a client's transactions where the Firm is in a position to direct brokerage transactions for the client; |
• | The duty to ensure that investment advice is suitable to meeting the client's individual objectives, needs and circumstances; and |
• | A duty to be loyal to clients. |
In meeting its fiduciary responsibilities to its clients, Newfound Research LLC expects every employee to demonstrate the highest standards of ethical conduct for continued employment with Newfound Research LLC. Strict compliance with the provisions of the Code shall be considered a basic condition of employment with Newfound Research LLC. Newfound Research LLC's reputation for fair and honest dealing with its clients could be seriously damaged as the result of even a single securities transaction being considered questionable in light of the fiduciary duty owed to our clients. Employees are urged to seek the advice of Tom Rosedale, the Chief Compliance Officer, for any questions about the Code or the application of the Code to their individual circumstances. Employees should also understand that a material breach of the provisions of the Code may constitute grounds for disciplinary action, including termination of employment with Newfound Research LLC.
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The provisions of the Code are not all-inclusive. Rather, they are intended as a guide for employees of Newfound Research LLC in their conduct. In those situations where an employee may be uncertain as to the intent or purpose of the Code, he/she is advised to consult with the Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer may grant exceptions to certain provisions contained in the Code only in those situations when it is clear beyond dispute that the interests of our clients will not be adversely affected or compromised. All questions arising in connection with personal securities trading should be resolved in favor of the client even at the expense of the interests of employees.
The Chief Compliance Officer will periodically report to senior management and/or the Board of Managers of Newfound Research LLC to document compliance with this Code.
Definitions
For the purposes of this Code, the following definitions shall apply:
• | "Access person" means any supervised person who: has access to nonpublic information regarding any clients' purchase or sale of securities, or nonpublic information regarding the portfolio holdings of any Reportable fund our firm or its control affiliates manage or has access to such recommendations; or is involved in making securities recommendations to clients that are nonpublic. |
• | "Account" means accounts of any employee and includes accounts of the |
employee's immediate family members (any relative by blood or marriage living in the employee's household), and any account in which he or she has direct or indirect beneficial interest, such as trusts and custodial accounts or other accounts in which the employee has a beneficial interest, controls or exercises investment discretion.
• | "Beneficial ownership" shall be interpreted in the same manner as it would be under Rule 16a-1(a)(2) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in determining whether a person is the beneficial owner of a security for purposes of Section 16 of such Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. |
• | "Fund" means an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act. |
• | "Reportable fund" means any registered investment company, i.e., mutual fund, for which our Firm, or a control affiliate, acts as investment adviser, as defined in section 2(a) (20) of the Investment Company Act, or principal underwriter. |
• | "Reportable security" means any security as defined in Section 202(a)(18) of the Advisers Act, except that it does not include: (i) Transactions and holdings in direct obligations of the Government of the United States; (ii) Bankers' acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and other high quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements; (iii) Shares issued by money market funds; (iv) Transactions and holdings in shares of other types of open-end registered mutual funds, unless Newfound Research LLC or a control affiliate acts as the investment |
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adviser, sub-adviser or principal underwriter for the fund (in which case such security shall be deemed a “reportable security”); and (v) Transactions in units of a unit investment trust if the unit investment trust is invested exclusively in mutual funds, unless Newfound Research LLC or a control affiliate acts as the investment adviser, sub-adviser or principal underwriter for the fund (in which case such security shall be deemed a “reportable security”).
• | "Supervised person" means directors, officers and partners of Newfound Research LLC (or other persons occupying a similar status or performing similar functions); employees of Newfound Research LLC; and any other person who provides advice on behalf of Newfound Research LLC and is subject to Newfound Research LLC's supervision and control. |
Standards of Business Conduct
Newfound Research LLC places the highest priority on maintaining its reputation for integrity and professionalism. That reputation is a vital business asset. The confidence and trust placed in our firm and its employees by our clients is something we value and endeavor to protect. The following Standards of Business Conduct set forth policies and procedures to achieve these goals. This Code is intended to comply with the various provisions of the Advisers Act and also requires that all supervised persons comply with the various applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and applicable rules and regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").
Section 204A of the Advisers Act requires the establishment and enforcement of policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent the misuse of material, nonpublic information by investment advisers. Such policies and procedures are contained in this Code. The Code also contains policies and procedures with respect to personal securities transactions of all “supervised persons” of Newfound Research LLC. These procedures cover transactions in a reportable security in which a supervised person has a beneficial interest in or accounts over which the supervised person exercises control as well as transactions by members of the supervised person's immediate family.
Section 206 of the Advisers Act makes it unlawful for Newfound Research LLC or its agents or employees to employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud any client or prospective client, or to engage in fraudulent, deceptive or manipulative practices. This Code contains provisions that prohibit these and other enumerated activities and that are reasonably designed to detect and prevent violations of the Code, the Advisers Act and rules thereunder.
Prohibition Against Insider Trading
Introduction
Trading securities while in possession of material, nonpublic information, or improperly communicating that information to others may expose supervised persons and Newfound
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Research LLC to stringent penalties. Criminal sanctions may include a fine of up to $1,000,000 and/or ten years imprisonment. The SEC can recover the profits gained or losses avoided through the illegal trading, impose a penalty of up to three times the illicit windfall, and/or issue an order permanently barring you from the securities industry. Finally, supervised persons and Newfound Research LLC may be sued by investors seeking to recover damages for insider trading violations.
The rules contained in this Code apply to securities trading and information handling by supervised persons of Newfound Research LLC and their immediate family members.
The law of insider trading is continuously developing. An individual legitimately may be uncertain about the application of the rules contained in this Code in a particular circumstance. Often, a single question can avoid disciplinary action or complex legal problems. You must notify the Chief Compliance Officer immediately if you have any reason to believe that a violation of this Code has occurred or is about to occur.
General Policy
No supervised person may trade, either personally or on behalf of others (such as investment funds and private accounts managed by Newfound Research LLC), while in the possession of material, nonpublic information, nor may any personnel of Newfound Research LLC communicate material, nonpublic information to others in violation of the law.
1. What is Material Information?
Information is material where there is a substantial likelihood that a reasonable investor would consider it important in making his or her investment decisions. Generally, this includes any information the disclosure of which will have a substantial effect on the price of a company's securities. No simple test exists to determine when information is material; assessments of materiality involve a highly fact-specific inquiry. For this reason, you should direct any questions about whether information is material to the Chief Compliance Officer. While the Chief Compliance Officer is available to assist you with any questions regarding the law and this Code, the responsibility ultimately rests with each individual to comply with the law and this Code, and to uphold the reputation of Newfound Research LLC.
Material information often relates to a company's results and operations, including, for example, dividend changes, earnings results, changes in previously released earnings estimates, significant merger or acquisition proposals or agreements, major litigation, liquidation problems, and extraordinary management developments.
Material information also may relate to the market for a company's securities. Information about a significant order to purchase or sell securities may, in some contexts, be material. Prepublication information regarding reports in the financial press also may be material. For example, the United States Supreme Court upheld the criminal
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convictions of insider trading defendants who capitalized on prepublication information about The Wall Street Journal's "Heard on the Street" column.
You should also be aware of the SEC's position that the term "material nonpublic information" relates not only to issuers but also to Newfound Research LLC's securities recommendations and client securities holdings and transactions.
2. What is Nonpublic Information?
Information is "public" when it has been disseminated broadly to investors in the marketplace. For example, information is public after it has become available to the general public through the Internet, a public filing with the SEC or some other government agency, the Dow Jones "tape" or The Wall Street Journal or some other publication of general circulation, and after sufficient time has passed so that the information has been disseminated widely. Newfound Research LLC believes that information is “nonpublic” until a reasonable time has passed after the information has become available to the general public (i.e., after a period of time necessary for the information to be absorbed by the public, and not necessarily immediately upon it becoming available).
3. Identifying Inside Information
Before executing any trade for yourself or others, including investment funds or private accounts managed by Newfound Research LLC, if any ("Client Accounts"), you must determine whether you have access to material, nonpublic information. If you think that you might have access to material, nonpublic information, you should take the following steps:
• | Report the information and proposed trade immediately to the Chief Compliance Officer. |
• | Do not purchase or sell the securities on behalf of yourself or others, including investment funds or private accounts managed by the firm. |
• | Do not communicate the information inside or outside the firm, other than to the Chief Compliance Officer. |
• | After the Chief Compliance Officer has reviewed the issue, the firm will determine whether the information is material and nonpublic and, if so, what action the firm will take. |
You should consult with the Chief Compliance Officer before taking any action. This high degree of caution will protect you, our clients, and the firm.
4. Contacts with Public Companies
Contacts with public companies may represent an important part of our research efforts. The firm may make investment decisions on the basis of conclusions formed through such contacts and analysis of publicly available information. Difficult legal issues arise,
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however, when, in the course of these contacts, a supervised person of Newfound Research LLC or other person subject to this Code becomes aware of material, nonpublic information. This could happen, for example, if a company's Chief Financial Officer prematurely discloses quarterly results to an analyst, or an investor relations representative makes selective disclosure of adverse news to a handful of investors. In such situations, Newfound Research LLC must make a judgment as to its further conduct. To protect yourself, your clients and the firm, you should contact the Chief Compliance Officer immediately if you believe that you may have received material, nonpublic information.
5. Tender Offers
Tender offers represent a particular concern in the law of insider trading for two reasons: First, tender offer activity often produces extraordinary gyrations in the price of the target company's securities. Trading during this time period is more likely to attract regulatory attention (and produces a disproportionate percentage of insider trading cases). Second, the SEC has adopted a rule which expressly forbids trading and "tipping" while in the possession of material, nonpublic information regarding a tender offer received from the tender offeror, the target company or anyone acting on behalf of either. Supervised persons of Newfound Research LLC and others subject to this Code should exercise extreme caution any time they become aware of nonpublic information relating to a tender offer.
6. Restricted/Watch Lists
Although Newfound Research LLC does not typically receive confidential information from companies other than its clients, it may, if it receives such information, take appropriate procedures to establish restricted or watch lists in certain securities.
The Chief Compliance Officer may place certain securities on a "restricted list." Supervised persons are prohibited from personally, or on behalf of an advisory account, purchasing or selling securities during any period they are listed. Securities issued by companies about which a number of supervised persons are expected to regularly have material, nonpublic information should generally be placed on the restricted list. The Chief Compliance Officer shall take steps to immediately inform all supervised persons of the securities listed on the restricted list.
The Chief Compliance Officer may place certain securities on a "watch list." Securities issued by companies about which a limited number of supervised persons possess material, nonpublic information should generally be placed on the watch list. The list will be disclosed only to the Chief Compliance Officer and a limited number of other persons who are deemed necessary recipients of the list because of their roles in compliance.
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Personal Securities Transactions
General Policy
Newfound Research LLC has adopted the following principles governing personal investment activities by Newfound Research LLC's supervised persons:
• | The interests of client accounts will at all times be placed first; |
• | All personal securities transactions will be conducted in such manner as to avoid any actual or potential conflict of interest or any abuse of an individual's position of trust and responsibility; and |
• | Supervised persons must not take inappropriate advantage of their positions. |
Newfound Research LLC’s general policy is that all personal securities transactions require the prior approval of the Chief Compliance Officer, subject to those exceptions listed in this Code of Ethics. Pre-cleared transactions may be placed and completed prior to the end of the next trading day after approval, unless a shorter or longer time period is approved by the Chief Compliance Officer. For the avoidance of doubt regarding the types of transactions that require prior approval, the following is Newfound Research LLC’s policy regarding participation in IPOs, private or limited offerings and registered funds:
Pre-Clearance Required for Participation in IPOs
No supervised person shall acquire any beneficial ownership in any securities in
an Initial Public Offering for his or her account, as defined herein, without the prior written approval of the Chief Compliance Officer, who has been provided with full details of the proposed transaction (including written certification that the investment opportunity did not arise by virtue of the supervised person's activities on behalf of a client) and, if approved, will be subject to continuous monitoring for possible future conflicts.
Pre-Clearance Required for Private or Limited Offerings
No supervised person shall acquire beneficial ownership of any securities in a limited offering or private placement without the prior written approval of the Chief Compliance Officer who has been provided with full details of the proposed transaction (including written certification that the investment opportunity did not arise by virtue of the supervised person's activities on behalf of a client) and, if approved, will be subject to continuous monitoring for possible future conflicts.
Pre-Clearance Required for Participation in Shares of Certain Registered Funds
No supervised person shall acquire or divest any beneficial interest or otherwise transact in any securities in an open-end registered mutual fund or exchange traded fund for which Newfound Research LLC or a control affiliate acts as the investment adviser, sub-adviser or principal underwriter for such fund for his or her account, as defined herein, without the prior written approval of the Chief Compliance Officer, who has been provided with full details of the
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proposed transaction (including written certification that the investment opportunity did not arise by virtue of the supervised person's activities on behalf of a client) and, if approved, will be subject to continuous monitoring for possible future conflicts. Automatic reinvestment of dividends or other distributions from such a fund shall not require additional approval of the Chief Compliance Officer. See Exhibit F.
Exceptions to General Policy Regarding Securities Transactions
The following transactions shall not require the prior approval of the Chief Compliance Officer; however, all such transactions and holdings shall be reported to the firm through the general securities reporting system:
· | Transactions in a managed account where the employee has no discretion; |
· | Dividend and capital gains automatic reinvestment; |
· | Pre-approved automatic 401(k) and other investments after the initial selections by the account holder (although the initial selection requires pre-clearance); |
· | Non-volitional transactions, such as stock splits, stock dividends, cash dividends, corporate actions, etc.; |
· | Transactions involving direct obligations of the government of the United States or other sovereign government or supra-national agency, high quality short-term debt investments, brokers acceptances, certificate of deposit, commercial paper and repurchase agreements; |
· | Purchases or sales of variable and fixed insurance products; |
· | Exercised rights, warrants or tender offers; |
· | Securities received via gift or inheritance; and |
· | Securities received or transferred to a spouse as part of a divorce or material dissolution proceeding or related settlement. |
Interested Transactions
No supervised person shall recommend any securities transactions for a client without having disclosed his or her interest, if any, in such securities or the issuer thereof, including without limitation:
• | any direct or indirect beneficial ownership of any securities of such issuer; |
• | any contemplated transaction by such person in such securities; |
• | any position with such issuer or its affiliates; and |
• | any present or proposed business relationship between such issuer or its affiliates and such person or any party in which such person has a significant interest. |
Holdings Period Rule
Access persons must hold reportable securities for no less than 60 days. Generally, a first-in first-out accounting method will be applied to determine compliance with this holding rule.
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Gifts and Entertainment
Giving, receiving or soliciting gifts in a business setting may create an appearance of impropriety or may raise a potential conflict of interest. Newfound Research LLC has adopted the policies set forth below to guide supervised persons in this area.
General Policy
Newfound Research LLC's policy with respect to gifts and entertainment is as follows:
• | Giving, receiving or soliciting gifts in a business may give rise to an appearance of impropriety or may raise a potential or actual conflict of interest; |
• | Supervised persons should not accept or provide any gifts or favors that might influence the decisions you or the recipient must make in business transactions involving Newfound Research LLC, or that others might reasonably believe would influence those decisions; |
• | Modest gifts and favors, which would not be regarded by others as improper, may be accepted or given on an occasional basis. Dining or entertainment that satisfies these requirements and conforms to generally accepted business practices also is permissible, if, during such dining or entertainment, you are accompanied by the person or representative of the entity that does, or proposes to do, business with Newfound Research LLC; and |
• | All gifts and entertainment given or received to or from anyone who does business, or may do business, with Newfound Research LLC shall be reported to the Chief Compliance Officer. Nominal gifts and entertainment, such as business lunches, are required to be reported to the Chief Compliance Officer but occasional failures of a supervised person to report lunches the supervised person receives for less than $30 shall not be deemed to be a breach of this Code of Ethics. All lunches and similar food/drinks paid for by a supervised person or by Newfound Research LLC shall be reported without exception. |
• | Supervised persons shall use their reasonable judgment with respect to all gifts and entertainment, and shall consider the differences between: |
o | Attending a Red Sox game in May versus attending the World Series; |
o | Taking a prospective client for a routine lunch versus dinner at a steakhouse; and |
o | Accepting tickets from a third-party to a sporting event versus accompanying a third-party to the same sporting event (the former being a gift and the latter likely being entertainment). |
• | No supervised person shall ever give or receive inappropriate gifts, favors, entertainment, special accommodations or other things of material value that could influence decision-making or make them feel beholden to the firm or the person. |
• | It is never appropriate or permissible to give or receive gifts of cash, cash equivalents, lottery tickets, gift cards, stocks, bonds, mutual funds or other securities if the gift involves a client, prospective client or other party Newfound Research LLC does or may do business with. |
• | Any gifts given or received must be gratuitous, with donative intent, and not as compensation and never with an expectation of receiving anything in return. |
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• | Where there is a law or rule that applies to the conduct of a particular business or the acceptance of gifts of even nominal value, the law or rule must be followed. |
• | Promotional gifts, such as those that bear the logo of a company’s name or that are routinely made available to the general public are generally acceptable business gifts that do not require pre-approval or reporting. |
Reporting Requirements
· | Any supervised person who gives or accepts, directly or indirectly, anything of value from any person or entity that does business with or on behalf of Newfound Research LLC, including gifts and gratuities with value in excess of $100 per year, must obtain consent from the Chief Compliance Officer before giving or accepting such gift. |
· | No supervised person shall, directly or indirectly, give a gift to, or accept a gift from, any person or entity that does business or may do business with or on behalf of Newfound Research LLC without first obtaining the consent of the Chief Compliance Officer. |
· | These reporting requirements shall apply to dining or entertainment. |
· | This gift-reporting requirement is for the purpose of helping Newfound Research LLC monitor the activities of its employees. However, the reporting of a gift does not relieve any supervised person from the obligations and policies set forth in this Section or anywhere else in this Code. If you have any questions or concerns about the appropriateness of any gift, please consult the Chief Compliance Officer. |
Political Contributions
No political contributions shall be made by Newfound Research LLC or any of its supervised persons without the written consent of the Chief Compliance Officer. In connection with any such approval by the Chief Compliance Officer, the contributing party shall provide the Chief Compliance Officer with all information required by the firm’s “Political Contributions” policy in its manual and all such other information as may be required by the Chief Compliance Officer.
Protecting the Confidentiality of Client Information
Confidential Client Information
In the course of investment advisory activities of Newfound Research LLC, the firm may gain access to non-public information about its clients. Such information may include a person's status as a client, personal financial and account information, the allocation of assets in a client portfolio, the composition of investments in any client portfolio, information relating to services performed for or transactions entered into on behalf of clients (if any), advice provided by Newfound Research LLC to clients, and data or analyses derived from such non-public personal information (collectively referred to as “Confidential Client Information”). All Confidential Client Information, whether relating to Newfound Research LLC's current or former clients, is subject to the Code's policies and procedures. Any doubts about the confidentiality of information must be resolved in favor of confidentiality.
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Non-Disclosure of Confidential Client Information
All information regarding Newfound Research LLC's clients is confidential. Information may only be disclosed when the disclosure is consistent with the firm's policy and the client's direction. Newfound Research LLC does not share Confidential Client Information with any third parties, except in the following circumstances:
· | As necessary to provide service that the client requested or authorized, or to maintain and service the client's account. Newfound Research LLC will require that any financial intermediary, agent or other service provider utilized by Newfound Research LLC (such as broker-dealers or sub-advisers) comply with substantially similar standards for non-disclosure and protection of Confidential Client Information and use the information provided by Newfound Research LLC only for the performance of the specific service requested by Newfound Research LLC; |
· | As required by regulatory authorities or law enforcement officials who have jurisdiction over Newfound Research LLC, or as otherwise required by any applicable law. In the event Newfound Research LLC is compelled to disclose Confidential Client Information, the firm shall provide prompt notice to the clients affected, so that the clients may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy. If no protective order or other appropriate remedy is obtained, Newfound Research LLC shall disclose only such information, and only in such detail, as is legally required; and |
· | To the extent reasonably necessary to prevent fraud, unauthorized transactions or liability. |
Employee Responsibilities
All supervised persons are prohibited, either during or after the termination of their employment with Newfound Research LLC, from disclosing Confidential Client Information to any person or entity outside the firm, including family members, except under the circumstances described above. A supervised person is permitted to disclose Confidential Client Information only to such other supervised persons who need to have access to such information to deliver the services of Newfound Research LLC to the client.
Supervised persons are also prohibited from making unauthorized copies of any documents or files containing Confidential Client Information and, upon termination of their employment with Newfound Research LLC, must return all such documents to Newfound Research LLC.
Any supervised person who violates the non-disclosure policy described above will be subject to disciplinary action, including possible termination, whether or not he or she benefited from the disclosed information.
Security of Confidential Personal Information
Newfound Research LLC enforces the following policies and procedures to protect the security of Confidential Client Information:
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• | The Firm restricts access to Confidential Client Information to those supervised persons who need to know such information to provide the services of Newfound Research LLC to clients; |
• | Any supervised person who is authorized to have access to Confidential Client Information in connection with the performance of such person's duties and responsibilities is required to keep such information in a secure compartment, file or receptacle on a daily basis as of the close of each business day; |
• | All electronic or computer files containing any Confidential Client Information shall be password secured and firewall protected from access by unauthorized persons; and |
• | Any conversations involving Confidential Client Information, if appropriate at all, must be conducted by supervised persons in private, and care must be taken to avoid any unauthorized persons overhearing or intercepting such conversations. |
Privacy Policy
Newfound Research LLC and all supervised persons, must comply with SEC Regulation S-P, which requires investment advisers to adopt policies and procedures to protect the “nonpublic personal information” of natural person clients. “Nonpublic information,” under Regulation S-P, includes personally identifiable financial information and any list, description, or grouping that is derived from personally identifiable financial information. Personally identifiable financial information is defined to include information supplied by individual clients, information resulting from transactions, any information obtained in providing products or services. Pursuant to Regulation S-P, Newfound Research LLC has adopted policies and procedures to safeguard the information of natural person clients.
Enforcement and Review of Confidentiality and Privacy Policies
The Chief Compliance Officer is responsible for reviewing, maintaining and enforcing Newfound Research LLC's confidentiality and privacy policies and is also responsible for conducting appropriate employee training to ensure adherence to these policies. Any exception to this policy requires the written approval of the Chief Compliance Officer.
Service as an Officer or Director
No supervised person shall serve as an officer or on the board of directors of any publicly or privately traded company without prior authorization by the Chief Compliance Officer or a designated supervisory person based upon a determination that any such board service or officer position would be consistent with the interest of Newfound Research LLC's clients. Where board service or an officer position is approved, Newfound Research LLC shall implement a "Chinese Wall" or other appropriate procedure, to isolate such person from making decisions relating to the company's securities.
Pre-Clearance Required for all Financial Services Related Outside Business Activities
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No supervised person shall, directly or indirectly, serve as an officer or on the board of directors or trustees or otherwise perform any services for or be active or involved with any business activities for any company other than Newfound Research LLC if such other company is in the financial services business without the prior written approval of the Chief Compliance Officer who has been provided with full details of the proposed activities, duties or roles and, if approved, will be subject to continuous monitoring for possible future conflicts. Any supervised person who receives approval of the Chief Compliance Officer shall promptly resign from such outside business activities if requested by Newfound Research LLC or the Chief Compliance Officer.
Compliance Procedures
Reporting Requirements
Every supervised person shall provide initial and annual holdings reports and quarterly transaction reports to the Chief Compliance Officer which must contain the information described below (forms of which are attached to the end of this Code). It is the policy of Newfound Research LLC that each supervised person must arrange for their brokerage firm(s) to send automatic duplicate brokerage account statements and trade confirmations of all securities transactions to the Chief Compliance Officer.
1. Initial Holdings Report
Every supervised person shall, no later than ten (10) days after the person becomes a supervised person, file an initial holdings report containing the following information:
• | The title and exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, type of security, number of shares and principal amount (if applicable) of each reportable security in which the supervised person had any direct or indirect beneficial interest ownership when the person becomes a supervised person; |
• | The name of any broker, dealer or bank, account name, number and location with whom the supervised person maintained an account in which any securities were held for the direct or indirect benefit of the supervised person; and |
• | The date that the report is submitted by the supervised person. |
The information submitted must be current as of a date no more than ten (10) days before the person became a supervised person. See Exhibit C.
2. Annual Holdings Report
Every supervised person shall, no later than January 31 each year, file an annual holdings report containing the same information required in the initial holdings report as described above. The information submitted must be current as of a date no more than forty-five (45) days before the annual report is submitted. See Exhibit D.
3. Quarterly Transaction Reports
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Every supervised person must, no later than thirty (30) days after the end of each calendar quarter, file a quarterly transaction report containing the following information:
With respect to any transaction during the quarter in a reportable security in which the supervised persons had any direct or indirect beneficial ownership:
• | The date of the transaction, the title and exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, the interest rate and maturity date (if applicable), the number of shares and the principal amount (if applicable) of each covered security; |
• | The nature of the transaction (i.e., purchase, sale or any other type of acquisition or disposition); |
• | The price of the reportable security at which the transaction was effected; |
• | The name of the broker, dealer or bank with or through whom the transaction was effected; and |
• | The date the report is submitted by the supervised person. |
See Exhibit E.
4. Exempt Transactions
A supervised person need not submit a report with respect to:
• | Transactions effected for, securities held in, any account over which the person has no direct or indirect influence or control; |
• | Transactions effected pursuant to an automatic investment plan, e.g. a dividend reinvestment plan; |
• | A quarterly transaction report if the report would duplicate information contained in securities transaction confirmations or brokerage account statements that Newfound Research LLC holds in its records so long as the firm receives the confirmations or statements no later than 30 days after the end of the applicable calendar quarter; and |
• | Any transaction or holding report if Newfound Research LLC has only one supervised person, so long as the firm maintains records of the information otherwise required to be reported. |
5. Monitoring and Review of Personal Securities Transactions
The Chief Compliance Officer, or a designee, will monitor and review all reports required under the Code for compliance with Newfound Research LLC's policies regarding personal securities transactions and applicable SEC rules and regulations. The Chief Compliance Officer may also initiate inquiries of supervised persons regarding personal securities trading. Supervised persons are required to cooperate with such inquiries and any monitoring or review procedures employed Newfound Research LLC. Any transactions for any accounts of the Chief Compliance Officer will be reviewed and approved by Corey Hoffstein. The Chief Compliance Officer shall at least annually identify all supervised persons who are required to file reports pursuant to the Code and will inform such supervised persons of their reporting obligations.
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Certification
Initial Certification
All supervised persons will be provided with a copy of the Code and must initially certify in writing to the Chief Compliance Officer that they have: (i) received a copy of the Code; (ii) read and understand all provisions of the Code; (iii) agreed to abide by the Code; and (iv) reported all account holdings as required by the Code. The form of annual certification is attached to this Code. See Exhibit A.
Acknowledgement of Amendments
All supervised persons shall receive any amendments to the Code and must certify to the Chief Compliance Officer in writing that they have: (i) received a copy of the amendment; (ii) read and understood the amendment; and (iii) agreed to abide by the Code as amended.
Annual Certification
All supervised persons must annually certify in writing to the Chief Compliance Officer that they have: (i) read and understood all provisions of the Code; and (ii) complied with all requirements of the Code. The form of annual certification is attached to this Code. See Exhibit B.
Further Information
Supervised persons should contact the Chief Compliance Officer regarding any inquiries pertaining to the Code or the policies established herein.
Records
The Chief Compliance Officer shall maintain and cause to be maintained in a readily accessible place the following records:
• | A copy of any Code of Ethics adopted by the Firm pursuant to Advisers Act Rule 204A-1 which is or has been in effect during the past five years; |
• | A record of any violation of the Code and any action that was taken as a result of such violation for a period of five years from the end of the fiscal year in which the violation occurred; |
• | A record of all written acknowledgements of receipt of the Code and amendments thereto for each person who is currently, or within the past five years was, a supervised person which shall be retained for five years after the individual ceases to be a supervised person of Newfound Research LLC; |
• | A copy of each report made pursuant to Advisers Act Rule 204A-1, including any brokerage confirmations and account statements made in lieu of these reports; |
• | A list of all persons who are, or within the preceding five years have been, access persons; and |
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• | A record of any decision and reasons supporting such decision to approve a supervised persons' acquisition of securities in IPOs and limited offerings within the past five years after the end of the fiscal year in which such approval is granted. |
Reporting Violations and Sanctions
All supervised persons shall promptly report to the Chief Compliance Officer or an alternate designee all apparent violations of the Code. Any retaliation for the reporting of a violation under this Code will constitute a violation of the Code.
The Chief Compliance Officer shall promptly report to senior management all apparent material violations of the Code. When the Chief Compliance Officer finds that a violation otherwise reportable to senior management could not be reasonably found to have resulted in a fraud, deceit, or a manipulative practice in violation of Section 206 of the Advisers Act, he or she may, in his or her discretion, submit a written memorandum of such finding and the reasons therefore to a reporting file created for this purpose in lieu of reporting the matter to senior management.
Senior management shall consider reports made to it hereunder and shall determine whether or not the Code has been violated and what sanctions, if any, should be imposed. Possible sanctions may include reprimands, monetary fine or assessment, or suspension or termination of the employee's employment with the firm.
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Exhibit A
Newfound Research LLC
Code of Ethics
Initial Certification*
I, ______________________________ do hereby certify that:
(Print Name Above)
1. | I have received a copy of the Code of Ethics of Newfound Research LLC. |
2. | I have read and understand all provisions of the Code of Ethics of Newfound Research LLC. |
3. | I agree to abide by the Code of Ethics of Newfound Research LLC. |
4. | I have reported all account holdings as required by the Code of Ethics of Newfound Research LLC. |
Date: __________________________ __________________________________
(Signature)
___________________________________
Chief Compliance Officer (Signature)
Date: _______________
*Note that Newfound Research LLC may utilize its automated compliance
system in lieu of this form.
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Exhibit B
Newfound Research LLC
Code of Ethics
Annual Certification*
I, ______________________________ do hereby certify that:
(Print Name Above)
1. | I have read and understand all provisions of the Code of Ethics of Newfound Research LLC. |
2. | I have complied with all requirements of the Code of Ethics of Newfound Research LLC. |
Date: __________________________ __________________________________
(Signature)
___________________________________
Chief Compliance Officer (Signature)
Date: _______________
*Note that Newfound Research LLC may utilize its automated
compliance system in lieu of this form.
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Exhibit C
Newfound Research LLC
Code of Ethics
INITIAL HOLDINGS REPORT*
An initial holdings report must be filed by every supervised person no later than ten (10) days after the person becomes a supervised person. The information submitted must be current as of a date no more than forty-five (45) days before the person became a supervised person.
Name of Reporting Person: _________________________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________________________________
Title and Exchange Ticker Symbol or CUSIP | Type of Security | Number of Shares |
Principal Amount (if applicable) |
Name of any Broker, Dealer or Bank | Account Name | Account Number | Location |
_____________________________ __________________
Signature of Reporting Person Date Submitted
20 |
_______________________________ _____________
Signature of CCO Date
*Note that Newfound Research LLC may utilize its automated compliance system in lieu of this form.
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Exhibit D
Newfound Research LLC
Code of Ethics
ANNUAL HOLDINGS REPORT*
An annual holdings report must be filed by every supervised person no later than January 31 each year. The information submitted must be current as of a date no more than forty-five (45) days before the annual report is submitted.
Name of Reporting Person: _________________________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________________________________
Title and Exchange Ticker Symbol or CUSIP | Type of Security | Number of Shares |
Principal Amount (if applicable) |
Name of any Broker, Dealer or Bank | Account Name | Account Number | Location |
_____________________________ __________________
Signature of Reporting Person Date Submitted
22 |
Received and reviewed:
_______________________________ _____________
Signature of CCO Date
*Note that Newfound Research LLC may utilize its automated compliance system in lieu of this form.
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Exhibit E
Newfound Research LLC
Code of Ethics
QUARTERLY TRANSACTION REPORT*
A quarterly transaction report must be filed by every supervised person no later than thirty (30) days after the end of each calendar quarter.
Name of Reporting Person: ____________________________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________________________________
With respect to any transaction during the quarter in a reportable security in which the supervised person had any direct or indirect beneficial ownership, please provide the following for each covered security:
Date of Transaction | Title and Exchange Ticker Symbol or CUSIP | Interest Rate |
Maturity Date (if applicable) |
Number of Shares |
Principal Amount (if applicable) |
Nature of Transaction (i.e., purchase, sale or any other type of acquisition or disposition) | Price of the reportable security at which the transaction was effected | Name of Broker, Dealer or Bank |
_____________________________ __________________
Signature of Reporting Person Date Submitted
Received and reviewed:
_______________________________ _____________
Signature of CCO Date
*Note that Newfound Research LLC may utilize its automated compliance system in lieu of this form.
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Exhibit F
Newfound Research LLC
Code of Ethics
Request for Pre-Clearance Form*
To: The Chief Compliance Officer
From:
Date of Pre-Clearance Request:
Time of Pre-Clearance Request: am/pm
Ticker | Buy/Sell | Name of Security | Proposed Transaction Date | No. of Shares | Approved | Denied |
By signing below, I hereby request approval to complete the transaction(s) contemplated above. I acknowledge and agree that clearance of a transaction is valid only until the end of the trading day after approval. If the transaction if NOT placed and completed within such period, clearance of that transaction must be re-requested.
Date:
25 |
Signature:
Print Name:
Received by: Date:
Compliance Officer
Approved by: Date:
Compliance Officer
*Note that Newfound Research LLC may utilize its automated compliance system in lieu of this form.
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265 Franklin Street
Boston, MA 02110
Tel. (617) 951-2550
www.weatherbiecapital.com
Policy,
Procedures &
Compliance Handbook
Adopted: August 5, 2004
Amended: January 7, 2014
Narrative Introduction updated through December 31, 2013
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3 . | Code of Ethics, Personal Trading |
a. | Code of Ethics and Maintenance of Code access persons list / Material Non-Public and Insider Trading |
The firm has adopted and operates under our Code of Ethics that addresses personal trading, insider trading, and material non public information. Employees are required to pre-clear their trades and are subject to the following four reporting requirements; (1), Confirmation of adherence to policy, (2) Disclosure of personal accounts, (3) Quarterly reports of securities transactions and (4) Quarterly confirmation of adherence to pre-clearance procedures. All employees are deemed to be an Access Person which requires a higher level of responsibility and reporting to Weatherbie. See Appendix Section Item #3
b. | Privacy Policy and Practices |
See Appendix Section Item #5 for Policy distributed to Clients.
The SECs Regulation S-P (Privacy of Consumer Financial Information), which was adopted to comply with Section 504 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, requires investment advisers to disclose to clients its policies and procedures regarding the use and safekeeping of client records and information.
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Client records and information are collected from both separately managed accounts and Fund investors. Fund investors material is collected primarily to determine investors eligibility to invest in the Funds. Separately managed account clients provide information at the inception of their accounts and occasionally thereafter, primarily to determine accounts investment objectives and financial goals and to assist in providing clients with requested services.
While Weatherbie strives to keep client information up to date, clients are requested to monitor any information provided to them for errors on a periodic basis.
Procedures to Safeguard Investor Records and Non-public Personal Information
Weatherbie shall strive to: (a) ensure the security and confidentiality of consumer, customer and former customer records and information; (b) protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of consumer, customer and former customer records and information; and (c) protect against unauthorized access to or use of consumer or customer records or information that could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to any customer. Accordingly, the following procedures will be followed:
A. Confidentiality . Employees shall maintain the confidentiality of information acquired in connection with their employment with Weatherbie, with particular care taken regarding Non-public Personal Information. Employees shall not disclose Non-public Personal Information, except to persons who have a bona-fide business need to know the information in order to serve the business purposes of Weatherbie, its clients, and/or investors. Weatherbie does not disclose, and no employee may disclose, any Non-public Personal Information about an investor or former investor other than in accordance with these procedures.
B. Information Systems . Weatherbie has established and maintains its information systems, including hardware, software and network components and design, in order to protect and preserve Non-public Personal Information.
Passwords and Access . Employees use passwords for computer access, as well as for access to specific programs and files. Non-public Personal Information shall be maintained, to the extent possible, in computer files that are protected by means of a password system secured against unauthorized access.
Access to specific Weatherbie databases and files shall be given only to employees who have a bona-fide business need to access such information. Passwords shall be kept confidential and shall not be shared except as necessary to achieve such business purpose. User identifications and passwords shall not be: stored on computers without access controls, written down, or stored in locations where unauthorized persons may discover them. Passwords shall be changed if there is reason to believe the password has been compromised and, in any event, changed periodically (i.e., at least once every 180 days) to maximize the security of Non-public Personal Information. All access and permissions for terminated employees shall be removed from the network system promptly upon notification of the termination.
To avoid unauthorized access, Employees shall close out programs and lock their terminals when they leave the office for an extended period of time and overnight. Terminals shall be locked when not in use during the day and laptops shall be secured when leaving MAWCO premises. Confidentiality shall be maintained when accessing the Weatherbie network remotely through the implementation of appropriate firewalls and encrypted transmissions.
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System Failures . Weatherbie will maintain appropriate programs and controls (which may include anti-virus protection and firewalls) to detect, prevent and respond to attacks, intrusions or other systems failures.
Electronic Mail . As a rule, Employees shall treat e-mail in the same manner as other written communications. However, Employees shall assume that e-mail sent from Weatherbie computers is not secure and shall avoid sending e-mails that include Non-public Personal Information to the extent practicable. E-mails that contain Non-public Personal Information (whether sent within or outside Weatherbie) shall have the smallest possible distribution in light of the nature of the request made.
Disposal . Electronic media, on which Non-Public Personal Information is stored, shall be formatted and restored to initial settings prior to any sale, donation, or transfer of such equipment.
C. Documents . Employees shall avoid placing documents containing Non-public Personal Information in office areas where they could be read by unauthorized persons, such as in photocopying areas or conference rooms. Documents that are being printed, copied or faxed shall be attended to by appropriate employees. Documents containing Non-public Personal Information which are sent by mail, courier, messenger or fax, shall be handled with appropriate care. Employees may only remove documents containing Non-public Personal Information from the premises for bona-fide work purposes. Any Non-public Personal Information that is removed from the premises must be handled with appropriate care and returned to the premises as soon as practicable.
D. WEatherbie maintains access to private account information that enables us to gain access to client accounts for the purposes of administrating and reconciling such accounts. Such information includes PINs and passwords provided by clients or custodians that enable on-line access. To access the database, authorized Weatherbie personnel must use their assigned password to gain entry each time. Employees agree that they are obligated to tightly monitor this information at all times and use it only to effect the management of Weatherbies strategies in the account.
E. Discussions . Employees shall avoid discussing Non-public Personal Information with, or in the presence of, persons who have no need to know the information. Employees shall not discuss Non-public Personal Information in public locations, such as elevators, hallways, public transportation or restaurants.
F. Access to Offices and Files . Access to offices, files or other areas where Non-public Personal Information may be discussed or maintained is limited, and Employees shall enter such locations for valid business purposes only. Meetings with investors shall take place in conference rooms or other locations where Non-public Personal Information will not be generally available or audible to others. Visitors shall generally not be allowed in the office unattended.
a) Weatherbies office is in a secure building that requires a building pass to enter or be admitted after clearing building Security. If a guest is not on the list for admittance, Security will call the office to identify the guest and request clearance. After business hours the front door is locked and when the last person leaves the office, the deadbolt on the front door is locked. In addition, before 7 am and after 6 pm, you must have a building pass to operate the elevators.
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G. Old Information . Non-public Personal Information that is no longer required to be maintained shall be destroyed and disposed of in an appropriate manner. Weatherbie has a cross-cut shredder on site for this purpose.
H. Identity Theft . An identity thief can obtain a victims personal information through a variety of methods. Therefore, Employees shall take the following actions to prevent identity theft:
a) | When providing copies of information to others, Employees shall make sure that non-essential information is removed and that Non-public personal information which is not relevant to the transaction is either removed or redacted. |
b) | The practice of dumpster diving provides access for a would-be thief to a victims personal information. Therefore, when disposing of paper documents, paperwork containing Non-public Personal Information shall be shredded, burned or otherwise destroyed. |
c) | To avoid a fraudulent address change, requests must be verified before they are implemented and confirmation notices of such address changes shall be sent to both the new address and the old address of record. |
d) | Employees may be deceived by pretext calling , whereby an information broker or identity thief posing as an investor, provides portions of the investors Non-public Personal Information (i.e., social security number) in an attempt to convince an employee to provide additional information over the phone, which can be used for fraudulent purposes. Employees shall make every reasonable precaution to confirm the identity of the investor on the phone before divulging Non-public Personal information. |
e) | Weatherbie prohibits the display of Social Security Numbers on any documents that are generally available or widely disseminated (i.e., mailing lists, quarterly reports, etc.). |
Employees could be responsible for identity theft through more direct means. Insider access to information could permit a dishonest Employee to sell consumers personal information or to use it for fraudulent purposes. Such action is cause for disciplinary action at Weatherbies discretion, up to and including termination of employment as well as referral to the appropriate civil and/or criminal legal authorities.
c. | Gift Report |
Employees may not accept limited investment opportunities, lavish gifts or other extravagant gratuities from individuals seeking to conduct business with Weatherbie, or on behalf of an advisory client. However, Employees may attend business meals, sporting events and other entertainment events at the expense of a giver, as long as the expense is reasonable and not lavish or extravagant in nature. Employees must report their intent to accept gifts over $100 to the CCO by completing the form provided in the COE. Reasonable gifts received on behalf of the Company shall not require reporting. Examples of reasonable gifts include holiday gift baskets and lunches brought to Weatherbies offices by unaffiliated companies, not limited to broker/dealers, vendors or clients.
Employees are prohibited from giving gifts that may be deemed as excessive, and must obtain approval to give all gifts in excess of $100 to any client, prospective client or any individual or entity that Weatherbie is seeking to do business with.
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Adopted May 31, 2012 Weatherbie has adopted gift and entertainment policies in accordance with applicable regulatory guidelines that are intended to manage the potential conflicts of interest or the appearance of such conflicts and to help employees make appropriate decisions that are consistent with the best interests of Weatherbies clients. Weatherbie employees are not permitted to solicit gifts, and extravagant or excessive entertaining is also prohibited. There is no agreement or arrangement between Weatherbie and third parties regarding the provision of gifts, meals, or gratuities to Weatherbies employees that is based on Weatherbies service agreement or arrangement with any particular client, and any such gifts, meals and gratuities are not received by Weatherbie employees by reason of their services to any particular client. In any event, even if, under any reasonable method of allocation, the value of gifts and entertainment received by Weatherbie employees were attributable to the Plan, such gifts or entertainment very likely would be of insubstantial value. Therefore, Weatherbie does not reasonably anticipate receiving non-monetary compensation associated with the Plan in excess of $250 and, accordingly, does not expect to have reportable non-monetary compensation for purposes of ERISA Section 408(b)(2).
d. | Serving As Officers, Trustees and/or Directors of Outside Organizations |
Employees may, under certain circumstances, be granted permission to serve as directors, trustees or officers of outside organizations by completing the form included with the COE. These organizations can include public or private corporations, partnerships, charitable foundations and other not-for-profit institutions. Employees may also receive compensation for such activities.
At certain times, Weatherbie may determine that it is in its clients best interests for an Employee(s) to serve as an officer or on the board of directors of an outside organization. For example, a company held in clients portfolios may be undergoing a reorganization that may affect the value of the companys outstanding securities and the future direction of the company. Service with organizations outside of Weatherbie can, however, raise serious regulatory issues and concerns, including conflicts of interests and access to material non-public information.
As an outside board member or officer, an Employee may come into possession of material non-public information about the outside company, or other public companies. It is critical that a proper information barrier be in place between Weatherbie and the outside organization, and that the Employee does not communicate such information to other Employees in violation of the information barrier.
Similarly, Weatherbie may have a business relationship with the outside organization or may seek a relationship in the future. In those circumstances, the Employee must not be involved in the decision to retain or hire the outside organization.
Employees are prohibited from engaging in such outside activities without the prior written approval from the CCO. Approval will be granted on a case by case basis, subject to proper resolution of potential conflicts of interest. Outside activities will be approved only if any conflict of interest issues can be satisfactorily resolved and all of the necessary disclosures are made on Part 2 of Form ADV
e. | Expert Matching Service |
Weatherbie currently engages a 3 rd party expert network service provider, Guidepoint Global; others may be added or removed in the future.
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Policy Statement:
Weatherbie employees, in a portfolio management or research capacity, may utilize 3 rd party expert networks. Weatherbie employees are bound by the Weatherbie Code of Ethics which covers the topic of material non-public information. In addition, Weatherbie CFA charterholders are bound by the CFA code of ethics.
Purpose: To augment our research process of developing and triangulating a mosaic of material public and non-material public information as we seek to better understand markets, market segments, individual products, technologies, competitive dynamics, and future opportunities. The research is conducted on prospective investment opportunities as well as current portfolio holdings on behalf of our clients.
Weatherbie Procedure:
Weatherbie Employees will not:
1) | Ask or solicit specific material non-public information. |
2) | Speak with employees of existing owned or sold short public companies through expert network services. |
Weatherbie Employees may:
1) | Speak with non-executive employees of public companies including owned and or sold short companies when directed by current company executive management. |
2) | Speak with former employees of owned and or sold short public companies provided these employees have not been employed by these public companies for at least 3 months. |
g. | Political Contributions and Public Positions – Pay To Play Policy (adopted June 2011) |
Individuals may have important personal reasons for seeking public office, or for making contributions in support of candidates for public office. However, such activities could pose risks to an investment adviser. For example, federal and state pay-to-play laws have the potential to significantly limit an advisers ability to manage assets and provide other services to government-related clients or investors. Weatherbie currently manages assets of government-related clients and therefore is subject to these rules. In addition, other government related entities may fall under these rules if Weatherbie were to be hired for a mandate to a government-related entity. This applies to all state and local government entities.
Rule 206(4)-5 (the Pay-to-Play Rule) limits political contributions to state and local government officials, candidates, and political parties by:
● | Registered investment advisers; Weatherbie is a Registered investment adviser. |
● | Advisers with fewer than fifteen clients that would be required to register with the SEC but for the private advisor exemption provided by Section 203(b)(3) of the Advisers Act. |
● | Firms that solicit clients or investors on behalf of the types of advisers described above; and |
● | Covered Associates (as defined below) of the entities listed above. |
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The Pay-to-Play Rule defines contributions broadly to include gifts, loans, the payment of debts, and the provision of any other thing of value. Rule 206(4)-5 also includes a provision that prohibits any indirect action that would be prohibited if the same action was done directly.
Example - Providing the money for someone else to make a contribution or convince someone else to make a contribution.
Restrictions on the Receipt of Advisory Fees
The Pay-to-Play Rule prohibits the receipt of compensation from a government entity for advisory services for two years following a contribution to any official of that government entity. 1 This prohibition also applies to Covered Associates of the adviser.
A Covered Associate of an adviser is defined to include:
● | Any general partner, managing member or executive officer, or other individual with a similar status or function; In this category the current Executive Officers with a 6 month look back are the President, CCO, and Portfolio Managers. |
● | Any employee that solicits a government entity for the adviser, as well as any direct or indirect supervisor of that employee; In this category, the key here is Solicits and currently that is the Vice President, Alternative Investments subject to a 2 year look back and the President who is the direct supervisor of that employee. |
● | Any political action committee controlled by the adviser or by any person that meets the definition of a Covered Associate. |
Rule 206(4)-5(a)(2)(ii) makes it unlawful for any investment adviser covered by the rule and its Covered Associates to coordinate, or to solicit any person, including a political action committee, to make, any: (A) contribution to an official of a government entity to which the investment adviser is providing or seeking to provide investment advisory services; or (B) payment to a political party of a state or locality where the investment adviser is providing or seeking to provide investment advisory services to a government entity.
Although this pertains to State and Local Government officials, candidates and political parties, it also has repercussions beyond the State and Local level. A candidate for federal office could be considered an official under the rule not because of the office he or she is running for, but as a result of an office he or she currently holds. So long as an official has influence over the hiring of investment advisers as a function of his or her current office, contributions by an adviser could have the same effect, regardless to which of the officials campaigns the adviser contributes. Example, a state senator is running for U.S. senator.
Per election is defined as a Primary, Special, or General election
However, there is an exception available for contributions from natural persons based on whether you can Vote in the election or not.
1 | A 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 agency, (iii) a plan or program of a government entity; and (iv) officers, agents or employees of the state or political subdivision or agency. |
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If you CANNOT vote in the election then the allowable contribution amount is $150 per election.
If you CAN vote in the election for a Massachusetts official or for a national office like President then the allowable contribution is $350 per election.
Look-Back Period definition
The restrictions on contributions and payments imposed by Rule 206(4)-5 can apply to the activities of individuals for the two years before they became Covered Associates of an investment adviser. However, for Covered Associates who are not involved in soliciting clients or investors, the look-back period is six months instead of two years.
An Example- we manage money for Ohio, no one should be contributing to a political campaign in Ohio unless it is $150 or less per election. If there has been a contribution greater than $150 you could request they return the contribution if found within 4 months of making the contribution, and you got the money back within 60 days of discovery. Otherwise you would have to refuse to take on the business or not accept fees until the 2 year cooling off period expires.
Another example – we currently do Not manage money for Massachusetts public funds or any municipalities but if we were to win a mandate – we would have to do a look back to see if a Covered Associate made any contributions to someone running in an election in Massachusetts and whether it was above the allowable amount of $350 (since we can vote for the candidate here in this state) if it was in the amount over $350, Weatherbie may need to refuse the business. It would not matter if the person running for office won or lost the election. Unfortunately you cannot request the contribution to be returned, it is really only for candidates that you cannot vote for. The adviser would have to refuse the mandate, or take on the business and not accept fees until the 2 year cooling off period expires.
Restrictions on Payments for the Solicitation of Clients or Investors
The Pay-to-Play Rule prohibits the compensation of any person to solicit a government entity unless the solicitor is an officer or employee of the adviser, or unless the recipient of the compensation (i.e., solicitation fee) is another registered investment adviser or a registered broker/dealer.
A registered investment adviser will be ineligible to receive compensation or advisory fees for soliciting government entities if the adviser or its Covered Associates made, coordinated, or solicited contributions or payments to the government entity during the prior two years. 2
Restrictions on the Coordination or Solicitation of Contributions
The Pay-to-Play Rule prohibits an adviser and its Covered Associates from coordinating or soliciting any contribution or payment to an official of the government entity, or a related local or state political party.
Recordkeeping Obligations
Paragraph (a)(18) of Rule 204-2 imposes additional recordkeeping requirements on registered investment advisers that have any clients or investors in private funds that fall within Rule 206(4)-5s definition of a government entity. Among other things, advisers with government entity clients or investors must keep records showing political contributions by Covered Associates and a listing of all government entity clients and investors.
2 | Similar prohibitions are expected on broker/dealers pursuant to upcoming FINRA lawmaking. |
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Applicability of Rule 206(4)-5 to Different Types of Advisory Products and Services Being Offered
The Pay-to-Play Rule applies equally to:
● | Advisers that provide advisory services to a government entity (including, among other things, through the management of a separate account or through an investment in a pooled private fund); and |
● | Advisers that manage a registered investment company (such as a mutual fund) that is an investment option of a plan or program of a government entity. |
Risks
In developing these policies and procedures, Weatherbie considered the material risks associated with Covered Associates political contributions. This analysis includes risks such as:
● | Covered Associates make political contributions that limit Weatherbies ability to attract or retain government-related Clients or Investors; |
● | Weatherbie hires or promotes an individual into a role that meets the definition of a Covered Associate without considering the individuals past political contributions; |
● | Weatherbie inadvertently violates pay-to-play regulations, or other applicable laws, because it is unaware of Covered Associates political contributions; and |
● | Covered Associates hold public offices that pose actual or apparent conflicts of interest. |
Policies and Procedures
Political Contributions
Political contributions by Weatherbie or Covered Associates to politically connected individuals or entities with the intention of influencing such individuals or entities for business purposes are strictly prohibited.
If a Covered Associate, as defined above, or any affiliated entity is considering making a political contribution to any state or local government entity, official, candidate, political party, or political action committee, the potential contributor must seek pre-clearance from the CCO using the attached Political Contribution Pre-clearance form. All contributions and payments must comply with applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations. Because there could be difference among the federal, state and local laws, the CCO will consider whether the proposed contribution is consistent with restrictions imposed by Rule 206(4)-5, and to the extent practicable, the CCO will seek to protect the confidentiality of all information regarding each proposed contribution.
The CCO will meet with any individuals who are expected to become Covered Associates to discuss their past political contributions. The review will address the prior six months for potential Covered Associates who will have no involvement in the solicitation of Clients or Investors; contributions for all other potential Covered Associates will be reviewed for the past two years. The CCO will prepare a memorandum documenting the discussions scope and findings, which will be signed by the CCO and
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by the individual in question and will be retained by the CCO along with Weatherbies Political Contribution Pre-clearance forms.
Covered Associates may make contributions to national political candidates, parties, or action committees without seeking pre-clearance as long as the recipient is not otherwise associated with a state or local political office. However, Covered Associates must use good judgment in connection with all contributions and should consult with the CCO if there is any actual or apparent question about the propriety of a potential contribution.
Any political contribution by Weatherbie, rather than its Covered Associates, must be pre-cleared by the CCO, irrespective of the proposed amount or recipient of the contribution. The CCO will maintain a chronological list of contributions in accordance with the requirements of the Pay-to-Play Rule, as well as a list of all Clients and Investors that meet the definition of a government entity for purposes of Rule 206(4)-5.
Public Office
Covered Associates must obtain written pre-approval from the CCO prior to running for any public office. Covered Associates may not hold a public office if it presents any actual or apparent conflict of interest with Weatherbies business activities.
h. | News Media and Public Relations Policy (June 28, 2012) |
It is the policy of Weatherbie to not allow employees to speak to members of the news media. If a reporter contacts you via email or leaves a voicemail you should ignore it and not return the email or call. If you find yourself in direct contact with a member of the media on any subject related to Weatherbies products, its personnel, past, current or future strategies or stock investments, please graciously answer no comment or my company does not allow me to speak on these matters.
i. | Whistleblower Policy |
As part of being sub-adviser to a Registered Investment Company, and rather than have our own Whistleblower policy we have agreed to use their policy. It is provided at the end of this document.
We have no retail customers that would require us to have an Anti-Money Laundering (AML) policy and we rely on Know Your Customer (KYC). For our private funds where there are individual investors, the third party Administrator has comprehensive AML procedures that are outlined in the Administration Service Agreement. Several questions within the Subscription Document seek to determine the suitability for investment by individuals.
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ResQ Investment Partners, LLC
Code of Ethics ,
May 21, 2015
Protection of Non-Public Information
Code of Ethics – Adoption and Review
I. | Statement of General Principles |
This Code of Ethics has been adopted by ResQ Investment Partners, LLC (the “Adviser”) for the purpose of instructing all employees, officers, and directors of the Adviser in their ethical obligations and to provide rules for their personal securities transactions. All such persons owe a fiduciary duty to the Adviser’s clients. A fiduciary duty means a duty of loyalty, fairness and good faith towards the clients, and the obligation to adhere not only to the specific provisions of this Code but to the general principles that guide the Code. These general principles are:
· | Act with integrity, honesty, competence, diligence, respect, professionalism, and in an ethical manner with the public, existing or prospective clients, and with other supervised persons of the Adviser; |
· | The duty at all times to place the interests of clients first; |
· | The requirement that all personal securities transactions be conducted in a manner consistent with the Code of Ethics and in such a manner as to avoid any actual or potential conflict of interest or any abuse of any individual’s position of trust and responsibility; and |
· | The fundamental standard that such employees, officers, and directors should not take inappropriate advantage of their positions, or of their relationship with clients. |
It is imperative that the personal trading activities of the employees, officers, and directors of the Adviser be conducted with the highest regard for these general principles in order to avoid any possible conflict of interest, any appearance of a conflict, or activities that could lead to disciplinary action. This includes executing transactions through or for the benefit of a third party when the transaction is not in keeping with the general principles of this Code.
All personal securities transactions must also comply with the Adviser’s Insider Trading Policy and Procedures. Employees shall comply at all times with all applicable federal securities laws. Federal securities laws means the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, Regulation S-P, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, Title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, any rules adopted by the Securities & Exchange Commission under any of these statutes, the Bank Secrecy Act as it applies to funds and investment advisers, and any rules adopted thereunder by the Securities & Exchange Commission or the Department of the Treasury. Employees shall at all times maintain the confidentiality of client identities, security holdings, financial circumstances and other confidential information. Employees shall report any violations of this Code of Ethics promptly to the Compliance Officer.
II. | Definitions |
For purposes of this Code of Ethics:
A. Advisory Employees : any employee, officer, or director of the Adviser (or of any company in a control relationship to the Adviser) who, in connection with his or her regular functions or duties, participates in or makes recommendations with respect to the purchase or sale of securities; and any natural person who controls the Adviser and who obtains information about recommendations with respect to the purchase or sale of securities. The Compliance Officer will maintain a current list of all Advisory Employees.
B. 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.
C. Beneficial Interest : ownership or any benefits of ownership, including the opportunity to directly or indirectly profit or otherwise obtain financial benefits from any interest in a security.
D. Compliance Officer : the Compliance Officer is Shelli Burton.
E. Employee Account : each account in which an Employee or a member of his or her family has any direct or indirect Beneficial Interest or over which such person exercises control or influence, including, but not limited to, any joint account, partnership, corporation, trust or estate. An Employee’s family members include the Employee’s spouse, minor children, any person living in the home of the Employee and any relative of the Employee (including in-laws) to whose support an Employee directly or indirectly contributes.
F. Employees : (also referred to as Supervised Persons) the employees, officers and directors of the Adviser, including Advisory Employees. The Compliance Officer will maintain a current list of all Employees.
G. Exempt Transactions : transactions which are 1) effected in an amount or in a manner over which the Employee has no direct or indirect influence or control, 2) pursuant to an Automatic Investment Plan, 3) in connection with the exercise or sale of rights to purchase additional securities from an issuer and granted by such issuer pro-rata to all holders of a class of its securities, 4) in connection with the call by the issuer of a preferred stock or bond, 5) pursuant to the exercise by a second party of a put or call option, and 6) closing transactions no more than five business days prior to the expiration of a related put or call option. H. Funds : any series of any investment company to which the Adviser provides investment advice.
J. Related Securities : securities issued by the same issuer or issuer under common control, or when either security gives the holder any contractual rights with respect to the other security, including options, warrants or other convertible securities.
K. Securities : any note, stock, treasury stock, bond, debenture, evidence of indebtedness, certificate of interest or participation in any profit-sharing agreement, collateral-trust certificate, pre-organization certificate or subscription, transferable share, investment contract, voting-trust certificate, certificate of deposit for a security, fractional undivided interest in oil, gas or other mineral
rights, or, in general, any interest or instrument commonly known as a “security,” or any certificate or interest or participation in temporary or interim certificate for, receipt for, guarantee of, or warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase (including options) any of the foregoing; except for the following: 1) securities issued by the government of the United States, 2) bankers’ acceptances, 3) bank certificates of deposit, 4) commercial paper, and 5) high quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements.
L. Securities Transaction : the purchase or sale, or any action to accomplish the purchase or sale, of a Security for an Employee Account. The term Securities Transaction does not include transactions executed by the Adviser for the benefit of unaffiliated persons, such as investment advisory and brokerage clients.
III. Personal Investment Guidelines and Standards of Conduct
A. Personal Accounts
1. The Personal Investment Guidelines in this Section III do not apply to Exempt Transactions unless the transaction involves a private placement or initial public offering. Employees must remember that regardless of the transaction’s status as exempt or not exempt, the Employee’s fiduciary obligations remain unchanged.
2. Any Securities Transactions in a private placement must be authorized by the Compliance Officer, in writing, prior to the transaction. The Pre Clearance Request Form for Limited Offerings and Initial Public Offerings should be completed. In connection with a private placement acquisition, the Compliance Officer will take into account, among other factors, whether the investment opportunity should be reserved for a client, and whether the opportunity is being offered to the Employee by virtue of the Employee’s position with the Adviser. If the private placement acquisition is authorized, the Compliance Officer shall retain a record of the authorization and the rationale supporting the authorization. Employees who have been authorized to acquire securities in a private placement will, in connection therewith, be required to disclose that investment if and when the Employee takes part in any subsequent investment in the same issuer. In such circumstances, the determination to purchase Securities of that issuer on behalf of a client will be subject to an independent review by personnel of the Adviser with no personal interest in the issuer.
In addition, Employees are prohibited from acquiring any Securities in an initial public offering without the prior written approval of the Compliance Officer. The Pre Clearance Request Form for Limited Offerings and Initial Public Offerings should be completed. This restriction is imposed in order to preclude any possibility of an Employee profiting improperly from the Employee’s position with the Adviser. If the initial public offering is authorized, the Compliance Officer shall retain a record of the authorization and the rationale supporting the authorization.
3. Effective retroactively to the date of ResQ Investment Partners, LLC’s initial Code of Ethics adopted at the compliance meeting held on February 19, 2015, employees are free to trade stock securities, bond securities and open-end mutual funds, with the exception of the ResQ Income Fund and the ResQ Dynamic Allocation Fund (ResQ Funds), which require pre-clearance from the Compliance Officer before trading. The pre-clearance requirement is waived for trades in the ResQ Strategic Income Fund and the ResQ Dynamic Allocation Fund for participants in the ResQ Investment Partners 401(k) Plan, or trades pursuant to a dollar cost averaging plan through a
custodian, due to the status of both as automatic investment plans. Employees are prohibited from acquiring any new ETF Securities.
B. Gifts, Gratuities and Entertainment
No Advisory Employee shall, directly or indirectly, give or permit to be given anything of value (including gratuities) in excess of $100 per individual per year where such payment or gratuity is in relation to the business of the Adviser. This limitation does not include customary business entertainment, such as dinners or sporting events, where the Advisory Employee is the host of the dinner or event. Gifts of tickets to sporting events or similar gifts where an Advisory Employee does not accompany the client are subject to the $100 limits cited above.
Any gift to a client or prospective client by an Advisory Employee must be pre-approved by the Chief Compliance Officer. Documentation of the request for pre-approval and the approval granted by the Chief Compliance Officer must be maintained by the Chief Compliance Officer.
Annually, in January, all supervised persons must complete and submit a Gift & Entertainment Reporting Form to the CCO for the prior calendar year for any gifts and expenses that are not already reported on expense reports. Supervised persons should maintain a current and accurate log of all gifts given or received and all entertainment given or received that exceeds $50 that are not already reported on expense reports to ensure accurate reporting in January. The CCO is responsible for reviewing all Gift & Entertainment Reporting Forms and taking appropriate actions.
C. Outside Business Activities and Disciplinary Action
Supervised persons are prohibited from serving on the boards of directors of publicly traded companies, absent prior authorization by the Compliance Officer. The consideration of prior authorization will be based upon a determination that the board service will be consistent with the interests of clients. In the event that board service is authorized, supervised persons serving as directors will be isolated from other supervised persons making investment decisions with respect to the securities of the company in question. No outside employment or business activity will be approved which might pose or create the appearance of a conflict of interest, or might otherwise interfere with the supervised person’s regular duties or working effectiveness.
As a supervised person of a registered investment adviser, you may be barred or otherwise disqualified from working for or associating with the Adviser depending on your current or past involvement in certain types of regulatory or legal proceedings. Consequently, all supervised persons are required to promptly notify the CCO of any criminal and other legal proceedings or investigations in which he/she may have been involved or may currently be involved or subject to.
In addition, supervised persons (including partners) are required to complete and submit an Outside Business Activity and Disciplinary Action Disclosure Form to the CCO on an annual basis.
D. Insider Trading Prohibition
In accordance with Section 204A of the Advisers Act, The Adviser strictly prohibits its from trading personally or on behalf of others, directly or indirectly, based on material, non-public, or confidential information. The Adviser additionally prohibits the communication of
material non-public information to others in violation of the law. If you become aware of the misuse of material nonpublic information by an employee of The Adviser, you are required to report such to the Compliance Officer promptly.
The SEC defines material by saying that “Information is material if ‘there is a substantial likelihood that a reasonable investor would consider it important’ in making an investment decision.” Information is nonpublic if it has not been disseminated in a manner making it available to investors generally.
If you come into possession of material non-public information, you must report such to the Compliance Officer, refrain from disclosing such information to anyone else at The Adviser or outside of the firm, and refrain from disclosing or issuing a recommendation that is based in whole or in part on that material non-public information. Please keep in mind that The Adviser’s policy with respect to Insider Trading applies to all situations where material, non-public information is received by a supervised person of The Adviser regardless of the source of that information (i.e., it does not matter whether the tipper is an “Insider” or if you obtained the information by overhearing a conversation to which you were not a party).
Upon notification, the Compliance Officer will determine an appropriate course of action to take based on the facts and circumstances of the situation, which may include a firm-wide prohibition on trading securities of, or related to, the issuer for client or personal accounts, a Restricted List, or heightened monitoring of internal and external communications. Any further dissemination of material non-public information may only be made to a party with a valid business reason for their need to know such information and only after obtaining approval from the Compliance Officer.
Additionally, it is the SEC’s position that the term “material nonpublic information” relates not only to information about issuers but also to an investment adviser’s securities recommendations to its clients and to clients’ securities holdings and transactions. This type of material nonpublic information does not need to be reported to the Compliance Officer, however, you should always treat such information as material and nonpublic, the dissemination of which or taking inappropriate advantage of would most likely cause substantial harm to clients.
E. Misleading Rumors
No person associated with the Adviser shall originate, or circulate in any manner outside the Adviser, a rumor concerning any security that such person knows or has reasonable grounds for believing is false or misleading and is likely to influence the market price of such security. A statement will not be considered a “rumor” if it is an expression of an individual or firm’s opinion, such as an analyst’s view of the prospects of a company.
F. | Political Contributions and Other Payments (“Pay to Play Rule” that applies to Contributions made by the Firm or a Firm Employee) |
Employees are prohibited from making political contributions for the purpose of obtaining or retaining advisory contracts with government entities. Furthermore, in no event may payment of anything of value be offered, promised or made to any government, government entity, government official, candidate for political office, political party or official of a political party (including any possible intermediary for any of the above) for the purposes of receiving favorable treatment or influencing any act or decision by any such person, organization or government for the benefit of the Adviser.
G. Other Ethical Matters
In addition to the General Principles, all supervised persons of the Adviser are expressly prohibited from:
• | “Front running” a client trade in their personal account or in an account belonging to the Adviser; |
• | “Piggy backing” a trade placed by a client in their advisory account in other advisory clients’ accounts, without having a separate reasonable basis for recommending such a transaction; |
• | Placing a client trade order based on rumors or engaging in rumormongering; |
• | Making a claim about an investment product unless that claim can be substantiated; |
• | Guaranteeing profit or protection from loss to any third-party; |
• | Representing the Adviser or taking any action on behalf of the Adviser in any transaction where you have a material connection or financial interest unless pre-approved by the Compliance Officer, including, but not limited to, the recommendation or implementation of a securities transaction for an advisory client; |
• | Without prior approval of the Compliance Officer, serving as executor, administrator, trustee, guardian, custodian, or in any other fiduciary capacity, whether for a fee or not, except for persons related to you by blood or marriage; and |
• | Borrowing money from an advisory client of the Adviser unless such borrowing is from a bank or other financial institution made in the ordinary course of business on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with members of the general public and does not involve more than the normal risk of repayment or include other unfavorable features. |
IV. Compliance Procedures
A. Employee Disclosure
1. Within ten (10) days of commencement of employment with the Adviser, each Employee must certify that he or she has read and understands this Code and recognizes that he or she is subject to it, and must disclose the following information as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the date the person became an Employee: a) the title, type, CUSIP or ticker symbol, number of shares and principal amount of each Security in which the Employee has a Beneficial Interest when the person became an Employee, b) the name of any broker/dealer with whom the Employee maintained an account when the person became an Employee, and c) the date the report is submitted.
2. Annually or when amended, each Employee must certify that he or she has read and understands this Code and any amendment, and recognizes that he or she is subject to it, that he or she has complied with the requirements of this Code and has disclosed or reported all personal Securities Transactions required to be disclosed or reported pursuant to the requirements
of this Code. In addition, each Employee shall annually provide the following information (as of a date no more than 45 days before the report is submitted): a) the title, type, CUSIP or ticker symbol, number of shares and principal amount of each Security in which the Employee had any Beneficial Interest, b) the name of any broker, dealer or bank with whom the Employee maintains an account in which any Securities are held for the direct or indirect benefit of the Employee, and c) the date the report is submitted.
B. Compliance
1. All Employees must request and authorize their broker, dealer, mutual fund, and bank custodians to send duplicate account statements and trade confirmations for all securities accounts, over which they have any direct or indirect influence or control and which hold securities for their direct or indirect benefit, to the Adviser. All access persons are also responsible for ensuring that their broker, dealer, mutual fund or bank has appropriate directions on file to ensure that the Adviser receives duplicate trade confirmations and account statements. Transactions in securities that are not effected in such accounts (e.g., private placements) must be manually reported on a Quarterly Transaction Report Form. The CCO will notify access persons if duplicate trade confirmations and/or statements are not being received or are no longer being received. All Employees must certify that he or she has reported all transactions required to be disclosed pursuant to the requirements of this Code. The report will also identify any trading account, in which the Employee has a direct or indirect Beneficial Interest, established during the quarter with a broker, dealer or bank.
2. The Compliance Officer will, on a quarterly basis, check the trading account statements provided by brokers to verify that the Employee has not violated the Code. The Compliance Officer shall identify all Employees, inform those persons of their reporting obligations, and maintain a record of all current and former access persons.
3. If an Employee violates this Code, the Compliance Officer will report the violation to the Board of each Fund for appropriate remedial action which, in addition to the actions specifically delineated in other sections of this Code, may include a reprimand of the Employee, or suspension or termination of the Employee’s relationship with the Fund and/or the Adviser.
4. All new employees, officers, directors, and supervised persons of the Adviser are required to read this manual as part of the Adviser’s orientation procedures and are required to comply with all provisions contained within. Periodically, the CCO will distribute copies of amendments to the manual that all employees are also required to read and abide by. All employees are required to certify their review and understanding of the contents of this manual and their agreement to abide by it by signing the Initial/Annual Compliance Program Certification Form. The certification will be required upon initial hiring, any time material amendments are made to the policies and procedures, and annually thereafter.
Disclosure of Portfolio holdings
Policy: The holdings of advisory clients, including mutual fund clients, are confidential and should not be disclosed or distributed except as authorized in this policy. Complete mutual fund holdings are available to all shareholders and other interested parties in the annual and semi-annual reports of the Funds, which are sent to shareholders within 60 days of the end of the second and fourth fiscal quarters and which are filed with the SEC on Form N-CSR within 70 days of the end of the second and fourth fiscal quarters. A mutual fund also is required to file a schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC on Form N-Q within 60 days of the end of the first and third fiscal quarters. A mutual fund must provide a copy of the complete schedule of portfolio holdings as filed with the SEC to any shareholder of the fund, upon request, free of charge. Additionally, the Adviser, and any affiliated persons of the Adviser, is prohibited from receiving compensation or other consideration, for themselves or on behalf of the fund, as a result of disclosing the fund’s portfolio holdings.
Procedure: If the Adviser wishes to release portfolio holdings information on an ad hoc or special basis, it must submit any proposed arrangement to the Board of Trustees/Directors of the any mutual fund client, which will review such arrangement to determine whether it is (i) in the best interests of fund shareholders, (ii) whether the information will be kept confidential (iii) whether sufficient protections are in place to guard against personal trading based on the information and (iv) whether the disclosure presents a conflict of interest between the interests of fund shareholders and those of the Adviser, or any affiliated person of the Fund or the Adviser.
Responsible Party: Chief Compliance Officer
Swan Capital Management, LLC
I. CODE OF ETHICS
A. Introduction
1. Purpose
The Company has adopted the policies and procedures described in this section of the Manual (the “Code of Ethics” or “Code”) in an effort to maintain a policy of strict compliance with the highest standards of ethical business conduct and the provisions of applicable laws, including state and federal securities laws and regulations. Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act") requires investment advisors to mutual funds to adopt a written Code of Ethics and to report any material compliance violations. Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (collectively, the “Rules”), require the Company to adopt a code of ethics containing provisions reasonably necessary to prevent Access Persons (as defined below) from engaging in any act, practice or course of business prohibited by the Rules.
“Access Person” means (i) all management personnel (officers, directors and partners) of the Company, and (ii) any other Employee of the Company who has access to information regarding the purchase or sale of securities by the Company or the portfolio holdings of any of its Clients, or who is involved in making recommendations with respect to purchases or sales of securities. [To simplify operations and administration as well as enforce a more strict level of compliance, the Company chooses to treat all Employees as Access Persons for the purpose of this Code.]
This Code is predicated on the principle that the Company owes a fiduciary duty to its Clients. Every fiduciary has the duty and a responsibility to act in the utmost good faith and in the best interests of the Client and to always place the Client’s interests first and foremost. Accordingly, the Company’s Employees must avoid activities, interests and relationships that run contrary (or appear to run contrary) to the best interests of Clients.
In addition, this Code of Ethics has been adopted to ensure that Employees who have knowledge of the portfolio transactions will not be able to act thereon to the disadvantage of the Company or its Clients. It is the responsibility of each Employee to understand the various laws applicable to such Employee, and to conduct personal securities transactions in a manner that does not interfere with the transactions of the Company or its Clients, or otherwise take unfair advantage of the Company or its Clients.
The Code does not address every possible situation that may arise, consequently, every Employee is responsible for exercising good judgment, applying ethical principles, and
bringing violations or potential violations of the Code of Ethics to the attention of the CCO. Any questions regarding the Company’s Code of Ethics should be referred to the CCO.
2. | Administration of Code |
The CCO shall be responsible for all aspects of administering, and all interpretive issues arising under, this Code. The CCO is responsible for considering any requests for exceptions to, or exemptions from, the Code. Any exceptions to, or exemptions from, the Code shall be subject to such additional procedures, reviews and reporting as may be deemed appropriate by the CCO.
On an annual basis, the CCO shall prepare a written report describing any issues arising under the Code of Ethics or procedures, including information about any material violations of the Code of Ethics or its underlying procedures and any sanctions imposed due to such violations and submit the information for review by the Board; and
On an annual basis, the CCO shall certify to the Board of Trustees that it has adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent its Access Persons from violating the Code of Ethics.
3. | Recordkeeping Requirements |
The Company shall maintain the following records at its principal place of business:
· | a copy of each Code in effect during the past five years; |
· | a record of any violation of the Code and any action taken as a result of the violation for at least five years after the end of the fiscal year in which the violation occurs; |
· | a copy of each personal trading report required by this Code; |
· | a record of all persons required to make reports currently and during the past five years; |
· | a record of all persons who are or were responsible for reviewing these reports during the past five years; and |
· | a record of any decision and the reasons supporting that decision, to approve an person’s purchase of securities in an initial public offering or private placement, for at least five years after approval. |
Please see Section V for more information on the Company’s recordkeeping requirements.
4. | Condition of Employment or Service with the Company |
This Code of Ethics applies to each Employee of the Company. Employees shall read and understand this Code and uphold the standards in the Code in their day-to-day activities at the Company. Compliance with the Code shall be a condition of employment or continued affiliation with the Company and conduct not in accordance herewith shall constitute grounds for sanctions (including, without limitation, reprimands, restrictions on activities, disgorgement, termination of employment, or removal from office). Each Employee shall sign the acknowledgement form attached to the manual as Exhibit A indicating his or her receipt and understanding of, and agreement to comply with this Code. Such signed acknowledgement should be returned to the CCO and may be submitted electronically.
B. Standards of Conduct
1. Employee Conduct
The following general principles should guide the individual conduct of each Employee:
· | Employees will not take any action that will violate any applicable laws or regulations, including all federal securities laws. |
· | Employees will adhere to the highest standards of ethical conduct. |
· | Employees will maintain the confidentiality of all information obtained in the course of employment with the Company. |
· | Employees will bring any issues reasonably believed to place the Company at risk to the attention of the CCO. |
· | Employees will not abuse or misappropriate the Company’s or any Client’s assets or use them for personal gain. |
· | Employees will disclose any activities that may create an actual or potential conflict of interest between the Employee, the Company and/or any Client. |
· | Employees will deal fairly with Clients and other Employees and will not abuse the Employee’s position of trust and responsibility with Clients or take inappropriate advantage of his or her position with the Company. |
· | Employees will comply with the Code of Ethics. |
2. | Falsification or Alteration of Records |
Falsifying or altering records or reports of the Company, preparing records or reports that do not accurately or adequately reflect the underlying transactions or activities of the Company or its Clients, or knowingly approving such conduct is prohibited. Examples of prohibited financial or accounting practices include:
· | Making false or inaccurate entries or statements in any Company or Client books, records, or reports that intentionally hide or misrepresent the true nature of a transaction or activity; |
· | Manipulating books, records, or reports for personal gain; |
· | Failing to maintain required books and records that completely, accurately, and timely reflect all business transactions; |
· | Maintaining any undisclosed or unrecorded Company or Client funds or assets; |
· | Using funds for a purpose other than the described purpose; |
· | Making a payment or approving a receipt with the understanding that the funds will be, or have been, used for a purpose other than what is described in the record of the transaction. |
3. | Competition and Fair Dealing |
The Company seeks to outperform its competition fairly and honestly. The Company seeks competitive advantages through superior performance, not through unethical or illegal business practices. Stealing proprietary information, possessing trade secret information obtained without the owner’s consent, or inducing such disclosures by past or present Employees of other companies is prohibited. Each Employee should endeavor to respect the rights of and deal fairly with the Company’s Clients, vendors, service providers, suppliers, and competitors. No Employee should take unfair advantage of anyone through manipulation, concealment, abuse of privileged information, misrepresentation of material facts, or any other intentional unfair dealing practice. Employees should not falsely disparage or make unfair negative comments about its competitors or their products and services. Negative public statements concerning the conduct or performance of any former Employee of the Company should also be avoided.
C. Prohibition Against Insider Trading
1. Company Policy
Investment advisers and their employees often have access to material information about a public company that has not been publicly disseminated. Federal and state securities laws generally make it unlawful for any person to trade in securities of a publicly-traded issuer while in possession of material, non-public information concerning such issuer or its securities. It is also unlawful to pass material, non-public information to others (a practice known as “tipping”). The persons covered by these restrictions are not only “insiders” of publicly-traded issuers, but also any other person who, under certain circumstances, learns of
material, non-public information about an issuer, such as attorneys, investment banking analysts and investment managers.
Violations of these restrictions have severe consequences for both the Company and its Employees. Trading on material, non-public information or communicating such information to others is punishable by imprisonment and criminal fines. In addition, employers may be subjected to liability for insider trading or tipping by Employees. Broker-dealers and investment advisors may be held liable for failing to take measures to deter securities laws violations where such failure is found to have substantially contributed to or permitted a violation.
In light of these rules, the Company has adopted the general policy, applicable to all Employees that an Employee may not trade in any Client or personal account in the securities of any publicly-traded issuer about which the Employee possesses material, non-public information, nor “tip” others about such information.
The laws of insider trading are continuously changing. You may legitimately be uncertain about the application of the rules contained in this Manual in a particular circumstance. Often, a single question can forestall disciplinary action or complex legal problems. You should notify the CCO immediately if you have any questions as to the propriety of any actions or about the policies and procedures contained herein.
2. | Explanation of Insider Trading |
The elements of insider trading and the penalties for such unlawful conduct are discussed below. If any Employee has any questions they should consult the CCO.
What is Material Information?
“Material information” is defined generally as information for which there is a substantial likelihood that a reasonable investor would consider it important in making his or her investment decisions, or information that is reasonably certain to have a substantial effect on the price of a company’s securities. Information that should be considered material includes, but is not limited to:
· | business combinations (such as mergers or joint ventures), |
· | changes in financial results, |
· | changes in dividend policy, |
· | changes in earnings estimates, |
· | significant litigation exposure, |
· | new product or service announcements, |
· | private securities offerings, |
· | plans for recapitalization, |
· | repurchase of shares or other reorganization plans |
· | antitrust charges, |
· | labor disputes, |
· | pending large commercial or government contracts, |
· | significant shifts in operating or financial circumstances (such as major write-offs and strikes at major plants), and |
· | extraordinary business or management developments (such as key personnel changes). |
Material information also may relate to the market for a company’s securities. Information about a significant order to purchase or sell securities may, in some contexts, be material. Prepublication information regarding reports in the financial press also may be material. For example, the United States Supreme Court upheld the criminal convictions of insider trading defendants who capitalized on prepublication information from The Wall Street Journal ’s “Heard on the Street” column.
No simple test exists to determine when information is material; assessments of materiality involve a highly fact-specific inquiry. If you are in receipt of non-public information that you believe is not material, you should confirm such determination with the CCO.
What is Non-Public Information?
Information is non-public until it has been effectively communicated to the market place. One must be able to point to some fact to show that the information is generally public. For example, information found in a report publicly filed with the SEC, or appearing in Dow Jones, Reuters Economic Services, The Wall Street Journal or other publications of general circulation would be considered public.
If the information is not available in the general media or in a public filing, it should be treated as non-public. If you are uncertain whether or not information is non-public, you should contact the CCO.
Specific Sources of Material Non-Public Information
Below is a list of potential sources of material, non-public information that Employees of the Company may periodically access. If an Employee accesses or utilizes any of these sources of information, whether in connection with their employment duties or otherwise, they should be particularly sensitive to the possibility of receiving material non-public information about a publicly-traded company, and immediately notify the CCO if they feel that they have received material non-public information. This list is provided for
general guidance and is not an exclusive list of all possible sources of material non-public information.
Contacts with Public Companies
Contacts with public companies represent an important part of the Company’s research efforts. The Company may make investment decisions on the basis of conclusions formed through such contacts and analysis of publicly-available information.
Employees must be especially alert to the potential for access to sensitive information during such contacts. Information received from company representatives during a conference call that is open to the investment community is public. The disclosure of this type of information is covered by SEC Regulation FD.
Difficult legal issues arise, however, when, in the course of contacts with public companies, you become aware of material, non-public information. This could happen, for example, if a company’s Chief Financial Officer prematurely discloses quarterly results to an analyst, or an investor relations representative makes a selective disclosure of adverse news to a handful of investors. In such situations, the Company must make a judgment as to its further conduct. To protect yourself, the Company and its Clients, you should contact the CCO immediately if you believe that you may have received material, non-public information.
All calls or meetings with any employee of a public company must be reported to the CCO prior to the meeting. To the extent that any meeting or contact is not open to the investment community, the CCO may require that an Employee issue a standard notification at the beginning of the meeting that they do not wish to receive non-public information. The CCO will maintain a list of all Company contacts with public companies.
Contacts with Research Consultants
Employees may wish to engage the services of a third party research firms (a “Consulting Service”), to assist in their research efforts. Generally, such Consulting Services provide access to experts (each a “Consultant”) across a variety of industries and disciplines. Employees must be especially alert to the potential for access to material non-public or confidential information during such contacts.
Any engagement of a new Consulting Service or Consultant must be pre-approved by the CCO. In addition, Employees must notify the CCO prior to each contact (whether a call or meeting) with any previously approved Consultant. The CCO will maintain a list of all Company contacts with Consultants.
The following guidelines apply to all Employee contacts with Consulting Services and Consultants:
· | Prior to any conversation with a Consultant, Employees must remind or inform such Consultant that (i) the Company invests in publicly-traded securities and (ii) neither the Company nor the Employee wish to receive material, non-public information or confidential information that the Consultant is under a duty, legal or otherwise, not to disclose. |
The consultant must acknowledge that he or she is unaware of any conflict with any law, regulation or duty owed to any person or entity that may arise by providing the Company or its Employees with his or her services, or inform the Employee or the Company otherwise.
· | If a Consultant inadvertently discloses material non-public information regarding any company, the Employee must contact the CCO immediately, who will determine if the company must be added to the Restricted List. |
· | The CCO or a designee may chaperone calls with Consultants. |
· | Employees may not discuss any company (public or private) with which a Consultant is affiliated, including but not limited to a director, trustee, officer, employee or any other known affiliation. |
· | Employees are reminded of their non-disclosure obligations regarding Company information contained in the Company’s Compliance Manual. |
Tender Offers
Tender offers represent a particular concern in the law of insider trading for two reasons: First, tender offer activity often produces extraordinary volatility in the price of the target company’s securities. Trading during this time period is more likely to attract regulatory attention (and produces a disproportionate percentage of insider trading cases). Second, the SEC has adopted a rule that expressly forbids trading and “tipping” while in possession of material, non-public information regarding a tender offer received from the tender offeror, the target company, or anyone acting on behalf of either. You should exercise particular caution any time you become aware of non-public information relating to a tender offer.
Directorships and Committee Memberships
An Employee of the Company may be a member of the Board of Directors, creditor’s committee or similar committee, group or informal organization of credit holders, or have similar status with a public issuer. Any such memberships must be reported to
the CCO immediately by completing Outside Business Activities questionnaire attached hereto as Exhibit C .
Confidentiality Agreements
The Company may enter into confidentiality agreements with issuers, their representatives, or third party firms relating to the evaluation of a potential transaction in an issuer’s securities. All confidentiality agreements must be approved by the CCO prior to execution. Confidentiality agreements generally require the Company to maintain information received thereunder in confidence, but may also contain other provisions such as restrictions on trading, restrictions on use of the information or a requirement to destroy or return such information. Employees should be particularly sensitive to information they receive pursuant to a confidentiality agreement as such information is likely to be material non-public information. Employees should also be knowledgeable regarding any restrictions or representations with respect to such information contained in a confidentiality agreement so as to avoid a breach thereunder. If you are uncertain as to your rights and obligations under a confidentiality agreement, please contact the CCO.
Market Rumors
Creating or spreading a rumor that is known to be untrue with the intent of affecting the market price of a security could constitute an unlawful attempt to manipulate market prices and should be avoided at all times. In addition, making investment decisions or otherwise acting on information received as a market rumor can carry significant risk for the Company and the Employee, given the inherent lack of certainty that a market rumor is accurate and/or does not constitute material non-public information. Employees should contact the CCO prior to acting on or sharing any information received as a market rumor.
Penalties for Insider Trading
You may face severe penalties if you trade securities while in possession of material, non-public information, or if you improperly communicate non-public information to others. The consequences to you of illegal insider trading may include:
· | The Company may terminate your employment. |
· | You may be subject to criminal sanctions which may include a fine of up to $1,000,000 and/or up to ten years imprisonment. |
· | The SEC can recover your profits gained or losses avoided through illegal trading, and a penalty of up to three times the profit from the illegal trades. |
· | The SEC may issue an order permanently barring you from the securities industry. |
· | You may be sued by investors seeking to recover damages for insider trading violations. |
Insider trading laws provide for penalties for “controlling persons” of individuals who commit insider trading. Accordingly, under certain circumstances, a supervisor of an employee who is found liable for insider trading may also be subject to penalties.
The Company could be subject to the following penalties in the event an Employee is found liable for insider trading:
· | Civil penalties of up to the greater of $1 million or three times the amount of profits gained or losses avoided by an Employee; |
· | Criminal fines of up to $2.5 million per violation; and |
· | Restrictions on the Company’s ability to conduct certain of its business activities. |
3. | Compliance Procedures |
The following procedures have been established to aid Employees in addressing situations where they have access to material non-public information relating to any company. Each Employee must follow these procedures or risk serious sanctions, including dismissal, substantial personal liability and criminal penalties.
Identifying Material Non-public Information
Before executing any trade for yourself or others, including Client accounts, you must determine whether you have access to material, non-public information. Ask yourself the following questions:
· | Is the information material? Is this information that an investor would consider important in making his or her investment decisions? Is this information that would substantially affect the market price of the securities if disclosed? |
· | Is the information non-public? To whom has this information been provided? Has the information been effectively communicated to the marketplace by appearing in publications of general circulation? Is the information already available to a significant number of other traders in the market? |
If after consideration of the foregoing you believe that the information is material and non-public, or if you have questions as to whether the information is material and non-public, you should take the following steps:
· | Report the matter immediately to the CCO. |
· | Do not purchase or sell the securities on behalf of yourself or others, including any Client account. |
· | Do not communicate the information within or outside of the Company other than to the CCO and other persons who “need to know” such information in order to perform their job responsibilities at the Company. |
Upon the determination by the CCO that the information received is material and non-public, you should complete a Restricted List Addition Form in the form of Exhibit J and return it to the CCO. The CCO will promptly add the name to the Company Restricted List (defined below).
Restricted List
Receipt by the Company or an Employee of material non-public information, as well as certain transactions in which the Company may engage, may require, for either business or legal reasons, that Client accounts or personal accounts of Employees do not trade in the subject securities for specified time periods. Any such security will be designated as “restricted.” The CCO will determine which securities are restricted, will maintain a list (the “Restricted List”) of such securities and will deny permission to effect transactions in Client or Employee personal accounts in securities on the Restricted List. The CCO will periodically disseminate the Restricted List to all Employees as it is updated. No Employee may engage in any trading activity, whether for a Client account or a personal account, with respect to a security while it is on the Restricted List. Restrictions with regard to designated securities are also considered to extend to options, rights or warrants relating to those securities and any securities convertible into those securities.
The CCO or designee will be responsible for determining whether to remove a particular company from the Restricted List. The Employee requesting the removal of an issuer from the Restricted List shall complete a Restricted List Deletion Form in the form of Exhibit K and return it to the CCO.
The Restricted List is confidential and may not be disseminated outside the Company.
Confidentiality of Material Non-Public Information
Communications
Information in your possession that you identify as material and non-public may not be communicated to anyone, including any person within the Company other than the CCO and those persons who “need to know” such information in order to perform their job responsibilities at the Company.
Information Handling
Employees should take all appropriate actions to safeguard any material, non-public information in their possession. Care should be taken that such information is secure at all times. For example, do not leave documents or papers containing material, non-public information on your desks or otherwise for people to see, access to files containing material, non-public information and computer files containing such information should be restricted, and conversations containing such information, if appropriate at all, should be conducted in private.
You may not make unauthorized copies of material, non-public information. Additionally, you must ensure the disposal of any material, non-public information in your possession is authorized (for example, material, nonpublic information obtained pursuant to a confidentiality agreement may be required to be returned in certain circumstances). Upon termination of your employment with the Company, you must return to the Company any material, non-public information (and all copies thereof in any media) in your possession or under your control.
D. Personal Securities Transactions
1. General
The Company has adopted the following general principles governing personal investment activities by Company personnel:
2. | Restrictions and Limitations on Personal Securities Transactions |
The following restrictions and limitations govern investments and personal securities transactions by all Employees:
Pre-Clearance Procedures
The Company is an asset manager that uses only ETFs, Options on ETFs and mutual funds. Publically traded stocks are not part of the portfolio investment strategy and the company does not participate in stock analysis, stock selection or stock investing. The
Company generally restricts Employees from investing in the same securities as invested in client accounts.
Employees must obtain approval from the CCO prior to executing a non-exempt securities transaction in any Reportable Brokerage Account (defined below) by submitting a pre-clearance form in the form of Exhibit L . [1] All approved securities transactions must be executed on the same day that the pre-clearance is obtained. Post-approval of personal securities transactions is not permitted. Any employee who fails to obtain trade-preclearance as set forth in this personal trading policy will have a record of such occurrence recorded. Based on the severity and quantity of occurrences, consequences could include but are not limited to a formal write up by the CCO or termination of employment.
Actions that occur without the direction of the Employee will be exempt from these requirements (option expiration, called bond, converted security, etc.).
The securities below are exempt from the above pre-clearance requirement:
· | Money-market funds; |
· | Open-end mutual funds (other than Reportable Funds as defined in the Advisers Act); |
· | Exchange traded funds; |
· | Bankers acceptances, bank CDs, commercial paper and high quality short-term debt instruments; |
· | Unit investment trusts; |
· | Brokerage certificates of deposit; |
· | Direct obligations of the U.S. government (U.S. Treasury securities); |
· | Transactions through an established Automatic Investment Plan; |
· | Any Security not traded in the Swan DRS strategy or owned by any Swan Client and managed by the Company. |
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. An Automatic Investment plan includes a dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP).
Under the ICA, reportable Funds are (i) any fund for which the Company serves as an investment adviser or (ii) any fund whose investment adviser or principal underwriter controls the Employee or is under common control with the Employee.
Restricted List
No Employee personal securities transactions will be permitted in any security that is currently on the Company’s Restricted List. All Employee personal securities transactions are subject to monitoring in order to ascertain any pattern of conduct which may evidence use of material non-public information obtained in the course of their employment.
Participation in IPOs and Secondary Offerings
No Employee may acquire any security in an initial public offering (IPO) or secondary public offering without the prior approval of the CCO.
Private Placements
Private placements of any kind (including, but not limited to, limited partnership investments, limited liability companies, hedge funds, private equity funds, PIPEs, real estate, oil and gas partnerships and venture capital investments) may only be acquired with pre-approval of the CCO, and, if approved, will be subject to monitoring for possible future conflicts. A request for approval of a private placement must be submitted in advance of the proposed date of investment by completing an Outside Business Activities Disclosure Form attached hereto in Exhibit C .
Prohibition Against Front Running
The Company has established a policy that its Employees shall not execute a personal transaction in a security if an order for a Client account for the same security, same way, at the same price (whether limit or market order) remains unexecuted. Such restriction shall be effective for [four] trading days before and after any such Client account.
Each Employee is prohibited from buying or selling for either a Client account or an Employee personal account (i) an option while in possession of non-public information concerning a block transaction by a Client account in the underlying stock, or (ii) an underlying security while in possession of non-public information concerning a block transaction by a Client account in an option covering that security (the “inter-market front running”). This prohibition extends to trading in stock index options and stock index futures while in possession of non-public information concerning a block transaction in a component stock of an index.
3. | Reportable Accounts |
All Employees must provide to the CCO a written or electronic disclosure in the form Exhibit D certifying all Reportable Brokerage Accounts within 10 days after first becoming an Employee and thereafter upon establishing any new Reportable Brokerage Account. For the purposes of this Manual, Reportable Brokerage Accounts include any personal brokerage account over which the Employee has control or discretionary trading authority and that has the capability to hold or trade individual securities (stocks, bonds, options etc.). The following types of accounts are NOT considered Reportable Brokerage Accounts and are not reportable:
· | Any personal brokerage account over which the Employee has no control or discretionary trading authority, including any Managed Accounts (as defined below); |
A Managed Account is a brokerage account that meets the following criteria:
· | the account is managed by a third party investment manager; and |
· | the Employee has no power to control or influence investment decisions in the account. |
A Managed Account held by an Employee will be exempted from trade pre-clearance and ongoing reporting requirements of this Code. The Employee will be required to report the account to the CCO and provide a letter signed by the investment manager on the manager’s letterhead that the above criteria will be met or alternatively, may provide a copy of the investment advisory agreement or contract.
4. | Investment Reporting |
Holdings Reports
All Employees must certify their personal securities holdings via the Initial Holdings Report in the form of Exhibit E within 10 days after first becoming an Employee. The information contained in the Initial Holdings Report must be current as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the date the person becomes an Employee.
Additionally, Employees must submit an Annual Holdings Report in the form of Exhibit E by January 31 of each year, provided, however , that an Employee need not submit an Annual Holdings Report if the information reported therein would be duplicative of information contained in broker trade confirmations, notices or advices or account statements received by the Company. The information contained in the Annual Holdings Report must be current as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the date the Annual Holdings Report is submitted.
A report must be submitted even if no purchases or sales of securities were made during the period covered by the report.
Transactions Reports
Employees must file a written or electronic Quarterly Trade Report in the form of Exhibit F within 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter that identifies all transaction made during the quarter, provided, however , that an Employee need not submit a Quarterly Trade Report if the information reported therein would be duplicative of information contained in broker trade confirmations, notices or advices or account statements received by the Company.
A Quarterly Trade Report must be submitted even if no purchases or sales of securities were made during the period covered by the report.
5. | Review |
The CCO shall be responsible for (i) notifying Employees of their reporting obligations under this Code and (ii) reviewing the reports submitted by each Employee under this Code. The CCO may assign the review of Employee reports to a designee, however, no person shall be allowed to review or approve his or her own reports, and reports shall be reviewed by the CCO or other officer who is senior to the person submitting the report. The CCO shall maintain records of all reports filed pursuant to these procedures.
All Employee personal securities transactions are subject to monitoring in order to ascertain any patterns of conduct which may evidence conflicts with the principles of this Manual, including patterns of front-running or other inappropriate behavior.
E. Political Contributions
1. Company Contributions
Firm funds or gifts may not be furnished, directly or indirectly, to a government official, government employee or politician for the purpose of obtaining or maintaining business on behalf of the Firm. Such conduct is illegal and may violate federal and state criminal laws. Assistance or entertainment provided to any government office should never, in form or substance, compromise the Firm’s arms-length business relationship with the government agency or official involved.
2. | Pay-to-Play |
Background
SEC Rule 206(4)-5 prohibits "pay-to-play" practices by investment advisers that seek to provide investment advisory services to government entities (i.e., any state or political subdivision of a state, including: any agency, authority or instrumentality of the state, a pool of assets sponsored or established by the state, a plan or program of a government
entity; and officers, agents, or employees of the state acting in their official capacity). The rule applies to government assets managed by the Company, whether in a separate account or a pooled investment vehicle. Rule 206(4)-5 prohibits:
· | An adviser's receipt of compensation from a government entity for two years following any contribution by the adviser or certain of its personnel (“covered associates”), to certain officials (“covered official”) of a government entity; |
· | Payments by an adviser or any covered associate to third-party solicitors or placement agents for their solicitation of government entities unless the third party solicitor is a registered representative of a broker-dealer or registered investment adviser subject to pay-to-play regulations; and |
· | An adviser and its covered associates from soliciting or coordinating contributions for an official of a government entity to which the adviser is seeking to provide advisory services, or payments to a political party of a state or locality where any adviser is providing or seeking to provide advisory services to a government entity. |
The rule also prohibits acts done indirectly, which, if done directly, would result in a violation of the rule and includes increased recordkeeping requirements regarding political contributions made by its covered associates.
The look back provisions of the rule require an investment adviser to look back in time to determine whether it will be subject to any business restrictions under the rule when employing or engaging a person who would be considered a covered associate due to such person’s triggering contribution to an official of a government entity. The two year time out is not triggered by a contribution made by a natural person more than 6 months prior to becoming a covered associate, unless he or she, after becoming a covered associate, solicits Clients. As a result, the full two year look back applies only to covered associates who solicit for the Company.
Definitions
A contribution means any gift, subscription, loan, advance, or deposit of money or anything of value made for:
· | The purpose of influencing any election for federal, state or local office; |
· | The payment of debt incurred in connection with any such election; or |
· | Transition or inaugural expenses incurred by the successful candidate for state or local office. |
This includes not only monetary contributions, but also in-kind contributions such as payment for services or use of facilities, personnel or other resources to benefit any federal, state or local candidate campaign, political party committee, or other political committee or political organization exempt from federal income taxes under Section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code (such as the Republican or Democratic Governors Association), or the inaugural committee or transition team of a successful candidate.
Volunteer services provided to a campaign by Employees on their own personal time are not treated as contributions.
A covered associate includes any of the following:
· | The Company’s general partners, executive officers or other individuals with a similar status or function; |
· | Any Employees who solicits government entities for the Company and any person who supervises, directly or indirectly, such Employee; and |
· | Any political action committee controlled by the investment adviser or its covered associates. |
A covered official is a person (including any election committee for the person) who was, at the time of the contribution, an incumbent, candidate or successful candidate of a government entity, if the official can (1) directly or indirectly influence the governmental entity’s selection of an investment adviser; or (2) has the authority to appoint an official with such influence. This could cover state or local officials who are running for federal office.
A government entity is defined as any state and local governments and political subdivisions thereof, including their agencies and instrumentalities and pools of assets sponsored or established by the foregoing (such as public pension funds and participant-directed investment programs for the benefit of the public ( e.g. , 529 college tuition savings programs) or government Employees ( e.g. , 403(b) and 457 retirement plans)).
Compliance Procedures
The following procedures will apply to political contributions by the Company and its Employees:
· | all contemplated contributions to a political candidate (including federal, state, local or PACs) by any Employee will require pre-clearance from the CCO by submitting a pre-clearance form in the form of [Exhibit] H ; |
· | coordination of, or solicitation by, the Company of political contributions to a government official, or payment to a political party of a state or locality, will not be permitted; |
· | newly hired or promoted Employees who will be considered covered associates will be required to disclose any political contributions made in the past two years to determine if the look back provisions will apply by completing and submitting a New Employee Political Contribution Declaration Form attached hereto as [Exhibit] I ; and |
· | any new relationships with third-party solicitors will require pre-approval from the CCO. |
In addition, the CCO may require periodic certifications from Employees that they have not made any political contributions in violation of the Company’s policy.
Exemptions
De Minimis Contributions
Although all contributions by Employees must be pre-approved, contributions to any state or local candidate or official which are less than the statutory de minimis amounts will be approved. Contributions will be approved if:
· | the Employee is entitled to vote for the candidate and the contribution does not exceed $350 per election; or |
· | the Employee is not entitled to vote for the candidate and the contribution does not exceed $150 per election. |
Other Limited Exemptions
Pursuant to the “returned contribution” exception, if a covered associate of an adviser makes a contribution that triggers the two-year time-out period solely because he or she was not entitled to vote for the official at the time of the contribution, the Company can effectively undo the contribution under very narrow circumstances. To be eligible for the returned contribution exception,
· | the contribution had to be less than $350, |
· | the Company must have discovered the contribution within four months of the date of such contribution, and |
· | the Company must cause the contributor to re-collect the contribution within 60 days after the Company discovers the contribution. |
The specificity of the requirements significantly limits the availability of the exception. Further, an adviser with less than 50 employees can only rely on the returned contribution exception twice in a 12-month period (three times for advisers with more than 50 employees) and an adviser can never use the returned contribution exception for the same covered associate twice.
In addition, Rule 206(4)-5 allows an adviser to apply for an order exempting it from the two-year time-out requirement in the event of an inadvertent violation that falls outside of the exceptions set forth above when, according to the SEC, the imposition of the time-out provision is unnecessary to achieve the Rule’s intended purpose.
Record-keeping
Rule 206(4)-5 also requires the Company to keep records of contributions made by the Company and its covered associates to government officials and candidates, payments to state or political parties and PACs, a list of its covered associates and government entities that invest or have invested in the past five years with the Company or a pooled investment vehicle managed by the Company. The Company must also maintain records of the names and addresses of each regulated third party adviser or broker-dealer to whom the Company provides payment for the solicitation of a government entity.
F. Conflicts of Interest
1. General
Under Section 206 of the Advisers Act, the duty of the Company to refrain from fraudulent conduct includes an obligation to disclose material facts to its Clients whenever the failure to do so would defraud any Client or prospective client. The Company’s duty to disclose material facts is particularly pertinent whenever the Company is in a situation involving a conflict or potential conflict of interest with a Client. The type of disclosure required by the Company in such a situation will depend upon all the facts and circumstances, but as a general matter, the Company must disclose to Clients all material facts regarding the potential conflict of interest so that the Client can make an informed decision whether to enter into or continue an advisory relationship with the Company or whether to take some action to protect himself against the specific conflict of interest involved.
If any Employee is aware of a personal interest that is, or might be, in conflict with the interest of the Company or its Clients, that Employee shall disclose the situation or transaction and the nature of the conflict to the CCO for appropriate consideration.
Please see Section III for a complete discussion of the Company’s disclosure obligations on Form ADV.
2. | Investment Conflicts |
Employees who are planning to invest in or make a recommendation to invest in a security for any Client, and who have a material interest in the security or a related security, must first disclose such interest to the CCO. The CCO shall conduct an independent review of the recommendation to purchase the security for Clients and written evidence of such review shall be maintained by the CCO. Employees shall not fail to timely recommend a suitable security to, or purchase or sell of suitable security for, the Company in order to avoid an actual or apparent conflict with a personal transaction in a security.
3. | Prohibited Conduct with Clients |
It is a violation of an Employee’s duty of loyalty to the Company and its Clients for any Employee, without the prior written consent of the Compliance Officer, to:
· | rebate, directly or indirectly, to any person, firm, corporation or association, other than the Company, compensation of any nature as a bonus, commission, fee, gratuity or other consideration in connection with any transaction on behalf of the Company or a Client account; |
· | accept, directly or indirectly, from any person, firm, corporation or association, other than the Company, compensation of any nature as a bonus, commission, fee, gratuity or other consideration in connection with any transaction on behalf of the Company or a Client account; |
· | own any stock or have, directly or indirectly, any financial interest in any other organization engaged in any securities, financial or related business, except for a minority stock ownership or other financial interest in any business which is publicly-owned; or |
· | borrow money from any of the Company’s suppliers or Clients; provided, however , that (i) the receipt of credit on customary terms in connection with the purchase of goods or services is not considered to be a borrowing within the foregoing prohibition and (ii) the acceptance of loans from banks or other financial institutions on customary terms to finance proper and usual activities, such as home mortgage loans, is permitted except where prohibited by law. |
4. | Outside Activities of Employees |
Policy
Employees are expected to devote their full professional time and efforts to the business of the Company and to avoid any activities that could present actual or perceived conflicts of interest.
Employees must obtain prior approval from the CCO for any outside activity that involves:
· | a time commitment that would prevent you from performing your duties for the Company; |
· | accepting a second job or part-time job of any kind or engaging in any other business outside of the Company; |
· | active participation in any business in the financial services industry or otherwise in competition with the Company; |
· | teaching assignments, lectures, public speaking, publication of articles, or radio or television appearances, or |
· | serving as a director, officer, general partner or trustee of, or as a consultant to, any business, corporation or partnership, including family owned businesses and charitable, non-profit and political organizations. |
Employees may not serve on the board of any company whose securities are publicly traded, or of any company in which the Company or any Client account owns securities, without the prior approval of the CCO. If such approval is granted, it may be subject to the implementation of appropriate procedures to isolate investment personnel serving as directors from making investment decisions for a Client account managed by the Company concerning the company in question.
Compliance Procedures
All outside activities conducted by an Employee must be approved prior to participation by the CCO or his/her designee by completing and submitting an Outside Business Activities questionnaire attached hereto as Exhibit C .
The CCO or his/her designee may require full details concerning the outside activity including the number of hours involved and any compensation to be received. In addition, in connection with any approval of an outside activity, such approval may, at the discretion of the CCO, be subject to certain conditions deemed necessary or appropriate to protect the interests of the Company or any Client.
In addition, to the extent that the Company files a Form U-4 for an Employee seeking to engage in an outside business activity, the Form U-4 will need to be updated to reflect the activity. Please see Section III for additional policies relating to the Form U-4.
5. | Gifts and Entertainment |
Policy
The Company recognizes the value of fostering good working relationships with individuals and firms doing business or seeking to do business with the Company. Subject to the guidelines below, Employees are permitted, on occasion, to accept gifts and invitations to attend entertainment events. However, Employees should always act in the best interests of the Company and its Clients and should avoid any activity that might create an actual or perceived conflict of interest or impropriety in the course of the Company’s business relationships. Employees should not accept any gifts or entertainment invitations that have the likelihood of influencing their decisions regarding the business transactions involving the Company. Employees should contact the CCO or his/her designee to discuss any offered activity or gift that may create such a conflict. The Company reserves the right to prohibit the acceptance or retention of a gift or offer of entertainment, regardless of value, as it may determine in its sole discretion.
Entertainment may include such events as meals, shows, concerts, theatre events, sporting events or similar types of entertainment. “Entertainment” also includes in-town and out-of-town trips and seminars where the service provider or counterparty offers to pay for items such as lodging, airfare, meals and/or event expenses. For the purposes hereof, a gift will be deemed to be of significant value if it exceeds $200.00 per gift from any person or entity doing business or seeking to do business with the Company and an entertainment event will be deemed to be of significant value if it exceeds $1,000.00 per event from any such person or entity. An entertainment event will only be deemed to be entertainment if a representative of the service provider or counterparty is also attending the event (otherwise, it will be deemed to be a gift). No gift or entertainment may be accepted or given, however, regardless of value, that has the likelihood of influencing, any business decision or relationship of the Company.
Compliance Procedures
The Company has adopted the following principles and procedures governing gifts and entertainment:
· | Any gifts or entertainment of significant value (as defined above) offered from an existing or prospective firm service provider or counterparty must be approved by the CCO via the form included in Exhibit M . |
· | Employees may not accept more than four gifts or attend more than four entertainment events per year, regardless of value, given or sponsored by the same person or entity without approval from the CCO via the form included in Exhibit M . |
· | Employees may not request or solicit gifts or particular entertainment events. |
· | No gift of cash or cash equivalents may be accepted. |
· | Items such as pens, coffee mugs or clothing items with a counterparty’s logo are excluded. |
G. Confidentiality and Privacy Policies
1. Company Information
The protection of confidential business information is vital to the interests and the success of the Company. Employees may not disclose to third parties, or use for his/her own personal benefit, any information regarding:
· | Advice by the Company to its Clients; |
· | Securities or other investment positions held by the Company or its Clients; |
· | Transactions on behalf of the Company or its Clients; |
· | The name, address or other personal identification information of Clients or investors; |
· | Personal financial information of Clients or investors, such as annual income, net worth or account information; |
· | Investment and trading systems, models, processes and techniques used by the Company; |
· | Company business records, Client files, personnel information, financial information, Client agreements, supplier agreements, leases, software, licenses, other agreements, computer files, business plans, analyses; |
· | Any other non-public information or data furnished to you by the Company or any Client or investor in connection with the business of the Company or such Client or investor; or |
· | Any other information identified as or which you may otherwise be obligated to keep confidential. |
The information described above is the property of the Company and should be kept strictly confidential. Employees may not disclose any such information to any third party without the permission of the CCO or another officer of the Company, except for a purpose properly related to the business of the Company or a Client of the Company (such as to a Client’s independent accountants or administrator) or as required by law.
2. | Client Information and Privacy Policy |
The Company is required by federal regulations to adopt certain procedures designed to protect all Client confidential and nonpublic information and to safeguard personal information contained in both paper and electronic records. The following policy (the “Privacy Policy”) is designed to meet the standards set forth in the federal regulations as well as the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Standards for Protection of Personal Information (to the extent that such standards are applicable). For purposes of this Privacy Policy, the term Client includes, where appropriate, investors in Funds managed by the Company.
Implementation
The Company is committed to (i) safekeeping personal information collected from potential, current and former Clients and (ii) safeguarding against the unauthorized acquisition or use of unencrypted data or encrypted electronic data regarding each Client. The proper handling of personal information is one of the Company’s highest priorities.
To this end, the CCO has been designated to implement, maintain, review and revise, as necessary, a comprehensive information security program. The primary objectives for the CCO is to identify and assess any and all reasonably foreseeable internal and external risks to the security, confidentiality and/or integrity of any electronic, paper or other records containing personal information, and to evaluate and improve, where necessary, the effectiveness of current safeguards for limiting such risks. To this end, the Company
· | employs ongoing Employee training, |
· | sets policy for Employees relating to the storage, access and transportation of Client records and personal information, |
· | reviews the scope of security measures at least annually, |
· | reasonably monitors its information systems, including for unauthorized use or access, and |
· | reasonably reviews and tests electronic encryption and other elements of its computer security system (including its secure user authentication protocols, secure access control measures and system security agent software). |
The CCO reviews all contractual relationships with third party service providers engaged by the Company to ensure adequate protections are in place with respect to the safeguarding of personal information.
Client Information
The Company collects and keeps only such information that is necessary for it to provide the services requested by its Clients and to administer its Clients’ business with the
Company. For instance, the Company may collect nonpublic personal information (such as name, address, social security number, assets, income, net worth, copies of financial documents and other information deemed necessary to evaluate the Client’s financial needs) from Clients when they complete a subscription or other form. The Company may also collect nonpublic personal information from Clients or potential clients as a result of transactions with the Company, its affiliates, its Clients or others (such information to include information received from outside vendors to complete transactions or to effect financial goals).
Sharing Information
The Company only shares the nonpublic personal information of its Clients with unaffiliated entities or individuals (i) as permitted by law and as required to provide services to the Company’s Clients, such as with representatives within our firm, securities clearing firms, insurance companies and other services providers of the Company, or (ii) to comply with legal or regulatory requirements. The Company may also disclose nonpublic personal information to another financial services provider in connection with the transfer of an account to such financial services provider. Further, in the normal course of business, the Company may disclose information it collects about Clients to entities or individuals that contract with the Company to perform servicing functions such as recordkeeping or computer-related services. Finally, the Company may make good faith disclosure of the nonpublic personal information of its Clients to regulators who have regulatory authority over the Company.
Companies hired to provide support services to the Company are not allowed to use personal information for their own purposes and are contractually obligated to maintain strict confidentiality. When the Company provides personal information to service providers, it requires these providers to agree to safeguard such information, to use the information only for the intended purpose and to abide by applicable law.
The Company does not (x) provide personally identifiable information to mailing list vendors or solicitors for any purpose or (y) sell information relating to its Clients to any outside third parties.
Employee Access to Information
Only Employees with a valid business reason have access to Clients’ personal information. These Employees are educated on the importance of maintaining the confidentiality and security of such information and are required to abide by the Company’s information handling practices. The Company employs reasonable procedures to prevent terminated Employees from accessing records containing personal information.
Protection of Information
The Company maintains security standards to protect Clients’ information, whether written, spoken, or electronic. To that end, the Company restricts access to nonpublic personal information to Company personnel who need to know such information in order to provide services to Clients. All electronic or computer files containing such information is password secured and firewall protected from access by unauthorized persons. The Company periodically updates and checks its systems to ensure the protection and integrity of information.
The Company also maintains reasonable restrictions upon physical access to records containing personal information, and stores such records in secure facilities.
Maintaining Accurate Information
The Company’s goal is to maintain accurate, up to date Client records in accordance with industry standards. The Company has procedures in place to keep information current and complete (including the timely correction of inaccurate information).
Should a Client send the Company a question or comment via e-mail, the Company will share the Client’s correspondence only with those Employees or agents most capable of addressing the Client’s question or concern. All written communications pertaining to such question or comment will be retained by the Company until such time as the Company believes (in its good faith judgment) that it has provided the Client with a complete and satisfactory response. After that time, the Company will either discard the communication or archive it according to the requirements of applicable securities laws.
Please note that, unless expressly advised otherwise, the Company’s e-mail facilities do not provide a means for completely secure and private communications. Although every attempt will be made to keep Client information confidential, from a technical standpoint, there is still a risk. For that reason, please do not use e-mail to communicate information to the Company that is considered to be confidential. If the Client wishes, communications with the Company may be conducted via telephone or by facsimile. Additional security is available to Clients if they equip their Internet browser with 128-bit “secure socket layer” encryption, which provides more secure transmissions.
Disclosure of Privacy Policy
The Company recognizes and respects the privacy concerns of its potential, current and former Clients. The Company is committed to safeguarding this information. As a member of the financial services industry, the Company provides this Privacy Policy for
informational purposes to Clients and Employees and will distribute and update it as required by law. The Privacy Policy is also available to upon request.
Violations
The Company imposes reasonable disciplinary measures, which may include termination, for violations of its Privacy Policy.