1933 Act File No. 333-186987
1940 Act File No. 811-22808
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-2
¨ REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
¨ PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. _
þ POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1
¨ REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
þ AMENDMENT NO. 4
PREDEX
Principal Executive Offices
17605 Wright Street, Suite 2
Omaha, NE 68130
(402) 493-4603
Agent for Service
The Corporation Trust Company
Corporation Trust Center
1209 Orange St.
Wilmington, DE 19801
Copies of information to:
JoAnn Strasser, Esq.
Thompson
Hine LLP
Columbus,
Ohio 43215
|
James Ash, Esq. Gemini Fund Services, LLC 80 Arkay Drive Hauppauge, NY 11788 (631) 470-2619 |
Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering:
As soon as practicable after the effective
date of this Registration Statement.
If any securities being registered on this form will be offered on a delayed or continuous basis in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered in connection with a dividend reinvestment plan, check the following box. þ
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check applicable box):
¨ when declared effective pursuant to section 8(c), or as follows:
¨ immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 486.
þ on May 1, 2016 pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 486.
¨ 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a) of Rule 486.
¨ on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a) of Rule 486.
PROSPECTUS
Shares of Beneficial
Interest
May 1, 2016
PREDEX (the "Fund") is a newly operational, continuously offered, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company, that is operated as an interval fund.
The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
This prospectus concisely provides the information that a prospective investor should know about the Fund before investing. You are advised to read this prospectus carefully and to retain it for future reference. Additional information about the Fund, including a Statement of Additional Information ("SAI") dated May 1, 2016, has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The SAI is available upon request and without charge by writing PREDEX at c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC, 17605 Wright Street, Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68130, or by calling toll-free 1-877-940-7202. The table of contents of the SAI appears on page 39 of this prospectus. You may request the Fund's SAI, annual and semi-annual reports and other information about the Fund or make shareholder inquiries by calling 1-877-940-7202. The Fund does not offer these documents through a website because it presently does not maintain a website. The SAI, which is incorporated by reference into (legally made a part of) this prospectus, is also available on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. The address of the SEC's website is provided solely for the information of prospective shareholders and is not intended to be an active link.
Investment Objective. The Fund's primary investment objective is to seek consistent current income while secondarily seeking long-term capital appreciation with moderate volatility.
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Securities Offered. The Fund engages in a continuous offering of shares. The Fund has registered 4,000,000 shares and is authorized as a Delaware statutory trust to issue an unlimited number of shares. The Fund is offering to sell, through its principal underwriter, Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (the "Distributor"), under the terms of this prospectus, 4,000,000 shares of beneficial interest, at net asset value ("NAV") without any load or sales charge. The initial NAV is $25.00 per share. The minimum initial investment by a shareholder is $1,000,000 for all types of accounts. However, investment advisers may aggregate client accounts for the purpose of meeting the minimum investment. Also, the Fund or the Adviser may waive the minimum investment at either's discretion. Subsequent investments may be made in any amount. The Fund is offering to sell its shares, on a continual basis, through the Distributor. The Distributor is not required to sell any specific number or dollar amount of the Fund's shares. The Fund anticipates receiving subscriptions in excess of $1 million shortly after commencing offering shares and the Fund will not commence investment operations until it receives firm commitments in excess of $1 million, which the Fund defines as the initial offering. Monies received will be invested promptly and no arrangements have been made to place such monies in an escrow, trust or similar account. During the continuous offering, shares of the Fund will be sold at the next determined NAV. See "Plan of Distribution." The Fund's continuous offering is expected to continue indefinitely in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act").
Privately Offered Real Estate Funds . The Fund invests up to 95% of its net assets (measured on a quarterly basis), under normal circumstances, in privately offered securities of non-traded institutional real estate funds ("Institutional Private Funds"). Because the majority of Institutional Private Funds only accept investors quarterly (the others are more frequent), the Fund may have over 25% of its assets invested in "Public Funds" (as defined below) between quarter ends or, with respect to the non-traded publicly-offered subset of Public Funds, as part of its long-term strategy. Together, Institutional Private Funds and Public Funds are referred to as "Underlying Investment Vehicles." Institutional Private Funds employ leverage through borrowing, are illiquid, subject to significant loss, and difficult to value. In addition, these funds are not regulated by the SEC and are not subject to the protections of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended ("1940 Act"). The Fund may use leverage (i.e. borrowing money to make additional investments) and may indirectly use leverage because the Underlying Investment Vehicles in which it invests use leverage. The Fund attempts to limit its investments in Underlying Investment Vehicles to those using leverage of 50% or less. However, because the Adviser's leverage calculations are based on information that can be as much as 90 days old, the actual leverage in the Underlying Investment Vehicles can, on any day, exceed 50%. Because the Fund concentrates its investments in real estate related funds, its portfolio will be significantly impacted by the performance of the real estate market and may experience more volatility and be exposed to greater risk than a portfolio exposed to more asset classes and economic sectors. The Fund's Institutional Private Fund investment strategy exposes shareholders to the possible risk of total loss on a shareholder's investment.
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Publicly Offered Real Estate Funds . The Fund may also invest in publicly offered exchange-traded funds, non-traded funds that may offer daily liquidity, closed-end funds and mutual funds ("Public Funds") that invest the majority of their assets in real estate and real estate related industry securities. Public Funds are exchange-traded or those that may offer daily redemption to investors. The Fund may invest in Public Funds as a substitute for Institutional Private Funds while awaiting the quarterly investment window for Institutional Private Funds or, with respect to the non-traded publicly-offered subset of Public Funds, as part of its long-term strategy. The Fund may also invest in short-term liquid investments such as, money market mutual funds or T-Bills while awaiting the quarterly investment window.
Because the Fund is newly operational, its shares have no pricing or performance history. Shares of the Fund will not be listed on any securities exchange, which makes them inherently illiquid. There is no secondary market for the Fund's shares, and it is not anticipated that a secondary market will develop. Moreover, shares of the Fund are not redeemable and not appropriate for investors requiring liquidity. Although the Fund will offer to repurchase at least 5% of its shares on a quarterly basis in accordance with the Fund's repurchase policy, the Fund will otherwise not be required to repurchase shares at a shareholder's option nor will shares be exchangeable for units, interests or shares of any security. Moreover, the Fund is not required to extend, and shareholders should not expect the Fund's Board of Trustees to authorize, repurchase offers in excess of 5% of outstanding shares. Accordingly, regardless of how the Fund performs, an investor may not be able to sell or otherwise liquidate his or her shares whenever such investor would prefer and, except to the extent permitted under the quarterly repurchase offer, will be unable to reduce his or her exposure on any market downturn. If and to the extent that a public trading market ever develops, shares of closed-end investment companies, such as the Fund, have a tendency to trade frequently at a discount from their NAV per share and initial offering prices. As a result of the foregoing, an investment in the Fund's shares is not suitable for investors who cannot tolerate risk of loss or who require liquidity. The Fund's payments to shareholders may consist in whole or in part of a return of capital and may result in potentially adverse tax consequences to the Fund and its shareholders.
Investing in the Fund's shares involves risks. See "Risk Factors" below in this prospectus.
Investment Adviser
PREDEX Capital Management, LLC
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TABLE OF CONTENTS |
Page
|
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY | 1 |
FUND EXPENSES | 8 |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | 9 |
THE FUND | 9 |
USE OF PROCEEDS | 10 |
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, POLICIES AND STRATEGIES | 10 |
RISK FACTORS | 14 |
MANAGEMENT OF PREDEX | 20 |
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE | 24 |
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST | 27 |
QUARTERLY REPURCHASE OF SHARES | 27 |
DISTRIBUTION POLICY | 29 |
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT POLICY | 30 |
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX MATTERS | 31 |
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE AND SHARES | 33 |
ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS IN DECLARATION OF TRUST | 34 |
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION | 34 |
CYBERSECURITY | 37 |
LEGAL MATTERS | 37 |
REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS | 37 |
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM | 38 |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION | 38 |
TABLE OF CONTENTS OF THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION | 39 |
PRIVACY NOTICE | 40 |
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in the shares. You should review the more detailed information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in the SAI, particularly the information set forth under the heading "Risk Factors."
The Fund. The Fund is a newly operational, continuously offered, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company. See "The Fund." The Fund is an interval fund that will offer to make quarterly repurchases of shares at net asset value per share ("NAV"). See "Quarterly Repurchases of Shares."
Investment Objective and Policies. The Fund's primary investment objective is to seek consistent current income while secondarily seeking long-term capital appreciation with moderate volatility.
The Fund invests in privately offered, non-traded, perpetual-life institutional real estate funds ("Institutional Private Funds"). The majority of Institutional Private Funds only accept investors quarterly (the others are more frequent). Additionally, Institutional Private Funds may occasionally be temporarily closed to new investors or additional investments. As a result, when the Fund has cash in its portfolio, it invests that cash in publicly offered real estate funds or short-term liquid investments such as, money market mutual funds or T-Bills, until the quarterly investment "window" of the Institutional Private Funds open.
Publicly offered real estate funds consist of exchange-traded funds ("ETFs"), non-traded publicly-offered funds that may offer daily liquidity, closed-end funds and mutual funds that invest the majority of their assets in real estate and real estate related industry securities ("Public Funds"). Together, Institutional Private Funds and Public Funds are referred to as "Underlying Investment Vehicles." The Fund refers to the Institutional Private Funds as "institutional" because, due to their unregistered status and high investment minimums, they are marketed and sold to institutional investors. Institutional Private Funds typically invest directly in real estate. Public Funds typically invest directly or indirectly in real estate by investing in securities, i.e. equity real estate investment trusts, commonly referred to as equity REITs. Investors in Underlying Investment Vehicles acquire common stock, partnership or membership interests, or shares of beneficial interest. Neither the Adviser nor any of its affiliates act as the investment adviser or the party responsible for operating any other funds. The Adviser selects Underlying Investment Vehicles without restriction as to capitalization.
The Fund concentrates investments in the real estate industry, because, under normal circumstances, it invests (through Underlying Investment Vehicles) at least 75% of its assets in real estate industry funds. This policy is fundamental and may not be changed without shareholder approval. Based on SEC staff interpretations of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended ("1940 Act"), a fund is considered concentrated if it invests 25% or more of its assets in securities of issuers in the same industry or group of industries. The Fund's SAI contains a list of all of the fundamental investment policies of the Fund, under the heading "Investment Objective and Policies."
The Fund may directly use leverage (i.e. borrowing money to make additional investments) and indirectly uses leverage because the Underlying Investment Vehicles in which it invests use leverage. The Fund attempts to limit its investments in Underlying Investment Vehicles to those using leverage of 50% or less. However, because the Adviser's leverage calculations are based on information that can be as much as 90 days old, the actual leverage in the Underlying Investment Vehicles can, on any day, exceed 50%. When the Adviser makes investment decisions, it attempts to limit the Fund's indirect use of leverage. The Adviser's goal is to limit the average use of leverage by all of the Underlying Investment Vehicles in the Fund's portfolio (as measured by the weighted average of its portfolio) to
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40% or less. Here too, because the Adviser's leverage calculations are based on information that can be as much as 90 days old, the actual weighted average leverage of the Fund's investment portfolio can, on any day, exceed 40%.
The Fund may borrow for investment purposes, for temporary liquidity and to satisfy repurchase requests from Fund shareholders. The Adviser monitors the Fund's investment portfolio to measure average leverage levels based upon the latest information available for each Underlying Investment Vehicle, which is reported at least quarterly for each Underlying Investment Vehicle. However, the Adviser does not have access to more frequent reports on leverage. Thus, the Fund is exposed to the risk of an unexpected increase in leverage by Underlying Investment Vehicles. If an Underlying Investment Vehicle leverage exceeds the Adviser's expectation, it will request daily leverage reports from that fund's manager. The Adviser will dispose of a position if it exceeds the Fund's leverage limits. See "Investment Objective, Policies and Strategies." The Fund invests, through Underlying Investment Vehicles, without restriction as to issuer capitalization.
Investment Strategy. The Fund invests in Institutional Private Funds and Public Funds. The Adviser selects Underlying Investment Vehicles based on the Adviser's assessment of each fund's ability to produce consistent current income while secondarily seeking long-term capital appreciation with moderate volatility.
Institutional Private Funds
The Adviser selects Institutional Private Funds that meet the following criteria:
The Adviser relies upon quarterly or more frequent reports, if available, from Institutional Private Funds to monitor consistency with the criteria above and will adjust the Fund's investment portfolio to maintain the criteria above.
Public Funds
Because the majority of Institutional Private Funds only accept investors quarterly, the Fund may have over 25% of its assets invested in Public Funds between quarter ends. The Adviser may also select from the non-traded publicly-offered subset of Public Funds as part of its long-term investment strategy. The Adviser selects real estate Public Funds that the Adviser believes will deliver investment returns similar to Institutional Private Funds based on the Adviser's evaluation of fund expenses, management experience, investment objective and strategy. The Adviser sells Public Fund shares to make investments in Institutional Private Funds and to fund quarterly repurchases of the Fund's shares.
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Underlying Investment Vehicles
Both Institutional Private Funds and Public Funds invest in interest rate swaps and caps to hedge interest rate risk.
Investment Adviser and Fee. PREDEX Capital Management, LLC, the investment adviser to the Fund, is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, as amended. The Adviser was formed during January 2013 for the purpose of advising the Fund and has no other clients. The Adviser is entitled to receive a monthly fee at the annual rate of 0.55% of the Fund's daily average net assets. The Adviser and the Fund have entered into a contractual expense limitation and reimbursement agreement (the "Expense Limitation Agreement") under which the Adviser has agreed contractually to waive its fees and to pay or absorb the ordinary operating expenses of the Fund (including organizational and offering expenses, but excluding interest (if any), acquired fund fees and expenses and extraordinary expenses), to the extent that they exceed 1.20% per annum of the Fund's average daily net assets (the "Expense Limitation") through April 30, 2017. Expenses may exceed 1.20% if the Fund incurs expenses not subject to the Expense Limitation. In consideration of the Adviser's agreement to limit the Fund's expenses, the Fund has agreed to repay the Adviser in the amount of any fees waived and Fund expenses paid or absorbed, subject to the limitations that: (1) the reimbursement for fees and expenses will be made only if payable not more than three years from the end of the fiscal year in which they were incurred; and (2) the reimbursement may not be made if it would cause the Expense Limitation to be exceeded. The Expense Limitation Agreement will remain in effect through April 30, 2017, unless and until the Board of Trustees (the "Board") approves its modification or termination. This agreement may be terminated only by the Fund's Board. After the initial term, the Expense Limitation Agreement may be renewed at the Adviser's and Board's discretion. See "Management of PREDEX."
Administrator, Accounting Agent and Transfer Agent. Gemini Fund Services, LLC ("GFS") will serve as the administrator, accounting agent and transfer agent of the Fund. See "Management of PREDEX."
Closed-End Fund Structure. Closed-end funds differ from open end management investment companies (commonly referred to as mutual funds) in that closed-end funds do not typically redeem their shares at the option of the shareholder. Rather, closed-end fund shares typically trade in the secondary market via a stock exchange. Unlike many closed-end funds, however, the Fund's shares will not be listed on a stock exchange. Instead, the Fund will provide limited liquidity to shareholders by offering to repurchase a limited amount of shares (at least 5%) quarterly, which is discussed in more detail in the next paragraph regarding Investor Suitability.
Investor Suitability. An investment in the Fund involves a considerable amount of risk. The Fund's Institutional Private Fund investment strategy exposes shareholders to the possible risk of total loss on a shareholder's investment. An investment in the Fund is suitable only for investors who can bear the risks associated with the limited liquidity where the only source of liquidity is the Fund's quarterly offer to repurchase 5% of the shares outstanding at NAV. The Fund's shares should be viewed as a long-term investment. Before making your investment decision, you should (i) consider the suitability of this investment with respect to your investment objectives and personal financial situation and (ii) consider factors such as your personal net worth, income, age, risk tolerance and liquidity needs.
Repurchases of Shares. The Fund is an interval fund and, as such, has adopted a fundamental policy to make quarterly repurchase offers, at NAV, of no less than 5% of the shares outstanding. There is no guarantee that shareholders will be able to sell all of the shares they desire in a quarterly repurchase offer, although each shareholder will have the right to require the Fund to purchase up to and including
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5% of such shareholder's shares in each quarterly repurchase. Limited liquidity will be provided to shareholders only through the Fund's quarterly repurchases. The Fund maintains liquid securities (Public Funds, money market mutual funds, short-term U.S. T-Bills) or access to a bank line of credit in amounts sufficient to meet quarterly redemption requirements. From the time it sends a notification to shareholders of the repurchase offer until the repurchase pricing date, a percentage of the Fund's assets equal to at least 100% of the repurchase offer amount shall consist of liquid securities, or, in the alternative, access to a bank line of credit. For example, if the Fund offers to repurchase 5% of its shares, then at least 5% of its net assets will be represented by liquid securities, or, in the alternative, access to a bank line of credit. See "Quarterly Repurchases of Shares."
Summary of Risks.
Investing in the Fund involves risks. You may receive little or no return on your investment or you may lose your investment. Therefore, before investing you should consider carefully the following risks that you assume when you invest in the Fund's shares. See "Risk Factors." The following describes the principal investment risks faced by the Fund.
Distribution Policy Risk. The Fund's distribution policy may, under certain circumstances, have certain adverse consequences to the Fund and its shareholders because it may result in a payment that is a return of capital, rather than a distribution (i.e. dividend and capital gain distributions). A return of capital results in less of a shareholder's assets being invested in the Fund and, over time, increases the Fund's expense ratio. A return of capital may also reduce a shareholder's tax basis, resulting in higher taxes when the shareholder sells his shares, and may cause a shareholder to pay taxes even if he sells his shares for less than the original purchase price. The distribution policy also may cause the Fund to sell a security at a time it would not otherwise do so in order to manage the distribution of income and gain. The initial distribution will be declared on a date determined by the Board.
Institutional Private Fund Risk. Fund shareholders will bear two layers of fees and expenses: asset-based fees and expenses at the Fund level, and asset-based fees, incentive allocations or fees and expenses at the Institutional Private Fund level. The Fund's performance depends in large part upon the performance of the Institutional Private Fund managers and their selected strategies. The majority of Institutional Private Funds permit redemptions only quarterly (the others are more frequent) and these withdrawal limitations restrict the Adviser's ability to terminate investments in Institutional Private Funds. If values are falling, the Fund will not be able to sell its Institutional Private Funds and the value of Fund shares will decline. Institutional Private Funds are not publicly traded and therefore are not liquid investments. As a result, the Fund's Board will depend on the Institutional Private Funds to provide a valuation of the Fund's investment to the Adviser as part of the fair valuation process. These values could vary from the fair value of the investment that may be obtained if such investment were eventually sold to a third party. Each Institutional Private Fund relies upon independent third-party appraisals, the fund's asset manager and/or management to provide valuations. These managers may have a valuation conflict of interest because higher valuations generate higher management fees. In addition to valuation risk, shareholders of Institutional Private Funds are not entitled to the protections of the 1940 Act. For example, Institutional Private Funds may not require shareholder approval of advisory contracts, may employ high leverage, may engage in joint transactions with affiliates, and are not obligated to file financial reports with the SEC. The Fund's Institutional Private Fund investment strategy exposes shareholders to the possible risk of total loss on a shareholder's investment.
Issuer and Non-Diversification Risk. The value of a specific security can perform differently from the market as a whole for reasons related to the performance of the investment manager, the financial leverage of the issuer, and reduced demand for the properties and services of the issuer. The Fund's
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performance may be more sensitive to any single economic, business, political or regulatory occurrence because the Fund may invest more than 5% of its total assets in the securities of one or more issuers.
Liquidity Risk . There is currently no secondary market for Fund shares and the Fund expects that no secondary market will develop. Shares of closed-end investment companies, such as the Fund, that are traded on a secondary market may have a tendency to trade frequently at a discount from their NAV per share and initial offering prices. Limited liquidity is provided to shareholders only through the Fund's quarterly repurchase offers for no less than 5% of the shares outstanding at NAV. There is no guarantee that shareholders will be able to sell all of the shares they desire in a quarterly repurchase offer, regardless of market conditions, such as a downturn. As a result of the foregoing, an investment in the Fund's shares is not suitable for investors who cannot tolerate risk of total loss or who require liquidity, other than limited liquidity provided through the Fund's repurchase policy of offering to repurchase a limited amount of shares (at least 5%) quarterly. The Fund's Institutional Private Fund investments are also subject to liquidity risk because they generally offer only quarterly redemption. Liquidity risk exists when particular investments of the Fund would be difficult to purchase or sell, possibly preventing the Fund from selling such illiquid securities at an advantageous time or price, or possibly requiring the Fund to dispose of other investments at unfavorable times or prices in order to satisfy its obligations.
Management Risk. The Adviser's investment strategy is subject to risk because Underlying Investment Vehicles selected by the Adviser may have low or negative returns. The Fund's portfolio managers and the other officers of the Adviser have no experience managing a closed-end interval fund. The Adviser will not be able to invest all of the Fund's assets because some assets will be used to pay Fund operating expenses.
Market Risk. An investment in the Fund's shares is subject to investment risk. An investment in the Fund's shares represents an indirect investment in the securities owned by the Fund. The value of these securities, like other market investments, may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. The Fund's Institutional Private Fund investment strategy exposes shareholders to the possible risk of total loss on a shareholder's investment.
New Offering with No Operating History . If the Fund commences operations under inopportune market or economic conditions, it may not be able to achieve favorable returns. In addition, the Fund anticipates receiving subscriptions in excess of $1 million shortly after commencing offering shares and the Fund will not commence investment operations until it receives firm commitments in excess of $1 million. The Fund will experience higher than expected expenses, subject to the Fund's Expense Limitation Agreement (see "Fund Expenses"), to the extent it is thinly capitalized.
Public Fund Risk . Fund shareholders will bear two layers of fees and expenses: asset-based fees and expenses at the Fund level, and asset-based fees and expenses at the Public Fund level. Investments in ETFs and closed-end funds cause the Fund to incur brokerage expense. Closed-end funds typically trade at discounts to their net asset value and this discount may worsen following an investment by the Fund. The Fund's performance depends, in part, upon the performance of the fund managers and their strategies. Each Public Fund is subject to its strategy-specific risks: varying amounts of leverage risk, illiquidity risk, concentration in real estate securities risk, small to medium capitalization issuer risk and market risk.
Real Estate Industry Concentration Risk. The Fund will not invest in real estate directly, but, because the Fund will concentrate its investments in Underlying Investment Vehicles that invest principally in real estate and real estate related industry securities, its portfolio will be significantly impacted by the performance of the real estate market and may experience more volatility and be
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exposed to greater risk than a portfolio exposed to more asset classes and economic sectors. The Adviser monitors each Underlying Investment Vehicle, using the most currently available information, to assure adherence to the vehicle's real estate investment strategy as described in its offering materials. The Adviser will dispose of an investment if it fails to maintain a real estate investment strategy. The value of companies engaged in the real estate industry is affected by: (i) changes in general economic and market conditions; (ii) changes in the value of real estate properties; (iii) risks related to local economic conditions, overbuilding and increased competition; (iv) increases in property taxes and operating expenses; (v) changes in zoning laws; (vi) casualty and condemnation losses; (vii) variations in rental income, neighborhood values or the appeal of property to tenants; (viii) the availability of financing and (ix) changes in interest rates and leverage. There are also special risks associated with particular sectors, or real estate operations generally, as described below:
Retail Properties. Retail properties are affected by shifts in consumer demand due to demographic changes, changes in spending patterns and lease terminations.
Office Properties. Office properties are affected by a downturn in the businesses operated by their tenants.
Multifamily Properties. Multifamily properties are affected by adverse economic conditions in the locale, oversupply and rent control laws.
Industrial Properties. Industrial properties are affected by downturns in the manufacture, processing and shipping of goods.
Environmental Issues. Owners of properties that may contain hazardous or toxic substances may be responsible for removal or remediation costs.
REIT Risk. Equity REIT share prices may decline because of adverse developments affecting the real estate industry and real property values. In general, real estate values can be affected by a variety of factors: supply and demand for properties, the economic health of the country or of different regions, and the strength of specific industries that rent properties. An entity that fails to qualify as a REIT would be subject to a corporate level tax, would not be entitled to a deduction for dividends paid to its shareholders and would not pass through to its shareholders the character of income earned by the entity. Fund shareholders will also indirectly bear fees and expenses of equity REITs in addition to those at the Fund level.
Repurchase Policy Risks. Quarterly repurchases by the Fund of its shares typically will be funded from sales of portfolio securities. However, payment for repurchased shares may require the Fund to liquidate portfolio holdings earlier than the Adviser otherwise would liquidate such holdings, potentially resulting in losses, and may increase the Fund's portfolio turnover. If the Fund borrows to finance repurchases, interest on any such borrowing will negatively affect shareholders who do not tender their shares in a repurchase offer by increasing the Fund's expenses and reducing any net investment income. The Fund's quarterly repurchase offers are a shareholder's only means of liquidity with respect to his or her shares.
The Fund is indirectly exposed to the following risks though its investments in Underlying Investment Vehicles.
Interest Rate Swap and Cap Risk . Interest rate swap and cap agreements are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the agreement will default on its obligation to pay the Underlying Investment Vehicle.
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These agreements are also subject to leverage risk, because payments are based "notional" amounts that exceed the amount invested, if any.
Leveraging Risk. The use of leverage (borrowing money to purchase properties or securities) will cause the Fund and an Underlying Investment Vehicle to incur additional expenses and significantly magnify losses in the event of underperformance of the assets purchased with borrowed money. In addition, a lender may terminate or refuse to renew any credit facility. If the Fund or the Underlying Investment Vehicle is unable to access additional credit, it may be forced to sell investments at inopportune times, which may further depress the returns of the Fund. When an Underlying Investment Vehicle uses leverage, the Fund indirectly uses leverage and is subject to the same risks. The Adviser receives quarterly reports on leverage. Thus, the Fund is exposed to the risk of an unexpected increase in leverage by Underlying Investment Vehicles. If an Underlying Investment Vehicle's leverage exceeds the Adviser's expectation that is based on offering documents and quarterly reports, it will request daily leverage reports from that fund's manager, but cannot compel daily reporting.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters.
The Fund intends to elect to be treated and intends to qualify each year for taxation as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code"). In order for the Fund to qualify as a regulated investment company, it must meet an income and asset diversification test each year. If the Fund so qualifies and satisfies certain distribution requirements, the Fund (but not its shareholders) will not be subject to federal income tax to the extent it distributes its investment company taxable income and net capital gains (the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital loss) in a timely manner to its shareholders in the form of dividends or capital gain distributions. The Code imposes a 4% nondeductible excise tax on regulated investment companies, such as the Fund, to the extent they do not meet certain distribution requirements by the end of each calendar year. The Fund anticipates meeting these distribution requirements. See "U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters."
Dividend Reinvestment Policy.
The Fund intends to make distributions of investment company taxable income after payment of the Fund's operating expenses quarterly and net capital gains annually. Unless a shareholder elects otherwise, the shareholder's distributions will be reinvested in additional shares under the Fund's dividend reinvestment policy. Shareholders who elect not to participate in the Fund's dividend reinvestment policy will receive all distributions in cash paid to the shareholder of record (or, if the shares are held in street or other nominee name, then to such nominee). See "Dividend Reinvestment Policy."
Custodian.
The Bank of New York Mellon serves as the Fund's custodian. See "Management of PREDEX."
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FUND EXPENSES
Annual Expenses (as a percentage of net assets attributable to common shares) | |
Management Fees | 0.55% |
Other Expenses 1 | 0.44% |
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses 2 | 0.01% |
Total Annual Expenses | 1.00% |
1 Other Expenses are estimated for the current fiscal year.
2 Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are the indirect costs of investing in other investment companies ( e.g. , management fees, administration fees and professional and other direct, fixed fees and expenses). Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, which are estimated for the current fiscal year, are based on historic fees and expenses of the investment companies in which the Fund expects to invest. 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. Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses would be higher if similar fees and expenses of Institutional Private Funds and equity REITs were included in this calculation as well.
The Fund's Expenses Table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. More information about management fees, fee waivers and other expenses is available in "Management of PREDEX" starting on page 20 of this prospectus.
The following example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would pay on a $1,000 investment assuming annual expenses attributable to shares remain unchanged and shares earn a 5% annual return:
Example | 1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years |
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming a 5% annual return | $10 | $32 | $55 | $122 |
If shareholders request repurchase proceeds be paid by wire transfer, such shareholders will be assessed an outgoing wire transfer fee at prevailing rates charged by GFS, currently $15. The Fund will also pay certain remaining organizational and offering costs in connection with the initial offering of the shares estimated to be approximately $5,000 ($0.0003125 per share assuming sixteen million shares are issued) for organizational costs; and approximately $70,000 ($0.004375 per share assuming sixteen million shares are issued) for offering costs. These expenses are subject to the 1.20% per annum limitation. In consideration of the Adviser's agreement to limit the Fund's other expenses through April 30, 2017, the Fund has agreed to repay the Adviser in the amount of any fees waived and Fund expenses paid or absorbed, subject to the limitations that: (1) the reimbursement for fees and expenses will be made only if payable not more than three years from the end of the fiscal year in which they were incurred; and (2) the reimbursement may not be made if it would cause the Expense Limitation to be exceeded. The organizational expenses are recorded as they are incurred, while the offering expenses will be amortized over the first twelve months of the Fund's operations. The Fund's offering costs and organizational expenses are borne by the Fund's shareholders as an expense of the Fund. Expenses may be higher than 1.20% to the extent the Fund incurs expenses that are excluded from the Expense Limitation. The purpose of the above table is to help a holder of shares understand the fees and expenses that such holder would bear directly or indirectly. The example should not be considered a representation of actual future expenses. Actual expenses may be higher or lower than those shown.
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FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The table below sets forth financial data for one share of capital stock outstanding through each period presented.
For the
(unaudited) |
For the
Year Ended April 30, 2015 |
For the
Year Ended April 30, 2014 |
For the
Period February 5, 2013 (1) to April 30, 2013 |
|||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $25.00 | $25.00 | $25.00 | $ - | ||||
From Operations: | ||||||||
Net investment loss (a) | - | - | - | - | ||||
Net gain (loss) from investments | ||||||||
(both realized and unrealized) | - | - | - | - | ||||
Total from operations | - | - | - | - | ||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $25.00 | $25.00 | $25.00 | $ - | ||||
Total Return (b) | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | (d) | |||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||
Net assets, end of period (in 000's) | $100 | $100 | $100 | $ - | ||||
Ratio of expenses to average net assets, | ||||||||
before reimbursement | 4.91% | 2.25% | 30.01% | 0.00% | (c)(e) | |||
net of reimbursement | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | (c) | |||
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | (c) | |||
Portfolio turnover rate | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | (d) |
(1) | Date of organization of the Fund. |
(a) | Per share amounts are calculated using the average shares method, which more appropriately presents the per share data for the period. |
(b) | Total returns are historical in nature and assume changes in share price, reinvestment of dividends and capital gains, if any. |
(c) | Annualized. |
(d) | Not annualized. |
(e) | There were no net assets at April 30, 2013. |
The Fund's complete audited Financial Statements (except for the October 31, 2015 Financial Statements, which are unaudited and not included in the annual report) which include the Financial Highlights presented above, and independent registered public accounting firm's report thereon contained in the Fund's annual report dated April 30, 2015, are incorporated by reference in the Fund's SAI. The Fund's SAI, annual report and semi-annual report are available upon request, without charge, by calling the Fund toll-free at 1-877-940-7202.
THE FUND
The Fund is a newly operational, continuously offered, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that is operated as an interval fund. The Fund was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on February 5, 2013 and has no operating history. The Fund's principal office is located at 17605 Wright Street, Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68130, and its telephone number is 1-402-493-4603.
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USE OF PROCEEDS
The net proceeds of the continuous offering of shares, will be invested in accordance with the Fund's investment objective and policies (as stated below) as soon as practicable after receipt. In addition, the Fund anticipates receiving subscriptions in excess of $1 million shortly after commencing offering shares and the Fund will not commence investment operations until it receives firm commitments in excess of $1 million. There can be no assurance the Fund will receive commitments in excess of $1 million, or any amount. The Fund will pay its organizational and offering expenses incurred with respect to its initial and continuous offering, less amounts advanced pursuant to the Expense Limitation Agreement. Pending investment of the proceeds in accordance with the Fund's Institutional Private Fund investment strategy the Fund will invest in Public Funds or short-term liquid investments such as, money market mutual funds or T-Bills. Investors should expect that before the Fund's Adviser has fully invested the proceeds in a combination of Institutional Private Funds and Public Funds that it considers optimal, the Fund's returns may be lower than expected.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, POLICIES AND STRATEGIES
Investment Objective and Policies
The Fund's primary investment objective is to seek consistent current income while secondarily seeking long-term capital appreciation with moderate volatility.
The Fund's SAI contains a list of the fundamental investment policies (those that may not be changed without a shareholder vote) of the Fund under the heading "Investment Objective and Policies."
The Adviser's Strategy
The Fund invests up to 95% of its total assets in Institutional Private Funds under normal circumstances. Some Institutional Private Funds are included in the National Council of Real Estate Investment Fiduciaries Open End Diversified Core Equity Index (the "NFI-ODCE Index" or "Index"). Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 50% of its Institutional Private Fund assets in Index-members. The balance of its allocation to Institutional Private Funds is to non-Index members.
The Adviser selects non-Index Institutional Private Funds that it believes will provide investment returns similar to those funds that are in the Index, but are not included in the Index solely because they do not meet the leverage, diversification or timeliness of reporting requirements of the Index. The NFI-ODCE Index is not a mutual fund and would not be considered diversified under the 1940 Act. The Fund will invest in Institutional Private Funds only to the extent that, on average, the Fund's portfolio of Institutional Private Funds meets the investment criteria for the NFI-ODCE Index. The majority of Institutional Private Funds typically accept investments on a quarterly basis (the others are more frequent), and may occasionally be closed to new investors or additional investments. As a result, when the Fund has cash in its portfolio, it invests that cash in publicly offered real estate funds and/or short-term liquid investments such as, money market mutual funds or T-Bills, until the quarterly investment "window" of the Institutional Private Funds opens. The Adviser may also select from the non-traded publicly-offered subset of Public Funds as part of its long-term investment strategy. Publicly offered real estate funds are not Index-members.
These publicly offered real estate funds consist of exchange-traded funds ("ETFs"), non-traded funds that may offer daily liquidity, closed-end funds and mutual funds that invest the majority of their assets in real estate and real estate related industry securities ("Public Funds"). Together, Institutional Private Funds and Public Funds are referred to as "Underlying Investment Vehicles." The Fund refers to the
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Institutional Private Funds as "institutional" because, due to their unregistered status and high investment minimums, they are marketed and sold to institutional investors. Institutional Private Funds typically invest directly in real estate and Public Funds typically invest directly or indirectly in real estate by investing the majority of their assets in equity real estate investment trusts, commonly referred to as equity REITs. Equity REITs are pooled investment vehicles that invest the majority of their assets in income-producing real estate.
Because Institutional Private Funds are not publicly traded, they are not liquid investments. As a result, valuations provided by the asset manager to the Institutional Private Fund used by the Adviser to provide a valuation of the Fund's investment could vary from the fair value of the investment that may be obtained if such investment were sold to a third party. Each Institutional Private Fund relies upon independent third-party appraisals, the fund's asset manager and/or management to provide valuations. The Adviser will use reasonable due diligence to value securities and may consider information provided by the Institutional Private Funds. Quarterly unaudited financial statements are provided by Institutional Private Funds, which if inaccurate could adversely affect the Adviser's ability to value accurately the Fund's shares. In its evaluation of asset managers of Institutional Private Funds, the Adviser will have the same access to information as any other institutional investor. The Fund's Board of Trustees is responsible for the valuation process, but delegates execution of certain aspects of pricing to the Adviser. The Board of Trustees evaluates the reasonableness and accuracy of the fair value process and will adjust the valuation process if valuation problems arise.
The NFI-ODCE Index is maintained by National Council of Real Estate Investment Fiduciaries (NCREIF). NCREIF is a not-for-profit trade association that provides to its membership, and the academic and investment community, commercial real estate data. Its membership is composed of investment managers, plan sponsors, academicians, consultants, appraisers, CPAs and other service providers involved in institutional real estate investments. NCREIF is not regulated by any federal or state agency. Index returns and other information are available free of charge at www.ncreif.org. The NFI-ODCE Index is composed of privately offered, non-traded institutional real estate funds that do not have a set termination date or finite life. These funds offer periodic subscriptions and redemptions. To be in the Index, a fund must comply with the NCREIF Real Estate Information Standards, consisting of annual audits, quarterly valuations and time-weighted returns. Furthermore, a fund must submit information in accordance with the NCREIF data policies. Index returns are capitalization-weighted based on the size of the funds in the Index and reported gross of fees. The Index is reconstituted on a calendar quarter basis when a fund closes or no longer meets inclusion criteria or when NCREIF accepts new funds. There is no minimum fund capitalization for inclusion in the index and the range of capitalization of funds in the index is not publicly available. Neither NCREIF nor the NFI-ODCE Index are regulated by the SEC. NFI-ODCE Index criteria are determined by a committee of NCREIF and may be revised from time to time. If criteria are changed, the Fund will notify shareholders and revise its prospectus accordingly, including disclosing the impact on investment strategy and portfolio characteristics.
Quarterly returns for the last 10 calendar years for the NFI-ODCE Index are presented below. The NFI-ODCE Index returns are capitalization-weighted and reported gross of fees. Annual returns are computed from quarterly returns.
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The Adviser selects Institutional Private Funds that meet the following criteria:
Institutional Private Funds . Institutional Private Funds are real estate investment funds managed by institutional asset managers with expertise in managing portfolios of real estate and real estate related industry securities. Institutional Private Funds are exempt from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended ("1940 Act"). Institutional Private Funds require large minimum investments and impose stringent investor qualification criteria intended to limit their direct investors mainly to institutions such as endowments, foundations and pension funds. By investing in such Institutional Private Funds, the Fund offers its shareholders access to institutional asset managers that may not be otherwise available to them.
The Fund's investments in Institutional Private Funds will be made through the purchase of common stock or limited partnership or membership interests in such funds. In addition, distributions received by the Fund from Institutional Private Funds may consist of dividends, capital gains and/or return of capital.
Public Funds . The Adviser may use Public Funds when Institutional Private Funds are closed to new investments outright or between subscription periods. The Adviser may also select from the non-traded publicly-offered subset of Public Funds as part of its long-term investment strategy. When selecting individual Public Fund investments, the Adviser will evaluate Public Fund asset managers by reviewing their experience, track record, current portfolios, and ability to weather real estate cycles by employing effective risk management and mitigation strategies. The Adviser will also assess the likely risks and returns of the investment strategies utilized by the management of the Public Funds, and evaluate the potential correlation among the investment strategies under consideration. The Adviser generally will seek to invest in Public Funds whose expected returns are determined to be similar to those of the Institutional Private Funds. The Adviser sells Public Fund shares to make investments in Institutional Private Funds and to fund quarterly repurchases of Fund shares.
ETFs and Closed-End Funds. ETFs and closed-end funds are typically managed by professionals and provide investors with diversification, cost and potential tax efficiency, liquidity, and some provide quarterly dividends. An ETF typically holds a portfolio of securities or contracts designed to track a particular market segment or index. A closed-end fund may be designed to track a particular market segment or index or may be managed based on its adviser's strategy. Closed-end funds and ETFs are listed on major stock exchanges and are traded like common stocks.
Mutual Funds. Mutual Funds selected by the Adviser will be managed with an investment objective of seeking to replicate the performance of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT) Index or the MSCI US REIT Index. Most index mutual funds are
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not actively managed and generally provide broad market exposure, low operating expenses and low portfolio turnover. The Adviser may also select mutual funds that are actively managed and that do not follow an index-based strategy.
Equity REITs Generally .
Distributions . Payments received indirectly by the Fund from equity REITs may consist of dividends, capital gains (distributions) and/or a return of capital. REITs are required by law to distribute 90% of their taxable income to shareholders each year in the form of dividends. Dividends paid by REITs will generally not qualify for the reduced federal income tax rates applicable to qualified dividends under the Code. See "U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters."
The Fund will invest through a mutual fund indirectly in real estate investment trusts. Equity REITs are pooled investment vehicles that invest in income-producing real estate. The market value of equity REIT shares and the ability of equity REITs to distribute income may be adversely affected by numerous factors: rising interest rates, changes in the national, state and local economic climate and real estate conditions, perceptions of prospective tenants of the safety, convenience and attractiveness of the properties, compliance with environmental laws, changes in real estate taxes and other operating expenses, adverse changes in governmental rules and zoning laws, and other factors beyond the control of the issuers.
The Fund concentrates investments in the real estate industry because, under normal circumstances, it invests over 75% of its net assets in real estate industry funds. This policy is fundamental and may not be changed without shareholder approval.
Underlying Investment Vehicles
Derivatives
Both Institutional Private Funds and Public Funds may invest in interest rate swaps and caps to hedge interest rate risk. An interest rate swap is an agreement between two parties to exchange periodic payments based on the difference between a fixed interest rate and a floating interest rate. An interest rate cap is similar except that one party pays the other for the right receive payments when a floating exceeds an agreed upon threshold level. These instruments are used to hedge an Underlying Investment Vehicle's portfolio against rising interest rates.
The SAI contains a list of the fundamental (those that may not be changed without a shareholder vote) investment policies of the Fund under the heading "Investment Objective and Policies."
Other Information Regarding Principal Investment Strategies
When awaiting investment in Institutional Private Funds, the Adviser may determine that the Fund should invest in short-term liquid investments such as, money market mutual funds or T-Bills. In these cases, the Fund may not achieve its investment objective. The Adviser may invest the Fund's cash balances in any money market mutual funds it deems appropriate based on each money market mutual fund's expenses, management experience, and strategy. Any income earned from such investments is ordinarily reinvested by the Fund in accordance with its investment program. Many of the considerations entering into recommendations and decisions of the Adviser and the Fund's portfolio managers are subjective.
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The Fund has adopted a fundamental policy prohibiting issuance of preferred shares. Additionally, the Fund has adopted a fundamental policy prohibiting issuance of debt securities. These policies may not be changed without shareholder approval. However, the Fund may borrow for investment purposes, for temporary liquidity or to meet shareholder repurchase requests.
The frequency and amount of portfolio purchases and sales (known as the "portfolio turnover rate") will vary from year to year. The portfolio turnover rate is not expected to exceed 100%. Higher rates of portfolio turnover may generate short-term capital gains taxable as ordinary income.
There is no assurance what portion, if any, of the Fund's investments will qualify for the reduced federal income tax rates applicable to qualified dividends under the Code. As a result, there can be no assurance as to what portion of the Fund's distributions will be designated as qualified dividend income. See "U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters." If securities are not held for the applicable holding periods, dividends paid on them will not qualify for the advantageous federal tax rates. See "Tax Status" in the Fund's SAI.
RISK FACTORS
An investment in the Fund's shares is subject to risks. The value of the Fund's investments will increase or decrease based on changes in the prices of the investments it holds. This will cause the value of the Fund's shares to increase or decrease. You could lose money by investing in the Fund. By itself, the Fund does not constitute a complete investment program. Before investing in the Fund you should consider carefully the following risks the Fund faces through its investments in Underlying Investment Vehicles as well as its direct risks. There may be additional risks that the Fund does not currently foresee or consider material. You may wish to consult with your legal or tax advisors, before deciding whether to invest in the Fund.
Distribution Policy Risk. The Fund's distribution policy may, under certain circumstances, have certain adverse consequences to the Fund and its shareholders because it may result in a distribution being reclassified as a return of capital resulting in less of a shareholder's assets being invested in the Fund and, over time, increase the Fund's expense ratio. The Fund's distributions may be reclassified such that they consist in whole or in part of a return of capital. A return of capital may also reduce a shareholder's tax basis, resulting in higher taxes when the shareholder sells his shares, and may cause a shareholder to pay taxes even if he sells his shares for less than the original purchase price. The distribution policy also may cause the Fund to sell a security at a time it would not otherwise do so in order to manage the distribution of income and gain. The initial distribution will be declared on a date determined by the Board.
Institutional Private Fund Risk. The Fund's shareholders will bear two layers of fees and expenses: asset-based fees and expenses at the Fund level, and asset-based fees, incentive allocations or fees and expenses at the Institutional Private Fund level. The Fund's performance depends in large part upon the performance of the Institutional Private Fund managers and their selected strategies. The majority of Institutional Private Funds have withdrawal limitations in the form of quarterly redemptions (the others are more frequent). These redemption provisions, also restrict the Adviser's ability to terminate investments in Institutional Private Funds. If values are falling, the Fund will not be able to sell its Institutional Private Funds and the value of Fund shares will decline. Institutional Private Funds are not publicly traded and therefore are not liquid investments. As a result, the Fund's Board of Trustees will depend on the Institutional Private Funds to provide a valuation of the Fund's investment to the Adviser as part of the fair valuation process. These values could vary from the fair value of the investment that may be obtained if such investment were eventually sold to a third party. Each Institutional Private Fund relies upon independent third-party appraisals, the fund's asset manager
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and/or management to provide valuations. These managers may have a valuation conflict of interest because higher valuations generate higher management fees. In addition to valuation risk, shareholders of Institutional Private Funds are not entitled to the protections of the 1940 Act. For example, Institutional Private Funds may not require shareholder approval of advisory contracts, employ leverage higher than other investment vehicles such as a mutual fund, may engage in joint transactions with affiliates, and are not obligated to file financial reports with the SEC. These characteristics expose shareholders to the possible risk of total loss on a shareholder's investment.
The Fund may not be able to invest in certain Institutional Private Funds that are oversubscribed or closed, or the Fund may be able to allocate only a limited amount of assets to an Institutional Private Fund. The Fund's investments in certain Institutional Private Funds may be subject to lock-up periods, during which the Fund may not withdraw its investment. Lock-up periods are minimum holding periods and periods when the issuer temporarily suspends redemptions, which typically occur during periods of market volatility or high levels of redemption requests by Institutional Private Fund investors. The Fund may invest indirectly a substantial portion of its assets in Institutional Private Funds that follow a particular type of investment strategy, which may expose the Fund to the risks of that strategy. Most of the Fund's assets will be priced in the absence of a readily available market and may be priced based on determinations of fair value, which may prove to be inaccurate.
Some of the Institutional Private Funds have made an election to be treated as a REIT for federal tax purposes or operative subsidiaries that have made such an election. Consequently, the tax risks described below under "REIT Tax Risk" also apply to these Institutional Private Funds or their subsidiaries.
Issuer and Non-Diversification Risk. The value of a specific security can perform differently from the market as a whole for reasons related to the investment manager or issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the respective properties and services. The Fund's performance may be more sensitive to any single economic, business, political or regulatory occurrence than the value of shares of a diversified investment company because as a non-diversified fund, the Fund may invest more than 5% of its total assets in the securities of one or more issuers.
Liquidity Risk . The Fund is a closed-end investment company structured as an "interval fund" and designed for long-term investors. Unlike many closed-end investment companies, the Fund's shares are not listed on any securities exchange and are not publicly traded. There is currently no secondary market for the shares and the Fund expects that no secondary market will develop. Shares of closed-end investment companies, such as the Fund, that are traded on a secondary market may have a tendency to trade frequently at a discount from their NAV per share and initial offering prices. Limited liquidity is provided to shareholders only through the Fund's quarterly repurchase offers for no less than 5% of the shares outstanding at NAV. There is no guarantee that shareholders will be able to sell all of the shares they desire in a quarterly repurchase offer, regardless of market conditions, such as a downturn. As a result of the foregoing, an investment in the Fund's shares is not suitable for investors who cannot tolerate risk of total loss or who require liquidity, other than limited liquidity provided through the Fund's repurchase policy of offering to repurchase a limited amount of shares (at least 5%) quarterly. The Fund's Institutional Private Fund investments are also subject to liquidity risk because the majority of Institutional Private Funds offer only quarterly redemption (the others are more frequent). Liquidity risk exists when particular investments of the Fund would be difficult to purchase or sell, possibly preventing the Fund from selling such illiquid securities at an advantageous time or price, or possibly requiring the Fund to dispose of other investments at unfavorable times or prices in order to satisfy its obligations.
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Management Risk. The Adviser's investment strategy is subject to risk because Underlying Investment Vehicles selected by the Adviser may have low or negative returns. The Fund's portfolio managers and the other officers of the Adviser have no experience managing a closed-end interval fund. The Adviser will not be able to invest all of the Fund's assets because some assets will be used to pay Fund operating expenses. The Adviser's selection of securities and allocation of assets may not produce the desired returns.
Market Risk. An investment in the Fund's shares is subject to investment risk. The Fund's Institutional Private Fund investment strategy exposes shareholders to the possible risk of total loss on a shareholder's investment. An investment in the Fund's shares represents an indirect investment in the securities owned by the Fund. The value of these securities, like other market investments, may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. Real estate related investments may be more volatile and/or lower than other segments of the securities market.
New Offering with No Operating History . The Fund is a closed-end investment company with no history of operations. In addition, the Fund anticipates receiving subscriptions in excess of $1 million shortly after commencing offering shares and the Fund will not commence investment operations until it receives firm commitments in excess of $1 million. The Fund will experience higher than expected expenses, subject to the Fund's Expense Limitation Agreement (see "Fund Expenses"), to the extent it is thinly capitalized.
Public Fund Risk . Fund shareholders will bear two layers of fees and expenses: asset-based fees and expenses at the Fund level, and asset-based fees and expenses at the Public Fund level. Investments in ETFs and closed-end funds cause the Fund to incur brokerage expense. Closed-end funds typically trade at discounts to their net asset value and this discount may worsen following an investment by the Fund. The Fund's performance depends, in part, upon the performance of the mutual fund managers and their strategies. Each Public Fund is subject to its strategy-specific risks: varying amounts of leverage risk, illiquidity risk, concentration in real estate securities risk, small to medium capitalization issuer risk and market risk. Index based Public Funds returns are lower than their respective index because of fees and expenses and are subject to investment strategy induced tracking risk.
Real Estate Industry Concentration Risk. The Fund will not invest in real estate directly, but, because the Fund will concentrate its investments in Underlying Investment Vehicles that invest principally in real estate and real estate related industry securities, its portfolio returns will be significantly impacted by the performance of the real estate market and may experience more volatility and be exposed to greater risk than a more diversified portfolio. The Adviser monitors each Underlying Investment Vehicle, using the most currently available information, to assure adherence to the vehicle's real estate investment strategy as described in its offering materials. The Adviser will dispose of an investment if it fails to maintain a real estate investment strategy. The value of companies engaged in the real estate industry is affected by: (i) changes in general economic and market conditions; (ii) changes in the value of real estate properties; (iii) risks related to local economic conditions, overbuilding and increased competition; (iv) increases in property taxes and operating expenses; (v) changes in zoning laws; (vi) casualty and condemnation losses; (vii) variations in rental income, neighborhood values or the appeal of property to tenants; (viii) the availability of financing and (ix) changes in interest rates and leverage. There are also special risks associated with particular sectors, or real estate operations generally, as described below:
Retail Properties. Retail properties are affected by the overall health of the economy and may be adversely affected by, among other things, the growth of alternative forms of retailing,
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bankruptcy, departure or cessation of operations of a tenant, a shift in consumer demand due to demographic changes, changes in spending patterns and lease terminations.
Office Properties. Office properties are affected by the overall health of the economy, and other factors such as a downturn in the businesses operated by their tenants, obsolescence and non-competitiveness.
Multifamily Properties. The value and successful operation of a multifamily property may be affected by a number of factors such as the location of the property, the ability of the management team, the level of mortgage rates, the presence of competing properties, adverse economic conditions in the locale, oversupply and rent control laws or other laws affecting such properties.
Industrial Properties. Industrial properties are affected by downturns in the manufacture, processing and shipping of goods.
Other factors may contribute to the risk of real estate investments:
Development Issues. Certain Underlying Investment Vehicles may engage in the development or construction of real estate properties. These companies are exposed to a variety of risks inherent in real estate development and construction, such as the risk that there will be insufficient tenant demand to occupy newly developed properties, and the risk that prices of construction materials or construction labor may rise materially during the development.
Lack of Insurance. Certain of the Underlying Investment Vehicles may fail to carry comprehensive liability, fire, flood, earthquake extended coverage and rental loss insurance, or insurance in place may be subject to certain policy specifications, limits and deductibles. Should any type of uninsured loss occur, the portfolio company could lose its investment in, and anticipated profits and cash flows from, a number of properties and, as a result, adversely affect investment performance.
Dependence on Tenants. The value of properties and the ability to make distributions depends upon the ability of the tenants at their properties to generate enough income in excess of their operating expenses to make their lease payments. Changes beyond the control of real estate companies may adversely affect their tenants' ability to make their lease payments and, in such event, would substantially reduce both their income from operations.
Financial Leverage. Underlying Investment Vehicles may be leveraged and financial covenants may affect the ability of Underlying Investment Vehicles to operate effectively.
Environmental Issues. In connection with the ownership (direct or indirect), operation, management and development of real properties that may contain hazardous or toxic substances, an Underlying Investment Vehicle may be considered an owner, operator or responsible party of such properties and, therefore, may be potentially liable for removal or remediation costs, as well as certain other costs: governmental fines and liabilities for injuries to persons and property. The existence of any such material environmental liability could have a material adverse effect on the results of operations and cash flow of any such portfolio company and, as a result, the amount available to make distributions on shares of the Fund could be reduced.
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REIT Risk. Equity REIT share prices may decline because of adverse developments affecting the real estate industry and real property values. In general, real estate values can be affected by a variety of factors: supply and demand for properties, the economic health of the country or of different regions, and the strength of specific industries that rent properties. Fund shareholders will also indirectly bear fees and expenses of equity REITs in addition to those at the Fund level.
REIT Tax Risk . Qualification as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") in any particular year is a complex analysis that depends on a number of factors. There can be no assurance that the entities in which the Fund invests with the expectation that they will be taxed as a REIT will qualify as a REIT. An entity that fails to qualify as a REIT would be subject to a corporate level tax, would not be entitled to a deduction for dividends paid to its shareholders and would not pass through to its shareholders the character of income earned by the entity. If the Fund were to invest in an entity that failed to qualify as a REIT, such failure could significantly reduce the Fund's yield on that investment. Equity REITs invest in real property and earn rental income from leasing those properties. They may also realize gains or losses from the sale of properties. Equity REITs will be affected by conditions in the real estate rental market and by changes in the value of the properties they own. Equity REITs are dependent upon management skills, may not be diversified and are subject to the risks of financing projects.
Dividends paid by equity REITs will not generally qualify for the reduced U.S. federal income tax rates applicable to qualified dividends under the Code. See "U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters." The Fund's investments in equity REITs may include an additional risk to shareholders. Some or all of an equity REIT's annual distributions to its investors may constitute a nontaxable return of capital. Any such return of capital will generally reduce the Fund's basis in the equity REIT investment, but not below zero. To the extent the distributions from a particular equity REIT exceed the Fund's basis in such REIT, the Fund will generally recognize gain. In part because equity REIT distributions often include a nontaxable return of capital, Fund distributions to shareholders may also be deemed to be a nontaxable return of capital. Shareholders that receive such a payment will also reduce their tax basis in their shares of the Fund, but not below zero. To the extent the return of capital exceeds a shareholder's basis in the Fund's shares, such shareholder will generally recognize a capital gain.
Repurchase Policy Risks. Quarterly repurchases by the Fund of its shares typically will be funded from available cash or sales of portfolio securities. However, payment for repurchased shares may require the Fund to liquidate portfolio holdings earlier than the Adviser otherwise would liquidate such holdings, potentially resulting in losses, and may increase the Fund's portfolio turnover. The Adviser may take measures to attempt to avoid or minimize such potential losses and turnover, and instead of liquidating portfolio holdings, may borrow money to finance repurchases of shares. If the Fund borrows to finance repurchases, interest on any such borrowing will negatively affect shareholders who do not tender their shares in a repurchase offer by increasing the Fund's expenses and reducing any net investment income. To the extent the Fund finances repurchase proceeds by selling investments, the Fund may hold a larger proportion of its net assets in less liquid securities. The Fund's quarterly repurchase offers are a shareholder's only means of liquidity with respect to his or her shares.
Repurchase of shares will tend to reduce the amount of outstanding shares and, depending upon the Fund's investment performance, its net assets. A reduction in the Fund's net assets may increase the Fund's expense ratio, to the extent that additional shares are not sold. In addition, the repurchase of shares by the Fund may be a taxable event to those shareholders. The Fund's quarterly repurchase offers are a shareholder's only means of liquidity with respect to his or her shares. The shares are not traded on a national securities exchange and no secondary market exists for the shares, nor does the Fund expect a secondary market for its shares to exist in the future.
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The Fund is indirectly exposed to the following risks though its investments in Underlying Investment Vehicles.
Interest Rate Swap and Cap Risk . Interest rate swap and cap agreements are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the agreement will default on its obligation to pay the Underlying Investment Vehicle. These agreements are subject to leverage risk, because payments are based "notional" amounts that exceed the amount invested, if any. Leverage risk will amplify an Underlying Investment Vehicle's losses. Swap and cap agreements may also involve fees, commissions or other costs that may reduce an Underlying Investment Vehicle's gains from such an agreement or may cause the Underlying Investment Vehicle to lose money. Interest rate caps are subject to the loss of the total initial payment if the reference floating rate does not exceed the agreed upon threshold rate.
Leveraging Risk. The use of leverage, such as borrowing money to purchase properties or securities, will cause the Fund and an Underlying Investment Vehicle to incur additional expenses and significantly magnify losses in the event of underperformance of the assets purchased with borrowed money. Generally, the use of leverage also will cause the Fund and an Underlying Investment Vehicle to have higher expenses (mostly interest expenses) than those of funds that do not use such techniques. In addition, a lender may terminate or refuse to renew any credit facility. If the Fund or the Underlying Investment Vehicle is unable to access additional credit, it may be forced to sell investments at inopportune times, which may further depress the returns of the Fund. When an Underlying Investment Vehicle uses leverage, the Fund indirectly uses leverage and is subject to the same risks. The Adviser typically receives quarterly reports on leverage. Thus, the Fund is exposed to the risk of an unexpected increase in leverage by Underlying Investment Vehicles. If an Underlying Investment Vehicle's leverage exceeds the Adviser's expectation that is based on offering documents and quarterly reports, it will request daily leverage reports from that fund's manager, but cannot compel daily reporting.
Non-Principal Investment Strategy
Through its investments in Underlying Investment Vehicles, the Fund may have an indirect allocation of up to 5% of its assets in debt securities. Both Institutional Private Funds and Public Funds invest in debt instruments (mortgage notes, secured notes, senior notes and subordinated notes) that will not be rated by a credit rating agency and can include debt that would be considered "junk." In the event of an increase in debt investments by an Underlying Investment Vehicle, the Adviser will evaluate whether disposing of the investment is in the best interests of the Fund, but will not necessarily sell the investment.
The Fund is indirectly exposed to the following debt risks though its investments in Underlying Investment Vehicles. When Underlying Investment Vehicles invest in debt securities, the value of your investment in the Fund will decline when interest rates rise. In general, the market price of debt securities with longer maturities will decrease more in response to changes in interest rates than shorter-term securities. Junk debt instruments are highly speculative and risky, and have significant credit risk (the debtor may default). A decline in the credit quality of a debt security held by an Underlying Investment Vehicle will not require the Fund to dispose of the Underlying Investment Vehicle. However, the Adviser will evaluate such securities to determine whether to keep them in the Fund's portfolio. Debt securities also have prepayment risk (the debtor may pay its obligation early, reducing the amount of interest payments). During periods of declining interest rates, prepayment rates usually increase and the Fund may have to reinvest prepayment proceeds at a lower interest rate. During periods of rising interest rates, prepayment rates usually decrease and the Fund may have fewer prepayment proceeds to reinvest at interest higher rates.
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MANAGEMENT OF PREDEX
Trustees and Officers
The Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall management of the Fund. The Board supervises the duties performed by the Adviser. The Board is comprised of four trustees. The Trustees are responsible for the Fund's overall management. The Board is responsible for adopting the investment and other policies of the Fund, electing and replacing officers and selecting and supervising the Fund's investment adviser. The name and business address of the Trustees and officers of the Fund and their principal occupations and other affiliations during the past five years, as well as a description of committees of the Board, are set forth under "Management" in the SAI. The Board consists of one individual who is an interested person of the Trust as defined under the 1940 Act ("Interested Trustee") and three individuals each of whom, as defined under the 1940 Act, are not "interested persons" of the Trust, the Adviser, or the Trust's distributor ("Independent Trustees"). A profile of the Trustees follows:
Independent Trustees
Carol Broad | 32 years financial & management experience in strategic consulting to institutional real estate investors
· | Formerly Director, Private Real Estate, Russell Investments, 1999 to 2011, where she ran Russell's discretionary multi-manager private real estate business with $3.2 B in AUM. |
· | Previously Principal with Institutional Property Consultants, 1989 to 1999, where, as Director of Research, she led real estate asset class research, manager selection and due diligence processes. Served as VP with Public Storage, Inc., 1986 to 1988, and held finance and marketing positions with several major oil companies. |
· | She has been a member of the Pension Real Estate Association, the European Association for Investors in Non-listed Real Estate Vehicles (INREV), and the Editorial Board of the Institutional Real Estate Letter. |
· | MBA: University of California, Los Angeles, BS: Biochemistry, UCLA. |
Addison (Tad) Piper | 43 years senior management experience in the Financial Services Industry
· | Formerly Chairman, Vice-Chairman and CEO at Piper Jaffray Companies in Minneapolis, 1983-2006. Joined the company in 1969 and served as Assistant Equity Syndicate Manager, Director of Securities Trading, and Director of Sales & Marketing. Director, Piper Jaffray Companies, 2006 to present. |
· | He is currently a Senior Regent at St. Olaf College and Chair of Minnesota Comeback. He also serves as board member of Minnesota Public Radio, MinnCAN, American Public Media Group, and the Leuthold Group. |
· | He is the former Chair of Abbott Northwestern Hospital and Washburn Child Guidance Center. Former Vice-Chair of the Minneapolis Downtown Council and Board of Governors of the Securities Industry Association. Former Chair of the NYSE Regional Firms Advisory Group and former Trustee of the Stanford University Business School Trust. |
· | MBA: Stanford Business School, BA: Economics, Williams College. |
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Kerry Vandell | 38 years of experience as professor of real estate and urban economics
· | Director, Center for Real Estate and Professor Real Estate Finance at the Merage School of Business, UC Irvine. |
· | Former Chair of the Department of Real Estate and Urban Land Economics at the University of Wisconsin. |
· | Former Co-Editor of Real Estate Economics. |
· | His recent research on real estate illiquidity provides institutional investors with important tools to ascertain proper allocations to real estate in mixed-asset portfolios. |
· | Ph.D., Real Estate Finance, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; BS, MS, Engineering, Rice University; MS, City and Regional Planning, Harvard University |
Interested Trustee
William J. Chadwick | 40 years of real estate advisory, management & legal experience
· | Co-Founder & Managing Director, Chadwick Saylor & Co., Real Estate Investment Banking & Advisory, 1985 to present. |
· | Formerly: Chairman of Pension Real Estate Association, 1983-1988; Partner & Chairman of Tax Dept. Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker, 1973-1974 and 1977-1985; Administrator, Pension & Welfare Benefit Programs, U.S. Department of Labor, 1975-1977. |
· | Chairman, Exposition Park & California Science Center Board. 1999 to present; President, Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Commission, 2002 to present. |
· | J.D: Vanderbilt University School of Law BA: St. Lawrence University. |
Investment Adviser
PREDEX Capital Management, LLC, located at 18500 Von Karman Ave, Suite 300, Irvine, CA 92612, serves as the Fund's investment adviser. The Adviser is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The Adviser is a Delaware limited liability company formed in January 2013 for the purpose of advising the Fund and has no other clients. The Adviser is controlled by its majority owner Mission Realty Advisors, LLC (real estate advisory and investment banking). Mission Realty Advisors, LLC is deemed to be controlled by J. Grayson Sanders because he owns over 25% of its interests.
Under the general supervision of the Fund's Board of Trustees, the Adviser will carry out the investment and reinvestment of the net assets of the Fund, will furnish continuously an investment program with respect to the Fund, and determine which securities should be purchased, sold or exchanged. In addition, the Adviser will supervise and provide oversight of the Fund's service providers. The Adviser will furnish to the Fund office facilities, equipment and personnel for servicing the management of the Fund. The Adviser will compensate all Adviser personnel who provide services to the Fund. In return for these services, facilities and payments, the Fund has agreed to pay the Adviser as compensation under the Management Agreement a monthly fee at the annual rate of 0.55% of the Fund's daily average net assets. The Adviser may employ research services and service providers to assist in the Adviser's market analysis and investment selection.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees' initial approval of the Fund's Investment Management Agreement is available in the Fund's initial semi-annual report to shareholders.
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Expense Limitation Agreement
The Adviser and the Fund have entered into an Expense Limitation Agreement under which the Adviser has agreed contractually to waive its fees and to pay or absorb the ordinary operating expenses of the Fund (including organizational and offering expenses, but excluding interest (if any), acquired fund fees and expenses and extraordinary expenses), to the extent that they exceed 1.20% per annum of the Fund's average daily net assets, (the Expense Limitation). In consideration of the Adviser's agreement to limit the Fund's expenses, the Fund has agreed to repay the Adviser in the amount of any fees waived and Fund expenses paid or absorbed, subject to the limitations that: (1) the reimbursement will be made only for fees and expenses incurred not more than three years from the end of the fiscal year in which they were incurred; and (2) the reimbursement may not be made if it would cause the Expense Limitation to be exceeded. The Expense Limitation Agreement will remain in effect unless and until the Board approves its modification or termination.
Portfolio Managers
The management of the Fund's investment portfolio will be the responsibility of the Adviser and its Co-Portfolio Managers Grayson Sanders and Michael Achterberg.
J. Grayson Sanders – Mr. Sanders serves as President and Chief Investment Officer of the Adviser, a position he has held since the inception of the Adviser. Additionally, Mr. Sanders serves as Managing Principal of Mission Realty Advisors, LLC, a position held since he founded the company in February 2011. Mr. Sanders served as President of CNL Fund Advisors, Co., from 2004 to 2009 where he created and managed a global REIT mutual fund. He served from 2000 to 2004 as a Managing Director with AIG Global Real Estate Investment Corp. in New York, where he managed product development and capital formation for several international, opportunistic real estate funds for large institutional investors, investing in Europe, Asia and Mexico.
From 1991 to 1996 Mr. Sanders served as Director of Real Estate for the Ameritech Pension Trust in Chicago, where he managed the $1.5 billion real estate portfolio within the $13 billion defined benefit plan. Subsequently he was Executive Managing Director for CB Richard Ellis Investors where he was involved in product development and placement with institutional investors. In 1972, Mr. Sanders co-founded a real estate investment and consulting firm, The Landsing Corporation, which sponsored finite-life REITs and private partnerships. It grew to employ over 200 professionals. After serving as an officer in the U.S. Navy for four years, Mr. Sanders began his business career at Alex Brown & Sons, the Baltimore based investment banking firm.
Mr. Sanders served on the Boards of both the Pension Real Estate Association and the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts where he was co-chairman of its Institutional Investor Committee. He was a lecturer at Stanford Business School in 1985 where he taught a course entitled, "Essentials of Real Estate Investment and Development". He also published an article in the Real Estate Finance Journal, "An Updated Look at Asset Allocation: Private and Public Real Estate in a Multi-Asset Class Portfolio." Mr. Sanders received a BA from the University of Virginia and an MBA from Stanford Business School where he was later President of the Alumni Association.
Michael D. Achterberg – Mr. Achterberg serves as Chief Operating Officer of the Adviser, a position held since March 2013, and has 27 years of experience in the investment industry including extensive experience in fund management. Previously, Mr. Achterberg served as Chief Financial Officer for more than two years at CITIC Securities International Partners which conducted China focused investment banking and private equity from offices in Los Angeles, New York, Hong Kong and Beijing. Prior to that he was a partner for fifteen years at Strome Investment Management where as Chief Financial Officer
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he managed the operations of their private funds and participated in the due diligence and allocation of capital to other managers. Until 1994 he was an Audit Manager for Coopers & Lybrand working exclusively in the investment industry with advisers and funds. While there he served on the national quality review program for the Investment Company practice.
The SAI provides additional information about each co-portfolio manager's compensation, other accounts managed and ownership of the Fund's shares.
Administrator, Accounting Agent and Transfer Agent
Gemini Fund Services, LLC, with offices located at 17605 Wright Street, Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68130 and 80 Arkay Drive, Hauppauge, NY, 11788, serves as Administrator, Accounting Agent and Transfer Agent. Gemini Fund Services, LLC receives an asset based fee, which scales downward based upon net assets, subject to certain minimum charges expected to be approximately $70,000, plus certain out of pocket expenses.
Compliance Service Provider
Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC ("NLCS"), located at 80 Arkay Drive, 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 Fund.
Custodian
The Bank of New York Mellon, with principal offices at One Wall Street, New York, New York 10286, serves as custodian for the securities and cash of the Fund's portfolio. Under a Custody Agreement, the custodian holds the Fund's assets in safekeeping and keeps all necessary records and documents relating to its duties.
Estimated Fund Expenses
The Adviser is obligated to pay expenses associated with providing the services stated in the Management Agreement, including compensation of and office space for its officers and employees connected with investment and economic research, trading and investment management and administration of the Fund. The Adviser is obligated to pay the fees of any Trustee of the Fund who is affiliated with it.
GFS is obligated to pay expenses associated with providing the services contemplated by a Fund Services Administration Agreement (administration, accounting and transfer agent), including compensation of and office space for its officers and employees and administration of the Fund.
The Fund pays all other expenses incurred in the operation of the Fund, which consist of (i) expenses for legal and independent accountants' services, (ii) costs of printing proxies, share certificates, if any, and reports to shareholders, (iii) charges of the custodian and transfer agent in connection with the Fund's dividend reinvestment policy, (iv) fees and expenses of independent Trustees, (v) printing costs, (vi) membership fees in trade associations, (vii) fidelity bond coverage for the Fund's officers and Trustees, (viii) errors and omissions insurance for the Fund's officers and Trustees, (ix) any brokerage costs, (x) taxes, (xi) costs associated with the Fund's quarterly repurchase offers, (xii) servicing fees and (xiii) other extraordinary or non-recurring expenses and other expenses properly payable by the Fund. The expenses incident to the offering and issuance of shares to be issued by the Fund will be recorded as a reduction of capital of the Fund attributable to the shares.
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On the basis of the anticipated size of the Fund, it is estimated that the Fund's annual operating expenses will be approximately $4 million (assuming the Fund has average net assets of $400,000,000) which includes offering costs and does not take into account the effect, if any, of the Expense Limitation Agreement between the Fund and the Adviser. However, no assurance can be given, in light of the Fund's investment objective and policies and the fact that the Fund's offering is continuous and shares are sold on an ongoing basis that actual annual operating expenses will not be substantially more or less than this estimate. The Fund may pay a monthly shareholder servicing fee at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Fund.
The initial operating expenses for a new fund, which include start-up costs, may be significant, and may be higher than the expenses of an established fund. Certain remaining costs incurred in connection with the organization of the Fund, estimated at $5,000 may be borne by the Fund's shareholders as an expense of the Fund, but are subject to the Expense Limitation Agreement. The Fund will pay organizational costs and offering expenses incurred with respect to the offering of its shares from the proceeds of the offering, less amounts advanced under the Expense Limitation Agreement. For tax purposes, offering costs cannot be deducted by the Fund or the Fund's shareholders. Therefore, for tax purposes, the expenses incident to the offering and issuance of shares to be issued by the Fund will be recorded as a reduction of capital of the Fund attributable to the shares.
The Management Agreement authorizes the Adviser to select brokers or dealers (including affiliates) to arrange for the purchase and sale of Fund securities, including principal transactions. Any commission, fee or other remuneration paid to an affiliated broker or dealer is paid in compliance with the Fund's procedures adopted in accordance with Rule 17e-1 under the 1940 Act. However, the Adviser anticipates brokerage commissions will be approximately zero because the Fund's investments are typically made without the services of a broker.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The net asset value (or NAV) of shares of the Fund is determined daily, as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE (normally, 4:00 p.m., Eastern time). During the continuous offering, the price of the shares will increase or decrease on a daily basis according to the net asset value of the shares. In computing net asset value, portfolio securities of the Fund are valued at their current market values determined on the basis of market quotations. Under some circumstances, the Fund, the Board, or the Adviser may determine, based on other information available, that an Underlying Investment Vehicle's reported valuation does not represent fair value. In such cases, the Fund would determine the fair value of such an investment based on any relevant information available at the time the Fund values its portfolio, including the most recent value reported by an Underlying Investment Vehicle. If market quotations are not readily available (as in the case of Institutional Private Funds), securities are valued at fair value as determined by the Board. As a general matter, fair value represents the amount that the Fund could reasonably expect to receive if the investment in the security were sold at the time of valuation to a third party or redeemed by the Institutional Private Fund, based on information reasonably available at the time the valuation is made and that the Board believes to be reliable. The Board has delegated the day to day responsibility for determining these fair values in accordance with the policies it has approved to its Fair Value Committee with the assistance of the Adviser, which each act under the Board's supervision. Fair valuation involves subjective judgments, and it is possible that the fair value determined for a security may differ materially from the value that could be realized upon the sale of the security.
Institutional Private Funds will be difficult to value, particularly to the extent that their underlying investments are not publicly traded. The Adviser, acting under the Board's supervision via the Board's
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Fair Value Committee and pursuant to policies implemented by the Board, will determine the fair value of the investment based on the most recent value reported by the Institutional Private Fund, as well as any other relevant information available at the time the Fund values its investments. Following procedures adopted by the Board, in the absence of specific transaction activity in a particular investment fund, the Adviser and the Fair Value Committee will consider whether it is appropriate, in light of all relevant circumstances, to value the investment at the net asset value reported by the Institutional Private Fund at the time of valuation or to adjust the value to reflect a premium or discount.
There is no single standard for determining fair value of a security. Rather, the Adviser's and Fair Value Committee's fair value calculations will involve significant professional judgment in the application of both observable and unobservable attributes, and as a result, the calculated net asset values of the Institutional Private Funds' assets may differ from their actual realizable value or future fair value. In determining the fair value of a security for which there are no readily available market quotations, the Adviser, acting under the Board's supervision through the Fair Value Committee and pursuant to policies implemented by the Board, may consider several factors: fundamental analytical data relating to the investment in the security, the nature and duration of any restriction on the disposition of the security, the cost of the security at the date of purchase, the liquidity of the market for the security, prices of similar securities and the recommendation of the Fund's Portfolio Manager. The Adviser may also consider periodic financial statements (audited and unaudited) or other information provided by the issuer to investors or prospective investors. As part of its due diligence of Institutional Private Fund investments, the Adviser will attempt to obtain current information on an ongoing basis from market sources, asset managers and/or issuers to value all fair valued securities. However, it is anticipated that portfolio holdings and other value information of the Institutional Private Funds could be available on no more than a quarterly basis. Based on its review of all relevant information, the Adviser and the Fair Value Committee may conclude in certain circumstances that the information provided by the asset manager and/or issuer of an Institutional Private Fund does not represent the fair value of the investment in such a security. Institutional Private Funds, if any, that invest in publicly traded securities are more easily valued because the values of their underlying investments are based on market quotations.
Before investing in any Institutional Private Fund, the Adviser, under the oversight of the Board by way of the Fair Value Committee, will conduct a due diligence review of the valuation methodology utilized by the Institutional Private Fund, which as a general matter will utilize market values when available, and otherwise utilize principles of fair value that the Adviser and the Fair Value Committee reasonably believe to be consistent with those used by the Fund for valuing its own investments. After investing in an Institutional Private Fund, the Adviser will monitor the valuation methodology used by the asset manager and/or issuer of the Institutional Private Fund. Following procedures adopted by the Board, in the absence of specific transaction activity in a particular investment fund, the Board through the Fair Value Committee will consider whether it is appropriate, in light of all relevant circumstances, to value the investment at the net asset value reported by the Institutional Private Fund at the time of valuation or to adjust the value to reflect a premium or discount.
The Adviser, through the Fair Value Committee, will provide the Board of Trustees with periodic reports, no less frequently than quarterly, that discuss the functioning of the valuation process, if applicable to that period, and that identify issues and valuation problems that have arisen, if any. To the extent deemed necessary by the Adviser and the Fair Value Committee, the Board will review any securities valued by the Adviser in accordance with the Fund's valuation policies.
For purposes of determining the net asset value of the Fund, readily marketable portfolio securities listed on the NYSE, if any, are valued, except as indicated below, at the last sale price reflected on the consolidated tape at the close of the NYSE on the business day as of which such value is being
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determined. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day. If no bid or asked prices are quoted on such day or if market prices may be unreliable by the Adviser because of events occurring after the close of trading, then the security is valued by such method as the Board shall determine in good faith to reflect its fair market value. Readily marketable securities not listed on the NYSE but listed on other domestic securities exchanges are valued in a like manner. Portfolio securities traded on more than one securities exchange are valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such value is being determined as reflected on the consolidated tape at the close of the exchange representing the principal market for such securities. Securities trading on the NASDAQ are valued at the NASDAQ official closing price.
Readily marketable securities traded in the over-the-counter market, listed securities whose primary market is believed by the Adviser to be over-the-counter, are valued at the mean of the current bid and asked prices as reported by the NASDAQ or, in the case of securities not reported by the NASDAQ or a comparable source, as the Board deems appropriate to reflect their fair market value. Where securities are traded on more than one exchange and also over-the-counter, the securities will generally be valued using the quotations the Board of Trustees believes reflect most closely the value of such securities. Mutual funds are valued at their daily net asset value.
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, each mutual 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.
The Fund's valuation procedures require the Board to consider all relevant information available at the time the Fund values its portfolio. The Board and/or the Adviser will consider such information, and may conclude in certain circumstances, that the information provided by the asset manager of an Institutional Private Fund or other Underlying Investment Vehicle does not represent the fair value of the Fund's investment. Although the procedures approved by the Board provide that the Adviser will review the valuations provided by the Underlying Investment Vehicles' managers, neither the Adviser nor the Board will be able to confirm independently the accuracy of valuation calculations provided by such Underlying Investment Vehicles' managers.
Following procedures adopted by the Board, in the absence of specific transaction activity in a particular investment fund, the Board will consider whether it is appropriate, in light of all relevant circumstances, to value its investment at the net asset value reported by the investment fund at the time of valuation or to adjust the value to reflect a premium or discount.
In general, fair value represents a good faith approximation of the current value of an asset and will be used when there is no public market or possibly no market at all for the asset. The fair values of one or more assets may not be the prices at which those assets are ultimately sold. In such circumstances, the Adviser and/or the Board will reevaluate its fair value methodology to determine what, if any, adjustments should be made to the methodology.
Situations involving uncertainties as to the value of portfolio positions could have an adverse effect on the net assets of the Fund if the judgments of the Board, the Adviser, or Underlying Investment Vehicle managers should prove incorrect.
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CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
The Fund does not believe the Adviser has any conflicts of interest because the Adviser has no other clients, the portfolio manager does not manage other accounts and is not permitted to invest in the securities held by the Fund. Nonetheless, although the Adviser has no intention of accepting other clients, the Adviser has adopted policies and procedures in a manner reasonably designed to safeguard the Fund from being negatively affected as a result of any potential conflicts related to the acceptance of another client or clients.
QUARTERLY REPURCHASES OF SHARES
Once each quarter, the Fund will offer to repurchase at NAV no less than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Fund, unless such offer is suspended or postponed in accordance with regulatory requirements (as discussed below). The offer to purchase shares is a fundamental policy that may not be changed without the vote of the holders of a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act). Shareholders will be notified in writing of each quarterly repurchase offer and the date the repurchase offer ends (the "Repurchase Request Deadline"). Shares will be repurchased at the NAV per share determined as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE no later than the 14th day after the Repurchase Request Deadline, or the next business day if the 14th day is not a business day (each a "Repurchase Pricing Date").
Shareholders will be notified in writing about each quarterly repurchase offer, how they may request that the Fund repurchase their shares and the "Repurchase Request Deadline," which is the date the repurchase offer ends. Shares tendered for repurchase by shareholders prior to any Repurchase Request Deadline will be repurchased subject to the aggregate repurchase amounts established for that Repurchase Request Deadline. The time between the notification to shareholders and the Repurchase Request Deadline is generally 30 days, but may vary from no more than 42 days to no less than 21 days. Payment pursuant to the repurchase will be made by checks to the shareholder's address of record, or credited directly to a predetermined bank account on the Purchase Payment Date, which will be no more than seven days after the Repurchase Pricing Date. The Board may establish other policies for repurchases of shares that are consistent with the 1940 Act and regulations thereunder.
Determination of Repurchase Offer Amount
The Board, or a committee thereof, in its sole discretion, will determine the number of shares that the Fund will offer to repurchase (the "Repurchase Offer Amount") for a given Repurchase Request Deadline. The Repurchase Offer Amount will be no less than 5% and no more than 25% of the total number of shares outstanding on the Repurchase Request Deadline. However, investors should not rely on repurchase offers being made in amounts in excess of 5% of Fund assets.
If shareholders tender for repurchase more than the Repurchase Offer Amount for a given repurchase offer, the Fund will repurchase the shares on a pro rata basis. However, the Fund may accept all shares tendered for repurchase by shareholders who own less than one hundred shares and who tender all of their shares, before prorating other amounts tendered.
Notice to Shareholders
Approximately 30 days (but no less than 21 days and more than 42 days) before each Repurchase Request Deadline, the Fund shall send to each shareholder of record and to each beneficial owner of the shares that are the subject of the repurchase offer a notification ("Shareholder Notification"). The Shareholder Notification will contain information shareholders should consider in deciding whether or
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not to tender their shares for repurchase. The notice also will include detailed instructions on how to tender shares for repurchase, state the Repurchase Offer Amount and identify the dates of the Repurchase Request Deadline, the scheduled Repurchase Pricing Date, and the date the repurchase proceeds are scheduled for payment (the "Repurchase Payment Deadline"). The notice also will set forth the NAV that has been computed no more than seven days before the date of notification, and how shareholders may ascertain the NAV after the notification date.
Repurchase Price
The repurchase price of the shares will be the NAV as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE on the Repurchase Pricing Date. You may call 1-877-940-7202 to learn the NAV. The notice of the repurchase offer also will provide information concerning the NAV, such as the NAV as of a recent date or a sampling of recent NAVs, and a toll-free number for information regarding the repurchase offer.
Repurchase Amounts and Payment of Proceeds
Shares tendered for repurchase by shareholders prior to any Repurchase Request Deadline will be repurchased subject to the aggregate Repurchase Offer Amount established for that Repurchase Request Deadline. Payment pursuant to the repurchase offer will be made by check to the shareholder's address of record, or credited directly to a predetermined bank account on the Purchase Payment Date, which will be no more than seven days after the Repurchase Pricing Date. The Board may establish other policies for repurchases of shares that are consistent with the 1940 Act and regulations thereunder.
If shareholders tender for repurchase more than the Repurchase Offer Amount for a given repurchase offer, the Fund may, but is not required to, repurchase an additional amount of shares not to exceed 2% of the outstanding shares of the Fund on the Repurchase Request Deadline. If the Fund determines not to repurchase more than the Repurchase Offer Amount, or if shareholders tender shares in an amount exceeding the Repurchase Offer Amount plus 2% of the outstanding shares on the Repurchase Request Deadline, the Fund will repurchase the shares on a pro rata basis. However, the Fund may accept all shares tendered for repurchase by shareholders who own less than one hundred shares and who tender all of their shares, before prorating other amounts tendered.
Suspension or Postponement of Repurchase Offer
The Fund may suspend or postpone a repurchase offer only: (a) if making or effecting the repurchase offer would cause the Fund to lose its status as a regulated investment company under the Code; (b) for any period during which the NYSE or any market on which the securities owned by the Fund are principally traded is closed, other than customary weekend and holiday closings, or during which trading in such market is restricted; (c) for any period during which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by the Fund of securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable, or during which it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund fairly to determine the value of its net assets; or (d) for such other periods as the Commission may by order permit for the protection of shareholders of the Fund.
Liquidity Requirements
The Fund must maintain liquid assets (liquid Public Funds, money market mutual funds, short-term (30 day or shorter maturity) U.S. T-Bills) or access to a bank line of credit equal to the Repurchase Offer Amount from the time that the notice is sent to shareholders until the Repurchase Pricing Date. The Fund will ensure that a percentage of its net assets equal to at least 100% of the Repurchase Offer Amount consists of securities that can be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business at
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approximately the price at which the Fund has valued the investment within the time period between the Repurchase Request Deadline and the Repurchase Payment Deadline, or, in the alternative, that the Fund has access to a bank line of credit. For example, if the Fund offers to repurchase 5% of its shares, then at least 5% of its net assets will be represented by liquid securities or access to a bank line of credit. The Board of Trustees has adopted procedures that are reasonably designed to ensure that the Fund's securities are sufficiently liquid, or that it has access to a bank line of credit, so that the Fund can comply with the repurchase offer and the liquidity requirements described in the previous paragraph. If, at any time, the Fund falls out of compliance with these liquidity requirements, the Board of Trustees will take whatever action it deems appropriate to ensure compliance.
Consequences of Repurchase Offers
Repurchase offers will typically be funded from available cash or sales of portfolio securities. Payment for repurchased shares, however, may require the Fund to liquidate portfolio holdings earlier than the Adviser otherwise would, thus increasing the Fund's portfolio turnover and potentially causing the Fund to realize losses. The Adviser intends to take measures to attempt to avoid or minimize such potential losses and turnover, and instead of liquidating portfolio holdings, may borrow money to finance repurchases of shares. If the Fund borrows to finance repurchases, interest on that borrowing will negatively affect shareholders who do not tender their shares in a repurchase offer by increasing the Fund's expenses and reducing any net investment income. To the extent the Fund finances repurchase amounts by selling Fund investments, the Fund may hold a larger proportion of its assets in less liquid securities.
Repurchase of the Fund's shares will tend to reduce the amount of outstanding shares and, depending upon the Fund's investment performance, its net assets. A reduction in the Fund's net assets would increase the Fund's expense ratio, to the extent that additional shares are not sold and expenses otherwise remain the same (or increase). In addition, the repurchase of shares by the Fund will be a taxable event to shareholders.
The Fund is intended as a long-term investment. The Fund's quarterly repurchase offers are a shareholder's only means of liquidity with respect to his or her shares. Shareholders have no rights to redeem or transfer their shares, other than limited rights of a shareholder's descendants to redeem shares in the event of such shareholder's death pursuant to certain conditions and restrictions. The shares are not traded on a national securities exchange and no secondary market exists for the shares, nor does the Fund expect a secondary market for its shares to exist in the future.
DISTRIBUTION POLICY
Distribution Policy
The Fund intends to make a dividend distribution each quarter, to its shareholders of the net investment income of the Fund after payment of Fund operating expenses. The Fund may establish a predetermined dividend rate, which may be modified by the Board from time to time. If, for any distribution, investment company taxable income (which term includes net short-term capital gain), if any, and net tax-exempt income, if any, is less than the amount of the predetermined dividend rate, then assets of the Fund will be sold and the difference will generally be a tax-free return of capital from the Fund's assets. The Fund's final distribution for each calendar year will include any remaining investment company taxable income and net tax-exempt income undistributed during the year, as well as all net capital gain realized during the year. If the total distributions made in any calendar year exceed investment company taxable income, net tax-exempt income and net capital gain, such excess distributed amount would be treated as ordinary dividend income to the extent of the Fund's current
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and accumulated earnings and profits. Payments in excess of the earnings and profits would first be a tax-free return of capital to the extent of the adjusted tax basis in the shares. After such adjusted tax basis is reduced to zero, the payment would constitute capital gain (assuming the shares are held as capital assets). This distribution policy may, under certain circumstances, have certain adverse consequences to the Fund and its shareholders because it may result in a return of capital resulting in less of a shareholder's assets being invested in the Fund and, over time, increase the Fund's expense ratio. The distribution policy also may cause the Fund to sell a security at a time it would not otherwise do so in order to manage the distribution of income and gain. The initial distribution will be declared on a date determined by the Board.
Unless the registered owner of shares elects to receive cash, all dividends declared on shares will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Fund. See "Dividend Reinvestment Policy."
The dividend distribution described above may result in the payment of approximately the same amount or percentage to the Fund's shareholders each period. Section 19(a) of the 1940 Act and Rule 19a-1 thereunder require the Fund to provide a written statement accompanying any such payment that adequately discloses its source or sources. Thus, if the source of the dividend or other distribution were the original capital contribution of the shareholder, and the payment amounted to a return of capital, the Fund would be required to provide written disclosure to that effect. As required under the 1940 Act, the Fund will provide a notice to shareholders at the time of a payment or distribution when such does not consist solely of net income. Additionally, each payment will be accompanied by a written statement which discloses the source or sources of each payment. The IRS requires you to report these amounts, excluding returns of capital, (such amounts will be reported by the Fund to shareholders on IRS Form 1099) on your income tax return for the year declared. The Fund will provide disclosures, with each payment, that estimates the percentages of the current and year-to-date payments that represent (1) net investment income, (2) capital gains and (3) return of capital. At the end of the year, the Fund may be required under applicable law to re-characterize payments made previously during that year among (1) ordinary income, (2) capital gains and (3) return of capital for tax purposes. Nevertheless, persons who periodically receive the payments may be under the impression that they are receiving net profits when they are not. Shareholders should read any written disclosure provided pursuant to Section 19(a) and Rule 19a-1 carefully and should not assume that the source of any payment from the Fund is net profit.
The Board reserves the right to change the quarterly distribution policy from time to time.
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT POLICY
The Fund will operate under a dividend reinvestment policy administered by GFS (the "Agent"). Pursuant to the policy, the Fund's income dividends or capital gains or other distributions (each, a "Distribution" and collectively, "Distributions"), net of any applicable U.S. withholding tax, are reinvested in shares of the Fund.
Shareholders automatically participate in the dividend reinvestment policy, unless and until an election is made to withdraw from the policy on behalf of such participating shareholder. Shareholders who do not wish to have Distributions automatically reinvested should so notify the Agent in writing at PREDEX, c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC, 17605 Wright Street, Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68130. Such written notice must be received by the Agent 30 days prior to the record date of the Distribution or the shareholder will receive such Distribution in shares through the dividend reinvestment policy. Under the dividend reinvestment policy, the Fund's Distributions to shareholders are reinvested in full and fractional shares as described below.
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When the Fund declares a Distribution, the Agent, on the shareholder's behalf, will receive additional authorized shares from the Fund either newly issued or repurchased from shareholders by the Fund and held as treasury stock. The number of shares to be received when Distributions are reinvested will be determined by dividing the amount of the Distribution by the Fund's NAV per share.
The Agent will maintain all shareholder accounts and furnish written confirmations of all transactions in the accounts and information needed by shareholders for personal and tax records. The Agent will hold shares in the account of the shareholders in non-certificated form in the name of the participant, and each shareholder's proxy, if any, will include those shares purchased pursuant to the dividend reinvestment policy. Each participant, nevertheless, has the right to request certificates for whole and fractional shares owned. The Fund will issue certificates in its sole discretion. The Agent will distribute all proxy solicitation materials, if any, to participating shareholders.
In the case of shareholders, such as banks, brokers or nominees, that hold shares for others who are beneficial owners participating under the dividend reinvestment policy, the Agent will administer the dividend reinvestment policy on the basis of the number of shares certified from time to time by the record shareholder as representing the total amount of shares registered in the shareholder's name and held for the account of beneficial owners participating under the dividend reinvestment policy.
Neither the Agent nor the Fund shall have any responsibility or liability beyond the exercise of ordinary care for any action taken or omitted pursuant to the dividend reinvestment policy, nor shall they have any duties, responsibilities or liabilities except as expressly set forth herein. Neither shall they be liable hereunder for any act done in good faith or for any good faith omissions to act, without limitation, failure to terminate a participant's account prior to receipt of written notice of his or her death or with respect to prices at which shares are purchased or sold for the participant's account and the terms on which such purchases and sales are made, subject to applicable provisions of the federal securities laws.
The automatic reinvestment of Dividends will not relieve participants of any federal, state or local income tax that may be payable (or required to be withheld) on such Dividends. See "U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters."
The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the dividend reinvestment policy. There is no direct service charge to participants with regard to purchases under the dividend reinvestment policy; however, the Fund reserves the right to amend the dividend reinvestment policy to include a service charge payable by the participants.
All correspondence concerning the dividend reinvestment policy should be directed to the Agent at PREDEX, c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC, 17605 Wright Street, Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68130. Certain transactions can be performed by calling the toll free number 1-877-940-7202.
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX MATTERS
The following briefly summarizes some of the important federal income tax consequences to shareholders of investing in the Fund's shares, reflects the federal tax law as of the date of this prospectus, and does not address special tax rules applicable to certain types of investors, such as corporate, tax-exempt and foreign investors. Investors should consult their tax advisers regarding other federal, state or local tax considerations that may be applicable in their particular circumstances, as well as any proposed tax law changes.
The following is a summary discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to a shareholder of the Fund that acquires, holds and/or disposes of shares of the Fund , and
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reflects provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, existing Treasury regulations, rulings published by the IRS, and other applicable authority, as of the date of this prospectus. These authorities are subject to change by legislative or administrative action, possibly with retroactive effect. The following discussion is only a summary of some of the important tax considerations generally applicable to investments in the Fund and the discussion set forth herein does not constitute tax advice. For more detailed information regarding tax considerations, see the SAI. There may be other tax considerations applicable to particular investors such as those holding shares in a tax deferred account such as an IRA or 401(k) plan. In addition, income earned through an investment in the Fund may be subject to state, local and foreign taxes.
The Fund intends to elect to be treated and to qualify each year for taxation as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code. In order for the Fund to qualify as a regulated investment company, it must meet an income and asset diversification test each year. If the Fund so qualifies and satisfies certain distribution requirements, the Fund (but not its shareholders) will not be subject to federal income tax to the extent it distributes its investment company taxable income and net capital gains (the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital loss) in a timely manner to its shareholders in the form of dividends or capital gain distributions. The Code imposes a 4% nondeductible excise tax on regulated investment companies, such as the Fund, to the extent they do not meet certain distribution requirements by the end of each calendar year. The Fund anticipates meeting these distribution requirements. If for any taxable year the Fund does not qualify for the special tax treatment afforded regulated investment companies, all of its taxable income will be subject to federal tax at regular corporate rates (without any deduction for distributions to its shareholders). In such event, dividend distributions would be taxable to shareholders to the extent the Fund's earnings and profits, and would be eligible for the dividends-received deduction for corporations.
The Fund intends to make distributions of investment company taxable income after payment of the Fund's operating expenses no less frequently than annually. Unless a shareholder is ineligible to participate or elects otherwise, all distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Fund pursuant to the dividend reinvestment policy. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, all dividends are generally taxable whether a shareholder takes them in cash or they are reinvested pursuant to the policy in additional shares of the Fund. Distributions of the Fund's investment company taxable income (including short-term capital gains) will generally be treated as ordinary income to the extent of the Fund's current and accumulated earnings and profits. Distributions of the Fund's net capital gains ("capital gain dividends"), if any, are taxable to shareholders as capital gains, regardless of the length of time shares have been held by shareholders. Payments, if any, in excess of the Fund's earnings and profits will first reduce the adjusted tax basis of a holder's shares and, after that basis has been reduced to zero, will constitute capital gains to the shareholder of the Fund (assuming the shares are held as a capital asset). A corporation that owns Fund shares generally will not be entitled to the dividends received deduction with respect to all of the dividends it receives from the Fund. Fund dividend payments that are attributable to qualifying dividends received by the Fund from certain domestic corporations may be designated by the Fund as being eligible for the dividends received deduction. There can be no assurance as to what portion of Fund dividend payments may be classified as qualifying dividends. The determination of the character for U.S. federal income tax purposes of any payment from the Fund ( i.e. ordinary income dividends, capital gains dividends, qualified dividends) or return of capital will be made as of the end of the Fund's taxable year.
The Fund expects that on or before January 31 st of each year, the Fund will inform its shareholders of the source and tax status of all distributions made during the previous calendar year.
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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE AND SHARES
The Fund is an unincorporated statutory trust established under the laws of the State of Delaware upon the filing of a Certificate of Trust with the Secretary of State of Delaware on February 5, 2013. The Fund's Agreement and Declaration of Trust (the "Declaration of Trust") provides that the Trustees of the Fund may authorize separate classes of shares of beneficial interest. The Trustees have authorized an unlimited number of shares. The Fund does not intend to hold annual meetings of its shareholders. As of April 19, 2016, of 4,000,000 shares registered, 4,000 shares were outstanding, of which none were owned by the Fund.
Title of Class | Amount Authorized | Amount Held By Fund | Amount Outstanding |
Shares of Beneficial Interest |
Unlimited 4,000,000 shares registered |
None |
4,000 shares
NAV $25.00 per share |
Shares
The Declaration of Trust, which has been filed with the SEC, permits the Fund to issue an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of beneficial interest, no par value. Each share of the Fund represents an equal proportionate interest in the assets of the Fund with each other share in the Fund. Holders of shares will be entitled to the payment of dividends when, as and if declared by the Board. The Fund currently intends to make dividend distributions to its shareholders after payment of Fund operating expenses including interest on outstanding borrowings, if any, quarterly. Unless the registered owner of shares elects to receive cash, all dividends declared on shares will be automatically reinvested for shareholders in additional shares of the Fund. See "Dividend Reinvestment Policy." The 1940 Act may limit the payment of dividends to the holders of shares. Each whole share shall be entitled to one vote as to matters on which it is entitled to vote pursuant to the terms of the Declaration of Trust on file with the SEC. Upon liquidation of the Fund, after paying or adequately providing for the payment of all liabilities of the Fund, and upon receipt of such releases, indemnities and refunding agreements as they deem necessary for their protection, the Trustees may distribute the remaining assets of the Fund among its shareholders. The shares are not liable to further calls or to assessment by the Fund. There are no pre-emptive rights associated with the shares. The Declaration of Trust provides that the Fund's shareholders are not liable for any liabilities of the Fund. Although shareholders of an unincorporated statutory trust established under Delaware law, in certain limited circumstances, may be held personally liable for the obligations of the Fund as though they were general partners, the provisions of the Declaration of Trust described in the foregoing sentence make the likelihood of such personal liability remote.
The Fund generally will not issue share certificates. However, upon written request to the Fund's transfer agent, a share certificate may be issued at the Fund's discretion for any or all of the full shares credited to an investor's account. Share certificates that have been issued to an investor may be returned at any time. The Fund's transfer agent will maintain an account for each shareholder upon which the registration of shares are recorded, and transfers, permitted only in rare circumstances, such as death or bona fide gift, will be reflected by bookkeeping entry, without physical delivery. GFS will require that a shareholder provide requests in writing, accompanied by a valid signature guarantee form, when changing certain information in an account such as wiring instructions or telephone privileges.
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ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS IN THE DECLARATION OF TRUST
The Declaration of Trust includes provisions that could have the effect of limiting the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or to change the composition of the Board of Trustees, and could have the effect of depriving the Fund's shareholders of an opportunity to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices, if any, by discouraging a third party from seeking to obtain control of the Fund. These provisions may have the effect of discouraging attempts to acquire control of the Fund, which attempts could have the effect of increasing the expenses of the Fund and interfering with the normal operation of the Fund. The Trustees are elected for indefinite terms and do not stand for reelection. A Trustee may be removed from office without cause only by a written instrument signed or adopted by a majority of the remaining Trustees or by a vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the class of shares of the Fund that are entitled to elect a Trustee and that are entitled to vote on the matter. The Declaration of Trust does not contain any other specific inhibiting provisions that would operate only with respect to an extraordinary transaction such as a merger, reorganization, tender offer, sale or transfer of substantially all of the Fund's asset, or liquidation. Reference should be made to the Declaration of Trust on file with the SEC for the full text of these provisions.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, located at 17605 Wright Street Omaha, NE 68130, serves as the Fund's principal underwriter, within the meaning of the 1940 Act, and acts as the distributor of the Fund's shares, subject to various conditions. The Fund's shares are offered for sale through the Distributor at NAV. The Distributor also may enter into selected dealer agreements with other broker dealers for the sale and distribution of the Fund's shares. In reliance on Rule 415, the Fund intends to offer to sell an unlimited number of shares, on a continual basis, through the Distributor. No arrangement has been made to place funds received in an escrow, trust or similar account. The Distributor is not required to sell any specific number or dollar amount of the Fund's shares. Shares of the Fund will not be listed on any national securities exchange and the Distributor will not act as a market marker in Fund shares.
The Adviser or its affiliates, in the Adviser's discretion and from their own resources (which may include the Adviser's legitimate profits from the advisory fee it receives from the Fund), may pay additional compensation to brokers or dealers in connection with the sale and distribution of Fund shares (the "Additional Compensation"). In return for the Additional Compensation, the Fund may receive certain marketing advantages: access to a broker's or dealer's registered representatives, placement on a list of investment options offered by a broker or dealer, or the ability to assist in training and educating the broker's or dealer's registered representatives. The Additional Compensation may differ among brokers or dealers in amount or in the manner of calculation: payments of Additional Compensation may be fixed dollar amounts, or based on the aggregate value of outstanding shares held by shareholders introduced by the broker or dealer, or determined in some other manner. The receipt of Additional Compensation by a selling broker or dealer may create potential conflicts of interest between an investor and its broker or dealer who is recommending the Fund over other potential investments. Please visit the relevant financial intermediary's website for more information about this potential conflict of interest.
Prior to the initial public offering of shares, the Adviser purchased shares from the Fund in an amount satisfying the net worth requirements of Section 14(a) of the 1940 Act.
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Purchasing Shares
Investors may purchase shares directly from the Fund in accordance with the instructions below. Investors will be assessed fees for returned checks and stop payment orders at prevailing rates charged by Gemini Fund Services, LLC, the Fund's administrator. The returned check and stop payment fee is currently $25. Investors may buy and sell shares of the Fund through financial intermediaries and their agents that have made arrangements with the Fund and are authorized to buy and sell shares of the Fund (collectively, "Financial Intermediaries"). Orders will be priced at the appropriate price next computed after it is received by a Financial Intermediary. A Financial Intermediary may hold shares in an omnibus account in the Financial Intermediary's name or the Financial Intermediary may maintain individual ownership records. The Fund may pay the Financial Intermediary for maintaining individual ownership records as well as providing other shareholder services. Financial intermediaries may charge fees for the services they provide in connection with processing your transaction order or maintaining an investor's account with them. Investors should check with their Financial Intermediary to determine if it is subject to these arrangements. Financial Intermediaries are responsible for placing orders correctly and promptly with the Fund, forwarding payment promptly. Orders transmitted with a Financial Intermediary before the close of regular trading (generally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time) on a day that the NYSE is open for business, will be priced based on the Fund's NAV next computed after it is received by the Financial Intermediary.
By Mail
To make an initial purchase by mail, complete an account application and mail the application, together with a check made payable to PREDEX to:
PREDEX
c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC
17605 Wright Street, Suite 2
Omaha, NE 68130
All checks must be in US Dollars drawn on a domestic bank. The Fund will not accept payment in cash or money orders. The Fund also does not accept cashier's checks in amounts of less than $10,000. To prevent check fraud, the Fund will neither accept third party checks, Treasury checks, credit card checks, traveler's checks or starter checks for the purchase of shares, nor post-dated checks, post-dated on-line bill pay checks, or any conditional purchase order or payment.
The transfer agent will charge a $25.00 fee against an investor's account, in addition to any loss sustained by the Fund, for any payment that is returned. It is the policy of the Fund not to accept applications under certain circumstances or in amounts considered disadvantageous to shareholders. The Fund reserves the right to reject any application.
By Wire — Initial Investment
To make an initial investment in the Fund, the transfer agent must receive a completed account application before an investor wires funds. Investors may mail or overnight deliver an account application to the transfer agent. Upon receipt of the completed account application, the transfer agent will establish an account. The account number assigned will be required as part of the instruction that should be provided to an investor's bank to send the wire. An investor's bank must include both the name of PREDEX, the account number, and the investor's name so that monies can be correctly applied. If you wish to wire money to make an investment in the Fund, please call the Fund at 1-877-940-7202 for wiring instructions and to notify the Fund that a wire transfer is coming. Any commercial
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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. The bank should transmit funds by wire to:
ABA #: (number provided by calling toll-free number above)
Credit: Gemini Fund Services, LLC
Account #: (number provided by calling toll-free number above)
Further Credit: PREDEX
(shareholder registration)
(shareholder account number)
By Wire — Subsequent Investments
Before sending a wire, investors must contact Gemini Fund Services, LLC to advise them of the intent to wire funds. This will ensure prompt and accurate credit upon receipt of the wire. Wired funds must be received prior to 4:00 p.m. Eastern time to be eligible for same day pricing. The Fund, and its agents, the transfer agent and custodian, are not responsible for the consequences of delays resulting from the banking or Federal Reserve wire system, or from incomplete wiring instructions.
By Telephone
Investors may purchase additional shares of the Fund by calling 1-877-940-7202. If an investor elected this option on the account application, and the account has been open for at least 15 days, telephone orders will be accepted via electronic funds transfer from your bank account through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network. Banking information must be established on the account prior to making a purchase. Orders for shares received prior to 4 p.m. Eastern time will be purchased at the appropriate price calculated on that day.
Telephone trades must be received by or prior to market close. During periods of high market activity, shareholders may encounter higher than usual call waits. Please allow sufficient time to place your telephone transaction.
In compliance with the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, GFS will verify certain information on each account application as part of the Fund's Anti-Money Laundering Program. As requested on the application, investors must supply full name, date of birth, social security number and permanent street address. Mailing addresses containing only a P.O. Box will not be accepted. Investors may call Gemini Fund Services, LLC at 1-877-940-7202 for additional assistance when completing an application.
If Gemini Fund Services, LLC does not have a reasonable belief of the identity of a customer, the account will be rejected or the customer will not be allowed to perform a transaction on the account until such information is received. The Fund also may reserve the right to close the account within five business days if clarifying information/documentation is not received.
Purchase Terms
The minimum initial investment by a shareholder is $1,000,000 for all types of accounts. However, investment advisers may aggregate client accounts for the purpose of meeting the minimum investment. Also, the Fund or the Adviser may waive the minimum investment at either's discretion. The Fund's shares are offered for sale through its Distributor at NAV. The price of the shares during the Fund's continuous offering will fluctuate over time with the net asset value of the shares.
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Shareholder Service Expenses
The Fund has adopted a "Shareholder Services Plan" under which the Fund may compensate financial industry professionals for providing ongoing services in respect of clients with whom they have distributed shares of the Fund or provide shareholder services. Such services may include electronic processing of client orders, electronic fund transfers between clients and the Fund, account reconciliations with the Fund's transfer agent, facilitation of electronic delivery to clients of Fund documentation, monitoring client accounts for back-up withholding and any other special tax reporting obligations, maintenance of books and records with respect to the foregoing, and such other information and liaison services as the Fund or the Adviser may reasonably request. Under the Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund may incur expenses on an annual basis equal to up to 0.25% of its average net assets.
CYBERSECURITY
The computer systems, networks and devices used by the Fund and its 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 Fund and its service providers, systems, networks, or devices potentially can be breached. The Fund and 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 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 Fund's business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses; interference with the Fund's ability to calculate NAV; impediments to trading; the inability of the Fund, the Adviser, 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 Fund invests; counterparties with which the Fund engages 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 Fund's shareholders); and other parties. In addition, substantial costs may be incurred by these entities in order to prevent any cybersecurity breaches in the future.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters in connection with the shares will be passed upon for the Fund by Thompson Hine LLP, 41 South High Street, 17th floor, Columbus, OH 43215.
REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS
The Fund will send to its shareholders unaudited semi-annual and audited annual reports which include a list of investments held.
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Householding
In an effort to decrease costs, the Fund intends to reduce the number of duplicate annual and semi-annual reports by sending only one copy of each to those addresses shared by two or more accounts and to shareholders reasonably believed to be from the same family or household. Once implemented, a shareholder must call 1-877-940-7202 to discontinue householding and request individual copies of these documents. Once the Fund receives notice to stop householding, individual copies will be sent beginning thirty days after receiving your request. This policy does not apply to account statements.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
RSM US LLP is the independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund and will audit the Fund's annual financial statements. RSM US LLP is located at 555 Seventeenth Street, Suite 1000, Denver, CO 80202.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Prospectus and the SAI do not contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement that the Fund has filed with the SEC (file No. 333-186987). The complete Registration Statement may be obtained from the SEC at www.sec.gov. See the cover page of this Prospectus for information about how to obtain a paper copy of the Registration Statement or SAI without charge.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS OF THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
General Information and History | 2 | |
Investment Objective and Policies | 2 | |
Management of PREDEX | 11 | |
Codes of Ethics | 16 | |
Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures | 16 | |
Control Persons and Principal Holders | 16 | |
Investment Advisory and Other Services | 17 | |
Portfolio Manager | 18 | |
Allocation of Brokerage | 18 | |
Tax Status | 18 | |
Other Information | 21 | |
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | 22 | |
Financial Statements | 22 | |
Appendix – Adviser's Proxy Policy | 23 |
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PRIVACY notice | |||||||
FACTS | WHAT DOES PREDEX DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION? | ||||||
Why? | Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do. | ||||||
What?
|
The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:
§ Social Security number § Purchase History § Assets § Account Balances § Retirement Assets § Account Transactions § Transaction History § Wire Transfer Instructions § Checking Account Information § 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. |
||||||
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 PREDEX chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing. | ||||||
Reasons we can share your personal information | Does PREDEX 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 |
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Questions? | Call 1-877-940-7202 | ||
Who we are | |||
Who is providing this notice? | PREDEX | ||
What we do | |||
How does PREDEX protect my personal information? |
To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.
Our service providers are held accountable for adhering to strict policies and procedures to prevent any misuse of your nonpublic personal information. |
||
How does PREDEX 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. |
||
Why can't I limit all sharing? |
Federal law gives you the right to limit only ▪ Sharing for affiliates' everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness ▪ Affiliates from using your information to market to you ▪ Sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing. |
||
Definitions | |||
Affiliates |
Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies. § PREDEX does not share with our affiliates. |
||
Nonaffiliates |
Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies § PREDEX does not share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you. |
||
Joint marketing |
A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you. § PREDEX doesn't jointly market. |
||
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PROSPECTUS
PREDEX
Shares of Beneficial Interest
May 1, 2016
Investment Adviser
PREDEX Capital Management, LLC
All dealers that buy, sell or trade the Fund's shares, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus when acting on behalf of the Fund's Distributor.
You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus. The Fund has not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. The Fund is not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
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STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
May 1, 2016
PREDEX
Principal Executive Offices
17605 Wright Street, Suite 2,
Omaha, NE 68130
1-877-940-7202
This Statement of Additional Information ("SAI") is not a prospectus. This SAI should be read in conjunction with the prospectus of PREDEX (the "Fund"), dated May 1, 2016 (the "Prospectus"), as it may be supplemented from time to time. The Prospectus is hereby incorporated by reference into this SAI (legally made a part of this SAI). Capitalized terms used but not defined in this SAI have the meanings given to them in the Prospectus. This SAI does not include all information that a prospective investor should consider before purchasing the Fund's securities.
You should obtain and read the Prospectus and any related Prospectus supplement prior to purchasing any of the Fund's securities. A copy of the Prospectus may be obtained without charge by calling the Fund toll-free at 1-877-940-7202. The registration statement, of which the Prospectus is a part, can be reviewed and copied at the Public Reference Room of the SEC at 100 F Street NE, Washington, D.C. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-202-551-8090. The Fund's filings with the SEC are also available to the public on the SEC's Internet web site at www.sec.gov . Copies of these filings may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following E-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SEC's Public Reference Section, 100 F Street NE, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
General Information and History | 2 |
Investment Objective and Policies | 2 |
Management of PREDEX | 11 |
Codes of Ethics | 16 |
Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures | 16 |
Control Persons and Principal Holders | 16 |
Investment Advisory and Other Services | 17 |
Portfolio Managers | 18 |
Allocation of Brokerage | 18 |
Tax Status | 18 |
Other Information | 21 |
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | 22 |
Financial Statements | 22 |
Appendix – Adviser's Proxy Policy | 23 |
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GENERAL INFORMATION AND HISTORY
The Fund is a continuously offered, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that is operated as an interval fund (the "Trust"). The Fund was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on February 5, 2013 and has not commenced trading operations as of the date of this SAI. The Fund's principal office is located at 17605 Wright Street, Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68130 and its telephone number is 1-877-940-7202. The investment objective and principal investment strategies of the Fund, as well as the principal risks associated with the Fund's investment strategies, are set forth in the Prospectus. Certain additional investment information is set forth below.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
Investment Objective
The Fund's primary investment objective is to seek consistent current income while secondarily seeking long-term capital appreciation with moderate volatility.
Fundamental Policies
The Fund's stated fundamental policies, which may only be changed by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (the shares), are listed below. For the purposes of this SAI, "majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund" means the vote, at an annual or special meeting of shareholders, duly called, (a) of 67% or more of the shares present at such meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares are present or represented by proxy; or (b) of more than 50% of the outstanding shares, whichever is less. The Fund will not:
(1) Borrow money, except to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), which currently limits borrowing to no more than 33-1/3% of the value of the Fund's total assets. The Fund may borrow for investment purposes, for temporary liquidity, or to finance repurchases of its shares.
(2) Issue preferred shares.
(3) Purchase securities on margin, sell securities short, write put options, nor write call options.
(4) Underwrite securities of other issuers, except insofar as the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") in connection with the disposition of its portfolio securities. The Fund may invest in restricted securities (those that must be registered under the Securities Act before they may be offered or sold to the public).
(5) Invest 25% or more of the market value of its assets in the securities of companies or entities engaged in any one industry, or group of industries, except the real estate industry through "Underlying Investment Vehicles." This limitation does not apply to investment in the securities of the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, as well as to investments in investment companies that primarily invest in such securities. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests, through Underlying Investment Vehicles, over 75% of its assets in the securities of issuers in the real estate industry.
(6) Purchase or sell commodities, unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other investments.
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(7) Make loans to others except by loaning portfolio securities; or entry into a repurchase agreement of up to 100% of assets in a manner consistent with the Fund's investment policies or as otherwise permitted under the 1940 Act, when such a transaction is deemed to be a loan.
(8) Purchase or sell real estate or interests in real estate, except this limitation is not applicable to investments in securities, such as Underlying Investment Vehicles, that are secured by or represent direct or indirect interests in real estate.
In addition, the Fund has adopted a fundamental policy that it will make quarterly repurchase offers for no less than for 5% of the shares outstanding at net asset value ("NAV") less any repurchase fee, unless suspended or postponed in accordance with regulatory requirements, and each repurchase pricing shall occur no later than the 14th day after the Repurchase Request Deadline, or the next business day if the 14th is not a business day.
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 the 1940 Act.
Non-Fundamental Policies
The following is an additional investment limitation of the Fund and may be changed by the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval.
1. The Fund may not 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 (1) above through the grant of a security interest maintained by the Custodian.
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.
Non-Diversified Status
Because the Fund is "non-diversified" under the 1940 Act, it is subject only to certain federal tax diversification requirements. Under federal tax laws, the Fund may, with respect to 50% of its total assets, invest up to 25% of its total assets in the securities of any issuer. With respect to the remaining 50% of the Fund's total assets, (i) the Fund may not invest more than 5% of its total assets in the securities of any one issuer, and (ii) the Fund may not acquire more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer. These tests apply at the end of each quarter of the taxable year and are subject to certain conditions and limitations under the Code. These tests do not apply to investments in United States Government Securities and regulated investment companies.
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Non-Principal Investment Strategies
Special Investment Techniques
Underlying Investment Vehicles use interest rate swaps and caps to hedge against risks that affect the value of the Underlying Investment Vehicles' portfolio securities and assets. Underlying Investment Vehicles use these derivative transactions to hedge investment risks in pursuing their respective investment objectives. These hedging transactions may not perform as anticipated, and an Underlying Investment Vehicle may suffer losses as a result of its hedging activities.
Interest Rate Swaps and Caps
The Fund anticipates that interest rate swaps and caps will be a small part (less than 10%) of each Underlying Investment Vehicle's investment strategy . These derivatives can be volatile and involve certain types and degrees of risk. By using these derivatives, Underlying Investment Vehicles may be permitted to increase or decrease the level of risk, or change the character of the risk, to which their portfolios are exposed.
A small investment in these derivatives could have a substantial impact on an Underlying Investment Vehicle's performance. The market for these derivatives is, or suddenly can become, illiquid. Changes in liquidity may result in significant and rapid changes in the prices for derivatives. If an Underlying Investment Vehicle were to invest in these derivatives at an inopportune time, or the Underlying Investment Vehicle manager evaluates market conditions incorrectly, the Underlying Investment Vehicle's derivative investment could negatively impact the Underlying Investment Vehicle's return, or result in a loss. In addition, an Underlying Investment Vehicle could experience a loss if its derivatives were poorly correlated with its other investments, or if the Underlying Investment Vehicle were unable to liquidate its position because of an illiquid secondary market.
Swap Agreements . For hedging purposes, an Underlying Investment Vehicle may enter into interest rate swap agreements. Swap agreements are contracts entered into by two parties (primarily institutional investors) for periods ranging from a few weeks to more than a year. In a standard interest rate swap transaction, the parties agree to exchange periodic payments based on the difference between a fixed interest rate and a floating interest rate. The gross returns to be exchanged or "swapped" between the parties are generally calculated with respect to a "notional amount," i.e ., based on the value of a particular dollar amount invested at a particular interest rate.
Interest Rate Cap Agreements . For hedging purposes, an Underlying Investment Vehicle may enter into interest rate cap agreements. An interest rate cap is similar to an interest rate swap except that one party pays the other for the right receive payments when a floating exceeds an agreed upon threshold level.
Generally, an Underlying Investment Vehicle's obligations (or rights) under a swap or cap agreement will be equal only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement, based on the relative values of the positions held by the parties. The risk of loss is limited to the net amount of interest payments that a party is contractually required to make. As such, if the counterparty to a swap or cap defaults, an Investment Fund's risk of loss consists of the net amount of payments that it is entitled to receive.
The use of derivatives that are subject to regulation by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the "CFTC") by Underlying Investment Vehicles could cause the Fund to be a commodity
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pool, which, absent an available exemption would require the Fund to comply with certain rules of the CFTC.
Regulation as a Commodity Pool Operator
PREDEX Capital Management, LLC (the "Adviser"), with respect to 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, and Rule 4.5 of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission promulgated thereunder, with respect to the Fund's operations. Accordingly, neither the Fund nor the Adviser is subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator.
Debt Instruments
Institutional Private Funds in the Index may invest up to 20% of their net assets in debt instruments such as property-related debt such as a mortgage, public company or private company debt. However, the Fund does not anticipate that debt investing will be a significant source of returns (less than 10%) and does not expect Institutional Private Funds to invest up the 20% limit. Mutual funds may also invest in debt instruments as disclosed in their respective Prospectus or Statement of Additional Information. Here too, the Fund does not anticipate that debt investing will be a significant source of returns (less than 10%) as the Adviser will not invest in mutual fund that invests in debt instruments as principal investment strategy. Underlying Investment Vehicles may invest in debt instruments without restriction as to issuer capitalization and in debt securities of any quality or maturity. When Underlying Investment Vehicles invest in debt securities, the value of your investment in the Fund will fluctuate with changes in interest rates. Typically, a rise in interest rates causes a decline in the value of debt securities. In general, the market price of debt securities with longer maturities will increase or decrease more in response to changes in interest rates than shorter-term securities. Other risk factors include credit risk (the debtor may default) and prepayment risk (the debtor may pay its obligation early, reducing the amount of interest payments).
Money Market Instruments
The Fund may invest some or all of its assets in money market instruments in such amounts as the Adviser deems appropriate under the circumstances. In addition, an Underlying Investment Vehicle may invest in money market instruments that are, typically, high quality, short-term fixed-income obligations, which generally have remaining maturities of one year or less and may include U.S. Government securities, commercial paper, certificates of deposit and bankers acceptances issued by domestic branches of U.S. banks that are members of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, repurchase agreements and money market mutual funds.
Additional Information About Principal Investment Strategies.
Mutual Funds
The Fund may invest in registered investment companies (open-end funds commonly referred to as mutual funds). The 1940 Act provides that the Fund may not: (1) purchase more than 3% of an investment company's outstanding shares; (2) invest more than 5% of its assets in any single registered investment company (the "5% Limit"), and (3) invest more than 10% of its assets in registered investment companies overall (the "10% Limit"), unless: (i) the underlying investment company and/or the Fund has received an order for exemptive relief from such limitations from the Securities and
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Exchange Commission ("SEC"); and (ii) the underlying investment company and the Fund take appropriate steps to comply with any conditions in such order.
In addition, Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act provides that the provisions of paragraph 12(d)(1) shall not apply to securities purchased or otherwise acquired by the Fund if (i) immediately after such purchase or acquisition not more than 3% of the total outstanding stock of such investment company is owned by the Fund and all affiliated persons of the Fund; and (ii) the Fund has not, and is not proposing to offer or sell any security issued by it through a principal underwriter or otherwise at a public or offering price which includes a sales load of more than 1½% percent. The Fund does not charge any sales load. An investment company that issues shares to the Fund pursuant to paragraph 12(d)(1)(F) shall not be required to redeem its shares in an amount exceeding 1% of such investment company's total outstanding shares in any period of less than thirty days. The Fund (or the Adviser acting on behalf of the Fund) must comply with the following voting restrictions: when the Fund exercises voting rights, by proxy or otherwise, with respect to investment companies owned by the Fund, the Fund will either seek instruction from Fund shareholders with regard to the voting of all proxies and vote in accordance with such instructions, or vote the shares held by the Fund in the same proportion as the vote of all other holders of such security.
Further, the Fund may rely on Rule 12d1-3, which allows unaffiliated investment companies 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 funds) does not exceed the limits on sales loads established by FINRA for funds of funds.
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 investment company. Accordingly, when affiliated persons hold shares of any of an investment company, 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 investment company whose shares are purchased by the Fund will be obligated to redeem shares held by the Fund only in an amount up to 1% of the investment company's outstanding securities during any period of less than 30 days. Shares held by the Fund in excess of 1% of an investment company's outstanding securities therefore, will be considered not readily marketable securities.
When-Issued, Delayed Delivery and Forward Commitment Securities
To reduce the risk of changes in securities prices and interest rates, the Adviser or an Underlying Investment Vehicle may purchase securities on a forward commitment, when-issued or delayed delivery basis. This means that delivery and payment occur a number of days after the date of the commitment to purchase. The payment obligation and the interest rate receivable with respect to such purchases are determined when the investment commitment is made but, the purchaser does not make payment until it receives delivery from the seller. The Adviser or an Underlying Investment Vehicle may, if it is deemed advisable, sell the securities after it commits to a purchase but before delivery and settlement takes place.
Securities purchased on a forward commitment, when-issued or delayed delivery basis are subject to changes in value based upon the public's perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and changes (either real or anticipated) in the level of interest rates. Purchasing securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis can present the risk that the yield available in the market when the delivery takes place may be higher than that obtained in the transaction itself. Purchasing securities on a forward commitment, when-issued or delayed delivery basis when the Fund or and Underlying
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Investment Vehicle is fully, or almost fully invested, results in a form of leverage and may cause greater fluctuation in the value of the net assets.
Repurchases and Transfers of Shares
Repurchase Offers
The Board has adopted a resolution setting forth the Fund's fundamental policy that it will conduct quarterly repurchase offers (the "Repurchase Offer Policy"). The Repurchase Offer Policy sets the interval between each repurchase offer at one quarter and provides that the Fund shall conduct a repurchase offer each quarter (unless suspended or postponed in accordance with regulatory requirements). The Repurchase Offer Policy also provides that the repurchase pricing shall occur not later than the 14 th day after the Repurchase Request Deadline or the next business day if the 14 th day is not a business day. The Fund's Repurchase Offer Policy is fundamental and cannot be changed without shareholder approval. The Fund may, for the purpose of paying for repurchased shares, be required to liquidate portfolio holdings earlier than the Adviser would otherwise have liquidated these holdings. Such liquidations may result in losses, and may increase the Fund's portfolio turnover.
Repurchase Offer Policy Summary of Terms
The Fund may not condition a repurchase offer upon the tender of any minimum amount of shares. The Fund may deduct from the repurchase proceeds only a repurchase fee that is paid to the Fund and is reasonably intended to compensate the Fund for expenses directly related to the repurchase. The repurchase fee may not exceed 2% of the proceeds. However, the Fund does not currently charge a repurchase fee. The Fund may rely on Rule 23c-3 only so long as the Board of Trustees satisfies governance standards defined in Rule 0-1(a)(7) under the 1940 Act.
Procedures: All periodic repurchase offers must comply with the following procedures:
Repurchase Offer Amount : Each quarter, the Fund may offer to repurchase at least 5% and no more than 25% of the outstanding shares of the Fund on the Repurchase Request Deadline (the "Repurchase Offer Amount"). The Board of Trustees shall determine the quarterly Repurchase Offer Amount.
Shareholder Notification : Generally, thirty days before each Repurchase Request Deadline, the Fund shall send to each shareholder of record and to each beneficial owner of the shares that are the subject of the repurchase offer a notification ("Shareholder Notification") providing the following information:
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The Fund must file Form N-23c-3 ("Notification of Repurchase Offer'') and three copies of the Shareholder Notification with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") within three business days after sending the notification to shareholders.
Notification of Beneficial Owners : Where the Fund knows that shares subject to a repurchase offer are held of record by a broker, dealer, voting trustee, bank, association or other entity that exercises fiduciary powers in nominee name or otherwise, the Fund must follow the procedures for transmitting materials to beneficial owners of securities that are set forth in Rule 14a-13 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Repurchase Requests : Repurchase requests must be submitted by shareholders by the Repurchase Request Deadline. The Fund shall permit repurchase requests to be withdrawn or modified at any time until the Repurchase Request Deadline, but shall not permit repurchase requests to be withdrawn or modified after the Repurchase Request Deadline.
Repurchase Requests in Excess of the Repurchase Offer Amount : If shareholders tender more than the Repurchase Offer Amount, the Fund may, but is not required to, repurchase an additional amount of shares not to exceed 2% of the outstanding shares of the Fund on the Repurchase Request Deadline. If the Fund determines not to repurchase more than the Repurchase Offer Amount, or if shareholders tender shares in an amount exceeding the Repurchase Offer Amount plus 2% of the outstanding shares on the Repurchase Request Deadline, the Fund shall repurchase the shares tendered on a pro rata basis. This policy, however, does not prohibit the Fund from:
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Suspension or Postponement of Repurchase Offers : The Fund shall not suspend or postpone a repurchase offer except pursuant to a vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Fund, and only:
If a repurchase offer is suspended or postponed, the Fund shall provide notice to shareholders of such suspension or postponement. If the Fund renews the repurchase offer, the Fund shall send a new Shareholder Notification to shareholders.
Computing Net Asset Value : The Fund's current NAV shall be computed no less frequently than weekly, and daily on the five business days preceding a Repurchase Request Deadline, on such days and at such specific time or times during the day as set by the Board of Trustees. Currently, the Board has determined that the Fund's NAV shall be determined daily following the close of the New York Stock Exchange. The Fund's NAV need not be calculated on:
Liquidity Requirements : From the time the Fund sends a Shareholder Notification to shareholders until the Repurchase Pricing Date, a percentage of the Fund's assets equal to at least 100% of the Repurchase Offer Amount (the "Liquidity Amount") shall consist of access to a line or credit and/or assets that individually can be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business, at approximately the price at which the Fund has valued the investment, within a period equal to the period between a Repurchase Request Deadline and the Repurchase Payment Deadline, or of assets that mature by the next Repurchase Payment Deadline. This requirement means that individual assets must be salable under these circumstances. It does not require that the entire Liquidity Amount must be salable. In the
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event that the Fund's assets fail to comply with this requirement, the Board of Trustees shall cause the Fund to take such action as it deems appropriate to ensure compliance.
Liquidity Policy : The Board of Trustees may delegate day-to-day responsibility for evaluating liquidity of specific assets to the Fund's investment adviser, but shall continue to be responsible for monitoring the investment adviser's performance of its duties and the composition of the portfolio. Accordingly, the Board of Trustees has approved this policy that is reasonably designed to ensure that the Fund's portfolio assets are sufficiently liquid so that the Fund can comply with its fundamental policy on repurchases and comply with the liquidity requirements in the preceding paragraph.
1. In evaluating liquidity, the following factors are relevant, but not necessarily determinative:
(a) | The frequency of trades and quotes for the security. |
(b) | The number of dealers willing to purchase or sell the security and the number of potential purchasers. |
(c) | Dealer undertakings to make a market in the security. |
(d) | The nature of the marketplace trades ( e.g. , the time needed to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offer and the mechanics of transfer). |
(e) | The size of the Fund's holdings of a given security in relation to the total amount of outstanding of such security or to the average trading volume for the security. |
2. If market developments impair the liquidity of a security, the investment adviser should review the advisability of retaining the security in the portfolio. The investment adviser should report to the basis for its determination to retain a security at the next Board of Trustees meeting.
3. The Board of Trustees shall review the overall composition and liquidity of the Fund's portfolio on a quarterly basis.
4. These procedures may be modified as the Board deems necessary.
Registration Statement Disclosure : The Fund's registration statement must disclose its intention to make or consider making such repurchase offers.
Annual Report Disclosure : The Fund shall include in its annual report to shareholders the following:
Advertising : The Fund, or any underwriter for the Fund, must comply, as if the Fund were an open-end company, with the provisions of Section 24(b) of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder and file, if necessary, with FINRA or the SEC any advertisement, pamphlet, circular, form letter, or other sales literature addressed to or intended for distribution to prospective investors.
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Involuntary Repurchases
The Fund may, at any time, repurchase at NAV shares of a shareholder, or any person acquiring shares from or through a shareholder, if: the shares have been transferred or have vested in any person other than by operation of law as the result of the death, dissolution, bankruptcy or incompetency of a shareholder; ownership of the shares by the shareholder or other person will cause the Fund to be in violation of, or require registration of the shares, or subject the Fund to additional registration or regulation under, the securities, commodities or other laws of the United States or any other relevant jurisdiction; continued ownership of the shares may be harmful or injurious to the business or reputation of the Fund or may subject the Fund or any shareholders to an undue risk of adverse tax or other fiscal consequences; the shareholder owns shares having an aggregate NAV less than an amount determined from time to time by the Trustees; or it would be in the interests of the Fund, as determined by the Board, for the Fund to repurchase the Shares. The Adviser may tender for repurchase in connection with any repurchase offer made by the Fund for Shares that it holds in its capacity as a shareholder.
Transfers of Shares
No person may become a substituted shareholder without the written consent of the Board, which consent may be withheld for any reason in the Board's sole and absolute discretion. Shares may be transferred only (i) by operation of law pursuant to the death, bankruptcy, insolvency or dissolution of a shareholder or (ii) with the written consent of the Board, which may be withheld in its sole and absolute discretion. The Board may, in its discretion, delegate to the Adviser its authority to consent to transfers of shares. Each shareholder and transferee is required to pay all expenses, including attorneys and accountants fees, incurred by the Fund in connection with such transfer.
MANAGEMENT OF PREDEX
The Board has overall responsibility to manage and control the business affairs of the Fund, including the complete and exclusive authority to oversee and to establish policies regarding the management, conduct and operation of the Fund's business. The Board exercises the same powers, authority and responsibilities on behalf of the Fund as are customarily exercised by the board of directors of a registered investment company organized as a corporation. The 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"), each as amended from time to time, which have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and are available upon request. The Board consists of one individual who is an interested person of the Trust as defined under the 1940 Act. The Board consists of four individuals, three of whom are not "interested persons" (as defined under the 1940 Act) of the Trust, the Adviser, or the Trust's distributor ("Independent Trustees"). Interested Persons generally include affiliates, immediate family members of affiliates, any partner or employee of the Fund's legal counsel, and any person who has engaged in portfolio transactions for the Fund or who has loaned the Fund money or property within the previous six months. 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 Financial 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.
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Board Leadership Structure
The Trust is led by William J. Chadwick, who has served as the Chairman of the Board since March 2013. Additionally, under certain 1940 Act governance guidelines that apply to the Trust, the Independent Trustees will meet in executive session, at least quarterly. 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, (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, are seen by shareholders, business partners and other stakeholders as providing strong leadership. The Trust believes that its Chairman, the 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 and each shareholder.
Board Risk Oversight
The Board of Trustees is comprised of four Trustees including three Independent Trustees with a standing independent 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 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 Trust 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. Chadwick holds a juris doctor degree and has over 30 years of business experience, including extensive experience in the area of investment advisory, securities brokerage, commercial real estate investment banking and real estate brokerage. He has developed considerable leadership and problem-solving skills as a result of his experience as the president of a real estate investment banking firm and in his years of law practice. Ms. Broad holds a master of business administration degree and has over 30 years of business experience focused in real estate and investment management business. Her background has been shaped by years of experience with an investment adviser, an operating company and a consultant directing a variety of investment management and marketing endeavors. Mr. Piper has over 40 years of experience in the financial services industry including serving Piper Jaffray Companies, a financial services holding company that includes a broker-dealer and investment adviser, from 1983 to 2006, including roles as CEO, Vice-Chairman and Chairman. He also has an understanding of the framework under which boards of directors must operate based on his years of service to various non-profit boards including the Board of Regents of St. Olaf College and Minnesota Public Radio as well as through his service as a mutual fund director with Leuthold Funds, Inc. He also holds an MBA from Stanford University. Mr. Vandell has over 30 years of experience in the real estate academic community including serving as Director, Center for Real Estate and Professor Real Estate Finance at the Merage School of Business, UC Irvine; and as Chair of the Department of Real Estate and Urban Land Economics at the University of Wisconsin. He also holds a Ph.D., Real Estate Finance from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He also has an understanding of the framework under which boards of directors must operate based on his years of service to various real estate investment trusts.
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The Trust does not believe any one factor is determinative in assessing a Trustee's qualifications, but that the collective experience of each Trustee makes them each highly qualified.
Following is a list of the Trustees and executive officers of the Trust and their principal occupation over the last five years. Unless otherwise noted, the address of each Trustee and Officer is c/o PREDEX, 17605 Wright Street, Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68130.
Independent Trustees
Name, Address and Age | Position/Term of Office* |
Principal Occupation During the Past Five Years |
Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex** Overseen by Trustee |
Other Directorships held by Trustee |
Carol A. Broad Born: 1955 |
Trustee, since March 2013 | Trustee, San Diego City Employees' Retirement System, April 2015 to present; Retired, March 2011 to March 2015; Director-Private Real Estate, Russell Investments, Inc. (investment adviser), Nov. 1999 to Feb. 2011. | 1 | None |
Addison Piper Born: 1946 |
Trustee, since May 2013 | Director, Piper Jaffray Companies 2006 to present. | 1 |
Leuthold Funds, Inc. (8 portfolios), Renaissance Learning, Inc., Piper Jaffray Companies |
Kerry Vandell Born: 1947 |
Trustee, since March, 2016 | Professor, University of California – Irvine, July 2006 to present | 1 | Steadfast Apt. REIT, Steadfast Income REIT |
Interested Trustees and Officers
Name, Address*** and Age | Position/Term of Office* |
Principal Occupation During the Past Five Years |
Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee |
Other Directorships held by Trustee | |||||
William J. Chadwick Born: 1948 |
Trustee since March 2013 | Managing Director, Chadwick, Saylor & Co., Inc. (real estate advisory and investment banking), 1985 to present. | 1 | None | |||||
J. Grayson Sanders Born: 1940 |
President, since March 2013 | President and Chief Investment Officer, Managing Principal, Mission Realty Advisors, LLC (real estate advisory and investment banking), Feb., 2011 to present; None, Apr. 2010 to Jan. 2011; President, Steadfast Advisor Group, Mar. 2009 to Mar. 2010, President, | n/a | n/a | |||||
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CNL Fund Advisors, Co., Nov. 2004 to Mar. 2009. | |||||||||
Michael Achterberg Born: 1963 |
Treasurer, since July 2013 | Chief Operating Officer, PREDEX Capital Management, Mar. 2013 to present; CFO/CCO, TriLinc Global (investment adviser), July 2012 to Oct. 2012; CFO, CSIP Group (private equity and investment banking), Nov. 2009 to Jan. 2012; CFO/CCO, Strome Investment Management, May 1995 to May 2009. | n/a | n/a | |||||
James P. Ash Born: 1976 |
Secretary since March 2013 | Senior Vice President, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (since 2012); Vice President, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2011 - 2012); Director of Legal Administration, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2009 - 2011); Assistant Vice President of Legal Administration, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2008 - 2011). | n/a | n/a | |||||
William Kimme Born: 1963 |
Chief Compliance Officer since March 2013 | Senior Compliance Officer of Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (since 2011); Due Diligence and Compliance Consultant, Mick & Associates (August, 2009-September 2011); Assistant Director, FINRA (January 2000-August 2009). | n/a | n/a | |||||
* The term of office for each Trustee and officer listed above will continue indefinitely.
** The term "Fund Complex" refers to the Fund.
*** The address for all officers is c/o PREDEX, 17605 Wright Street, Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68130.
Board Committees
Audit Committee
The Board has an Audit Committee that consists of three Trustees, each of whom is not an "interested person" 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. Due to the size of
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the Board, the Audit Committee is also responsible for seeking and reviewing nominee candidates for consideration as Independent Trustees as is from time to time considered necessary or appropriate. The Fund does not accept Trustee nominations from shareholders. During the last fiscal year the Audit Committee met once.
Trustee Ownership
The following table indicates the dollar range of equity securities that any Trustee beneficially owned in the Fund as of December 31, 2015.
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 |
William J. Chadwick | $10,001 to $50,000 | $10,001 to $50,000 |
Compensation
Each Trustee who is not affiliated with the Trust or Adviser or otherwise Independent will receive an annual fee of $20,000, as well as reimbursement for any reasonable expenses incurred attending the meetings. The Trustee who serves a Chairperson of the Audit Committee will receive an additional annual fee of $5,000. None of the executive officers receive compensation from the Trust.
The table below details the amount of compensation the Trustees are expected to receive from the Trust during the fiscal year ending April 30, 2017. The Trust does not have a bonus, profit sharing, pension or retirement plan.
Name and Position |
Aggregate Compensation From Fund |
Pension or Retirement Benefits Accrued as Part of Fund Expenses |
Estimated Annual Benefits Upon Retirement |
Total Compensation From Trust Paid to Directors |
Carol A, Broad, Trustee |
$25,000 | $0 | $0 | $25,000 |
Addison Piper, Trustee | $20,000 | $0 | $0 | $20,000 |
Kerry Vandell, Trustee |
$20,000 | $0 | $0 | $20,000 |
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CODES OF ETHICS
Each of the Fund, the Adviser and the Trust's distributor has adopted a code of ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act (collectively the "Ethics Codes"). Rule 17j-1 and the Ethics Codes are designed to prevent unlawful practices in connection with the purchase or sale of securities by covered personnel ("Access Persons"). The Ethics Codes apply to the Fund and permit Access Persons to, subject to certain restrictions, invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund. Under the Ethics Codes, Access Persons may engage in personal securities transactions, but are required to report their personal securities transactions for monitoring purposes. In addition, certain Access Persons are required to obtain approval before investing in initial public offerings or private placements. The Ethics Codes can be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-202-551-8090. The codes are available on the EDGAR database on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov, and also may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SEC's Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102.
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
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, subject to the Board's continuing oversight. The Policies require that the Adviser vote proxies received in a manner consistent with the best interests of the Fund and shareholders. The Policies also require the Adviser to present to the Board, at least annually, the Adviser's Proxy Policies and a record of each proxy voted by the Adviser on behalf of the Fund, including a report on the resolution of all proxies identified by the Adviser involving a conflict of interest.
Where a proxy proposal raises a material conflict between the interests of the Adviser, any affiliated person(s) of the Adviser, the Fund's principal underwriter (distributor) or any affiliated person of the principal underwriter (distributor), or any affiliated person of the Trust and the Fund's or its shareholder's interests, the Adviser will resolve the conflict by voting in accordance with the policy guidelines or at the Trust'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. A copy of the Adviser's proxy voting policies is attached hereto as Appendix A.
Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities held by the Fund during the most recent 12-month period ending June 30 will be available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling the Fund toll-free at 1-877-940-7202; and (2) on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's website at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, a copy of the Fund's proxy voting policies and procedures are also available by calling toll-free at 1-877-940-7202 and will be sent within three business days of receipt of a request.
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS
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 control person may be able to determine the outcome of a matter put to a shareholder vote. As of the date of this SAI, the Fund is deemed to be under the control of the Adviser, which had voting authority with respect to 100% of the value of the outstanding interests in the Fund. Mr. Sanders is deemed to be an indirect
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control person of the Fund because he is deemed to own 37.1% of the Fund's shares through his indirect ownership interests in the Adviser. However, it is expected that once the Fund commences investment operations and its shares are sold to the public that the Adviser's control will be diluted until such time as the Fund is controlled by its unaffiliated shareholders. As of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, Mr. Chadwick is deemed to be an indirect principal shareholder of the Fund because he is deemed to own 15% of the Fund's shares through his indirect ownership interests in the Adviser. The Fund knows of no other principal shareholders as of the date of this SAI. As of the date of this SAI, the Trustees and officers indirectly owned 52.1% of the shares of the Fund.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES
The Adviser
PREDEX Capital Management, LLC, located at 18500 Von Karman Ave, Suite 300, Irvine, CA 92612, serves as the Fund's investment adviser. The Adviser is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The Adviser is a Delaware limited liability company formed in January 2013 for the purpose of advising the Fund and has no other clients. The Adviser is deemed to be controlled by J. Grayson Sanders because he indirectly owns over 25% of its interests.
Under the general supervision of the Fund's Board of Trustees, the Adviser will carry out the investment and reinvestment of the net assets of the Fund, will furnish continuously an investment program with respect to the Fund, will determine which securities should be purchased, sold or exchanged. In addition, the Adviser will supervise and provide oversight of the Fund's service providers. The Adviser will furnish to the Fund office facilities, equipment and personnel for servicing the management of the Fund. The Adviser will compensate all Adviser personnel who provide services to the Fund. In return for these services, facilities and payments, the Fund has agreed to pay the Adviser as compensation under the Management Agreement a monthly fee at the annual rate of 0.55% of the Fund's daily average net assets. The Adviser may employ research services and service providers to assist in the Adviser's market analysis and investment selection.
The Adviser and the Fund have entered into an expense limitation and reimbursement agreement (the "Expense Limitation Agreement") under which the Adviser has agreed contractually to waive its fees and to pay or absorb the ordinary operating expenses of the Fund (including all organization and offering expenses, but excluding management fees, interest and extraordinary expenses), to the extent that they exceed 1.20% per annum of the Fund's average daily net assets (the "Expense Limitation"). In consideration of the Adviser's agreement to limit the Fund's expenses, the Fund has agreed to repay the Adviser in the amount of any fees waived and Fund expenses paid or absorbed, subject to the limitations that: (1) the reimbursement will be made only for fees and expenses incurred not more than three years from the end of the fiscal year in which they were incurred; and (2) the reimbursement may not be made if it would cause the Expense Limitation to be exceeded. The Expense Limitation Agreement will remain in effect through April 30, 2017, unless and until the Board approves its modification or termination.
Conflicts of Interest
The Fund does not believe the Adviser has any conflicts of interest because the Adviser has no other clients, the portfolio manager does not manage other accounts and he is not permitted to invest in the securities held by the Fund. Nonetheless, although the Adviser has no intention of accepting other clients, the Adviser adopted policies and procedures in a manner reasonably designed to safeguard
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the Fund from being negatively affected as a result of any potential conflicts related to the acceptance of another client or clients. Although the Adviser anticipates that the Institutional Private Fund and mutual fund managers will follow practices to prevent conflicts of interest, no guarantee or assurances can be made that practices will be followed or that an Institutional Private Fund or mutual fund manager will abide by, and comply with, its stated practices. An Institutional Private Fund manager or mutual fund manager may provide investment advisory and other services, directly or through affiliates, to affiliated entities and accounts other than the respective Institutional Private Fund or mutual fund.
No Participation in Investment Opportunities
Members, principals, officers, employees and affiliates of the Adviser may not buy or sell securities or other investments in which the Fund invests.
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
As described in the prospectus, J. Grayson Sanders and Michael D. Achterberg serve as the co-portfolio managers and are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund. As of the date of this SAI, Mr. Sanders indirectly owned $10,001 to $50,000 of Fund shares.
As of the date of this SAI, the co-portfolio managers were responsible for the management of no accounts except the Fund.
Distributor
Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (the "Distributor"), located at 17605 Wright Street Omaha, NE 68130, is serving as the Fund's principal underwriter and acts as the distributor of the Fund's shares, subject to various conditions.
ALLOCATION OF BROKERAGE
The Adviser anticipates that the Fund's investments will be made without the services of a broker. However, the Adviser adopted best execution policies and procedures prior to using the services of any broker to execute securities trades with respect to the Fund's investment portfolio.
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.
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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 will be made quarterly and net capital gain will be made after the end of each fiscal year, and no later than December 31 of each 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) 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% 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 taxable to shareholders as ordinary income.
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.
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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 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. 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 cash or shares. 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. Investing in municipal bonds and other tax-exempt securities is not a principal investment strategy of the Fund. Nonetheless, to the extent the Fund invests in municipal bonds that are not exempt from calculations used to determine a taxpayer's status with respect to the alternative minimum tax, some shareholders may be subject to the alternative minimum tax. Investors should consult their tax advisers for more information.
Under the Code, the Fund will be required to report to the Internal Revenue Service all distributions of taxable 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 taxable 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.
Other Reporting and Withholding Requirements
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 the 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. The 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
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shareholder of the Fund fails to provide the Fund with appropriate certifications or other documentation concerning its status under FATCA.
Options, Futures, Forward Contracts and Swap Agreements as Employed by Underlying Investment Vehicles
Because the Fund will invest in Underlying Investment Vehicles, certain, if not all tax aspects of the Underlying Investment Vehicle's investments will indirectly affect or apply to the Fund. To the extent such investments are permissible for the Underlying Investment Vehicle, the Underlying Investment Vehicle'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 Underlying Investment Vehicle, defer losses to the Underlying Investment Vehicle, cause adjustments in the holding periods of the Underlying Investment Vehicle'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 Underlying Investment Vehicle'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 Underlying Investment Vehicle'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 Underlying Investment Vehicle'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 Underlying Investment Vehicle's book income is less than taxable income, the Underlying Investment Vehicle could be required to make distributions exceeding book income to qualify as a regular investment company that is accorded special tax treatment.
OTHER INFORMATION
Each share represents a proportional interest in the assets of the Fund. Each share has one vote at shareholder meetings, with fractional shares voting proportionally, on matters submitted to the vote of shareholders. There are no cumulative voting rights. Shares do not have pre-emptive or conversion or redemption provisions. In the event of a liquidation of the Fund, shareholders are entitled to share, pro rata, in the net assets of the Fund available for distribution to shareholders after all expenses and debts have been paid.
Legal Counsel
Thompson Hine LLP, 41 S. High St., 17th Columbus, OH 43215, acts as legal counsel to the Fund.
Custodian
The Bank of New York Mellon (the "Custodian") serves as the primary custodian of the Fund's assets, and may maintain custody of the Fund's assets with domestic and foreign subcustodians (which may be banks, trust companies, securities depositories and clearing agencies) approved by the Trustees. Assets of the Fund are not held by the Adviser or commingled with the assets of other accounts other than to the extent that securities are held in the name of a custodian in a securities depository, clearing agency or omnibus customer account of such custodian. The Custodian's principal business address is One Wall Street, New York, New York 10286.
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INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
RSM US LLP is the independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund and will audit the Fund's annual financial statements. RSM US LLP is located at 555 Seventeenth Street, Suite 1000, Denver, CO 80202.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Financial Statements for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2015 are incorporated herein by reference to the Fund's Annual Report. These Financial Statements include the statement of assets and liabilities, statement of operations, statements of changes in net assets, financial highlights and notes. The unaudited Financial Statements contained in the Fund's semi-annual report dated October 31, 2015, are incorporated by reference in this Statement of Additional Information. The Fund's annual report and semi-annual report are available upon request, without charge, by calling the Fund toll-free at 1-877-940-7202.
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APPENDIX A
Adviser Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures
Pursuant to the adoption by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") of Rule 206(4)-6 (17 CFR 275.206(4)-6) and amendments to Rule 204-2 (17 CFR 275.204-2) under the Investment Adviser Act of 1940 (the "Act"), it is a fraudulent, deceptive, or manipulative act, practice or course of business, within the meaning of Section 206(4) of the Act, for an investment adviser to exercise voting authority with respect to client securities, unless (i) the adviser has adopted and implemented written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to ensure that the adviser votes proxies in the best interests of its clients, (ii) the adviser describes its proxy voting procedures to its clients and provides copies on request, and (iii) the adviser discloses to clients how they may obtain information on how the adviser voted their proxies.
In order to fulfill its responsibilities under the Act, PREDEX Capital Management, LLC (hereinafter, "we" or "our") has adopted the following policies and procedures for proxy voting with regard to direct investments in companies held in investment portfolios of our clients.
KEY OBJECTIVES
The key objectives of these policies and procedures recognize that a company's management is entrusted with the day-to-day operations and longer term strategic planning of the company, subject to the oversight of the company's board of directors. While "ordinary business matters" are primarily the responsibility of management and should be approved solely by the corporation's board of directors, these objectives also recognize that the company's shareholders must have final say over how management and directors are performing, and how shareholders' rights and ownership interests are handled, especially when matters could have substantial economic implications to the shareholders.
Therefore, we will pay particular attention to the following matters in exercising our proxy voting responsibilities as a fiduciary for our clients:
Accountability. Each company should have effective means in place to hold those entrusted with running a company's business accountable for their actions. Management of a company should be accountable to its board of directors and the board should be accountable to shareholders.
Alignment of Management and Shareholder Interests. Each company should endeavor to align the interests of management and the board of directors with the interests of the company's shareholders. For example, we generally believe that compensation should be designed to reward management for doing a good job of creating value for the shareholders of the company.
Transparency. Promotion of timely disclosure of important information about a company's business operations and financial performance enables investors to evaluate the performance of a company and to make informed decisions about the purchase and sale of a company's securities.
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DECISION METHODS
We generally believe that portfolio managers that invest in and track particular companies have a unique perspective to make decisions with regard to proxy votes. Therefore, we rely on that perspective to make the final decisions on how to cast proxy votes.
No set of proxy voting guidelines can anticipate all situations that may arise. In special cases, we may seek insight and expertise from outside sources as to how a particular proxy proposal will impact the financial prospects of a company, and vote accordingly.
In some instances, a proxy vote may present a conflict between the interests of a client, on the one hand, and our interests or the interests of a person affiliated with us, on the other. In such a case, we will abstain from making a voting decision and will forward all of the necessary proxy voting materials to the client to enable the client to cast the votes.
SUMMARY OF PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES
Election of the Board of Directors
We believe that good corporate governance generally starts with a board composed primarily of independent directors, unfettered by significant ties to management, all of whose members are elected annually. We also believe that some measure of turnover in board composition typically promotes more independent board action and fresh perspectives on governance. Of greater importance is the skill set of the proposed board member. We will also look at the backgrounds of the directors to gauge their business acumen and any special talent or experience that may add value to their participation on the board.
The election of a company's board of directors is one of the most fundamental rights held by shareholders. Because a classified board structure prevents shareholders from electing a full slate of directors annually, we will pay special attention to efforts to declassify boards or other measures that permit shareholders to remove a majority of directors at any time.
Approval of Independent Auditors
We believe that the relationship between a company and its auditors should be limited primarily to the audit engagement, although it may include certain closely related activities that do not raise an appearance of impaired independence.
We will evaluate on a case-by-case basis instances in which the audit firm has a substantial non-audit relationship with a company to determine whether we believe independence has been, or could be, compromised.
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PREDEX
PART C - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 25 . Financial Statements and Exhibits
1. Financial Statements
Part A: The financial highlights of PREDEX (the "Registrant") for the fiscal period ended April 30, 2013, fiscal year ended April 30, 2014, fiscal year ended April 30, 2015 and fiscal semi-annual period ended October 31, 2015 are included in Part A of this registration statement in the section entitled "Financial Highlights.".
Part B: The Registrant's audited Financial Statements and the notes thereto in the Registrant's Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal period ended April 30, 2013, Registrant's audited Financial Statements and the notes thereto in the Registrant's Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2014, Registrant's audited Financial Statements and the notes thereto in the Registrant's Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2015, and unaudited Financial Statements and the notes thereto in the Registrant's Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal semi-annual period ended October 31, 2015; and each filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 30(b)(2) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, are incorporated by reference into Part B of this registration statement.
2. Exhibits
a. | (1) Agreement and Declaration of Trust, which was filed as an exhibit to the Registrant's Registration Statement on March 1, 2013, is hereby incorporated by reference. |
(2) Certificate of Trust, which was filed as an exhibit to the Registrant's Registration Statement on March 1, 2013, is hereby incorporated by reference.
(3) Amended Certificate of Trust, which was filed as an exhibit to the Registrant's Registration Statement on March 1, 2013, is hereby incorporated by reference.
b. | By-Laws, which were filed as an exhibit to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on July 22, 2013, is hereby incorporated by reference. |
c. | Voting Trust Agreements: None |
d. | Instruments Defining Rights of Security Holders. See Article III, "Shares" and Article V "Shareholders' Voting Powers and Meetings" of the Registrant's Agreement and Declaration of Trust. See also, Article 12, "Meetings" of shareholders of the Registrant's By-Laws. |
e. | Dividend reinvestment plan: None |
f. | Rights of subsidiaries long-term debt holders: Not applicable. |
g. | Investment Advisory Agreement (filed herewith). |
h. | (1) Distribution Agreement (filed herewith). |
(2) Selling Agreement Form, which was filed as an exhibit to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on July 22, 2013, is hereby incorporated by reference.
i. | Bonus, profit sharing, pension and similar arrangements for Fund Trustees and Officers: None. |
j. | Custodian Agreement, which was filed as an exhibit to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on July 22, 2013, is hereby incorporated by reference. |
k. | (1) Fund Services Agreement (filed herewith). |
(2) Compliance Consulting Agreement (filed herewith).
(3) Expense Limitation Agreement (filed herewith).
l. | (1) Opinion of Counsel, which was filed as an exhibit to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on July 22, 2013, is hereby incorporated by reference. |
(2) Consent of Counsel (filed herewith).
m. | Non-resident Trustee Consent to Service of Process: Not applicable. |
n. | Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (filed herewith). |
o. | Omitted Financial Statements: None |
p. | Initial Capital Agreement, which was filed as an exhibit to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on July 22, 2013, is hereby incorporated by reference. |
q. | Model Retirement Plan: None |
r. | (1) Code of Ethics-Fund, which was filed as an exhibit to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on July 22, 2013, is hereby incorporated by reference. |
(2) Code of Ethics-Adviser, which was filed as an exhibit to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on July 22, 2013, is hereby incorporated by reference.
(3) Code of Ethics-Principal Underwriter/Distributor, which was filed as an exhibit to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on July 22, 2013, is hereby incorporated by reference.
s. | (1) Powers of Attorney, which were filed as an exhibit to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on July 22, 2013, is hereby incorporated by reference. |
(2) Form of Subscription Agreement, which was filed as an exhibit to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on July 22, 2013, is hereby incorporated by reference.
Item 26 . Marketing Arrangements
Not Applicable.
Item 27 . Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution (estimated)
Not Applicable.
Item 28 . Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with Registrant
PREDEX Capital Management, LLC, Mission Realty Advisors, LLC
Item 29 . Number of Holders of Securities as of April 19, 2016
Title of Class Shares of Beneficial Ownership. |
Number of Record Holders 1 |
Item 30 . Indemnification
Reference is made to Article VIII, Section 2 of the Registrant's Agreement and Declaration of Trust (the "Declaration of Trust"), previously filed as an exhibit, Section 9 of the Registrant's Distribution Agreement, Section 5 of the Fund Services Agreement, each filed as an exhibit hereto . The Registrant hereby undertakes that it will apply the indemnification provisions of the Declaration of Trust and agreements in a manner consistent with Release 40-11330 of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), so long as the interpretation therein of Sections 17(h) and 17(i) of the 1940 Act remains in effect. The Registrant maintains insurance on behalf of any person who is or was an independent trustee, officer, employee, or agent of the Registrant against certain liability asserted against and incurred by, or arising out of, his or her position. However, in no event will the Registrant pay that portion of the premium, if any, for insurance to indemnify any such person for any act for which the Registrant itself is not permitted to indemnify.
Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") may be permitted to directors, 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 the Securities 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 director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, 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 the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
Item 31 . Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser
A description of any other business, profession, vocation, or employment of a substantial nature in which the investment adviser of the Registrant, and each member, director, executive officer, or partner of any such investment adviser, is or has been, at any time during the past two fiscal years, engaged in for his or her own account or in the capacity of member, trustee, officer, employee, partner or director, is set forth in the Registrant's prospectus in the section entitled "Management of PREDEX." Information as to the members and officers of the Adviser is included in its Form ADV as filed with the SEC (File No. 801-77936), and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 32 . Location of Accounts and Records
Gemini Fund Services, LLC, PREDEX's administrator, maintains certain required accounting related and financial books and records of the Registrant at 17605 Wright Street, Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68130 and 80 Arkay Drive, Hauppauge, New York 11788. The Bank of New York, PREDEX's custodian, maintains certain required accounting related and financial books and records of the Registrant at One Wall Street, New York, New York 10286. Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, PREDEX's distributor, maintains certain required accounting related and financial books and records of the Registrant at 17605 Wright Street Omaha, NE 68130. The other required books and records are maintained by the Adviser at 18500 Von Karman Ave, Suite 300, Irvine, CA 92612.
Item 33 . Management Services
Not Applicable.
Item 34 . Undertakings
1. The Registrant undertakes to suspend the offering of Shares until the prospectus is amended if (1) subsequent to the effective date of its registration statement, the net asset value of PREDEX declines more than ten percent from its net asset value as of the effective date of the registration statement or (2) the net asset value of PREDEX increases to an amount greater than its net proceeds as stated in the prospectus.
2. The Registrant undertakes to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to the registration statement: (a) (i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act; (ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement; and (iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement. (b) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. (c) The Registrant undertakes to remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. (d) The Registrant undertakes that, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act, if the Registrant is subject to Rule 430C, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 497(b), (c), (d) or (e) under the Securities Act as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A under the Securities Act, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness; provided however , that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use. (e) The Registrant undertakes that, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act, in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to the purchaser: (i) any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 497 under the Securities Act; (ii) the portion of any advertisement pursuant to Rule 482 under the Securities Act relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant; and (iii) any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant to the purchaser.
3. For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the Registrant under Rule 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective. The Registrant undertakes that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of those securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
4. The Registrant undertakes to send by first class mail or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery within two business days of receipt of a written or oral request, the Registrant's statement of additional information.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this registration statement pursuant to Rule 486(b) under the Securities Act. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this amendment to its registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Columbus, State of Ohio, on the 28th day of April 2016.
PREDEX
By: /s/ JoAnn M. Strasser
Name: JoAnn M. Strasser
Title: Attorney-in-Fact Pursuant to Powers of Attorney(previously filed)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the following capacities and on April 28, 2016.
Name | Title(s) |
Carol Broad* | Trustee |
William J. Chadwick* | Trustee |
Addison Piper* | Trustee |
J. Grayson Sanders* | President |
/s/ Michael Achterberg | Treasurer |
By: /s/ JoAnn M. Strasser
JoAnn M. Strasser
*Attorney-in-Fact Pursuant to Powers of Attorney (previously filed)
EXHIBIT INDEX
Description |
Exhibit
Number |
Investment Advisory Agreement | 99(g) |
Distribution Agreement | 99(h)(1) |
Fund Services Agreement | 99(k)(1) |
Compliance Consulting Agreement | 99(k)(2) |
Expense Limitation Agreement | 99(k)(3) |
Consent of Counsel | 99(l)(2) |
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | 99(n) |
MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
TO: PREDEX Capital Management, LLC
18500 Von Karmen Ave, Suite 300
Irvine, CA 92612
Dear Sirs :
PREDEX (the "Trust") herewith confirms our agreement wi t h you.
The Trust has been organized to engage i n the business of a closed-end management investment company. The Trust currently offers one series of shares to investors.
You have been selected to act as the sole investment manager of t h e ser i es of the Trust set forth on the Exhibits to this Agreement (each, a "Fund," co ll ect i vely, t he "Funds ") and to provide certain other services, as more fully set forth below, and you are willing to act as such investment manager and to perform such services under the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth . Accordingly, the Trust agrees with you as follows effec ti ve upon the date of the execution of this Agreement.
1. ADVISORY SERVICES
Subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees of t he Trust , you will provide or arrange to be provided to each Fund such investment advice as you in your discretion deem advisable and w i ll furnish or arrange to be furnished a continuous investment program for each Fund consistent with the Fund's investment objective and po li cies. You will determ i ne or arrange for others to determine the securities to be purchased for each Fund , the portfolio securities to be held or sold by each Fund and the portion of each Fund ' s assets to be held uninvested, sub j ect always to the Fund ' s investment objective, po li cies and restrictions, as each of the same shall be from time to time in effect , and subje ct further t o such poli c ies and instructions as the Board may from time to time establish. You will furnish such reports, evaluations, information or analyses to the Trust as the Board of Trustees of the Trust may request from time to time or as you may deem to be desirable . You also will advise and assist the officers of the Trust in taking such steps as are necessary or appropriate to carry out the decisions of the Board and the appropriate committees of the Board regarding the conduct of the business of the Trust. You may delegate any of the responsibilities, rights or duties described above to one or more persons , provided you notify the Trus t and agree t hat such delegation does not relieve you from any liability hereunder.
You shall provide at least sixty (60) days prior written notice to the Trust of any change in the ownership or management of PREDEX Capital Management, LLC, or any e v ent or action that may constitute a change in control. You shall provide prompt notice of any change in the portfolio manager(s) responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund.
2. USE OF SUB-ADVISERS
You may delegate any or all of the responsibilities, rights or duties described above to one or more sub-advisers who shall enter into agreements with you , provided the agreements are approved and ratified (i) by the Board including a majority of the trustees who are not interested persons of you or of the Trust, cast in person at a meeting c alled for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (ii) if required under interpretations of the Investment Company Act of 1940 , as amended (the "Act"), by the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff, by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the applicable Fund (unless the Trust has obtained an exemption from the provisions of Section 15(a) of the Act). Any such delegation shall not relieve you from any liability hereunder.
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3. ALLOCATION OF CHARGES AND EXPENSES
You will pay the compensation and expenses of any persons rendering any services to the Trust who are directors, officers, employees, members or stockholders of your lim ited liability company and will make available, without expense to the Funds, the services of such of your employees as may duly be elected trustees or officers of the Trust, subject to their individual consent to serve and to any limitations imposed by law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, you are not obligated to pay the compensation or expenses of the Trust's Chief Compliance Officer , regardless of whether the Chief Compliance Officer is affi lia ted with you. The compensation and expenses of any trustees, officers and employees of the T r ust who are not directors, officers, employees, members or stockholders of your corporation or limited liability company will be paid by the Funds. You will pay all advertising, promotion and other distribution expenses incurred in connection with each Fund's shares to the extent such expenses are not permitted to be paid by the Fund under any distribution expense plan or any other permissible arrangement that may be adopted in the future.
Each Fund will be responsible for the payment of all operating expenses of the Fund, including the compensation and expenses of any employees of the Trust and of any other persons rendering any services to the Fund; clerical and shareholder service staff salaries; office space and other office expenses; fees and expenses incurred by the Fund in connection with membership in investment company organizations ; legal, a uditing and account i ng expenses; expenses of registering shares under federal and state securities laws, including expenses incurred by the Fund in connection with the organization and initial registrat io n of shares of the Fund; insurance expenses; fees and expenses of the custodian, transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent, shareholder service agent, plan agent, administrator, accounting and pricing services agent and underwriter of the Fund; expenses, including clerical expenses, of issue, sale, redemption or repurchase of shares of the Fund; the cost of preparing and distributing reports and notices to shareholders, the cost of printing or preparing prospectuses and statements of additional information for delivery to shareholders; the cost o f printing or preparing stock certificates or any other documents, statements or reports to shareholders; expenses of shareholders' meetings and proxy solicitations; advertising, promotion and other expenses incurred directly or indirectly in connection with the sale or distribution of the Fund's shares that the Fund is authorized to pay; and all other operating expenses not specifically assumed by you. Each Fund will also pay all brokerage fees and commissions, taxes, borrowing costs (such as (a) interest and (b) dividend expenses on securities sold short), fees and expenses of the non-interested person Trustees and such extraordinary or non-recurring expenses as may arise, including litigation to which the Fund may be a party and indemnification of the Trust's Trustees and officers with respect thereto.
You may obtain reimbursement from each Fund, at such time or times as you may determine in your sole discretion, for any of the expenses advanced by you, which the Fund is obligated to pay , and such reimbursement shall not be considered to be part of your compensation pursuant to this Agreement.
4. COMPENSATION OF THE MANAGER
For all of the services to be rendered as provided in this Agreement, as of the last business day of each month , each Fund will pay you a fee based on the average value of the daily net assets of the Fund and paid at an annual rate as set forth o n the E x hib i t executed w i th respect to such Fund and attached hereto .
The average value of the daily net assets of a Fund shall be determined pursuan t to the appl i cable provisions of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust or a reso l u ti on o f t he Board o f Trustees , if required. If, pursuant to such provisions, the determ i nation of net asset value of a Fund is
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suspended for any particular business day, then for the purposes of this paragraph, the value of the net assets of the Fund as last determined shall be deemed to be the value o f the net assets as of the close of the business day, or as of such o the r time as the value of the Fund's net assets may lawfully be determined, on that day. If the determination of the net asset value of a Fund has been suspended for a period including such month, your compensation payable at the end of such month shall be computed on the basis of the va l ue of the ne t assets of the Fund as last determined (whether during or prior to such month ) .
5. EXECUTION OF PURCHASE AND SALE ORDERS
In connection with purchases or sales of portfolio securit i es for the account of a Fund, i t is understood that you will arrange for the placing of all orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities for the account, as needed, with brokers or dealers selected by you, subject to review of this selection by the Board of Trustees from time to time. Y ou will be responsible for the negotiation and the allocation of principal business and portfolio brokerage. In the selection of such brokers or dealers and the placing of such orders , you are directed at all times to seek for the Funds the best qualitative execution, taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), the execution capabi li ty , financial responsibility and responsiveness of the broker or dealer and the brokerage and research services provided by the broker or dealer.
You should generally seek favorable prices and commission rates that are reasonable in relation to the benefits received. In seeking best qualitative execution , y o u are authorized to select brokers or dealers who also provide brokerage and research services to the Fund and/or the other accounts over which you exercise investment discretion. You are author i zed to pay a broker or dealer who provides such brokerage and research services a commission for executing a Fund portfolio transaction which is in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction i f you determine in good faith that the amount of the commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by the executing broker or dealer . The determinat i on may be viewed i n terms of either a particular transaction or your overall responsibilities with respect to the Fund and to accounts over which you exercise investment discretion. The Funds and you understand and acknowledge that, although the information may be useful to the Funds and you, it is not possible to place a dollar value on such informatio n. The Board of Trustees shall periodically review the commissions paid by each Fund to determine i f the commissions paid over representative periods of time were reasonable in relation to the benefits to the Fund.
A broker's or dealer's sale or promotion of Fund shares shall not be a factor considered by your personnel responsible for selecting brokers to effect securities transactions on behalf of the Fund. You and your personnel shall not enter into any written or oral agreement or arrangement to compensate a broker or dealer for any promotion or sale of Fund shares by directing to such broker or dealer (i) the Fund's portfolio securities transactions or (ii) any remuneration, including but not limited to, any commission, mark-up, mark down or other fee received or to be received from the Fund's portfolio transactions through such broker or dealer. However, you may place Fund portfolio transactions with brokers or dealers that sell or promote shares of the Fund provided the Board of Trustees has adopted policies and procedures under Rule 12b-1(h) under the Act and such transactions are conducted in compliance with those policies and procedures.
Subject to the provisions of the Act, and other applicable law, you, any of your affiliates or any affiliates of your affiliates may retain compensation in connection with effecting a Fund's portfolio transactions, including transactions effected through others . If any occasion should arise in which you give any advice to your clients concerning the shares of a Fund , you will act solely as investment counsel for such client and not in any way on behalf of the Fund.
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6. PROXY VOTING
You will vote all proxies solicited by or with respect to the issuers of securit i es in which assets of the Funds may be invested from time to time. Such proxies will be voted in a manner that you deem, in good faith, to be in the best interest of the Funds and in accordance with your proxy voting policy. You agree to provide a copy of your proxy voting policy, and any amendments thereto, to the Trust.
7. CODE OF ETHICS
You have adopted a written code of ethics complying with the req uirements of Rule 17j-1 under the Act and will provide the Trust with a copy of the code and evidence of its adoption. Within 45 days of the last calendar quarter of each year while this Agreement is in effect, you will provide to the Board of Trustees of the Trust a written report that describes any issues arising under the code of ethics since the last report to the Board of Trustees , including , but not limited to, information about material violations of the code and sanctions imposed in response to the material violations; and which certifies that you have adopted p rocedures r eas onab l y necessary to prevent access persons (as that term is defined in Rul e 17j- 1) from violating th e code .
8. SERVICES NOT EXCLUSIVE/USE OF NAME
Your services to a Fund pursuant to this Agreement are not to be de e med to be exclusive, and it is understood that you may render investment advice, management and other services to others, including other registered investment companies, provided, however, that such other services a nd activities do not, during the term of this Agreement, interfere in a material manner, with your ability to meet all of your obligations with respect to rendering services to the Funds.
The Trust and you acknowledge that all rights to the name "PREDEX" or any variation thereof belong to you, and that the Trust is being granted a limited license to use such words in its Fund name or in any class name . In the event you cease to be the adv iser to the Fund, the Trust's right to the use of the name "PREDEX" shall a utomatically cease on the ninetieth day following the termination of this Agreement. The right to the name may also be withdrawn by you during the term of this Agreement upon ninety (90) days written notice by you to the Trust. Noth i ng contained her e in shall impair or diminish in any respect, your right to use the name "PREDEX" in the name of, or in connection with, any other business enterprises with which you are or may become associated. There is no charge to the Trust for the right to use this name.
9. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF MANAGER
You may rely on information reasonably believed by you to be accura t e and reliable . Except as may otherw ise be required by the Act or the rules thereunder , ne i ther you nor your directors, officers, employees, shar e holders, members, agents, control persons or affiliates of any thereof shall be subject to any liability for , or any damages , e x penses or losses incurred by the Trust in connection with, any error of judgment , mista ke of law, any act or omission connected with or arising out of any services rendered under , or payments made pursuant to , this Agreement or any other matter to which this Agreement relates, e x cept by reason of willful misfeasance , bad faith or gross negligence on the part of any suc h persons i n the performance of your duties under this Agreement, or by reason of reckless disregard by any o f such persons of your obligations and duties under this Agreement.
Any person, even though also a director , officer , employee , shareholder, member or agent of you, who may be or become a trustee , officer, employe e or agent of the Trust, shall be deemed, when rendering services to the Trust or acting on any business of the Trust (other than services or business in connection with your duties hereunder) , to be rendering su c h services t o or acting solely
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for the Trust and not as a director , officer , employee, shareholder, member , or agent of you, or one under your control or direction, even though paid by you.
10. INSURANCE COVERAGE
At all times during the term of this Agreement, upon request , you will prov i de the Trust with proof of any errors and omission coverage carried by PREDEX Capital Management, LLC .
11. DURATION AND TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT
The term of this Agreement shall begin on the commencement of operations of each Fund that has executed an Exhibit hereto, and shall continue in effect with respect to each such Fund (and any subsequent Fund added pursuant to an Exhibit executed during the in i tial two-year term of this Agreement) for a period of two years. This Agreement shall continue in effect from year to year thereafter, subject to termination as hereinafter provided, if such continuance is approved at least annually by (a) a majority of the outstanding voting securities of such Fund or by vote of the Trust's Board of Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (b) by vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to this Agreement or "interested persons" of any party to this Agreement, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. If a Fund is added pursuant to an Exhibit executed after the date of this Agreement as described above , this Agreement shall become effective with respect to that Fund upon execution of the applicable Exhibit and shall continue in effect for a period of two years from the date thereof and from year to year thereafter, subject to approval as described above .
This Agreement may, on sixty (60) days written notice, be terminated with respect to the Fund, at any time without the payment of any penalty, by the Board of Trustees, by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, or by you . This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its assignment.
12. AMENDMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT
No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, and no amendment of this Agreement shall be effective until approved by the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of you or of the Trust, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval , and (if required under interpretations of the Act by the Securities and Exchange Comm i ssion or its staff) by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund to which the amendment relates.
13. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY TO TRUST PROPERTY
The term "PREDEX" means and refers to the Trustees from time to time serving under the Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust as the same may subsequently thereto have been, or subsequently hereto be, amended. It is expressly agreed that the obligations of the Trust hereunder shall not be binding upon any of Trustees , officers , employees, agents or nominees of the Trust, or any shareholders of any series of the Trus t , personally, but b i nd only the trust property of the Trust (and only the property of the applicable Fund), as provided in the Agreement and Declaration of Trust. The execution and delivery of this Agreement have been authorized by the Trustees and shareholders of the applicable Fund and signed by officers of the Trust, acting as such, and neither such authorization by such Trustees and shareholders nor such execution and delivery by such officers shall be deemed to have been made by a ny of them individually or to impose any liability on any of them personally, but shall bind only the trust property of the Trust (and only the property of applicable Fund) as provided in its Agreement and Declaration of Trust.
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14. SEVERABILITY
In the event any provision of this Agreement is determined to be void or unenforceable, such determination shall not affect the remainder of this Agreement, which shall continue to be in force.
15. BOOKS AND RECORDS
In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a - 3 under the Act , you agree that all record which you maintain for the Trust are the property of the Trust and you agree to surrender promptly to the Trust such records upon the Trust's request. You further agree to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the Act all records which you maintain for the Trust that are required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the Act.
16. QUESTIONS OF INTERPRETATION
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York.
(b) For the purpose of this Agreement, the terms "ass i gnment," "majority of the outstanding voting securities," "control" and "interested person" shall have their res p ective meanings as defined in the Act and rules and regulations thereunder , subject , however, to such exemptions as may be granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Act; and the term "brokerage and research services" shall have the meaning given in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
(c) Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision o f the Act shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the Act and to interpretation thereof, if any, by t he United States courts or in th e absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff. In addition, where the effect of a requirement of the Act, reflected in any provision of this Agreement, is revised by rule, regulat ion, order or interpretation of the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation , order or interpretation.
17 . NOTICES
Any notices under this Agreement shall be in writing, addressed and delivered or mai l ed postage paid to the other party at such address as such other party may designate for the receipt of such notice . Until further notice to the other party, it is agreed that the address of the Trust is 17605 Wright Street, Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68130.
18 . CONFIDENTIALITY
You agree to treat all records and other information relating to the Trust and the securities holdings of the Fund as confidential and shall not disclose any such records or information to any other person unless (i) the Board of Trustees of the Trust has approved the disclosure or (ii) such disclosure is compelled by law. In addition, you, and your officers, directors and employees are prohibited from receiving compensation or other consideration, for themselves or on behalf of the Fund, as a result of disclosing the Fund's portfolio ho ld ings. You agree that, consistent with your Code of Ethics, neither you nor your officers, directors or employees may engage in personal securities transactions based on nonpublic information about the Fund's portfolio holdings .
19. COUNTERPARTS
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts , each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which tog et her shall constitute one and the same instrument.
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20. BINDING EFFECT
Each of the und ersig ned expressly warrants and represents that he has the full power and authority to sign this Agreement on behalf of the party indi cated, and that his signature will operate to bind the party indicated to the foregoing terms.
21 . CAPTIONS
The captions in this Agreement are included for co nvenience of referenc e only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions h e reof or otherwise affect the i r construction or effect. If you are in agreement with the foregoing, please sign the fo rm of acceptance on the a ccompanying counterpart of this lett er and return such counterpart to the Trust, whereupon this letter shall become a binding contract upon the date thereof.
signature page follows
Yours very truly,
PREDEX
By: /s/_____
J. Grayson Sanders
President
Date: 4 -7-16
Acceptance:
PREDEX Capital Management, LLC
By: /s/______
J. Grayson Sanders
Managing Principal
Date: 4 -7-16
Exhibit A
Dated : April 7 , 2016
Fund | Percentage of Average Daily Net Assets |
PREDEX | PREDEX Capital Management , LLC is entitled to receive a monthly fee at the annual rate of 0.55 % of PREDEX's daily average net assets. |
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UNDERWRITING
AGREEMENT
Between
PREDEX
and
NORTHERN LIGHTS
DISTRIBUTORS, LLC
Page 1 of 21 |
INDEX
1. | APPOINTMENT OF NLD AND DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS........................ | 3 |
2. | NATURE OF DUTIES................................................................................................... | 4 |
3. | OFFERING OF SHARES............................................................................................... | 4 |
4. | LICENSED REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FUNDS................................................ | 5 |
5. | REPUCHASE OF SHARES BY THE TRUST............................................................ | 6 |
6. | DUTIES AND REPRESENTATIONS OF NLD........................................................ | 6 |
7. | DUTIES AND REPRESENTATIONS OF THE TRUST.......................................... | 8 |
8. | INDEMNIFICATION OF NLD BY THE TRUST..................................................... | 11 |
9. | INDEMINDICATION OF TRUST BY NLD............................................................. | 13 |
10. | NOTIFICATION BY THE TRUST.............................................................................. | 15 |
11. | COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES......................................................................... | 15 |
12. | SELECTED DEALER AND SELECTED AGENT AGREEMENTS....................... | 16 |
13. | CONFIDENTIALITY..................................................................................................... | 17 |
14. | EFFECTIVENESS AND DURATION......................................................................... | 17 |
15. | DISASTER RECOVERY................................................................................................ | 18 |
16. | DEFINITIONS................................................................................................................. | 18 |
17. | MISCELLANEOUS......................................................................................................... | 19 |
Attached Schedules
Schedule A
Schedule B
Page 2 of 21 |
UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
THIS UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT effective the 7th day of April, 2016, by and between PREDEX, a Delaware statutory trust, having its principal office and place of business at 17605 Wright Street, Suite 2, Omaha, Nebraska 68130 (the “Trust”), and NORTHERN LIGHTS DISTRIBUTORS, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company having its principal office and place of business at 17605 Wright Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68130 (“NLD”).
WHEREAS , the Trust is offering shares of beneficial interest (the “Shares”) in separate investment portfolios as set forth on Schedule A , as may be amended from time to time (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”), and each a series of the Trust; and
WHEREAS , the Trust is a closed-end management investment company registered with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”); and
WHEREAS , NLD is registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (ʺ1934 Actʺ), as a broker-dealer and is engaged in the business of selling shares of registered investment companies either directly to purchasers or through other financial intermediaries; and
WHEREAS , the Trust desires that NLD offer, as principal underwriter, the Shares of the Funds to the public and NLD is willing to provide those services on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement in order to promote the growth of the Funds and facilitate the distribution of the Shares;
NOW THEREFORE , for and in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the Trust and NLD hereby agree as follows:
1. APPOINTMENT OF NLD AND DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS
(a) The Trust hereby appoints NLD, and NLD hereby agrees, to act as principal underwriter and distributor of the Shares of the Funds for the period and on the terms set forth in this Agreement. In connection therewith, the Funds have delivered to NLD current copies of:
(i) the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-laws (the
“Organizational Documents”);
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(ii) the Trust’s current Registration Statement;
(iii) the Trust’s notification of registration under the 1940 Act on Form
N-8A as filed with the SEC;
(iv) the Trust’s current Prospectus and Statement of Additional
Information (as currently in effect and as amended or supplemented, the “Prospectus”);
(v) each current shareholder service plan or similar document adopted by the Trust (“Service Plan”).
(b) The Trust shall promptly furnish NLD with:
(i) all amendments of or supplements to the foregoing; and
(ii) a copy of the resolution of the Board appointing NLD and authorizing the execution and delivery of this Agreement.
2. NATURE OF DUTIES
(a) NLD shall act as distributor of the Funds except that the rights given under this Agreement to NLD shall not apply to: (i) Shares issued in connection with the merger, consolidation or reorganization of any other investment company or series or class thereof with a Fund or class thereof; (ii) the Trust’s acquisition by purchase or otherwise of all or substantially all of the assets or stock of any other investment company or series or class thereof; (iii) the reinvestment in Shares by the Funds’ shareholders of dividends or other distributions; or (iv) any other offering by the Funds of securities to its shareholders (collectively ʺexempt transactionsʺ).
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, NLD is and may in the future distribute shares of other investment companies including investment companies having investment objectives similar to those of the Funds. The Funds further understand that existing and future investors in the Funds may invest in shares of such other investment companies. The Funds agree that the services that NLD provides to such other investment companies shall not be deemed in conflict with its duties to the Funds under this Agreement.
3. OFFERING OF SHARES
(a) NLD shall have the right to buy from the Funds the Shares needed to fill unconditional orders for Shares of the Funds placed with NLD by investors or selected dealers or selected agents (each as defined in Section 12 hereof) acting as agent for their
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customers’ or on their own behalf. Alternatively, NLD may act as the Funds’ agent, to offer, and to solicit offers to subscribe to, Shares of the Funds.
(b) The price that NLD shall pay for Shares purchased from the Funds shall be the NAV used in determining the Public Offering Price on which the orders are based. Shares purchased by NLD are to be resold by NLD to investors at the respective Public Offering Price(s), or to selected dealers or selected agents acting in accordance with the terms of selected dealer or selected agent agreements described in Section 12 of this Agreement. The Funds will advise NLD of the NAV(s) each time that it is determined by the Funds, or its designated agent, and at such other times as NLD may reasonably request.
(c) NLD will promptly forward all orders and subscriptions to the Funds or its designated agent. All orders and all subscriptions shall be directed to the Funds for acceptance and shall not be binding until accepted by the Funds. Any order or subscription may be rejected by the Funds; provided, however, that the Funds will not arbitrarily or without reasonable cause refuse to accept or confirm orders or subscriptions for the purchase of Shares. The Funds or its designated agent will confirm orders and subscriptions upon their receipt, will make appropriate book entries and, upon receipt by the Funds or its designated agent of payment therefore, will issue such Shares in uncertificated form pursuant to the instructions of NLD. NLD agrees to cause such payment and such instructions to be delivered promptly to the Funds or its designated agent.
(d) The Funds reserve the right to suspend the offering of Shares of the Funds at any time in the absolute discretion of the Board, and upon notice of such suspension NLD shall cease to offer Shares of the Funds specified in the notice.
(e) No Shares shall be offered by either NLD or the Funds under any of the provisions of this Agreement and no orders for the purchase or sale of Shares hereunder shall be accepted by the Funds if and so long as the effectiveness of the Registration Statement then in effect or any necessary amendments thereto shall be suspended under any of the provisions of the Securities Act, or if and so long as a current Prospectus, as required by Section 10(b) of the Securities Act, as amended, is not on file with the SEC; provided, however, that nothing contained in this paragraph shall in any way limit the Funds’ obligation to repurchase Shares from any shareholder in accordance with the provisions of the Fundʹs Organizational Documents or the Prospectus applicable to the Shares.
4. LICENSED REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FUNDS
At the request of the Trust, a Fund, a Fund’s sponsor, adviser or affiliate, NLD
may license certain designated employees as a “registered representative” and maintain
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their licensed status in accordance with FINRA rules and regulations including the following:
(a) filing Form U-4’s and fingerprint submission and processing renewals and terminations;
(b) on-going compliance up-dates and training;
(c) preparation of materials and training for compliance with FINRA
continuing education requirements; and
(d) supervision of registered representatives.
NLD reserves the right in its sole discretion of refuse to register or maintain the registration for any individual and otherwise impose any requirements, fees or limitations on licensed persons.
5. REPURCHASE OF SHARES BY THE TRUST
Shares of the Funds are not redeemable, but shall be repurchased by the Trust in accordance with its obligations as set forth in the Organizational Documents and the Prospectus relating to the Shares.
6. DUTIES AND REPRESENTATIONS OF NLD
(a) NLD shall use reasonable efforts to facilitate the sale of Shares of the Funds upon the terms and conditions contained herein and in the then current Prospectus. NLD shall devote reasonable time and effort to facilitate the distribution of Fund shares but shall not be obligated to sell any specific number of Shares. The services of NLD to the Funds hereunder are not to be deemed exclusive, and nothing herein contained shall prevent NLD from entering into like arrangements with other investment companies so long as the performance of its obligations hereunder is not impaired thereby.
(b) NLD will execute and deliver agreements with broker/dealers, financial institutions and other industry professionals based on forms of agreement approved from time to time by the Board with respect to shares of the Funds, including but not limited to forms of sales support agreements and shareholder servicing agreements.
(c) NLD shall be responsible for reviewing and providing advice and counsel on, and filing with FINRA, all sales literature (e.g., advertisements, brochures and shareholder communications, including the Fund’s website) with respect to the
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Funds. All costs associated with advertising filings shall be paid by the Funds. NLD will forward all FINRA comments on marketing materials to the Trust for incorporation into such materials and the sole responsibility for incorporation of such comments shall remain with the Trust; provided, however, that the Trust shall provide all factual content, opinion, and other content for such materials and NLD shall not be responsible for the accuracy of the content of such materials, when used thereafter by the Trust or any person authorized by the Trust to use such material; nor shall NLD be responsible for the filing or content of any such materials used by third parties without the authorization of NLD; and provided further that NLD shall not be responsible for filing any materials that fall within the definition of advertising and sales literature if such materials are not provided to NLD in a form suitable for filing in a timely manner. In addition, NLD will provide one or more persons, during normal business hours, to respond to telephone questions with respect to the Funds.
(d) NLD will forward all sales related complaints concerning the Funds to the Trust.
(e) NLD will provide assistance in the preparation of quarterly board materials with regard to sales and other distribution related data reasonably requested by the Board of the Funds.
(f) All activities by NLD and its agents and employees as distributor of Shares shall comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the 1940 Act, the Securities Act, the Securities Exchange Act, and FINRA Rules, all rules and regulations made or adopted pursuant to the 1940 Act by the SEC or any securities association registered under the Securities Exchange Act.
(g) In selling Shares of the Funds, NLD shall use its best efforts in all material respects duly to conform with the requirements of all federal and state laws relating to the sale of the Shares. Neither NLD, any selected dealer, any selected agent nor any other person is authorized by the Funds to give any information or to make any representations other than as is contained in a Funds’ Prospectus or any advertising materials or sales literature specifically approved in writing by the Funds or their agents.
(h) NLD shall adopt and follow procedures for the confirmation of sales to investors and selected dealers or selected agents, the collection of amounts payable by investors and selected dealers or selected agents on such sales, and the cancellation of unsettled transactions, as may be necessary to comply with the requirements of FINRA.
(i) NLD represents and warrants to the Trust that:
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(i) It is a limited liability company duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Nebraska and it is duly qualified to carry on its business in the State of Nebraska;
(ii) It is empowered under applicable laws and by its Articles of
Organization to enter into and perform this Agreement;
(iii) All requisite actions have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement;
(iv) It has and will continue to have access to the necessary facilities, equipment and personnel to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement;
(v) This Agreement, when executed and delivered, will constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of NLD, enforceable against NLD in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and secured parties; and
(vi) It is registered under the Securities Exchange Act with the SEC as a broker-dealer, it is a member in good standing of FINRA, it will abide by FINRA Rules, and it will notify the Funds if its membership in FINRA is terminated or suspended.
(vii) Its selling agreements will require that selling agents comply with applicable anti-money laundering laws, regulations, rules and government guidance, including the reporting, record keeping and compliance requirements of the Bank Secrecy Act (ʺBSAʺ), as amended by The International Money Laundering Abatement and Financial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2002, Title III of the USA PATRIOT Act (the “PATRIOT Actʺ), its implementing regulations, and related SEC and SRO rules.
(j) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement, including the Schedules, to the contrary, NLD makes no warranty or representation as to the number of selected dealers or selected agents with which it has entered into agreements in accordance with Section 12 hereof, as to the availability of any Shares to be sold through any selected dealer, selected agent or other intermediary or as to any other matter not specifically set forth herein.
7. DUTIES AND REPRESENTATIONS OF THE TRUST
(a) The Trust shall furnish to NLD copies of all financial statements and other documents to be delivered to shareholders or investors at least two (2) Fund Business Days prior to such delivery and shall furnish NLD copies of all other financial
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statements, documents and other papers or information which NLD may reasonably request for use in connection with the distribution of Shares. The Trust shall make available to NLD the number of copies of the Funds’ Prospectuses as NLD shall reasonably request.
(b) The Trust shall take, from time to time, subject to the approval of the Board and any required approval of the shareholders of the Funds, all actions necessary to fix the number of authorized Shares (if such number is not unlimited) and to register the Shares under the Securities Act, to the end that there will be available for sale the number of Shares as reasonably may be expected to be sold pursuant to this Agreement.
(c) The Trust will execute any and all documents, furnish any and all information and otherwise take all actions that may be reasonably necessary to register or qualify Shares for sale in such states as NLD may designate to the Funds and the Funds may approve, and the Funds shall pay all fees and other expenses incurred in connection with such registration or qualification; provided that NLD shall not be required to register as a broker-dealer or file a consent to service of process in any State and the Funds shall not be required to qualify as a foreign corporation, Fund or association in any State. Any registration or qualification may be withheld, terminated or withdrawn by the Funds at any time in its discretion. NLD shall furnish such information and other material relating to its affairs and activities as the Funds require in connection with such registration or qualification.
(d) The Trust represents and warrants to NLD that:
(i) It is a business trust duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of Delaware;
(ii) It is empowered under applicable laws and by its Organizational
Documents to enter into and perform this Agreement;
(iii) All proceedings required by the Organizational Documents have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform its duties under this Agreement;
(iv) It is a closed-end management investment company registered with the SEC under the 1940 Act;
(v) All Shares, when issued, shall be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable;
(vi) This Agreement, when executed and delivered, will constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Trust, enforceable against the Trust in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
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moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and secured parties;
(vii) The performance by the Trust of its obligations hereunder does not and will not contravene any provision of the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust.
(viii) The Registration Statement is currently effective and will remain effective with respect to all Shares of the Funds being offered for sale;
(ix) The Registration Statement and Prospectus have been or will be, as the case may be, carefully prepared in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder;
(x) The Registration Statement and Prospectus contain or will contain all statements required to be stated therein in accordance with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder; all statements of fact contained or to be contained in the Registration Statement or Prospectus are or will be true and correct at the time indicated or on the effective date as the case may be; and neither the Registration Statement nor any Prospectus, when they shall become effective or be authorized for use, will include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading to a purchaser of Shares;
(xi) It will from time to time file such amendment or amendments to the Registration Statement and Prospectus as, in the light of then-current and then- prospective developments, shall, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary in order to have the Registration Statement and Prospectus at all times contain all material facts required to be stated therein or necessary to make any statements therein not misleading to a purchaser of Shares (ʺRequired Amendmentsʺ);
(xii) It shall not file any amendment to the Registration Statement or Prospectus without giving NLD reasonable advance notice thereof; provided, however, that nothing contained in this Agreement shall in any way limit the Funds’ right to file at any time such amendments to the Registration Statement or Prospectus, of whatever character, as the Funds may deem advisable, such right being in all respects absolute and unconditional; and
(xiii) All Shares of the Fund are properly registered in the states as required by applicable state laws; and
(xiv) Any amendment to the Registration Statement or Prospectus hereafter filed will, when it becomes effective, contain all statements required to be
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stated therein in accordance with the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder; all statements of fact contained in the Registration Statement or Prospectus will, when it becomes effective, be true and correct at the time indicated or on the effective date as the case may be; and no such amendment, when it becomes effective, will include an untrue statement of a material fact or will omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading to a purchaser of the Shares.
(xv) In connection with any registered representatives maintained under this Agreement, the Trust agrees to cooperate with NLD and provide reports as necessary to maintain appropriate licensing and qualifications and report to NLD any complaints, arbitrations, litigation or any other material matter that may affect a registered representative’s registration status.
(xvi) It has adopted necessary procedures to comply with the Bank Secrecy Act (ʺBSAʺ), as amended by The International Money Laundering Abatement and Financial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2002, Title III of the USA PATRIOT Act (the “PATRIOT Actʺ), its implementing regulations, and related SEC and SRO rules. Consistent with this requirement, the Trust shall ensure that the account opening forms utilized by the Funds contain the necessary customer information such as name, address, taxpayer identification and other information to verify the identity of such customers as well as provide proper notification to customers of such anti-money laundering program adopted by the Trust and/or its service providers.
(xvii) NLD may rely on and will be held harmless from relying on oral or written instructions it receives from an officer, agent, or legal counsel to the Trust.
8. INDEMNIFICATION OF NLD BY THE TRUST
(a) The Trust authorizes NLD and any dealers with whom NLD has entered into dealer agreements to use the latest Prospectus in the form furnished by the Trust in connection with the sale of Shares. The Trust agrees to indemnify, defend and hold NLD, its several officers and managers, 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 managers, 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,
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(ii) the breach of any representations, warranties or obligations set forth herein,
(iii) 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,
(iv) the Trust’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,
(v) the Trust’s failure to provide NLD with advertising or sales materials to be filed with FINRA on a timely basis or use of marketing materials that are false or misleading,
(vi) the Trust’s failure to properly register Fund Shares under applicable state laws, or
(vii) all reasonable actions taken by NLD hereunder, including all actions resulting from NLD’s reliance on instructions received from an officer, agent or legal counsel of the Trust.
(b) The Trust’s agreement to indemnify NLD, its officers or managers, and any such controlling person will not be deemed to cover any such claim, demand, liability or expense to the extent that it arises out of or is based upon:
(i) any such untrue statement, alleged untrue statement, omission or alleged omission made in any Registration Statement or any Prospectus in reliance upon information furnished by NLD, its officers, managers or any such controlling person to the Fund or its representatives for use in the preparation thereof, or
(ii) willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of NLD’s duties, or by reason of NLD’s reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement (ʺDisqualifying Conductʺ).
(c) The Trust’s agreement to indemnify NLD, its officers and managers, and any such controlling person, as aforesaid, is expressly conditioned upon the Trust’s being notified of any action brought against NLD, its officers or managers, or any such controlling person, such notification to be given by letter, by facsimile or by telegram addressed to the Funds at the address set forth above within a reasonable period of time after the summons or other first legal process shall have been served; provided, however, that the failure to notify the Trust of any such action shall not relieve the Trust from any liability which the Trust may have to the person against whom such action is
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brought by reason of any such untrue, or alleged untrue, statement or omission, or alleged omission, otherwise than on account of the Funds’ indemnity agreement contained in this Section.
(d) The Trust will be entitled to assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any such claim, demand or liability, but, in such case, such defense shall be conducted by counsel of good standing chosen by the Trust and approved by NLD, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. If the Trust elects to assume the defense of any such suit and retain counsel of good standing approved by NLD, the defendant or defendants in such suit shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by any of them; but in case the Trust does not elect to assume the defense of any such suit, the Trust will reimburse NLD, its officers and managers, or the controlling person or persons named as defendant or defendants in such suit, for the reasonable fees and expenses of any counsel retained by them.
(e) The Trust’s indemnification agreement contained in this Section and the Funds’ representations and warranties in this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of NLD, its officers and managers, or any controlling person, and shall survive the delivery of any Shares. This agreement of indemnity will inure exclusively to NLD’s benefit, to the benefit of its several officers and managers, and their respective estates, and to the benefit of any controlling persons and their successors. The Trust agrees promptly to notify NLD of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against the Trust or any of its officers or Board members in connection with the issue and sale of Shares.
9. INDEMNIFICATION OF THE TRUST BY NLD
(a) NLD agrees to indemnify, defend and hold the Trust, its several officers and Board members, and any person who controls the Trust 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 the Trust, its officers or Board members, or any such controlling person, may incur under the Securities Act, the 1940 Act, or under common law or otherwise, but only to the extent that such liability or expense incurred by the Trust , its officers or Board members, or such controlling person results from such claims or demands:
(i) arising out of or based upon statements or representations made
by NLD which are unauthorized by the Trust or its agents in any sales literature or advertisements or any Disqualifying Conduct by NLD in connection with the offering and sale of any Shares, or
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(ii) arising out of or based upon any untrue, or alleged untrue, statement of a material fact contained in information furnished in writing by NLD to the Fund specifically for use in the Trust’s Registration Statement and used in the answers to any of the items of the Registration Statement or in the corresponding statements made in the Prospectus, or shall arise out of or be based upon any omission, or alleged omission, to state a material fact in connection with such information furnished in writing by NLD to the Trust and required to be stated in such answers or necessary to make such information not misleading.
(b) NLD’s agreement to indemnify the Trust, its officers and Trustees, and any such controlling person, as aforesaid, is expressly conditioned upon NLD’s being notified of any action brought against the Trust, its officers or Trustees, or any such controlling person, such notification to be given by letter, by facsimile or by telegram addressed to NLD at its address set forth above within a reasonable period of time after the summons or other first legal process shall have been served.
(c) The failure to notify NLD of any such action shall not relieve NLD from any liability which it may have to the person against whom such action is brought by reason of any such untrue, or alleged untrue, statement or omission, or alleged omission, otherwise than on account of NLD’s indemnity agreement contained in this Section.
(d) NLD will be entitled to assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any such claim, demand or liability, but, in such case, such defense shall be conducted by counsel of good standing chosen by NLD and approved by the Trust, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. If NLD elects to assume the defense of any such suit and retain counsel of good standing approved by the Trust the defendant or defendants in such suit shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by any of them; but in the case NLD does not elect to assume the defense of any such suit, NLD will reimburse the Trust, the Trust’s officers and directors, or the controlling person or persons named as defendant or defendants in such suit, for the reasonable fees and expenses of any counsel retained by the Trust or them.
NLD’s indemnification agreement contained in this Section and NLD’s representations and warranties in this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by NLD or on behalf of NLD, its officers and managers, or any controlling person, and shall survive the delivery of any Shares. This agreement of indemnity will inure exclusively to the Funds’ benefit, to the benefit of the Funds’ officers and Trustees, and their respective estates, and to the benefit of any controlling persons and their successors. NLD agrees promptly to notify the Funds of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against NLD or any of its officers or managers in connection with the issue and sale of Shares.
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10. NOTIFICATION BY THE TRUST
(a) The Trust agrees to advise NLD as soon as reasonably practical:
(i) of any request by the SEC for amendments to the Registration
Statement or any Prospectus then in effect;
(ii) of the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any Prospectus then in effect or of the initiation of any proceeding for that purpose;
(iii) of the happening of any event that makes untrue any statement of a material fact made in the Registration Statement or any Prospectus then in effect or which requires the making of a change in such Registration Statement or Prospectus in order to make the statements therein not misleading;
(iv) of all actions of the SEC with respect to any amendment to any Registration Statement or any Prospectus which may from time to time be filed with the SEC;
(v) if a current Prospectus is not on file with the SEC; and
(vi) of all advertising, sales materials and other communications with the public required to be filed with FINRA. This obligation shall extend to all revisions of such communications.
For purposes of this section, informal requests by or acts of the Staff of the SEC shall not be deemed actions of or requests by the SEC.
11. COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES
(a) In consideration of NLD’s services hereunder, the Fund agrees to pay, or cause the Fund’s adviser to pay, to NLD the fees set forth in Schedule B , attached hereto. Fees will begin to accrue for each Fund on the latter of the date of this Agreement or the date NLD begins providing services to or on behalf of such Fund. The monthly Service Fee set forth on Schedule B may be offset by any fees and charges collected and retained by NLD, for the applicable month, as set forth below:
(i) any applicable sales charge assessed upon investors in connection with the purchase of Shares; and
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(ii) from the Fund, the shareholder service fees with respect to the Shares of those Classes as designated in Schedule A for which a Service Plan is effective (the ʺShareholder Service Feeʺ).
(b) The Shareholder Service Fee, if any, shall be accrued daily by the Trust or class thereof and shall be paid monthly as promptly as possible after the last day of each calendar month, at the rate or in the amounts set forth in the Service Plan. The Trust grants and transfers to NLD a general lien and security interest in any and all securities and other assets of the Trust now or hereafter maintained in an account at the Trust’s custodian on behalf of the Trust to secure any Shareholder Service Fees or other fees owed NLD by the Trust under this Agreement. All fees set forth herein shall be due and payable upon receipt of invoice and shall be considered late if payment is not received by NLD within fifteen (15) days of the Fund’s receipt of the invoice. Payments not received with fifteen (15) days may be assessed interest at the maximum amount permitted by law.
(c) The Trust shall be responsible and assumes the obligation for payment of all the expenses of the Trust, including fees and disbursements of its counsel and auditors, in connection with the preparation and filing of the Registration Statement and Prospectus (including but not limited to the expense of setting in type the Registration Statement and Prospectus and printing sufficient quantities for internal compliance, regulatory purposes and for distribution to current shareholders).
The Trust shall bear the cost and expenses (i) of the registration of the Shares for sale under the Securities Act; (ii) of the registration or qualification of the Shares for sale under the securities laws of the various States; (iii) if necessary or advisable in connection therewith, of qualifying the Funds, (but not NLD) as an issuer or as a broker or dealer, in such States as shall be selected by the Trust and NLD pursuant to Section 7(c) hereof; (iv) payable to each State for continuing registration or qualification therein until the Funds decide to discontinue registration or qualification pursuant to Section 7(c) hereof; and (v) payable for standard transmission costs, including costs imposed by the National Securities Clearing Corporation. NLD shall pay all expenses relating to NLDʹs broker-dealer qualification.
12. SELECTED DEALER AND SELECTED AGENT AGREEMENTS
NLD shall have the right to enter into selected dealer agreements with securities dealers of its choice (ʺselected dealersʺ) and selected agent agreements with depository institutions and other financial intermediaries of its choice (ʺselected agentsʺ) for the sale of Shares and to fix therein the portion of the sales charge, if any, that may be allocated to the selected dealers or selected agents; provided, that the Trust shall approve the forms of agreements with selected dealers or selected agents and shall review and approve the compensation set forth therein. A form selling agreement for the Funds is
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attached hereto. Selected dealers and selected agents shall resell Shares of the Funds at the public offering price(s) set forth in the Prospectus relating to the Shares. Within the United States, NLD shall offer and sell Shares of the Funds only to selected dealers that are members in good standing of FINRA.
13. CONFIDENTIALITY
NLD agrees to treat all records and other information related to the Trust as proprietary information of the Trust and, on behalf of itself and its employees, to keep confidential all such information, except that NLD may:
(a) Prepare or assist in the preparation of periodic reports to shareholders and regulatory bodies such as the SEC;
(b) provide information typically supplied in the investment company industry to companies that track or report price, performance or other information regarding investment companies; and
(c) release such other information as approved in writing by the Fund, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld;
NLD may release any information regarding the Trust without the consent of the Trust if NLD reasonably believes that it may be exposed to civil or criminal legal proceedings for failure to comply, when requested to release any information by duly constituted authorities or when so requested by the Trust. Each party agrees to comply with Regulation S-P under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act.
14. EFFECTIVENESS AND DURATION
(a) This Agreement shall become effective as of the date hereof and will continue for an initial two-year term and will continue thereafter so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually (i) by the Trust’s Board or (ii) by a vote of a majority of the Shares of the Trust, provided that in either event its continuance also is approved by a majority of the Board members who are not ʺinterested personsʺ of any party to this Agreement, by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
(b) This Agreement is terminable, without penalty, on sixty (60) days written notice, by the Board, by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of such Trust, or by NLD.
(c) This Agreement will automatically and immediately terminate in the event of its ʺassignment.ʺ
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(d) NLD agrees to notify the Trust immediately upon the event of NLD’s
expulsion or suspension by FINRA. This Agreement will automatically and immediately terminate in the event of NLD’s expulsion or suspension by FINRA.
15. DISASTER RECOVERY
NLD shall maintain disaster recovery procedures in effect making reasonable provisions for the storage and retrieval of information maintained in NLD’s possession.
16. DEFINITIONS
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meaning set forth below:
(a) The “Boardʺ means the Board of Trustees of the Trust.
(b) “Fund Business Day” means any day on which the NAV of Shares of each
Fund is determined as stated in the then current Prospectus.
(c) “FINRA Rules” means the Constitution, By-Laws, and Rules of Fair Practice of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (ʺFINRAʺ) and any interpretations thereof.
(d) “NAV” means the net asset value per Share of each Fund as determined by the Fund, or its designated agent, in accordance with and at the times indicated in the applicable Prospectus of the Fund on each Fund Business Day in accordance with the method set forth in the Prospectus and guidelines established by the Board.
(e) “Public Offering Price” means the price per Share of the Fund at which NLD or selected dealers or selected agents may sell Shares to the public or to those persons eligible to invest in Shares as described in the Prospectus of the Funds, determined in accordance with such Prospectus under the Securities Act relating to such Shares.
(f) “Prospectus” means the current prospectus and statement of additional information of the Fund, as currently in effect and as amended or supplemented.
(g) “Registration Statement” means the Fund’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 and all amendments thereto filed with the SEC.
(h) “SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Page 18 of 21 |
(i) “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(j) “Securities Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(k) “1940 Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
(l) The terms ʺmajority of the outstanding voting securities,ʺ ʺinterested personʺ and ʺassignmentʺ shall have the same meanings as such terms have in the 1940 Act.
17. MISCELLANEOUS
(a) No provision of this Agreement may be amended or modified in any manner except by a written agreement properly authorized and executed by both parties.
(b) This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions thereof interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of the State of Nebraska.
(c) This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto and supersedes any prior agreement with respect to the subject matter hereof whether oral or written.
(d) The parties may execute this Agreement or any number of counterparts, and all of the counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.
(e) If any part, term or provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, in conflict with any law or otherwise invalid, the remaining portion or portions shall be considered severable and not be affected by such determination, and the rights and obligations of the parties shall be construed and enforced as if the Agreement did not contain the particular part, term or provision held to be illegal or invalid.
(f) In the event either party is unable to perform its obligations under the terms of this Agreement because of acts of God, strikes, equipment or transmission failure or damage reasonably beyond its control, or other causes reasonably beyond its control, such party shall not be liable for damages to the other party resulting from such failure to perform or otherwise from such causes.
(g) NLD shall not be liable for any consequential, incidental, exemplary, punitive, special or indirect damages, whether or not the likelihood of such damages was known by NLD or its affiliates.
Page 19 of 21 |
(h) Any controversy or claim arising out of, or related to, this Agreement, its termination or the breach thereof, shall be settled by binding arbitration by three arbitrators (or by fewer arbitrator(s), if the parties subsequently agree to fewer) in the State of Nebraska, in accordance with the rules then obtaining of FINRA, and the arbitrators’ decision shall be binding and final, and judgment upon the award rendered may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.
(i) Section and paragraph headings in this Agreement are included for convenience only and are not to be used to construe or interpret this Agreement.
(j) All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing, shall be deemed to have been given when received, and shall be given to the following addresses (or such other addresses as to which notice is given):
To the Trust: | To NLD: |
PREDEX Attn: J. Grayson Sanders 17605 Wright Street, Suite 2 Omaha, NE 68130 |
Northern Lights Distributors, LLC Attn: Legal Counsel 17605 Wright Street Omaha, NE 68130 |
(k) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the parties agree that the assets and liabilities of each Fund of the Trust are separate and distinct from the assets and liabilities of each other Fund and that no Fund shall be liable or shall be charged for any debt, obligation or liability of any other Fund, whether arising under this Agreement or otherwise.
(l) Each of the undersigned expressly warrants and represents that they have full power and authority to sign this Agreement on behalf of the party indicated and that their signature will bind the party indicated to the terms hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed in their names and on their behalf by and through their duly authorized persons, as of the day and year first above written.
Page 20 of 21 |
PREDEX |
NORTHERN LIGHTS DISTRIBUTORS, LLC
|
By: /s/_______________________
J. Grayson Sanders President |
By: /s/_______________________
Brian Nielsen Chief Executive Officer |
Page 21 of 21 |
Schedule A
Fund Name Adviser Effective Date
PREDEX PREDEX Capital 04/07/2016
Management, LLC
UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
Schedule B
PREDEX
Fee Schedule
Page 1 of 2
This Fee Schedule is part of the Underwriting Agreement effective April 7, 2016 (the “Agreement”), by and between the PREDEX and Northern Lights Distributors, LLC. This Fee Schedule replaces any existing Fee Schedule with respect to the Fund(s) identified herein.
Service Fees:
Annual fee of $15,000 for the first Fund and $5,000 for each additional Fund
PLUS:
· 1 basis point or 0.01% per annum of each Fundʹs average daily net assets up to $250
million, and;
· ¾ basis point or 0.0075% per annum of each Fundʹs average daily net assets between
$250 million and $500 million, and;
· ½ basis point or 0.0050% per annum of each Fundʹs average daily net assets between
$500 million and $1 billion, and;
· ¼ basis point or 0.0025% per annum of each Fundʹs average daily net assets over $1
billion.
The Fund shall also pay an additional fee to NLD calculated as 25% of any FINRA costs incurred (for example, if FINRA charged $100 to perform advertising review, NLD would charge the Fund an additional $25).
All service fees outlined above are payable monthly in arrears.
Registered Representative Licensing:
Annual fee of $5,500 per Registered Representative plus all out-of-pocket costs such as registration expenses and travel expenses to conduct required training.
Out-of-Pocket Expenses
The Fund(s) shall pay all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by NLD in connection with activities performed for the Fund(s) hereunder including, without limitation:
· typesetting, printing and distribution of prospectuses and shareholder reports
· production, printing, distribution and placement of advertising and sales literature
and materials
· engagement of designers, free-lance writers and public relations firms
· long-distance telephone lines, services and charges
UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
Schedule B
PREDEX
Fee Schedule
Page 2 of 2
· postage
· overnight delivery charges
· FINRA and registration fees
· marketing expenses
· record retention fees
· travel, lodging and meals
· NSCC charges
· Fund platform fees and service fees
· website monitoring fees
In the event the fees authorized by the Fund(s) for payment to NLD are insufficient to cover the fees due to NLD for its services provided hereunder, PREDEX Capital Management, LLC, the investment adviser to the Fund(s), agrees to pay NLD the remaining balance of any fees due and payable to NLD according to this fee schedule within 15 days of request.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have executed this Schedule to the
Underwriting Agreement effective as of April 7, 2016 .
PREDEX | NORTHERN LIGHTS DISTRIBUTORS, LLC |
By: /s/
|
By: /s/ |
Name: J. Grayson Sanders
|
Name: Brian Nielsen |
Title: President |
Title: Chief Executive Officer
|
The undersigned investment adviser hereby acknowledges and agrees to the terms of
this Underwriting Agreement.
PREDEX CAPITAL MANGEMENT, LLC
18500 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 300
Irvine, CA 92612
By: /s/
J. Grayson Sanders
Managing Principal
FUND SERVICES AGREEMENT
between
PREDEX
and
INDEX
1. APPOINTMENT AND DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS .............................................................. 1
2. DUTIES OF GFS ................................................................................................................. 2
3. FEES AND EXPENSES ........................................................................................................ 3
4. STANDARD OF CARE, INDEMNIFICATION AND RELIANCE ................................................. 4
5. LIMITATION OF SHAREHOLDER AND TRUSTEE LIABILITY .................................................. 6
6. EXPENSES ASSUMED BY THE TRUST ................................................................................. 6
7. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES ............................................................................ 7
8. CONFIDENTIALITY ............................................................................................................ 8
9. PROPRIETARY INFORMATION .......................................................................................... 8
10. ADDITIONAL FUNDS AND CLASSES ................................................................................... 9
11. ASSIGNMENT AND SUBCONTRACTING ............................................................................. 9
12. EFFECTIVE DATE, TERM AND TERMINATION .................................................................... 9
13. LIAISON WITH ACCOUNTANTS/ATTORNEYS .................................................................. 10
14. MISCELLANEOUS............................................................................................................ 10
ATTACHED APPENDICES
APPENDIX I
APPENDIX II
APPENDIX III
APPENDIX IV
PREDEX
FUND SERVICES AGREEMENT
THIS FUND SERVICES AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) made as of the 7 th day of April, 2016, by and between PREDEX, a Delaware statutory trust having its principal office and place of business at 80 Arkay Drive, Suite 110, Hauppauge, New York 11788 (the "Trust") and GEMINI FUND SERVICES, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company having its principal office and place of business at 17605 Wright Street, Suite 2, Omaha, Nebraska 68130 (“GFS”). This Agreement replaces and supersedes all prior understandings and agreements between the parties hereto for the services described below.
WHEREAS , the Trust is a closed-end management investment company to be registered with the
United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended (“1940 Act”); and
WHEREAS , the Trust is authorized to issue shares (“Shares”) in separate series, with each such series representing interests in a separate portfolio of securities and other assets; and
WHEREAS , the Trust shall offer shares in the series as set forth on Appendix IV attached hereto (each such series, together with all other series subsequently established by the Trust and made subject to this Agreement in accordance with Section 10 , being herein referred to as a “Fund,” and collectively as the “Funds”); and
WHEREAS , the Trust desires that GFS perform the services selected on Appendix IV (collectively the “Services”) for the Funds and GFS is willing to provide those services on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement;
NOW THEREFORE , in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants contained herein, the
Trust and GFS hereby agree as follows:
1. APPOINTMENT AND DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS
(a) | The Trust, on behalf of each Fund listed in Appendix IV attached hereto, hereby appoints GFS to provide the Services to the Trust as selected in Appendix IV attached hereto, for the period and on the terms set forth in this Agreement. GFS accepts such appointment and agrees to furnish the services herein set forth in return for the compensation as provided in Section 3 and Appendix IV of this Agreement. A description of all the services offered by GFS is set forth on Appendices I – III . |
(b) In connection therewith the Trust has delivered to GFS copies of:
(i) the Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust and Bylaws (collectively, the
"Organizational Documents");
(ii) | the Trust's Registration Statement on Form N-2 and all amendments thereto filed with the SEC pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and the 1940 Act (the "Registration Statement"); |
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(iii) | the Trust’s notification of registration under the 1940 Act on Form N-8A as filed with the SEC; |
(iv) | the Trust's current Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information for each Fund (collectively, as currently in effect and as amended or supplemented, the "Prospectus"); |
(v) | each Fund’s current plan and agreement for shareholder servicing, as applicable (the "Plan"); |
(vi) each Fund’s investment advisory agreement; (vii) each Fund’s underwriting agreement;
(viii) | contact information for each Fund’s service providers, including but not limited to, the Fund’s administrator, custodian, transfer agent, independent auditors, legal counsel, underwriter and chief compliance officer; and |
(ix) a copy of all the compliance procedures adopted by the Trust, in respect of the Funds, in accordance with the rules and regulations under the 1940 Act, including, without limitation, Rule 38a-1.
(c) The Trust shall promptly furnish GFS with all amendments of or supplements to the items listed in Section 1(b) above, and shall deliver to GFS a copy of the resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the "Board") appointing GFS and authorizing the execution and delivery of this Agreement.
2. DUTIES OF GFS
GFS’s duties with respect to Fund Accounting, Fund Administration and Transfer Agency services are detailed in Appendices I, II and III to this Agreement.
(a) | In order for GFS to perform the Services, the Trust (i) shall cause all service providers to the Funds of the Trust to furnish any and all information to GFS, and assist GFS as may be required and (ii) shall make available or grant GFS access to any records and documents maintained by or on behalf of the Trust as may be reasonably required. |
(b) | GFS shall, for all purposes herein, be deemed to be an independent contractor and shall, unless otherwise expressly provided or authorized, have no authority to act for or represent the Trust in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Trust. |
(c) | Whenever, in the course of performing its duties under this Agreement, GFS determines, on the basis of information supplied to GFS by the Trust, that a violation of applicable law has occurred, or that, to its knowledge, a possible violation of applicable law may have occurred, or with the passage of time could occur, GFS shall promptly notify the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer and legal counsel of such violation. |
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3. FEES AND EXPENSES
(a) | Fees. As compensation for the Services provided by GFS to the Trust pursuant to this Agreement, the Trust, on behalf of each Fund, agrees to pay GFS the fees set forth in Appendix IV attached hereto. Fees will begin to accrue for each Fund on the latter of the date of this Agreement or the date GFS begins providing Services to a Fund. For the purpose of determining fees calculated as a function of a Fund’s assets, the value of the Fund’s assets and net assets shall be computed as required by its currently effective Prospectus, generally accepted accounting principles, and resolutions of the Board. GFS will render, after the close of each month in which Services have been furnished, a statement reflecting all of the charges for such month. Services provided for partial months shall be subject to pro ration. |
(b) | Expenses. GFS will bear its own expenses, in connection with the performance of the Services under this Agreement, except as provided herein or as agreed to by the parties. In addition to the fees paid under Section 3(a) , the Trust agrees to reimburse GFS for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses or advances incurred by GFS to perform the Services or otherwise incurred by GFS at the request or with the consent of the Trust. For reports, analyses and services requested in writing by the Trust and provided by GFS, not in the ordinary course, GFS shall charge hourly fees specified in Appendix IV attached hereto. |
(c) Fee Changes . On each anniversary date of this Agreement (determined from the “Effective Date” for each Fund as set forth on Appendix IV ), the base and/or minimum fees enumerated in Appendix IV attached hereto, may be increased by the change in the Consumer Price Index for the Northeast region (the “CPI”) for the twelve-month period ending with the month preceding such annual anniversary date. Any CPI increases not charged in any given year may be included in prospective CPI fee increases in future years. GFS agrees to provide the Board prior written notice of any CPI increase.
(d) | Due Date . All fees contemplated under Section 3(a) above and reimbursement for all expenses contemplated under Section 3(b) above are due and payable within ten (10) days of receipt of an invoice provided by GFS. Any fees or reimbursements due hereunder and not received by its due date may be assessed interest at the maximum amount permitted by law. |
(e) | Books and Records. The accounts, books, records and other documents (the “Records”) maintained by GFS shall be the property of the Funds, and shall be surrendered to the Funds, at the expense of the Funds, promptly upon request by the Funds in the form in which such Records have been maintained or preserved, provided that all service fees and expenses charged by GFS in the performance of its duties hereunder have been fully paid to the satisfaction of GFS. GFS agrees to maintain a backup set of Records of the Funds (which back-up set shall be updated on at least a weekly basis) at a location other than that where the original Records are stored. GFS shall assist the Funds’ independent auditors, or, upon approval of the Funds, any regulatory body, in any requested review of the Funds’ Records. GFS shall preserve the Records, as they are required to be maintained and preserved by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act. |
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(f) | De-Conversion Fees. Upon termination of this Agreement, GFS will charge a “De- Conversion” fee to compensate GFS for providing to the Fund’s new service providers, all material records, history and data maintained by GFS under this Agreement. The amount of the De-Conversion fees are specified in Appendix IV attached hereto. In addition, GFS reserves the right to charge for out-of-pocket expenses associated with the De-Conversion, as specified in Section 12(d) of this Agreement. |
(g) | Post-Engagement Audit Support Fees. After a De-Conversion, GFS is often called upon to provide support to a Fund’s service provider and assist with a Fund’s annual audit. Services provided by GFS to accommodate a Fund’s request following termination of this Agreement shall be subject to GFS’s standard hourly rates existing at the time of the request. The Fund agrees to compensate GFS, at GFS’s standard hourly rates, for accommodating a Fund’s request following termination of this Agreement. |
4. STANDARD OF CARE, INDEMNIFICATION AND RELIANCE
(a) | Indemnification of GFS . The Trust shall, on behalf of each applicable Fund, indemnify and hold GFS harmless from and against any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, reasonable attorney or consultant fees, payments, expenses and liability arising out of or attributable to the Trust’s refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement, breach of any representation or warranty made by the Trust contained in this 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 this Agreement. GFS shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to this Agreement. |
(b) | Indemnification of the Trust . GFS shall indemnify and hold the Trust and each applicable Fund harmless from and against any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, reasonable attorney or consultant fees, payments, expenses and liability arising out of or attributable to GFS’s refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement, breach of any representation or warranty made by GFS contained in this Agreement or which arise out of GFS’s lack of good faith, gross negligence, or willful misconduct with respect to GFS’s performance under or in connection with this Agreement. |
(c) Reliance . Except to the extent that GFS may be liable pursuant to Sections 4(a) and 4(b) above, the Trust shall hold GFS harmless and GFS shall not be liable for any action taken or failure to act in reliance upon, and shall be entitled to rely upon:
(i) advice of the Trust, its officers, independent auditors or counsel to the Trust;
(ii) | any oral instruction which it receives and which it reasonably believes in good faith was transmitted by the person or persons authorized by the Board to give such oral instruction pursuant to the parties standard operating practices; |
(iii) | any written instruction or certified copy of any resolution of the Board, and GFS may rely upon the genuineness of any such document, copy or facsimile thereof reasonably believed by GFS to have been validly executed; |
4 |
(iv) | any signature, instruction, request, letter of transmittal, certificate, opinion of counsel, statement, instrument, report, notice, consent, order, or other document reasonably believed by GFS to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the Trust or other proper party or parties; |
(v) | any instruction, information, data, records or documents provided to GFS or its agents or subcontractors furnished (pursuant to procedures mutually agreed to by GFS and the Trust’s service providers) by machine readable input, data entry, email, facsimile or other similar means authorized by the Trust; and |
(vi) | any authorization, instruction, approval, item or set of data, or information of any kind transmitted to GFS in person or by telephone, email, facsimile or other electronic means, furnished and reasonably believed by GFS to be genuine and to have been given by the proper person or persons. GFS shall not be held to have notice of any change of authority of any person, until receipt of written notice thereof from the Trust. |
GFS shall not be under any duty or obligation to inquire into the validity or invalidity or authority or lack of authority of any statement, oral or written instruction, resolution, signature, request, letter of transmittal, certificate, opinion of counsel, instrument, report, notice, consent, order, or any other document or instrument which GFS reasonably believes to be genuine.
At any time, GFS may apply to any officer of the Trust for instructions, and may consult with legal counsel to the Trust with respect to any matter arising in connection with the routine services to be performed by GFS under this Agreement, and GFS and its agents or subcontractors shall not be liable and shall be indemnified by the Trust on behalf of the applicable Fund for any action taken or omitted by it in reasonable reliance upon such instructions or upon the advice of such counsel. GFS agrees to consult first with a Fund’s adviser before engaging in any non-routine legal consultation that may result in additional legal costs to the Fund.
(d) | Errors of Others . GFS shall not be liable for the errors of other service providers to the Trust, including, without limitation, the errors of pricing services (other than to pursue all reasonable claims against the pricing service based on the pricing services' standard contracts entered into by GFS) and errors in information provided by an investment adviser (including prices and pricing formulas and the untimely transmission of trade information) or custodian to the Trust; except or unless any GFS action or inaction is a direct cause of the error. |
(e) | Reliance on Electronic Instructions. If the Trust has the ability to originate electronic instructions to GFS in order to (i) effect the transfer or movement of cash or Shares or (ii) transmit Shareholder information or other information, then in such event GFS shall be entitled to rely on the validity and authenticity of such instruction without undertaking any further inquiry as long as such instruction is undertaken in conformity with security procedures established and agreed upon by GFS and the Fund’s investment adviser. |
(f) | Notification of Claims. In order that the indemnification provisions contained in this Section shall apply, upon the assertion of a claim for which either party may be required to indemnify the other, the party seeking indemnification shall promptly notify the other party of such |
5 |
assertion, and shall keep the other party advised with respect to all developments concerning such claim. The party who may be required to indemnify shall have the option to participate with the party seeking indemnification in the defense of such claim or to defend against said claim in its own name or in the name of the other party. The party seeking indemnification shall in no case confess any claim or make any compromise in any case in which the other party may be required to indemnify it except with the other party’s prior written consent.
(g) | Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, GFS’s maximum liability to the Trust or any applicable Fund arising out of the transactions contemplated hereby, whether arising in contract, tort (including, without limitation, negligence) or otherwise, shall not exceed the direct loss the Trust or such Fund (as applicable). IN NO EVENT SHALL GFS BE LIABLE FOR TRADING LOSSES, LOST REVENUES, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES OR LOST PROFITS, WHETHER OR NOT SUCH DAMAGES WERE FORESEEABLE OR GFS WAS ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY THEREOF. THE PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE OTHER PARTS OF THIS AGREEMENT ARE PREMISED UPON THE LIMITATION STATED IN THIS SECTION. |
5. LIMITATION OF SHAREHOLDER AND TRUSTEE LIABILITY
The Board and the shareholders of each Fund shall not be liable for any obligations of the Trust or of the Funds under this Agreement, and GFS agrees that, in asserting any rights or claims under this Agreement, it shall look only to the assets and property of the Fund (or Funds) to which GFS’s rights or claims relate in settlement of such rights or claims, and not to the Board or the shareholders of the Funds. It is expressly agreed that the obligations of the Trust hereunder shall not be binding upon any of the trustees, shareholders, nominees, officers, agents or employees of the Trust personally, but bind only the trust property of the Trust, as provided in the Trust’s Organizational Documents. The execution and delivery of this Agreement have been authorized by the Board of the Trust and signed by the officers of the Trust, acting as such, and neither such authorization by the Board and shareholders nor such execution and delivery by such officers shall be deemed to have been made by any of them individually or to impose any liability on any of them personally, but shall bind only the property of the Trust as provided in its Declaration of Trust. A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Trust is on file with the Secretary of State of Delaware.
6. EXPENSES ASSUMED BY THE TRUST
Except as otherwise specifically stated in this Agreement, GFS shall pay all expenses incurred by it in performing the Services under this Agreement. Each Fund of the Trust will bear out-of-pocket expenses incurred by GFS under this Agreement and all other expenses incurred in the operation of the Fund (other than those borne by the investment adviser to the Fund) including, but not limited to:
(a) taxes;
(b) interest;
(c) brokerage fees and commissions, if any;
(d) | fees for trustees who are not officers, directors, partners, employees or holders of five percent (5%) or more of the outstanding voting securities of the investment adviser or GFS; |
6 |
(e) SEC fees (including EDGAR filing fees);
(f) state blue sky registration or qualification fees; (g) advisory fees;
(h) charges of custodians;
(i) transfer and dividend disbursing agents' fees; (j) insurance premiums;
(k) outside auditing and legal expenses; (l) costs of maintaining trust existence;
(m) costs attributable to shareholder services, including, without limitation, telephone and personnel expenses;
(n) costs of preparing and printing prospectuses for regulatory purposes; (o) costs of shareholders' reports, Trust meetings and related expenses; (p) Trust legal fees; and
(q) any extraordinary expenses.
7. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
(a) Representations of GFS. GFS represents and warrants to the Trust that:
(i) | it is a limited liability company duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Nebraska; |
(ii) | it is empowered under applicable laws and by its organizational documents to enter into this Agreement and perform its duties under this Agreement; |
(iii) | it has access to the necessary facilities, equipment, and personnel to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement; and |
(iv) | it is registered as a transfer agent under Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and shall continue to be registered throughout the remainder of this Agreement. |
(b) Representations of the Trust. The Trust represents and warrants to GFS that:
(i) it is a Trust duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of the
State of Delaware;
(ii) | it is empowered under applicable laws and by its Organizational Documents to enter into and perform this Agreement; |
(iii) | all proceedings required by said Organizational Documents have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement; |
(iv) | it will maintain registration as a closed-end management investment company registered under the 1940 Act and will operate in conformance with the 1940 Act and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder during the term of this Agreement; |
7 |
(v) | a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, will be effective and will remain effective, and appropriate state securities law filings as required, have been or will be made and will continue to be made, with respect to all Shares of the Fund being offered for sale; and |
(vi) | each Fund’s Organizational Documents, Registration Statement and Prospectus are true and accurate and will remain true and accurate at all times during the term of this Agreement in conformance with applicable federal and state securities laws. |
8. CONFIDENTIALITY
GFS and the Trust agree that all books, records, information, and data pertaining to the business of the other party which are exchanged or received pursuant to the negotiation or the carrying out of this Agreement shall remain confidential, and shall not be voluntarily disclosed to any other person, except that GFS may:
(a) | prepare or assist in the preparation of periodic reports to shareholders and regulatory bodies such as the SEC; |
(b) | provide information typically supplied in the investment company industry to companies that track or report price, performance or other information regarding investment companies; |
(c) release such information as permitted or required by law or approved in writing by the Trust, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld and may not be withheld where GFS may be exposed to civil or criminal liability or proceedings for failure to release the information, when requested to divulge such information by duly constituted authorities or when so requested by the Trust and the Advisers; and
(d) | provide information to each Fund’s accountants and legal counsel as is contemplated by Section 13 of this Agreement. |
Except as provided above, in accordance with Title 17, Chapter II, part 248 of the Code of Federal Regulations (17 CFR 248.1 – 248.30) (“Reg S-P”), GFS will not directly, or indirectly through an affiliate, disclose any non-public personal information as defined in Reg S-P, received from a Fund to any person that is not affiliated with the Fund or with GFS and provided that any such information disclosed to an affiliate of GFS shall be under the same limitations on non-disclosure.
Both parties agree to communicate sensitive information via secured communication channels (i.e. encrypted format).
9. PROPRIETARY INFORMATION
(a) | Proprietary Information of GFS . The Trust acknowledges that the databases, computer programs, screen formats, report formats, interactive design techniques, and documentation manuals maintained by GFS on databases under the control and ownership of GFS or a third party constitute copyrighted, trade secret, or other proprietary information (collectively, “GFS Proprietary Information”) of substantial value |
8 |
to GFS or the third party. The Trust agrees to treat all GFS Proprietary Information as proprietary to GFS and further agrees that it shall not divulge any GFS Proprietary Information to any person or organization except as may be provided under this Agreement.
(b) | Proprietary Information of the Trust . GFS acknowledges that the Shareholder list and all information related to shareholders furnished to GFS by the Trust or by a shareholder in connection with this Agreement (collectively, “Customer Data”) all information regarding the Trust portfolios, arrangements with brokerage firms, compensation paid to or by the Trust, trading strategies and all such related information (collectively, Trust Proprietary Information”) constitute proprietary information of substantial value to the Trust. In no event shall GFS Proprietary Information be deemed Trust Proprietary Information or Customer Data. GFS agrees to treat all Trust Proprietary Information and Customer Data as proprietary to the Trust and further agrees that it shall not divulge any Trust Proprietary Information or Customer Data to any person or organization except as may be provided under this Agreement or as may be directed by the Trust or as may be duly requested by regulatory authorities. |
(c) Each party shall take reasonable efforts to advise its employees of their obligations pursuant to this Section 9. The obligations of this Section 9 shall survive any earlier termination of this Agreement.
10. ADDITIONAL FUNDS AND CLASSES
In the event that the Trust establishes one or more series of Shares or one or more classes of Shares after the effectiveness of this Agreement, such series of Shares or classes of Shares, as the case may be, shall become Funds and classes under this Agreement with necessary changes made to Appendix IV ; however, either GFS or the Trust may elect not to make any such series or classes subject to this Agreement.
11. ASSIGNMENT AND SUBCONTRACTING
This Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not be assignable by the Trust without the prior written consent of GFS. GFS may subcontract any or all of its responsibilities pursuant to this Agreement to one or more companies, trusts, firms, individuals or associations, which may or may not be affiliated persons of GFS and which agree to comply with the terms of this Agreement; provided , however, that any such subcontracting shall not relieve GFS of its responsibilities hereunder. GFS may pay such persons for their services, but no such payment will increase fees due from the Trust hereunder.
12. EFFECTIVE DATE, TERM AND TERMINATION
(a) | Effective Date . This Agreement shall become effective on the date first above written and the effective date with respect to each Fund is set forth on the applicable Appendix IV attached hereto. |
(b) | Term . This Agreement shall remain in effect for a period of three (3) years from the applicable Fund(s) effective date and shall continue in effect for successive twelve-month periods provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a |
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majority of the Board.
(c) | Termination . This Agreement can be terminated at the end of the initial term or subsequent renewal period upon ninety (90) days’ prior written notice by either party. Upon termination of this Agreement, GFS shall have no further obligation to provide Services to the terminating Fund(s) and all outstanding payments due from such Fund(s) under this Agreement shall become immediately due and payable to GFS, including any unpaid fees earned through the date of termination and the balance of all future minimum fees due under the remaining term of this Agreement. In the event of termination, GFS agrees that it will cooperate to facilitate the smooth transition of services and to minimize disruption to a Fund and its shareholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, either party may terminate this agreement upon thirty (30) days’ written notice in the event of a breach. The parties have a right to attempt to cure a breach within the thirty-day notice period. If the breach is not cured within said period, then the non-breaching parties shall have the right to terminate this Agreement immediately and to submit any claim(s) such parties may have to arbitration, in accordance with Section 14(g) , below. In any event, this Agreement can be terminated with respect to a particular Fund or Funds at any time upon thirty (30) days’ prior written notice if the Board makes a determination to liquidate such Fund(s). |
(d) | Reimbursement of GFS’s Expenses . If this Agreement is terminated with respect to a Fund or Funds, GFS shall be entitled to collect from the Fund or Funds, in addition to the compensation described under Section 3 of this Agreement, the amount of all of GFS’s reasonable labor charges and cash disbursements for services in connection with GFS’s activities in effecting such termination, including without limitation, the labor costs and expenses associated with the de-conversion of the Trusts records of each Fund from its computer systems, and the delivery to the Trust and/or its designees of the Trust’s property, records, instruments and documents, or any copies thereof. Subsequent to such termination, for a reasonable fee, GFS will provide the Trust with reasonable access to all Trust documents or records, if any, remaining in its possession. |
(e) Survival of Certain Obligations . The obligations of Sections 3, 4, 8, 9, 12 and 13 shall survive any termination of this Agreement.
13. LIAISON WITH ACCOUNTANTS/ATTORNEYS
(a) | GFS shall act as liaison with each Fund’s independent public accountants and shall provide account analyses, fiscal year summaries, and other audit-related schedules with respect to each Fund. GFS shall take reasonable actions in the performance of its duties under this Agreement to ensure that the necessary information is made available to such accountants for the expression of their opinion, as required by the Fund. |
(b) | GFS shall act as liaison with each Fund’s legal counsel and shall take reasonable actions to ensure that necessary Fund information is made available to the Fund’s legal counsel. |
14. MISCELLANEOUS
(a) Amendments . This Agreement may not be amended, or any provision hereof waived, except in writing signed by the party against which the enforcement of such amendment or waiver is
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sought.
(b) Governing Law . This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions thereof interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
(c) Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto and supersedes any prior agreement with respect to the subject matter hereof whether oral or written.
(d) C ounterparts . The parties may execute this Agreement on any number of counterparts, and all of the counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.
(e) Severability . If any part, term or provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, in conflict with any law or otherwise invalid, the remaining portion or portions shall be considered severable and not be affected by such determination, and the rights and obligations of the parties shall be construed and enforced as if the Agreement did not contain the particular part, term or provision held to be illegal or invalid.
(f) Force Majeure. Neither party shall be liable for failure to perform if the failure results from a cause beyond its control, including, without limitation, fire, electrical, mechanical, or equipment breakdowns, delays by third party vendors and/or communications carriers, civil disturbances or disorders, terrorist acts, strikes, acts of governmental authority or new governmental restrictions, or acts of God.
(g) Arbitration . The parties understand and agree that, to the extent permitted by law, all claims arising out of this Agreement will be resolved through final and binding arbitration pursuant to the terms hereof. In this regard, the parties acknowledge and agree that: (i) such arbitration will be final and binding on the parties; (ii) the parties are hereby waiving their rights to seek remedies in court, including the right to a jury trial; (iii) pre-arbitration discovery is generally more limited than and different from discovery conducted in connection with litigation; (iv) the arbitrator's award is not required to include factual findings or legal reasoning; and (v) a party's right to appeal or seek modification of rulings by the arbitrator will be strictly limited.
Such arbitration will be conducted in New York according to the securities arbitration rules then in effect of the American Arbitration Association. Both parties understand that the other party may initiate arbitration by serving or mailing a written notice to the other party hereto by certified mail, return receipt requested. Any award the arbitration panel makes will be final, and judgment on it may be entered in any court having jurisdiction.
This arbitration provision shall be enforced and interpreted exclusively in accordance with applicable federal law, including the Federal Arbitration Act. Any costs, fees, or taxes involved in enforcing the award shall be fully assessed against and paid by the party resisting enforcement of said award. The prevailing party shall also be entitled to an award of reasonable attorneys fees and costs incurred in connection with the enforcement of this Agreement. No person shall bring a putative or certified class action to arbitration, nor seek to enforce any pre-dispute arbitration agreement against any person who has initiated in court a putative class action who is a member of a putative class action until:
· The class certification is denied;
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· The class is decertified; or
· The person is excluded from the class by the court.
Such forbearance to enforce an agreement to arbitrate shall not constitute a waiver of any rights under this Agreement except to the extent stated herein.
(h) Headings . Section and paragraph headings in this Agreement are included for convenience only and are not to be used to construe or interpret this Agreement.
(i) Notices . All notices, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or by overnight, registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, or by facsimile to each party at the address set forth below or at such new address designated by such party by notice given pursuant to this Section.
To the Trust: | To GFS: | |
J. Grayson Sanders | Kevin Wolf | |
President | President | |
PREDEX | Gemini Fund Services, LLC | |
80 Arkay Drive, Suite 110 | 80 Arkay Drive, Suite 110 | |
Hauppauge, NY 11788 | Hauppauge, NY 11788 | |
Telephone: (631) 470-2619 | Telephone: (631) 470-2635 | |
gsanders@predexcapital.com | kevin.wolf@thegeminicompanies.com | |
With a copy to: | With a copy to: | |
JoAnn Strasser, Esq. | Legal Department | |
Thompson Hine LLP | Gemini Fund Services, LLC | |
41 S. High Street, Suite 1700 | 17605 Wright Street, Suite 2 | |
Columbus, OH 43215 | Omaha, NE 68130 | |
Telephone: (614) 469-3200 | Telephone : (402) 895-1600 | |
JoAnn.Strasser@thompsonhine.com | legal@thegeminicompanies.com |
(j) Safekeeping . GFS shall establish and maintain facilities and procedures reasonably acceptable to the Trust for the safekeeping and control of records maintained by GFS under this Agreement including the preparation and use of check forms, facsimile, email or other electronic signature imprinting devices.
(k) Distinction of Funds . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the parties agree that the assets and liabilities of each Fund of the Trust are separate and distinct from the assets and liabilities of each other Fund and that no Fund shall be liable or shall be charged for any debt, obligation or liability of any other Fund, whether arising under this Agreement or otherwise.
(l) Representation of Signatories . Each of the undersigned expressly warrants and represents that they have full power and authority to sign this Agreement on behalf of the party indicated and that their signature will bind the party indicated to the terms hereof.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed in their names and on their behalf by and through their duly authorized persons, effective as of the day and year first above written.
PREDEX
By: /s/_____________________________ J. Grayson Sanders President |
GEMINI FUND SERVICES, LLC
By: /s/_______________________________ Andrew Rogers CEO |
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APPENDIX I
Fund Accounting Services
With respect to each Fund electing Fund Accounting Services, GFS shall provide the following services subject to, and in compliance with, the objectives, policies and limitations set forth in the Trust’s Registration Statement, the Trust’s Organizational Documents, applicable laws and regulations, and resolutions and policies established by the Trust’s Board:
1) Timely calculate the net asset value per share with the frequency prescribed in each Fund's then-current Prospectus, transmit the Fund's net asset value to NASDAQ, and communicate such net asset value to the Trust and its transfer agent;
2) Calculate each item of income, expense, deduction, credit, gain and loss, if any, as required by the Trust and in conformance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), SEC Regulation S-X (or any successor regulation) and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (or any successor laws)(the "Code");
3) Prepare and maintain on behalf of the Trust, books and records of each Fund, as required by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act, and as such rule or any successor rule, may be amended from time to time, that are applicable to the fulfillment of GFS’s Fund Accounting Services, as well as any other documents necessary or advisable for compliance with applicable regulations as may be mutually agreed to between the Trust and GFS. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, GFS will prepare and maintain the following records upon receipt of information in proper form from the Fund or its authorized agents:
a. Cash receipts journal
b. Cash disbursements journal
c. Dividend record
d. Purchase and sales - portfolio securities journals
e. Subscription and redemption journals
f. Security ledgers
g. Broker ledger
h. General ledger
i. Daily expense accruals
j. Daily income accruals
k. Securities and monies borrowed or loaned and collateral therefore
l. Foreign currency journals
m. Trial balances
4) Make such adjustments over such periods as the Trust’s administrator deems necessary, and communicates to GFS in writing, to reflect over-accruals or under-accruals of estimated expenses or income;
5) Provide the Trust and, each investment adviser serving as an investment adviser for a Fund with daily portfolio valuation, net asset value calculation and other standard operational reports as requested from time to time;
6) Provide all raw data available from its mutual fund accounting system for the Fund’s investment adviser or the administrator to assist in preparation of the following:
Appendix I | 1 |
a. Semi-annual financial statements;
b. Semi-annual form N-SAR and annual tax returns;
c. Financial data necessary to update form N-2; and
d. Annual proxy statement.
7) Provide facilities to accommodate an annual audit by each Fund’s independent accountants and, upon approval of the Trust, any audits or examinations conducted by the SEC or any other governmental or quasi-governmental entities with jurisdiction;
8) Transmit to and receive from each Fund's transfer agent appropriate data on a daily basis and daily reconcile Shares outstanding and other data with the transfer agent;
9) Periodically reconcile all appropriate data with each Fund's custodian; and
10) Perform such other record keeping, reporting and other tasks as may be specified from time to time in the procedures adopted by the Board pursuant to mutually acceptable timelines and compensation agreements.
Fund Accounting Records.
Maintenance of and Access to Records . GFS shall maintain records relating to its services, such as journals, ledger accounts and other records, as are required to be maintained under the 1940 Act and, specifically, Rule 31a-1 thereunder. The books and records pertaining to the Trust that are in possession of GFS shall be the property of the Trust. The Trust, or the Trust's authorized representatives, shall have access to such books and records at all times during GFS’s normal business hours. Upon the reasonable request of the Trust, copies of any such books and records shall be provided promptly by GFS to the Trust or the Trust's authorized representatives. In the event the Trust designates a successor that assumes any of GFS’s obligations hereunder, GFS shall, at the expense and direction of the Trust, transfer to such successor all relevant books, records and other data established or maintained by GFS under this Agreement.
Inspection of Records . In case of any requests or demands for the inspection of the records of the Trust maintained by GFS, GFS will endeavor to notify the Trust and to secure instructions from an authorized officer of the Trust as to such inspection. GFS shall abide by the Trust's instructions for granting or denying the inspection; provided, however, that GFS may grant the inspection without instructions from the Trust if GFS is advised to disclose by its legal counsel.
All out-of-pocket expenses will be billed as set forth on Appendix IV. GFS may from time to time adopt new procedures, or modify existing procedures, in order to carry out its Fund Accounting Services. Any modification of the Fund Accounting Services provided by GFS as set forth in this Appendix I shall be delivered to the Trust in writing.
Appendix I | 2 |
APPENDIX II
Fund Administrative Services
With respect to each Fund electing Fund Administrative Services, GFS shall provide the following services subject to, and in compliance with the objectives, policies and limitations set forth in the Trust’s Registration Statement, the Trust’s Organizational Documents, applicable laws and regulations, and resolutions and policies established by the Trust’s Board:
1) Monitor the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to the Trust by others, including its custodian, transfer agent, fund accountant and dividend disbursing agent as well as legal, auditing, shareholder servicing and other services performed for the Trust;
2) Monitor Fund holdings and operations for post-trade compliance with the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, SEC statutes, rules, regulations and policies and pursuant to advice from the Fund’s independent public accountants and Trust counsel, monitor Fund holdings for compliance with IRS taxation limitations and restrictions and applicable Federal Accounting Standards Board rules, statements and interpretations; provide periodic compliance reports to each investment adviser or sub-adviser to the Trust, and assist the Trust, the Adviser and each sub-adviser to the Trust (collectively referred to as “Advisers”) in preparation of periodic compliance reports to the Trust, as applicable;
3) Prepare and coordinate the printing of semi-annual and annual financial statements;
4) Prepare selected management reports for performance and compliance analyses agreed upon by the Trust and GFS from time to time;
5) In consultation with legal counsel to the Trust, the investment adviser, officers of the Trust and other relevant parties, prepare and disseminate materials for meetings of the Board, including agendas and selected financial information as agreed upon by the Trust and GFS from time to time; attend and participate in Board meetings to the extent requested by the Board; and prepare or cause to be prepared minutes of the 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, to be reviewed by the Trust's independent public accountants;
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 each Fund in order to calculate its daily net asset value;
9) In consultation with legal counsel for the Trust, assist in and monitor the preparation, filing, printing and where applicable, dissemination to shareholders of the following:
a. amendments to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-2;
b. periodic reports to the trustees, shareholders and the SEC, including but not limited to annual reports and semi-annual reports;
c. proxy materials; and
Appendix II | 1 |
d. reports to the SEC on Forms N-SAR, N-CSR, N-Q and N-PX.
10) Coordinate the Trust's audits and examinations by:
a. assisting each Fund’s independent public accountants, or, upon approval of the Trust, any regulatory body, in any requested review of a Fund’s accounts and records;
b. providing appropriate financial schedules (as requested by a Fund’s independent public accountants or SEC examiners); and
c. providing office facilities as may be required.
11) Determine, after consultation with legal counsel for the Trust and the Fund’s investment adviser, the jurisdictions in which Shares of the Trust shall be registered or qualified for sale; facilitate, register, or prepare applicable notice or other filings with respect to, the Shares with the various state and territories of the United States and other securities commissions, provided that all fees for the registration of Shares or for qualifying or continuing the qualification of the Trust shall be paid by the Trust;
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 dissemination to information services covering the investment company industry, for sales literature of the Trust and other appropriate purposes;
14) Prepare, or cause to be prepared, expense and financial reports, including Fund budgets, expense reports, pro-forma financial statements, expense and profit/loss projections and fee waiver/expense reimbursement projections on a periodic basis;
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 each 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 pursuant to mutually acceptable timelines and compensation agreements.
All out-of-pocket expenses will be billed as set forth on Appendix IV. GFS may from time to time adopt new procedures, or modify existing procedures, in order to carry out its Fund Administrative Services. Any modification of the Fund Administrative Services provided by GFS as set forth in this Appendix II shall be delivered to the Trust in writing.
Appendix II | 2 |
APPENDIX III
Transfer Agency Services
With respect to each Fund electing Transfer Agency Services, GFS shall provide the following services subject to, and in compliance with the objectives, policies and limitations set forth in the Trust’s Registration Statement, the Trust’s Organizational Documents, applicable laws and regulations, and resolutions and policies established by the Trust’s Board:
1) provide the services of a transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and, as relevant, agent in connection with accumulation, open-account or similar plans (including without limitation any periodic investment plan or periodic withdrawal program) that are customary for open-end management investment companies including:
a. maintaining all shareholder accounts;
b. preparing shareholder meeting lists;
c. preparing and certifying direct shareholder lists in conjunction with proxy solicitations;
d. preparing periodic mailing of year-end tax and statement information;
e. mailing shareholder reports and prospectuses to current shareholders;
f. withholding taxes on U.S. resident and non-resident alien accounts;
g. preparing and filing U.S. Treasury Department Forms 1099 and other appropriate forms required by federal authorities with respect to distributions for shareholders;
h. preparing and mailing confirmation forms and statements of account to shareholders for all purchases and redemptions of Shares and other confirmable transactions in shareholder accounts; and
i. providing account information in response to inquiries from shareholders.
2) Receiving for acceptance, orders for the purchase of Shares, and promptly delivering payment and appropriate documentation therefore to the Custodian of the Fund authorized by the Board (the “Custodian”); or, in the case of a Fund operating in a master-feeder or fund of funds structure, to the transfer agent or interest-holder record keeper for the master portfolios in which the Fund invests;
3) Pursuant to purchase orders, issue the appropriate number of Shares and hold such Shares in the appropriate shareholder account;
4) Receiving for acceptance, redemption requests and redemption directions and delivering the appropriate documentation therefore to the Custodian or, in the case of Fund operating in a master-feeder or fund of funds structure, to the transfer agent or interest-holder record keeper for the master portfolios in which the Fund invests;
5) As and when the Fund receives monies paid to it by the Custodian with respect to any redemption, paying over or cause to be paid over the redemption proceeds as required by the Prospectus pursuant to which the redeemed Shares were offered and as instructed by the redeeming shareholders;
Appendix III | 1 |
6) Effecting transfers of Shares upon receipt of appropriate instructions from shareholders;
7) Monitoring and making appropriate filings with respect to the escheatment laws of the various states and territories of the United States;
8) Preparing and transmitting to shareholders (or crediting the appropriate shareholder accounts) payments for all distributions and dividends declared by the Trust with respect to Shares of each Fund;
9) Receiving from shareholders and/or debiting shareholder accounts for sales commissions, including contingent deferred, deferred and other sales charges, and service fees ( i.e., wire redemption charges) and prepare and transmit payments to underwriters, selected dealers and others for commissions and service fees received and provide necessary tracking reports to the Fund’s and/or the Fund’s principal underwriter;
10) Recording the issuance of shares of a Fund and maintaining pursuant to SEC Rule 17Ad-10(e) a record of the total number of shares of the Fund which are authorized, based upon data provided to it by the Fund, issued and outstanding; and
11) Providing the Trust on a regular basis with each Fund’s total number of shares that are authorized and issued and outstanding.
Issuance of Shares .
GFS, in its capacity as transfer agent, shall make original issues of Shares of each Fund in accordance with the Fund’s Prospectus, only upon receipt of:
a. instructions requesting the issuance,
b. a copy of a resolution of the Board authorizing the issuance,
c. necessary funds for the payment of any original issue tax applicable to such Shares, and
d. an opinion of the Trust’s legal counsel as to the legality and validity of the issuance, which opinion may provide that it is contingent upon the filing by the Trust of an appropriate notice with the SEC, as required by Section 24 of the 1940 Act or the rules thereunder. If such opinion is contingent upon a filing under Section 24 of the 1940 Act, the Trust shall indemnify GFS for any liability arising from the failure of the Trust to comply with such section or the rules thereunder.
The responsibility of GFS for each Fund’s state registration status is solely limited to the reporting of transactions to the Trust, and GFS shall have no obligation, when recording the issuance of Shares, to monitor the issuance of such Shares or to take cognizance of any laws relating to the issue or sale of such Shares, which functions shall be the sole responsibility of the Fund, its distributor or other agent.
Appendix III | 2 |
Transfer of Shares .
Transfers of Shares of each Fund shall be registered on the shareholder records maintained by GFS. In registering transfers of Shares, GFS may rely upon the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of Nebraska or any other statutes that, in the opinion of GFS’s legal counsel, protect GFS and the Trust from liability arising from:
a. not requiring complete documentation;
b. registering a transfer without an adverse claim inquiry;
c. delaying registration for purposes of such inquiry; or
d. refusing registration whenever an adverse claim requires such refusal.
As transfer agent, GFS will be responsible for delivery to the transferor and transferee of such documentation as is required by the Uniform Commercial Code.
Purchase Orders.
Shares shall be issued in accordance with the terms of the Prospectus after GFS or its agent receives either:
a. an instruction directing investment in a Fund, a check (other than a third party check) or a wire or other electronic payment in the amount designated in the instruction and in the case of an initial purchase, a completed account application; or
b. the information required for purchases pursuant to a selected dealer agreement, processing organization agreement, or a similar contract with a financial intermediary.
Distribution Eligibility.
Shares issued in a Fund after receipt of a completed purchase order shall be eligible to receive distributions of the Fund at the time specified in the prospectus pursuant to which the Shares are offered.
Determination of Federal Funds .
Shareholder payments shall be considered “Federal Funds” no later than on the day indicated below unless other times are noted in the Prospectus:
a. for a wire received, at the time of the receipt of the wire;
b. for a check drawn on a member bank of the Federal Reserve System, on the second Fund Business Day following receipt of the check; and
c. for a check drawn on an institution that is not a member of the Federal Reserve System, at such time as GFS is credited with Federal Funds with respect to that check.
Appendix III | 3 |
Lost Shareholders .
GFS shall perform such services as are required in order to comply with Rules 17a-24 and 17Ad-17 (the “Lost Shareholder Rules”) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including, but not limited to, those set forth below. GFS may, in its sole discretion, use the services of a third party to perform some of or all such services.
a. documentation of search policies and procedures;
b. execution of required searches;
c. tracking results and maintaining data sufficient to comply with the Lost Shareholder Rules; and
d. preparation and submission of data required under the Lost Shareholder Rules.
Anti-Money Laundering (“AML”) Delegation.
The Trust hereby delegates to GFS certain AML duties under this Agreement, as permitted by law and in accordance with the Trust’s Anti-Money Laundering Policies and Procedures as may be amended from time to time. Such duties delegated to GFS include procedures reasonably designed to prevent and detect money laundering activities and to ensure that each Fund can have a reasonable belief that it knows the identity of each person or entity opening an account with the Fund. GFS’s procedures will include, as appropriate, procedures to assist the Fund(s) to:
· | detect and report suspicious activities; |
· | comply with “know your customer” requirements; |
· | monitor high-risk accounts; and |
· | maintain required records. |
GFS shall provide for proper supervision and training of its personnel. With respect to assisting the Trust with its Customer Identification Program (“CIP”) designed to ensure the identity of any person opening a new account with a Fund (a “Customer”), GFS will assist the Fund(s) through the use of the following:
· | risk-based procedures to verify the identity of each Customer to the extent reasonable and practicable, such that the Fund may have a reasonable belief that it knows the true identity of each Customer; |
· | before opening an account, obtain a Customer’s name, date of birth (for an individual), address, and identification number1; |
· | procedures to verify the identity of a Customer within a reasonable time after the account is opened; |
· | procedures for maintenance of records relating to Customer identification and supporting the verification; and |
1 An identification number may be, a taxpayer identification number, passport number and country of issuance, alien identification card number, or number and country of issuance of any other government-issued document evidencing nationality or residence and bearing a photograph or similar safeguard.
Appendix III | 4 |
· | procedures to determine whether the Customer’s name appears on any list of known or suspected terrorists or terrorist organizations issued by any federal government agency and designated as such by the Department of the Treasury in consultation with the federal functional regulators, within a reasonable period of time after the account is opened. |
For purposes of verifying the identity of a Customer, GFS may rely on documents, so long as, based on that information, GFS can form a reasonable belief that it knows the identity of the Customer, including:
· | an individual’s unexpired government-issued identification evidencing nationality or residence and bearing a photograph or similar safeguard, (such as a driver’s license or passport); or |
· | documents showing the existence of an entity, such as articles of incorporation, a government-issued business license, a partnership agreement, or trust instrument. |
To the extent that the Customer’s identity cannot be verified by relying on documents, other methods may be used by GFS, including, (i) contacting a Customer; (ii) independently verifying the Customer’s identity through the comparison of information provided by the Customer with information obtained from a consumer reporting agency, public database, or other source; (iii) checking references with other financial institutions; and (iv) obtaining a financial statement.
In the event that GFS is not able to verify the identity of a Customer sufficiently that it can form a reasonable belief that it knows the true identity of a Customer, then GFS may, as appropriate:
· | not open an account for the Customer; |
· | apply limited terms under which a Customer may use an account until the Customer’s identity is verified; |
· | close an account, after attempts to verify a Customer’s identity have failed; or |
· | assist the Fund in filing a Suspicious Activity Report in accordance with applicable law and regulation, regarding the Customer. |
Each Fund represents and agrees that it will provide Customers with adequate notice that the Fund is requesting information to verify their identities. The notice will be included in the application or the prospectus, or a document accompanying the application or prospectus provided it is reasonably designed to ensure that the customer views or otherwise receives the notice before opening the account. In consideration of the performance of the duties by GFS pursuant to this Section, the Trust agrees to pay GFS for the reasonable administrative expenses that may be associated with such additional duties.
Anti-Identity Theft Delegation.
To the extent that a Fund has covered accounts that allow redemption proceeds to go to third parties, GFS will assume Anti-Identity Theft monitoring duties for the Fund under this Agreement, pursuant to legal requirements. Any out of pocket expenses occurred in this regard are due and payable by the Fund.
Rule 22c-2 Compliance.
Rule 22c-2 under the 1940 Act requires that a fund’s principal underwriter or transfer agent enter into a shareholder information agreement with any financial intermediary or its agent where it, through itself or its agent, purchases or redeems shares directly from a fund, its principal underwriter or transfer agent, or
Appendix III | 5 |
through a registered clearing agency. Each Fund shall ensure that its principal underwriter enters into such agreements, which permits GFS as transfer agent to request information from such financial intermediaries to insure that the Trust’s procedures are being followed with respect to market timing and, where applicable, early redemption fees. The Trust’s procedures in this regard would trigger the information requests, under certain conditions, with respect to said financial intermediaries’ omnibus accounts in the respective Fund.
Processing through the National Securities Clearing Corporation (the “NSCC”).
GFS will: (i) process accounts through Networking and the purchase, redemption, transfer and exchange of shares in such accounts through Fund/SERV (Networking and Fund/SERV being programs operated by the NSCC on behalf of NSCC’s participants, including the Trust), in accordance with, instructions transmitted to and received by GFS by transmission from NSCC on behalf of broker-dealers and banks which have been established by, or in accordance with the instructions of authorized persons, as hereinafter defined on the dealer file maintained by GFS; (ii) issue instructions to each Fund’s Custodian for the settlement of transactions between the Fund and NSCC (acting on behalf of its broker-dealer and bank participants); (iii) provide account and transaction information from the affected Trust’s records on an appropriate computer system in accordance with NSCC’s Networking and Fund/SERV rules for those broker-dealers; and (iv) maintain Shareholder accounts through Networking.
Transfer Agency Records.
GFS shall maintain the following shareholder account information:
· | name, address and United States Tax Identification or Social Security number; |
· | number of Shares held and number of Shares for which certificates, if any, have been issued, including certificate numbers and denominations; |
· | historical information regarding the account of each shareholder, including dividends and distributions paid and the date and price for all transactions on a shareholder’s account; |
· | any stop or restraining order placed against a shareholder’s account; |
· | any correspondence relating to the current maintenance of a shareholder’s account; |
· | information with respect to withholdings; and |
· | any information required in order for GFS to perform any calculations by this Agreement. |
All out-of-pocket expenses will be billed as set forth on Appendix IV. GFS may from time to time adopt new procedures, or modify existing procedures, in order to carry out its Transfer Agency Services. Any modification of the Transfer Agency Services provided by GFS as set forth in this Appendix III shall be delivered to the Trust in writing.
Appendix III | 6 |
A PPENDIX IV LIST OF FUNDS SERVICES & FEES
This Appendix IV is part of the Fund Services Agreement (the “Agreement”) between the Trust and Gemini Fund Services, LLC. Set forth below are the Services elected by the Fund(s) identified on this Appendix IV along with the associated Fees.
EFFECTIVE DATE
The Effective Date for the Fund(s) set forth on this Appendix IV shall be the later of the date of this Agreement or upon commencement of operations.
COVERED FUNDS
The Fund(s) to be covered under this Agreement include:
Fund Name Board Approval Date
PREDEX April 7, 2016
SELECTED SERVICES and FEES
The Fund(s) shall pay to GFS the following fees: (all basis point fees will be calculated based upon the average net assets of the Fund for the previous month)
Fund Accounting Fees
1. Base annual fee (per Fund): $24,000.00* PLUS
1 basis point (0.01%) on net assets greater than $25 million.
*Funds with multiple share classes will be assessed an additional $6,000.00 annual fee for each share class above one. Funds utilizing sub-advisers will be assessed an additional $2,000.00 annual fee per sub-adviser. Bond funds and International Funds (defined as funds processing more than 25% in non-domestic assets) will be assessed an additional $6,000.00 annual fee.
2. Price Quotes. The charge for equity and bond price quotes per security, per day will be as follows:
$.10 Domestic and Canadian Equities
$.15 Options
$.50 Corp/Gov/Agency Bonds
Appendix IV | 1 |
$.50 International Equities and Bonds
$.80 Municipal Bonds
$1.00 CMO’s
$62.50 per CDX or Equivalent (monthly fee)
$62.50 per Single Name Credit Default Swap (monthly fee)
3. Additional Charges.
a. Out-of-pocket expenses . The Fund(s) shall reimburse GFS for all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by GFS to provide the Services to the Fund(s).
b. Manual processing fee . The Fund(s) shall pay an additional charge of $500.00 per month for portfolios that transmit daily trades via facsimile as opposed to utilizing an electronic format.
c. | SSAE 16 expense . Each Fund shall pay its allocated portion of the GFS SSAE 16 review. |
d. Fund Accounting Data De-Conversion fee . Each Fund shall pay a Fund Accounting record data de-conversion fee in the amount of $2,500.00 upon a cancellation or termination of this Agreement for any reason other than liquidation of the Fund.
Fund Administration Fees
1. Base annual fee (per Fund): 8 basis points (0.08%) on the first $250 million of net assets
6 basis points (0.06%) on next $250 million of net assets
4 basis points (0.04%) on next $500 million of net assets
3 basis points (0.03%) on net assets greater than $1 billion
The base annual fee is subject to a $32,000.00 minimum annual fee per Fund.
2. State Registration (Blue Sky) Fees:
Each Fund shall pay its allocated federal and state regulatory filing fees. In addition, each Fund shall pay GFS the following fees per state registration:
Initial registration $ 295.00
Registration renewal $ 150.00
Sales reports (if required) $ 25.00
3. Additional Charges.
a. Out-of-pocket expenses . The Fund(s) shall reimburse GFS for all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by GFS to provide the Services to the Fund(s).
b. FIN 48 Compliance fee . Each Fund shall pay GFS $250.00 per calendar quarter for FIN 48 Compliance.
c. | Fund Administration Data De-Conversion fee . Each Fund shall pay a Fund Administration record data de-conversion fee in the amount of $2,500.00 upon a cancellation or termination of this Agreement for any reason other than liquidation of the Fund. |
Appendix IV | 2 |
Transfer Agency Fees
Base annual fee:
The greater of $15,000.00 minimum per share class, or per account charges of $14.00 each annually.
1. General Activity Charges:
Customer Service Calls $2.50 per call
Manual Transactions $1.00 per transaction New Account Opening (manual) $2.50 per account New Account Opening (electronic) $0.40 per account Incoming IRA Transfer from prior custodian $25.00 per transfer IRA Transfer to successor custodian $25.00 per transfer Refund of Excess Contribution $15.00 per refund
Distribution to IRA Participant $15.00 per distribution
Closed Accounts $2.00 per account on an annual basis
Check
this box to elect 24 Hour Automated Voice Response
24 Hour Automated Voice Response Charges:
Initial set-up (one-time) charge $1,500.00 per Fund
Monthly charge $50.00 per Fund
2. Web Package Fees:
Check this box for Shareholder Desktop Web Package (described below)
$4,000.00 initial installation charge
$2,000.00 annual maintenance (invoiced annually in advance)
Check
this box for Shareholder Desktop Online New Accounts (described below)
$2,500.00 initial installation charge
$2.50 per new account fee
Check
this box for Fund Data Web Package (described below)
$3,000.00 initial installation charge
$1,500.00 annual maintenance (invoiced annually in advance)
3. Additional Charges:
a. Transfer Agency De-Conversion fee . Each Fund shall pay a Transfer Agency record data de-conversion fee in the amount of $10,000.00 upon a cancellation or termination of this Agreement for any reason other than liquidation of the Fund.
b. Rule 22c-2 compliance support fee . The Funds shall pay a $100.00 monthly administration fee for Rule 22c-2 compliance support per Fund, plus an additional monthly fee of $25.00 per Fund.
Appendix IV | 3 |
Special Reports/Programming Fees
All special reports analyses and/or programming requested by a Fund or the Trust under this Agreement shall be subject to an additional programming charge, agreed upon in advance, based upon the following rates:
Out-of-Pocket Expenses
GFS Senior & MIS Staff $200.00 per hour
GFS Junior Staff $100.00 per hour
The Trust shall reimburse GFS for all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by GFS when performing Services under this Agreement, including but not limited to the following:
o Anti-ID Theft Monitoring o Pro rata portion of annual SSAE 16 review
o Bank Account and other Bank Fees o Proxy Services
o Customer Identification/AML Program Costs o Record Storage
o Fund Stationery and Supplies o Regulatory fees and assessments
o Locating Lost Shareholders/Escheatment Costs o State and Federal filing fees and assessments
o NSCC Charges o Tax Reporting
o Postage o Telephone and Toll Free Lines
o Pre and Post Sale Fulfillment o Travel Requested by the Trust
o Printing Fund Documents
Signature Page Follows
Appendix IV | 4 |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Appendix IV to the Fund Services Agreement effective as of April 7, 2016.
PREDEX
By: /s/_____________________ J. Grayson Sanders President |
GEMINI FUND SERVICES, LLC
By: /s/_____________________ Andrew Rogers CEO |
The undersigned investment adviser (the “Adviser”) hereby acknowledges and agrees to the terms of the Agreement and further acknowledges and agrees that:
(1) GFS expends substantial time and money, on an ongoing basis, to recruit and train its employees; (2) GFS's business is highly competitive and is marketed throughout the United States, and (3) if the Adviser were to hire any GFS employees who are involved in the procurement of the Services under this Agreement then GFS may suffer lost sales and other opportunities and would incur substantial time and money in hiring and training replacement(s) for those employees. Accordingly, the Adviser agrees that it, including its respective affiliates and subsidiaries, shall not solicit, attempt to induce or otherwise hire an employee of GFS for so long as this Agreement is in effect and for a period of two (2) years after termination of this Agreement, unless expressly agreed upon in writing by both parties. In the event that this provision is breached by the Adviser, the Adviser agrees to pay damages to GFS in the amount of two times the current annual salary of such employee or former employee. For purposes of this provision, “hire” means to employ as an employee or to engage as an independent contractor, whether on a full-time, part-time or temporary basis.
PREDEX Capital Management, LLC
18500 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 300
Irvine, CA 92612
By: /s/
J. Grayson Sanders
Managing Principal
Appendix IV | 5 |
S HAREHOLDER D ESKTOP W EB P ACKAGE
Proprietary Secure Web-Based Direct Interface With Transfer Agent Data
Supports Five Levels of Access
Fund
Administrator
Broker/Dealer
Broker/Dealer Branch
Registered Representative
Shareholder
Customizable Look And Feel (Logo And Color Scheme)
Account Inquiry
Portfolio
Summary
Account Position
Transaction History
General
Account Information
Online Transactions (Must have this reflected in the prospectus to offer this functionality)
Exchanges
Purchases
Redemptions
Prospectus
and SAI Access
Account Maintenance
Change
of Shareholder Information
o Address
o Phone Number
o Email Address
Online Statement Access
Quarterly
Statements and Confirms
Electronic
Delivery (Should have this reflected in the prospectus and application to offer this functionality)
o Statements
o Confirms
o Regulatory Mailings
S HAREHOLDER D ESKTOP O NLINE N EW A CCOUNTS
Allows clients the ability to set up a new account online if they provide valid ACH
information and agree to all disclaimers and agreements on site.
E-Signature capability
Appendix IV | 6 |
Performance Web Page
F UND D ATA W EB P ACKAGE
·
Comprehensive
performance report hosted by GFS
o Fund performance updated nightly
o Up to 20 indexes available
o Data provided in simple format to be encapsulated into Fund’s own
website to provide a custom look and feel
o Growth of $10,000 graph available
Holdings web page
· Fund holding updated periodically to meet fund disclosure rules hosted by GFS
o Fund holding updated periodically to meet fund disclosure rules
o Top ten report available
o Data provided in simple format to be encapsulated into Fund’s own
website to provide a custom look and feel
Historical NAV web page
· | Provides historical NAV information for a specified period of time and for a specified fund |
o Data provided in simple format to be encapsulated into Fund’s own website to provide a custom look and feel
Fulfillment web page
· | Provides an online request form for shareholders who wish to request a hard copy of the fulfillment material mailed to them |
o Request is automatically routed online to the Shareholder Services Team at GFS for processing
o Reporting of Fulfillment requests made online or via phone available via
GFS Reporting Services Tool.
GFS
reporting utilizes the next generation secure web-based report delivery vehicle which allows for direct request or subscription
based delivery reports available in multiple formats (PDF, Excel, XML, CSV)
Appendix IV | 7 |
AMENDED AND RESTATED
CONSULTING AGREEMENT
This Amended and Restated Consulting Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made effective this 7 th day of April, 2016 (the “Effective Date”) and entered into by and between NORTHERN LIGHTS COMPLIANCE SERVICES, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company located at 80 Arkay Drive, Suite 110, Hauppauge, NY 11788 (“NLCS”) and PREDEX a registered investment company organized as a Delaware statutory trust, located at 17605 Wright Street, Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68130 (the "Trust"), on behalf of each portfolio series listed on the attached Appendix A, as may be amended from time to time (each a “Fund” and collectively “Funds”; and together with NLCS and the Trust, the “Parties” and each a “Party”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS , the Parties are parties to that certain Consulting Agreement dated March 21, 2013 (the “Original Agreement”);
WHEREAS , pursuant to Article XI of the Original Agreement the Parties wish to amend and restate the Original Agreement to provide for the appointment of an Anti-Money Laundering (“AML”) Officer to serve the Funds and to modify the annual fee charged by NLCS for its services;
NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises described below, the Original Agreement hereby is amended and restated to read as follows:
I. SCOPE OF SERVICES
NLCS will provide compliance services to the Trust as set forth herein and assist the Trust in complying with the Federal Securities Laws (defined by Rule 38a-1) and meeting its responsibilities as outlined by Rule 38a-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). In addition, to the extent provided in Appendix D , as may be amended from time to time, NLCS shall provide an AML Officer to serve the Funds.
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Phase I - Risk Management and Policies and Procedures Review
As part of the risk management and policies and procedures review, NLCS will perform the services listed below.
a. | Evaluation of Internal Control Structure |
1. | Conduct interviews with certain employees throughout the business lines of the Trust that are responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Trust in relation to compliance with the Federal Securities Laws by the Trust and each investment adviser, principal underwriter, administrator, and transfer agent of the Trust (collectively the “Service Providers”). |
2. | Assess from the interviews the operational risks and compliance with stated policies and procedures of the Trust and its Service Providers. |
3. | Review internal audit and other reports maintained by the Trust and, to the extent practicable, its Service Providers, related to compliance with the Federal Securities Laws. |
4. | Review any written policies and procedures provided pursuant to Item b below to assess the appropriateness of such documents with respect to compliance with the Federal Securities Laws by the Trust and its Service Providers. |
b. | Policies and Procedures |
Conduct a detailed review and assessment of the Trust's policies and procedures pertaining to compliance with the Federal Securities Laws. This review will cover among other things, policies and procedures relating to:
a) | Monitoring for circumstances that may necessitate the use of fair value prices; |
b) | Establishing criteria for determining when market quotations are no longer reliable for a particular portfolio security; |
c) | Providing a methodology or methodologies by which the Funds determine the current fair value of the portfolio securities; and |
d) | Reviewing the appropriateness and accuracy of the methodology used in valuing securities, including making any necessary adjustments. |
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a) | Segregation of investor orders received before the Funds price their shares from those that were received after the Funds price their shares; and |
b) | Methodology used by the Funds to protect themselves and their shareholders against late trading. |
a) | Prohibitions against trading portfolio securities on the basis of information acquired by analysts or portfolio managers employed by the Trust or its Service Providers; |
b) | Disclosure to third parties of material information about the Funds’ portfolios, trading strategies, or pending transactions; and |
c) | Purchase or sale of Fund shares by the Trust or its Service Providers’ personnel based on material, nonpublic information about the Funds’ portfolios. |
a) | Improperly constituted Board of Trustees (the “Board”); |
b) | Failure of the Board to properly consider matters entrusted to it; and |
c) | Failure of the Board to request and consider information required by the 1940 Act from the Trust and its Service Providers. |
a) | Consistency of policies and procedures with the Funds’ disclosed policies regarding market timing; |
b) | Monitoring of shareholder trades or flows of money in and out of the Funds in order to detect market timing activity; |
c) | Enforcement of the Funds’ policies regarding market timing; |
d) | Prevention of short-term trading waivers that would harm the Funds or their shareholders or subordinate the interests of the Funds or their shareholders to those of the Trust or any other affiliated person or associated person of the Trust; and |
e) | Reporting to the Fund's Board regarding all waivers granted, so that the Board can determine whether the waivers were proper. |
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In addition, NLCS shall conduct a review of the policies and procedures of the Trust’s Service Providers, as they relate to the Trust’s compliance with the Federal Securities Laws.
Investment Adviser Review
The review of the policies and procedures of each Fund’s investment adviser shall cover, among other things, to the extent applicable to the Trust:
a) | Portfolio management processes, including allocation of investment opportunities among clients and consistency of portfolios with clients' investment objectives, disclosures by the Trust, and applicable regulatory restrictions; |
b) | Trading practices, including procedures by which the Trust satisfies its best execution obligation, uses client brokerage to obtain research and other services ("soft dollar arrangements"), and allocates aggregated trades among clients; |
c) | Proprietary trading of the Trust and personal trading activities of supervised persons; |
d) | The accuracy of disclosures made to investors, clients, and regulators, including account statements and advertisements; |
e) | Safeguarding of client assets from conversion or inappropriate use by advisory personnel; |
f) | The accurate creation of required records and their maintenance in a manner that secures them from unauthorized alteration or use and protects them from untimely destruction; |
g) | Marketing of advisory services, including the use of solicitors; |
h) | Processes to value client holdings and assess fees based on those valuations; |
i) | Safeguards for the privacy protection of client records and information; and |
j) | Business continuity plans. |
It is understood that the Chief Compliance Officer of each Fund’s investment adviser is primarily responsible for compliance by such organization with Rule 206(4)-7 under The Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and for overseeing, with respect to the portfolios they advise, each of the foregoing items.
Underwriter Review
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The review of the policies and procedures of each Fund’s underwriter shall cover, among other things, to the extent applicable to the Trust:
a) | The accuracy of disclosures made to investors, clients, and regulators, including account statements and advertisements; |
b) | The accurate creation of required records and their maintenance in a manner that secures them from unauthorized alteration or use and protects them from untimely destruction; |
c) | Proprietary trading of the Trust and personal trading activities of supervised persons; |
d) | The Fund’s selling agreement process; |
e) | AML policies and procedures; |
f) | Advertising review process, submission of materials to FINRA and the maintenance of advertising review records; and |
g) | Business continuity plans. |
Fund Administrator, Fund Accounting and Fund Transfer Agent Review
The review of the policies and procedures of each Fund’s administrator, fund accountant and transfer agent shall cover, among other things, to the extent applicable to the Trust:
a) | The accuracy of disclosures made to investors, clients, and regulators, including account statements and advertisements; |
b) | Maintenance of Fund records including board materials and correspondence with regulators; |
c) | Proprietary trading of the Trust and personal trading activities of supervised persons; |
d) | Processes to ensure timely filing of Fund reports; |
e) | Auditors comments noted in SSAE 16 reports; |
f) | AML policies and procedures; and |
g) | Business continuity plans. |
As part of its review, NLCS may rely on summaries, reviews or statements prepared by the chief compliance officers of a Service Provider or a third party.
Each Service Provider is responsible for proper developments and implementation of its policies and procedures. Although NLCS performs a review of each Service Provider’s policies, procedures and standard business practices, NLCS is not responsible and cannot ensure that all necessary policies are adopted and implemented by such Service Provider.
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Phase II - Amending and Drafting of Policies and Procedures
Based on the analysis performed under Phase I of the engagement, NLCS will conduct any additional research that is necessary in order to ensure that the current practices of the Trust are in compliance with the Federal Securities Laws and relevant rules promulgated thereunder. Additionally, NLCS will recommend amendments and draft policies and procedures for the areas identified in Phase I, including amending the policies and procedures as they pertain to:
a. | Consistency with regulatory expectations of risk based policies and procedures; |
b. | Maintaining compliance with SEC regulations, under Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act; and |
c. | Consistency within the structure, organization, and format of the policies and procedures. |
Any amendments to the policies and procedures drafted by NLCS will be based on industry best practices and regulatory pronouncements. Upon completion of Phase II, the Trust will have customized policies and procedures that are designed to assist the Trust in complying with Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act. These procedures will be compiled in a manual that also will describe the overall implementation of the Trust’s Compliance Program (the “Compliance Program Manual”). This Compliance Program Manual will serve as the Trust’s primary policy and procedures manual and will include summaries of the compliance policies and procedures of each of the Fund’s Service Providers.
Phase III – Ongoing Monitoring and Board Reporting
Once the Trust’s Compliance Program Manual is complete, the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer will present it to the Board for approval.
Thereafter, the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer will create any appropriate records and monitor the Trust’s Compliance Program for effectiveness, including ongoing dialogue with key compliance personnel at the Trust’s Service Providers.
The Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer will conduct an annual review to assess compliance with the Trust’s Compliance Program and its overall effectiveness, and will prepare a written report to the Trust’s Board annually, within sixty calendar days of the completion of the annual review, that addresses the operation of the policies and procedures of the Fund and its Service Providers, any material changes made to those policies and procedures since the date of the last report, and any material changes to the policies and procedures recommended as a result of the annual review, and each
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“Material Compliance Matter” as defined in Rule 38a-1 of the 1940 Act.
II. STAFFING AND TIMING
Under the terms of this Agreement, NLCS will provide the services of William Kimme, who shall be appointed by the Board as the Chief Compliance Officer for the Trust and each Fund. In addition, NLCS will provide support staff to Mr. Kimme to assist him in all aspects of his duties under this Agreement. Mr. Kimme will lead the engagement and will have overall supervisory responsibility for the ongoing obligations hereunder. A brief biography for Mr. Kimme is included in Appendix C to this Agreement.
The timeline for this engagement, although subject to change, will be as follows:
ON-SITE
The on-site portion will consist primarily of reviewing the policies and procedures identified in Phase I above as well as interviews of the relevant personnel throughout the different business lines of the Trust.
Visits to Service Providers of the Trust will include:
1) | On-site visit to each Fund’s administrator, fund accountant and transfer agent. |
2) | On-site visit to each Fund’s principal underwriter. |
3) | On-site visit to each Fund’s investment adviser. |
4) | Visits to each of the foregoing Service Providers will include consultation with the Chief Compliance Officer of the respective Service Provider. |
OFF-SITE
The off-site portion of this engagement will consist of NLCS devoting significant time reviewing notes from its visits with the Service Providers, continuing follow-up and communication with necessary Service Provider personnel, Trust officers, legal advisors, etc. and preparing any amendments and drafting new policies and procedures as may be required under Phase II.
III. PAYMENT
In consideration of the timely and satisfactory performance of the services indicated above, NLCS shall be compensated as indicated in the attached Appendix B . The payment of all fees and the reimbursement of all Out of Pocket Expenses shall be due and payable within thirty (30) days of receipt of an invoice from NLCS (the “Due Date”).
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Interest may accrue, at the maximum amount permitted by law, on any invoice balance that remains unpaid after its Due Date.
IV. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR
NLCS shall act as an independent contractor and not as an agent of the Trust and NLCS shall make no representation as an agent of the Trust, except that the Chief Compliance Officer shall act as an appointed officer of the Trust and shall be empowered with full responsibility and authority to develop and enforce appropriate policies and procedures for the Trust.
NLCS does not offer legal or accounting services and does not purport to replace the services provided by legal counsel or that of a certified public accountant. If contracts are provided, they will be forms only and the provision of such contracts does not constitute and should not be deemed to be legal advice. The representatives of NLCS are experts, and as such will make every reasonable effort to provide the services described in this Agreement. However, there is no guarantee that work performed by NLCS will be favorably received by any regulatory agency.
Though NLCS's work may involve analysis of accounting and financial records, at no time will work performed by NLCS be deemed to be an audit of the Trust in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards or otherwise, nor will any work performed by NLCS consist of a review of the internal controls of the Trust.
V. PROPRIETARY INFORMATION
NLCS recognizes that the Trust may be subject to the provisions of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's Regulation S-P, or other privacy rules promulgated under the Gramm -Leach-Bliley Act (the "GLBA"). In carrying out its consulting duties, NLCS will acquire information of a confidential nature relating to the Trust's business activities and its clients. NLCS hereby agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Trust’s information in accordance with GLBA and shall not use, publish, or otherwise disclose any information pertaining to the Trust, a Fund or its Service Providers unless required by law or in response to regulatory inquiries.
VI. STANDARD OF CARE, INDEMNIFICATION AND RELIANCE
a. | Indemnification of NLCS . The Trust shall on behalf of each Fund, indemnify and hold NLCS harmless from and against any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, reasonable counsel fees, payments, expenses and liabilities arising out of or attributable to: (i) the Trust’s refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement, (ii) the Trust’s lack of good faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to the Trust’s performance under or in connection with |
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this Agreement, or (iii) all reasonable actions taken by NLCS hereunder in good faith without . NLCS shall not be liable for, and shall be entitled to rely
b. | Indemnification of the Trust . NLCS shall indemnify and hold the Trust and each Fund harmless from and against any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, reasonable counsel fees, payments, expenses and liabilities arising out of or attributable to NLCS’s refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement, or which arise out of NLCS’s lack of good faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to NLCS’ performance under or in connection with this Agreement. |
c. | Reliance . Except to the extent that NLCS may be liable pursuant to this Section VI, NLCS shall not be liable for any action taken or failure to act in good faith in reliance upon: |
ii. any written instruction or certified copy of any resolution of the Board, and NLCS may rely upon the genuineness of any such document, copy or facsimile thereof reasonably believed in good faith by NLCS to have been validly executed;
iii. any signature, instruction, request, letter of transmittal, certificate, opinion of counsel, statement, instrument, report, notice, consent, order, or other document reasonably believed in good faith by NLCS to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the Trust or other proper party or parties; or
iv. reasonable actions taken by NLCS based on information provided by other Service Providers to the Trust.
NLCS shall not be under any duty or obligation to inquire into the validity or invalidity or authority or lack of authority of any statement, oral or written instruction, resolution, signature, request, letter of transmittal, certificate, opinion |
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of counsel, instrument, report, notice, consent, order, or any other document or instrument which NLCS reasonably believes in good faith to be genuine.
e. | of Shareholder and Board Liability . The Trustees of the Trust and the shareholders of the Funds shall not be liable for any obligations of the Trust or of the Funds under this Agreement, and NLCS agrees that, in asserting any rights or claims under this Agreement, it shall look only to the assets and property of the Fund to which NLCS’s rights or claims relate in settlement of such rights or claims, and not to the Trustees of the Trust or the shareholders of such Fund. It is expressly agreed that the obligations of the Trust hereunder shall not be binding upon any of the Trustees, shareholders, nominees, officers, agents or employees of the Trust personally, but bind only the property of the Trust, as provided in the Declaration of Trust. The execution and delivery of this Agreement have been authorized by the Board of the Trust and signed by the officers of the Trust, acting as such, and neither such authorization by such Board and shareholders nor such execution and delivery by such officers shall be deemed to have been made by any of them individually or to impose any liability on any of them personally, but shall bind only the property of the Trust as provided in its Declaration of Trust. A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust is on file with the Secretary of State of Delaware. |
f. | In the event that NLCS is requested, pursuant to subpoena or other legal process, to provide testimony or produce its documents relating to its engagement under this Agreement, in judicial or administrative proceedings to which NLCS is not a party, NLCS shall promptly notify the Trust and shall be reimbursed by the Trust at the then current standard billing rates for NLCS's professional time and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred responding to such request. |
Notwithstanding the indemnification provisions above, to the extent that the Chief Compliance Officer incurs any liability in connection with the performance of his duties under this Agreement, he shall be covered under the Directors and Officers Errors and Omissions insurance policy of the Trust, in accordance with the terms therein and the deductible shall be covered by the Trust.
VII. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
The following conditions must be met within a reasonable amount of time following the execution of this Agreement:
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a. | The investment adviser for each Fund will officially appoint a Chief Compliance Officer pursuant to Rule 206(4)-7 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 ("Advisers Act"), to fulfill all required duties thereunder. |
b. | The Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer shall be covered under the Trust’s Directors and Officers Errors and Omissions Insurance as an officer of the Trust. |
c. | NLCS will maintain an Errors and Omissions Insurance policy. |
VIII. WARRANTY
NLCS warrants that it is under no obligation to any other entity that in any way is in conflict with this Agreement and that it is free to enter into this Agreement.
IX. EFFECTIVE DATE, TERM AND TERMINATION
a. | Effective Date and Term . This Agreement shall become effective on the date first above written and shall continue for a period of one (1) year (the “Initial Term”). This Agreement shall automatically continue for successive one year periods (a “Renewal Term”) subject to approval of the Board of the Trust, including approval by a majority of the Independent Trustees. |
b. | Termination . This Agreement may be terminated (i) at the end of the Initial Term (or Renewal Term) by either party by providing at least ninety (90) days’ written notice prior to the commencement of a Renewal Term, (ii) in accordance with Section X as a result of the removal of the Chief Compliance Officer, or (iii) upon written notice of a material breach, provided that a party shall have 30 days to remedy a material breach. In the event of termination, NLCS agrees that it will cooperate in the smooth transition of services and to minimize disruption to the Trust and its shareholders. |
c. | Fees Resulting from Termination. Except in the event of a termination (i) by the Trust due to an uncured material breach by NLCS or (ii) pursuant to Section X(b) or X(d), the Trust shall pay NLCS all compensation and fees owing through the Initial Term, or any Renewal Term, as applicable, on the date of termination or the date that the provision of services cease, whichever is later. For a termination (i) by the Trust due to an uncured material breach by NLCS or (ii) pursuant to Section X(b) or X(d), the Trust shall pay NLCS all compensation and fees owing through the date of termination or the date that the provision of services ceases, whichever is later. |
d. | Reimbursement of NLCS’s Expenses . In addition to the fees owing in accordance |
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with subsection (c), if this Agreement is terminated for any reason with respect to a Fund or Funds, NLCS shall be entitled to collect from the Trust the amount of all of NLCS’s reasonable labor charges and cash disbursements for services in connection with NLCS’s activities in effecting such termination, including, without limitation, the labor costs and expenses associated with delivery of any compliance records of each such Fund from its computer systems, and the delivery to the Trust and/or its designees of related records, instruments and documents, or any copies thereof.
X. EXCEPTIONS RESULTING FROM BOARD ACTION UNDER RULE 38a-1
a. | Termination . If the Board dismisses the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, this Agreement will either end immediately (subject to the provisions of Section IX) or, at the discretion of both parties, NLCS may present an alternative Chief Compliance Officer for Board consideration and approval to continue the Chief Compliance Officer duties set forth under this Agreement. |
b. | Prevention of Termination . If NLCS wishes to dismiss the Chief Compliance Officer under the terms of NLCS’s arrangement with the Chief Compliance Officer, NLCS will present its plan of action to the Board prior to taking such action. Under such circumstances NLCS may, at its own discretion, offer to present another Chief Compliance Officer candidate to the Board that would work through NLCS. If the Board approves the new Chief Compliance Officer, the contract would continue as amended to reflect the new Chief Compliance Officer. If, the Board chooses to engage its own Chief Compliance Officer as a result of NLCS dismissing the Chief Compliance Officer under this Agreement, the contract with NLCS would end, and the Trust would pay NLCS only for fees and Out of Pocket Expenses accrued up to the point in time when the Board’s new Chief Compliance Officer officially assumes responsibility. |
c. | Change in Compensation . If the Board decides to increase the Chief Compliance Officer’s compensation or provide a bonus to the Chief Compliance Officer, then the fees paid to NLCS by the Trust will increase proportionately for any amounts it deems due to the Chief Compliance Officer above the amounts due to NLCS under this Agreement. Any attempt by the Board to reduce the salary of the Chief Compliance Officer would be contrary to the terms of this Agreement. |
d. | Resignation by Chief Compliance Officer . If the Chief Compliance Officer voluntarily resigns, at the discretion of both parties, NLCS may present an alternative Chief Compliance Officer for Board consideration and approval to continue Chief Compliance Officer duties under this Agreement. If the Board chooses to end its relationship with NLCS as a result of such voluntary resignation by the Chief Compliance Officer, this Agreement would end, and the Trust would pay NLCS |
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only for fees and Out of Pocket Expenses accrued up to the point in time when the Board’s new Chief Compliance Officer officially assumes responsibility. NLCS will make every effort to assist the Board in a smooth transition during this period.
XI. MISCELLANEOUS
a. | Amendments . No provisions of this Agreement may be amended or modified in any manner except by a written agreement properly authorized and executed by both parties hereto. |
b. | Governing Law . This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions thereof interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. |
c. | Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto and supersedes any prior agreement with respect to the subject matter hereof whether oral or written. |
d. | C ounterparts . The parties may execute this Agreement on any number of counterparts, and all of the counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument. |
e. | Severability . If any part, term or provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, in conflict with any law or otherwise invalid, the remaining portion or portions shall be considered severable and not be affected by such determination, and the rights and obligations of the parties shall be construed and enforced as if the Agreement did not contain the particular part, term or provision held to be illegal or invalid. |
f. | Force Majeure. Neither party shall be liable to the other for failure to perform if the failure results from a cause beyond its control, including, without limitation, fire, electrical, mechanical, or equipment breakdowns, delays by third party vendors and/or communications carriers, civil disturbances or disorders, terrorist acts, strikes, acts of governmental authority or new governmental restrictions, or acts of God. |
g. | Headings . Section and paragraph headings in this Agreement are included for convenience only and are not to be used to construe or interpret this Agreement. |
h. | Notices . All notices, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or by overnight, registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to each party at the address set forth below or at such new address designated by such party by notice given. |
13 |
To the Trust: | To NLCS: |
J. Grayson Sanders | Michael J. Wagner |
President | President |
PREDEX | Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC |
17605 Wright Street, Suite 2 | 80 Arkay Drive, Suite 110 |
Omaha, NE 68130 | Hauppauge, NY 11788 |
(402) 493-4603 | (631) 470-2604 |
gsanders@predexcapital.com | Michael.Wagner@NLCompliance.com |
With a copy to:
JoAnn Strasser, Esq. | |
Thompson Hine LLP | |
41 S. High Street, Suite 1700 | |
Columbus, OH 43215 | |
joann.strasser@thompsonhine.com | |
614-469-3200 |
i. | Distinction of Funds . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the parties agree that the assets and liabilities of each Fund of the Trust are separate and distinct from the assets and liabilities of each other Fund and that no Fund shall be liable or shall be charged for any debt, obligation or liability of any other Fund, whether arising under this Agreement or otherwise. |
j. | Representation of Signatories . Each of the undersigned expressly warrants and represents that they have full power and authority to sign this Agreement on behalf of the party indicated and that their signature will bind the party indicated to the terms hereof. |
Signature Page Follows
14 |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed in their names and on their behalf by and through their duly authorized persons, as of the day and year first above written.
PREDEX
/s/__________________________ By: J. Grayson Sanders President
|
NORTHERN LIGHTS COMPLIANCE SERVICES, LLC
/s/__________________________ By: Michael J. Wagner President
|
The undersigned investment adviser hereby acknowledges and agrees to the terms of this Consulting Agreement.
Name of Adviser: PREDEX Capital Management, LLC
Address of Adviser: 18500 Von Karman Ave, #300
Irvine, CA 92612
By: _/s/______________
Name: J. Grayson Sander
Title: Managing Principal
15 |
APPENDIX A
List of Funds
As of April 7, 2016
PREDEX |
A-1 |
APPENDIX B –FEES
1) Development of Procedures. A one-time fee of $5,000.00 will be billed to each Fund’s adviser/sponsor in advance of commencement of Fund operations, for services rendered in connection with initial due-diligence reviews of the adviser policies and procedures, adviser site visits and preparation of the Compliance Program Manual for the Trust.
For non-adviser service providers to the Fund (e.g., custodians, distributors, etc.), an additional one-time fee of $1,500 may be billed for due-diligence site visits (to the extent deemed necessary by the CCO) to any such service provider.
The Fund’s adviser/sponsor must pay for the above described services and may be reimbursed by the Fund for any of the foregoing costs after the Fund commences operations.
plus
2) Base Fee – Trust Chief Compliance Officer Services .
Each Fund will pay an annual fee of $35,000 for the Chief Compliance Officer services provided under this Agreement (the “Annual Fee”).
The Annual Fee will be billed to each Fund set forth on Appendix A on a calendar quarterly basis, in advance. The invoices shall be due and payable by the Funds within thirty (30) days following receipt of an invoice from NLCS. Each invoice provided by NLCS shall include the amount due and a brief description of the services rendered.
On the annual anniversary date of each Fund being added to this Agreement, such Fund’s fees enumerated above may be increased by the change in the Consumer Price Index for the Northeast region (“CPI”) for the twelve-month period ending with the month preceding such annual anniversary date. Any CPI increases not charged in any given year may be included in prospective CPI fee increases in future years.
Pricing Discounts and Adjustments
An additional fee of $7,500.00 per year will be charged if the Fund involves complex securities or other higher risk compliance issues, contingent upon independent Trustee approval.
NLCS shall offer pricing discounts for multiple Funds advised by the same investment adviser (a “Fund Family”). The Annual Fee shall be charged on the largest fund in a Fund Family. A 50% discount will be given to any additional Funds in the Fund Family. Total fees for a Fund Family shall be calculated using the above method and then
B-1 |
allocated to each Fund based on the relative net assets of each Fund compared to total Fund Family assets. Funds having more than one adviser or Funds with one or more sub-advisers are not eligible to participate in Fund Family pricing discounts. A single fund (not part of a Fund Family) with multiple advisers/sub-advisers shall be charged an additional annual fee of $3,000 per additional adviser/sub-adviser.
plus
3) Out of Pocket Expenses .
Reasonable expenses incurred in connection with Trust business, including, but not limited to, travel and meals, visits to Trust Service Providers, telephone calls, photocopying, binding and shipping of compliance materials, will be billed to the Trust on a monthly basis. The Trust agrees to reimburse NLCS for all Out of Pocket Expenses incurred by NLCS in connection with the services provided to the Trust pursuant to this Agreement. Where the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer makes a single visit to Service Providers for purposes not only of the Trust, but also for other NLCS clients that employ the same Service Providers, the travel costs will be divided among the Trust and such clients equally. An invoice detailing these Out of Pocket Expenses, including any Fund specific expenses, will be submitted to the Trust at the end of each month, and will be payable by the Trust within thirty (30) days of receipt of an invoice from NLCS. Fund specific Out of Pocket Expenses, such as those incurred for visits to investment advisers for specific Funds, will be allocated by the Trust to the respective Fund.
B-2 |
APPENDIX C
William Brian Kimme, JD, MBA, CHP Level 1
17605 Wright Street, Omaha, NE 68130
(402) 896-7569
william.kimme@nlcompliance.com
Performance-focused professional with a distinguished regulatory and compliance background. Consistently contribute to bottom line efficiency, performance, and process improvements. Expert legal, due diligence, problem-solving, and client-needs assessment aptitude . Additional strengths include:
ü Regulatory, Compliance ü Due Diligence
ü Alternative Investments ü Capital Markets
ü Corporate, Financial & Risk Analysis ü Rules and Regulations
Education & Professional Development
Master of Business Administration , Thunderbird School of Global Management , Glendale, AZ
Juris Doctor , and Bachelor of Arts Creighton University , Omaha, NE
Professional Experience
NORTHERN LIGHTS COMPLIANCE SERVICES, LLC, Omaha, NE 9/2011 to Present
Senior Compliance Officer
On-boarded to provide expertise for alternative funds. Serves as Chief Compliance Officer to mutual fund series trusts, and closed end interval funds. Oversee all trust compliance activities. Review and evaluation of service provider compliance programs, including risk assessments. Serve as the liaison for regulatory contact for clients. Review content and timeliness of annual Form ADV for clients.
• | Review of client annual SEC 206(4)-7 annual compliance testing. Conduct trust annual testing, prepare annual report, and presentation of annual report to boards. |
• | Worked with managed futures fund adviser to reduce margin requirements at its FCM from a high of 90% to exchange margin requirements of approximately 50%, reducing the risk to the fund. |
• | Advised investment advisers, ’40 Act Funds, and Series Trust Boards on compliance programs and policies and procedures to ensure compliance with SEC rules and regulations. |
Additional Employment Experience
Mick & Associates, P.C., LLO , Omaha, NE 8/2009 to 9/2011
Regulatory, and Compliance Professional
Rendered reviews on Reg. D and registered non-traded offerings comprised of managed futures, commodity pool, venture capital, and hedge fund offerings, as well as business development corporations, and private equity. Provided due diligence review of investment advisers.
FINRA , Chicago, IL and New York, NY 1991 to 2009
Assistant Director of Business Strategies, New York, NY (2000 to 2009)
Staff Attorney/Senior Attorney, Chicago, IL (1991 to 2000)
Lead acquisition efforts. Delivered expert capital market counseling. Drafted domestic and international capital markets rules, regulations, and procedures. Trained of staff, arbitrators, regulators, and trade groups. Managed regional staff. Provided litigation management. Secured consulting assignment through World Bank for Romanian Capital Markets, the first consulting agreement with an European union country for FINRA. Non-officer member of original Task Force examining the role of the investment advisor oversight.
KIMME & LAMKE, Washington, MO 1989 to 1991
Attorney focusing on: Corporate mergers, acquisitions, formations, and divestitures; tax; contracts; real estate; international; banking; title insurance; and healthcare matters.
Affiliations
Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics ▪ Association of Corporate Counsel ▪ Former Chair of the Association of Corporate Counsel’s DELVACCA Chapter’s Corporate and Securities Law Committee, and member of the Audit Committee ▪ SIFMA Compliance and Legal Society ▪ Missouri Bar
Volunteer Experience
C-1 |
· | Creighton University Alumni Association |
· Youth Athletics
· Habitat for Humanity projects
· Sandbag Volunteer for City of Omaha
C-2 |
APPENDIX D
Anti-Money Laundering Officer Services
1) Appointment of Anti-Money Laundering Officer . NLCS will provide the services of Chad Bitterman, who shall be appointed by the Board as the Anti-Money Laundering Officer (the “AMLO”) for each Fund. Mr. Bitterman will have overall responsibility for administering and overseeing compliance with each Fund’s anti-money laundering (“AML”) program. A brief biography for Mr. Bitterman is included in Appendix E .
2) AML Compliance . As part of the AML program, the AMLO shall, among other things:
a) | Assist the Fund in identifying its AML vulnerabilities and identify the risk factors relating to the AML requirements; |
b) | Review the adequacy of the Fund’s AML program and the effectiveness of its implementation and, as necessary, make recommendations regarding updating the Fund’s AML program to accommodate changes in regulatory requirements and the Fund’s business; |
c) | Provide ongoing AML training for appropriate persons; |
d) | Perform testing of certain control procedures, including collecting and organizing relevant data and reviewing reports, investigating exceptions, and making inquiries of the Fund’s personnel and relevant Service Providers; |
e) | Arrange for independent testing of the Fund’s AML programs; |
f) | Monitor and review AML responsibilities that have been delegated to Service Providers; |
g) | Conduct on-site visits of appropriate Service Providers as necessary; |
h) | Oversee (to the extent not delegated to Service Providers) suspicious activity reporting (on form SAR-SF); |
i) | Assist the Fund’s personnel in responding to Section 314(a) information requests; and |
j) | Report to the Board. |
Notwithstanding the indemnification provisions of this Agreement, to the extent that the AMLO incurs any liability in connection with the performance of the services set forth in this
D-1 |
Appendix D (or any omission with respect thereto), he or she will be covered under the Directors and Officers Errors and Omissions insurance policy of the Fund, in accordance with the terms therein and all deductibles applicable to such policy shall be covered by the Fund.
3) Representations and Warranties .
a) | Representations and Warranties of NLCS. NLCS represents and warrants that: |
i. It has access to the necessary facilities, equipment, and personnel with the requisite knowledge and experience to assist the AMLO in the performance of his duties and obligations under this Agreement;
ii. It shall make available a person who is competent and knowledgeable regarding the Federal Securities Laws and is otherwise reasonably qualified to act as an AMLO and who will, in the exercise of his duties to the Fund, act in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed by him or her to be in the best interests of the Fund;
iii. It shall compensate the AMLO fairly, subject to the Board’s right under any applicable regulations (e.g., Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act) to approve the designation, termination and level of compensation of the AMLO. In addition, it shall not retaliate against the AMLO should the AMLO inform the Board of a compliance failure or take aggressive action to ensure compliance with the Federal Securities Laws by the Fund or a Service Provider;
iv. It shall report to the Board promptly if it learns of AMLO malfeasance or in the event the AMLO is terminated as an AMLO, as the case may be, by another investment company or if the AMLO is terminated by NLCS; and
v. It shall report to the Board if at any time the AMLO is subject to the disqualifications set forth in Section 15(b)(4) of the Exchange Act or Section 9 of the 1940 Act.
b) | Representations and Warranties of the Fund. The Fund represents and warrants that: |
i. The AMLO shall be covered by the Fund’s Directors and Officers/Errors and Omissions Policy; and
ii. The AMLO is a named officer in the Fund’s corporate resolutions and, though not specifically named in the Fund’s organizational documents, subject to its provisions regarding indemnification of its officers.
D-2 |
4) Removal of AMLO . The Board retains the right and authority to remove the AMLO designated by NLCS at any time, with or without cause, without payment of any penalty. If the Board dismisses the AMLO, NLCS may present alternative AMLO candidate(s) for Board consideration and approval to continue the services set forth in this Appendix D .
If NLCS wishes to dismiss the AMLO under the terms of NLCS’ arrangement with such person, or if such person resigns from NLCS, NLCS will present its plan of action to the Board prior to taking such action. Under such circumstances, NLCS may, at the Board’s discretion, offer to present a candidate to the Board that would work through NLCS. If the Board approves the candidate as the new AMLO, the contract would continue as amended to so reflect.
5) Consent to Examination . In connection with the AML program administered by NLCS, NLCS hereby consents to federal regulators’ examination of information and records retained by NLCS to the extent such information and records relate to the AML program and to federal regulators’ inspection of NLCS for purposes of the AML program.
D-3 |
APPENDIX E
Chad M. Bitterman
Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC
17605 Wright Street, Omaha, NE 68130 * ( 402)-896-7350 Chad.Bitterman@NLCompliance.com
Professional Experience
Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (“NLCS”) Omaha, NE
Compliance Officer 2010 to Present
Assistant to the CCO for one of the largest series trust. Selected as the Anti-Money Laundering (“AML”) Officer for a closed-end interval fund. Assist fund companies in fulfilling Rule 38a-1 requirements. Complete compliance site visits for existing and new fund service providers. Review and assist preparing written compliance documents including risk assessments for multiple fund families. Oversee testing with varying frequencies for multiple fund families to ensure each follows prospectus, statement of additional information (“SAI”), and/or governing regulatory requirements. Assist in preparing annual and quarterly compliance reports to various Fund Boards. Create/update various compliance oversight reports. Assist in preparing written procedures for NLCS testing and operations. Attend various conferences, conference calls, and webinars to keep up to date on current litigations, hot topics, and regulations by regulatory agencies.
TD AMERITRADE Omaha, NE
Team Manager, Retail Trading and Services 2 Years
Responsible in mentoring a team to support the flagship retail products of the company whose clients relied heavily on personal contact for transacting business as opposed to electronic means. Partnered with the compliance department on time sensitive issues such as phishing and identity theft to make clients aware of risks and helping them keep their information secure. Directed a staff of 18 brokers and an assistant manager. Prepared monthly reports for the CEO. Updated written supervisory procedures for the firm to reflect changes in the company, team, and the industry.
Team Manager, Institutional Trading and Services 2 Years
Responsible for the development of a highly skilled team of brokers to service the intermediary institutional adviser and adviser-client base. Partnered with Institutional Sales to grow independent adviser assets under management from $1.5 billion to $9 billion. Managed and serviced the relationships with company’s largest independent advisers, third party administrators, and transfer agents. Directed a staff of 20 plus brokers and an assistant manager. Managed the training when institutional services moved to another call center location due to an acquisition. Coordinated training and processes for services that were moved from another call center location to Omaha. Created processes to automate the time intensive task of allocating out bunched/ block transactions.
Senior Margin Analyst 2 Years
Responsible for monitoring client accounts for compliance to house and federal regulations for margin/ option accounts. Guided clients in reducing risk by reducing current positions and/or delivering cash and securities into the account. Explained current regulations and rules to clients to develop their understanding of the risks associated with different trading strategies .
Block Trading Broker/Client Services 4 Years
Assisted clients in tapping liquidity on execution of larger orders, usually 10,000 or more shares and $200,000.00 in value, which often influenced the market for a particular stock .
Education
Bachelor of Business Administration, Marketing- 1995
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Licenses
FINRA Series 7, 24, 63, 65
Professional Memberships
National Society of Compliance Professionals (“NSCP”) www.NSCP.org
E-1 |
Expense Limitation Agreement
To : PREDEX
17605 Wright Street, Suite 2
Omaha , NE 68130
Dear Board Members:
You have engaged us to act as the sole in vest ment adviser to PREDEX (the " Trust " or the " Fund "), pursuant to a Management Agreement dated on or about December 2, 2013.
Effective from the public offering of Fund shares for a period of at l east 1 year, we agree to waive our fees and to pay or absorb the ordinary annual operating expenses of the Fund (including offering and organizational expenses, but excluding interest (if any), brokerage commissions (if any), acquired fund fees and expenses and extraordinary expenses), to the extent that they exceed 1.20% per annum of th e Fund's average daily net assets.
Additionally, this Expense Limitation Agreement may not be ter minated by PREDEX Capital Management, LLC, but may be terminated by the Fund's Boa r d of Trustees, on written notice to PREDEX Capital Management, LLC. This Ag reement will automatically terminate, with respect to the Fund if the Management Ag reeme nt for the Fund is terminated. Any waiver or reimbursement by us is subject to re payment by t he Fund within the three fiscal years following the fiscal year in which the expenses were incurred, if the Fund is able to make the repayment without exceeding its current expense limitation. The right to repayment shall survive termination of the Managemen t Agreement, unless waived by PREDEX Capital Management, LLC.
PREDEX Capital Management, LLC
By: /s/_______________
J. Grayson Sanders
Managing Principal
Date: April 7, 2016
Acceptance: PREDEX
By: /s/______________
J. Grayson Sanders
President
Date: April 7, 2016
April 21, 2016
PREDEX
17605 Wright Street, Suite 2
Omaha, NE 68130
Dear Board Members:
A legal opinion (the "Legal Opinion") that we prepared was filed with Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the PREDEX Registration Statement. We hereby give you our consent to incorporate by reference the Legal Opinion into Post-Effective Amendment No.1 under the Securities Act of 1933 (Amendment No. 4 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
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement (No. 333-186987) on Form N-2 of our report dated April 18, 2015, relating to our audit of the financial statements and financial highlights, which appear in the April 30, 2015 Annual Report to Shareholders of PREDEX, which are also incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement.
We also consent to the references to our firm under the captions “Financial Highlights” and "Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm" in such Registration Statement.
/s/ RSM US LLP
Denver, Colorado
April 28, 2016